How may do-overs do you get in life?
In your twenties, you get do-overs for mistakes you made as a teenager.
In your thirties, you can get a do-over for mistakes you made in your twenties.
In your forties, and maybe even in your fifties, you can still get do-overs, although you'd hope not to need them for having acquired wisdom.
But in your sixties and beyond, you really don't have much opportunity (or time) for do-overs. Which is why we traded Mr's. Haz's responsible, proper, staid, level-headed, right-thing-to-do, economical, four door, fuel-mizer sedan on a convertible. A three hundred twenty horsepower convertible. Because we might not get the opportunity again.
We took a drive on this spectacular autumn day. When this day ends, we won't get to do it over. Days (and years) are like that.
Perfect blue skies, not a cloud in sight. Temperature in the sixties, crisp, clear air. We played the Elvis station on Sirius, and drove narrow two-lane back roads. Roads where the hardwood trees form a canopy over the lanes; a tunnel of gold and red and green and brown leaves, with the sun shining through in places like God smiling on us.
The dry aspen, birch, and poplar leaves made a light crunching sound when we drove over them; the wind from the car scattering them to the shoulders.
We laughed, we chatted, we smiled non-stop. If you miss a day like this, you don't get a do over. The day is gone.
Take a break from what you do. Find a moment or an hour for peace and contentment.
You might not get to do it over.
17 comments:
We have been doing the same thing in VA, Maryland and western PA for the last week under occasionally sunny skies. It has been wonderful. My hometown in western PA was full of Trump signs with only two Clinton signs seen, and one was her dressed as a convict. Pretty one-sided there. The leaves have not chnaged yet- missed it by a week or two. It was glorious none the less. Love that country, but winter is on it's now and soon it will be intolerable.
You sounds like The Blonde.
I would love to that but De Blasio has basically banned cars in NYC. He put bike lanes all over and closed off streets. You are lucky if you could go five miles an hour.
I took a long walk in a section of forest I had not visited in over a year. Things change - the swamp was drained and we walked some trails I had not been on before. The weather was great for walking in the pre-autumnal woods. Things are starting to change - song birds have mostly headed south, lightning bugs are gone now, frogs are noisily having their last chirp, and at night two different species of owls compete to out hoot the other.
I, too, went motoring - loaded up my pickup and hauled a load of scrap metal to the recycler. Got paid in cash. The traditional thing to do with such hard earned money is to purchase fortified wine. Just call me nontraditional. I bought some eggs and bread. As Otis Redding said "Gonna eat this week!"
Beautiful. Thanks Hazman.
Clear your head of the politics for a time, even briefly. You'll feel better.
We're primitive camping this weekend at Anza Borrego State park. "Primitive" means you dig your own hole and cover it when you've done your business.
Fun Stuff Haz- Gas under $2, sounds good for a road trip.
I was in New Jersey a couple weeks ago. Gas was under $2/gallon and in Jersey they pump it for you. Self service is deemed too dangerous by the politicians in Jersey. I call it the high school dropout full employment act.
I walked on a bike trail yesterday. I forgot this stretch goes by some soybean fields. This time of year they attract box elder bugs. They don't bite but they come at you in swarms.
Lovely post Haz. What a wonderful thing and a beautiful day you captured to remember for the rest of your lives. Dumbplumber and I being in our golden years (60's) also have had this discussion about the sand in the hour glass (shameless link to my old blog post about thiso)
"
It is obvious to us that at the ages of 62, that there is now more sand in the bottom of our hourglass than there can be remaining in the top. How much sand? Who knows? We may have just a few grains left. We may have many more years of sand to enjoy.
One thing for certain is that the sand in the top of our hourglass is worth more to us NOW than it was 50 years ago. In those days the sand was something we didn't think about. There was an endless amount of sand to be wasted and frittered away."
Good for you and Mrs. Haz. If not now WHEN? Enjoy life because it is short and the sand in the top of the hourglass is not infinite.
We have taken to going camping in our retro (1978) camp trailer. Just getting away from the daily grind. Away from our home which we love, but also which has routines, chores and telephones. Getting away from the internet,stop listening to the news and just enjoy the wooded camping areas we like. Where we can walk along a mountain stream. Sit outside listen to the birds and read books (OK we can do that at home but somehow it is more liberating with the camp trailer) Life is at its simplest when camping. We can concentrate on each other and the world around us.
Driving in our 1972 K5 Blazer on the back roads, forest service dirt roads through the piney wooded hills and breaking out onto a lava ridge with a view that you can see for miles and miles through pristine air is also one of our pleasures.
If not now.....WHEN?????
It is heartening to see folks understanding that tomorrow is promised to no one so enjoy the moment. Having been shot at twice, and coming out on the other side, enjoying the moment is ingrained in my brain. It took some PTSD therapy to get there.
I would never grow tired of that view, DBQ. I only drove through that area once and it made a huge impression on me. Glad that you are enjoying it.
I drove thru the State of Jefferson a few weeks back on my way to Bend (Oregon). Gorgeous! From Redding all the way north. Cut across from 5 at Weed. Weed! I reiterate because it's a town called Weed. I've seen it too many times for it to be funny anymore but those less familiar may be amused. Oregon also has the HS dropout full employment act (no self serve gas).
Amartel, Oregon also has a town called Boring.
Mount Shasta is lovely. All the Cascade Mountains are right up to Mount Baker on the Canadian Border.
DBQ and Amartel - those sound like beautiful, peaceful places.
When you returned to home base, nothing had changed, right? The same people were arguing about the same stuff. Joining the arguments, while perhaps fun, is ultimately a waste of scarce time.
Thanks. I love where I live. The beauty, the peace, the wildlife, the good friends and neighbors. I do wish my family was closer geographically. But we can visit with them, and they can visit with us too.
I remarked to my husband that the strange thing is how we start to take for granted the wonderfulness of our area. Things we see daily register with us but are not as awe inspiring as they are to visitors because we see them everyday and they become background.
We need to get away, even if it is camping or visiting someplace else as beautiful to appreciate what you have. When we return it as if we are seeing it all over again with new eyes and new appreciation.
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