AF Day 124

Las Cruces, NM, at 0645 - Thursday

The rain began yesterday evening around 1700 and has not completely stopped since. I awoke earlier to thunder and lightning, outside in the air - of course, and quickly rose to see the display along with dawn's early light. Weather storms in the Southwest are, for me, awe inspiring and can become the great equalizer in desert environments. This storm has packed a wallop of rain into the local area and the air smells clean and fresh, as one would imagine Tucson or Phoenix, Arizona, after one of their common desert storms. In the sense that the rains come and go, I love this type of weather - in the Southwest.

I believe bowling is on the agenda for this late morning. Kaesen has not bowled before and we are hoping this alley has the retractable bumpers to use during our games. I bought Kaesen a soccer ball the other day and told him we would go to the park and starting practicing, as in I would begin teaching him the finer points of the game. The only hitch is the rain we have had two days consecutively; yesterday morning was not rain-filled, but the ground was wet from intermittent spitting and misting. So, maybe this afternoon we can hit a park and start our fun father-son drills on the field.

You know something? I miss my friends at FOB Smart. They are just as important in my family of friends as any have been or will be in the future. I think often of their safety while I am away and know they are enduring the daily grind in good spirits.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.