Minorities

  O.K. I admit..I post an awful lot of stuff on FB. Little things pop up that I think are cute, or perhaps address some of my personal opinions..so I post them. I also accept that when I do..someone else may find them offensive..but some of them, when I do post, I am amazed when they offend..because..I think they are off the wall, and "harmless".
  Today I was surprised at a comment on one of these postings. It had to do with Zombies, and rights. Well..this was posted after I had read an article stating the man who be-headed a passenger on a Greyhound bus, was in line of perhaps getting this crime wiped away..because he was clearly not himself, or in his right mind, or off his medication..when he did the crime. He has rights!!
  Yes..he is certainly a minority, and I am thankful for that..but the Zombie post was taken out of context, and the opinion that this was written by someone who clearly had never been a minority, in fear for their safety.
  First off..what constitutes a minority? To believe one who put such a post up, has never been in a position of fear, because they have never been a minority, is in some respects condescending. I realize I am a white heterosexual female. Does that mean that I have lived for 60 years without being placed in a position of a minority, and never fearing for my safety? If you believe this is likely, then you are way off base.
  I have indeed been in this position, on more than one occasion. I am not sure why people assume only certain human beings are sometimes targets. That is so wrong. Do people believe only specific races, or lifestyles find themselves in extremely uncomfortable positions, and one race and lifestyle is immune? Because, this is not fact. Anyone can find themselves surrounded by others who clearly do not accept them. Anyone can find themselves in a position of hatred towards them. It doesn't matter who they are, or how they live, just because they are different, and do not fit in, and somehow, through no fault of their own, they are the focus of a group's dislike, they are surrounded and feel uncomfortable.
 Now zombies..well, not that I follow any of those shows, and I am not up to date on the whole system..I do believe there is absolutely no discrimination on who, or I think what living being, can turn into a Zombie..so  they are just as a lot, scary things...and also..hopefully figments of the imagination. So, it was posted because of a variety of reasons, and a statement of the fact that there are so many rights movements, for so many things, that someone would feel Zombie rights were not given the same status as others.
  Thing is, when you have right movements, it is because specific individuals are treated as less, disabled, veterans, seniors, etc. And yes, I agree, as a population, we should all be able to be treated as humans, and have access to the basics rights. Now..that is where I have to draw the line. Women's rights..hey...I am a woman!! However, there is a line..if a club wants to be a gentleman's club, and women are offended and raise Holy h-ll to allow women in that club..the line is crossed..because on the other hand..women seem to think they can have Women only places, that men dare not enter.
  Disabled people..I understand ramps etc must be installed to allow access to government buildings, grocery stores, medical buildings , public transit, etc..but when disabled folks start tearing airlines apart because they would not accept their personal wheelchairs on board a plane, because the damn things would't fit, the line has been crossed. When a restaurant does not have handicapped areas, well, common sense would say..go elsewhere.
  It is almost like some feel the need to dig about to find anything they can battle, even if they have a choice to someplace else.
  Do people who feel they are minorities somehow believe each and every person can never have been one? Sure, the world is filled with different races, and different political beliefs, and religious beliefs, and..sexual beliefs.Some people love dogs, some people hate dogs and love cats. Some people hate all animals with fur. Some people love vegetables, some don't, some are Vegans, some are meat eaters..Alright, these differences seldom result in a fear of safety..so I suppose I was being a little stupid..but...truth is..the world is filled with a whole lot of differences, and I suppose that is part of what makes it interesting. It would certainly be very boring if we were all the same, but facts are, we are not all equal!!
  Equal rights..that phrase is a dream. The saddest part of it all, is that the majority of minorities, seem to think the rest of the world has never experienced what they feel. So suddenly the larger group must suddenly change for the smaller select group, and that is where the problem lies. The minority becomes the select group, with special considerations given, and then the cycle continues.
  See..minorities and majorities change with each setting, so unless one lives in a bubble, the average person will experience the discomfort, and, yes, the fear of being a minority. Trouble begins when one group suddenly assume all others must accept their beliefs and change their ways to assure they feel comfortable and safe. Just isn't possible..because...there will always be both sides to this, and the majority rules, as it has for centuries..All that is happening now, is the majority that was, is now the minority, and the question I have is, will the new minority be heard?
