So Obama has revived the knuckle bump. Soren, Ryder and Cassidy have all mastered the simple gesture. That casual act of connection has bridged the generations now and maybe in the future president's won't kiss babies, they will knuckle bump them instead.
It is kind of a funny thing though. An anthropologist might say that waving or shaking hands is an act of friendship and goodwill that demonstrates an unarmed and accepting posture. With the bump, there is no contact with the palm of your hand so it is kind of like saying, "were cool and all but I ran out of hand sanitizer after using that airport men's room." It also is slow and requires much less movement than a high five or slippin' some skin. This makes for an ultra casual and chill'd greeting and avoids the embarrassing scenario where reveal that you aren't coordinated enough to follow the unnecessarily complex secret handshake ritual(just watch "Undercover Brother" for further info). Boy is that ever awkward.
Obama has brought about real, tangible change for the better already. Can you imagine if we went around greeting everyone by throwing our shoes at each other? Its like we lived in the dark ages. We have become so much more enlightened since that little incremental evolution of culture.
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?
2 comments:
And there were those who thought the knuckle bump unseemly for a president!
I just hope he really does get to keep his Blackberry and stays connected.
Although on the note of throwing shoes...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/29/iraq.shoe.monument/index.html
But I agree, the fist-bump is faster, more sanitary, and easier for all parties involved. Way to bring change. He can retire fulfilled :)
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