Casting About

Time well invested

Attitude is everything. At least that is what I kept telling myself while hanging on for dear life with one hand, as I reached for the last set of lights dangling from my gutter. Still, I was fuming at the disappointing performance of my visual creation. I had taken all of the precautionary steps. Plugging each set of lights in and checking the bulbs with care prior to their debut. But to no avail, strands one, three, and six would haunt me this Christmas.

As I continued my pilgrimage up and down the ladder removing the lights placed there just three short weeks ago, my thoughts began to drift. I was appreciative for Diana’s efforts on dismantling the trees inside. That was as much to her benefit as mine. There are only two things I can think of that should be in bold letters of things not to do with your spouse. One is decorating and the other is hanging wallpaper. But the day was comfortable as compared to most January days in the Ozarks and being outside was a welcomed treat.

The holidays are a special time. Traditions Diana and I experienced as youngsters are now being handed down to Maya. Family games on Christmas Eve, cookies for Santa and elevated blood sugar, just to name a few. Even the feelings experienced from the lights not working were moments I remember with my dad.

Beyond the holiday commercialization, is a cadence unlike any other time of year. It’s a time to reflect on what was, what is and that which is yet to come. The anticipation of added time with family and friends is reduced to a memory. Dietary choices have finally delivered their evil blow. And my “out of the office reply” via e-mail slips into temporary retirement. But as a trusted sage once told me, “Yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissory note and today is the only currency you have, so spend it wisely.”

The changing of the calendar is symbolic of a new start. While standing in my front yard preparing the lights for hibernation, I began pondering 2009. First, I joyfully escorted strands one, three, and six to my curbside trash bin while silently thanking them for their service. And although I have not resolved to join the gym, my Bow Flex will likely have its cables stretched. Beyond the goals of physical health, business aspirations, improved efficiency and less grief from Brigman, lies something more.

Having completed my post-Christmas restoration, I hauled the decorations and lights to the basement. Now I consider myself to be of average intelligence, but why I chose the most remote area of my basement to store them, is beyond my comprehension. Seriously, here I am with boxes the size of refrigerators trying to navigate around storage bins, a furnace and a water softener through a 30-inch door. Here goes the mental warfare again.

But, with the decorations finally packed, the ladder stowed and my blood pressure in tact, I escaped to a less aggravating place.


There are many things I appreciate about living in the Ozarks, and the views are among them. My back deck is my favorite place in or outside the house. Rarely, does an evening go by during my days at home that I don’t enjoy the gorgeous sunset over Table Rock Lake. It’s medicinal. Often, I sit there admiring the pink reflections off the lake as the glowing sun slips behind the western ridge.

This evening was no different. The scattered clouds provided a rebound to one of the most beautiful spectacles ever witnessed. Diana snapped several pictures with her camera, as no two sunsets are ever the same. On cloudy days I miss it. Disappointment is quickly overshadowed by the anticipation of its return.

That’s when it hit me. This evening, I made a pretty good investment.