North Woods River Runner: January 2020

You wouldn’t think anything would hold me back when I have the chance to get out into the woods, but sometimes I do have to push through the walls and obstacles that want to hold me back. Such was the case on the morning of the last day of 2019. Part of the issue was the preparation. I wouldn’t have to bring everything that I pack, but being prepared and then cooking out is what I tend to enjoy. It's just that organizing the gear and cutting up the food takes time.

The other half of the issue was that I simply was worn out. I was tired from the craziness at school prior to Winter Break; what with the classes, a tournament that we hosted, as well as coaching the start of the girl’s basketball season. My wife Cindy and I put all of that in a mental box on a shelf though, as we went into parent mode to enjoy and partake in our son’s wedding. Two days after this remarkable celebration, Cindy had shoulder surgery to remove bone spurs, trim frayed cartilage, and repair a tear where her bicep attached. I then dove into taking care of her, and helping in all of the aspects necessary to allow someone to recover from surgery. Doing so didn’t allow for much sleep for either of us. We had Christmas with family in there somewhere, before our daughter left for a ten day tour of Israel. The house suddenly seemed quiet, and the natural let down after such a “life-rush” almost led to a case of mild depression.

For the last couple of years, Cindy and I have survived by trying to be cognizant of each other’s feelings, taking deep breaths, and simply putting one foot in front of the other. Living life like that can be taxing, and wear you out if you’re not careful. Thank goodness for the support and love from family and friends, and our personal, spiritual faith. I truly don’t know how one can move day to day through life without the assistance and hope from such pillars of strength. Like many things in life, developing healthy ways to progress through the years and deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly is a process.

Fortunately I had a window of time to head out to the woods with our dog Kora, to mull these thoughts over. She was noticeably excited, panting, and drooling all over the Jeep’s console. The late morning outing followed a light snowfall that we had the night before. Together we hiked and explored. Eventually I made a fire and cooked a meal for the two of us. This is also a process; collecting the right tinder, and igniting it using my flint and steel. The meal as well had about three separate steps to it. I had thought of stringing up my hammock afterwards, and either writing or taking a nap in it, but it was one of the only days over this Break that was really cold. Plus, I didn’t want to leave my pup down below me on her own.

I’m the kind of person that typically moves from one thing to another without much downtime in between, unless the downtime itself is part of the plan. Cindy likes to tease me about that. A couple of weeks ago she jokingly pointed out how I jumped from one finished book to another as I read them to “relax.” For this reason, I packed up my gear following my cookout and a mug of hot cocoa. Regardless, in lieu of life’s schedules and pressures as of late, I was able to get out for a couple of hours, and that is a step I was grateful that I had taken. It’s a process!

See you along The Way...