Here are several, both color and black and white, of a morning in my life not too long ago. After all the whining and losing are done, and the relentless, useless calculations of loss finished with, all that is left is the doing what there is to do. I said that.

The irritation is useful if somewhat indulgent. The “I Used-to-was” phrase has been mostly replaced with the more accurate and ultimately more useful “I am.”

These days, all of that stuff falls under the heading of mileage, at least it does for me. It’s easier that way. And more useful as shorthand, hence Tarmac Meditations.

But “hope is a thing with feathers” as the poet said (although I am sure she was not referring to the new duster I bought the other day and placed prominently on a corner of my desk); I am closing in on the work that needs doing. Trust me.