Thoughts on Cozy
- Michael Jay Tucker's explosive-cargo
- Oct 5
- 4 min read
Okay, last time, I had us just about ready to leave Durham. We’d had dinner at the Bleu Olive. We went to bed. The next morning we were up early and headed for the airport. TSA was forgiving that day, and the crowd was small, and so after only short wait, we were in the plane and in air.
I had my Kindle and I had a book to read. Specifically, it was a book on the Western Inland Seaway, which was a enormous shallow sea in what is the Great Plains states of North America. In Cretaceous period, it stretched from the Arctic to the Gulf Of Mexico.
Normally, I’m fascinated by all of that. But, right then, just after we took off, I elected not to read.
Instead, I decided to reflect. Had I...I asked myself... done anything of value over the past week? It’s the kind of question I ask myself a lot. Unfortunately, the answer is frequently No. And this week was no exception. I had written nothing except for a few jotted notes in my journal. I had not made a million dollars (not that I expect to. I never do. But the point was I hadn’t). I had entertained no sublime thoughts about the world and the universe.
ABOUT THE PHOTOS: First, a flowering tree outside our hotel. I believe this is a Callery pear. Second, on the theme of full fathom five, here’s a mermaid themed decoration that Gene Dillard has included in his house. Third, and, as per norm, nothing to do with the story, but I like the photo, here’s a snap of Martha at the Arwa Yemeni Coffee shop in Cedar Park, Texas. We just discovered it yesterday (Sep 27, 2025). Lovely place, and the tea, coffee, and pastries are great.
So...I was tempted to discount the week. It had been pleasant, but it was not significant.
But, I reflected, maybe that wasn’t quite the case. Not quite the truth.
For what we had done was...in a human way...important. We had seen family and friends. We had reconnected with them, some of whom we hadn’t seen in decades. We’d been with Vincent at his birthday...and birthdays, like all personal rituals, are important. They mark significant transitions in our life. We’d watched while the grandchildren met or re-discovered the people from New England who are in our circle. That ,too, was important, for even if the New England Four do not become major presences in their lives, now they know at least who they are. That is one way of claiming your family and your heritage.
So, maybe...maybe...the week was profound after all. Maybe there is something something deep and meaningful in moments of unity ...when those you have liked or loved are gathered in one place...there to share food and memory.
Anyway, that’s what I decided.
So, I extracted my Kindle, made certain it was in airplane mode, and turned to plesiosaurs and mosasaurs, and flightless marine birds with teeth, and dinosaurs on the shore...millions of years ago... at a period when my own home today, the one in Georgetown, Texas, would have been deep underwater, the habitation of sharks and clams.
All, of course, technically irrelevant to my life today...
But of value...
For knowing one’s origins in space and time, and in relationships, is always of value.
Even if, in fact, that origin is like a place beneath the waves...
Full fathom five...
Something rich and strange.
New adventures to come.
*
Seriously, stay tuned everyone. Very soon, I’m going to start of the story of the worst trip we’ve ever taken. I mean, flat-out awful.
All of which was pretty much, give or take...
My fault.
Phooey.
More to come.
ABOUT THE PHOTOS: First, a flowering tree outside our hotel. I believe this is a Callery pear. Second, on the theme of full fathom five, here’s a mermaid themed decoration that Gene Dillard has included in his house. Third, and, as per norm, nothing to do with the story, but I like the photo, here’s a snap of Martha at the Arwa Yemeni Coffee shop in Cedar Park, Texas. We just discovered it yesterday (Sep 27, 2025). Lovely place, and the tea, coffee, and pastries are great.
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