Seed pods

 Pokemon Go, the GPS based, interactive video game burst on the scene last week. So far:

1) the servers have crashed several times
2) two people walked off a cliff in Encinitas while looking for imaginary creatures in a real landscape
3) two people found a real dead body while looking for imaginary creatures 
  near a creek here.
4) flash mob like crowds have been showing up at unlikely places all over

Is this just good fun and an honest attempt to get people away from their couches and out into the fresh air, or is it suicidal insanity?

We old folk had a nice stroll around Spring Lake this morning

1) Instead of looking for little cartoon characters, I  noticed the interesting insect-like look of the pods which had opened their arms wide to release their seeds. 
2) I left my phone at home. We have already given up on the television news.
3) The lake was covered by a flotilla of ducks and geese seemingly released from child care duties now that the babies can take care of themselves
4) Passing people smiled and commented on Ozzie  with his stick in his mouth. 
5) Kids rode bikes, grown-ups rode bikes and babies enjoyed the view from strollers, 
6) Groups of people walked along talking with each other
7) A man sitting on a bench with his bike leaning on it was slumped over, head at a strange angle. I briefly worried that he was having a medical emergency but no, he was staring at his phone.

The British Open at Troon was interrupted today by a statement from President Obama who looked somber, angry and tired. He said that if we don't stop doing and saying things that are divisive and dedicate ourselves to healing the terrible divides that have been created in our society noting will change. How I will miss that man, and how glad I think he will be in November to no longer have to be the National Comforter….