Hi there, come on in.  This is my virtual living room, in my virtual world full of virtual friends.  Welcome. 

Some things are real.  Some things are not.  Some things exist in the shadows between the two worlds.  One of the things that has existed in that shadowy hemisphere is my dog.  Sox.  In reality, she has not lived in my living room, or with me, since June of 2006.  At that time my own reality changed, I was thrown into a place in which she could not fit.  So she was left behind with another who loved her, cared for her and made it possible for her reality to remain peaceful.  I have seen her, regularly, since that time.  In another's living room.  Reality.  But in my heart, in my head and, yes, in my virtual living room she has remained by my side.  Snoring in her bed.  Jumping on friends.  The same friends who have become a part of my reality.  Shadows.  Please forgive me for pretending that a piece of my heart hadn't been broken.  That the piece named Sox still remained.

It seems now that in reality she is no longer in the other living room, either.  The other half of me that is the past decided to send her to another home.  I don't know where, but he says it's a good one.  I have to believe that.  In my virtual mind she's playing with children and having a ball.  She's snoring in her bed and dreaming of puppy days long gone in reality - but this is virtual, after all.

The other half of me that is the past decided, upon discovering these simple words that I express each night, that she should be lost to my reality.  Because I have loved her so often virtually.  So have you all.  I'm so sorry for not being entirely realistic in this fantasy world of mine ... feeling her with me just made me a bit more whole.

Can you forgive me?

Haven't seen a new post since 8:30ish this AM.

Is it just me?

Hi there, come on in.  Grab a seat on the sofa, or pull up a piece of floor with a pillow.  May I get you a glass of wine?  A beer?  I've got soda, tea ... let me check ... yes!  Scotch!  Anyone interested in a serious buzz tonight?

Last night was so much fun, dancing the night away.  Unfortunately, my body isn't what it used to be in regards to stamina and recovery.  I'm so sore!  Gosh, even hugging Sox hurts.  Speaking of which, she needs to go out and visit the grass for a few minutes.  Yes, honey, I know.  Just give me a couple of hours and I'll be right there.

Why are you all making fun of me?  Funny, is it?  You did not go there!  Fine, then.  I'm challenging you to a duel just as soon as I can lift my arms higher than McCain.  No, I didn't say that - you're hearing things.  Yet another sign of old age. 

Absolutely.  You're right, I'm back to the mellow sounds of music this night.  Soothing, calming, gentle.  Like a hand on your shoulder or a caress fleetingly brushing your cheek.  Slow dancing - barely even moving while wrapped in the arms of the one who appreciates the warmth of yours wrapped around them.  Sure, last night was great - rocking out always is when the urge strikes.  And believe me, the urge strikes me on a regular basis.  I don't know why the day after muscle aches never seem to dissuade me from dancing on the ceiling.  And never will, I hope.  Truth?  I still prefer the slow stuff.  Both in music and dance.  Suits my soul and my spot in this life as I live it.  Easy.

What about you? 

Hi there, come on in.  I know, it is a bit loud.  Sorry!  I'll turn it down some while you find yourself a seat.  Sofa, ugly blue chair or the floor with a comfy pillow?  Choose your poison and let me know what you'd like tonight.  Your second poison, I suppose.  What?  Yes, I know it's different tonight.  Louder music - and not just more volume, a different tone.  Rock and Roll, baby!  Let's dance!

Why?  I don't know.  Don't you just feel like cutting the crap and letting the urge to rock out take over sometimes?  If not, you really should.  I'm not kidding, get your ass up and dance!  Sox is a great partner, just ask Coralsea (he won't like it but she'll dance with anyone).  I'm in the mood to move, to enjoy this life we call ours and laugh for no reason.  To make a fool of myself enjoying some old tunes that got me grooving when I was younger and far more agile.

So now that you're prepared, the volume is going up on those big speakers that can totally kick it.  Old times, memories of days spent not giving a damn about responsibilities but totally and completely wrapped in the music - the people who created it and who shared it with us.  Right now?  Don't try to tell me you don't recognize AC/DC.

