A brief case of tangentitis

no this isn't that other entry
although I've made progress
nor is it sequentially the next tale
in the story of my vacation

technically it would go in the middle of part two
but for reasons entirely my own
I've decided to separate it out
and give it its own space.

what you might wonder
is so special that it deserves its own post
to be singled out from all the other events
of my trip to Seattle

well
the answer comes naturally for me
and
I think you will agree

as it is one of the most unexpected joys
of adulthood for me
and without question one the most
precious parts of my life

I am of course
speaking of my nieces and nephews

who I had a most delightful time visiting with
in all manner of ways
from trips to the park
to an evening screening of "A series of unfortunate events"
which apparently was frightening enough
to send three of them scurrying on top my lap
to hanging out in one of the various family homes in the city

if you are neither an aunt nor an uncle
I doubt I can do justice the joy which it brings
to some degree it is a theft of youth
or perhaps a trade
negotiated in exchange of
love, affection and shiny presents

although in my part
being of the sort who somehow manage
to miss the tragic right of passage to adulthood
in which one forgets how to play

it is a glorious excuse
to be a kid again
to revel in all those things
which amazed us once
and have now become trite

and with that
my little preamble comes to a close
and may be spilled on my true intention
to share with you
or perhaps foist upon you

a few photos
taken by myself
during an afternoon at the park

( Playground )

It occured to me tonight

that if I could give the world a gift

if I was god rather than a mere king

and wishing could make it so

I would not create world peace or end hunger

not that either is not a laudable goal

rather

I would give everyone the gift
if only for one day
of loving themselves

truely madly deeply

to engage in love affair
with yourself

I often talk here
about those parts of me
or those actions which I take
which I am not pleased with

occasionally I babble on
about inane glories

but the simple fact is
setting aside whatever rhetoric

I adore being me

I love reading back on my old entries
the way I spun a phrase
this way and that

I love thinking back on an evening
the way I spun some lovely
this way and that

or remembering a debate
twisting and shaping logic
to leave an opponent utterly helpless

I get a childish sense of glee
just from being me

and if I could share that with the world

it would indeed be sweet