Today’s column will fall short of the normal 1,000 words. And, with the blessing of Ryan my boss at New SV Media, it will be my last column for the month of March.
It is far easier to write about a subject if that subject is one the writer feels strongly about and believes there is a moral obligation to state an opinion. I have strong opinions about the present political landscape, but so do millions of writers on myriad social media outlets, and while I may agree strong voices are needed in America now, I don’t particularly need to be one of them. I know people who hold the opposite view I have of the present administration and I like them, respect them for what they have accomplished, and enjoy their company, so alienating them for any reason seems counterproductive to community. And I enjoy this community.
In future, I will stick to storytelling and comments on local events, issues and people, leaving the politics to others. I am aware we all have stories gleaned from our lives, no matter what age we are all storytellers, and because this column is also a written record for my son and daughter and six grandkids, I want to present some of these past stories to give them some idea of what grandpa’s life was like many moons ago. I hope readers will find them entertaining as well; hopefully considering the source and withholding judgement on some of the more “checkered” tales.
The time has come to put aside some activities and concentrate, for a while, on personal matters, family matters. I haven’t been with my daughter Jenny since the death of my grandson Weston last September and that is one family goal, another is an estranged brother in poor health and in need of a place to live.
For the past 11 years, I have had the opportunity to get involved in the community in very rewarding volunteer endeavors and for that I am very appreciative, but it is time to downsize a bit. In that vein, Mrs. H over at the Monterey County Dance Theatre has known for some time I can no longer guarantee a good job as a guest performer (not to mention no longer needed with the advent of some fine male performers), my last stage appearance for the Stage Hands was so disappointing I knew it was time to hang up my make-up kit, and after announcing two parades a year over the past 10 years, the citizens can now look forward to new faces and voices taking on those duties. I don’t flatter myself that any small vacuum created by these withdrawals will not be quickly filled; shouldn’t be hard to replace a 72-year-old man on a bicycle.
I will complete my term as a member of the planning commission, and at that time, March of 2027, will evaluate my usefulness with that body. I’ll continue as a board member of the Southern Monterey County Center for the Performing Arts; and my Thursday mornings from nine until noon as a volunteer on the Museum work crew will remain a highlight of my week.
And that is it for the next few weeks; when this column returns April 2, it will be Spring with longer, sunnier days and the newness of growth that comes with that season. And won’t that be nice.
Take care. Peace.