  As for the Zombie rights movement..it was a joke, and one based on a group that does not exist..Horrible things like a man off his medication be-heading an innocent passenger on a bus, does exist..and he has more rights than the young man who was killed..so..there is a problem with rights. The young person who lost his life apparently didn't matter near as much as the one who took it..Therefore the posting!!

Politically Correct or....Bleeding Heart?

  Been awhile..I have a bagillion blogs on the go, but so far, nothing is ready for the "publish" button. Think this one might just make it.
  O.K. the world is up in arms..Donald Trump has pushed the pause button on refugees, and immigration. Big f*cking whoop!!First off..you do remember this was a part of his platform, right?  I mean, as a neighbour I do recall something about this mentioned.Second..get a grip!! He has not proclaimed folks will have the door shut to them forever..Hummm..anyone remember Ellis Island? Think hard, because this history was just a tiny blurb in my schooling..but..I think some folks were stuck there for a very long time, and...folks were turned away too! Now they simply fly in..and wander off into our world, with the check mark they pass all requirements, given by someone in another country.
  So...realistically stop and think....Has the state of immigration in both our countries been without issue? Be honest!! Because folks don't want to be honest...they want to be politically correct, they don't want to be branded racist, or red neck, they want to be part of the warm and fuzzy crowd, open our arms..everyone is equal, everyone has the same rights, everyone deserves a chance..everyone, everyone!
  I call Bull Sh*t!! The world is not warm and fuzzy, few have the ability to walk into a new life, with the comforts handed out by our own Prime Minister. Can you imagine a family of 9 attempting to immigrate to Canada..or the US, without a job, without a sponser, without Health care (which again pisses me off because folks in my own country keep on telling the world it is free..it is not in the Province I live in), without a home? Yeah..O.K. this is different you say. They are refugees!!
  Well, as I am clearly a red necked Racist, I say..women and children first!! I believe that is the old adage..correct? I AM old, so I will go with it, like on a sinking ship, put those clearly weaker or without protection first...Yeah...but not with this...this is different. Women and children are coming, but so are a huge number of single grown males. How many times do you see Mrs. Refugee speaking on TV? If she does, you can be sure at least one Mr. is watching her closely, ensuring she doesn't go out of her boundary.
  I am sick and tired of the rest of the world making me feel like I am blind. I have a tendency to look closely at things, and...it is obvious this enormous clump of folks getting in, are having some issues with the rights and freedoms our countries have struggled to incorporate. I do not believe we need an increase of males who feel the right to dominate their wives, sisters, and daughters because they have been raised with the belief they matter less. In fact, I am appalled with the acceptance my fellow Canadians, and my stuttering Prime Minister have given to this. I am appalled that the world , or my world, appears to think it is O.K. to allow a massive swell in population that believes Homosexuality is a sin, and Gay people should be killed.
  Sure..go ahead tell me that is not ALL of these people..Go ahead!! You are lying to me and to yourself! Hey, I am on point that not all are extremists..but goodness sakes folks, really, you don't think they follow their religion?  And yes..this IS all about religion, because now the world has gotten uppity about Christians. So, again..the numbers I have researched state over 80% of these refugees are Muslim..something like 6% are Christian..so stick that up your nose and choke on it...No matter if they are extremists or not..they believe women are less..Again..maybe some have assimilated, but they are the few..because religious belief transcends all!
  So...Mr. Trump has decided,as he promised he would, he is going to put some new boxes to be checked before folks can come in the door. Well...world..I don't have a problem with that!! If they truly are refugees, and they are, as so many forget, living in refugee camps..which again..take a moment, do a wee bit of research on these camps..do you know Christians are NOT in these camps? Why, you ask?? Well, because it is too dangerous for them..they are not welcome. So..chew on that for a moment. These folks wanting to come to a new country to be safe and secure, have no issue closing the doors to others in the same boat with a different belief! But..again..open arms..we are all equal....
