Rain In the Summertime

It wasn't exactly like that late-1980's MTV video for The Alarm ...... It was only seemingly in the range of 75 or 100 raindrops on my windshield. Not enough to chase away the sneeze inducing pollen in the air. But I guess that qualifies as a summer (evening) rain shower. It was actually enough to generate that smell I love of rain having recently fallen on warm asphalt. Enough to make the perspiration released from an overly warm day, worth it.

And now the evening feels so quiet, with the exception of the pre-4th of July firework lit off a couple blocks over. And I'm now listening to 'Red Rain' by Peter Gabriel. Both songs actually brighten the mood from the first thirty pages read today of 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. Not to give the impression that I won't go any further ..... What I've read so far is fascinating. Maybe because wandering alone in a supposedly postapocalyptic wasteland is a theme I've entertained a time or two, late at night, while waiting to fall asleep. 

Also assisting in brightening the mood was the shedding of the t-shirt purchased at a time when I was twenty pounds lighter in favor of the 3-XL sized shirt given to me at the last union meeting I attended.

A photo taken this morning while out walking. I had gone out in search of this bagpipe group who I've crossed paths with a few times in the past while they practiced in the park. They were absent today, so I wandered about with my phone camera while listening to the very recognizable sounds of a men's softball team taking batting practice in the distance ..... which caused a torrent of (seems like yesterday) flashbacks.

Why is it as one gets older and further away, the memories and flashbacks seem closer with less time between then and now?

While walking, I came to a spot with a cross in the ground and flowers spread around it. The spot I assume of a deadly shooting a few months ago of a teenager by a teenager. I was so fortunate in my youth, to be surrounded by a group of friends who would rather be playing basketball, listening to music or watching Friday and Saturday late-night monster movies.