HIGH & MIGHTY

Suspended animation
When it comes to design providing a
focal point takes us to a better place.
Which is why every room needs some
sort of decorative statement. Be that
a fireplace, painting, substantial piece
of furniture, or architectural element.
In the best of spaces, whatever said
center of attention may be - it should
also serve a purpose. Which is why
chandeliers are often the bright points
in a design. Soaring above all else.

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C+V HOME Montana Blog

TOTALLY OUT OF IT

Who's driving?
It could be "retirement." Yet every day
at 3 to 4 in the afternoon I get sleepy
and can't shake it. Wherever I may be
I drift off to la la land. Which can occur
while on the road. Hence when driving
Frank watches me like a hawk given I've
been known to insist "I'm fine" only to
nod off while driving. Apparently it's
not just me. Otherwise why are Rest
Areas along the highway? Others also
drift off at the wheel and need to stop,
snooze, and text prior to moving on!
Hence this sleepy head is not alone.

Who do that voodoo?
I've worked with more than my share
of males who seemed to suffer from
what can only be called narcolepsy.
During afternoon meetings their eyes
would suddenly start to flutter, and all
too soon heads would roll, and before
you knew it, sleepy bye time! Having
been there myself I can share that it's
tough to battle the deep dark forces of
exhaustion or sleep deprivation. I've
bitten my knuckles, kicked myself in
the shins, yet nothing was able to stop
the need to nod off. ZZZZZZZZZZ...

Who can resist?
Remember that rug you brought to
Kindergarten for nap time? There's
something about a calm silence that
makes one feel safe. Why not find
the adult equivalent within today's
workplace? We have legislation
for everything else why can't we
have siestas?! Women know the
benefit of some shut eye. At 3 p.m.
Ethel turned on the TV and tuned
into the Newlywed Game. Soon
she was snoozing and 15 minutes
later was ready for ANYTHING!

Who knew?
Napoleon, JFK, LBJ, and Ronald
Reagan all had a routine. In the
office early and then a mid day
snooze. Per Winston Churchill -
"You must sleep between lunch
and dinner. Take off your clothes
and get into bed. Don't think you
will be doing less work because
you sleep during the day. That's
a foolish notion held by people
who have no imagination. You
will be able to accomplish more.
You get two days in one I'm sure."

FROM WHERE I SIT

County seat
Sometimes you need to get away. Which is
why I took a short vacation today. Given it
was below zero and snowing outside, I had
few options as to where to travel. Therefore
instead of driving or flying somewhere else
I simply sat in my living room. In a spot that
I normally never sit in. And enjoyed the view.
It's amazing how different one's world can
appear when seen from a new angle. From
my vantage point I watched the snow gently
fall as I enjoyed the bright white light of a
cold winters day as it reflected off the room
within. And all was right with my world.

Musical chairs
Most of us live in an all too familiar cocoon.
Each of us has a role to play. With a specific
spot at the dinner table. And an established
roost before the TV. Rarely do we vary from
these preconceived notions. Meaning that all
too often we can't see our forest for its trees.
Thus even the simplest of breaks from our
self-imposed routines can offer up untold
surprises. All that's necessary is the desire
to reject the status quo and expose oneself
to a new view. Which may sound rather easy
but is naturally far beyond our comfort zones.
All the more reason to take a seat elsewhere.

Home sweet home
If nothing else expanding one's boundaries
can be enlightening. If for no other reason
that it lets one see life from another's view-
point. The other day I watched TV in the
sitting room off of one of our guest suites.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed said
cozy getaway. Far away from it all I had to
wonder why our guests ever left their room.
Was it really special? Or was experiencing
something new within my own four walls
a reward in and of itself? In part because
it made me realize that a wonderful world
awaits all willing to exit their comfort zone.

Chair today, gone tomorrow
The older we get the smaller our world gets.
Downsizing is a natural evolution that takes
us from here to there. If nothing else simply
re-evaluating one's needs and wants opens
their heart and mind to options heretofore
unknown. Affirming that much of what we
need is already within our reach. All that's
necessary is seeing things as they are. Do
yourself a favor. Break your self-imposed
limits. Sit anywhere except your usual spot.
Do anything except what's expected within
the confines of home. Quickly you'll find a
new world. Rake a "stay-cation" now?!

THE LAST SUPPER?

The "L" word
Yesterday we attended the bi-annual lutefisk
dinner at the Lutheran church. As neighbors
Frank's family always supports this nordic
extravaganza. In case you don't know what
lutefisk is - it's cod cured in lye. After being
petrified it can remain preserved FOREVER.
However in order to serve it, one must soak
the preserved fish for five days (in water that
is changed daily). Then soaked for two more
days. Finally after it becomes a gelatinous
mess it's heated, served, drowned in melted
butter, and ingested by the bravest of souls.
Who actually pay for the pleasure.

Gone but not forgotten
Fortunately the church ladies also serve a bevy
of alternatives. Swedish meatballs, vegetables,
boiled potatoes, homemade coleslaw, pickled
beets, lefse (Norwegian flatbread), plus a big
pitcher of melted butter. Then finally a platter
of yummy hand crafted krumkake (cookies).
A longterm tradition, I couldn't help but notice
that the crowd of diehard attendees were quite
ANCIENT. With the exception of a few kids
and some gracious young folks, every one was
almost as petrified as the lutefisk. Causing me
to worry that all too soon said event will be
a memory of times past. And soon forgotten.

Brave hearts
Sadly time marches on. And while we all seem
to be enamored with culinary treasures, a mass
of tasteless fish akin to wallpaper paste might
not seem worth saving. However there is value
in continuing the traditions of those brave souls
who left home to farm the American equivalent
of Siberia. You see without some connection to
the past, to our foundation, to the start of it ALL,
we can easily become rather jaded. And forget
what it took to achieve everything that we now
take for granted. An unfortunate phenomena
that in my opinion just might be the greatest
threat to our democracy. We must remember.

The American way
America was founded in rebellion. Upon noble
hopes and dreams against tyranny, prejudice,
and oppression. From the start we the people
have fought for liberty and equality for all. At
times doing the right thing has literally split us
in two. However no matter how bad it's gotten,
we've somehow found good in the process of
becoming better. An American tradition that
gives me hope. That no matter how wide and
deep our collective schism seems - somehow
we shall overcome. A tradition that we must
insure continues. Demonstrating that our past
is reason enough to fight for our FUTURE.

7th Day Surprise: Winter Blues

ENOUGH ALREADY?

It's a total white out here in central Montana.
Giving many of us a BAD case of the winter blues.
 However beyond flying somewhere warm
there is nothing one can do except CHILL!

So let it snow, let it snow,

LET IT SNOW!