Where was that year?

Times come in life that occupy time. Sometimes boredom, others excess. This year I think neither was the fault of my missing the days that passed. I just didn't look.

Today I looked back. There wasn't anything there. I have spent a fair amount of life and years on this planet, but no years so unattached as the past.  And with so few events of note. Sadly, I'm certain I missed moments that meant much to others.

Life focused on myself has worn me thin. Perhaps, just maybe, looking at life again from a new angle will leave me at the end of this next year being glad.

Football...

Football is exciting. I have never considered myself a "fan". I do watch a game most weekends and began to watch some college games after my sons went to college. I wouldn't use the term, "follow" but if I am free and a game is on I'll watch.

I was born and grew up in Texas and was only a Dallas "fan" by default. Eventually, I spent a good portion of my adult life in Pittsburgh and again by default became a "fan".  Now a few years removed from Pittsburgh I have developed in to a "fan". No, I don't own anything intentionally black and gold, or even have a bumper sticker. I do watch every game through the season now, and with enthusiasm. Occasionally I even read a story online the next day after a game. 

Last night Pittsburgh beat the Jets to play Green Bay in the Superbowl. Great stuff!  Things like this make it easier to be a real "fan".  The confirmation is that I am planning for Superbowl Sunday. Chips, dip, and even some beer!

I think I can drop the quotation marks, I may actually be a fan now. 

Sailboat Living, Just More Comfortable

There hasn't been a time in my life I didn't dream of living aboard a boat. Preferably, a sailboat. Owning a large spacious yacht never was the idea though. Years later, I have yet to live aboard, but have spent time sailing and around many types of boats, large and small, sail and power. The dream is still alive mixed with the reality of how I appreciate comfort and convenience. Boats miss the mark quite a bit.

I own a boat (small by any ones standards) and enjoy a long weekend or occasional overnight, but no desire to spend a cold winter or hot summer living aboard full time.

The appeal in youth was the adventure much as it is now in my life. Today, there is the added idea of downsizing to essentials for living. A few pair of jeans and shorts, t-shirts, maybe one outfit to look presentable if the need arises, and enough to stay dry in bad weather. These few things in a place with what is needed to cook modest meals, hygiene of course, and a comfortable place to read and write.

I thought of building myself a Shanty Boat. These were very inexpensive boat, cheap, common after the Civil War through the Depression. Many people lived and worked on the big rivers of the United States. Many simply drifted with the currents and weather. In looking in to these boats I discovered Small Homes or Tiny House. Not trailers, nor cabins. Just efficient little houses. There are great sites and blogs and my newest favorite is Deek and Relax Shack. I like to Shack-ness of his ideas.

It's cold now and if I were on my sailboat baking Chocolate Chip Cookies (yes, capitalized) would be out of the question. In a tiny house, no problem. So, I'll bake some cookies now and dream of a shack that has all the adventure of living aboard a boat with all the comforts thrown in.

Other Lives..

One of my enjoyments is history. Not political, economic, etc... but the history of life. Unfortunately, so very little is ever written concerning life. How did people cook, earn a living, what was travel like, how did they stay dry? We do a million things each day with out notice or thought. Much of my curiosity comes from camping and travel when resources are far more limited. Our materials are limited to what is carried in a bag, suitcase, or backpack. In those instances there is no home full of stuff to access, making do with what is on hand is the only option. Camping takes it further. No kitchen, sink, toilet, food.

For all of history, until these past two hundred years, the world has been very different. No restaurants, no anything we are accustomed to. In spite of how advanced we are in our world today I doubt we would find much daily comfort living as people in the past. Not that I am sadistic, longing for simpler times, I'm curious as to how the heck did they get by. To that end I find I satisfy my curiosity in the study of books, letters, documents of past centuries. "How did some one leave civilized London in the 1600's and build a home in the wilderness of North America?" There was nothing slightly familiar here in comparison.

I have discovered a book The Sot-Weed Factor (fiction, but well researched) regarding life in England during the 1600's and the subsequent migration to the New World. It's reading between the lines that tells so much.

Winter All Around...

                       It's cold...  

...please, warmer...

...this is more like it!

 

Talk, Talk, Talk...

Talk is what the past few days have been. The news is full of the shootings in Arizona with words flowing with so little said. It would appear none of the news or commentary media people watch their own work or others in their business. My hope would be a realization of the meaningless, insensitive, and painful editorializing they produce.  It is as though they can't help themselves from just talking. When no news is forthcoming they simply speculate and imagine additional situations or conclusions to their own questions.

People were wounded and some died, boys in Afghanistan and Iraq were wounded and died, somewhere else a family lost a mother, father, brother, or sister to disease or accident. The ones we should listen to are those who lost one they love.

Dick Winters died this weekend. He was proclaimed a hero for his service in World War II. He spent his life, according to him, peacefully away from war. The way he wanted it. With all the talk and horrible news coverage, he passed away with his family out of the glare of the war and spotlight. I'm happy for him.

Wasted Weekend

For the first time this winter the days and nights of the weekend seemed so dark and gloomy to me. I spent my time inside trying to stay warm. Most everyone I know dreads the longer nights and shorter days that envelope us through the fall and seemingly through the winter. My idea is, and has been, to focus on December 21st or 22nd and the winter solstice. The days become longer and the nights shorter. The problem is it just doesn't happen quick enough and certainly doesn't feel that way.

So, the cold really sets in and things feel completely grey and dark. The grass is completely brown and even the leaves have blown away that laid on the ground. I'm ready to warm up and feel some sunshine, but it's a long way off.

To torture my mood I looked at a calendar with the months in a line. There before me was a bit of a surprise. Thanksgiving, at least to me just passed, and that was six weeks ago! Now six week from today it will be the end of February and spring will be at the door. It doesn't warm me up very much, but if the days pass as quickly as they have since Thanksgiving, I may survive.