Building on the premise or hope really, that the weekend would only improve from the drive in dreary Boston evening rush hour traffic, we carry the last of the provisions from the jeep to the somewhat remote cottage rented for the long awaited 4 day weekend, nestled deep in the Green Mountains and relished that there was no phone, cell, TV or even Internet Service to disrupt our anticipation of rekindled carnal bliss;  and we had electricity and even hot and cold running water!

To…

After wrapping one of three 19 strand stainless steel guy wires tight to the turnbuckle, and watching unblinkingly upward and wobbling only slightly, I moved quickly to the second tie down point, to straighten and strengthen the 12” x 12” x 12” triple mast partially erect tower, as it beings to rise into the sky. 

Each 35 pound 10’ section is elevated cautiously with the aide of a Gilley Pole, which is a pole, rope and pulley arrangement, by one strong son of gun up to the tower…

Tickled by whiskers, soft against my face, I'm hard-pressed to remember the last time I was awakened by a warm 'kiss' on the forehead, nose or cheek.



Can't remember the last time of needing to keep the toilet seat and lid down, but I do recall retrieving things from the tub and floor that had once been on the tank and or counter next to the sink.



And, it's about as long since I've had to keep an eye on my plate for fear of losing a nibble to some little robber.…

She enjoyed and was deeply touched by the performance, from her understanding of the message it portrayed on the costs of war, of the soldiers and souls lost and loved ones left behind, because she is soon to be a mother and wife of a Marine.

Of course there are so many other, none being any more or any less significant than the other, costs of war… the battlegrounds and other places where these wars have been fought, and of the innocent people affected by and on those battlefields…