WORKING VACATION

Off site inspection
Living in a construction zone is hard
enough. Visiting one is even tougher.
There's no doubt that we live in quite
an isolated location. This week dear
friends made the trek to Siberia simply
because they love us. However even
these globe trotters were not quite as
prepared for what their visit would
involve. If nothing else their journey
to oblivion was proof of the strength
of our friendship and... their resolve.
And for all of that and more we are
most humbly grateful. What a gift...

Dynamic duo
"D" and "M" are rather sophisticated
people. They live a rarified life that
both earned through lots of hard work,
savvy, plus a bit of luck. After much
trial and error they met and fell in love
later in life. Since then their time as a
duo has been if nothing else magical.
As their friends little makes us happier
than seeing them happy on our home
turf. However "D" was ill prepared as
to just how FAR OUT we are here in
Lewistown. Post their arrival I'm fairly
certain she was in a state of shock!

The ultimate pickup line
They say getting there is half the fun.
However depending on where you're
coming from it takes at least two stops
to get to Billings. Upon landing our
city slickers were handed the keys to
a pickup. Immediately "M" walked
back into the rental office and said...
"Did you see my wife?!" Soon they
were ensconced in a white Mustang
convertible. While not the normal
mode of transport for Madame "D" -
it was most certainly a horse of a
different color! GIDDY UP GIRL!

Journey to the unknown
From Billings it's a two hour ride through
wide open country. In other words there's
virtually nothing between there... and here.
While both of our guests have no problem
climbing fiords, hiking glaciers, or dining
in Madrid, the trek across Montana's vast
spaces was somewhat shocking. Beyond
a few far flung farm houses - plus three
tiny towns - there is literally nada nor
nobody for miles upon miles. Hence by
the time they drove into Lewistown, I'm
certain they thought they were in Paris.
Imagine... paved streets and electricity!

Rude awakening
After a quiet evening of cheese, wine,
conversation, and a house tour our
dynamic duo were firmly ensconced
in one of our luxury guest suites. Not
morning people, they settled in for a
deep sleep. However by eight a.m. the
following morning they got up with a
jolt. You see, that's when the team had
to pour our new front steps. Between
the whirr of a concrete truck and bangs
of the team mixing things up - sleeping
in was more than an impossible dream.
Talk about a wake up call!

Visiting hours
Post abject apologies we launched into
our visit. Soon we were traipsing across
Central Montana soaking up the local
color. And slowly we realized that they
were truly enjoying themselves. Soon
our lady of Madison Avenue affirmed
that this is the perfect spot for me. And
that Lewistown was more than a most
pleasant surprise. Later we enjoyed a
leisurely dinner with "B" and "S". One
has to assume it was a lovely evening
given we finished off FIVE bottles of
Amarone. Yet oddly, I can't remember!

Western exposure
Sometimes we can't understand why
those we love do what they do. A true
friend supports another no matter the
path they opt to trod. Thirty years ago,
if someone had stated that I would be
living in rural Montana - my reaction
would have been incredulous at best.
And if anybody had suggested that
"D" would someday visit Lewistown -
and in the process give it her seal of
approval - I would deemed them quite
insane! Together we lived and learned.
And... that's how the west was won!

In the sweet by and by

Full circle
Lately Frank's parents have lost
many dear friends. Well into their
nineties it's to be expected. Yet
I wonder how it must feel to no
longer have any contemporaries.
It has to be rather lonely and yet,
that's part of the cycle of our time
here on earth. Given "F" and "P"
are quite happily resigned to this
stage in their lives, they've taught
us all that one must treasure each
and every moment of life. Given
all too soon it could all be over...

Sorry, wrong number
Luckily to date few of our friends have
moved on to greener pastures. Those
that have are absolutely not forgotten.
My dear amigo Susan remains listed
under my "contacts" - so whenever
I search "S" she appears and brings
a smile to my face. I can't delete her
data because the finality of that act
would mean that Suze is no longer
with us. Thus I continue to hold on
to some sort of thread - connection -
a link to one of the few who always
made me laugh. Friends forever!

Hidden treasures
Sometimes physical objects provide
a link to those we have loved and lost.
Throughout our home sit vestiges of
the past. Yet rarely do truly precious
or valuable items prompt a smile or
memory. Instead what's most valued
are mundane, ordinary items that were
formerly part of someone else's daily
routine. My Father's clothes brush.
That agate ware enamel pot lid of my
Mother's. Or my Great Grandmother's
letter opener. All reminders that we're
here today but could be gone tomorrow.

Ordinary people
Do you ever think of what your legacy
will be? Frankly it doesn't have to be
very lofty - all that's important is that
something was better because of you.
I so admire people who spend most of
their lives serving some sort of noble
cause. However for me, the people
who mattered most to me were of a
rather ordinary ilk. Love, caring, and
compassion seem to be what connects
most of us to someone long gone. And
while no monument will ever come of
said affection - love never dies.

