Last night while I was trying to tackle a ponderous pile of paperwork The Board of Directors Here at Spo-Reflections raided Das Spo-Haus and threatened me at mace-point to put out an entry or Helga will have my yarbles for ear-rings. They were not moved to clemency by my explanations I am up to my oxters with work matters and I have nothing to write besides (The Muses being in Cleveland). I am to write something/anything by Friday morning and that’s that. They then left taking with them several bottles of liquor* and a few of the more shiny knickknacks.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, which makes me think of beginnings and ends for it was this weekend when we moved to Arizona in 2005. Someone is working all weekend and won’t be home at all. Rather than do the home alone thing and mope I am going north to to stay at friend Richard’s B&B. This will be my last time doing so, for he has sold the place. I am saddened at this loss; I’ve been going there regularly for over ten years. It is likely we will never see each other again nor keep in contact after he moves. It all touches upon the ephemeral of life. Ah well. As Mr. Gilbert says in his poem “The lost hotels of Paris”:
But it’s the having not the keeping that is the treasure.
Ends are also beginnings. This morning among the junk email I saw something I haven’t seen in years. The Writer’s Almanac sent me its daily entry. I used to read this until it stopped what seems an eternity ago when Mr. Keillor got involved in some sort of scandal. I immediately went to the podcasts to see if that too was back. Hot puppies! It was! – and apparently having done so for some months. This morning while driving to work (another horribly overbooked day) it was lovely listening to his familiar voice tell whose birthday it is today in history, followed by a poem. It’s like an old friend you haven’t seen in ages suddenly reappearing and you finding out he’s quite all right and hasn’t really changed.
When I drive to Flagstaff tomorrow for my last time staying with Richard I will listen to the back entries of The Writers Almanac while contemplating poems about beginnings, endings, and – in some cases – returns. This is good stuff to consider as another year of living in Phoenix commences.
*The joke’s on them as they took the cheap stuff which is kept at eye level in the liquor cabinet. The good stuff was down below.
18 comments
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May 24, 2019 at 8:57 AM
Old Lurker
I admire your strategies in disposing of booze.
Garrison Keillor is another case that touches on the Wagnerian. Reading about what happened on Uncle Wikipedia, it does not seem that his scandal was resolved, but I could be wrong, especially if he is producing new episodes now.
May 24, 2019 at 9:27 AM
Urspo
I was amazed to see his return; I don’t know what exactaly happened he was pulled and how come now he is back. all the same I am grateful to have his morning voice again
May 24, 2019 at 9:04 AM
David Godfrey
People that I knew, that knew Garrison described him as brilliant, but deeply flawed and at times unpleasant. We had a friend, now long gone, who was a neighbor of his for several years. Have a relaxing and reflective weekend, reconnect to what is important in your life. The Russian Renaissance Quartet at the Kennedy Center last night, was simply brilliant.
May 24, 2019 at 9:27 AM
Urspo
I saw your photograph on FB: you two looked quite happy.
May 24, 2019 at 11:21 AM
Moving with Mitchell
You know that Board of Directors can sometimes get on my nerves, but this time I’m glad they pushed you… and didn’t find the good stuff.
May 24, 2019 at 12:41 PM
Urspo
They get on my nerves too. I’ve learned not to feed them buns and things.
May 24, 2019 at 1:14 PM
anne marie in philly
this seems appropriate here
May 26, 2019 at 8:27 AM
Urspo
indeed !
May 24, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Todd Gunther
The catch phrase from “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” was “Everything will be all right in the end… if it’s not all right then it’s not yet the end.”
BTW have a nice weeeknd!
May 26, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Urspo
that is a nice quote, thank you !
May 24, 2019 at 6:25 PM
Ron
Enjoy your stay in Flagstaff!
May 26, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Urspo
thank you!
May 25, 2019 at 3:08 PM
Blobby
You have been fibbed to. The Muses are not in Cleveland. Trust me on this.
May 26, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Urspo
This is not the first time they’ve fibbed. Bitches
May 25, 2019 at 4:46 PM
Ravager619
I hope you enjoy your stay in Flagstaff. Sorry I haven’t been around. I’ve been working.
May 26, 2019 at 8:29 AM
Urspo
Me too 😦
May 26, 2019 at 12:02 PM
Steven
Here’s hoping the weekend brings you the start of new beginnings!! Like being a B&B owner. 🙂
May 26, 2019 at 2:41 PM
Urspo
Let us hope so! 👍🏻😉