Today, kind ladies and gents, we open with a photograph of Fram the First, Fram Actual and Fram Impersonator. We leave it to you to decide which among which is which. The photo was taken at the semi-weekly bagpipe and bugle corps competition held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Lots of folks up there enjoy hearing the pipes, and especially appreciate seeing real men take to the field during the summer months before the wimp Packers arrive for the football season.Paradise Lost ....
Part II -- The Search Resumes:
After reading Part I, do you blame me for occasionally being a bit bitter and, at times, occasionally slipping into a melancholy mood? It is not that I have it bad; it is that I do not have what I require to prosper, which is no one's fault but my own, and the process to remedy my situation is under way.
Now, moving right along, I do have a little more whining up my sleeve. I am certain anyone who actually reads me knows that I lean toward the conservative end of the spectrum. I like to think 60-40. I am certain a true liberal would change those numbers. I am much more of an issue guy and a vote-for-the-best-candidate type of guy than I am a political partisan. Which is one reason I am so disgusted with both political parties, and the general dynamics of society in America today.
Before any of you knew me, about a year ago at this time, I went on record as saying I would leave the State of Minnesota if Al Franken were to be elected state senator. Seriously. I do not want to live in a state where a majority of the voters would elect a third-rate comedian, extreme-left-wing nut with absolutely no qualifications or credentials appropriate to the position, to represent them in a body of 100, whose members are among the most powerful people on earth. On the plus side, I have gained an understanding of why so many people live and breathe Paris Hilton: Celebrity trumps intelligence, talent, knowledge, experience, common sense -- absolutely everything else.
For those who have no clue what I am talking about, Franken was the candidate of the Democrat Party for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Norm Coleman. The vote last November was so close that a recount was required. The recount process and ensuing court action still continue but, right now, it appears Franken will be declared the winner by the margin of a few hundred votes.
It looks like it is going to happen, that Franken will be going to the Senate to represent Minnesotans. I am both embarrassed and ashamed about living in a state where such idiocy could occur. I will get over that, of course, but not while I am living in Minnesota.
Which returns us to my summer plans. This election gives me another excuse to move on. How is that for rationalization? Admit it, true genius behind the madness. I can find an excuse for almost anything.
Thomas Wolfe was right: "You Can't Go Home Again." Well, it has been a negative experience in my life, anyway. Always move forward, never backward, until you get it right –- or run out of time –- whichever happens first.
We are approaching May, and my plans remain on schedule, which are to travel in Greece sometime in July or August, with an anticipated stay of three or four weeks, then move over to southern France for at least another week to decide whether I might want to try living there for a year or so.
I think such an extended stay is unlikely now. Instead, it is more probable I will return here and do something similar to what I did a few years ago. At that time, I sold Sanctuary/Refuge. I quit my job and, in May, left on a driving tour that ranged from Canada into Mexico and lasted until October. That was my "battlefield tour." This would be my "find-a-place-to-hang-out-for-a-while tour."
In the meanwhile, there are travelers here among us. Know of any "neat" locations? Not too far north; not too far south. Any suggestions where I might find another woodland hilltop very near, if not on, water? I am not looking for much, only for the Garden of Eden and for the Holy Grail. Is that being selfish of me?
Music Note: Listening to Minneapolis' Soul Asylum ....
Specifically, "Grave Diggers Union" ....
Some lines from "Runaway Train:"
Runaway train, never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Can you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life's mystery seems so faded
I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just a-drownin' in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train
Everything is cut and dried
Day and night, earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it
11 comments:
Hello Mr. Fram :) I say shoot for the moon and the stars and everything in between. You will find your new dream, a dream even better than you ever imagined! I have great confidence in you :)
I like your song too. The hardest part is getting off the one-way track. Once we do, we realize just how many beautiful opportunities are out there waiting for us and we get our smile back :)
I think travel is one of the best ways to rediscover that magic :D It will be nice to see the wolf smile :D
Hugs to you, Fram!
Oooh Fram.. travelling!! I have some favorite places. Northern Arizona or New Mexico. South western Colorado. FAAAAR Northern California, meaning NORTH of Red Bluff. I live in Redding, CA, which has 2 huge lakes (Shasta and Whiskeytown) and 2 volcanoes nearby (Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen). Rivers include the Sacramento (upper part is best), McCloud River (some of the best fly fishing in the world), Pit River, and Fall River. Waterfalls are everywhere- the most well known are Burney Falls and Whiskeytown Falls. Shasta County, CA may be the urban mecca for those who love convenience with the opportunity for mountains, lakes, rivers and volcanoes within an hour's drive. Crikey I sound like the chamber of commerce! I do love it, but it is STILL California, in my mind one of the most messed up states in our country. We have AHHHNOLLLD for a governor!!! The freakin' Terminator!!!!!!
Anyway... a lot more parallel thinking there Fram, my forward friend. I just haven't the time nor the means to really hit the road, Jack. :)
Hurrraaa!!! Fram, you are coming to Europe, right choice :-) So come to Warsaw first, you are very welcome, and then we will go to Florence :-) And Venice :-) And Rome :-) And Florence :-)
I know, Norah Jones is really fabulous, and much, much more... This is for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ktAkH6C-w
Shoot for the moon and the stars, hah, Kelly? Just call me Starship Trooper.
So, you think my new dream will even be better than I ever imagined, do you? I'll take your word for that and we shall see.
It is a neat song, really. I saw these guys once, and did not know they came out of the Twin Cities. Of course, I wasn't around when they did and probably had my mind on things other than rock music at the time.
Hey, I smile a lot. When young ladies are around, though, I usually just give them "the look."
There is a big void in my travels in your part of the world, Rachael.
I never have been north of San Francisco in California or south of the Seattle area in Washington or anywhere in Oregon. I've never been in New Mexico, and the Phoenix airport is the only Arizona ground my feet have walked upon. So much to see and so many things to do.
If I get into your neighborhood, I for sure will need my canoe. I definitely would want to try your rivers.
Don't forget Florence, Magdalena. Twice might not be enough. There is nothing better than a young lady who comes with a prepared itinerary. That should make the journey carefree.
My one requirement would be that you watch over me as I spend an evening drinking in Harry's Bar in Venice, and see to it that I make it home all right.
Norah is a marvelous singer. Thank you, for the introduction to her music and for the invitation to hear a particular song. I want to return and to listen to her duet with Keith Richards. I cannot imagine it, so I must see it.
One of the beautiful aspects of democracy is that sometimes it feels and looks out of our reach. But you can be sure that it will be within somebody else's reach instead. That we have to live with. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
I am roaming the night, CiL.
Politics are like love, emotions dominate common sense. This American experiment will end very badly, I think, because divisions are too deep. I would rather be elsewhere and not see the cauldron boiling over.
The problem with living in these times is that there are no new worlds to depart for, no places left to explore, which leaves only one side or the other to join.
Sincerely, it is always great to see you here
Norah is almost the best, bur really the best is Nina Simone for me :-) All night drinking? Why? Life is so incredibly amazing, that it's a pity to spend our time and mind and soul for drinking. I'm very glad that you liked the music. Bye, bye Fram :-)
Oh, yes, Magdalena. On days that I work, I get off at 11:00 p.m. And, since I already am a night person, it is only natural for me to sometimes stay up forever, especially when there is no work the next day. Midnight is like six in the evening for me in terms of people who work regular daytime hours.
But, you are right otherwise. In some ways, I am very careless about life.
I will find Nina Simone tonight, and think about the things you have written.
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