Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Things fall apart, things fall together, everything else falls between. And so a hard week comes to an end at NorthRiver Yacht Club, waiting to photograph the Chinese Consul General. And no, that’s not him — that’s Nicholas, killing time.

When I ever doubt that things are as they should be, I have only to look at the calendar, the months ticking by, and think of how very close I came to not seeing January 1. Soon, I’ll be bundled up in my field jacket and Timbies, scarf flying as I make snowmen and have snowball fights behind imaginary fortresses. Fences might make good neighbors, and they certainly contain the sheep, but stone walls make for poor friendships. For once in my life, I’m glad I failed at something. January would have been so much colder without steaming mugs of cocoa.

Happy New Year.

Music: Walls by Tom Petty (lyrics)