The day after.

One of the problems with writing this junk every day (or nearly every day) is that sometimes, I have to follow something interesting and insightful with something else. Usually, it pales by comparison. That's where the flower photos come in handy.

Of course, the Coca-Cola 600 was delayed a day by rain, then shortened today by more rain proving that God answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is "no." Either that or he doesn't pay attention to auto racing, or he figured the best way to make the race safe was to cancel it. Or maybe He just doesn't like wasting expensive gasoline and rubber by-products for our entertainment? I'm not sure. Maybe they should look into the credentials of that guy who did the invocation yesterday.

KOMODO ISLAND, Indonesia – Komodo dragons have shark-like teeth and poisonous venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite. Yet villagers who have lived for generations alongside the world's largest lizard were not afraid — until the dragons started to attack.

The stories spread quickly across this smattering of tropical islands in southeastern Indonesia, the only place the endangered reptiles can still be found in the wild: Two people were killed since 2007 — a young boy and a fisherman — and others were badly wounded after being charged unprovoked.

Unprovoked? That's like those circus elephants that start stomping the customers. They're animals. Just like the elephants, Komodo dragons are animals.

"How could the dragons get so aggressive?" Hajj Amin, 51, taking long slow drags off his clove cigarettes, as other village elders gathering beneath a wooden house on stilts nodded. Several dragons lingered nearby, drawn by the rancid smell of fish drying on bamboo mats beneath the blazing sun. Also strolling by were dozens of goats and chickens.
"They never used to attack us when we walked alone in the forest, or attack our children," Amin said. "We're all really worried about this."

You really have to keep the wandering goats and chickens out of the way where there are animals whose surname is "dragon." That's why people are so surprised by the attacks. Who'd figure a dragon would attack anyone? They never used to attack anyone. They're moody, I guess.