Weather Watch

Natural Bridges, Kentucky, 1999

Three bookstore readings had been scheduled on the Kentucky tour for Future Perfect, my book about Star Trek in global culture. One of them was in Lexington, at 7 p.m. The morning and afternoon of that day were free. Though I’d initially hoped to picnic with my “handler”—the very attractive woman who’d picked me up at the airport the previous evening —I was put off by the question she’d asked me at breakfast: “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and savior?”

I have not, and so decided instead to rent my own car and explore Natural Bridges State Resort Park, an hour’s drive east.

I have few clear memories of that book tour, or even of the huge sandstone bridge that gives the state park its name. What I do recall is that, as I was pulling onto Interstate 64, a song came on the radio. Played on a banjo, the tune was unmistakable: It was the theme from Star Trek, hillbilly-style.

I was so blown away, it’s fair to say my tail went missing.

Those sorts of strange blessings and signs used to fall steadily upon me. These days, not as much. Why is that? Was I simply more attuned to them before? Or is it because, my fearless youth behind me, I’m no longer as entertaining to whatever divine forces, Judeo-Christian or otherwise, serve as our puppet masters? Have they simply turned their attention elsewhere?

That defeatist point of view could, of course, be reversed at any moment. My weather eye is still open for miracles.