This picture was taken at Armour’s wedding to Tanya, June 12th, a short week ago.

Armour’s buddies (two couldn’t make it) came in for his big day – and it was great to see them – all are responsible, caring, terrific men I’m proud to know.

Armour had two men speak for him that day – Dad, and Todd Carpenter.  During his toast to the couple, Todd mentioned how the bonds of that close group of guys in high school (the Posse) had formed him into the man he is today.  He made those of us who know him, cry.  It was a tribute to true friendship.

At the end, he said that Dad had a lot to do with that transformation too – during the weekly poker games at the Craig house with a bunch of teenaged boys.  Goes to show that the smallest things have influence.

“We learned a lot of Life Lessons around that poker table, Mr. Craig, “ he said.

So here’s to great friends traveling long distances for one of their own, poker, and my dad, Jim Craig. 

Thanks to all the wonderful men in my life who are father figures to me – among them Pete Conway, Bill Prohs, Bill Silkman, Rusty Sachs, Loren Mallory, John Oleson, Morris Thomason, Bill Marty, Bro. Jim Henry, Bunny Beeson and Pete Ballantine.

But mostly, props have to go to my dad.  He’s a mentor to so many, including me.

…it has to be evening.

Same routine, every night when I get home from work, or when I get home from running around on the weekends – either business, or as it was tonight -an evening spent with good friends.

I turn on the porch light, close the blinds that face the street, turn on the red-shaded Korean brass lamp made from artillery shells (Dad brought it home from Korea in ’76) – likewise the lamp on my Heywood-Wakefield thrift-store corner table (thanks, Mom!)…and switch on the pool lights.

I feed the animals, and load the dishwasher.

I turn on the kettle, and pick out my herbal tea – a six-month-old “tradition” – and one I’m enjoying more and more.

It’s comforting.

It means I’m in.

…for the Night.

Look what I found tonight in the old tree we refused to cut down! (Yet more proof that you should always trust your Little Voice, y’all.) I saw him peeking out at us when Spectre and I came back from our walk tonight. I think this little new resident is an Eastern Screech Owl. If you know better, let me know!

I called the Extension Service, and they told me I’d be surprised how well these owls do in the suburban landscape. As long as I have a birdfeeder (where rodents feed under cover of night…Yick) and some “rough areas” in my lawn – i.e. bushes and heavy growth, my tiny tree-dweller will have plenty to eat.

He’s another reason to keep my bird bath clean, too.

I love having a little raptor in our treasured old tree! I consider him good luck while my John has to be gone.