Up North

‎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?

Friday, March 10, 2006

So are there any laundromats in Afghanistan? Where do you do your laundry?
I don't know if you can zoom in on this but check out the window with the star. It's actually the local law enforcement office. Same door as the laundromat. In a building 12 feet wide. Talk about homeland security!

Anyway, Hi! Blake! 'Bout time you posted!

So anytime now, Bert, you'll get that hard candy. Be sure to share with the sweetie behind the mail counter. She definately needs some sweetening up.

Okay, I'll send you some photos tomorrow. Do you have a program that works with vector graphics too? That's really fun too.

It's really nice you have a new 'home'. I've always wanted to live in a cargo container myself. Especially with a terrific view of the broadside of another similar abode. But I'm assuming there are windows of some sort. Probably wrong again!

So of all the stuff you packed, how'd you do in terms of usefulness? It really sounds like your scheduling hasn't been figured out yet. I hope you can get the rest you need despite all the juggling. Would you like a Swiffer to clean your new home?

It was 56 degrees today here. Al Gore is the new messiah. He speaketh the truth. [Damn!]

Anyway, let me know how the hard candy fared when it arrives. ...
Hugs and love,
Mom