September 10, 2018 PURPLE RAIN

BEFUDDLED. That's how I feel. This weather really has me shaking my head. What the Hell? Three days ago I was dripping--LITERALLY--in sweat. Today  I'm wearing--sweats--long sleeve shirt--sweatshirt. CRAZY. Have you noticed that we don't seem to have SEASONS anymore?? I think SPRING lasted all of two days. There are only TWO words to describe this weather phenomenon--GLOBAL WARMING. How else can we account for the EXTREME weather patterns--heat waves--heavy storms--flooding--hurricanes--earthquakes--droughts. And that's only the tip of the ice berg. What about the animals affected by our irresponsible behavior?? They will  be forced into extinction if things don't change. SCARY STATISTIC--Although 97% of scientists believe human activity is causing global warming--ONLY 43% of Americans worry about climate change. So--57%  aren't concerned about global warming. And you know why??-- BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK IT WILL AFFECT THEM. That's SO single minded. What about the animals? What about future generations? Landforms? The oceans? Be the change you want to see.
Not much changes in Grouse County Minnesota, the setting for Tom Drury's highly acclaimed novel from 1994 The End of Vandalism. 
Not sure how I missed this lovely novel, but was happy to stumble upon it a few months ago. This story is about small town life --the mundane of every day life--with wonderful characters who become more alive with every page. Dan Norman is the county sheriff who's in love with Louise Darling wife of Tiny Darling. Tiny is a thief who's never had a real job. One night after drinking at the local bar, he goes on a rampage and vandalizes the town. He's later arrested and sent to jail. Louise finally divorces Tiny after many unhappy years--making way for Dan. Nothing huge happens in this story other than Drury drawing the reader into his world--one filled with quirky small town characters who face many of the same problems we face. It's an often funny but also sad look at life from a great writer. This best book of the year from 1994 is about 320 pages long--or a 4 mile run--that will stick with you for a long time.