It's coming. The only issue is what to do right now, this instant, which leads to wisdom, insight or satisfies curiosity.

But that bucket is there. It's just a crap shoot, a matter of inches, the result of decisions made far away and long ago, and our job is to maximize our time while we still have the strength. Somehow I have the sense I need to do something with my life and /or selfr to make up for those who, by the luck of the draw, aren't here. They should be here, they would have done a better job. Not my decision, though. And I have to make up for the first half, too.

Sometimes the life we live isn't our own, or for ourselves. We have to enter the realm of being what we aren't, a scary proposition. "But that just isn't "me"" leads to stagnation, self-obsession and rot.

Stretch it, it won't break. No one is indispensable in the short term, allow others to test their own limits.

I want to know what you think of Scotties Castle. I'll meet you there in a month or so. 450 miles from you, two easy day's driving.

Take a chance. Drive to Scotties Castle near Death Valley and take the upstairs and downstairs tours. Nearby is the Alabama Hills - Google them, they are amazing.

None of that is expensive, all of it is unique and fascinating, and stretches the mind. The worst thing is to sit around staving it off, only to have the mind stagnate in the same old neighborhood, stores, chores.

A good rule of thumb. If you haven't done it, do. If you haven'[t eaten it, try. If you don't know the lifestory of that strange creature, hear it.

In my park there is a black man, dreadlocks, dirty clothing, pushing a runners baby stroller with a tent in it, and everything else. I wandered over and asked if he would like to use the laptop to access the internet, he has a laptop, didn't need anything. Has been walking around summers for years, winters heads back to his wife and kids. THE GUY IS WALKING. Amazing man

Last I saw of him he was headed to the Laundromat and showers. Wish I had his drive, guts, self-esteem and self-respect. And he's spending next to nothing. Now there is a guy who isn't waiting.