 Trump has paused the button..Trudeau in his almighty warm and fuzzy pray at the Mosque and then dance in the Pride Parade, fashion, now stutters how we will take them!!
  Now. just as an off side, Trudeau is smarter than your average twit..he is simply ensuring a ton of votes next election from all those he has opened the door to, and maybe a nice warm comfy seat with the UN..but, as a Canadian who has struggled with our economic downturn, our overburdened taxes, our shabby health care system, we simply cannot afford to offer anymore Get out of Jail free cards.
  The world has gone anal..now as those who have struggled and paid for our government suffer, lose homes, lose jobs, go hungry..we are going to ensure we assist other countries so their people do not suffer. I understand there are some people are are good to the bone, people who would give the shirt off their backs to the less fortunate..however..Trudeau and his bleeding hearts are ripping the shirts off of people who have only the one, and handing them to others..while dressing in the best. Clearly this is the analogy of a Liberal..and sadly I am just not as good a person as the bleeding heart, politically correct folks , who clearly have extra shirts in their closets.
  Kudos Trump!! Take a breath world....another old adage..clean up your own backyard first..both our countries have an awful lot of garbage we have got to pick up, before sending the bins off to another country!
  You know..as a Red necked, Racist, cold hearted, selfish, safe, secure, Canadian, living in a war free zone, with absolutely no consideration of the suffering folks, shattered by bombs, and fighting..I am certain if a bunch of plane loads of young children with their mothers arms wrapped protectively about them landed, I would be far more accepting...this business is just messed up..and maybe with a little more tweaking..it will be fixed.
  My rant for the day...now I must go put some Aloe Vera on my neck..it is just burning!!

I Am Old...Do I Scare You?

  Yep..I have been finding it impossible to sit down and chatter for some time..but, maybe this will clear the cobwebs? I thought I would start off with a nice Christmassy blog, however, for some reason this crap popped into my head, so I will go with it.
  I am old!! I realize this far more often the past year, than ever before. I have reached that point if I kick the bucket, they won't be saying  "She was so young".However I have certainly not reached the point they will claim " She lived a long life", so...holding out hope I hit that mark far into the future.
  I see I am old if I happen to glance up to the mirror while brushing my teeth (yep still have those) or my hair. I actually frightened myself the other day, when I glanced up. It seemed to me I was missing an eyebrow?????O.K. let me go on a wee bit about eyebrows...Years back when I was young, and having fun, I met a very dear friend by chance, from Australia. She was just in Canada for a wee while, but we bonded and traveled across the country together. At some point, we went swimming, now when my friend was done, and we were sitting by the pool, I noticed she just looked a little "off", I kept staring wondering what it was..and then it hit me..she was missing an eyebrow!! She told me when she was younger she had used hair remover on them so she could draw perfect ones on..the hair never came back, and she had to remember to draw them on daily..one had clearly succumbed to the pool. Well..there I was staring at myself, WTF???
  See, growing old, causes some weird sh*t to go on with hair. It moves all about..guys lose it on their heads..women grow it on their faces. It seems my thin brows did not migrate.\, one just went grey. So grey that it blends into my semi translucent skin tone, which causes it to "disappear". So now I am lopsided..I find myself looking in the mirror a bit more than usual, just because of this wonky eyebrow. I suppose if I wasn't so lazy I could begin to draw on my thin eyebrows, but that would have to become habit, and I have far too many of those already..just no time!
  As I said, this year has made my age painfully obvious, more than any other. It has been a difficult one, so perhaps all those claims children give their parents grey hair,are not far from the truth. Harsh times, can indeed age one.
  I imagine I appear very old to most...because sadly, I appear old to me. I find age becomes apparent, when I see others who are my age. Now...I will always state, I am no where near as old as them..but..I know it is not true. I have some friends who pi$$ me off, because they look 15-20years younger, but..clearly they have been blessed with a whole whack of genetics I am missing. B*tches!! LOL..Folks try to be nice, when age is a topic of conversation, and I state I am 60.."Really?" Yeah..really..look at me!!
