Goodbye 2009

Not my best year.

Started out easy enough. Football on TV, black eyed peas and stewed tomatoes.



Typical days of riding to work, shower and shave, glide through the days of solving problems without the stress. Lunch alone for quiet time. Tea instead of coffee.



Coming home at 5 to a warm meal and the evening news before retiring to my "studio" for creative time and PBS.


As the days grew colder, I surrounded myself in old DVDs of movies that shaped me through the early years. The weekends were trips to Barnes and Noble, buying mysteries, crafts, art, nature, and photo books, sets of television series and Harry Potter movies on DVDs. Evenings were spent recording live "one take" CDs, sometimes to dawn.



The spring brought warmth and the surprise of a 38 year old career coming to an end.



Computer went on the blink, electricity had a problem, flat tire on the bike.... things looked bleak, BUT a schedule was set up to bring calm and normalcy; strictly followed adjusting to the new reality.



A change in priorities started a mental review of what was important, starting a purge of books and music. The question was, "Will I ever read it again?" This began an old need to share and donate to others.



But, the stress of me being at home, without planning on this change, took it's toll.

Shock blurred into yet another NEW reality.



First digging out donations quickly, then moving lumber, wallboard, boxes, books, papers, photos....30 years of memories, plans, realities, goals, highs and lows of more time spent with anyone for my entire life.

The excavation will continue into twenty ten. The days will get colder, the projects expensive, and the sleep interrupted, but spring is only a few months away. Friendships renewed and welcomed and possibilities present new adventures.



So goodbye 2009, I'm not sorry to see you go.



Hopefully the new year will bring some recovery to those looking for employment, an increase in the market, and peace.

I'll be the old man sitting on the front porch, having a cool drink enjoying the sunshine and nature's entertainment.