FALL IS IN THE AIR
This morning there is a definite hint of fall in the air. However, on Saturday during a little Route 66 expedition with Mike Ward, his wife, Sharon, and my dearest friend, the Sacramento Valley along the pre 1952 alignment of Route 66 was so full of flowers I thought it was spring.
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| The Czech Route 66 Association during their visit to Kingman in May, 2013. |
In all honesty I can not remember the last time there was such a profusion of wildflowers in the valley. I will post photos we shot at the ruins of Fig Springs Station later but suffice to say it was nothing short of amazing.
So, with a touch of season confusion in my mind I took a look at the weather predictions in the Farmer’s Almanac. It looks as though a bit of preparation for a wet winter might be in order, a little something extra to add to the fall schedule that currently includes a pending book deadline, three speaking engagements, work on promotion for the 2014 Route 66 International Festival, a one week whirlwind Route 66 adventure from Chicago to Santa Monica with a publisher from New Zealand, and the possibility of federal jury duty.
I am not a fan of cold, wet, snowy winters. That is reason number 3 for why I live in the deserts of Arizona. Still, at this point I would take snow up to my backside for five days of the week if it meant relief from allergies.
Allergies are a relatively recent affliction as they are not something I suffered from until quite recently. This year, however, has been terrible with days upon days of maddening and near debilitating symptoms that include pounding headaches, runny nose, watery eyes, and restricted breathing.
Still, as the old adage says, the show must go on. This week that includes a few busy days at the office, another opportunity to share breakfast and conversation with Zdnek Jurasek and his tour from the Czech Republic, the Andy Devine Days Rodeo festivities, the penning of two speeches, and assistance in the creation of a realistic itinerary for the Route 66 trip in October.
It looks as though I will again be able to keep boredom at bay for a few more months. I have two axioms for the life I live, both reflect the optimistic pessimism that seems to run rampant in my view of the world.
The first is that working like this is a sure death but a slower one than starvation. The second is that another fifty years like this one is going to kill me.