The rains have returned to Georgia with a vengeance. After a prolonged drought, we are finally getting the relief we need. We have endured numerous watering restrictions over the last several years, and our lake levels have fallen drastically. Now, after several consecutive weeks of steady rain, we are finally putting our deficit to rest.

I once heard a weatherman say, "It usually rains after a drought," and boy was he right. Well, I suppose that's how Mother Nature works. She decides when and how much precipitation we are to receive, and whether global warming has anything to do with it—well, who really knows? I'm on the fence with that issue. I think the weather is influenced by countless factors, most of which we don't even understand yet.

Let's enjoy our good fortune while it lasts. The lakes are filling up, the trees and flowers are getting a good drink, and everyone's front lawn sure looks emerald green and healthy right now.

The powers that be have declared the drought in Georgia "officially over." I'm glad to hear it. Let it rain, let it pour.

Today is my birthday. I feel so lucky to have as many friends as I do, and so many of you remembered me today. Thanks to Facebook, it's really easy to keep up with friends and family. I love perusing the pages of my friends and seeing what's up in their lives. It makes me feel more connected somehow.

Cherish your friendships. And be a good friend to yourself.

After a long absence, I'm back. I cannot say why I've been away for so long. So many distractions to take me away from writing, none of them important enough to keep me from something I love, and something I need to do.

A lot has happened since I posted my last entry. My father has been in and out of the hospital since December. He's 81, and suffering from dementia and congestive heart failure. His health is sometimes fragile, especially while he is hospitalized. I hate seeing him in that condition—hooked up to IV fluids and other equipment, because he seems so delicate and fragile. It breaks my heart. It's been so hard visiting him during those hospital stays, but fortunately, he's out now and doing much better. Recently, we moved him into a brand-new Sunrise facility in John's Creek, and the cheerfulness of the staff and his new surroundings have helped all of us to feel better. Daddy is the first—and only—resident on his floor, and everyone is competing for his attention. At times I think, surely he must realize how pampered he is, and then at other times I'm not sure he knows. His dementia worsens as the day wears on. This is a common symptom, I am told, and happens often in elderly dementia sufferers. My family and I are so thankful he is in a wonderfully supportive environment where he receives lots of attention, therapy, and great food! At this point, his new home is more like a resort than an assisted living facility.

Growing old is never easy. Seeing my parents age reminds me that I am not far behind them, and teaches me how short and precious life on Earth is. You blink and you're 30. Blink again—40. Time moves faster and faster with each passing year and decade. I don't know why that is, but maybe it's because by the time you reach say, 50, you've seen so much of what life has to offer, experienced so much, that you begin to wonder what's left.

For me, I have no children of my own to love and occupy my time. I am blessed with two wonderful and adorable nieces, which is the next best thing to having children of my own, I suppose. I love them so much, and they are growing up fast.

I read a while ago that one way to slow the passing of time is to vary your routine. Learn a new skill, take a class, get a new job, go on an extended vacation—things like that. Anything to change the way your day flows will help give you a new perspective on life and just may trick you into thinking that time is slowing a little. Keeping the same schedule day after day is boring and monotonous, and allows one day to blend into the next....and the next, and pretty soon a whole month goes by and you wonder where all the time went. Throw in something new and different and you upset the system, thus allowing new experiences to enter and slow things down. It's kind of like baking a cake. You add ingredients into a mixer and turn it on. Pretty soon the eggs and sugar are well-blended and the mixer seems to speed up just a little. But then you add in the flour and milk, and things get messy. The mixer has to work a little harder, and "appears" to slow down until everything is smoothly blended again. That's kind of the way life is. When something new is added to the mix of your daily life, it takes time to incorporate, and once in, makes a richer, fuller batter. I guess I'm comparing life to cake batter, huh? In some ways, it is.

