121920c

Stars To Steer By

Working in the field

a part of Western Utah so empty

you only meet geologists.

Riding into town every few days

for water and food.

That was the year

they first sold bacon ends and pieces

I had bacon

fried in a pan on a single-burner

propane stove

three meals a day

never got tired of that stuff.

Didn't take long

collected all the trilobites I carry

followed a vein of pyrite crystals

big as the last joint of my thumb

collected them too

they make nice gifts.

All’s left from those days

one chunk of pyrite

a weatherbeaten box

of trilobite rock

a couple of notebooks

and a box of 4x6’s.

I've moved on

the desert’s still there

mummified sheep

riverbeds dry

for 10,000 years

probably a few geologists

cooking dinner in a pan

or in a can

amongst the coals.

050420b

flames dance
above the dark shale slabs
campfire
who burns rocks in wilderness?
geology field trip

042720

the next year

mutant rats outscored

humans on the SATs

when the news broke

the bounty tripled

too little, too late

the last humans

brought top dollar

at The Fresh Market

101817b

so the student passed his defense. Everyone is happy. Tomorrow when he realizes he has nine days to make more than 500 corrections to his dissertation he may not be quite so happy.

On my way back over here I thought of two very funny jokes to inflict on you all.

Funny with the ha ha
that's what it was
I had no way to make a note
the greatest joke ever
but now it's gone
I just have to hope
it wasn't as funny
as the way I remember it

110316

wearing brief shorts
with a warm lined hoodie
standing on the side of summer

Short Version

Typing w 1 finger today, so: concision. We moved d2 to New Orleans for her last college year. Cute shotgun apt, 1/2 a double, w liv rm in front, then dining rm, bathrm, br1, br2, kitchen, back yard ~ size of apt. Rented 8' ramp so I cld get in. Arrived in 95/95 temp/humidity to find front door a non-starter. Back door easy access from alley. After remove curved end of down spout. OMG, those 2-part ramps w air betw are scary, esp. going down! Gotta run; more later.

a personal note

My youngest will be attending the Univ. of KS, one of my alma maters, next year.