New Years
Good New Years Everyone,
I’m sitting in my living room; a small glass of Gentleman Jack in my hand and a snow storm swirling about my deck like an angry swarm of bees. It started out today with rain which turned to snow at noon, exactly like the weatherman predicted. I’m at my writing desk while the cat is curled up and purring away on a blanket on the ottoman.
No fireplace, but the gas wall heater keeps it cosy warm while I sit and watch the fireworks. The spit is slightly obscured by fireworks smoke and swirling snow. But the fireworks at the base of the spit are as bright as if they were in my front yard.
What a year. What a decade! I lived to come of age in the sixties in Southern California and see the Trump era in the two thousand and teens. What the hell do you call the “teens” and “oughts” of a century anyway? Thankfully(?), I lived to see the twenties. The rest is gravy.
I fully expect to live long enough to see us realize that we have killed the Earth. Well, not the Earth so much as most of the life upon it. Life will endure, of that I think we are all certain, just not us and many other species. My only regret is that we have left our children and grandchildren to deal with the mess we have made.
I cope with drugs at night and creativity during the day.
A day when I create something from pieces/parts that will endure for a few more decades if not for the future archaeologists to ponder, is a good day. No amount of foreboding can rob the exquisite feeling I get when I create something that I feel is beautiful. Especially when I make it for someone special. When you make something for just one person, it is a rare and glorious process. One that rewards and challenges at every step.
Our world (like all living things) is dying. I’d like to think that someday a sapient being will discover the gold ring with the initial “W” that I made for myself in high school. I dream that they will appreciate the process that caused it to exist.
Happy New Year to you all. Thanks for making it all worthwhile.
So far I've reached acceptable proficiency at the following, in chronological order: Silversmith, infantryman/door gunner, helicopter pilot, fireman, carpenter, residential contractor, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist and crotchety old retired guy. Currently, I'm learning to fly again and that is what this is all about. 7/7/2020 edit: As I have had the opportunity to reflect (old people do that a lot) on my actual proficiency level at the above occupations, I feel adjustments are in order. The term "acceptable" depends on the observer, their own proficiency and experience level. Acceptable to me might be woefully deficient to the master. I think it would be more accurate to claim that I have earned a living wage at all of these occupations but never got rich. Actually, I feel that I have gotten rich at the last one. I have what I need and am profoundly grateful for all of it. The future looks bright indeed, as I have learned to fly again. For that I have all of you to thank. Thank You!
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