While walking thru the campground

His name is Donald and similar in age to me. He asked for some help putting the rainfly on his tent because the gusty wind was making it hard. I was glad to help. Donald said this was the last week the campground is open. I wished him a fine stay.

Neighbors

 Jean O’leary likes my grass bushes in the yard although from her house you can only see Derricks bushes but there the same kind. Jean asked if I was going to cut them for the winter. I told her I don’t know if they needed to be to remain healthy or if people just like to keep them tidy. Jean thought it was to keep them tidy. I told her I didn’t mind big and bushy and will just let them be and see how they do.

Later talked to Jan and Stan and told them about River, they were very sympathetic. They invited me up onto there elevated porch facing Buzzards Bay, they have a beautiful view :-)

We chatted about their solar panels (they are pleased and might have net zero electric bills for the forceable future) . They own them. They also showed me their septic systems. Similar to mine but way newer and also more active with more pumping and filtering.

Commit to the bit

 It is so odd, sometimes I can and sometimes I won’t. Why the two different reactions are beyond me. Perhaps it reveals something about me as I try and understand this existence from the shadows on the wall. One last thing, the commit comes from my head, the won’t commit pushes up from the gut. The won’t commit is born from a way deeper place. Can I alter the reaction? I will try.

Dinner at my brothers

 Shepards pie, delicious!

Chris and Nancy were pretty worn out from tuff work weeks. My niece likes to be bossy with thier Alexa smart speaker. What did I bring to the table?

Two weeks ago

 

On October 1st 2026 we had to have my sweet dog companion, River, put down. I am so sorry, the look in her eyes just laid me bare. I tell myself it was the loving and responsible thing to do. She was suffering and it was inoperable. These two weeks later the reason brings no comfort.

Two swans

 Just after sunset two swans flew over the house flying east to west so from like Allen’s pond parallel Buzzards Bay towards the Westport river and that sound they make when they fly. I don’t have the words to describe it. It’s amazing. I don’t know if it’s the sound of their wings through the air or whether it’s a sound they’re making in their throats. It’s remarkable.

It’s been awhile

 Two flocks of birds in the neighborhood. One the classic european starling, noisy and acrobatic. The other is smaller and plain brown. Their flock are not locked in step like the starlings, they travel in a longer more separate gaggle . A few will arrive onto the nearby utility wires and then in small groups of five or ten start pouring in. Compared to the starlings they are practically silent although if spooked the whoosh of their wings is a delight.

Life is complicated

End of August brings a 3 month software engineering gig.Good to see "working Rick" back on the council of Ricks. Just need to make sure I dont unfairly burden him with all the lifting of a complete life.

Duralast EGR valve from Autozone W00t, W00t !

My wants exceed my needs.

In style.

This is camping. I am at a KOA in Hagerstown Maryland, got electricity on the site so am using my electric blanket.  Thanks Obama!

Late start

Long slow start with news of the election coming from Than while I was making breakfast. Lots of discussion.  Lite rain first thing however steadily increasing. The Deleware river kept rolling by, didn't seem concerned with the crushing news. Rain clouds slowly rolled down the nearby hills. Felt the need to put on some miles so just headed for route 81 and drove south. In a KOA in Hagerstown Maryland for the night. Got electricity so I can plug in my electric blanket. Old man likes to stay warm.

Worthington State forest campground

Campsite is 100 hundred feet from and overlooking the Deleware river. After dusk a flock of geese landed on the river with a splash honking there way in. 5:50 pm and it is pitch black with the exception of the half moon shining through some high clouds. Only one other camper in the campground. Many big beech trees with thier leaves a golden brown on this warm autumn night.

Getting ready for first retirement pilgrimage.

Lake Sebago 2015

https://goo.gl/photos/Xgh5QnhFDcqjtvK99

October 9th at the counter of the Hill Top Restaurant (Breakfast served all day!)

Guy: Are you here for the fair?
Me: What fair?
Guy: Fryeburg fair.
Me: Nope, just camping here at the state park. Are you going?
Guy: Nope, going to the fair is like going to the Mall at christmas. Besides I live around here and I know what cows and pigs look like.
Me: I hear that they are pretty special cows and pigs.
Guy: Right, the cows moo ribbons!

Pee dream

I had to pee really bad and I am looking all over for a bathroom. I find a sole stall in an empty lot in some non descript neighborhood. The walls of the toilet stall are so high off the ground they afford no privacy.The toilet if filthy and clogged but I have to go really bad so decide to use it.

Just as I start 2 kids, as only I can describe as street urchins out of a Dickens novel, come by and are hanging out. Ignoring me but not quite ignoring me.

When I finish they approach me and I definitely feel threatened. I try to mollify them by telling them I had to go to a meeting at work but I could stop and buy them some soda on the way. One of the kids is very interested that I am going to a meeting and wants to attend with me.

The dream ends with me trying to figure out out to explain this at work.

Ricky, Michelle and Pop.

Lucky husband.

MBTA Commuter rail phone tickets.

I activate them all the time now. Cleaning my bowl.