Teachers were walking around like zombies, listening to headsets or to their own thoughts.

I woke up later than usual, about 7:15. The plan was to go to Pitch in the morning, then return to the College to play golf with Steve Gerson down at Osawatomie (often called by the fictional name of OZ for short).
Ruth was already up, had her first cup of coffee and was doing laundry. She said, “I feel good, so watch out!” She meant the weather was cooler, she had her meds under control and she was feeling great.
After gulping my usual coffee and chewing on my toast, I showered and got ready. Claire wanted to watch her video, “Blues Clues,” so as she watched I left, giving her a kiss on her forehead. Both Claire and Ruth waved as I left in the car.
It was 8:30 and we hadn’t yet heard about the huge tragedy unfolding in my son Doug’s adopted hometown: the World Trade Center bombing.
Driving down Southwest Boulevard, I wanted to check into that alleged illegal alien situation near West Penway I had first seen yesterday. I drove slowly by, taking photos of the men, some obviously waiting to be picked up, others sitting by a gas station sign, drinking out of bag-covered drinks.
At Pitch, I immediately sent an e-mail to Jim Kind, the Managing Editor, suggesting the possibility of the illegal alien situation on the Boulevard as a potentially good Pitch story.
While I did that, CJ came in, talking about the bomb blast in NY. Charles Ferruzza told us what he knew, the Trade Building and the Pentagon, the airplanes, “The worst thing I have ever seen.”
Trying to get Netscape to bring up the story, I eventually succeeded, thinking of my son, Doug, in Brooklyn, maybe getting off work at Jerry’s, maybe taking Starr to school. I thought of Joy, going to work or at work. How close were they to the Trade Center? Were they okay?
I typed up one more note, this time to Steve of the Irish Celtic-Rock group, ‘The Elders,’ asking him to provide info on the band for a possible blurb.
Walking toward the steps, I saw Jen and gave her my pop culture gift, some Mari Gras beads, saying “Happy Birthday.” She laughed and smiled, replying, “Thank you, Larry!”
Then I headed to the College, still thinking Steve and I would play golf.
When I arrived, the campus was somber, students walking with heads down, teachers saying hello but not smiling.
I had two phone messages, one from Steve canceling the golf because of the circumstances.
Calling home, I found Ruth not at home, probably still shopping with Claire or at the tire swing park off Roe Blvd. where Claire loved to go. I left a brief message.
At that moment, I was still numb from the shock of the bombing, typing but listening to the TV across the hall in Greg Harrell’s office as details come in.
Then, walking for coffee, I saw the whole campus was lifeless, no students near the Commons, yelling and laughing, a small group of about fifty gathered around a TV in the Commons, a large sign put there by the Dean, explaining help was available for those who needed to talk to counselors.
Teachers were walking around like zombies, listening to headsets or to their own thoughts.
Not able to concentrate on writing, I went to the gym, changed and ran a mile or so, then walked through the green fields spotted with sunflowers.
A light blue sky with wisps of white clouds was overhead. The natural beauty helped me clear my head and get a better focus.
Writing from New York, Doug who was at home alone was upset, not knowing if his child was in danger. He did not have to work until Thursday, and Joy had gone to work at the hospital and Starr journeyed to school. His message was brief, yet full of pathos.
From:Doug
Sent:Tuesday,September11,2001 11:47AM
Subject:Re:kindablownaway
Hey pops it's gettin crazy around here. Joy went to the hospital to see if she can help.... Everyone’s in shock...were waitin to see what happens next.... my cell phone is not working.... JC’s phone is 1-718…
Finally, after I jogged, Ruth got to our phone, saw my messages and called me at the college. She left a message for me saying Doug had called, saying he was off work, Starr was at school, and Joy was going to the hospital to help out. A huge relief they were safe!
After supper I checked my e-mail, and Doug had more comments, but still had not been out to see the disaster.
From:Doug
Sent:Tuesday,September11,20016:36PM
Subject:Re:thesmokefromthewindowislowerbut...
Hey pops...still here...kinda surreal.... the streets are empty...the landlady is trying to sell the building...the realtor brought some people through tonight ...they said..."how are you doing...?"...I said, "You know the WTC was bombed today...people are stunned right now here too...it's crazy.... I thought this might happen if I moved to NYC ...It's one of the reasons I didn't want to move here.....!...Things can happen here easier than in KC …at least crazy shit like this...bye Doug...

Still stunned, now living in a completely unreal world, Ruth and I took a walk at South Lake Park across from our home. The sky was vivid with strange cloud formations. Before crossing over to the park, I ran back home to get my camera, rushing back before the strange light subsided. I took the photos home immediately and set up a slide show on my computer. There were thirty weird and ominous views and they were all stunning.