I remember when in my 50s, I turned down a prestigious, high-paying job because I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing. I was still living in Santa Barbara at the time, and to "sponsor" this "crazy idea" meant selling my house and moving out of town. Two VERY DEAR OLDER FRIENDS--LITERALLY sponsored an intervention because they were sure I'd lost my mind. (My therapist thought so too.) A few months later, after selling my house and putting everything I owned in storage, I grabbed the cat by the scruff of his little neck; threw him in the car and moved to a place I'd NEVER seen or been before. And I'm still in the PNW and loving my life. Sometimes, you just gotta climb that hill on your own.
You do, don't you? So what was the job you turned down? I love that you moved to the Pacific Northwest -- you know, I've never been there, except for a day trip to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon once. Really want to go!
It was a CEO position for a company that was willing to pay me a ridiculous amount of money, but I just COULD NOT DO IT. (Hence, the intervention. Like, are you nuts to turn that down??)
T--Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most AMAZING places on earth--the mountain itself--the hiking...I love it here. And as far as day trips go--Crater Lake seems like a pretty great one!
So, at first I thought this piece was going to be about pace. My first thought was that I seem to have lost mine and if anyone has seen it please send it back to me.
But no, it’s about a change of pace and perhaps also about a change of place.
Sometimes that new place offers a different perspective. A view or a sound or even a culture not experienced before. A bit of hmmm, this could be a challenge and/or fun. A time to see if the grass is really greener or if there is a land of milk and honey.
Jimmy Buffet: “Changes in latitude and changes in attitude “.
I liked the part about the cows. In two weeks we’ll be in Switzerland for the ceremonial bringing of the cows down from the high pastures to the barn for the winter. They’ll be bedecked with floral necklaces and announced with the long mountain horns.
David, that's going to be AMAZING! That's where we were when I took this picture, in a little mountain town called Wengen. It was absolutely the best -- I'm so jealous, wish I could go with you!
Holsteins. . .like the one you showed. The calves were my best friends. I loved sliding down the sacks of "bait" in the granary that we'd feed the cows when they came into be milked. Of course, milk was raw and it cost a quarter a gallon. Different times. We were trained to be individualists and not follow the the crowd. I could well understand your viewpoint and that of Thoreau. . .being alone all the time gets old--there are other lives to live. . .therefore my only vice is THM. . .it is as close as I get to a community.
Terrell! you have to read Facing the Mountain by DJ Brown who wrote Boys in the Boat.It is a seldom approached subject about the Japanese boys from Hawaii who were sent to Italy to fight the Germans. Fabulous! I lost 2 uncles who were in the Marines to fighting in Italy
I think there is a little of Jonathan Livingston Seagull in all of us. But few act upon it even though they will typically be able to return to the flock. . Running seems to give us the JLS freedom we crave and for me that has been sufficient. An hour on a trail...alone...ecstasy. 👣♥️👣
The second sportsmen turned author I've read over lunch ..subscribe to Ben Mercer…thanks for the “cows” reference on the anniversary of “The Sound of Music”.. a little reference to Roger Federer's “No Drama” YouTube , too 😄
Profound. I can so relate . Obvious not to your awesome time you run . Takes me 44-45 to run these farm hills in Lancaster , but none the less, Living in beautiful Lancaster ,farms, open fields animals , it’s amazing to see the live stock animal behaviors !! Can’t wait for my 5K tomorrow at Bird in Hand Lancaster PA !! I may be slow but it is my pace indeed !! Thank you well written indeed
I remember when in my 50s, I turned down a prestigious, high-paying job because I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing. I was still living in Santa Barbara at the time, and to "sponsor" this "crazy idea" meant selling my house and moving out of town. Two VERY DEAR OLDER FRIENDS--LITERALLY sponsored an intervention because they were sure I'd lost my mind. (My therapist thought so too.) A few months later, after selling my house and putting everything I owned in storage, I grabbed the cat by the scruff of his little neck; threw him in the car and moved to a place I'd NEVER seen or been before. And I'm still in the PNW and loving my life. Sometimes, you just gotta climb that hill on your own.
You do, don't you? So what was the job you turned down? I love that you moved to the Pacific Northwest -- you know, I've never been there, except for a day trip to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon once. Really want to go!
It was a CEO position for a company that was willing to pay me a ridiculous amount of money, but I just COULD NOT DO IT. (Hence, the intervention. Like, are you nuts to turn that down??)
T--Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most AMAZING places on earth--the mountain itself--the hiking...I love it here. And as far as day trips go--Crater Lake seems like a pretty great one!
I live by Crater Lake. . .much prefer Rainer. . .roads are closed now to Crater Lake--due for an upgrade so more people can visit.
So, at first I thought this piece was going to be about pace. My first thought was that I seem to have lost mine and if anyone has seen it please send it back to me.
But no, it’s about a change of pace and perhaps also about a change of place.
Sometimes that new place offers a different perspective. A view or a sound or even a culture not experienced before. A bit of hmmm, this could be a challenge and/or fun. A time to see if the grass is really greener or if there is a land of milk and honey.
Jimmy Buffet: “Changes in latitude and changes in attitude “.
Now, about my lost pace…
Happy Trails
I liked the part about the cows. In two weeks we’ll be in Switzerland for the ceremonial bringing of the cows down from the high pastures to the barn for the winter. They’ll be bedecked with floral necklaces and announced with the long mountain horns.
David, that's going to be AMAZING! That's where we were when I took this picture, in a little mountain town called Wengen. It was absolutely the best -- I'm so jealous, wish I could go with you!
Holsteins. . .like the one you showed. The calves were my best friends. I loved sliding down the sacks of "bait" in the granary that we'd feed the cows when they came into be milked. Of course, milk was raw and it cost a quarter a gallon. Different times. We were trained to be individualists and not follow the the crowd. I could well understand your viewpoint and that of Thoreau. . .being alone all the time gets old--there are other lives to live. . .therefore my only vice is THM. . .it is as close as I get to a community.
Terrell! you have to read Facing the Mountain by DJ Brown who wrote Boys in the Boat.It is a seldom approached subject about the Japanese boys from Hawaii who were sent to Italy to fight the Germans. Fabulous! I lost 2 uncles who were in the Marines to fighting in Italy
I grew up on a dairy farm. . . learned all the differences cows--we had a mix--jersey,Guernsies a
Thank you for sharing, Terrell. Some days I just don't want to look at my watch. LOL
I like what Thoreau also wrote, “one must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
I think there is a little of Jonathan Livingston Seagull in all of us. But few act upon it even though they will typically be able to return to the flock. . Running seems to give us the JLS freedom we crave and for me that has been sufficient. An hour on a trail...alone...ecstasy. 👣♥️👣
You know, I'm not sure I've ever even read Jonathan Livingston Seagull... now I'm gonna have to go to the library!
You'd better! Great story!!
I think you will love it...
The second sportsmen turned author I've read over lunch ..subscribe to Ben Mercer…thanks for the “cows” reference on the anniversary of “The Sound of Music”.. a little reference to Roger Federer's “No Drama” YouTube , too 😄
Thanks, Ronique -- I'll definitely check him out! What's the title of his Substack?
The Outlier
Profound. I can so relate . Obvious not to your awesome time you run . Takes me 44-45 to run these farm hills in Lancaster , but none the less, Living in beautiful Lancaster ,farms, open fields animals , it’s amazing to see the live stock animal behaviors !! Can’t wait for my 5K tomorrow at Bird in Hand Lancaster PA !! I may be slow but it is my pace indeed !! Thank you well written indeed