Photo credit: LeaAnn Driskell

Nothing brings reflections like birthdays. I was left wondering why I even bother in life. Writing? I’m hardly moving books these days and have no idea (or interest) in marketing it. And as for my bike commute? Sometimes I wonder – even with sea levels rising and waist lines expanding, people are still buying FUVs, ones with fold down entertainment systems and personal seat heaters.

So how long does one stand on the crag of conviction, howling into the maelstrom? When does one just pack it in and turn on the telly?

I was soaking in moroseness in my pod today when Ms. Gelsy, a nice middle-aged lady from the next team over, came past pushing her bike. She’d just ridden the eight miles from Longwood to work and was looking to park her ride where I store mine.

I just sat there dumbfounded. I don’t know if I could dare call myself an inspiration on this but maybe I was a subliminal. Maybe I wasn’t anything. Whatever. I was just happy to see someone try something other than a car, to explore the possibilities of non-petroleum transportation. She didn’t have to burn a dinosaur to get to work, she didn’t drop the ice out from under a starving polar bear. She just rode in and had fun doing it.

And even though I might be a whiny Trotsky hack, at least someone shares my worldview and made an effort.

I wish Gelsy the wind at her back and three feet of clearance for every car.

I wish more people would try this.

I can wish, right?

>>>AND I WISH YOU’D BUY MY BOOK. “EARLY RETYREMENT”, THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT!<<<