Synaptic Snaps, Crackles & Pops

Not just stuff [30 DBC entry]

30DBC November 1 Prompt: We all have possessions of some type. Tell us five possessions you can’t live without, and why they are on this list.


5. Car
I have one. It's reliable, fairly nice, and paid for. If I didn't have one, I'd pay a lot more attention to the weather forecasts and plan my grocery shopping trips accordingly. I'd also spend less at McD's; my two favorite stores are reasonably close, but I'm not walking through 6" of snow just to get a $0.75 senior coffee. The only downside is that it requires Premium grade gasoline. That's generally not a huge deal, but...

If you check out my September 22 30DBC entry, you'll no doubt quickly notice that my Bucket List doesn't have anything on it that can actually be accomplished from inside my house. While car rental prices have fallen out of the exosphere, they're still too far above the troposphere for my comfort so, if I get a chance at a trip, it's going to be in the chariot currently occupying my driveway.

4. Books / Library card
I've enjoyed reading ever since I learned how to read. First, there were Tom Swift, the Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown, Dick Francis, Alistair MacLean, et al. Then came Tom Clancy, Dale Brown, Helen MacInnes, et al. There are plenty of books in the house I haven't read—most of them belonging to my late wife—and literally thousands on shelves of two libraries just a short drive / bus ride away. You don't need batteries or electricity to read a book, so they're perfect for getting lost in almost anywhere you happen to be.

3. Computer / Laptop
Okay, you need batteries or electricity for these, but they're a great way to escape wherever you happen to be (digitally, at least).

2. Friends [No, not the TV show]
Life would be pretty dull without being able to drop in on friends, either in RW or online. I enjoy posting a "Howdy!" in the odd Notebook or sending a cNote on its way to bring a smile or lift a sagging spirit. I also enjoy walking into my favorite restaurant and greeting—by name—whoever happens to be on duty, and it's cool that they respond in kind. Like Clarence Odbody reminded George Bailey: "Remember no man is a failure who has friends."

1. Family
My dad, brothers and sister all live in Georgia, my oldest daughter in northern New York, my second oldest in Texas, and my youngest in the foothills southwest of town. Suffice it to say, we don't actually see each other much, but we stay in touch. Courtesy of #3 above, various doings and goings-on get passed via Facebook and email; I have no other online presence—except for here, of course—and don't know the names of most of the symbols that usually appear below the words "Follow us on...".

My dad turns 93 in a week and a half, and he still hits the links every so often. He's always been there to offer advice and support but, realistically, that can't last a whole lot longer. It's going to leave a huge hole.