Trego's Mountain Ear

Many have described solitude, being alone, far better than I can. As we age, there are many things that make solitude more acceptable, more appealing. Einstein – as with many other topics – phrased it well, but did not explain it:

Health, for me, motivated the alone – the cancer and subsequent bowel resection left me with a brittle balancing of meals and immodium for times when I want to be in public. Since that means fewer times out, I have learned to enjoy solitude. Perhaps Tom Hardy phrased it best for me:

I’ve gone through life as an introvert, trained to act in an extrovert’s world. So well trained that few of those who knew me saw the introvert. The health challenges that forced me to select the times I interact with people have made me select the times more carefully. Somehow, that has lead to smaller groups, and those smaller groups are composed of people who are more tolerant, more accepting, of the many places we can disagree.

With aging, many things are taken. I have experience at competitive shooting, where, by the standards of the sport, I was mediocre. I’ve dropped from that level. Damage to my feet and knees has turned what was a short stroll into a long walk – but much remains. When feral cats were the ultimate predator on the place, squirrel populations dropped. As competing coyote packs came in to change the cat status to prey, squirrel populations are recovering. It’s a joy to watch, even if my walks are shorter now.

I’m watching the ice shine with melted water on the surface – soon we will have a new group of geese. Geese that lack the history and friendship – but still geese to watch. It doesn’t take much conversation to deal with geese.

Leaving the school board left me enough health and time to go through the York Rite – an experience that I enjoyed. There are enjoyable interactions that I have time to enjoy. There is much enjoyable solitude, and I have chosen to spend the public time more in enjoyable company than contentious company. Life is good.