Early Saturday morning, a blustery wind kicked up and carried with it the heat and humidity that had been plaguing Atlanta for many weeks. As I sipped my cup of Dunkin’ Donuts decaf, I could hear the flag outside our kitchen window furiously flapping against the wall and for a minute there, I thought we would lose it. My sister quickly took it down.
Many of the homes here in this enclave called Wedgewood Chase proudly display their stars and stripes. I like that. I think it’s a statement of amor a la patria even if sometimes the sound and the fury on multimedia make you think otherwise. Perhaps the sight of it may inspire passersby to love and honor it once again. Whatever. I like the flag idea. I will take it up with my “singing landlord” as soon as I get back.
It is mid-October and it’s supposed to be fall. But I have not seen any change of colors, not yet. I have been on the lookout for any early sign.
Autumn is my favorite time of the year. When the trees turn from green to red and russet gold, I become entranced, watching, waiting, wishing for the spectacle to stay forever.
But fall goes by fast. It is a fleeting dazzle of color. The great philosopher Albert Camus said, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
When it comes, I will try not to blink or I might miss the splendor of the season. Because all too quickly, the trees will go bare, the wind will turn cold and suddenly it will be winter.
Happy time
My youngest child came to visit from Florida. She stayed four days. It was way too short, but better than nothing. She took a break from her hectic life as full-time wife, mom, cook, in-demand career hairstylist, and soon-to-be mother of the bride. I got to spend time with my baby and I loved every minute.
We chatted, took naps, remembered the good times and laughed over the bad ones. I love when that happens. It is evidence that hearts have healed.
We went to see the matinee of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” last weekend. My granddaughter Alyssa who I think has the brightest smile this side of heaven, was choreographer. She did a great job.
The play was held in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur, about a 45-minute drive away. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The man who played Joseph had a beautiful baritone. But I especially liked Issachar, one of Jacob’s 12 sons, who was recently discovered by the show director in a karaoke bar.
It was a happy Saturday afternoon. I got to meet Alyssa’s betrothed. Dalton seems like a fine young man. Their wedding is scheduled in May next year. I shall add his name to my prayers.
We ended the evening with dinner at Ba Bellies which is an Asian American food place. Their shaking beef and Korean fries are to die for.
The following day we got down to our Pinoy roots and visited Manila Mart in Buford. My sister and her son were excited to find ensaymada, empanada, Skyflakes, Sarangani bangus and longganisa.
We had lunch right there in a smallish eating area and devoured paksiw na bangus, pinakbet, pork barbecue and a mountain of rice. My daughter topped it off with halo-halo.
Nick, the guy in charge, was hospitable and friendly. When we walked in, they were playing “Be My Lady.” We had a good chuckle about that. Uncanny timing. Of course, I was thrilled to bits.
In the news
A second whistleblower has surfaced. It’s all about another phone call to a head of state. Republicans are now scrambling for explanations. Some of them say not to take it too seriously. Sound familiar?
It is amusing how allies can be dismissive about some stuff that, at the same time, their opponents get muskets ready for the firing squad. The allegations are serious, scary. Both sides charge one another with all kinds of wrongdoing. What a mess. What a shame.
Why do I feel like I’m back home? Yes, I heard about the “ninja cops.”
Can anyone find the truth? Are we interested? Seriously, are we even looking for the real scoop? The antics on TV make you wonder how high the stakes are in this latest scenario. There is obviously big money behind all this. There always is. Where does it come from? Are we mere pawns in a game; watching and wondering, totally oblivious of the truth? Just asking.
Our problem may be that we listen only to what we want to hear.
In America they say that if you are for Trump, you will believe Fox News. If you are against him, you will watch only CNN. Question: If I tune in to both will I find a balance? Will I find the truth? I doubt it.
In the meantime, on the internet, it is open season for bashers. They are relentless. They have no filters. Their language is sickening.
Today we think nothing of propagating filth on the internet. We have become monsters at the keyboard. We pick up someone else’s wrath and bias and feel justified to share. We cut and paste without a second thought, without even checking, without any mercy.
This has got to stop.