Hi there, come on in.  Good to see you, may I get you something?  Who?  Don't be silly, of course they're welcome.  Hi, I'm Melissa.  Come on in.  Very nice to meet you. 

Find yourselves a spot, might be one on the sofa... no, maybe not.  You'll find something, don't worry.  The floor with a pillow is quite inviting, especially if near the right people.  Unless you have an aversion to a big dog in your face with her tongue hanging out wearing her heart on her sleeve.  She'll just stand there and look into your soul through the windows you didn't know were open.  As long as your eyes are locked, she won't move towards you, she'll just start to wiggle gently.  If you hang up, she'll turn in disappointment and walk away, still hopeful for next time.  If you connect, well, you've got a very happy 70 pounds of Boxer in your lap.  No extra charge for the hair.  Or the bad breath.  But you'll never be able to repay her for the sheer love.

What's that?  Sure, I don't mind.  Will you get me a glass while you're at it?  Oh, dammit!  There's a tree frog in the house, somebody help.  Yes, of course he came in through the door, that's not helpful!  No, don't do that, you might hurt it - I just want to put it back outside.  Stop laughing at me, my mother taught me not to kill something just because it winds up in the wrong place.  There it is, quick!  Grab that bowl thing and put it over it!  I have no idea what I'm talking about, just get it out of here.  No, I don't have a problem with grabbing it with my hands except that I can't!  Can you?  

Hi there, come on in.  May a get you something?  Sure.  If you're not overdressed for the heat why not join a few of us outside?  I just got here myself a small while ago and changed clothes straight away.  Old cut-offs are the best thing in the world for summer, assuming you don't need to be too decent.  Luckily I know you don't care.  OK, now we have our wine, let's go listen to crickets.

It's hot - the sultry, sticky kind of hot.  Makes you sweat right away, as if the humidity a predator waiting for your skin.  Once it attacks, it spreads, consuming your body until you feel that first drop rolling between your shoulder blades.  The next down your neck ... slowly winding along your chest.  Makes your hair wet with its sexy summer shower of moisture.  You must stay still as it takes you over, assumes control.  If you are very still you can hear it breathe.

Then a drop lands smack in your eye and burns like hell.  No, I'm fine.  I like to sweat, but you?  Are you overdressed?

  

Hi there, come on in.  Working late again tonight, so sorry I couldn't invite you over earlier.  Can you stay for a minute or two?  Grab a glass of whatever you like, choose the music or movie you like and have a comfortable seat.  I've been thinking about something tonight and would appreciate your thoughts.

There is a mother staying with her daughter for a long weekend at my "other" place.  I met them tonight, just briefly for a few smiles and moments of conversation.  Mom is about as conservative in appearance as one can appear, in dress and expression.  But she has a twinkle in her eye.  I think her daughter is the result of that twinkle.  She's fifteen and Goth to the bone.  You know the look, black everything and somber ... really, really somber.  Until she laughed with her Mom and I.  The light and sparkle was beautiful, as was the obvious love and respect between the two.  During our short time together, we were briefly interrupted by other guests.  One couple of a certain middle age, another a lone young man in his middle twenties, I presume.  The looks they gave that young woman - that Goth child - were disturbing.  The couple visibly moved away from her as they spoke to me.  The young man shook his head in obvious distain as he walked past, giving her the full once over.  None of them seemed to even notice the mother standing beside her.  I did.  I also saw a vibrant, blooming young soul fade into a shadowy place where somber reigns.  Her mother hugged her and they left to walk the beach for awhile.  And I hope they laughed.

The experience made me think of a family that arrived every summer to spend some time with each other.  Three sisters, one with a husband and three children.  I've known them since before the children were born but will not see them this year.  That in itself is not remarkable, things never remain the same.  My thought was of one of their children, the only boy.  As many families do, his parents divorced when he was small and he and his sisters shared two homes.  Mom and Dad decided to keep the two week beach reunion with family going, so came up with quite a plan.  Dab came down for the first week and brought the kids, Dad would leave and Mom would fill out the second week and take the kids home.  That's not my point, just a little background.

As the child grew, each year showed a new hair style.  Or a new earring or five.  Or a nose ring, eyebrow ring, lip ring.  Or a new tattoo.  Or a new chain hanging from something somewhere, or two, or twenty.  The clothes got darker.  All the color escaped to his hair - when he chose to sport any.  Last year it was all of the above, with a yellow and green mohawk, a constant cigarette in his mouth and an underage beer in his hand.  Dad let him get away with the last two, and he left with Dad at the end of the week.  That wonderful, loving little boy inside never changed to me.  And having known me all his life he knew that.  We were pals, friends, confidants and still are today.  He always said please and thank you.  Always may I?  He caused no problems, rather preferring to keep to himself and listen to music quietly.  He smiled at everyone, actually getting a kick out of those who more than frowned upon him.  I've always said he was making a statement to the world, I've also always said I thought he was also asking - no, begging - for the world to notice him.  I did, with love.  I was one of so few.  Most tossed him aside as too "wierd", "crazy", "scary".

I've heard they won't be here this year because Dad lost his job and his home to alcoholism.  Mom's having trouble paying all the bills without child support for the younger kids.  And that young man is in trouble, following in his father's footsteps since forgetting to stay in his own.  I know, though, in my heart, that he is still the little boy I love.

You are so patient to hear me out, thank you for listening.  Way to get the party going, huh?  It's been on my mind tonight, this way some people have of stereotyping others without a second thought.  Or a second look.

What do you think?           

