Hi there, come on in.  No, it's all right, really.  She takes off like that sometimes when she's been waiting for me.  Opposable thumb problem, otherwise she could let herself out.  May I get you something besides a deep breath and a hug?  Oh, of course!  Thank you for that.  Now, a glass of wine coming right up.  Hope a plastic cup is OK!   Grab a seat on the sofa, save me a pillow on the floor next to you.  What?  Sure, whatever you'd like to listen to tonight.  I'm easy.

I hope everyone knows that within this space of ours life relaxes.  I need to be a part of that, we all need to feel the connection to each other as a whole.  Just for a few minutes.  Just to take a deep breath and sigh.  Let the world stop for an instant and allow us to collect our molecules.  I know that it's hard to climb down the ladder of insistance, to walk away from the absolute certainty that you're right.  To disengage from the the voices in your head telling you to get in the car.  Even when you know the driver is drunk.  It's hard ... but not impossible.  Just for a moment.

The Earth, the Moon, the planets and the stars are encased in the stillness of peace.  Not infinite peace, mind you, but enough to sustain their brilliance for the eyes that care to see.  So let's look to the skies and think of those in peril tonight, those facing unimaginable fear of the very nature we so admire.  May the storms be fleeting, and the rainbows endless.

Just for a moment.  Can we do that?

Hi there, come on in.  Whew!  What a week, right?  So much to feel, so few words that will do.  It feels to me like a bit of down time is required, so grab a seat on the sofa and settle in for awhile.  What may I bring you?  On the way into the kitchen anyway, another glass of Zin on my mind.  You?  Cool.  A cold beer is sometimes the perfectly simple choice - I'll grab some chips.  I think I've got some Nacho Cheese Doritos ... seems like I just bought some crackers, and I know I've got some cheddar and brie.  Wonderful!  Simple munchies that will work with wine, beer or anything else you'd like.  Thanks, I can always use a hand.

Simple pleasures.  Simplicity in general.  The very idea is understated, hiding in the corner so as not to boast.  Allowing all the big, important stuff to come in first - to shape what we think our world should be.  To huff and to puff.  To blow the house down.  Bigger is better, right?  The more complicated the words the more impressive the story, right?  Of course.  The more layers we perceive on the package the more intense the contents.  Stands to reason, right?  No doubt.

I not only doubt, I deny the refusal to appreciate the beauty of 'simple'.  It is purity, it is concrete, it's the core of all things worth appreciation.  The real kinda things.  A smile.  A laugh.  A hug.  A real person.  Yea, a real person who never wears shoes unless she has to and loves an old dog.  And simple friends.  Who just might like a beer and some Doritos.  Or cheap wine with a cracker and some cheese. 

That's me.  How simple are you? 

Hi there, come on in.  Oh, yes!  Go grab a seat, so much to talk about.  Be right there, just waiting for Sox.

I want to hear what you think about his speech, and the Convention overall.  I know, I know.  But at this historic time in our lives, shouldn't we share our thoughts with friends?

I'm very happy tonight.  What about you?

Hi there, come on in.  Sox, please get down.  He sees you.  Hey there!  Great to see you!  Sox!  I'm really sure she noticed you, okay?  Honestly.  Go get in your bed.  Now ... thank you, sweetheart.

I need something from you all tonight.  And in asking I'm going to break my only rule.  Just for tonight, though.  Really.  Tomorrow I know we can and will let ourselves rest here.  I do.  But this evening, I need to know what the hell Bill said!  I had to live something called life away from media and therefore missed the circus.  

I have to know.  You can tell me, dear friends.  I trust your opinions, and hope that they differ.  No links, just tell me.  Like conversation.  Remember that?  

I know, I know.  But still ... wow.

Hi there, come on in.

I'm here.  Do you even care tonight?

Hi there, come on in.  Better hour tonight, don't you think?  Me, too!  What's that?  Oh, it's alright - the landlord was just giving me a difficult time last night, as was the land owner.  Attempted to stifle my voice and keep me contained, you can see how well that worked.  I simply don't understand why they keep trying, but never mind that.  How was your Monday?  Tough one?  I'm so sorry, take a deep breath and grab a seat.  The ugly blue chair is open if you need to fall asleep and dream for awhile.

Dreams are the most amazing things, aren't they?  It's as though the mind creates an alternate universe within which to play with ours.  Free to explore the stars, the moons, the novas that we will never understand when awake.  Dreams allow us to escape from the reality of normal and experience paradise ... or horror.  But the latter is not a dream.  Not when using the words we know to describe such, so for this moment we will not try.  We'll dream, instead.

Flying.  Have you ever flown inside the winds of a dream?

Sensual.  Have you ever made love just prior to waking?

Colorful.  Have you ever entered wonderland?

Amazing.  Have you ever cried tears of joy?

So much, much more.  All simple manifestations of who and what we are when grounded by reality.  Odd how reality takes a walk while we meander through our dreams.  

What's your dream? 

Hi there, come on in.  I'm just going to step outside and wait for Sox, go on in and grab a seat.  Nice out isn't it?  I'm almost afraid to say that Fall might be in the air.  Or is it Autumn?  Think I like Fall, reminds me of falling temperatures and tempers, leaves and leaving the heat behind.  Slight breeze feels so good on the skin.  Goosebumps.  Hi, honey ... get down, please.  Since she's gotten older she doesn't really jump - it's more like she stands up and falls towards you knowing you'll play catch.  Okay, everybody in the house.  

I'm starving!  Has anyone checked the frig lately?  I've been running around a bit more than usual and I can't remember if there's anything edible in there.  Oh, that is very funny.  Not.  Fine, I'll put on the gloves and goggles and check for myself.

How about a movie?  I'm all keyed up tonight for some odd reason.  In the mood for a glass of Zin and a movie to wind down the clock.  Gosh, I'm sorry!  Would you care for something?  I must really be out of sorts.  No problem, I'll be right back.  What?  I don't really care, just pick something you like and I know I will.  Especially with company like yours.  And popcorn.  POPCORN!!  And it's not in the frig!

So what did you pick?    

Hi there, come on in.  Yes, another big Saturday night at the OK Corral herding happy people onto their own personal sofas.  Generally successful, I suppose.  How was your day?  Wonderful, I can't wait to hear about the big, wide and often elusive world out there.  May I get you anything?  As always, grab a seat and I'll be right back. 

Speaking of the world, when was the last time you took a vacation?  You know, the kind you plan for, save up for, dream about and finally watch flash by like a fast-forwarded movie of your life.  But the memories ... they slow everything down enough to remember every glance, every laugh, every reason you went in the first place.

Some people love the beach -  I've spent some of my best vacations taking a peek at how the other sand lives.  My last was just this past June.  Didn't see much sand, but a boatload of water.  My Dad spent over a year and a fistful of money he didn't have putting together a family Carribean cruise.  My sister I rarely see and her family, my two half brothers I never see and their families, my Dad and stepmother ... and me.  He said he wanted us to get to know each other just a little while he was still around to be a part of it.  Nope, not a one us us had the heart (or, frankly, the guts) to say no to that.  It was all a family vacation is cracked up to be when the family involved are virtually strangers.  All the good, bad and in between.  It was the in between  that caused all the hugs and tears upon saying goodbye.

So, I'm interested.  We all have to get away sometimes.  Even from ourselves, even if in spite of ourselves.  The last time you ran away - where did you go?