‎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?

Saturday, May 12, 2007

The News

I bought a new bike. It gets 59MPG(and does great wheelies).That is Pete on the left and Tony on the right. They are in New York City this weekend along with my roommate Harold to be in a memorial ceremony at the Statue of Liberty. A weekend to the big apple on Uncle Sam's dime.



The weather has been great recently.I guess that means this guy is out of business for a few months to come.



Here is a great photo of Ra's.I have been busy setting up my workbench in the basement. I hope to buy a new welder sometime soon. We have many little projects here and there.




Meet Liam.
He is our young friend. He just celebrated his fourth birthday. He is the son of one of Ra's good friends(Anne). He uses American Sign language to talk but is a great listener.
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2 comments:

Lottie Dah said...

You guys on the motorcycles look like you have a lot of fun riding together. Your workshop looks cool and Liam is a cute kid! Thanks for the posting, Bert.

10:56 AM
thedad said...

Pretty good looking guy. Snappy dresser too.

9:21 PM

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