Maybe Whirligig Beetle Mode is better than roach mode.
So much is happening. I’m darting and wheeling around, crashing into things, darting off again, not sure where to turn, so I’m turning all the turns.
A roach makes similar movements when rattled, but he’s usually up to something sinister. I’m not.
The Whirligig Beetle is relatable as he skims across the surface of a stream, on the water, not under it. Suspended above the clear deep for reasons unknown to him (surface tension not being taught in beetle school), he darts to and fro on this magical trampoline, as giant monsters lurk and prowl below, and a clear blue sky smiles down on him from impossible heights.
I know how he feels.
Right now, my house is moving approximately a mile a minute down the highway. The modular sections are en route from North Carolina. The guys are already starting work down at the site. (I’m getting a house built.)
A lot of other stuff has been happening. You should have been up at the Buchanan library last Thursday. What a chat we had, a talk about how to talk in difficult times, and what we can do to lower the temperature. (And of course, Havel’s essay came up. You have got to read that if you’re worried about the times, and what to do about them.)
The poor librarians looked alarmed as I leaned towards third rails and threatened to go off the usual two. “Shouldn’t have given me this coffee” I quipped.
“Yeah….I was worried about that.”
My reputation precedes me.
But things stayed calm, professional, and productive. We all got somewhere, and made friends along the way. More on that soon.
And then….THE ECLIPSE…! Did you see it?
You always knew I would, and now you have proof. I made the 6:00 news. You’ll note I’m sporting both kinds of sunglasses.
Big thanks to Rachel and Christian for the interview and story. What a fun way to spend the time waiting for the clouds to clear.
Dig this fancy quote:
To look up and realize our place in the universe is really grounding," Urban said. "It's scientifically interesting, it's aesthetically pleasing, and today is sort of all of that because we're going to get to see this cosmic dance of geometry.
Spiffing! I’ve got a full account for you on Monday, and in today’s edition of the Altavista Journal on the newsstands. I’m off to whirl down the road to buy a copy, and then get in the way of the construction guys. “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”
There’s so much to be stoked about. If Twitter is getting you down–look up.
Stay tuned for pictures.
And a pre-emptive “excuse me” for crashing into you. There’s a lot of ways to turn today.
–Josh
A Whirligig Beetle appears calm…but he’s not.