"We are happy in that we are not over happy; on Fortune's cap we are not the very button." (Hamlet)

Well, now that the guests have left, now that the Arts & Crafts show is over, now that Rhoda's new car is launched, golf is gone, book is published, performances retired, Heat's lost 10 straight, Cabrera and D-Train traded to Detroit, what's left? No wonder I'm now officially in the doldrums. According to Webster the "doldrums" are defined as 1. A spell of listlessness or despondency ...2. a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms...3. a state of inactivity, stagnation, or slump. I've studied these definitions for about an hour or so and still cannot with assurance decide which number fits my current mood. If I had a choice, I would opt for #2 as long as there is a Publix nearby where I could buy some Mallomars and Nathan's hot dogs. Right now the only thing I'm "abounding" in is ennui...defined in Webster as "boredom". I realize, of course, that in July we are going cruising in Scandinavia, so that's a neighborhood to look forward to...or for the strict grammarians out there who are preposition preoccupied, "...a neighborhood for which (to which?) to look forward." Ugh.

Another event to which I can look forward (to) is my 84th coming on Wednesday. I look forward to it because the alternative is unacceptable. I will have to do a good deed or two this year; although I don't really know if there's a Heaven or a Hell, I don't want to take any chances. I look forward to 85 which sounds much better said than 84.

Another event to which I look forward (to) is the Presidential election; I've been through many of them dating back to Calvin Coolidge. This will be the most exciting of them all. Go Obamamama!

"Like as the waves make to the pebbled shore, So do our minutes hasten to their end..." (Sonnet 60)

Got back from Snappers a little too late last night to see the beginning of the Moon eclipse, but did see the total from my catwalk. As I've told students in my classes, poetry is not found only in a book, but it is all around you if you'll only open your eyes and your soul. The total eclipse of the moon is pure poetry. Why? Because it is at once beautiful and awe-inspiring. Can only imagine what primitive people felt as they watched this astral show. Now I'll have to wait until 2010 before I can see another.

This evening we drove our guests to the Palm Beach airport; so gone are the suitcases on the floor; gone are the wet towels and bathing suits; gone are the strange toothpastes and brushes; gone are the mystical electronic devices plugged into our walls; gone are the calls to use my computer; gone is the stress produced by company with strange habits and...etc. To say there is a generation gap is putting it mildly. However, let it be known that we enjoyed having them for the week; but we also reserve the right to enjoy their leaving as well.

"Speaking" of guests, I was embarrassed yesterday when Rhoda and I went to visit her niece and nephew, and Michael their young son at the Glen Eagles country club pool. While there, I met former neighbors of mine from long ago East Meadow. Along with them was a young lady of about 50 whom I thought was introduced as a friend, but after chatting with them for several minutes I started to leave when I was told to tell Bonny, my daughter, that Linda says "Hello"...Linda Horowitz! Omygod...little Linda, their daughter who was a friend of Bonny from long ago East Meadow. I didn't recognize her. How could I. I hadn't seen her since she was an inch high. And so to bed.

The Moon?

I went out for breakfast about noon, and when I got to where I usually feed, there was a 25 minute wait, so I drove over to IHOP. The sign ordered that we wait to be seated. I stood by that sign for 10 minutes, and nobody even nodded to me. Some guy came in and sat at the "bar" but soon got up to leave when they told him there would be a 45 minute wait before he could be served...so I went to the bank and cashed in a CD before I came home, in a not very good mood. I wonder why? Could all this be the result of the full eclipse of the moon tomorrow nite? Are all the crazies out? Another confusing thing has to do with computer "viruses". I got one that warned against an email claiming someone sent you a postcard. Don't open it or you're computer will be blasted to computer heaven...or hell. "It's real" was the warning. "Checked out on Snopes".

But according to Urban Legends, it's a hoax. Whom can you believe these days?

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_postcard_virus.htm

Incidentally, I sold 7 books at the arts and crafts show on Sunday. Amazing.