Archive for April 25th, 2010

The Blinker and the Gas Pedal

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Last week I woke up before daylight and got ready to head south. After I organized my archery stuff and loaded it into the truck the sky was slowly becoming gray.

Before long the darkness disappeared and blue sky welcomed me for my trip. As I pulled out of the driveway I quickly planned my route in my head. I knew I had to go to the bank to get some money. Since the bank shares a parking lot with Stewarts I would be able to  grab a cold drink to start the day.

Before long I was on the Northway. I’m not sure why, but traveling on the Northway first thing in the morning is one of my favorite things to do. I’ve never thought about the reasons that I like it. It might be because the day hasn’t started for so many people and I’m already on the go. It could be because I’m on a road that thousands of cars will drive on before the end of the day, but for the moment I share it with only a couple of cars here and there.

I also love this time of year when the air has a brisk chill to it. It’s probably nice because I know that as one hour leads into the next it will gradually get warmer. When the cold air enters my lungs it fills me with positive energy. I’ve never pursued the reason why this happens. I accept it and take it all in.

The weather has been nice lately. Many of the activities that I enjoy are starting, too. I’m trying to get my bows ready for outdoor archery. That has been trying my nerves to say the least. I’ve had a few days where I want to wrap my bows around a tree or two, but I push forward. Maybe I’ll figure it out one of these days. I would really like to shoot well this summer. It has been a long time since I’ve put a bow together that just fell into the right place without much work going into it. That’s what I’m hoping for over the next few weeks when I change some strings and cables.

I started practicing for summer softball leagues. Games start in two weeks. Although the leagues only last 10 weeks a year it ranks up there as some of the best times that I experience throughout the year. Hopefully I get the same enjoyment out of it this year once it gets rolling.

As I looked in my rearview mirror the miles began to pile up behind me. Still, not many people were on the road and my solo journey continued. I knew where I was going, but it also felt like I was on a road to nowhere. The truck was quiet as I chose not to have the radio on. I enjoyed each and every minute of the silence. I felt the vibration of the tires on the pavement and the gentle hum was enough to quiet my mind. I would like to say that I’ve had a quiet mind lately, but in all reality I can’t. I guess I could pretend if I wanted to fool myself, but I have no interest in doing that.

I take the time to address the random thoughts that criss-cross through my head throughout the day. I might not give them much attention, but I do acknowledge that they are there.

I’ve had a recurring thought that seems to sit on my shoulder like a pet monkey. He jabbers in my ear and I almost think he enjoys sitting there. I don’t ask him for anything and I don’t talk to him when he speaks. However, I do listen. I try to make sense out of the random things that spew from his mouth. Sometimes it’s harder and takes longer than others, but I always find a way to understand.

Well, that’s a topic I could spend a few days on so I’ll leave that behind me for now and come back to it when I feel like sharing my thoughts in more depth.

As for now I’m going to enjoy the spring and all of the wonderful things that there are to do. I’m going to give golf a whirl once again this year after last year’s mess. I hope that I can find enjoyment in the game again because I really like the challenge and the peace and quiet that being on a course can bring.

Something, somewhere along the ocean, is calling me. I’m not sure why it’s calling or what is telling me to go there, but I can hear it. It has been a long time since I’ve been to the Maine coast for rest and relaxation. I feel that it’s time again. Maybe I can sit on the jetty in Wells Beach and figure out what’s going on. Heck, I might not figure anything out other than I just needed to get away to gain a new outlook on things. I was going to go last year at this time, but my plans fell through. This year I think I need it for other reasons.  I’ll have to see how I feel about it over the next couple of weeks.

As for now I’m off to lay my head on my pillow. My body has ached in pain over the last few months when I wake up. I know that it’s a sign of getting older. It’s all of the athletics finally catching up to me. That’s why I don’t say much about it and I don’t complain. Although it hurts like hell some days, I accept it for what it is. My body is beaten, but I do the best I can with what I have. It could always be worse.

As the traffic becomes heavier as one hour leads into the next, life also becomes more difficult with the many decisions that must be made. Cars try to merge from one lane to another while others dash to and fro. I’m content to stay in the middle lane for a few more miles, but I know I’m on the verge of putting the blinker on, putting pressure on the gas pedal and moving on out. Your instincts always have a way of guiding you through the traffic if you sit back and trust them. They’ll show you the way and before long you’ll be back on the empty road in the morning hours.