I came across today’s quote and started thinking about what pleases me. The first things that popped up were vices. A good cocktail, a glass of beer, bacon, coffee, naked sleepovers, hotdogs, pizza and cigars. All of these bring me pleasure and none are too expensive.
Since my divorce and then Covid I haven’t been too far from home. Life has gotten pretty simple. The big picture is actually quite small at this point.
…and I’ve realized that this is a good thing.
MLK weekend in the past has brought me great pleasure. Young John Shepley often took advantage of a three day weekend in January. From Bourbon Street to the Vegas Strip or the beaches of Florida… MLK weekend was always a great getaway.
How can this MLK weekend even compare? What pleasure can be found sitting around Riverside with a sixteen year old lurking nearby?
Let’s break it down so far…. I got home from work on Friday and paid a couple bills. I went to a tavern and watched “Jeopardy” with a dear friend. I had a couple glasses of Hamms and a shot of Tullamore Dew.
I went home and made George pork chops and green beans. After I made George dinner I went out and met friends for a cocktail and was home early. I watched movies with George and he made popcorn.
Saturday I got up and walked down the river. I saw a deer, I listened to the splashes of the DesPlaines and I breathed the cold fresh air into my lungs. When I got home I made George scrambled eggs with sausage links. After breakfast I folded laundry, vacuumed, dusted and listened to my shows on WDCB.
Later Saturday afternoon I went to a friends house for football and pizza. I had a couple BuckleDown beers and laughed as we made fun of each other and shot the shit. I had to leave earlier than planned because it was time to feed George again.
So compared to a hurricane at Pat O’Brien's or a crap table at the Desert Inn… how could this MLK weekend ever compare?
The truth is…..
This weekend blows the past out of the water. I find great pleasure in all the things I mentioned. I’ll never be able to replicate the pleasures of my youth, so the routine of a divorced dad is all that I have.….
…and I find great pleasure in it!
I better end this and go watch the sunrise before George wants breakfast. Yesterday I promised him I’d make waffles today.
Did you guys get a chance to see the moon last night? It sailed across the sky early this morning at a southern angle. Seeing it through the bedroom window brought great pleasure.
