We had a little bit of a scary night last night. We took fire from outside the wire. Noone got hurt and it was "contained" but it is a little hard to concentrate on work with that in the back of your mind. Our shop has already sent four people on missions outside the wire and two are going back out for several months. They are the two most experienced in the unit but they wont be back til late summer.
We are working with many of the foreign armys. As far as supported troops, the americans are about 20%. That was a big suprise to me. The brits/canucks/dutch/aussies all use just first names. They also grow beards and long hair and wear only half a uniform at a time. They are mostly good guys who really appreciate our help. I only have a few more minutes to write so I am going to move on to my other notes. Till later y'all. Oh and sell the BMW already dad.
Lots of love and staying safe
-Bert
63 Years of Memories....
63 Years of Memories....
that's what I have now. The photo below shows the chair on the point which for so many years was my father's favorite after-supper place to contemplate and cast for walleye. As much as I feel guilty about what's happened, I know he would understand and even say there's nothing to forgive. He lived life fully and moved on many times. I'm the one with the unique experience of being attached to a beautiful place for my whole life. And despite all my best efforts, yesterday the 'cabin' was sold. I signed the papers and, truth be told, a weight was lifted. A new life lies ahead without the obligations, but with all of the wonderful memories. My unrelentingly positive attitude says this is truly how it is, but my heart is still sad.
There are some things in life for which the balance between the obligation and the joy of ownership often cannot be sustained forever. It became clear that I was no longer up to the task of taking care of the place quite a while back. However, knowing what needs to be done and doing it are often far apart. Finally, no choice was left. It had to be sold.
Now it's gone. No more worrying about how long the grass or how deep the snow is up there. No more sublimely pleasurable early morning cups of coffee sitting on the dock when the color of the lake is like pale blue glass and the air is completely still. No more endless repairs, high taxes, and utility bills. No more late nights around the fire pit with friends and family - warm from both fire and friendship. No more frozen pipes or emergency calls to the furnace guys. No more saunas and midnight skinny dipping that make you feel like you'll live forever while your connection with nature is confirmed by the gazillion stars of the milky way and the loons calling out in the dark. No more concerns with low well water levels or water so hard and full of iron the clothes turn yellow and your newly washed hair feels like brillo. No more finding the way home by boat in the dark after a long day on the lake feeling like this is the only place you really, really belong. No more praying that the boathouse will make it another year without collapsing. And ultimately, no more making new memories with friends, family and loved ones. No new memories, that is, at Half Bay, Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN. New life... here we come!
How do you thank a place for memories?
1 comment:
Whoa.. Does "fire" constitute bullets, or larger things? Thats intense, it would be really hard to jump horses being fired upon from outside the ring fence! Can you imagine? Thats cool that the other countries dudes are good to you guys, it would be a major pain in the ass if they weren't. What was that issue you mentioned about your "people" being difficult with you? Is it just stress and fast-paced pressure causing a falter in self control or what? How many people that you have previously worked with are there with you? Is the food still sucking or are you getting used to it. Oh and, do they just pile the garbage/sewage some distance from the dwellings, so the smell blows that way, or what do they do with it?
I am going to Karen's barn tomorrow to try a new horse they got, and jump it around for her. It's cool because her farm is only an hour from Ocala, so I am going to show my horses to potential buyers in the morning, cruise over there, ride a few Grand Prix horses, and be back for dinner.
I hope we can all figure out some cool family trip for when you have leave during summer. I love you, Bert, and I hope you are getting to experience things you will never forget. We miss you, and keep being safe!!
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