I thank God every day for my family, my home, and my health. All are fragile, and all could be gone in an instant through some unforeseen event. If you'll think of every single day of your life as a gift, you won't go wrong. Every tragedy, every sickness, every death, brings healing and new life. Everything which tries to tear us down ultimately makes us stronger. Just as exercise is good for the body, trials and tribulations are good for the soul. Healing comes only after pain, and that's the secret of how life works. Take your trials as a gift, because through them comes a stronger You, better able to face new obstacles that may come your way.

Some of the best advice I've read stressed the difference between Thankfulness and Praise. Thankfulness is when we thank God for things we've asked for, things we've wanted and received through prayer and work. That's easy. But then there is Praise—praise is what we must give God for everything. Even in the midst of our greatest hardships, we should still give God praise. That can be very hard to do, but do it we must, because ultimately, God has a plan for us all, and that includes whatever miserable predicament we find ourselves in at the moment. By praising Him, we surrender to His Will, and that brings acceptance, which allows God to work in our lives.

....Gosh, I didn't expect to preach a sermon today. In fact, this is probably the first such sermon I've ever put down—anywhere. I didn't know it was in me.

The Loss of A Great Author

Today I read with sadness the passing of one of my favorite authors, Michael Crichton. At the age of only 66, Michael succumbed to cancer. The author of numerous books and the possessor of a great deal of scientific knowledge, he will be greatly missed by his legions of fans, of which I am one. I first became a fan after reading Timeline. I was captivated by it and could not put it down. I felt so disappointed after reading the last page because I just wanted the story to go on and on. Crichton's excellent writing style and story-telling genius kept me spellbound with each sentence. He made me feel like I was right in the middle of the action in every scene, and it was breathtaking.

I read Jurassic Park, of course, and Sphere. So far, Timeline is my favorite, hands down. If you haven't read it, grab a copy as soon as you can. It will hook you from the first page to the last. But don't bother watching the movie version, as it was a joke, in my opinion.

I have a lot of catching up to do with his other books, and I think State of Fear and Disclosure will be my next picks, in that order. I look forward to reading and then sharing my thoughts on these next two.

Crichton loved the works of Mark Twain and Alfred Hitchcock. They were his role models.

I am deeply saddened by his passing, and I know I shall cherish his writings all the more now that he's gone.

"Thank You," Michael, and may you rest in peace.

On Halloween Night

The darkness comes early on Halloween night
spirits and goblins are ready to fight
The tree winds moan
and the full moon's in sight
The stage is now set
for some Halloween fright.

A large owl hoots and flies from its perch
Bats huddle 'round,
beginning their search
The air holds a chill,
and children stand still
Afraid of their shadows,
too frightened to squeal.

A patch of huge pumpkins
sits off to the left
It seems they are watching,
with eyes that won't rest.

I quicken my pace
and try not to glance,
'cause I feel their eyes staring
and I can't take a chance.

It's homeward I'm bound
and tonight I must walk
through woods and through meadows
with eyes like a hawk.

A cackle I hear
unearthly and weird,
a figure sneaks by
and fills me with fear.

I look around swiftly
to see what's about
when I see a face dimly
and rather than shout,
I stand there quite calmly
and squinting my eyes
I see a witch costume,
a child in disguise.

I must get it together
or else I'll be toast
For the creatures that scare me
are bat, witch, and ghost.

These Halloween frights
are the things on my mind
and the woods are now full of them,
in front, and behind.

I can see my house faintly
up ahead through the mist
My heart is still pounding
my hands, two clinched fists.

Ready to strike
to defend if I must
Against these wild demons
who roam in the dusk.

At last I am home
tucked safely inside
With door bolted shut
I let out a sigh. ...

Now all of these horrors
which gave me such fright,
Are outside my door
on this Halloween night.


Dan Thompson
October 21, 2008

Magical Moon

Recently, I was watching one of my favorite old movies, Finian's Rainbow, and I got an inspiration for a poem. One of my favorite scenes is when Woody and Sharon meet in the woods at night and Woody charms her and tries to get her to believe in werewolves. He gains her confidence and the two of them lie side by side on the cool grass looking up at the full moon. One of the best songs from the movie follows—Old Devil Moon. This poem was inspired by that scene. I hope you enjoy it.

