Laughter, hugs, bouncing-ball-conversation with everyone trying to build on, not compete with, the next idea, the next inspiration, the next epiphany, the next appreciation.

That was the stuff of my birthday dinner with friends and family... and if you were not there, you were there in spirit and you were missed.

Two giants passed away in the same day--J.D. Salinger of Catcher in the Rye fame and one of my real heroes, Howard Zinn--author of A People's History of the United States. That book has stuck with me and influenced my view of our American story as much as any single volume. The most memorable passage? (I am paraphrasing) "Christopher Columbus wrote in his journal the evening after landing at Hispanola, 'The people are beautiful. They came bearing gifts to us of fruit. With 10 well armed soldiers I could have the entire island subdued in a week.'"

Never thought much about Facebook. If I gave it any thought at all, I thought it was just a way for people with too much time on their hands to gossip. But I have been pleasantly surprised at the connections to others I have made, the renewal of friendships and the introduction to worthwhile websites and organizations that have come from my little time on Facebook. I am enjoying the ride!

Thank you Monica for starting our meditation group and continuing to be the breath of its life. Tonight it was a reading on the simple phrase, "What is this?" or "What is this moment?" Paired with wonderful flute music of David Blonski, the meditation was perfection.

So, tomorrow as the urgencies and plans threaten to consume the day, like a greedy monster, I commit to asking, "What is this?" and to sit with that question as I move to the next moment.

Went to Roseville today to buy new tires--now this may seem banal, but just be patient--I have a point to make--and it could save you some money. It hasn't saved me any money yet, but I am just saying, it could.

The tires were promised to be done in an hour and a half, so I walked across the street to the mall--figuring I could get some lunch and indulge my not-anymore-secret obsession with window shopping in the tools section of Sears.

Three box end wrenches and a needle nose pliers purchase later, I was ready to head to lunch. But, to my surprise I came across a "Borders annex" store--sort of a toy poodle version of the real thing. Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw was on "clearance sale" there at 40% off the jacket price. Happy day. Which brings me to the real point of all this--I spoke with a friend a couple days ago who shared with me: "You know how you get great deals, sometimes, on Amazon, but that you almost always have to pay separate shipping charges if you buy more than one book? Well, Borders has something called the "Borders Marketplace" where you can get equally great buys, but you only pay one shipping price." I haven't checked it out, but if this is true, watch out Amazon!

Hope for Haiti

I will not try to say something more about the tragedy unfolding in Haiti that has not already been said by those more eloquent than me. But I must say I was heartened this morning when I saw President Obama, with Presidents Clinton and Bush, announce the formation of the Clinton-Bush Haiti Relief Fund. Though I am often a critic of the inadequacies of our country, deep inside I love America and our fundamental spirit of giving to others. What I saw this morning was an example of the best we can be as a nation.