Lotteries I'd like to win

 So, the Mega Millions lottery stands at $1 billion. 

Let me start by saying I'd love to win. Course, I'd have to play in order to win. 

What would I do with a billion bucks? 

I'd build a modest home in Florida for my health. I'd pay off my family and close friends' bills. I'd buy a Ferrari and a majordomo named Higgins. And I'd help people. 

But let's think. What would be better than that kind of money? 

Oh, a few things.

I'd like to see peace in Ukraine. 

Heck, I'd like to see peace in the United States...

I'd like to be healthy again. 

I'd like to go to dinner with the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. 

I'd like to see my nieces grow up and be successful. 

I'd like to buy my mom a new house. Her condo is filled with poignant memories now that my stepdad is gone. 

I'd like to outlaw hatred and bigotry and poverty and lawlessness. 

I'd like to cure all those diseases we despise. 

As it is, I've got silver in the stars and gold in the sun. 

It's enough. 

Music and memories (but no martinis)

It's almost 1 a m., and I'm listening to one of those Jackie Gleason records that reminds me I was born too late. 

Time on my hands, and you in my arms...

Those Gleason records sound really good on my 1960 Montgomery Ward hi-fi. Look one up on YouTube. They're relaxing.  

I don't know where all this nostalgia stuff comes from, but it's a sincere thing. This song reminds me of slow dancing with my prom date. Those were the days...

My buddy Bill brought by a couple of books. Both by John D. MacDonald. It was a nice surprise. Bill is a thoughtful chap. 

Got together with my friend and former Spanish teacher Señor Doug Bright on Tuesday night. We ended up at Downtown Grill. He told me about his recent family vacation and I talked about what I usually talk about -- girls and music. 

Wednesday night, Bill, Jim, Robert, and I went to Asia Kitchen. Those guys are the greatest. We laughed and talked and I tried not to get sesame chicken on my clothes. 

I'm going to try to write these ditties when I feel like I can. I miss writing, and it helps my health to talk a little bit through the written word.

It also helps me feel better when I can listen to music. I can just see Gleason, the Great One, conducting his orchestra. It's perfect for a late night benediction.

Time on my hands, and you in my arms...

Seizing the day

 In the stillness of early morning, I remember.

Jill Andrews is singing "Boundless Love." I'm thinking of the Raymond Carver short stories I read yesterday. He knows how to make the words dance.

Got ideas for a couple of short stories myself. Maybe my head will ease so I can compose them. I've got a few things to say.

Wasn't feeling well last night (still am not), so I listened to the radio "Gunsmoke." Matt Dillon punishing the bad guys. If only life were that simple.

My happiest time was the spring of '94. I think about it often. I think about the people who crossed my life then, and I wish I could reach back. But I did the best I could. Time, and life, slips through that hourglass fast as it can.  

Heading back to Florida soon. Might be after the new year, but it's time to go for good. Health comes first. 

Act when you can, y'all. Make the phone call, go to the concert, buy the book, take the vacation. Time, alas, can't return. 

It's just after 5 a.m., and the sun still slumbers. Soon it will shine on another day. I'll do my best to make the best of it, and I hope you will too. 

Nobody said it was going to be easy. 

But I remember. And I grin.