Disney Land for the Eyes, Mom’s Birthday, Ken’s Birthday, Stuck Cat, If You’re Going to Try…

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is a gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”
— Charles Bukowski (Factotum)

Happy Monday, a chilly one up on top of the mountain, but let me assure you we have a beautiful sunrise.  My wife got up and let the pup out; she made coffee; I lazily laid in bed and got up to be greeted by PVHT and a cup of coffee from my wife.

Today, we have a lunch appointment meeting a friend from Parker, not Beautiful Parker City, Indiana, but Beautiful Parker, Colorado; what are the chances both homes have a Parker.  We had dinner with some friends from Indy, but they had to cancel due to a family event; they will join us for coffee on our deck tomorrow morning.

I’ve got some work to do for my men’s retreat, trying to wrap up a large project we’ve been working on for the last few months, beginning looking at our budget for 2022, and our first international employee joins our team today.  It’s a big week, and I’m looking forward to the work, hikes, love, and fellowship with my brothers.

We stayed in the condo; we hung out until about 2:00 and headed to our friend’s Knights and Ambers to toast their nuptials.  We got to see some friends; we had our pup with us so that we couldn’t stay long. Then, we headed home and relaxed, watching some Netflix and eating some tacos.  We were in bed by 9:00, another 9 hours of sleep logged with no interruption; sleep is essential.

The aspens are turning; it’s Disney Land for the eyes this time of year; I know back in Indiana, we have a changing of the guard, it’s different back east, here it’s gold and green.  Back there, it’s red, yellow, orange, green, and sometimes purple.  I think fall might be my favorite time of the year, although I think every season brings joy and a unique perspective to life.

It’s my mother’s birthday today, if you know Linda, send her a note, she turns 83.  I got to see her and my dad last week when home.  They are not slowing down anytime soon; they are active 83-year-olds; Dad will be 83 in December, I think I won the gene lottery.  It’s my brother-in-law Ken’s birthday as well; I believe Ken is 59, just sold his dental practice; I’m proud of him; he will end his days fishing, making candles, and loving my sister.

It’s interesting to be a midlife man, knowing that almost half my life is over.  If you are new here, I plan on living until 114, so I’m not half, but I’m gaining on it and can now see the paths and opportunities that led me to this spot.  Various changes and choices led me to the top of a mountain.

I should share we have a cat stuck in our tree.  We got home yesterday; we heard the meow.  It’s about 30 feet up in a pine tree; we have no idea how to get it down.  Bay mentioned the fire department; there is no way a truck can get to the location; she’s three days in and no sign of coming down.  She’s noisy; my friends that had the wedding here got an excellent soundtrack to their nuptials. I thought about putting out a can of tuna; that was always my solution in Indiana to draw a cat out or down, but here, that means you will attract a fox, bear, or mountain lion, I’ll let the young feline take her chances.

I think we will get a hike in today; I’ve got a couple of meetings with some clients; I’ll work here until Thursday; we have company coming in to stay with my wife.  Our friend, his wife, and two kids will come over for their daughter’s birthday.  I needed to call my friend and let him know I double-booked, but it all worked out, not a fan of leaving my wife alone.

I’m finishing up a book today; I’m going to go old school and download a new book on my Ipad to read.  I read a couple if not more books during October; I find I have a couple of extra hours on my hands; my mother was a librarian, reading is part of my DNA. So if you have read some great fiction lately, please share; I’ll wait until the end of the day to pick my next adventure.

I just got a news item pop on my phone; a New Jersey woman has been arrested for weed residue.  Can we all agree that no one should be arrested for weed?  More than half the country is now legal; it is no different than the pills made by big pharma; I’ve been using it medicinally for years, it helped frame who I am today, some of my most excellent ideas have come under the tutelage of God’s gift.

That will do it, enough of these words, this young man, well aging man has some things I need to do, a day full of work and accomplishment, I’m getting back in my groove, the story problems are coming, and I’m ready to solve. Fortunately, life is nothing but a collection of story problems; thankfully, I enjoy a mystery, I like solving issues, and life has become a series of issues that need solving.

I hope you are enjoying this fall; I hope you are in love, your children are getting taught well and enjoying your journey.  There is a lot to be thankful for; the fact that you can read these words, get up and walk and get a cup of coffee or make a sandwich with hands that are functioning is a gift.  Don’t take a miracle for granted; lean in and thank something bigger than yourself for the opportunity to experience life.  

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is a gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”
— Charles Bukowski (Factotum)