Anything but routine

Spirit, that made those heroes dare,
To die, and leave their children free…

from “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is Day 385 of 15 Days to Flatten the Curve. Deb and I are well today.

The post-shakedown, pre-adventure beat goes on. On the one hand we’re not pressing hard; on the other we’re trying like hell not to get stuck reminiscing about our recent mini-odyssey. It’s a matter of tackling an imposing to-do list, one task at a time.

Preparing our income-tax returns. Dealing with some household repairs here at Second Chance Ranch and a few small things in the bus. One haircut (not two). Taking care of out-of-town family business.

First thing this morning I went out to Ernie and replaced the halogen elements in all 13 of the coach’s dimmable puck lights with energy-efficient LEDs. No, I haven’t gone enviro-conscious or anything — it’s a practical move, purely selfish, a change that’ll help us get more life out of the onboard batteries when we’re set up off the grid.

Honestly, this stretch of random productivity is messing with me. I’m a creature of habit. Few things please me more than a good routine.

What were doing these days is anything but routine.


This evening I got a private message from a friend and former colleague who’s recently had some health issues, including surgeries and hospitalization. He’s several years older than me, and when a person reaches this age range, medical types get concerned that our brains are firing on all cylinders.

He said that when he was in the ICU they’d come in periodically and pepper him with questions to gauge his cognition and recall, asking him his name, date of birth and so on. Then one of the hospital staff asked him to name the current President of the United States.

“Daffy McHairsniffer!” he fired back.

My work here is done.


One week from today, April 19th, I’ll remember “the shot heard ’round the world,” the first engagements of the American Revolution — the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I encourage every American Patriot to do the same.

I celebrate Independence Day each July. Without a doubt it’s my favorite holiday of the year. But the 19th day of April is more important to me as an American, my observance of it far more solemn.

We all should embrace what triggered the events of that day 246 years ago — brave Patriots fought back rather than submit to “gun control.”

That’s the truth of it. We’re here today, living as free men in a constitutional republic, because “embattled farmers” stood their ground. You and I are Americans because they refused to be disarmed by their Betters.

May we have the courage to honor theirs.

Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.

#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath