Ups and Downs, Ebbs and Flows

 “..the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop…”

—Jack Kerouac, On the Road

        Aside from the critiques of my roommates who personify the very antithesis of Kerouac’s description, I enjoy it here.  I don’t have to be at work until 1:00PM, so I returned to Folly Beach this morning for some exploring.  I walked around town and stopped by Lost Dog Cafe for a plate of eggs and bacon and a cup of coffee.  The wait was long but I was on a solo expedition and lucked out with a bar seat.  This cute girl sat a few seats down, but after hearing her say she was twenty three, I lost all interest and returned to my coffee.  Nothing good comes the early twenties crowd.  I don’t look it, but I’m a bit too old for that group.  

    After the cafe, I walked down to the beach then strolled the length of the pier.  The surf was littered with surfers in wet suits and there were far more beachgoers than on my first visit.  Few people were fishing, and none of them were having much luck from what I could see.  The views were amazingly tranquil, the weather cool and still.  I ventured down the street to the famed Bert’s Market which advertises that “we may doze, but we never close.”  I left after picking up a barbecue sandwich for lunch.  

    On the drive home I received a call from my mother.  My father had been scheduled for surgery this morning to repair damage in his arm.  Getting a call from my mother, I answered knowing it would be bad news.  Her voice was uneasy and her tone scared.  They could not perform the surgery as my father’s heart rate under anesthesia was too high.  He was admitted to the hospital for tests.  That’s all I know so far.  My mother is in the room with him and cannot answer my calls.  I asked if I should come home.  She said “no.”  So I guess I’m going to work.  I have two days off after tomorrow, so I may have to go back home again.  We’ll just have to wait and see what the doctors discover.