After a full day’s travel yesterday, a very short night’s sleep due to daylight savings time and an early flight, I have no reason to feel good this morning. But I woke at 6am EST feeling great – go figure. Nice way to start the week.

LOTS to do this trip to get ready for Derby guests. Some little chores, some big ones, inside and out. I have no reason to be bored the next few weeks.

Offsetting the good vibes (somewhat), I’m halfway through reading a heartbreaking book about an alien civilization that is doomed by a pandemic, and our Star-Trek inspired “no intervention” policy keeps the humans from saving them. The aliens are written to be peaceful, intelligent, and above all, universally kind. Their evolution did not require them to develop the aggressive fight or flight mechanism we have, along with our tribalism. They’re (much) better people than us, and we’re going to let them die off because, rules. Unless the author pulls a kick save at the buzzer, it’s gonna be a hard book to finish. Recommended, nonetheless – The Last Days of Good People, by AT Sayre.

On my morning random play by Apple Music, this song popped up. A personal favorite, I think it’s 1000% applicable to the moment we’re all living through – Mercy Now, by Mary Gautier.

My father could use a little mercy now
The fruits of his labor                                                         
Fall and rot slowly on the ground
His work is almost over
It won’t be long and he won’t be around
I love my father, and he could use some mercy now

My brother could use a little mercy now
He’s a stranger to freedom
He’s shackled to his fears and doubts
The pain that he lives in is
Almost more than living will allow
I love my brother, and he could use some mercy now

My Church and my Country could use a little mercy now
As they sink into a poisoned pit
That’s going to take forever to climb out
They carry the weight of the faithful
Who follow ‘em down
I love my Church and Country and they could use some mercy now

Every living thing could use a little mercy now
Only the hand of grace can end the race
Towards another mushroom cloud
People in power, well
They’ll do anything to keep their crown
I love life, and life itself could use some mercy now

Yea, we all could use a little mercy now
I know we don’t deserve it
But we need it anyhow
We hang in the balance
Dangle ‘tween hell and hallowed ground
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now
Every single one of us could use some mercy now