Yesterday DeeDee, Pammie Sue, and I went out to some local wineries to do a little wine tasting, and generally just hang out together one last time. DeeDee is moving to Oregon this coming Tuesday, so we don't know when we'll be able to get together again. We visited three wineries: Tobin James, Laura's Vineyard, and the Horsey Winery. We sampled many yummy wines, and met some interesting people.
Well, the adventure I ended up not having yesterday, I wound up having today! I had to drive down to Ventura to exchange copies of our Writ at Attorneys Diversified. We were able to have our local Attorney Service courior the copies down yesterday, but some changes were made overnight, so I had to run the new copies down today. We still don't know if the Writ will even be filed or not, but it's nice to know it's down there just in case.
It was a nice drive - not much traffic, and the weather was good - and I was able to stop in Goleta on my way back and get an English Breakfast Tea latte at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I'd been craving one for a long time, and it was sooo good!
7:53 a.m.
Up in the air. I used to hate when my day was like that, but now, it's no big. Either experience will be interesting, I'm sure. More later.
11:35 a.m. Cancelled! I've been cancelled for jury duty! I'm not sure about the other adventure, yet, but at least one thing's been decided!
5:00 p.m. So, in the end, I wound up doing nothing. Not literally, of course, but I got out of jury duty and the possible adventure for work, too. I'm a little disappointed, but relieved at the same time. It's been quite a day!
This year's annual Summer Party was held at a rented vacation house just a few steps from the beach in Cayucos.
Two years ago today, the world as we knew it changed forever. Two years ago, lives across this country were touched by the tragedy. You didn't have to know anyone in the planes or the Towers or the Pentagon to feel sad, horrified, scared and sick. You didn't even have to be American; you just had to be human.
Two years ago, time stood still. Every moment seemed to last an eternity, but when it was over, it seemed to have happened so fast. Within seconds, planes, buildings and lives were gone.
Two years ago, a bright, sunny September morning was shattered, like a glass thrown against a wall. Not once, not twice, but four times. Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! It never seemed to end. Just when the dust settled over one horror, another took place. Then another, and another. It was overwhelming, unbelievable, impossible, and yet, all too real.
Two years ago, I went to work with a tear-stained face, a lump in my throat, and a dozen knots in my stomach. Two years ago, I could barely breathe, barely move, but sat trembling with horror and trepidation at my desk. I remember very little about that day. I think there was a meeting of some kind. Or something. I think I attended it. I don't remember. I don't remember sitting at my desk typing at my computer, but I must have. I don't remember driving home, but I obviously did. All I remember are the planes: planes crashing into buildings, a plane crashing into a field. Buildings on fire. Buildings collapsing. Grey, ash-covered people running, walking, crying. Stunned. So many blank expressions and empty eyes. Like zombies stumbling over the debris as they fled the horror.
The images from two years ago are forever burned into my brain. I will never forget the sight of the planes flying into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, or the Towers standing there against a bright blue sky, burning, then, unbelievably, collapsing. Disappearing forever from view. I will never forget the black smoke and flames rising from the Pentagon in Washington D.C.. Or the pictures of the smouldering wreckage of a plane in a Pennsylvania field. Those images will be with me forever.
Two years ago today, the world as we knew it changed forever. And, yet, we're still the same Americans we were the day before 9/11: we're still strong, still determined, still united, and still free. And we will never, ever forget.
