The weather is close to ideal today - and I'm very picky. Last night, a rain washed out the smoke and pollen that'd been sent flying to us on the distant winds all the way from the forest and swamp fires of North Carolina. It also dropped the heat. Plusses.

Since it was a day off, I also did my Neighborhood Block Captain duties, and walked Civic League paperwork from Point A to Point B. The local odors were sweet and nostalgic. The air was very still. Flowers had invisible scents hanging in front of them that reached me at the street. A big green Dragonfly rode shot-gun for part of my walk. The neighborhood sounds were gentle and subtle... until I reached a home where contractors were replacing soffit boards, and then it was yelling: "Move that f*****' thing!" and "Where IS the g****** thing?".

I kept walking. Eventually, it was just me and the Dragonfly again.

That moment reminded me to watch MY mouth. It's not always the right time or place to be that kind of "expressive"... Habits can be tough to break. I've got grand kids coming for a visit again fairly soon!

---

I was thinking about a moment I had with Alexandra, my grand daughter, maybe a year ago. Her family was here on a visit, and every time we went anywhere, the kids were quadruple-strapped into their car seats, of course. Mommy is fast at this... but I, with little practice, was slow and clunky. I was trying to get Alexandra all strapped in, but it seemed to me I MUST be hurting her SOMEWHERE - what with all these daggone straps and buckles everywhere - so I kept asking her "Am I hurting you?" "Is THIS okay?" She would smile and say "It's okay"... and it was a type of smile I've seldom, if ever, seen. It's stuck with me since that moment. The smile seemed to be saying:

"Poor Grampa. He's trying so hard, but he's not good at this. He sure is worrying about me. He must love me very much. I love him too."

It was a surprisingly patient, understanding smile to be on the face of a four year old.

Eventually, she and I agreed I had it. "Is this good?" I asked.

She nodded and smiled.

I nodded and smiled back.

We smiled at each other.