Man love.

It's no secret that I like Yo-Yo Ma's cello playing, and that I thought that Morricone's "Ecstasy For Gold" was an inspired work.

I don't cry for beauty much. My eyes were wet after listening to this version.

Nebraska. 2 The People.

As previously mentioned, I took a little trip to go hunting with my new friend, up in Nebraska. He had friends who were farmers who have been praying that the state of Nebraska would let them shoot more deer, as they've been overpopulating the state at an amazing rate. They spend much of the days in the woodlots, and come out in the evenings and nights and eat the corn and soybean crops. They get very, very large. They are healthy, and their offspring thrive, too.

The farmers are very tired of the crop nuisance.

I like good red meat.

A common goal is achieved.

The Good Farmers
Vine took me out on Saturday, and introduced me to Jim and his wife Pat, a very nice couple. The word "accommodating" is simply not strong enough. The word "friendly" is not strong enough. They are very decent, civilized, excellent people. They are, from what I see, fairly typical of the good people of Nebraska, but they bear special mention, nonetheless. Jim is a classical farmer, who keeps track of the price of corn and soybeans and their futures, and considers how many more seasons his old International Harvester grain trucks will keep giving service. He maintains his combine, trucks, and fuel and water pumps by himself, without a professional mechanic. He leans strongly conservative, but clearly dotes on his liberal wife. He dispatches nuisance animals, but doesn't really hunt. He grins sheepishly as he talks to his named farm cats out front of the house.

Pat cooks large farm meals from scratch, serves them toothsomely to her house guests, and cheerfully talks about local and world events, as well as family lore, with bright intelligence. She's educated, and has a full-time job in addition to being a farm wife. She's active in her church, but doesn't give off even the slightest hint of judgement when you don't.

They both clearly are in love with their daughters. To say that they are proud of their daughters' ongoing career successes would go without saying, but it's also clear that they don't really worry about whether their offspring are financially a success-- they just want what's best for them. Like any good parents would. And make no mistake-- these are good parents.

After over three decades together, they still obviously appreciate the company of each other.

Are you beginning to get the idea that I liked these people? Because if you haven't been, then either I'm not articulating clearly, or you're not paying attention.

They clearly think highly of my friend Vine, which is another good reason for me to think well of him, myself.

Y'all know Brigid, right?

No? Well, then go, and find beauty there.