For a while there, it seemed like I was taking Saturdays off from writing, picking up again on Sundays without much to report when I resumed. Though this week I rested on Sunday, Ubi Libertas Blog has become, at best, a six-days-a-week proposition.
A glance at my WordPress stats reveals that views and visitors are down markedly from a year ago — no surprise, and I’m okay with that. It affects neither my income nor my self-esteem.
I do this for me. It’s not about appeal. If you choose to ride along, you get what you get.
Before we boarded the Silverado and headed for the laundromat yesterday morning, I walked out to the fire ring to see what was left of the Yule Log I burned on Saturday. Ancient tradition instructs that the charred remains of one year’s log be used the following Yule.
What I found was ash and a few chunks of charcoal. My ancestors believed that ashes of the Yule Log held magical powers. I simply saw it as a testament to The Perfect Fire.
And yet… the metaphor of those remains wasn’t lost on me. The fuel I’d harvested was totally consumed. The burn was complete. The purpose of The Fire was realized.
If my Life follows that example, I’ve done it exactly right.
Deb and I are wrapping up a three-day weekend by celebrating her birthday. She’s reached a milestone that I passed over seven years ago, and while I can’t throw her a surprise party attended by dozens of friends — that’s what she did for me in 2017 — I did what I could to make the day worth remembering.
Nailed it.
First we made the short trip to Gray Spring, just for a look-see. There I presented her with a birthday knife — a Bark River Mini Canadian with curly maple slabs, red liners and mosaic pins — which suits her perfectly for everyday carry.
For Deb’s birthday meal, I chose Gaston’s White River Resort. We enjoyed the drive north from Flippin, twisting up and over Bull Shoals Mountain (1,109 feet AMSL), crossing the dam and tracing the north bank of The Mighty White until we reached our destination.
The resort was open, but the restaurant was closed for the holidays.
Well, shit. I’d checked the hours, too, but Google lied to me. We rolled with that punch and returned to Yellville for burgers at Carolyn’s Razorback Ribs.
We’ll do Gaston’s another time.
Back on The Mountain, Deb hugged me and said she’d had a great day.
Later, she handed me her new knife. I cleaned some unidentified shmuts off the blade, polished-up the handle, and treated the sheath with a healthy dose of Montana Pitch Blend Leather Oil.
She took pictures and shared them with friends.
She’s happy. So I had a pretty great day, too.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB