‎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, March 14, 2009

Old Age and Satchel Paige


How To Keep Young

by Satchel Paige, as printed in Collier's Magazine in 1953

1. Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.

2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.

3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.

4. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful.

5. Avoid running at all times.

6. Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.


Karen posted a comment on the previous post that included the quote, "Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."

That quote has been attributed to the legendary, ageless Negro League star pitcher Satchel Paige. (See http://www.satchelpaige.com/quote2.html for more quotes.)

It is estimated that Baseball Hall of Famer Leroy "Satchel" Paige was born on July 7, 1906. His professional playing career lasted from the mid-1920s until 1965. On July 9, 1948, Paige became the oldest man ever to debut in the major leagues, at the age of 42 years and two days. In 1965, 60 years after Paige's birth, he took the mound for the last time, throwing three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics.

I keep a copy of "How to Keep Young" on my desk at work. I'm pretty good at #4, real good at #5, not so good at #1, working hard at #3 and I'm a firm believer in #6.

Bill
"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."
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