Fly 'n Things

Words & Music on Wednesdays

“Not if the Earth looked like this, he thought. Not if you could hear the hope, and the promise like a voice, with leaves, tree trunks, and rocks instead of words…..Men have not found the words for it, nor the deed, nor the thought, but they have found the music. Let me see  that in one single act of man on earth. Let me see it made real. Let me see the answer to the promise of that music. Not servants, nor those served; not altars and immolations; but the final, the fulfilled the innocent of pain. Don’t help me or serve me, but let me see it once because I need it. Don’t work for my happiness, my brothers– show me yours— show me it is possible– show me your achievement and the knowledge will give me courage for mine.”
— The Fountainhead

Happy Father’s Day!

       I never really knew my father. I was barely 7 years old, when my father was involved in an accident that took him from us. I remember the simple days when I rode on his shoulders as he walked the terrace as a child, or in the Jeep he traveled for work to far off hydro-electric power-plants. The times I convinced him I was unwell to attend school– I knew how to sweet talk!

Dear Father,

I didn’t have a chance to get to know you, but I hope, I have followed in your footsteps. I loved to read, just as you did. I devoured the books we had in our house. Some collected by you and others by my sisters who loved to read.

I am an Engineer like you. Although I started out as a Civil Engineer like you, I continued as…

Lately the weather has not been cooperative, at least not on weekends.

Weeks ahead, I had reserved an aircraft, and planned the flight to Hampton Roads. We had a good group of 4-5 aircraft with 10-12 people all set to go. Then the weather gods intervened with: “Thou shall not fly!”

The forecast was awful, more severe than what actually transpired on the day. But the damage was done.

As an after thought, I had reserved an aircraft for the following weekend as a back up plan. My weekends are typically consumed with school work. But,  I wanted to squeeze in a flight if I could, if not anything to stay current.  The forecast was looking good. I didn’t want to say it out aloud, lest I jinx myself.

Gert and I set off early, an hour later than planned but early to beat the heat. The highs on Saturday…