Shortly after my wife died in 2020, I talked with an artist friend to see if she’d be interested in creating a mixed media work using some of my wife’s small belongings and mementos. A work of art in memory. We gathered up little items into a nice collection, talked, and off they went. They came back Tuesday in much the same form as they left, having successfully eluded the grasp of inspiration. I think the little things felt they could still be used and pushed back against being stuck on a board forever. I’m glad they did.

Well, durn. A classmate.  High school, 1964. Has died. Speedy Sparks. I can’t say I knew him well. But I knew him. I was editor of the paper and his was a name I came across quite often. I ran into him in person many, many years later when we were gathering for a reunion and I was on the organizing committee. It was Luckenbach. I was there with my two sons and grandson to hear the Texas Tornados. He played bass. We had a cordial chat, and that was that.

It’s a travel day. My bags are packed, and I’m ready to go. It’s cold here, but colder there. As per usual, it feels as though there are a million more things I should be doing prior to departure. But history has shown it’s best to slow down.