City Pickles or County Pickles

 Can I brag on my little Pickles for a second? We went to Wichita yesterday to volunteer for a couple of different non-profits. She was perfect the entire time.

We went to Petco in between volunteering gigs and picked out a new bed. She greeted people and dogs in the store like she had been doing it her whole life.

My favorite thing about this little monster is that she's versatile. She could be a city Pickles or a country Pickles. She really doesn't care, as long as she's with me.

She turned out to be an excellent dog. The world needs more people and dogs like Pickles in it.

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

I was a junior in high school in 2001. 

We had just moved into a new high school building, and internet and television weren't hooked up yet. I had a doctor's appointment on September 11, 2001, so I stayed home until my appointment later that morning. 

When I turned the news on, I saw the first tower burning. I watched the plane hit the second tower. I went downstairs to tell my Mom, who was teaching preschool at the time. 

When I went back to school later that day, I was one of the only students who saw what happened on tv. 

And that's where I was when the world stopped turning on that September day. 

--- 

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"

Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Were you in the yard with your wife and children

Or working on some stage in L.A.?

Did you stand there in shock

At the sight of that black smoke

Risin' against that blue sky?

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones

Pray for the ones who don't know?

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out with pride

For the red, white and blue

And the heroes who died

Just doin' what they do?

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN

But I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Or driving down some cold interstate?

Did you feel guilty

'Cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone?

Did you call up your mother

And tell her you loved her?

Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep?

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Or speak to some stranger on the street?

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun?

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers

Stand in line and give your own blood?

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN

But I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us

And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN

But I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us

And the greatest is love

And the greatest is love

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Is this real life?

It was Tuesday morning and at 7:45, I was the second car in line at the Expo Center. 

I was not in line at a concert. I was not in line for anything fun. I was in line to get a COVID test. The entire time I waited, I felt like David After Dentist.

Is this real life?

My ordeal started on Monday morning. I woke up and felt a familiar feeling in my stomach. The feeling of, oh, that's not good. I mean, Really Not Good. 

I'm going to call it a very mild case of the flu. I'm also going to call it scary as hell because some of my symptoms mimicked COVID symptoms. So, off to get tested I went. 

I'm thankful I tested negative. I'm thankful that my entire ordeal lasted about 45 minutes on Tuesday morning, 15 of which was spent in line before they opened at 8 a.m. 

The entire time I sat in my car, I kept thinking about how we got here. How did we as a human race get to the point where we have to have COVID testing sites?

How did we get to the point where "I like your mask" becomes a normal thing to say?

I laugh at coronavirus memes online. I dream of the day that life can go back to normal. And dammit, I dream of the day that I can go to concerts again. 

But on Tuesday morning, I was not laughing. I spent Monday night not moving on my couch with an ice pack on my head because my headache was so bad.

Again, I'm thankful I tested negative. But dammit, that was scary as hell. 

I wish I had something positive to say for the end of thishereblogpost, but I have nothing.

Wear a damn mask. Social distance. Stay home, people. For me and for you.