various thoughts on different things

I'm in St. Louis for the third time this summer. The drive from Little Rock was, for the most part uneventful. But there were a few close calls I saw from impatient drivers who did not wait for a clear sight distance to pass slower vehicles. That reminded me of a couple of days ago when I was almost hit head-on by a driver who swerved into oncoming traffic (on a four lane road) to pass another car.

That incident made me think of other times that my life could have been ended. Most of these times were the result of either luck or split-second decisions on my part or someone else. Examples: I fell once and my head missed a sharp protruding rock by inches; There was an accident at a plant where I was working, before I could go to check on people, someone handed me a gas mask (the accident was a leak in an ammonia tank). Onthese occasions, it was just one little thing that meant the difference for me.

Science fiction writers have thought about these decision points that change a life, sometimes, a world. Would WWII have come about if Hitler had died during WWI? If Moses had turned right instead of left, would Israel have all the oil? The theory proposed by the writers referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph is that each time we make a decision, our world moves onto a different track. The movement and our consciousness move, but on another track, an "us" makes a different decision and so on. Naturally, if some of the movers and shakers of history had not existed, our world might have been quite different. One good friend, John Dalmas explored what the world might have been like if the Normans had lost the battle of Hastings in 1066. He has not written that yet. But I'm looking forward to the result when he does.

If you want to try some of these "what if" histories" look for Harry Harrision, Harry Turtledove or just search under "alternate history".

I watched the crops as I was driving north yesterday. It reminded me that my wheat was in the elevator and had been sold. Last year, there was a huge price spike during harvest. I think it was caused by the use of corn to make gasahol (is that the right spelling?) The demand for the one grain lifted the price of alternate food grains like wheat, rice etcetera.

I had confidently predicted to a friend that the corn demand would have no impact on the poor of the third world. Boy, was I wrong. Even though the demand for corn is still great, the markets have adjusted to a more level phase. That is what makes commodity dealers rich and why I do not even try to play in the commodity market. Of course, the stock market recently underwent some confidence shaking moves. The difference is that you can hold a stock until its price goes back up or the company goes out of business. If you buy futures in a commodity, when that future matures, you must either buy the commodity or sell at a loss.

It is odd how a few things can make a huge difference in our perception of things. I'm staying at a Sheraton hotel in Clayton, MO. The room is large and clean, but there is no refrigerator or microwave and the bathroom is quite small. Those three details made me think, "what a lousy hotel" at first. I got over it, but I'm still not happy about the fridge.

There were several other topics in my mind when I began typing this. They have all gone away and so will... for a little while.

Is it a senior moment?

The picture is one I took at the Little Rock River Market. It has absolutely nothing to do with the subject or what I have to say about it.



I visited my friend Sean's Facebook wall this afternoon. There was an invitation to write on the wall. I could think of nothing to say. The same thing happened when I visited Liz' Facebook.

The French have a phrase that covers moments like that in a conversation. It's "moment d'escalier" or stairway moment. It is quite common to think of what you should have said after the discussion is ended and you are on the stairs out of your friend's apartment. But it seems a little unfair that this should be an Internet phenomenon too. After all, here we have time to ponder our responses and type them into an e-mail or chat or Twitter (Tweet?)

That is all very well, but it has been several days since Sean and Liz invited me to be their friends and write on their walls. I still have not thought of anything to say. I guess I could just say 'hi' and leave it there. But that seems so jejune and a little pointless. I did, after all, request becoming their friend.



I suppose that it is a function of unfamiliarity. I see them only once or twice a year. Even then, we don't have a lot to say other than catching up with mutual friends. With Sean, we can chat about science fiction. (Photo from a con is above.) Usually with Liz, I can complement her on one achievement or another (she is active in sports and school) and just watch her interact with her friends. She is very pretty and quite vivacious. Just being around people like that makes me feel younger.

Next weekend, I am heading to St. Louis to meet the Washington University Women's Volleyball Team. Fran and I have been active with them since our daughter joined the team years ago. They are wonderful women, intelligent, interested and, of course, up to date. Just being around them makes me feel younger. I just hope that in the coming days, I'll think of something interesting to say.

Falling in love

Recently I fell in love again. It's not unusual for me to love someone, but it is rarer for me to fall in love.

What makes this even more unusual is our differences. She is probably a quarter of my age. (You are probably saying that makes her really young or makes me really old. You're right on both counts.)

She is a pretty girl. That attracted my attention, but what sent me head over heels was her attitude. Even when she is checked in something she wants to do, she stays positive and doesn't sulk. She is physically strong and very active. The actual moment I fell was when I spied her literally dancing with joy. Naturally, she danced gracefully. She also threw her whole into those few moments.

I'm an ancient, creaking wreck in the eyes of people her age. Naturally this heart throb will remain undisclosed to her. What the heck! We're friends. I would do nothing to spoil that.

But this lovely, warm glow is a reward in itself. I will cherish it and those moments that brought it into my heart.

Thanks, friend.

Ogdensburg, New York

Leaving a science fiction convention causes mixed emotions. There is the relief at getting away from the work, the happy anticipation of getting home to loved ones left behind opposed to the sorrow at leaving old and new friends and saying good bye to the many parties thrown each evening. Today's departure was made more piquant by discovering that I had left the reading light on in my car and having to wait for someone to give me a boost.
Between that and exploring this north east corner of NY state, I barely put 200 miles on the car. But they were lovely miles indeed. As soon as I left Montreal, I got off Hy15 and found a little vineyard in St. Jacques Minor. In New York, I found another place that made fruit wines and bought several. Of course I bought presents for family, friends and neighbors in the duty free shop, spending considerably more than the Canadian dollars I wanted to be rid of.
Tonight, in Ogdensburg, I found a beautiful inn at the side of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It was beside a restaurant that served me the nicest piece of beef I have had in more than a year. Walking out of the restaurant, I saw the sunset at the head of this post.
What could be nicer. Alas, I drank a glass of wine which, on top of the exhaustion of a week of nights with two to five hours sleep, made me very drowsy. Therefore, devoted readers, I shall tell more and show more another time.

Good Night

Vincennes, Indiana

Drove about 470 miles from Little Rock and stayed off the Interstate where I could. I'll photograph a map and post it in a later blog.
As I came northeast, I saw the crops and roadside flowers change. In Arkansas and Missouri, the crops were mostly rice and soy beans. The roadside flowers were mallows. I'll post a photo when I get it off my camera. Not tonight, I'm tired.
Driving through the small towns was wonderful. The houses ranged from little crackeer boxes to Victorian gingerbread mansions. Most of the yards were neat and quite a few had front gardens. The most amazing thing was the abundance of licoris (surprize lilies). There were huge groupings, lines and circles. Fran and I were quite proud of our little group, but these made ours look insignificant.
My fingers are getting tangled. I'll report more another time.