  I am so old, that yesterday my grand daughter brought her boyfriend to meet me!! That is frigging old!! It was only yesterday I was the one with a Grand mother, who was meeting my "boyfriend"! If that doesn't scare you, something is wrong.
  See, all it takes is the simple matter of picking up a pile of pictures, and I am 17 again. The moment preserved by Kodak, can wipe all the other years away, and I can recall how I felt, what I smelled, the outfit I was wearing, what I did afterwards, like it was yesterday! I forget all that has happened since, a whole lifetime of love, pain, hardships, heartaches, hard work, disappointments,,disappear momentarily, until I go to move, and then age hollers! The simple matter of attempting to sit more comfortably can cause me to pull a muscle in my back, or a charlie horse in my leg. And then, I go to stand up..yes..it is true, old people make noise when they stand. Some days I make noise when I take steps up the stairs..some come from my mouth, some come from my bones..my family will state some come from elsewhere..but we are not getting into that area of my body quite yet!
  See the reason my being old should scare you, is because it happened so darn fast! I graduated just a few years back..I raised 3 children at warp speed. I became a Grand mother as a teenager. I lost my parents when I was a child. Friends passed on when we were just kids. I know, this is not fact, however, this is how I feel. I have lived a lifetime, but it just moved so very quickly! The only time that I understand how much I have lived is when I meet someone who was a baby, the last time I saw them, or when my Grandchildren have a birthday, and I am hit with their new age, or when I do grab that stack of pictures, and watch my children grow up....Funny that, I was there from the beginning, but somehow looking back, makes me realize those days I thought I would never stop picking up their messes, and never have a moment of "me" time . were over in an instant.
  Now I have far too many moments of "me" time. What the heck was the big deal about that? I "me" time most of the time, and it is not all it was cut out to be. My "me" time is spent recalling the times I thought I wanted it. Now those times are what I call the "good old days", well most of them.
  So when you look at me, a wrinkled up old bag, with one grey eyebrow, take a moment. This happened so fast. trust me when I tell you, very soon, much sooner than you can imagine, you too will be old. It's not so bad..appearances may be frightening, but hidden under all the sagging bodies, and balding heads, and yes..grey eyebrows, are the young people of the past.
  We are just filled with far more life..some difficult, some glorious, Yes, that's it...we are filled with life!! How wonderful does that sound? We have lived lifetimes..they went by so quickly, but..they are all packed up inside, and come out with the simple flick of the switch, a smell, a song, a picture...How incredibly lucky us Old people are!!

Carbon Farce

People are much like sheep..Somehow their brains cease to function and they follow blindly along with the masses. Not a single one manages to open their own mind up and seek the facts. A group of those in positions of power, and wealth state they know the facts, and...suddenly, it is accepted as truth. Really? Is that how the world suddenly decided that humanity can control nature?
  One only has to read a tiny amount of history to realize, what we are being told today, is a big pile of horse sh*t. I admit I was not the world's greatest student, however, some of my studies interested me, and I do remember them. I remember socials class taught the "ages". Now this is beyond religion, this is indeed based on facts. You probably know some of these..thanks in part to Pixar..we know there was an "Ice age" that occurred a few moments before humanity, or for all I know some folks were about..but, think hard..whatever happened to the Dinosaurs? Not a lick of that has to do with people, be definitely carbon played a big part..
  See..there are these natural formations called Volcanos. I know everyone has heard of these things. Remember Pompeii? In fact, we don't have to go too far back in history to recall some pretty massive eruptions during our own lifetimes.
  A friend posted a while ago about the year without summer in 1816. Did you ever hear of that? A massive volcano erupted in Indonesia..it was a biggie! A result of all volcano eruptions is ash. Yes, the very stuff everyone is harping and combating and dishing out fist fulls of money over.Not only are they harping..those in positions of power are in fact profiting greatly by the sheep, that feed into this farce.
