9000 Words

  Photo credit: ( Scott Cain ) "Gas dock at dawn" Five years ago, taken from a hand written journal. July 7, 2021 Colin and I drove from Northport, Michigan to Racine, Wisconsin. Departing at 6:40 AM we drove our black GMC Sierra 2500 HD (AKA Gary) north in a steady rain. Took the northerly route and skipped Chicago traffic we drove over the north end of Lake Michigan via the Mackinac Bridge. Surprisingly there was moderate to heavy traffic and rain all the way to Milwaukee. Stopped in Green Bay, Wisconsin for lunch at chipotle and a self-guided tour of the national railway museum. Our stop lasted for one hour. Colin and I found delight with both. The museum was fun. We were able to and did climb on all of the old railway equipment. After 13 hours of transit we arrived in Racine at 6:50 PM local time. Although a bit tired from our long drive we both enjoyed dinner with family at 7:15 PM including time in the hotel pool and hot tub. We were by 9 PM and I fell asleep fast. Jul...

Photo credit: ( Scott Cain ) "Park Light in Twilight" In the spirit of this repository, and to my children, these are my favorite quotes: "I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." Robert A. Heinlein “Those who abide by secrecy, will embrace tyranny.” Know, but not named. "you know, some people believe that they're Napoleon. That's fine. Beliefs are neat. Cherish them, but don't share them like they're the truth." Bill Hicks "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," reads Luke 12:48 in the King James Version “We must never underestimate our power to be wrong when talking about God…. A generous orthodoxy, in contrast to the tense, narrow, or controlling or...

Photo credit: ( Scott Cain ) "The dock that wasn't" This morning as I lounged on the patio in near perfect summer weather. My mind wondered to other things not in the moment. And I thought about how since leaving in April my room / office had been turned into a junk closet. It was no longer my place. It was now a dim crowded little space that had once been my home. The thought a sad one, was only trumped by the realization that I had moved into that room after Maisie had moved out. I can only imagine how she felt when she returned to see her home no longer had a room for her. There was temporary space for sure. But this place was no longer her home. I understand that now.   Could I have done things differently? I don’t know. Had I realized this then, yes I would have. There are a multitude of paths I could have chosen. But each of those is filled with as much unknown as tomorrow.   Today she is here and happy, sleeping in the camper until noon or better like a proper teen...

  Photo credit:   ( Scott Cain ) "Should you decide to sail away" Written for Cheyenne If you go I will not interfere    I will stand upon the foredeck White trousers and blue blazer Flapping in the breeze   Watching in stoic silence   Your vessel departing for warmer waters   Staring without wavering   Blinking not  Until that dot on the horizon disappears I will not tell the crew what I had just witnessed   It is not their burden to know. Every one of your words unforgettable in my soul. I will look to their smiles for gratitude   I will seek their laughter for latitude But in my cabin   In the quiet moments I will play a different tune out of my eyes   Where every note remembers   The one who filled my cup in unexpected ways.   Today’s entry in the ships log Will not mention any fever-filled designs   To swim to an uncharted shoal   At breakfast in the salon   where I take my grub   I ...

  Photo credit: ( Scott Cain ) "Bewildered by your light" Written for Cheyenne At the Waters edge Where I, accustomed to a dabble Found water splashed on my face A wave from a depth bewildering my place Water in my hair Running down everywhere   I look for composure within   and realize I am not prepared to swim From water a fairness of aquamarine   Quite possibly more worthy than a dream Gave question of confidence beyond the shoal As I looked upon that destination before my soul

Photo credit:  Scott Cain  "St Patrick Stew" For Colin Happy St. Urho’s Day!   For my son, the recipe distilled from five other recipes. Hopefully he likes it. The venison from Robert Ruiz (AKA, Bobby Danger!). It had been in our freezer since 2022 and 2023 respectively.  Essentially all ingredients were what was on hand on this day. At the start of the day (8am), the meat was still frozen. so I added it to the slow cooker immediately, and covered it with the all the liquids required for the recipe. Once defrosted (10am), I added the remaining ingredients. Turing the cooker on high for one hour and then back to low for 7 hours. I estimate that all should be ready by 6pm. 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound venison cubed 1 pound ground venison 1/2 pound bacon (cut to squares)*cook separately and then add 1/4 cup all purpose flour Freshly ground salt and pepper 2 cups beer (Guinness) *one pint 2 shots whiskey (Old Grand Dad 115) 1 tablespoon Worcest...