Bad Jam and Old Oyster Sauce

You know we're getting down to the nitty gritty when the fridge needs to be cleaned out. But that's where we're at. Kinda nice though because it means that we're done with a lot of the major stuff and winding down to the final details. In fact, my truck goes in on Monday for one more inspection before heading off to California. That truck has been around the block a few times and at 147,000 miles, has resided in Minnesota (its birthplace), Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and now California (probably its final resting place). It has taken me to Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virgina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and even Canada. It is more well traveled than most people I know. As you can see, it has been across country twice (more or less), taken me to a fair number of concerts, and was my best friend next to Rocky for many lonely years. It has been a good truck and WILL BE (damn it!) a good truck for at least another 100,000 miles. After Tuesday, the next time I sit in it will be in northern California.

The next week also brings final packing, final cleaning, cleansing ceremony, a bottle of champagne, and a teary good-bye. But we'll be back, because we have lots of great memories and lots of great friends. Probably the only sadness I have in leaving is that I was not able to set foot on Stone Ridge Orchard and say a final farewell to the trees and plants. C'est la vie! Onward and upward. Never apologize, never explain.

Until next time. Mike