And cold: It is so cold the deck creeked and cracked. The trees didn't move. We are not near any airports; yet I could hear airliners overhead, and I could not see them although the stars were as bright as diamonds. Didn't spend any time looking either. It is just too cold to risk going outside when your body guard is a sound sleeper and doesn't realize his 'cherished' (?) wife is a moonbeam aficionado. Avoid local headline news, "Wife Found Frozen". (Realize the local Wisconsin Rapids Trib will turn yet another un news worthy article into a publicity stunt and NOTE TO SELF: Deny them any opportunity.)
But the weekend was a life changer. R and I drove to Rochester, MN to visit an old friend from Duluth who shared adventures of the 148th Air National Guard with him during our life in Duluth. Terry had an annual "Thanksgiving Turkey Run" along Seven Bridges Road. He and a small band of Guard brothers and (sisters) had adventures to Germany, Guam and places around the world. (Clarity Note: "old friend" refers to friendship: we are the old coots.)
Well, Terry is now an outpatient in residence near Mayo; and it was good to see he and his family again. The Grand Kahler Hotel is anything 'butt' grand. Michael's Restaurant closed this last year and the town we left 30 years ago is new and improved. We set out to find our old house and I can report R was hopeless, helpless and clueless. I was teetering on, "Let me drive." which wasn't an option due to 1) male ego and 2) macho-ism! (And 3) Of course, I installed his new car with a driver's ejection seat should a female sit behind the wheel and "buckle -up.") Long story made into an epistle. I found Elton Hills Grade School and made him follow "imaginary 1st Grader Greg walking home." BRILLIANT Babs!)
Stuart Scott, sports announcer, dad, husband, lover, friend of many, celebrity; passed this weekend and what he said about living made us discuss our own mortality riding home. Of course, the reason we traveled to Rochester in the first place; was intertwined with this too.
It is the New Year and again R has a list of resolutions and I have none. His are exercise, meditate, read everyday for this and that amount of time. (Ad nauseum he and Greg have complied another Top Ten Books from the New York Times 100 Best Books of the Year 2014 list; they will each read this year.)
My realization is to count the little things more frequently and more often. Feed the dogs as well as frozen birds and squirrels, make someone LOL, (including you). and make R happy. He will be just tickled pink to hear I ordered him Ralph Lauren Classic "Preppy" Pants just this morning. Four neutral colors which he will mismatch for others' viewing enjoyment. ( He is still a Garanimal-Tag needed clothes-ter) I have taken out lamb chops for supper, with Crosse&Blackwell's Mint Vinegar Sauce, pack him a lunch (for you, Gretchen) and managed to feed him a hot three star BFST . My resolution is to acknowledge the little things and do so often. I think I need to make chicken soup to watch the Moon Shadows by tonoc.
"When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer". . ."You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner you live."
Stuart Scott 1965-2015
"Don't Give up. . .Don't ever give up."
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