Sunday, May 17, 2026

     Strong winds blow through town yesterday afternoon and evening. A change in the weather is coming. My roommate suggests checking the national weather report to see what is happening. I choose to look at the tall pine trees whipping around in the wind. This morning the air is still and cold. Traces of fog in the sky.

     Once again I drive to the library to return books and pick up the new ones.  This time I don’t use the courtesy walker. Across the street at Colton Hall Lawn, crowds are gathering for the MIIS graduation ceremony. Groups of people wonder around downtown.

     I plan to stop at McDonald’s for a burger and fries to celebrate eating easily again. The car line is long. I decide to go some other time. I watch two young people cross the busy street while looking at their cell phones. Such ill-advised confidence in safety. 

     I am reading THE TESTAMENT OF MARY, a short novel by Colm Toibin, an imaginary story of the mother of Jesus. I love Toibin’s work. We watch the first episode of an older series, RESCUE ME, about fireman traumatized by the attack on the world trade center. When the living room is quiet the gusting wind sounds like the ocean waves.