Wilsons Sandbox

Hi rev. Your story of the old fisherman is similar to my own experience other than, the old fellow I became very close friends with over twenty years ago didn't know much about fishing even though he loved to fish. Nonetheless, he was a darned good cook and made the best moonshine I had ever had the good fortune to sample. He was in his late fifties when I met him and I was thirty years old at the time. I had bought a run down cottage (we call them camps) next door to his place back in 1982. Our first meeting was a little strained. Myself and some of my buddies were cutting and burning brush on my camp lot when he came over to chastise us for having too big of a fire. I then asked him if he'd show me where the property line survey stakes were between my lot and his. He guided me to the property line and began point out where the line was. I thanked him for the advice then told him, in no uncertain terms, that what happened on his side of the property line was his business. What happened on my side was my business and not his. Well he stood there for a few seconds and said nothing. I then said to him "Now that we have that straightened out, would you like to come and join us for a beer?" "Sure" he said and thereafter, we were the best of friends. I know that this does not directly relate to your example of taking younger people in to show them the ins and outs of motorcycling. But, in a way it does. My old buddy died just under two years ago (Nov. 7, 2004). He left his camp to his son who has two young children (seven and five - boy and girl). It seems that they have filled the void of their lost grandfather with myself. I am more than happy to take the part. I have dirt bikes and atvs at camp as well as boats and motors. If the kids are out, I'll drop whatever I'm doing to spend some time with them. A ride on something is usually in order. The last time they were out, I had the KLR at camp. They were thrilled to be up on the saddle of the bike for their first ride on a motorcycle. Normally, they would get their ride on the atv. So the bike was something new for them. As it is, they are still much too young to ride anything I have. Sooner or later, they will be big enough to ride a smaller bike. I'll start keeping my eyes peeled for something suitable for them. I have seen many a kid spend a lot of their summers at our camp. Over the last 23 years they have come and gone and lately, it had actually been a little lonesome at camp with no kids around. Kids grow up so fast. It's a shame not to spend as much time as possible with them to enrichen their lives as they do ours. Those of you who have kids, take some time to spend with them. Try to make every moment special. The day you look forward to having peace and quiet after they've flown the nest will come. When it does, and after the novelty of the solitude has worn off, you will wish to have those noisy-hectic-kids-driving-you-crazy days back again. Don --------------------------------- Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Yahoo! Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone call rates. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]