REST IN PEACE, SAM THE MAN

I encountered a poem today which was quite appropriate for the context -- a funeral service for a true outdoorsman who was a throwback to a simpler time filled with the physical demands of the preindustrial animal. Sort of a poor man's Thoreau, but who knew how to de-bone a deer in the dark.

I myself am none of those things, but the poem still struck me full-force:

Pardon me, but can't you see,
I want to be alone:
with no TV, no radio,
no ringing of the phone.
Nobody asking questions,
no need to know the time.
Just some peace and quiet,
and some space that's only mine.

Out on this rocky precipice,
I'm free to be with me,
and laugh, or cry, or talk out loud
to everything I see.
I'm free to dream, to stand and sing,
or just complain and roam.
So, if you'll please, just pardon me.
I want to be alone.

-D. Hawkins

My other favorite gal is also getting on board! Here my young friend is removing the pedals from her "new" bike. All by herself!



I gave her a little assistance, but not much. With the pedals removed, she can "scoot" around on the bike and get comfortable with her sense of balance. Then she will put the pedals back on.




No training wheels for this ambitious young lady! She will be joining Mommy and me on some bike rides very, very soon.

MY FAVORITE GAL AND MY FAVORITE SPORT, TOGETHER



Let the good times "roll".