“Not everything in life is obvious. So if you’re naive by nature, or just habituated to not pay attention, you might be caught up short, one of these days. It won’t really matter, until it does. Which is one way to live. Take it purely, as it comes, and deal with it, methodically, as best you can, when the tsunami hits. Try not to buy into excess drama, no matter how hard it may be sold to you by others. This life is strictly “come-as-you-are”. It’s better to admit incredulity, and helplessness, than to manufacture indignation. We’re as low slung as worms, yet clearly architected by angels. Come on. Don’t you feel a bit dis-regulated by the polarity? I do. Which is why I continue to work as close to the earth as possible, because the dirt realm at least still presents as manageable, and relatable. Too much of the intellectual side is polluted by confusion and controlled by competing narratives. So I give up. Is it okay, to give up? Yes, it is okay to give up on trying to synch to a force-fed reality, as defined by digital media. Give up! Go back to reading a few sage words, uttered by neighbors. We don’t need anything more than that, believe me. The collective wisdom within 50 square miles is probably more than adequate. Trust, instead, those who coddle flowers back to life. Those who make the best breakfasts-to-go. Those who absorb the work, of injured co-workers, without a complaint. Those who seek out what needs to be done, and volunteer, despite the inconvenience. We’ve had a few hard weeks. The weather has made outdoor work, almost intolerable. Parking at the store, across from a local lake, we are the dirtiest, & sweatiest. We’re sore. We don’t look like tourists, although we have absolutely nothing against them. They are a rich adjunct to the development & sustenance of many a Vermont town. We stride, we hobble, we slip into general stores looking for certain items to sustain our day. We use the bathroom. Our tab may not be very big, but we are the regulars, who show up, rain or shine. We gossip about the cashiers, who alternate between completely charming, and socially impaired. We fantasize about swimming, and fishing, on an off day, while watching others rent paddle boards, and kayaks, on a week day. If I were to take this to another level, I’d say that given the years I’ve spent working in this area, I should have found either gold, or a husband. But some dreams never come to fruition. People don’t see beyond their own little microcosm, and will never, ever be aware, of the opportunities for happiness, they passed by.”
