I Have Returned! (to Florida, that is)

I know, I know, who really cares, except for my family, friends and pets. But that's ok. I am back in the tropics after a hellish trip home, and yes, I did stop in Virginia Beach to see my son and his new digs. It's a very cute house, in a very cute neighborhood. The house is devoid of furniture, more or less, but the living room is filled with amps and guitars (boy, are his neighbors in for it!). They may not care however, as F-18's fly over alot, and while I think it is wild to see and hear, my son says everyone living there complains. My response: "Do Not Buy House In Military Air Space If You Want Peace & Quiet."

There are two items I would like to note, and that is the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek, which aired for the first time on September 8, 1966 (this past Friday). I was also was home in time to see the launching of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, whose launch was supposed to take place last week while I was still in Virginia, and was postponed due to Tropical Storm Ernesto (bitter irony there). I am actually able to see the shuttle blaze across the sky from where I live, south of Cape Canaveral. It is fascinating, to quote a certain Vulcan. I also sky-watch for the Space Station, and when the STS is docked to it, it makes the watch a little more exciting.

Pluto, We Hardly Knew Ye

As I am wrapping up my final day(s) here in the Old Dominion, I thought I might direct those who are interested, to a great article about the planet Pluto by Jim Kundreskas. Mr. Kundreskas is an outdoors writer for the Free-Lance Star. While there have been a few articles written about the recent demise of our number nine planet, this particular one is very poignant. "Pulling the Plug on Pluto" makes some interesting observations, and I for one, am sad that our solar system has been shrunken like a proverbial head.

A Visit with the Funny Pages

All it takes is going out of town to find out what comics print where, and the differences in your geo-political location. Major metropolitan areas (such as Washington, DC) seem to have no problem issuing a two-section comic insert, while those of us living in lesser-populated areas only get one. Unfortunately, what we do get isn’t necessarily so hotsy-totsy.

I guess I should be pleased to be able to read old "Peanuts" strips now that Charles Shultz is gone. I used to read those little "Peanuts" paperbacks when I was a kid. I still love watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

In general, I should be thrilled that "Doonesbury" is even printed in my comic pages, considering I live in a heavy-Republican Southern state.

But what is this comic strip “Rhymes With Orange?” The title alone amuses me to no end, since there is not any single word in the English language that rhymes with the word “orange.” (or is there)? Plus, its writer/creator is a woman. How great is that? “Sherman’s Lagoon” is adorable, and I thought “Monty” and “Out of the Gene Pool” are not bad. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these while I am temporarily staying in the area. I am also delighted to be able to read “Opus,” which is an off-shoot of “Bloom County,” my all-time favorite comic. It just so happens that I own several stuffed Opus dolls. They are currently in storage, waiting for the time my house is finally remodeled inside, and the dust has settled enough to allow me to have kafca on display.

So, as all good things must come to an end, I will be returning shortly to that comic desert in which I reside. I must say, though, I really do miss Bill the Cat.