Darn! I missed all the sailing stuff!

but then, I was in the continent all weekend... There WAS a lot of water there, not quite Lake Superior, but nearly. But that was over 10,000 years ago. Ah, how the memories fade! ...

I wanted 2 quote one of my sailing songs. SS will remember, because he's almost as old as me. GC probably never heard of it.

"A Salty Dog" - Procol Harum

"'All hands on deck, we've run afloat!' I heard the captain cry
'Explore the ship, replace the cook: let no one leave alive!'
Across the straits, around the Horn: how far can sailors fly?
A twisted path, our tortured course, and no one left alive

We sailed for parts unknown to man, where ships come home to die
No lofty peak, nor fortress bold, could match our captain's eye
Upon the seventh seasick day we made our port of call
A sand so white, and sea so blue, no mortal place at all

We fired the gun, and burnt the mast, and rowed from ship to shore
The captain cried, we sailors wept: our tears were tears of joy
Now many moons and many Junes have passed since we made land
A salty dog, this seaman's log: your witness my own hand."

And for Weaver (though is' not about a lake, it is about an island) "The islands and bays are for sportsmen" (and women, 2!), but that's not the song:

"Back to the Island" - Leon Russell

"Now the day is gone and I sit alone and think of you, girl
What can I do without you in my life?
I guess that our guessing game just had to end that way
The hardest one to lose of all the games we played

But the time is past for living in a dream world
Lying to myself can't make that scene
Of wondering if you love me or just making a fool of me
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Chorus:

And watch the sun go down (sit and watch the sun go down)
Hear the sea roll in (listen to the sea roll in)
But I'll be thinking of you (yes, and I'll be thinking of you)
And how it might have been (thinking how it might have been)
Hear the night birds cry (listen to the night birds cry)
Watch the sunset die (sit and watch the sunset die)
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Well all the fun has died, It's raining in my heart
I know down in my soul I'm really gonna miss you
But it had to end this way with all the games we played
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Repeat Chorus"

and least, but not last, for me. This one's about water 2. Ony it's been dried up a long time. You see? I like my oceans and big lakes just fine, just like them dried up so I can see their shorelines along the mountain fronts...

"Lament for a Red Planet" - Jonathan Eberhart

"Ten thousand times a hundred thousand dusty years ago,
Where now extends the Plain of Gold did once my river flow.
It stroked the stones and spoke in tongues and splashed against my face
Till ages rolled - the Sun shone cold on this unholy place.

So many stars bedeck my skies, when once there were but few,
But oh, to know again the clouds that hid them from my view.
My ochred cliffs and rusted sands stand regal and serene,
But oh, my wan and wasted world, I miss your blue and green.

But it's just the weight of waiting, not a deathwatch o'er a friend.
Tomorrow has a starting as does yesterday an end.
For the water of my river and the air that was my wind,
Though bound in rocks and wintry wastes, I pray may flow again."

SS: Boy, the snow on the mountains out there this weekend was 2 beautiful! And the weather! We got poured on Friday, but Sat and Sun were just wonderful. A shame 2 have 2 come home! Hope 2 see you sometime in June.

-ol' 2long

Gray, how cool is that? Woo-hoo! You chick-magnet, you! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm assuming she knows, or will know, about your sitch, and will understand why you just can't leap up and immediately begin squiring her about, as it seems the interest is recipricated. Do you have long to wait before your divorce becomes final? (Please forgive me if this was brought up in an earlier post -- we've surpassed 50 pages in this thread and I sometimes accidentally overlook a post, though I try hard not to <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ).

Your family (IL & otherwise) can make it clear to her that it is your integrity and personal principles that is keeping you from persuing her at this time, so your honor can remain intact. And she should admire and respect that. What woman wouldn't?

~ StillLovingHim

2long, shame on you! You're not the old fart you make yourself out to be! Those were some great additions to our sailing log. You say you are a Mountain Boy, but there is such familiarity with the ocean, the way it breathes, speaks to you. . . do you usually live near it when not in the mtns? Or are do you just possess the soul of a poet?