  Carbon tax..the newest form of government money grabbing. It has caused serious economic hardships in the countries that have been informed they are "bad" people. The countries that had regulations and rules to ensure factories and resource extracting companies did their utmost to limit emissions. Think back,,,remember the big "Ozone" crapola? Goodness, I gave up hairspray for that..stupid sheep! Lots of companies lost out, had huge expenses as a result of that farce, but lo and behold..we are O.K. now!! So, onto some other form of sh*t..lets bash carbon! Lets make one continent..O.K. maybe a couple follow insane strict guidelines, but...we will sit back quietly and let one of the biggest, just spew all they like, turning blind eyes to any and all regulations. In fact...hey..we are going to fund the folks doing this, at the expense of the economy of the rule abiding countries.
 Sorry, no matter how hard I try, I just cannot figure this plan out. I think that is because...it just doesn't make a lick of common sense. Go ahead tell me sending butt loads of money to countries who blatantly disregard carbon emissions, who have somehow managed to get almost all the manufacturing jobs in the world, at the cheapest possible price (no regulations) and spew massive amounts negating the rest of the worlds output, makes sense? Basically all we are doing is..paying these countries who don't follow the rules, money to make money, leaving us without money! But..lucky us, we can claim our emissions are diddly squat compared to those countries suddenly the money powers.
  I digress..I was speaking about volcanoes and 1816, right? Well when that volcano way off in nowhere land erupted, guess what happened? Whole parts of the world, suddenly had a massive climate change. The ash from this volcano caused darkness, and, along with the darkness, summer disappeared. Farmers were unable to grow crops, floods, monsoons, drought, occurred all over the planet.  Now a carbon emission like this is more than possible today. there are certainly volcanoes everywhere on the planet, and..one eruptions is all it would take to return us to the year of the missing summer.
  So,,,what exactly would our government imposed carbon tax do to protect us from this? F*CK ALL! This tax is nothing but a feel good government money grab! Climate change is NOT within our control!! In the timeline of an hour, our tax and regulations don't even amount to a minute! We sit back watching others spew massive amounts into the atmosphere, shaking their leaders hands, and giving them gifts of money to continue to disregard the strict rules we place on ourselves. What the H-ll is wrong with our leaders? If these money making countries won't follow the rules we impose on ourselves, destroying our own economy, why are we not just simply imposing embargoes? I think that might work, and ...cripes it makes total sense to me!! Then we can begin to make jobs and money producing our own stuff knowing full well it is done with far lower carbon footprints.
  But..again...all it will take is one big eruption in the right place, at the wrong time, and Mother Nature is NOT going to big forking out a dime for her emissions.
  Sorry folks, although we seem to think we are the top of the chain, we are simply animals living on a mass that lives by it's own rules. We are nothing more than dinosaurs, with no control over our future. The only difference between ourselves and those extinct, is, we have technology, but we have not invented anything capable of plugging volcanoes..so..just like the ice age, we are simply here to go along for the ride..and maybe we will be able to adapt and survive..or maybe not!! We simply cannot buy our way out of this!

Mom's Are People Too

  Here we go, a little food for thought!  Not long ago, a very dear friend lost his Mother. Now, he had no warning, it happened suddenly, and needless to say, he was devastated. His Dad passed some years back, so..now he is an orphan! Isn't that how it goes, you lose both parents and you are an orphan?
  Generally we think of orphans as children. How very sad, a young child, without their Mom and Dad. Well, surprise!! Orphans come in all ages. I became one in my late 40's, my friend was "licky" enough not to experience this until he turned 60. Does the age matter? I suppose in some respects. Of course children are not capable of making their way into adulthood without support, so we have that. But, in truth, becoming an orphan is painful no matter how old one is.
  As most of you know by now, I lost my Mom at the age of 26. I had a small child, and I was clueless. My Mom was my go-to person. O.K. granted many times she offered "suggestions" and many time I ignored them, but when incidents occurred, she was the one I called, and she was the one I would find comfort from, even if she didn't have the solution, I was no longer in something alone, I had my Mom there, and somehow everything was going to work out fine.
