Some Stuff

Life is funny. Just when I start getting interesting in pipe smoking, it possibly turns to dirt. The last couple of mornings after smoking, I've woken up with a monster migraine. I'm not certain the two are causally related, but it's likely. For me, it simply doesn't take much of a change in environment to trigger a headache. And that reaction from my body just makes me sad. I like the ritual of the pipe - the quiet of it, its spirituality. I'm going to give it a few more shots, but if the headaches, such severe headaches, continue on subsequent mornings, then this sordid affair, though passionate, will be short-lived.

On Fresh Air today (NPR), Terry Gross interviewed Ron Hansen, author of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and who has just released a new historical fiction book on the life of Gerard Manley Hopkins (one of my most favorite of poets). Mr. Hansen is a deacon in the Catholic Church and Hopkins was a convert to the Catholic Church, who became a Jesuit priest and whose poetry was all published posthumously. This is my kind of book. It's titled Exiles and I think it's going to my Father's Day gift to myself. (Happy Father's Day to me! Happy Father's Day to me!)

Speaking of books, today the UPS man brought a gargantuan box of the complete works of Shakespeare, hardcovers all, 38 books total. The offer was through Amazon and published by the Penguin Group. All for $60 (that's $1.58 per play). A splurge on my part, but I couldn't resist. ("Happy Father's Day to you!" sings my wife. "Happy Father's Day to you!")

I lost my Rosary and am quite frustrated about it (truth be told, I'm cussing mad). I had it sitting on the night stand next to my bed and two days ago it came up missing. I checked with the local pack rat (yellow-haired), but she doesn't seem to have it. No one has seen it. I've checked under and in the bed and in all the pockets of shorts and jeans I've worn and I can't find it. It really bothers me. My dad gave me this Rosary, one that he had from ages past and I've enjoyed praying with it. Say a quick prayer for me that I'll find it, if you would, since I obviously can't pray without it.

Glory to God

Glory to God for Imitrex. I'm still struggling through this headache - Day 3 or 4? Last night was killer, so much so that I went to my precious stockpile of drugs for terrible temporal pain. (Only one past-due-date Imitrex left!) Killer became killer-er as I stubbornly refused to turn off the movie I was watching. And not because it was a masterpiece, but because I wanted to send it back to Netflix this morning.

He he he. I probably deserve the pain for being such an idiot.

The movie was Into the Wild, and I felt like I was dying with Mr. Supertramp. My eyes were watering from the pain - not tears, you understand. I wanted to shout at the TV: "Give me some of those poisonous wild potato seeds, Wolf Boy!" Man, medicinal marijuana never sounded so good.

Maybe I make stupid decisions like this because I'm hanging on too tightly to nighttime being my time, with all the kids in bed. Or it might could be that I just ain't too bright, coz.

"Last night, however, won't be repeated," he says with, perhaps, a modicum of resolve.

By the way, the medicine didn't work as fast as I'd have liked. But while I went to bed in what felt like my death throes, I woke up feeling brand-spanking new. And that makes even a nearly thirty dollar pill seem worth the price.

Various and Sundry

I'm detoxing from caffeine ... again. I had a monster headache all last week and am still struggling through some rebound headaches as well. I have had one or two days headache free. I'm looking forward to more.

Important news: Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! I miss living near my mom and my dad. I miss being able to hug them rather than simply telling them I love you. But I do love you both, and, Mom, I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

The baby boy is coming! Our son is now full-term. And he will be in our arms before you can say Jack Robinson (No, that won't be his name). The due date is the 24th, but we are tentatively planning an induction on the 19th. Laura is just great with child and pretty miserable and tired much of the time. Pray for her and for our son.

I'm around, but I do have work to finish up this week - so, again, posting may be light.