Gale Warnings

"Squalls out on the Gulf stream, big storm's coming soon," though you'd never know it right now. It's beautiful outside, warm and sunny but you can see the hints if you know where to look.

Fran's thousand shades of green are restless and will not be comforted. The ocean appears angry that its tranquility is interrupted so waves chop at each other and seem to go in every direction at once. Neighbors frantically try to get things done and I hear lawn mowers, trucks slammed by garbage cans, and dogs are walked at quickened paces. Birds are not singing and for the life of me I can't find one. A sense of urgency abounds.

My bare feet dangle from the chair on the beloved back deck as I notice the concophony. The sun shines on my face. Goddess and Winston, the little gay dog, are inside though the sliding glass doors are open. It's a lovely morning.

The prophets on the Weather Channel though pronounce gloomy tidings. Gale force winds will arrive first shoving the warmth away. The cursed cold of the Northern countries will invade and bring their comrades rain and tornadoes. It's the end of the world as we know it, according to the Weather prophets.

But I feel fine.

My life has had its far share of bad storms and I really don't care to experience any more but I'm sure I will. I try to live in the moment. The tides come in and then the tides go out. It's the rhythm of life. Light and dark, good and bad, happy and sad, life and death are the boundary lines. Right now I'm bathed in light but in a few short hours vicious storm rips through.

Inside, Sarah and I are busy making plans. In a couple of weeks we're setting sail to places we've never been. There will be crystal clear waters and warm ocean breezes. Afterwards the Carnival of friends is planning a celebration of the birth of one of its own by conquering St. Augustine. Then we want to gather all of the kids for magic and celebration.

While the wind howls and rain slams against the windows, we will concentrate of the future. It's one of the secrets, I think, to getting through. I'm pretty happy in this moment though not naive enough to think that the bad things can hit at any moment.

But its tough to live your life under a Gale Warning. It's alright to batten down the hatches but only with the conviction that when they're opened again, sunlight and warmed will baptize you in a new day.