Free Fallin'

--Several Circles (1926), Wassily Kandinsky

The past is gone
It went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way
Everybody's got their dues in life to pay
--Dream On, Aerosmith

You could never know what it's like
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there's a cold lonely light that shines from you
You'll wind up like the wreck you hide
behind that mask you use
--I'm Still Standing, Elton John
________________

Last night Ranger was back in Vietnam, courtesy of a dream, not a nightmare.

The dream was of a complete double parachute malfunction while doing a HALO jump. A cut-away from the main failure to deploy to a reserve malfunction. Not a good formula for a long and productive life. But here is the catch: Ranger did a smooth standing landing without a hint of impact.

There was no one else present. What can one make of such a dream?

The two failures are probably pretty symbolic. Vietnam is still in my mind, but now I'm standing, whereas usually it is ground with buttons as the only cushion.

I'd call that progress.