Hi there, come on in.  I'm late again tonight, many apologies.  Life has the most impolite way of muscling in on a good time being had by all.  It also has the most improbable way of creating the very best of times.  Without sadness we would not appreciate true joy.  Without the pain of heartbreak feeling new love stir would be worthless.  Like I say, if it were Christmas every day even the kids wouldn't care.  So life got in my way tonight, I appreciate ya'll stopping by on this evening that has morphed into morrow.

Doing all right tonight?  Care for anything?  Grab a seat, quite a few open since so many normal folks are at home sleeping peacefully.  I sometimes envy the normal ones.  As a life-long night owl I occasionally feel oddly odd.  But there's just a magic in the night I can't describe or abandon.  Those who know understand.

I have my glass, you have yours - thanks for noticing!  Real honest to goodness made of glass and everything glasses!  Smaller crowds lead to better service, you know.  Here we are face to face on the sofa, feeling the magic with "Casablanca" flickering just to my left.  I know, me, too.  No, never found Bogart sexy but incredibly interesting.  Anyway, since we have some special time together without a huge crowd whatsay we get to know each other better.  Maybe as a few others pop by they'll join us.  Yes, I'm looking forward to that as well.

Speak of the devil, there's the door.  Hang on a second.  Sox, let me by, please.  You haven't figured out to turn the knob, all you can manage is that delightfully entertaining wiggle dance.  Really, though, until you can actually help so I don't have to get up you're just in the way.

Hi there!  Come on in.  What's up with you tonight?     

Hi there, come on in.  It's been another long and active day, let's try to relax.  I would have been home earlier, but had to keep an eye on a friend for a bit.  Turns out no worries, she has an amazing ability to take excellent care of herself.  No, really, she's fine.  Not so sure about the guy, he may have a serious problem ... such is life as we know it.

How was your day?  Mine wasn't too bad in retrospect.  Accomplished much, bothered few.  Put a smile on a stranger's face here and there and felt many on my own.  Laughed alot for no particular reason, always my favorite reason.  Listened longer than I thought my patience would allow.  Tried to find the right words and for the most part succeeded.  Tried, at times, to do too much all at once and for the most part failed.  I don't mind failure if I sincerely tried.  Just sets my stubborn jaw to do better next time.

I'm sorry!  Can I get you something?  Well, thanks, while you find what you need I'll put on some music.  Not a bad day, but one that has evidently left me slightly brain dead.  An ordinary work day with decisions made in a split second only because every second seems to demand two.  It's been awhile since the sun came up and my ability to decide anything other than I'd love another glass of Zinfendel and a pillow has faded.

So please forgive me but I don't know what to choose.  Would you mind picking the music?  I trust you, you're always spot on.    

Hi there, come on in.  Thanks for stopping by a bit earlier tonight than usual.  It's been another long and active day - frankly, I'm tired.  As usual, though, friends will rejuvinate me and make me laugh.  You know how much I love a good laugh!  Bless your heart for that, you didn't need to ... you're right, watermelon is my favorite.  Some of my best childhood memories involve sitting cross-legged on the floor with a half of a fresh watermelon in my lap and a really big spoon.  Do you like salt with yours?  I do, for some totally insane reason.  Salt with watermelon, what a wierd concept!  Now I just need to find room in the frig.  While I'm at it can I get you anything?  Of course, grab a seat.  I'll be right back.

Monday.  The subject of so many songs and so many curses.  I've found, (much to my chagrin), that any day of the week can be a Monday.  But when you have a real Monday on the day actually named for it it can suck.  Mine did, now I wonder what Tuesday will bring.  Glad tidings from a stranger?  An unexpected smile on a face that never cracks?  Perhaps a breeze to stir my hair when I need it most or the chance to watch a bird take a bath.  Maybe the sun will shine through the clouds or will take the day off and watch from afar.  There's a very good chance that tomorrow will be filled with joy.  I think I'll hold that thought tightly as the day begins and look for opportunities to make it true.  So I now let go of a crappy Monday and turn my thoughts toward good friends, conversation, laughter and soothing music.  And a wonderful Tuesday to come.

Sorry I took so long, here you go.  Wow!  A spot on the sofa for me?  I've gotten kinda used to the floor and a pillow.  Better not get up - move it and lose it, 'ya know.  Here's Sox, right on time for a hug.  Oh good grief, her breath is horrible.  But her eyes ... So!

How was your Monday?

Hi there, come on in.  Oh, shoot, is it raining again?  I'll take that, just don't forget it when you leave.  'Course, that's how I've aquired every umbrella I've ever owned.  Cool!  2006, and excellent year.  Thanks so much, I'll go pop it in the frig.  Oh, look, Sox is doing her wiggle dance for you.  Such a show-off, but too cute.

It's raining again.  The soft kind that floats rather than falls, that shifts through the air like a liquid ghost.  It caresses your skin and refreshes your soul.  If you're part of it, in silence, you can hear it brush across the leaves of that old tree ... leaving behind one simple droplet to represent the passing of many.  In summer, this kind of misty rain is simply heaven on a hot, sultry evening.  The air seems to catch a second breath and exhale relaxation.  Time slows down to find it's southern drawl and everyone who cares to notice finds a rainbow.

Sox?  OK, but you're not gonna like it.  You know you hate going out in the rain.  That was quick!  If I could just get you to wipe your feet.  Look out!  She's heading in ... remember, not on the sofa.

Who needs their drink freshened?  Great, you know where the kitchen is.  By the way, what did we ever decide about the pot-luck dinner thing?  I thought of a twist, tell me what you think -  since some people don't cook, how about if they make requests?  Then the cooks in the group can give it a shot!  Don't look at me like that, it's only my second glass.

The rain's drifting in through the kitchen window.  The slight breeze teaching the curtains to dance.  There is laughter and conversation flowing in from the living room and I know that all is right in my world.

Just in this one moment.  But just in this one moment ... isn't that what matters?