‎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?

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

I LOVE this letter 

Subject: some do not need a vaccine
> Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:02:53 EST
>
> Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 08:27:09 -0800
>
> Letter to the editor in the San Luis Obispo (California) paper:
>
>
> "SOME DON'T NEED VACCINE"
>
> Recent news about the avian flu virus has raised concerns from main
> street to the White House. There is the possibility, even likelihood,
> that the virus will mutate into a form that can more easily infect
> humans.
>
> As the president pointed out, a vaccine cannot be made until this
> evolution occurs. This raises the concern that it may be impossible to
> create enough vaccine fast enough to protect all our citizens.
>
> But there is hope. Gallup polls tell us that up to 45 percent of
> Americans don't believe in evolution. Since random mutation is the
> engine of evolution, these same people must believe that the virus
> cannot mutate.
>
> Therefore, there is no need to waste vaccine on folks who believe there
> is no possible threat to themselves -- thus leaving a sufficient supply
> for the rest of us.
>
> Perhaps the president, given his doubts about evolution, may wish to
> demonstrate his leadership by foregoing vaccination.  This approach has
> added benefits.  Polls also tell us that disbelief in evolution is more
> pronounced among the less educated, the poor and conservatives. If the
> anti-evolutionists among these groups were to opt out of vaccination
> then, through immediate deaths and natural selection, we would reduce
> poverty, raise educational attainment, and  become a more progressive
> society."
>
> George R Zug
> Division. Amphibians & Reptiles,
> Smithsonian Institution
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