It began snowing about an hour before my plane from Texas landed. And it's been white ever since.
For obvious reasons, the cold has changed the social dynamics of River Dog. Everyone is holed up in their heated dwelling or something. There's no chit chat on the streets, scant words on the way to school, and so forth.
I am extra thankful for my ongoing friendship with Giovanni across the street as social gatherings must be intentional in an arctic environment. And we still gather over various beverages.
Otherwise, in my life I still peck away at the basement renovations. It is getting exciting as major change is happening, which totally floats my boat. Transformation is one of the primary reasons I got into house flipping and remodeling.
I have a new truck. It is identical to my old one (year, make & model, engine size) with a few exceptions. I got word that my truck left in Texas had sold about a week after I left it there. Then this replacement one shows up. Now I'm learning to drive a two-wheel drive pickup on ice. Not too practical.
The recent trip to the fair mo' city was the weirdest, most emotional week of my life. I have absolutely nothing to compare this to. Everything set my emotions off like a four year old girl.
I am still trying to process it. And I don't know if I will fully ever understand that whole week and my time bomb edginess.
On one hand, I was 1) leaving my culture shock in River Dog, 2) re-entering reverse culture shock in Texas, 3) being forced to get rid of a truck I both love and need right now, 4) seeing old friends and neighbors who meant a lot to me, and 5) getting to see Obi-Wan again and thus, having to say good-bye to him again.
That last part about Obi-Wan: I am beginning to accept that maybe I shouldn't anticipate his passing. Or anyone's passing. He's 93. And he could very well live to see 100. Maybe I'll see him again. Several times.
But part of my emotions came from seeing my life from a brand new perspective. That perspective can best be related to the Jimmy Stuart character in It's A Wonderful Life. Kind of like I received a rare glimpse of how one's own life has influenced a person, people, or region. It was mind blowing and I couldn't handle it well.
The creator made an appearance at a Sanford BBQ (my former neighbors) that I was invited to. He spoke boldly through me as if he had unfinished business with this family I had grown with over the years.
I don't know if I'll ever get a full grip on what the creator was showing me during that trip. I don't know if I'll ever understand it's full purpose either.
But I do know: I have been renewed. I am back in River Dog as a fully restored and renewed man. Depression fully gone. Confidence back. Basement renovations full force. Hope and vision for the future restored.
That alone was worth the whole trip.
(several cast of characters from the agent b files): Bulldog, Tiger, and Frieda Sanford, Obi-Wan, and the Jedi Master house flipper)
I am headed up Mount Moriah in the am to deliver Isaac to Texas. With no functional CD player and only crappy radio stations from North Dakota to Kansas, I should be able to hear the creator loud and clear...should he choose to speak. I hope so.
I expect to be renewed over and again during this trip. I didn't realize how bad I need it.
My new friend Giovanni called to wish me well. We have been through a fair bit together recently.This weekend I was doing insane labor on my basement with my cousin Mark. We were cutting out concrete for two new windows. So loud noise and dust were had by all. Gio stopped by to drop off a belated house warming gift: two six packs from my favorite Saskatchewan micro brewery. He left them in the back yard where he and his daughter had a bad encounter with my dog.
Gio was trying to get his daughter to pet our nervous dog. Our dog bit her face and she required three stitches.
We're seriously considering getting rid of our dog of seven years. It's a hard decision.
But Gio is adamant that this was his fault: being in our fenced yard and pushing a nervous dog and kid. Meanwhile, he's giving me beer and inviting us over for dinner when I return. I guess he's not harboring bitterness over this.
Last week we had coffee at the building he works at. It's the coolest building in River Dog. I am convinced he is ripe for change with the creator.
He's looking for a change.
Lord, I am a willing vessel. This is in your hands.
It began snowing about an hour before my plane from Texas landed. And it's been white ever since.