You can watch "Old Devil Moon" by clicking this link. Sit back, and enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS5jXMHXU84


And now, here's my poem:


Magical Moon


I want to lie in the cool grass on a late summer's evening—
lie still beside you, and look at the moon.
With no words spoken, we'll ponder the mysteries of life in a hazy moon
whose never-changing face will delight us and stir in us new wonder.

That summer's eve, when twilight turns to dusk
the sound of all things nocturnal fills our ears
and the fragrance of early fall drifts through the air.

Into the night we move, comforted by the knowing of God's protection
allowing our senses to take in everything that surrounds us
in the hope of growing closer still, closer to the realization of perfect harmony.

Alone, and yet together as one in the stillness of evening.

Communicating without words, speaking only through the sound of two heartbeats, echoed
by the distant chirping of crickets in soft rhythm and cadence.

Oh! Heavenly moon! How can the mortal eyes of man fathom your deep mystery? What lies beneath your mottled and jagged surface?
What keeps you floating in a sea of nothingness for all time?

I turn to gaze at you my love, and behold a work of God's perfection.
A face possessing wisdom and wonderful style,
eyes with the beauty and depth of some vast, unknown ocean
placed somewhere on another world, a world which man
will never see.

None could create your singular beauty but a God,
a God whose love creates anything—from nothing.

Oh, my love! To feel you close to me brings a warmth no sun would dare challenge.
In you will I contemplate the rest of my days.

On this splendid night, the lucky moon and I share in the delight of your moonward gaze,
eyes shining with the clarity of blue polished glass.

In union with you will I complete my desires and longings. I will forever cherish the spirit of giving
I learn from you.

Tonight, all things seem possible. Every imagined idea, every hopeful thought, every desire seems to stretch out before us like the blades of grass
on which we lie.
Each blade a hope or dream, a wish, waiting only for a word from us
to spring into life.

The moon in all its splendor seems to be whispering such affirmatives all around us.

And then... all creatures cease their chatter, and for an instant the moon grows brighter, our hearts beating faster as we gaze upward into the face of that eternal orb, sensing the brightness and almost feeling we are looking at God Himself.

Then, just as suddenly, the nocturnal sounds resume their familiar harmonies, the air stirs a gentle breeze, and in that instant...

life returns to normal.

Stunned by a miracle, we look at each other and can find no words to say.

In that magical moment, we believe, the light of God's love,
splicing into the moon's rays
and caressing moonbeams with purest love,
streamed downward and gave us a tiny, and all too brief...
glimpse of eternity.

God's touch?. ...

We wonder in awe.

And so, we continue our moon watch, waiting, hoping to experience another
miracle on this summer night.

My Electric Is Parked Out Front

Come on, America, WAKE UP! It appears obvious to me that the future of transportation is not in fossil fuels. We are ruining our environment with air pollution from gas-guzzling cars, and we are certainly at the mercy of the big oil companies when it comes to how we can get around. They have us exactly where they want (and need) us, and they don't want to see any new-fangled inventions coming along to upset their monopoly, thus keeping their bank accounts bloated.

It's about history, tradition, and family businesses that go back generations. It's about immense wealth created through an industry that relies on each one of us to buy the products and services they offer. In short, it's a beautifully framed picture of life the way it has been, and the way they want it to continue to be.

Oil has powered our American economy for nearly a century now, and over that length of time the forces behind it have become something akin to a mighty hurricane like Ike or Katrina, building power through their many decades of expansion and control. We had better stand back and stay out of the way...or else, they presume.

