We have family and friends in Florida.  We have family and friends in Texas.    

  We have family and friends in Florida.  We have family and friends in Texas.    

In the past, I would have followed the reporting of hurricanes, earthquakes etc. with a sense of empathy but, admittedly, also with a bit of apathy. In this world in which we are immediately connected to world events through the internet, it is easy to become a bit emotionally detached from world events.  

Last week I wrote of possibly starting over, technology-wise.   This week, an update of sorts.   Wednesday after attending a funeral for the dad of a friend with whom I play basketball, I powered up my phone and found an alert from the Manhasset Apple Store.  

As the folks in the Houston area are recovering, Floridians are bracing themselves. As I write this Hurricane Irma is just starting to hit the keys...see here. Apparently it hit Cuba and the wind speeds have descreased to only 130 mph and who knows where Jose will land.  

I have been mistaken or compared to the Dos Equis beer former pitchman-Most Interesting Man in the World and I have often cracked "I'm his stunt double". Draw your own conclusion from the above Photo.  Two weeks ago Debbie Lindner informed me that The Man was appearing at nearby Bottle Buys and urged me to go and meet him.  In preparation I googled him and learned that the actor portraying the original Most Interesting Man in the World is Jonathan Goldsmith and other interesting facts.

One of our annual traditions on Martha's Vineyard are challenge matches of Skee Ball and Air Hockey. So, after dinner nearby, Flo and I made our way up Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs to Ryan's Amusement Center. Our ferocious games of air hockey drew a crowd of young onlookers and we left the hockey table for them as we moved to Skee Ball -- our real passion. As we played game after game, we heard the encouraging cheers behind us. Flo retired after beating her all-time high score, but I played on. I was on a roll. The cheers persisted - now mixed with Flo's voice behind me.

I just finished watching a documentary on PBS about the trees at the 9/11 Memorial and, once again, I am moved - inspired - invigorated with hope with all the good work that goes on that we know nothing about. It goes hand in hand with Hidden Figures (a narrative film) and Come From Away (Broadway Show), both of which should be mandatory viewing for everyone in the Universe for their ability to instill hope and inspiration. So much good in this world we can choose to see.