So ends September

For some reason -- for whatever unrecognized reason -- I decided early on this month that I wanted five posts: Five September Sundays = five posts. Some subconscious superstition, I suppose. Anyway, moving right along, this photograph is sort of historical in nature, as my other recent photos have been, if, in fact, events four years ago should be relegated to history as opposed to the "immediate past." (Never mind. Semantics drive me crazy.) It was taken in Warsaw, Poland. The towering building is the Palace of Culture and Science. I passed by it a number of times by tram and on foot, including twelve trips in six weeks to a dental office. I caught up on my dental work in Warsaw. The price was right and, beyond that, the dentist was an attractive woman (blonde) who spoke perfect English, had studied in France, had lived in America for three years and made a number of passes at me. Primary among them was to make a trip to Florida with her when my dental work was completed. Perhaps, I should have, but I am a gentleman, sort of .... all right, that is a story in itself. I picked this photo for this post because I never did see the inside of the palace, and I wish to return to see it and to walk the streets of Warsaw once again. I had a wonderful time there. As for the music accompanying this post, I decided to include another offering from Badfinger. This song, "Without You," is the band's best, I think. I also think music frequently is best when the influence of an organ is present .... like at the end of this song. Besides creating a wondrous, haunting sound for me, it brings back memories of a long, lonely, snowbound winter.

I am glad I stayed up late tonight

Quiet .... do not bother me .... please .... I am thinking .... plotting, pondering, planning .... scheming .... spinning my wheels ..... hmmmm ....

Well, not exactly, but I really am thinking. I also am wearing new cowboy boots, trying to break them in a bit. I am not sure if I look like Roy Rogers or Gabby Hayes with my jeans tucked into the boots. You do not recognize the names? Then, you must either be very young or without cable television.

The boots are absolutely beautiful. They are Tony Llama boots. I ordinarily do not pay attention to brand names (you probably guessed that), but this time I decided to abandon my usual pedestrian style and to run with the big boys. I had best be careful or I will take up smoking cigars again and drinking bourbon with branch water. As for Western dress, boots are as far as I will go. I have not had a cowboy hat since I was five or six, and have no thoughts of buying one.

Today was a strange day. Actually, most days are strange days from my point of view. Anyway, at some point during the early afternoon, I made a decision. A family obligation has tied my hands behind my back for the past two years. Then, just as the bonds began to come free, an early August storm caused me problems in terms of damage to the house. My thought is that the repairs/renovations which are required as a result of the storm should be taken care of by mid-November. Those which are unfinished by that time would have to wait until mild weather returns in the spring. This is Minnesota, you realize.

So, my afternoon decision today was to return to Warsaw about mid-December for Christmas and New Year's Eve, and then move on to who knows where for a while.

After I had made this decision, I checked the availability of December airline flights. Next, I began writing an email to inquire about my "old room" at The Duval. I had stayed there the initial two weeks after my first arrival in Warsaw.

Only an hour or two had passed when the telephone rang.

When I heard the news, I was a bit stunned: Another family matter has arisen which might create a new situation which would ground me once again. It probably will be at least two weeks before I know if I am simply delayed or must postpone. Time answers all questions -- at least, all earthly questions.

The clock has moved, I have gotten a bit older, the sun and the moon have roamed across the sky some distance -- but, has anything else changed? I am sure it has -- somewhere -- but not in my world. I still feel like I am Fram Actual -- Fram the Fortunate -- but life rules us more than we rule life, and it is best never to forget that simple fact.

So ends September, not with a destination, but with a new question mark.