But come on, let's be honest. We have all benefited tremendously from oil. It has enabled us to prosper as a nation, to move around and get to just about anyplace we want to be. Oil and gasoline have been our friends, but they've always had a dark side, and we all know what that is: the pollution, the ever-changing supply and demand problems, the volatile markets, the short supplies and the rising prices, the vast expense and labor it takes to refine crude oil into gasoline and other usable forms of energy. The list goes on. It only makes sense to start looking to other ways to feed our transportation habits. We've been on this roller coaster ride long enough and quite frankly, I'm getting a little nauseated from the rough ride. Let's face it, no matter what happens in the oil industry, we'll still need to get from point A to point B. That's a fact that isn't likely to change--ever.

Wiser heads than mine have been pondering these issues for many years, and we now have some viable alternatives out there just waiting to be given the chance to grow and mature. My personal favorite is the electric car. I've been reading with a lot of interest about the Chevy Volt, scheduled to be on showroom floors by 2010. This is one sleek, sexy auto. Check out the photo. It has immense street appeal from what I've seen. It can apparently go 40 miles between charges, more than enough for the average daily commuter to get to and from work without a re-charge. It has other neat advantages, too. It doesn't pollute, it's incredibly quiet, but the best part is, it needs no gas (or at the very least, only a bare minimum to help keep the batteries charged). From what I understand, any gasoline required for the Volt won't be used to actually propel the vehicle, but solely for reasons of sustaining battery life between charges. Sure, it will have to be plugged in to keep it going, but that can be accomplished with minimal effort by simply plugging it into a wall socket.

If electric cars catch on, almost overnight you'll see charging stations springing up like mushrooms after a rainstorm to handle the needs of those who don't park in a garage or driveway, those who must park on city and neighborhood streets at night. I've given that some thought since in my own neighborhood there are many cars that are forced to park on the street due to the lack of driveways and garages. Without the convenience of a garage, I wondered, where will these folks charge their electrics? The mother of invention will take care of that little problem, let me assure you. Whoever is resourceful enough and lucky enough to be first in line with a charging station patent will become incredibly rich on that little invention.

Yes, I am dreaming of driving my first electric car. Sleek and sexy would be my preference, but body style isn't even at the top of my wish list. I really don't care what the thing looks like as long as it's affordable, dependable, and practical. Those are three paramount concerns. And those concerns are at the top of the list when it comes to America's acceptance of an electric car, or any invention for that matter. Besides the production of the vehicle itself, those three items on the list must be wrestled with and conquered before this concept will truly take to the road.

It's a tall order. Very tall. A lot of work lies ahead, but I remain optimistic. The work is already being done, steadily, but surely. I am convinced that it won't be much longer before my dream of owning an electric car will become reality. Mark my words folks, and remember you read it here first; as soon as the before-mentioned three issues are cleared up, and as soon as these cars start appearing on America's roads, everyone will want one, and the growth potential will be astounding. It'll be the biggest phenomenon since the convertible or the two-seater sports car. And the "cool factor" will surpass all other cool factors out there. The latest cell phones and IPods will pale in comparison to the status of being among the first to own one of these beauties. Just you wait. I know what I'm talking about.

I'm a dreamer, I admit it, but all great ideas have their beginnings in dreams. And this is one dream that's closer to reality than you might think. The timing is right and the conditions are favorable for the acceptance of an alternative energy source. I believe the market is out there, practically begging for something different, and the public is sick and tired of the status quo. Yes, a warm reception awaits those who can produce the desired results. Any takers?

Note and followup: Since writing this, the price of gasoline has dropped dramatically, the economy is in the pits, and nobody's buying new cars right now—gasoline or electric. Who would have guessed these things could happen in so brief a period of time.

My dream still holds, though. In time gas prices will rise again and the cry for innovation will trumpet forth. General Motors is still working on the Chevy Volt, promising its debut in 2010. We shall see. Other, more pressing concerns are facing our country at the moment, and the advent of the electric car seems unimportant in comparison to job losses, layoffs, decreasing salaries, and a host of other problems facing all of us. I won't even begin to comment on some of the absurdly stupid acts that have been recently committed, with little or no oversight, and the parsimony of certain individuals is beyond my comprehension.

Sigh....