Look homeward angel
Yesterday we attended the funeral of
a native Central Montanan who left
us at ninety four. Her pastor shared
the saga of her family's pilgrimage to
this promised land. While I found it
all quite illuminating, I wondered if
most of her family was also hearing
said saga for the first time. So often
we forget to pass down the stories of
those who've gone before us. Missing
invaluable lessons in joy, bravery, and
sorrow not only belittles our ancestors.
It also stymies the here and now.

Pioneer spirit
Imagine moving out to the literal middle
of no where sans any and all amenities.
Carving out a life in the wild west must
have been beyond challenging. And yet
those brave souls were ordinary people
just like us. The difference is they were
willing to take a risk. So often today it
seems as if we're nothing but chickens.
Afraid to do anything beyond the norm.
Terrified to gamble, explore, or ere. It
seems to me that most of us have given
up. Become lazy and complacent. And
what sort of legacy is that? GIDDY UP!

Trip to bountiful
History has proven that most people
of renown failed many times before
finally succeeding. Learning on the
way to nirvana seems to be the best
route from here to there. NOBODY
is going to do it for us nor... should
they. There is little happiness in bliss
unless one earned it. So why are we
all so risk adverse?! Think about it -
what do you really have to lose? No
matter what happens you'll be better
for the journey. So... what are you
waiting for? Hurry before it's too late!

You are what you eat

Too much of a bad thing
How often do you grocery shop?
The very idea of a weekly food
spree baffles me. First of all I'm
not that organized. Planning this
evening's dinner is challenging
enough let alone seven nights
in a row! However based on the
mounds that other shoppers heap
in their carts many purchase a
month of supplies at a time. And
looking at what they're buying,
it's doubtful they'll live past that
span given we are what we eat!

Out of the box thinking
I hate to be a food snob but why do
so many eat CRAP? Walking up
and down our local grocer's aisles -
the majority of food is JUNK.
Overly processed pseudo nutrition
that can't possibly be good for you.
Given the conversations that one
overhears - most food decisions
are made based on price and not
health. Otherwise why would one
fill their cart with twenty boxes of
Hamburger Helper!? Consider that
twenty meals closer to your funeral.

Limited time savings
It's really not that hard to eat healthy.
Nor is it that expensive. Even if that
wasn't the case, why would you stuff
yourself with foodstuffs that might
kill you? We truly are what we eat.
So unless you're a cardboard replica
of a human I suggest you start taking
care of yourself. Otherwise I'm sure
your food budget will ultimately go
down to next to nothing. However
that will be due to your DEATH.
And I doubt double coupon savings
are worth shortening your lifespan.

Let's get real
Does it really take that much time to mix
up a cake from scratch versus mixing the
morass one finds in a box? Obviously it's
even easier to buy a cake at the grocer's
bakery. But have you any idea of what's
actually in said sweet? If not, please do
yourself a favor and peruse the poison
you're ingesting. If you can't recognize
the ingredient, chances are it isn't good
for you. Notice that what may read as
"real" ingredients may not necessarily
be authentic. Exactly what is artificial
vanilla how could it be good for you?

Toxic shock
Few benefit from America's craving
for fast and cheap edibles but those
who sell them. Artificial is FAKE.
And rarely does a substitute taste
good as the real thing. Equally as
important, artificial is rarely good
faux you! Ever wonder why we all
suffer from food allergies! Read it
and weep! The evidence is all there
in black and white proving that the
only thing real is our food crisis. If
that labels me an edibles extremist
then so be it. CHEW ON THAT!

Off the menu
One has to assume that all of the above
applies in even greater magnitude when
it comes to dining out. There's a reason
they can serve you a heaping meal for
next to nothing. That's because the price
is equal to the nutritional benefit. You
see, there's no free meal ticket except
maybe at your Mother's house. Thus
in order to remain healthy one should
invest in what you ingest. Therefore
the next time you grab something fast
to eat, make sure it isn't fodder for your
last supper. Keep it simple and FRESH!

ROUTINE VIOLATIONS

Corporate takeover
Having fully settled into domestic life
I've come to realize it really doesn't
matter what one does... rather it's how
one does it. Within the corporate arena
one walks into an already structured
environment. Hence post a period of
what I call "disorientation" one learns
the ropes and hopefully climbs higher
and higher. However when one works
for themselves the only structure is
whatever one self dictates - and that
can be more than challenging unless
one is up to said structural context.

Home alone
I'm a creature of habit. Hence at least
in theory creating my own schedule
shouldn't be all that hard. If I'm truly
honest I've actually find limiting my
boundaries rather enjoyable. In fact -
I've become a bit manic about where,
when, who, and how. Therefore if
anybody tries to break my personally
induced trance I immediately become
lost, frustrated, and more than cranky.
Therefore what should be my time of
ultimate freedom has instead become
a prison of my own expectations.

