First, a little shout out to our friends’ son, Brian Benson, on the publication of his (first) book. Got it queued up on the Kindle. Read the first few pages and thought, I’d no idea when I cycled with this boy (now a man) — what, twelve years ago now? — that he’d become a writer of literary prose. Back then his father had arranged this bike tour of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s upper peninsula, in early September if I recall, entreating all of us to come to the northern latitudes for a ride, to get out of the oppressive heat of summer that had been afflicting the rest of the country that year. We all agreed, great idea, let’s do it!
I recall finishing a 100+ mile day, I think it was in Houghton, MI, in 102 degree heat. Highest temperature ever recorded that day in Houghton, according to the locals (aka “Yoopers”). Oh boy! It was the day Brian had chosen to ride with the group on what I thought was an impossibly old and clunky bike to be attempting such a feat, his first if I recall right. Damned if he didn’t do it though. All 100+ miles. So I wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear he cycled across the country to Portland. I just hope it wasn’t on that same bike!
This pic isn’t bad:
Happy Wife prefers the way she looks this one:
I don’t care for my appearance in either one. This is partly explained by exaggerated modesty, expected when one is asked to appraise his own visage (save Narcissus), and partly as a concession to the glacially slow disappearance of what we once were. The passage of time is inexorable. We know this, but we fight its erasures nevertheless. Fill the pocks, color the shadows, cream the creases, tighten the sags, whatever we need do to defend the fading facade of youth.
Some may say drinking Margaritas only aids the enemy, hastens the day. But tequila can feel like an ally, too, an inhibitor of concern, an agonist of blissful unawareness that the drawbridge is down, the mote has been bridged, the walls breached. If nothing else it makes acquiescence seem less like surrender.
Which is to say we are all doing the best we can.
Rod, it’s not that you appear badly in those photos, it’s just that you are out shown by your Happy Wife. I fully appreciate why your Happy Wife prefers her appearance in the second photo. I think that second photo exudes her femininity most delightfully, for you. You’re a fortunate man.
That’s a pretty interesting story on your bike ride 12 years ago in Michigan.
Funny and ironic story for you…. When I was 12 (it was the summer of ’88), I spent 3 weeks of summer at my grandparents house, in HOUGHTON MI of all places! My grandmother had passed a few years before, and my sister and I invaded his house for a few weeks to keep him company. I think my parents tricked us into thinking this would be better than going to camp for a week. YEAH, because Houghton has fun written all over it when you’re 12 and 8…. I specifically remember us dealing with a 102 degree day that summer, and I swear everyone in town was on the beach of the Lake Superior canal that afternoon in downtown Houghton. Cars were parked on the highway going up the large hill into town. It’s funny that 12 years after that, you were there in that same location in 102 degrees!
I spent a lot of time in Houghton as a child. My Grandfather worked at Michigan Tech University for about 45 years as an engineer, and my mother was born there. It’s pretty cool that so many people I know have been there at one point or another.
On a separate note, I prepared and cooked my first salmon on the grill dinner this week. Kelly was traveling home from Philadelphia and arrived just in time. I was a little scared, but it turned out to be wonderful! We had a few friends over and they loved it!
Have a great weekend! -Andy
John: Indeed. I recount my lucky stars each and every day.
Andy: It’s a small world isn’t it? I also remember, prior to the bike tour, people cautioning us how cold Lake Superior is, and stays, even in summer. Lemme tell ya, at 102 degrees we couldn’t wait to jump in. There are some experiences you never forget, and that was one of them for me.