Enough Aready!

The soft music is flowing from the radio. Bob turned off the news a while ago and I replaced it with soothing music. It is a brief respite from the stressful news of late.

I am tired of the negative news from everywhere. There are the multiple fires raging in the West, the threat of a nuclear war, the starving fleeing from the chaos of conflicts and genocide in Africa, Burma and Myanmar, the ingoing war in Syria, suppression in Iran, Russia and many other countries, the dysfunction in Washington, the terrible state of health care in our country, Harvey, Irma, etc. etc.

If course we watch and listen to the news. It is part of our psyche to be aware of the world in which we live, but there are times when enough is enough and we need a break from the suffering of those not as fortunate as we.

It is the awareness of the tragedies on this earth that makes us grateful to live where we live with the advantages we were given. We could have been born in Syria or as an untouchable in India. We also could have lived in poverty in an inner city in our country. It is true that this is the land of opportunity, but some circumstances prevent advancement for many limited by their environment and lack of education.

I look at my life. I was born to a solid family who valued learning and a strong worth ethic. I received an education that gave me many opportunities for a satisfying, useful career that provided independence and a life of security.

As I turn on the news I may become anxious, but in the end, I am grateful for all of the advantages provided me and now, in retirement, to enjoy the safe and beautiful surroundings of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

No hurricanes, no wars, no fleeing chaos, and for now, no fires. Gratitude is the word!

Beginnings

To anxious and proud grandparents everywhere:

When your grandchildren go to college you can only dream and hope for a succesful future. The parents had the hands-on preparation for sending their child off to create a better world while you had the hands-on in raising them. You see your work carried on through the third generation. Therein lies the hopes and dreams.

You wanted to protect your children from the mistakes you made, just as they do with their children.
Perhaps you did and perhaps they do, but in the end those young men and women beginning their journey into adulthood will make their own mistakes. The hope is that they will learn from those experiences and turn them into learning for a lifetime. There is more to knowledge than the years spent in classes.

Wisdom and growth come through academics, living and making those inevitable errors. As one of these proud grandparents I take encouragement from the lyrics of the familiar song by Peter Tosh:

"But I got to pick myself up
Dust myself off
Start all over, again."

Next generation, may you keep picking yourself up and growing in wisdom for the rest of your years on this earth!

P.S.

NANCY IN HER GARDEN (PHOTO COMPLIMENTS OF ANOTHER NEIGHBOR AND FAITHFUL READER:)

THANK YOU, GINGER!

Bitter-Sweet

My kitchen window faces the neighbor's back yard. From early in the spring to late in the fall I enjoy a view of a perfectly kept yard. The flowers always give me enjoyment, from the reds and lavenders of the daffodils and tulips to the hydrangeas, sunflowers many others which I cannot identify. Each day I drink in the vibrant colors with pleasure.

For the past eight years I have seen the 90 some neighbor lady out in her yard, tending to her flower gardens. She has a small rolling cart that she uses when she spends the day weeding and trimming.

Each time she is out in her yard I marvel at how such an elderly lady can do this tiresome work. When she sits and takes a rest Bob or I visit with her while she shares her love of gardening. Lately she has been increasingly complaining about the stress of her efforts. It cannot be easy for a women in her nineties to continue this strenuous activity.

Today as I tend to the kitchen chores I look out that same window where for many years I have taken pleasure in the plethora of colors that I drink in for a lengthy season of delight due to the constant efforts of our neighbor. The sunflowers are in full bloom, attracting the birds, bees and butterflies.

At the same time I savor the sight, I feel a tinge of sadness. This weekend she has been moved to our assisted living facility in town. I will miss seeing her, not only bending over her gardens, but the sight of her walking her dog, resting for a brief time in her lawn chair or going out, immaculately dressed, to attend church or some other function.

She has been an inspiration to me and I will treasure the memories and, as long as they last for this season, the careful array of hues growing proudly in her back yard.

Thank you, Nancy, for the beauty you left behind as you follow a new path.

Completion!

A photo of the final mural completed last night, August 20, 2017. The orignal concept was by Bob Lee and it was designed and painted by Maria March. It is on the side of Bob's shop, Wild West Wheels and Fix it Shop.

Its purpose was to beautify and amuse locals and tourists alike, and of course to create a conversation piece. The mural, conceived by Bob, is dedicated to those who bicycle and motorcycle and to the town of Hot Springs, SD, a mecca for both.

The Bench

Bob's Fix  it Shop was filled with motorcycles, bicycles and lawn mowers all in line to be repaired. Bob is a one-man operation and if locals have patience and want to save money for repair, they leave their items with him.

I wandered into his shop this morning and off to one side was an old weathered wooden bench.

"Oh, you bought a bench?"

"No, someone brought it in for repair."

"I didn't know you fixed things like benches."

"Well, they gave the bench to their parents a while back and it was outside in the rains and snow. Their parents died and now they would like it fixed."

"What does it need?"

"Oh, there is a broken board and some loose joints. I had to get a new board to replace the broken one."

I stood silently for a few minutes, marveling at Mr. Fix It. He truly is into recycling and reusing. Also, I suspect he wants to restore an item precious to the owners. I am hoping as they sit on that bench they will have many fond memories of their parents.

Some stuff is too precious to throw away!

Half Way There

And here we are in Hot Springs, SD with the mural on Wild West Wheels half completed.
This scene of the natural beauty around our town beautifies the otherwise white, boring wall. Maria March will continue the work on Monday and we will have yet another mural decorating our community.

This view is the side entrance to the Fix it Shop of Wild West Wheels. Need anything fixed, stop in or call Bob. Also recently added are efficient, speedy, inexpensive, light motorcycles for sale. Use this side entrance of 144  S. Chicago for your repairs or to look over the new motorcycles. Bob is often out making deliveries and since this is a one-man operation, call the number listed if he is not available. Leave a message with your name and number.

You don't need to leave Hot Springs for repairs or motorcycles. You can stay local. That is the plan.