T he Reds won this game as well, though they needed five runs in the eighth to do so. The good news was that the bullpen showed signs of consistency, which was the reason for all those trades.

Despite several break trips to the air-conditioned club during the game, it was still quite hot. Again, not as muggy as I'm used to in Florida, but the mercury hovering around 98 made it wise to vector between shady spots on the way back.

Once at the room, I rested a bit, grabbed a quick shower, then walked next door to the comedy club to see Jeff Dunham. He was as good as I recalled from television, if slightly racier. At several points "Walter" had me laughing so hard I was gasping for breath.

I hit Johnny Rockets after the show, thereby completing my culinary checklist for the trip. Heading back along the river side of Newport on the Levee, I lingered for a while, just watching the river and the city in the fading orange-yellow twilight.

There is something here.

I mused on the fact that coming here has never felt like a "vacation", but more like a return home.

During my trip to Union Station I noted with interest that the area's native inhabitants had built burial mounds and astronomical edifices that rival Stonehenge for accuracy.

Perhaps they felt the "something" as well.

Perhaps they are part of it. 		  S o what of The Lesson?

I think there are several parts to it.

I think one part is that someone or something is looking out for me and will gladly guide me in the right direction if I will but listen. I ended up in far too many right places at far too many right times for it all to be a coincidence.

I think another part deals with agility in the face of chaos-- or complexity theory or whatever you want to call it. I'd worked hard to keep up with the team's status, and when I got here everything changed overnight.

Yet the Reds won all four games, which is the only data that matters. You can float in a pool without fretting over every water molecule in it.

I think I need to get busy on my own music-- the talented crew at Shadowbox always motivates me to do so. I must watch for possible diversions-- "is this helping me get the album done?"-- and minimize them.

I think I've been at this travelogue for far too long, and it's time to tuck in and anticipate one more taste of ribs, and my return home, tomorrow evening. Thank you, Gentle Reader, for joining me on my trip.

-30-







  
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