Hi there, come on in.  What a day after ... come in, come in.  What?  Oh, it's Qeensryche, I love their music.  I hope it's not too loud, felt a bit like jamming out tonight. 

What's the point of having big kiss-ass speakers if you can't raise the roof now and then?  What?  Okay, yell at me if you must because I can't hear you.  Wh ... Oh!  Sure, no problem.  Grab a seat and I'll be right back.  I said GRAB A SEAT - never mind!  What?  You need a WHAT?  Did you just say what I think you said?  Couldn't possibly have - a class of clear?? Okay!  A glass of beer coming right up.  Even if that's not what you meant, you're getting one anyway.  I SAID YOU'RE GETTING ... sorry.  Music stopped.  Don't you just hate it when that happens?  When you get through laughing at me pick something else and crank the volume.  That's all right, I'll wait.  Still waiting.  Getting impatient.  It wasn't that funny.

Will you hurry up?  I've already gotten you that glass of beer you didn't want.  What else can I .... WHAT?  Cool tunes!  I can't hear you ... 

Why do we care?

Hi there, come on in.  Eventful evening, don't you think?  Yes, I definitely agree.  Grab a seat on the sofa, I'll get you the usual.  Yes, I turned it off after the debate.  Quiet music makes it easier to digest food for thought.

I'm interested in what you're feeling right now, what you're thinking.  So?   

Hi there, come on in.  It's pouring out there!  Bless your heart, you're getting soaked.  Don't worry about that, just get in here where it's dry.  Much better.  I don't mean to laugh, but you really should know better than to try an umbrella in this wind.  Find a seat, it seems like after this long and active day you may need one.  Lots to talk about tonight, so may I get you something first?  No problem,  really.  Save me a spot on the floor and a pillow, will you?  I'll be right back.

While the storm rages out there, with all of it's glory and passion, I can't help but be reminded of the storm our country is currently enduring.  There are so many sides to the equation - yet how can a mathematical formula be reached realistically if one plus one equals nine?  Okay, so the 'other side' says it's twenty-nine.  Either way, will someone please explain to me when it happened?  When did our leaders lose their minds?  Or is it me?

That's it!  I'm in an alternate universe.  I'm having a nightmare.  Down is up, out is in, dark is light, hate is love, poor is rich, ignorance is bliss, wrong is right, evil is goodness, right is left (or is that left is right?), cold is warm, hell is heaven and, indeed, dreams are nightmares.

And worst of all?  John McCain is our President.

Will someone please wake me up?    

Hi there, come on in.

Of course I'm talking to myself.  Look at the time!  I really did try earlier, just checked back in and realized the door had finally been unlocked.  I've been messing with that thing all night.

At least I don't have to call the locksmith, after all.  Do you know how much that costs?

Hi there, come on in.  I've missed you!  Grab a seat and I'll look forward to the conversation to come later.  A glass of wine?  Of course!  Might grab one for myself, as well.  Heading to the kitchen, I'll be right back.

Wow!  It was blowing a gale today along the coast.  No, it doesn't have a name.  No need for one.  But try to tell that to folks from out of town and they'll treat you like you're covering up the latest UFO invasion.  Of course it's a hurricane if it's September!  Did someone say it's just a normal storm that happens - a Nor'easter?    No, can't possibly be the case.  Stop lying to me!  And tomorrow will be even worse, as rain will decide to join the wind just to freak people out.  It's the end of the world as we know it!

Like we're in Texas.  Like we're in Ohio.  Like we're anywhere actually ravaged by Ian.  A real hurricane.  It's a normality.  Please consider the differences.
 
Don't we all just love to make a mountain out of a molehill?  Too exciting!  We're bored, we need something to prove we're paying attention.  Yet of course we're not, that's the point.  We think we are though, so let's throw a party!  Let the winds blow!

And they will bluster and blow tomorrow better than today.  It will rain like the very heavens are sobbing.  I will be on the phone with strangers, trying to make them understand that the world is not ending.  I hope to succeed - simply to have the chance to laugh about it with them when the bluster ends.

If not?  Then I'll laugh all by myself.  I'm good at that.   

Hi there, come on in.  I'm fine, thanks, just feeling quiet tonight.  Find a seat, let me get you something - what might that be?  Sure!  No problem, I'll be right back.

I miss Sox.  Really, I do.  No, no, she's fine ... just not with me anymore.  Not even outside of this room, sometimes things just are what they are.  Maybe that's why the lights are lower than usual, and the music softer.  Maybe that's why I need you all more than ever.  I don't know, my brain hurts.

Here you go, no thanks, I'm all set.  I'm in the right place tonight for a pillow while I curl up on this small slice of floor.  Am I in your way?  Sure?  Good, good.  What was that?  Oh, I haven't been paying attention.  I'm sorry, just a bit distracted.  It's okay, just talk to me.

Still!! How's the new grandbaby?  Please say all is well for your family, then tell us all about it.  Great news is always welcome and you know how much we love you!  

Don't put on any more music just yet, let's listen to the melody of our voices in this moment.  Listen quietly if you choose, speak loudly if you'd rather.  If you need to shout something from the rooftop just be sure and get it right the first time.  That way, when the neighbors complain we can collectively maintain plausible deniability.  Works every time.

Hi there, come on in.  Find yourself a seat and let me get you something to drink.  Anything in particular suit your fancy tonight?  Say the word, if I have it it's yours.  Thanks, especially, for showing up after listening to me last night.  True friends are a treasure - that's been said a million times by as many people.  So I owe you one ... or two ... or three.

I guess that's what love means.  Gosh, no!  I don't pretend to know the meaning of love, maybe I phrased that the wrong way.  All I meant is that having people that matter to you and knowing that you matter to them is one of the sweetest pieces of life.  One of the largest ones.  Love is everywhere, it's everything and it's essential.  It's the desire to get a kitten down from the tree before it falls, even if it's a stray and you're allergic to cats.  It's the instinct to help when someone cries, even if they're the exact opposite of you.  It's the desperate need to grab something even when you know it has already left the room.  Just to feel it, just to catch that scent one last time.  Even if your fist closes around the empty space where it used to be ... you had to try.  Love demands that we try.

It's the laughter that bubbles up for no reason and tickles your funny bone.  It's the quiet moment holding the finger of a newborn baby.  It's the sincerity you see in the eyes of the one who holds you in the highest esteem.  It's the reason the tear slips down your cheek when they say they will be forever yours.  Because you believe them.  Because peace is found within the love that demands we try.  Sometimes we succeed.

My peace is found through my love for Coralsea.  Michael.  Who creates peace for you?