"If dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts"

Lately since I don't have time to sit down and write songs I've been writing poetry in my head. You may remember the poem I wrote for my daughter, Adelaide. I've been working on a new one...and it's pretty much done, but I don't like the last two lines yet. I'm not sure if I'll put it to music or not.

I've been driving in my hometown,
past the memories with windows down.
I let the wind rush in and hear the sounds
of friends I've made and dreams I've never found.

I am not quite the man I thought I'd be.
I've never climbed a mountain or sailed the sea.
But I've kissed a dying woman's cheek;
I've held my daughter's hand and watched her sleep.
Maybe that man was someone else, and this is me.

So when I drive back home I hug my wife,
thank God for each breath that brings me life,
and ask that I could walk this narrow line,
with love that flows like beams of heaven's light.

If I ever figure out what I really want to do with the last two lines I'll repost. By the way, you may be asking yourself why I'm driving with windows down in the weather we've been having...mainly because I don't have AC in my car. It sounds wonderfully poetic though, doesn't it?

Roll your windows down, the summer's nearly gone...

Ah...The Alternate Routes...great music I've been listening to all summer. Come to think of it, summer is gone, not nearly gone. I'm starting back to school this week so that means blog posts will probably be scarce again for a while. Too bad I can't blog for a living. I will have to post some guitar updates though. I hit some serious roadblocks with the headstock so I am still working on it, but I can happily say I am almost finished with the neck.

I registered for my first marathon two weeks ago, which is a little frightening. My long runs are up to 18 miles. I've had one really good 18 mile run and one 18 miler where I thought I might not make it. I'm not sure what the difference was, but I would sure like to avoid the latter from now on.

I also took a fun family vacation to Hilton Head Island. We've been going there for years so it's always slightly nostalgic to go back. This year there was the added benefit of this restaurant called "David's Roastfish and Cornbread," which ranks right up there with Oriental House for me. It was hot, but Addy got some good beach time and even ate sand for the first time. She also enjoyed her first Greg Russell concert and a trolley ride from Harbor Town.

Kristi took a full time nanny job starting today, which makes me a little sad because we won't be seeing much of each other...but at the same time it's such an obvious way that God is providing for us while I finish school and it still allows Kristi to be a stay at home mom with Addy, which we have prioritized.

Now I'd just like the cooler weather to hurry up and settle in. Here's some pictures from our HHI trip for the road...