It's the pits
After all there is an awful lot to do
around the house. Maintaining this
manse is a huge responsibility. Who
knew that two lads could make such
a mess? Simply cleaning up our act
is a full time job. Layer on social
obligations and volunteer work.
Then add elder care. Oh... and did
I mention gardening? Meanwhile
I'm consulting which means when
the client calls, I answer. Suddenly
one's dance card is full before the
first rhumba of the day begins!

Give it a stretch
I guess I need to try to be more flexible.
However given yoga deep knee bends
are not my forte, that means limbering
up my willingness to think out of the
box that I've put myself in. After years
of complaining that I had little time of
my own - I find that hence "retirement"
I still don't have any time. Being open
to new things requires a willingness to
do whatever - whenever. While Frank
finds that sort of open ended existence
quite appealing, this sedentary soul
prefers to keep myself on a schedule.

Going my way?
What drives us to establish a routine
even if one isn't necessary? For most
common place is more comfortable
than happenstance. While change is
inevitable few are ready nor willing
to embrace a shift in circumstances.
There was a time in my life when I
arrogantly crowed and promoted the
natural evolution of life. Now I find
myself passively yet aggressively
rebelling against anything out of the
norm. Is this a sign of old age? Or
have I finally given up?

Take it to the limit
We must allow ourselves the luxury of
exploration in order to experience the
enlightenment that natural accompanies
anything new. I'm not suggesting that
you to climb Mount Everest or divorce
your spouse. Rather I'm telling us both
to try something out of the ordinary.
Complacency is comforting but you'll
never learn anything new unless you're
willing to participate in some form of
adult education. Deep within us all are
many unfulfilled dream. Isn't time to
make those dreams finally come true?

Things that go bump in the night...

No longer at this address
Have you ever been awakened by
a specter from times past? Many
years ago I purchased a second
home in southwestern Michigan.
Said abode had been built by a
single gentleman who died quite
suddenly. Subsequently the house
and all of his possessions went to
auction. From the moment that I
first walked into that house I fell
in love. Somehow I felt a kindred
connection to this person I never
met nor saw hence never knew.

Night of the living dead
One night shortly after closing I awoke
to see someone standing at the foot of
my bed. "It" wasn't a person, rather an
amorphous shadow stood before me.
However I immediately knew who it
was. Sitting up I we communicated
and innately knew what was wrong.
Quite loudly and clearly I said "Don't
worry. I love this house and will take
care of it as long as it's mine." And as
suddenly as that vaporous vestige of
a former owner appeared - it was gone.
Never to return as far as I know...

Dreamland
Call me crazy. Consider me daft. But
in my opinion ghosts exist. Sometimes
they lurk in the shadows or haunt your
dreams. Today I got up with a start post
vividly dreaming of a confrontation with
colleague from my past. I've no idea if
she's dead or alive. Nor where she might
be given I haven't seen nor heard of her
in at least twenty years. Yet deep within
my subconscious she was very real. So
much so - that it took me hours to calm
down and forget about her once again.
Am I crazy, delusional, or intuitive?

Unexpected visitor
Post purchasing the Passion Pit - our
friend told us the house was haunted.
She identified a person, place (within
the pit), and even her first initial! All
from MANY miles away. Finally our
amigo visited. She immediately went
downstairs to the creepiest room in
the house. Post chatting with our long
term boarder - she helped her exit our
home never to return. Then suddenly,
that room's overwhelming feeling was
gone. We were ALL free - both those
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE!

Gone but not forgotten
One could argue that the above is
fantasy. Yet if one checks the facts -
you'll find proof that said spirits
once roamed your roost. Somehow
they get stuck and cannot or refuse
to move along. Initially skeptical
about of lady of the basement - I
ultimately connected the historical
dots through various sources. Thus
somebody long forgotten once more
was known and recognized for who
she once was. And trust me... she
was here for real. Scary isn't it?!

Over the edge
After losing my parents I realized that
love never dies. Long after her exit,
Ethel was still very much with me.
As in life, she lurked in the shadows
ready to stroke or poke depending on
the situation. Whether said sensation
was my mourning process or her way
of transitioning from here to there
didn't matter. Her presence comforted
me while somehow benefiting Mom.
Nobody wants to be forgotten. Hence
haunting could a plea for recognition.
HEY YOU - REMEMBER ME?!

Side by side
Don't get spooked. It's not like we live
in a scene from Poltergeist and will be
sucked to the other side. As I age I'm
fairly comfortable with a rather fluid
border between then and now. Whether
my spectral sightings are real or only
in my head doesn't matter. The fact is
they help put today in context. They're
a reminder that we're part of a cycle -
a continuum - an endless stream of
individuals whose prior contributions
make the here and now what it is.
We are who we are because of them.

From here to there
Before you know it you may be gone.
We really can't control when or how
our end happens. Therefore it makes
sense that some of us are caught a bit
off guard. While few hope to spend
eternity haunting attics - some of us
seem to get stuck. Thus "real" or not
there sense when someone is trying
to reconnect. Call it traveler's aid or
voodoo or tomfoolery - but why not
help someone who has lost find their
way? After all, there but for the grace
of God go I! Now that's... SCARY!