El and Bill
New member
El and I have a problem -- one shared with many of you. We're standing in front of the candy counter, and all those delectable yummies, wrapped in bright colors, are beckoning. Which one to choose?
http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/candy.htm
Oh, don't get us wrong -- we're not complaining -- we're so fortunate to have the choice, and we know it. Many in this world look at a bare counter -- others stand in front of the counter and can only look -- they don't have the coins in their pockets. Others see nothing but ripped open wrappers on the counter -- and for some the counter is set too high, and they can't reach it. No we're not complaining -- we're thankful to be in a country that gives us choice and to have the health and the shekels to make such choices. We know -- we've traveled the 'back blocks' of this earth and know what life is like for most humans.
But, being among the fortunate few who have the choice -- time, health, enough shekels, a good sound boat -- we also have the responsibility to make the choice. Most of the rest of you in the pub have the same choice and the same problem (oh, we know, no two of us are alike -- but you have (or might someday have) a good sound boat, some time (weekends and vacations, if not retired), some shekels (or you wouldn't have the computer to read this).
Should we take the candy in easy reach? The one in the dull wrapper that sells for a dime? And sit 'home' in front of the tv and surround ourselves with the 'dull' normalcy of daily life, guarded from adversity by routine?
Or, maybe reach a little higher for that morsel in the brighter wrapper, the one that's still in easy reach and that we have sampled many times before -- that costs a little more and requires one to give up routine but has a familiar flavor and surely won't challenge our taste buds?
Or, way up there on the top shelf -- covered with some dust -- see it? That brilliantly wrapped more expensive goody -- almost out of reach?
Never tasted one before -- might be rotten, since it's a little dusty from disuse -- dare we try it? It's full of risk and is more expensive -- but maybe it's the tastiest of all! Oooh! What to do?
Yep -- fuel is more expensive than ever -- makes it so easy to use that excuse (and a valid one) to put off that more adventuresome cruise and hang out in the close-by known spots.
And, "there's not much known about that river (coastal?) cruise for a small boat." Or -- "it's a long trailer haul to get there and fuel's high." Or -- "that's a long trip on the water, and where will we find food and fuel (our boat's range is only ...)." For some, "I only have two weeks holiday ... why risk it on that place we've never seen before" .... Oh, many reasons to (legitimately) put it off 'until next time.'
But -- on the other hand -- "we're not getting any younger ... we could do it now ... fuel will perhaps never be cheaper ... we own this great boat, shouldn't we be using it regardless of elevated fuel cost" ...
We assume many others have these same questions this year as we approach 'boating' season .... we're blessed to have the good fortune to have this debate ... but (perhaps like many of you) we haven't decided which piece of candy to choose.
http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/candy.htm
Oh, don't get us wrong -- we're not complaining -- we're so fortunate to have the choice, and we know it. Many in this world look at a bare counter -- others stand in front of the counter and can only look -- they don't have the coins in their pockets. Others see nothing but ripped open wrappers on the counter -- and for some the counter is set too high, and they can't reach it. No we're not complaining -- we're thankful to be in a country that gives us choice and to have the health and the shekels to make such choices. We know -- we've traveled the 'back blocks' of this earth and know what life is like for most humans.
But, being among the fortunate few who have the choice -- time, health, enough shekels, a good sound boat -- we also have the responsibility to make the choice. Most of the rest of you in the pub have the same choice and the same problem (oh, we know, no two of us are alike -- but you have (or might someday have) a good sound boat, some time (weekends and vacations, if not retired), some shekels (or you wouldn't have the computer to read this).
Should we take the candy in easy reach? The one in the dull wrapper that sells for a dime? And sit 'home' in front of the tv and surround ourselves with the 'dull' normalcy of daily life, guarded from adversity by routine?
Or, maybe reach a little higher for that morsel in the brighter wrapper, the one that's still in easy reach and that we have sampled many times before -- that costs a little more and requires one to give up routine but has a familiar flavor and surely won't challenge our taste buds?
Or, way up there on the top shelf -- covered with some dust -- see it? That brilliantly wrapped more expensive goody -- almost out of reach?
Never tasted one before -- might be rotten, since it's a little dusty from disuse -- dare we try it? It's full of risk and is more expensive -- but maybe it's the tastiest of all! Oooh! What to do?
Yep -- fuel is more expensive than ever -- makes it so easy to use that excuse (and a valid one) to put off that more adventuresome cruise and hang out in the close-by known spots.
And, "there's not much known about that river (coastal?) cruise for a small boat." Or -- "it's a long trailer haul to get there and fuel's high." Or -- "that's a long trip on the water, and where will we find food and fuel (our boat's range is only ...)." For some, "I only have two weeks holiday ... why risk it on that place we've never seen before" .... Oh, many reasons to (legitimately) put it off 'until next time.'
But -- on the other hand -- "we're not getting any younger ... we could do it now ... fuel will perhaps never be cheaper ... we own this great boat, shouldn't we be using it regardless of elevated fuel cost" ...
We assume many others have these same questions this year as we approach 'boating' season .... we're blessed to have the good fortune to have this debate ... but (perhaps like many of you) we haven't decided which piece of candy to choose.