Who makes you rock out?

Hi there, come on in.  Left the door open, the cool breeze feels so lovely after a very long and tiring night.  I know it's late, thanks for dropping by ... you're all dear souls.

Very long.  I got home, hit the sofa after putting on some gentle music, tucked my feet up, grabbed a pillow and haven't been motivated to move yet.  I really feel more like listening tonight than rambling on like I usually do.  Very funny.  When I'm feeling sharper I'll give you one back that will blow you away!  'Til then, I'd love another glass of wine.  Would you mind?

Hi there, come on in.  A good day, I hope?  Mine was all right, a bit long but it comes with the territory sometimes.  Grab a seat, may I get you a glass of wine?  No problem, I just got here myself so haven't poured my own as yet.

Did you laugh today?  I know, that's an odd question.  You might be surprised to find that many folks answer negatively.  I find that simply amazing - and more than a little bit sad.  Then I think about all the people in the world who have no reason to laugh.  Nor to smile ... too many reasons to cry.  In our own country, in our own backyard.  Whether through crisis or loneliness, anxiety or depression, there are those who need to laugh so desperately they have lost the very idea.  Occurs to me that even more important than our own laughter is the willingness to pass in on.  To create a feeling in someone that for just a moment causes joy.  After all, when was the last time you made someone laugh without joining them?  A gift shared is the only true gift there is.

So!  I guess if you laughed today, someone else did, too.  May just have proven to be the one they needed the most.   

Hi there, come on in.  Another Monday, another deep breath.  Or two, or three ... who's counting?  The lights are low, the sofa is yours.  Please have a seat on the sofa and let me get you something.  Is there a particular piece of music you'd like?  If I don't have it, I'm sure someone else can find it for us.  That's the beauty of friends, they'll always try to find what you need - and usually do.  Even if they fail, they tried. 

Sox!  I thought you were sleeping, I heard you snoring.  Please get down, love, do I have to say it every night?  Guess so.  You guys could help, you know.  Back me up!  I know that, so does she.  She's got "the look" down to a science.  She's even learned how to smile. 

Anyway!  Doesn't that breeze feel delightful?  With all the windows open the crickets seem to know they're front and center stage.  The frogs are the symphony in the pit and the stars create a simply magical backdrop for this night's opera.  Or perhaps it's a musical and the stars are the backup singers while the Moon dances with the flickering lights of civilization in the distance.  Maybe a drama - the lingering summer heat is suspiciously aware of the looming autumn's approach.  The sudden shot of rain permeates the silence - a duel is breathtakingly near. 

I'm a big fan of comedies, myself.  Suppose the crickets and the frogs ... no, wait.  Better yet ... darn it.  I lost my train of thought.  What?  You have an idea?  What is it?   

    

Hi there, come on in.  Meant to get home earlier, but never mind that.  I'm here now and your smile says you're glad to see me.  That's all that matters.  I'm smiling back at you with as much love as I can convey through that simple act.  Sox is dancing around like she's a puppy again - happy is such a youthful exuberance.  

Even when you're old enough to just remember ... we don't tend to call it happy as we age.  It becomes pleasure, comfort, perhaps even excitement if we dare.  But happy?  It's a childhood belief, one trampled by the rigors of life as we grow up and become too cynical to consider it's worth.  We're too tired now.  We're too convinced that regret and sorrow rule the world.  It's not our turn anymore.  Happy is for babies, reality is what causes grey hair and wrinkles.  So all of us old grey-haired wrinkled folks decide to give up on it.  A childish fantasy, after all is said and done.
 
Well, I happen to think that happiness is screaming at each of us.  It is trying so incredibly hard to push through, to make a name for itself.  It is totally perplexed - why the hell is this so hard to accomplish?  Why are these people so stubborn?  All I want to do is help.  I just want to make them happy.  To make them feel like children again, with permission to be adults.      

So tonight I'm happy.  For lots of reasons.  The first being love.  I can not imagine any why anyone who feels love in their life does not feel happy.  What is more important than that?