Something worth salvaging...

I had an idea. An awesome idea. I had a wonderful, awesome idea.

I can't talk about it just yet, because in my head it's wonderful and awesome, but once I see it in print, I'll think it's a sucky idea. So, for the time being, it's wonderful and awesome, but unless I tread very lightly and proceed with extreme caution... sucky.

I'm looking outside at the early springtime weather. The sky is overcast, which I love, and the air has a kind of super-charged quality which makes me think that a tremendous storm is on the way, which I also love.

I remember, as a kid, we lived in a five-bedroom ranch on an acre of property which used to belong to some Amish, I think. The house was gone, but there was a new one in its place. The barn was still there as well as the corn-crib and the granary. We were surrounded on all sides by cornfields which belonged to the farmer who lived across the road. Beyond the fields was a sprawling wooded area which my brother and I used to explore. It was the best place in the world to grow up. But rather vulnerable in the event of a storm. I remember that it used to get mighty windy out there. And we were all alone, for the most part. The nearest emergency vehicle was a decent fifteen-minute drive. It was a lot like being colonists on a recently terraformed planet.

Whenever there was a storm we would all go down to the basement, wrap up in blankets, and play boardgames until the storm passed. The basement would get very dark and we had a couple of those yellowish-orange lamps that were staples of every 1970s living room. They cast a warm, comforting glow over us as we argued over obscure rules or hoped that no one noticed that we only had one card left and had forgotten to call, "Uno!"

As I write this, the first rain drops are hitting the window. The kids are all napping and there is no yellow glow from dusty lamps. One day soon, though, I'm going to introduce the old tradition. No T.V., no laptop, no phone. Just Matt, Betsy, Jack, Macy, and Zoe, a pile of blankets, and a bunch of board-games. I can't wait.

Thanks,
Matt Beers