4.5

 Four and one half years. To some it is an eternity, to others it is just a bit of time. To old bastards like me, it is a mere flash, almost a blink of an eye.

It has been around seven years since I've bothered to put any written word on this page. The main reason is that I just don't have the material that I used to have. I am retired and lead a mostly boring life with my wife and my dogs. It is a good life, but it is one that most people either lead themselves, can see in a 50's sit-com or just don't care about. 

I started this blog way back in the day as sort of a therapy to keep certain demons at bay while they were slain, or at least until they were reduced in size as to become insignificant. That purpose has largely been fulfilled, though new demons have appeared. - The new angst is likely the same that most people are facing now in these chaotic times that have been forced upon us.

Another factor is the instant gratification of other social media platforms, mainly Facebook. Although I believe that it is inherently evil - I, like many, appreciate the immediate feedback as well as the abbreviated method of communication and the ease of information distribution. There is an irony in the belief that Facebook will soon fade into obscurity as it's user base ages and younger people continue to use newer, evolving platforms.

A lot has transpired over the past four years. We have left SoCal and now live in the mountains of central Arizona. We live in a small town at about the 5000 ' level. We get snow, though not severe. We enjoy four actual seasons, none of which are extreme. Even though we live in town, we share the neighborhood with creatures such as elk, coyotes, raccoon, eagles, javalina, scorpions and tourists. I am pretty sure I saw a mountain lion run between our and our neighbors house a few months ago.

 I have to accompany my dogs outside after dusk and before daylight, as I don't want them to provide nourishment for the neighborhood coyotes. I also hunt scorpions with a blacklight/UV flashlight and a can of hornet spray. Though I haven't found any in the house, I want to keep it that way. I have found several in the garage.

 I still get to photograph my beloved RFD when I am in town. We manage to make it back once a month or so. I usually catch a fire or two if I am there long enough. Between the transients, tweakers and the economic decline of my hometown, there is often something burning. 

 Though our hometown is not really a travel destination, it is the only trip I am willing to take currently. The thought of sitting in an airplane, masked-up and all of the associated ugliness has no appeal to me. We still have the place in our hometown, one of my sons and a friends of his stay in part of it, we in another. We share the remainder. It is beneficial for all of us and it nice to have our old place for what time we are there.

I see through the links at the side of the page, that many people who were blogging when I was most active, haven't post for years as well. I hope that they are well and that whatever purpose their efforts we for have been attained. I also hope that if anyone is reading this, they are in a good place as well.

 

Thanks for reading,

Schmoe