I have to say, I've never been near the Rockies. . . but I do love & miss the Appalachians. So soft and gentle and comfortable and smooth, with those wonderful, icy springs and laughing little creeks. THAT I do miss. Fishing, creeking, and the wonderful weather! Lo, the furnaces of Hell in Texas!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

And those furnaces sure are cranking up today! Where's my A/C? LOL

~StillLovingHim

SLH:

Oh yes I am old! 2rned 52 in March, followed shortly by my D's wedding. 52's way over half dead, 2! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, I'm not 2uite a mountain boy. More of a desert fool. I love being able 2 see the ground as far as 50 or 60 miles in every direction. Nevada and western Utah are my favorite stomping grounds - the former home of some massive Pleistocene lakes (mainly Bonneville and Lahontan).

I was born and raised (such that I can be considered "raised" at this point!) in Los Angeles, and I currently live just about 4 miles in a straight line from where I was born.

But I spent most of my vacations in the deserts of CA, AZ, NV, and UT. Used 2 backpack the Grand Canyon (aka Golly Gully) every spring, until my kids started growing but didn't take an interest.

-ol' 2long

Annie knew things, though I only spoke vaguely about it, only a little bit, and only when she asked. SIL must have told her about me.

I don't know how soon my D will be finished. I have court next week. Hopefully things will get settled quickly.

I told my brother at breakfast on Saturday, I'm still grieving my loss, but I don't want anything to do with my wife. I guess I'm done.

GC

That is HUGE! We knew you were getting there. Do you feel you have healed enough to start a new R? Good to feel desirable though doesn't it <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Annie sounds like a good person.

-ol' 2long

Oh, pul-lease, you "old Geezer". As if!

"Desert Fool", lol.

Ah, Pleistocene lakes, home of the great glacials! Are you a geolgical historian by profession or hobby? Or. . . wait, is it Paleo- something or another? It sounds like your passion, whichever it is. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Isn't it extraordinary to find the simplest beauty and peace in our most primitive of surroundings?

~StillLovingHim

FF, I don't know. I may have healed enough. Gotta admit though, it's funny that I spoke those words and only a few hours later spotted somebody I felt compelled to approach.

During the wedding, I felt serene, and happy for my brother. There was some sorrow, but my heart has grown calm. There isn't any struggle going on in there.

GC

gc:

I just think it's good thatyou spoke those words BEFORE you spotted somebody you felt compelled 2 approach, not the other way around - because, then, you'd know 2 suspect your own motives.

SLH:

I'm a geologist by profession. It is fun, 2! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

-ol' 2long

Gray, won't some small part of you always grieve for her, even in the smallest sense of the word? For what might have been? That doesn't mean that you can't find peace within yourself, that letting go of the struggle means failure, or that you have to let go of every last memory of her. Don't ever mourn for that, for the letting go. When it comes down to it, your battle was one of integrity and candor, forthrightness and rightousness. Integrity has no need of rules, and you followed you heart and your code of honor with your goodness & virtue intact the entire way.

Grieve some, if you will, but rest in peace knowing that you gave your all to the fight, regardless of the end.

And try to fully embrace all that your new life has to offer you, as you deserve it.

~ StillLovingHim

Sometimes it's the only place one CAN find inner tranquility! The storms on Lake Superior can be pretty cool sometimes.

My ex-fiance (but good friend now) tells me he only feels really happy during a really good thunderstorm or snowstorm, sunshine depresses him. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Gray - I didn't grab your last post for a quote, but it makes me so happy that you are finally getting to a good place. You are such a down to earth, sincere and honest guy, and as you know one of the posters that I worried so much about. You do remind me of my younger brother who is a really, really great guy. I am so glad for you to be coming to a place of inner peace!

Sail on 2long, sail on oh you with the soul of a poet! ( I think SLH is buttering you up for something <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

And SS, he's got the soul of an old hippy,... or maybe he is an old hippy! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Do I sound preposterous sometimes? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> LOL. I'm sorry, guess sometimes it's too many long days with too little outside contact, I start to wax poetic and become tiresome. . . Ah, the glamorous life of a Housewife!