  As I have aged, along with my good buddy, who was blessed to have her Mom a phonecall away into her mature years, both of us have come to realize something others probably do not understand until it is too late. That woman who we saw as a Mother, was also a person. See, the older I get, as a Mom, the more time I have to think back, and regret. I regret that I never had the ability to allow her to show me the person. In truth, perhaps she tried, but, I was unable to look past the title she held from the moment I met her. She had a position I expected her to uphold forever, well, I suppose most Mom's do. She did an amazing job, but..I just didn't understand there was someone else behind the job.
  I am not sure if I am putting this in the correct context. I certainly do not wish for my children to think this is directed at them, because it is not. I actually think my kids have far more insight that I am someone beside their Mom, than I did with my Mother. Maybe because I scream and holler much more? Maybe because I complain so often? Maybe because they have seen me break down on more than one occasion?
  See, My Mom just didn't do those things. O.K. in time, and with memories, I can remember little tiny hints of the person beyond the title. She must have got fed up often. She worked far harder than I have, she kept a spotless home, cooked, baked, sewed (well buttons and rips). She broke my Dad's shoes in for him..Yep, I remember her wearing a couple of pairs of wool socks, and his new shoes, so he didn't have to risk a blister. She did the dishes every single night..because her kids never stepped up to the plate. When she was diagnosed with Cancer the first time, I remember her making meals and freezing them, so my Dad wouldn't have to worry when she was in the hospital.I do remember asking her why she was doing this, because in my mind she should have been thinking of herself, but she didn't. Even then, she considered her family.There had to be a selfish bone somewhere inside her, but I don't remember seeing it in the 26 years I knew her. I wonder, if she had not left so soon, would I indeed have become her friend? Would she have told me of her dreams, and regrets? I wish so much now, I had the foresight to even inquire.
  My friend was given the gift of becoming his Mom's friend. He knows who she was beyond the title Mom. I know he doesn't think he is lucky, I understand he is overwhelmed by loss, but, he will see, as time goes by and the pain lessens, he was given a chance many of us never had. He saw the woman, and was given a glimpse of the child she had been, and a lifetime with a Mom, who was able to simply be a friend without all the pressure of raising a family and supporting a working husband. She was able to be herself with him, a person with feelings, and dreams, and memories.
  Trust me, my kids hear my moans about the loss of dreams, and the complaints about the inability to be selfish, which basically is just being selfish.. I am certainly open with the fact that the person beyond Mom is screaming to be recognized. They have met my golden friends, so they know I was Me, long before I was Mom, and yes, I admit, there are times I miss Me, but not near as many times as I regret, not knowing the "Me" behind my Mother.I was selfish, it took me decades of living a split personality, to understand, behind every Mother, there is a Me, and I never knew the most important Me in my life!
  So, in case you are lucky enough to have the woman who has spent your lifetime as Mom, still with you, maybe ensure you take a moment or two, and remember, before you, she was a person. She had a life, she had dreams (goodness maybe her dream was simply to be a Mom?) and the moment she was given the title MOM that person did not disappear. Mom's are people too, just like you!!
 

Funny...

So, as some know, I am kind of living in "Limbo". Not really the greatest place to be, but..clearly my life is not one of simplicity, no matter how much I strive for it.
  I imagine there are those who wish for my problems, and I understand, there are those who have far greater issues than I, so for that, I am grateful! Yes, I am jealous of those who seem to flow flawlessly through life, or even those who experience the odd little bump along the way. Mine, well, life is a dirt road, filled with pot holes that cannot be missed. I must hit each and every one of them, and some are pretty damn deep.
  The past 5-6 years have been particularly bumpy, and as a result, I spent a great deal of time in what was lovingly referred to, as the Bat Cave. That was really, the basement of our home. It took a fair bit of adjustment, but it ultimately was my personal choice, and it has actually changed me.
