I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.
Walt Whitman

​Hello, Old Friend,

It's good to see you again. Here we are on the cusp of spring, which curiously seems to tease us throughout the winter more and more. And each spring I'm reminded of Ann Sexton's poem, "Courage." In it, she divides each stanza by a stage of life and speaks about the courage each stage requires. In the last stanza, she writes,
       "Later, when you face old age and its natural conclusion
            your courage will still be shown in the little ways,
            each spring will be a sword you'll sharpen,
            those you love will live in a fever of love,
            and you'll bargain with the calendar
            and at the last moment
            when death opens the back door
            you'll put on your carpet slippers
            and stride out."
While I'm hoping to avoid those slippers for a little while longer, each spring is something that empowers me. And I do find that love means something very different than it used to - and a fever can be a worrisome thing. As for the calendar.....I'll do my best to keep it current. As many of you know, I've scaled back to the handful of places that I truly enjoy, those places where I know I'll find a friend, even if it's just the owner! And those dates might trickle in, so check in every now and then and I look forward to seeing you this spring and summer.

Be safe, be well, and be a blessing.
-steve

Hello Old Friends:

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