2long, do you get to share your work with your wife? How does she feel about it? Do you have similar passions?

Hey, Weave, don't you garner some great perspective from a good summer storm? Electric ambiance, some wine, mood music, rumbling thunder, occasional shimmers of lightning, muted drumming of the rain on the roof, screen door open (or better yet, just sitting outside if covered), and deep thoughts. Renewing my aquintance with my Muse, sometimes. Not that I don't appreciate the sun, but a good storm is so hard to come by. Especially the still, breathless moments before the storm, pregnant with hot tension.

I'd love to witness a Lake Superior storm. I only know what I see on the History Channel, Discovery, etc. I'll bet they're spectacular to behold!

And SS -- what would you call yourself, lol?

Sweating in TX (just still 'ole prarie heat!)

~ Still LH

Yes, but I don't have the way with words you do! My words are nice, cool, great and yucky! LOL

If you knew all the strange things I do on my island you would laugh, but I can't tell you here! "Reconnecting with your muse" reminded me of some of those things.

Okay I'll tell you one thing I did last summer. And it's not that I'm not Christian, cuz I am. And it's not that I make light of Wicca, cuz I don't.

But last 4th of July I found out my ex had a woman over on this Lake Superior island we own property on together, and the violation I felt was more than words can describe. I went into NC with him then.

Anyway, I needed to protect "my island" from his "friends" so I took several of the books my sister gave me on Wicca and went over there to spend some alone time. I did this spell after a few days of reading those books, I made the fire on the beach, offered herbs, did the cants and then because I needed to talk to God about it I wrote a long letter to Him. Then came back to the mainland.

Well a few weeks later I got a voice mail from my ex saying that he had spent a few days on the island but had to leave because my spirit (presence) was so strong, it was creeping him out. He said he kept getting "senses" of me in the cedars and couldn't shake it. LOL

And now I know he will never bring anyone over their again. I really spooked him! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Freaky, heh?

Well everyone probably thinks I'm nuts now. I swear I scared myself doing that stuff. By the way the island is an island which was always inhabited by Native Americans. There is even an old indian burial ground on the island. So I can freak myself out pretty good when I am there alone!

Take care SLH. I really am enjoying reading your posts, BTW!

Okay that last post deserves some lyrics!

Ccr - I Put A Spell On You Lyrics

I put a spell on you
Because you're mine.
You better stop
The things that you're doin'.
I said "Watch out!
I ain't lyin', yeah!
I ain't gonna take none of your
Foolin' around;
I ain't gonna take none of your
Puttin' me down;
I put a spell on you
Because you're mine.
All right!
(repeat 1x)

Weaver... I'd love to see this island some day. Are you going to keep it?

Good stuff, good stuff. Really dope.

GC

LOL Gray!

Yes I am keeping it. And as soon as the road is more navigable and I get some kind of electricity I am going to have big party! MB style.

And I already told you Gray, you and whoever you want to bring with you can stay there anytime you like. You must camp though, and let me know in advance so I can make sure my ex won't be there. He won't mind though, he is a fan of MB and he is very generous and sociable!

Gray,

I'll email you the name of the island so you can check it out on the map, and have an idea of the distance we're talking.

Maybe you can even bring Annie, or whoever you want really. I mean after you get D. Sorry Gray, I don't really know what to say about it now. Don't want to be disrespectful of you marriage. But I just can't help it, I am happy you can still feel good about someone!

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves, Weaver. I don't mean w/r/t the divorce. I mean I shouldn't assume anything will come of the Annie business. Maybe I read her wrong.

Sure is cool to think about though, after a year alone.

No disrespect taken, by the way. I have the right to talk about my future without the sparrow. I'm giving my M its due respect, but it's over.

GC

Oh, Gray; whether it works out ot not -- isn't it invigorating to feel again? And have someone intrigued by you? No matter what the outcome, you are right -- it's a major step, just that act of emotional sensitivity again, the vulnerability. It's refreshing and terrifiying, but oh, so alive.

~ Still