A TIME FOR DREAMS

I READ EVERY DAY ABOUT THESE CRAZY PEOPLE KILLING THE DEFENSELESS AND HARMLESS, DESTROYING ANCIENT SYMBOLS OF LONG GONE CIVILIZATIONS AND DOING IT ALL IN THE NAME OF THEIR GOD.

I think: this would never be tolerated in our beloved country. Until I hear our own governor talk about beheading drug dealers in the public square. Until I hear the Republican front runner advocating the exclusion of an entire people because of their religion. Until I see people forcibly ejected from political gatherings because of their dress or silent protest. Until I see intolerance becoming the mainstay of a political movement - IN - THIS - COUNTRY.

Alas, Maine is no different than other rural states. It’s not hard to go remote in Maine. Many who feel disenfranchised and who feel separated by wealth, education, lineage or clan can find places to live without being challenged to rise to their potential. Of course, it’s not clear cut. The Governor seems to appeal to that person, wherever they live - backwoods or town - who sees little value to decorum and order in the public discourse, whose pep rally mentality is as short sighted as almost any adolescent in the grip of ignorance and ambition. Let us hope that we will see an American conscience arise and bring common sense to the political platform.  At the very least, civil discourse.

Do I believe this? Of course not. But I can dream. There is no power or force that can deny my dreams. And there is no history that can forestall my dreams.

STORMY WEATHER

I just got an email from a dear friend who was just boarding a plane in DC headed to San Diego for a professional meeting. Her return is scheduled for Friday. Also scheduled for a Friday arrival in DC is what is termed a “Doozy” of a storm with a major snowfall and possible blizzard force winds. I mean, how “lucky” can you get? She said she has a loaded Kindle and a phone to stay in touch when needed. So she could be stuck in Southern California or New Orleans until DC clears up? Worse places to hold up.

We were scheduled to have dinner gusts last weekend when a storm moved in and caused a rescheduled time for this weekend. Now that seems to be in jeopardy as well. We’ll see.

Just the next weekend we’re scheduled to drive up the coast to overnight with other friends and the long range forecast shows another storm coming our way. Welcome to Maine: THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE!

Well it’s Maine - it’s winter. You got to roll with the punches. Reschedule. Grin and bare it. Take the alternate route. Don’t go. Drive slow. Stock up on food, booze and keep your batteries charged. Keep thinking how lucky you are.

Be well and stay tuned.

DUST TO DUST

The first of a new year is a great time to think of change. It seems like a good place to start over and create a different reality - to resolve to be better somehow. I have never actually made this work, but at least I think about it. Yes, I know that doesn’t count for much. No, seriously, I do think about it. For instance I think about dusting. I think about getting rid of piles of stuff and making this space neater. You see, for me to do these things would require a major personality change. I’m just not interested in such a monumental undertaking.

The thing is, i’m pretty much OK with who I am - even the way that I am. That’s not to say that there is no room for improvement, but I don’t sweat it. I am sure any ad hoc committee of my friends and acquaintances could come up with a list as long as your arm about how I could improve, but to tell you the truth I don’t care. And besides, what do they truly know? And besides #2 - I doubt you could find two people anywhere who would have the least interest in whether or not I “improve”.

I read a line in a Louise Penny novel last week that went something like this: …It’s unfortunate that on the surface, sloth and creativity appear much the same. Anyway, that’s how I justify stacks of this or piles of that and all of it covered in what seems to be an indelible layer of dust. It’s a creative space, I say.

Here’s the thing: I am not going to even attempt or even think of changing a thing in the new year. So now, you don’t have to worry about getting used to loving someone “new”. I promise to be the same opinionated, moderately happy and cautiously optimistic old guy you have always known.

2016, here we come!