The Excessive Heat Problem

Climate Weirding...the oceans are heating up...records are being shattered on land temperatures...those who measure such events are in total agreemment, human behavoir must change. Will it? Not likely...we love our cars and trucks, we depend on heating and air conditioning...mostly the old fashioned way. We want to Jet around the country, we want to Jet around the globe. We are not changing this behavior until...we are forced to. And we will be forced to because we didn't change our behavior. A conundrum for sure. A favorite saying around here...CYCLING IS CLIMATE ACTION.

Depression Stalks Us

Life looks very different when, in the space of three years, you see that you could lose everything. When, the earth under you twists and shakes and rattles everything around you. When, your best friend is told that she has lung cancer, surgery will be necessary. When, a million-acre fire blows into your town and you are evacuated for seven weeks. When, your loved-ones struggle with a deadly virus. When, you are told you have a large tumor in your colon and it'll have to be surgically removed (your doctor says, "You could die on the operating table."). When, you realize that a formidable percentage of your neighbors are politically willing to "throw-it-all-away" by shucking the rules we live by out the nearest window, held open by an abberation called "The Tea Party"...and when, that neighbor's window has encroached 100 yards closer to your own. Life looks very different now...each moment, each day is still a precious gift. Attitudes are adjustable, outlooks are changable..."it could be worse" comes to mind. People are suffering around the world...and even in our own villages, to degrees unimaginable to someone who has been as fortunate as I have been these last 73 years.

The Getaway...Van Life.

Gassed and loaded with everything you'd need for a one week getaway. Like magic, load the wife, load the dog and there we go, up the road...522 miles until empty. Definitely not the "busy season" at the store so, put a sign on the door. We'll return in a week, or more. Not sure what we are going to do if we can't find insurance to cover us while we run a business. A real possibility exists that after thirty years of being open year-around we will have to close for the Winter season. A guy could get used to this version of semi-retirement. I have a backlog of fix-it jobs and "honey do" projects at home. It may be time to catch-up with these. Mid-seventies might be an excellent age to allow and afford more time for freedom to wander. Not an age thing, really. Using a healthy body for hiking, cycling and swimming is a precious gift...you've got to use it while you can.