addendum

Four words:

Pepsi and WAX TAILOR.

back to my bouncy self.

Spiral out into the universe...let the weekend begin!

Woody

218 (41) Chemical? Emotional? Weekendonal?

Good afternoon!

It really HAS been a while! Less a circle and more a spiral. Things resemble but rarely repeat, thank goodness!

I hope this note finds you well.

218!! What a lovely number! 2 solid hours (6 games) of volleyball, a little wine, a little chocolate, a LOT of salad, a morning workout, things are headed in the right direction.

So why the long face? I've categorized it as a "downswing in a normally UP personality". It's a Friday in summer, our slowest season, and what little work I have sits unattended on my desk. This would be a GREAT day to RENT a pet... nothing like a dog to pick your spirits up. I say RENT because this is a fleeting feeling, and sure as little green apples I'll be back in the land of crazy happy grateful before too long.

Perhaps I need to count my blessings. A nice spiral of gratitude to remember that I have friends and family and loved ones a'plenty.

There's a very specific problem that has me sad. Time will heal it. Always does. Silly heart. Be patient and grateful. ......and drink more water.

Hey! The weekend is here! 3 more hours.... blink of an eye! Be good, and I'll be back soon with actual sketches!! This is interesting, for the first time in my life I can actually SEE the pictures in my head, before I put them on paper.... feeling very eco-conscious....no paper lost on my rough drafts! lol.

Take care! If I've wronged you, my sincerest apologies. If I've preached to you, it's because I love you and care about you. If I've worked out with you, we are INDEED good friends. And if I've told you a joke, it's because I especially love to hear you laugh! You have summoned the sunshine for me!

Frank

221 (47) Are you sure you lost an electron? Yep! I'm Positive!

Hello hello!

Where have the days gone? Quickie note: I hope you're well!

6 vball games tonight, then cheering a friend on at softball.

An upcoming trip to Spain! A doppelganger for my friend with a broken hand!

Physical Therapy! Starburst Fruit Chews! Still losing weight! Choosing SPINACH over BURGERS!!!!

Dogs and cats living together.... MASS HYSTERIA!

And in the middle of it, a nice, calm version of me! That may be the strangest part of all.

Talk to ya soon! Easy Breezy until then! :)

Gochisoo sama deshita!
Frank

223 Sore Knee Poor Me (character building)

Hello Again!

It's tough to live in fear. Spreads a person too thin. In the immortal words of Tolkien "I feel like jam scraped over too much toast".

Solution: more sleep, morning exercise, a mental spiral of gratitude for all that I am blessed with. Good Lord, I have a lucky life!

Off to see a midnight movie with friends tonight. Before that I'm headed to see my parents, a cousin from Spain, an uncle from Colorado, and assorted siblings. It's family buffet. :)

I'm hours away from seeing my ex-wife, half a day from seeing a long-lost friend, 18 hours from donating blood, 1 hour from hugging my mom! It's been a mere 5 minutes since I've had a surprise email from a lovely friend, and it's been about 15 minutes since I emailed a woman with the most beautiful and endearing chuckle. Cross your fingers for me. My new life has room for love, joy, laughter and hope. Hurl it out, welcome it's return embrace.

I hope you're well. I was in a funk yesterday. Lost my cool. Took some kidlets climbing all over me, a snack pack of Nutter Butters, a spiral of gratitude, some bing cherries and a couple bananas to restore order. All those things and (laughing) a nice text message about 20 seconds ago. I'm such a fool. :)

Take care! Be gentle and easy with yourself until then... (I'll try too)

Frank

221 (44) Summer in a Single Day

And so we return to this safest of havens.

Thanks for stopping by. I pray that you may tarry yet a while. The weekend is upon us, the sun has shaken off the cottony daydreams and shines out with healing light. I love this feeling. Possibilities indeed.

and so... I stand on the shoulders of giants to summarize the best outlook yet... put your dreams out there. Shine forth and hurl laughter and joy into the world. Without agenda, be a ministry of Joy & Service & Hope & Love. Be intoxicated with Life!

My mind is scattered, and I've never felt so free. My friends have boosted me and my enemies summon laughter from within me, bubbling up and out like a wild refreshing spring. I am a lucky soul. I'm buoyed by joy. As fast as I can send it hurtling from me, it returns in ever new and varied forms. Good Lord, a person could get addicted to this!

lol... sanity for a minute, a quick tally.

221. A great number. Beautiful numbers. I crave broccoli. Spinach nourishes. Almonds energize. I've been out of the gym for 3 weeks as my knee appears to require physical therapy. It's not stopping me from daily volleyball (Laura, your hands on the court last night were epic! How was I ever lucky enough to have you as my sand 2s partner?) You make us look great in the sand! Summer indeed is summoned in golden light when we play. Sore knees can wait until the final whistle blows.

I'll be seeing 217 so very soon. Perhaps Sunday. I suspect my brother and I will be riding 40 miles tomorrow. He's getting so very strong, but more than that, he's HUNGRY for distance, freedom and miles. It's a powerful thing, seeing someone shape their destiny in front of your eyes.

Alright. Haircut! and then volleyball! Be well. Unburden yourself. Let it all go. Why hold on to empty satchels? Set them free, forgive yourself, throw it all far and wide. That which matters most will return to you, and they will be like dear friends with bright eyes.

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Frank

midmorning pause

He stood in the face of the storm,
howling with laughter,
drunk with life,
dangerously full of whimsy and joy.

Life beckons.