I am here at Tarin Kowt. It is actually better out here than it is at Kandahar. I am going to try to stay here as much of the remaining time as possible. I haven't been avoiding any of you but I didn't reactivate my internet in my hooch at kandahar because I wasn't going to be there very long. I won't be on AIM for several weeks but I am checking my email reasonably frequently.
It has been a crazy couple of days recently. Tarin Kowt is much older than Qalat and I have a room in a concrete building that is pre-war. There are many local nationals here as well. This FOB isn't an infantry FOB but rather an American Special Forces one. That means that the residents are fewer in number but are typically older, much wiser, better educated and easier to get along with.
I have been reading alot of Science Fiction recently. I have renewed my enthusiasm for it. I have been reading pretty much only non-fiction for the past six months or so.
I have to run get back to work, but I will catch you all later.
-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:
So good to hear from you! Glad you're at a better place. A concrete bldg must be a lot cooler. I tried to find Tarin Kowt on Google Earth but it doesn't find it. Is that the correct spelling or is it too small? What's the nearest larger town? Anyway, have a good time with the older dudes. Let us know if you need anything. Hugs, Mom
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