  Our home is lovely! I have written in the past about the river view, and the windows and french doors that allow bright light to fill the home from early morning until dusk. Why would someone choose to go through the basement door, and spend all their days in semi darkness? Well, the first time was for financial well being. That one was kind of hard. The basement is unfinished, which means no ceiling (not the first time I have resided in a home without a ceiling). No ceiling means...spider friendly!! I am well known for my irrational fear of these insects, but when push came to shove, I managed to suck it up, and survive. Not only did I survive, I actually learned to love the Bat Cave.
  It was simple! Just enough furnishing to provide comfort, a bed, a love seat, a coffee table, TV and a spot for my computer. Guess what folks....I came to realize, that is all one needs! It actually made  life simple. The second time I headed down there, it was my desire. I left the bright sunny, enormous living area, and hauled my chunky a$$ down into the bat cave, breathing a sigh of relief. Back to simplicity. Back to the place that did not require a huge amount of upkeep, taking up tons of my time, back to the simple basics.
  See, I like the basics. Anything beyond, requires work, and ultimately, I am lazy! Small area, less work! Sure, maybe sometimes it looks a little unkempt, but..hey, who am I trying to impress? Personal space, is no different than personal friends. You don't need a sh*t load of either. What you need are the basics.
  Right now, I am not at home in the Bat Cave, instead I am back in our hovel, that we left 12 years ago. It has a bit more space than the Bat Cave, and...it does now have a ceiling! It is basic, old, in need of refreshing, but basic. Everything one needs is here...maybe a wee bit more light than the bat cave. I am also pretty much alone 5 days out of the week. That may sound harsh, but previously, I was alone 7 days a week, so big bonus!
  I am also away from the place that was home for 12 years, returning to one that my friends all left, at almost the same time as we did. That means, I have no social life. Ooops..now don't feel sorry for me! Heading into my Bat Cave was pretty much the beginning of the end of the need for people. I adjusted to the cave, as I imagine a Hermit adjusts to his place away from the world. The need for others has diminished, almost to the point I prefer alone.
  I have had visits from those I deem important, all folks and family from elsewhere. I see my honey and son 2 days a week (sort of), and in truth, besides family, and of course all my "St. Olaf friends" and my dear MC, there is one single person that I wish was here. Funny that! We call, and chat, and truthfully, even when I was in the Bat Cave, this was often how life was, even though she was just up the road.
  12 years! And it all boils down to missing one person! I don't miss my house, I don't miss my Bat Cave, I don't miss my surroundings, I just miss that simple pleasure of the ability to jump in my car when the urge hits and spend venting time with one particular person. 12 years! That tells me how very important a good friend is. Oh, I touch base with some others, folks who touched my life, over this period..mostly work related..because for many of those years, my job WAS my life, but, I don't miss it at all!! Makes one wonder, a whole decade and some, and simple as air to just erase..no regrets, a chapter done, the book closed.
  I think what I learned was to embrace the basics. To forget all of the trappings and do what is necessary to have that which is important in life. Simplicity is what I strive for. I want that which makes me happy, and to have that which causes stress, and struggle gone. Guess what? It's not that easy to get to this point. In fact, right now I am simply going with the flow, knowing that very soon, reality will kick in, and I may end up back in the Bat Cave, all alone. Not something I want, in fact I dread it, because it will be for the long, very dark, cold winter. Sort of got a great big pot hole that is difficult to climb out of. The simple life is not an easy destination. It is out there, very close, but..likely requiring yet another payment. I don't want to pay anymore, this debt hangs heavy, because it is something I have to do all by myself. Much as I enjoy my personal space, I also look forwards to having my honey with me, something that has become very difficult with the economics of our time. Life in the Bat Cave does not allow for time together, especially in the winter, so...it seems I may be making many trips up the road, to the one person who matters in that world!
  Funny, a great part of my life was spent trying to grab the brass ring, to have a lovely home, and things..things that don't really matter diddly (O.K. do really miss our travel trailer). Now I find all I want to do is get rid of all of that. Is it because our children are all grown? Maybe..maybe that is a part of it. But, mostly I think it is because I know this sh*t is not what life is about, at least my life. Simple, quiet, comfort, those 3 words are what I wish to strive for..and..again..not easy to acquire, but I think they might be possible. Just one more payment!