March 19 (and 18) Does it count for two of these things if I write
about yesterday?
Really an interesting day. Went to Lockhart with a bunch of family
members that I have just discovered. Stood on the porch of the home
that my great grandfather owned and placed the group in somewhat correct
positions, relating to the ancestors in a Xmas 1914 shot on the very
same steps. You can look at Ball's page for 3/19 and see what I'm talking
about.
Among other visual treats, we stopped by the well-known Jesus tree
and tried to get a glimpse of the revered gentlemen's face in the wood
of the tree trunk. Lots of votive candles laying around, lots of people
with incredulous looks. Cousin Will sat in his BMW and refused to have
anything to do with that part of it. Can't blame him, but I do like
public delusions.
*****
Last night we went to the HRC Ball and had a great time. It was enhanced
by having a table of our choosing, with people we like. The artistic
and general directors of the Ballet were there along with other folks
like cousin Robert (twice removed). Saw a load of folks we know. Only
one negative encounter--with a limousine liberal twirp whose only significant
achievement in life, so far, has been surviving birth. (I'm still waiting.)
"What are YEEWWWWW doing here?" was her comment to me--I guess
she was surprised to see me at any event cool enough to warrant her
politically correct attention. Sheeez. I helped put the thing together
last year, donated all the graphics, spent all kinds of time on it.
Oh well, if you're in a crowd of 400 people and only one smarts off
to you, you're in good shape. I have made a mental note never to even
try and be nice to that jackass again. Way too many nice people out
there to interact with.
****
Went by my parents' house today. Took my mother some flora I decided
I didn't have a place for--some really nice shrimp plants. Had to sit
there and listen to them rattle on about how if the Republicans take
control of the White House and retain the House of Reps, they'll steal
Social Security away from them. Yeah, right, and Newt was going to remove
PBS from the screen. That's the breaks, though. I just figure I have
to take a certain amount of verbal abuse from my parents if I'm going
to maintain any contact with them. (Thank goodness for CNN or they wouldn't
have any entertainment at all). Cripes, I'll bet Ball and I paid more
into Social Security in the past three years alone than we'll ever get
out of that liar's poker scheme. Especially if you adjust for the real
value of the dollars.
Oh--the topper was when my father ran the old "Clinton learned
in Sunday School that wasn't really sex" canard up the flagpole.
Yes, I'm sure that's what the Baptists talk about in Sunday School,
Tot. Placing oral ministrations on the spectrum of sexual misconduct
is right up there with reading the Psalms, dude.
*****
Having a fantasy about writing a short story with the framework of
these journals. A husband and wife start trading jabs on their diary
entries and it leads to divorce or murder. Watch. Some stud writer will
take this one and make it happen.