Not Much More

FD Thornton

It’s a little cool out here in the picnic area of the park. There’s a few random campers power walking around with a few squirrels and not much else. I’m feeling tired today, so I decided to rest my bones instead of taking a trail hike. I guess I’m still coming down from my stressful appointment with SSA yesterday. Loaded with my usual files of paperwork trying to fight the “Alphas” out there doing their DOGEy best to slash and burn for God (Musk) and Country (Musk). 

But enough about politics, this afternoon I had the tape strips removed over my newly installed defibrillator. While nobody seems to be sure if it’s actually working right, it has my health anxiety a little ramped up just wanting a little assurance. But Nurse Ratchet told me I should find out with my next appointment in June. I’m a little disappointed with myself over worrying about things I really have no control over. I’m also disappointed with myself for allowing the 24/7 news cycles to get to me again. No matter if you lean to the right or to the left, they all love to pump you full of fear. Just to keep you watching and to buy the crap they’re selling for the sponsors.
   
But for the first time in a while I was able to sit in the park, listening the sound of distant birds and the occasional squirrel. While off in the distance I can hear the sound of commerce rolling down US 441. Quietly facing the sun the Spanish moss hung lazily over the live oak trees. I thought about home and the decades I rode down that long dirt road to the river. Just to sit on the sand hill listening to nothing but the river roll by, talking bullshit with my friends and picking out a matinee to see at the movies. I remember sitting in the park earlier listening to the ping of an aluminum bat, as a Dad was hitting pop flies to his kids in a field. It was there I thought about nothing, nothing but breathing in the moment and not much more.