Enough Of All This Navel Gazing!

I thought this until my friend Bill Sell passed away on September 1, 2022. The bad news is that Bill is gone from so many of us that counted on him for periodic grounding in these times of political and social chaos. Yet, his principles and beliefs never overshadowed his empathy and concern for others. His conduct made him the absolute definition of a gentle man.
(Yes, I know the need not be a space between those words, but somehow it means more if there is one.)

The good news is his memorial gathering, held in his home in Bayview, brought people from near and far together. It surprised me how many of those people were friends I hadn't seen for long periods. But, COVID notwithstanding, it was almost embarrassing. I only hope the promises of keeping in touch come true.

I wrote to his friend Virginia Smalls that his loss made me, an agnostic, think that maybe the concept of heaven, where we all get to be together again, wouldn't be a bad idea.

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Afghan Woman

Two Queens Passing

I am not necessarily an anglophile, but I've read about the various periods of British history. Outside of The Premier League, great admiration for Prince William and Harry, and amazement at the longevity of Queen Elizabeth II, my favorite character in historical Britain, is Elizabeth I. You must love a woman who accomplishes as much as she did and conducts a love life despite the political danger.

Sadly, we say goodbye to Elizabeth II. As an Ancestery.com certified bog trotter (Irish), I shouldn't be upset that I can't find her words for sympathy for the irrational British rule of my homeland. Yet, somehow I have to respect this plucky lady who saw her job and did it to the best of her capability.

Courtly Queen. Serena Williams.

And then, we see the end of an athletic career of great accomplishment and substance as Serena Williams hangs up her rackets and switches to casual-style trainers. I'm not a Professional Tennis fan, but Williams's accomplishments transcended the fan base and have become firmly planted in our society's consciousness. Fortunately, Williams didn't have to die to have her greatness noted and venerated.

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