Duality Of Man...

[DDT (12)]

Duality Of Man…
 
Ever wonder about such lofty things? We profess to love peace, yet we continually fight such horrific wars. We add sugar to our tea, then we also add lemon... We park in driveways but drive on parkways... Well, this has nothing at all to do with any such high-falutin’ notions or seeming contradictions...
 
Nope, it's all about my own duality... or so it appears... in terms of residency. Our society absolutely requires us to have a fixed place to which we're semi-permanently locked to tighter than a tick! Nope, no allowance at all is made for those of us who eschew such, preferring instead to not live anywhere; rather, wanting to live everywhere! I reluctantly acquiesce...
 
My nominal 'official address' is in Ocala, FL. I still use the same address I've used off and on since retiring in '97. My brother-in-law and his bride just bought the old homestead from my daughter after my landlady recently passed, but he’s graciously invited me to continue to use that location to fulfill my civic obligation. Heck, he’s even allowed me to keep my old bedroom and to come and go as I please!
 
Since 'returning' to Florida just over five years ago, I've continued to use my healthcare providers in Montgomery, AL, however, for several reasons, but therein lies the crux of the duality... so to speak. Particularly since my experience with prostate cancer and all of the subsequent treatments, I've found myself back in Montgomery spending about as much time there as anywhere... including Florida!  Yes, it is starting to get more than a bit old, too...
 
The worst part of it is the limitation it's placed on the range of our girl and her rider. Any coddiewomple consideration must be confined to the amount of time available between various doctors' appointments... Add to that the odd family obligation that crops up once in a while, and... Long range, indefinite rides to undetermined places have to be tempered greatly... painfully!
 
Part of life involves learning to play the hand we're dealt... and with being content with whatever that hand turns out to be. Often a struggle, but really the only sane choice available to us. So, I'm doing the best I can... Our girl seems OK with just about anything short of a crash! She is such a good and accommodating partner, ya know...
 
So, here I am again... In Montgomery getting ready for yet another appointment... after which I'll ride to the location of our next VRCC Ride event... the Veterans Day Ride. Following which I'll return to Florida for the family Thanksgiving celebration at my granddaughter's place this time. Not exactly a treadmill scenario, but it is starting to seem awfully repetitive!
 
Yes indeed, it appears the torch for holiday events is being passed to the next generation! Sometimes I think I ought to feel really old... but that’s not actually true of how I feel at all! Heck, I'm still that same sixteen-year-old boy who just happens to be trapped inside a seventy-five-year-old body! No, I'm not whining here, although it is understandable if one might think so... more like lamenting, I think... while trying to cope with the most recent ‘hand’ being dealt…
 
I will have a day or two between scheduled appearances to wander a wee bit and attempt to maintain an ever so tenuous grip on the free-wheeling lifestyle I've chosen... that's something, I guess...
 
DDT

[Jess from VA]

In the old days, one wanted to have a home of record of some kind, lest he be arrested for vagrancy and put on a chain gang.  

[Oss]

Trust  me here whippersnapper

Better  Florida than nys

[RNFWP]

I love the thought that you have not only managed to become our daydreamingly example of free birdedness. (...realizing those aren't real words) ...but... that two "scheduled appearances" in the same month cramps your style. ...and what a great style.

[Skinhead]

How do all the homeless in California handle that?  Where do they send their welfare, food stamps and unemployment checks?

[Valkorado]

"Part of life involves learning to play the hand we're dealt... and with being content with whatever that hand turns out to be. Often a struggle, but really the only sane choice available to us".

 

[Thunderbolt]

Another good edition Bruce.  Sounds like folks down in Ocala have taken a liking to you.  Regarding the home address there are several youtube folks that we watch on a regular basis that are permanent RV travelers.  They too have to have an official address.  There are what you might call services that offer you an address and they will take pictures of your mail and you can tell them which ones to save for your next time by or will send it to you general delivery wherever you desire.

[Rams]

No words of wisdom here from me.   But, doing what you enjoy and living as you want to is part of what drives us from the day we're born until the day we hope to take up residence in Valhalla. 
I've always said that every trip is an adventure and to enjoy the ride but in truth, every day is if, you have a spirit similar to DDT's.   Rarely do we know what's around the corner, that curve or over that hill.   Approaching those unknowns in life is what you make of it.   DDT has mastered the art of enjoying what life presents to him.   Where ever he travels, he has friends who welcome him into their lives and homes.   Having the respect of the community as a whole and living life to it's fullest while doing it his way.   How much more can one reasonably expect, envy might not be the best words to describe my feelings toward the life Bruce leads but, it's darn close.     Travel on, enjoy the ride and you know you're always welcome at my place.   

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Everyone,

Ya know, it's not hard at all to start down that slippery slope of self-pity, of feeling like life has turned on us: that we'd be happy if only this weren't happening or that hadn't gotten in the way. Thing is, often those very inconveniences or unpleasantries turn out to be wonderful experiences themselves in the long run!

As I ponder the distractions of normal life, I also recall the results of sharing those events here with my best friends. How shared unpleasant experiences, hardships, and painful happenings remind us of how we're not alone, or that we're not singularly being put upon...

Also, the good feeling that results from exposing our own imperfections and disappointments; that our kindred spirits not only truly understand, but they also sincerely empathize. And, that we are not diminished in our standing among good people for being human. Having genuine and genuinely good friends is a major blessing in life! Thank you all for being such for this 'loner' gypsy!!!

DDT