Hello from the chiropractor’s office.
Another week is finishing up, and it has been typical January with some single digit temperatures and windchills below zero. My coffee gurus at Burger King are wondering why I would come to such a place, but I have long asserted that 15 above in NEPA is worse than 10 below in Iowa. It is all because of the humidity. The more the dampness in cold air, the more penetrating it is. That is what I experienced in Pennsylvania. And yet, if one has appropriate clothing, it can be manageable. It is an amazing thing how differently we perceive cold and winter as we age. Earlier today, while listening to IPR, there was a piece about how to manage the psychological elements of winter, and how you can actually thrive in a northern area in the dead of winter. I remember when I first moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (in the Keweenaw), and they asked if I liked snow. I answered, yes, but they then repeated, “No, do you like snow? Because if you do not like it, you will need to learn how.” They were correct. I remember driving down Quincy Avenue in January and the snow banks were much higher than the roof of my 4Runner, and that was not nearly as much snow as they had only 11 miles north of Hancock. I actually did learn to like it, and I still do.
As I write this, we are almost through January, and I have been back in Iowa for a little more than two months. Things are going well on a number of fronts, but there are so many things to manage. When I got here there was transferring prescriptions, making sure that I had things organized in terms of medical, banking, internet, and a number of things. That was not difficult, but a bit arduous, perhaps laborious. Then it was unpacking my life (all of it, which was now in 105 sqft) and organizing what I needed and what could stay packed. There was getting the lay-of-the-land, as Mallard is not a one-stop-light town (there are no stop lights!). Once I got things unpacked, there were a number of things that needed to be managed with the bus (including an oil pressure sending unit, battery cables, alternator, and still some more things to come). Fortunately, I am working with Mallard Paint and Body, and the owner of the shop has been incredible in his support in letting me work in the shop, and he is a top-notch body person, helping me with the fiberglassing and some other work. I am working on getting the roof ready for the skylight, for the new fan, for the solar panels, and for other things. I am working on sealing the floor of the bus so I can lay the insulation, the plywood and yet another coat of sealant, which is all down before the flooring will be put in. The decision to sand and wrap the bus has returned, and that has been the majority of the work over the last two weeks. I will admit at time the proverbial tail-wagging-the-dog has been my feeling. With all the things going on, it would be helpful to have another set of hands and eyes, but for the most part, I have been on my own. I am learning things every day, that is for sure. For instance, getting a grey water tank that will fit the space below the bus took three tries, and now it is one its way from Texas. Fortunately, the second tank can be used for the clean water tank, so that is managed. There are things that I would already have done differently, and that is on two major components, but as I told Charles Kern (aka: Chuck Casady) the other day, I am too far down the road now. He was encouraging and noted this is the most difficult time. He also said, “You are married to the bitch now.” His exact words. I know that is a bit sexist, but anyone who has been married for some time (from either side) knows the investment put into a relationship.
Some of the struggle is sequential and working to not build myself into a corner as it is said. Some of the moments feel like dog paddling in a place where I cannot see the shore (and I am not a great swimmer – and that is true). So this morning was an exercise in logistics. First, I needed to drive to Storm Lake to get scaffolding to manage the sanding on the area over the cab; second, I needed to stop by The Machine Shop to solidify the schedule on beginning to fabricate the doors as well as ask about a couple other metal issues. While there I needed to purchase a couple of tools to make my current work more efficient. Then coming up with more specifics on the metal work affects what I will do both at the body shop as well as getting to Spencer for the wrap. Again, this is the daily jigsaw puzzle I am living. So getting actual work done today is not happening, but I am hoping the remainder of the week will be significantly productive. I think trying to manage all the pieces alone is also part of the struggle regarding process. When Gavin and I chat about some of the elements, there almost always seems to be external questions to consider before we have an adequate answer to the particular thing that prompted the question from the outset. Even as I write this, there are things I should be writing down, should I ever be asked about process, about specifics, or, and only heaven knows, if I would attempt something like this again. The one thing I know is having an appropriate space is a given.
Perhaps the other thing I have to say is this is where the second element of the title comes to bear. There is a resilience, or as noted a tenaciousness required to see this through, especially when one is such a novice, so far removed from their wheelhouse. I am always surprised when I am complimented for taking on this project, but also grateful. It is a daily learning lesson, often a seriously humbling experience, and at moments a reminder of a profound body of knowledge and experience that I currently lack. It is not the lack that creates the primary difficulty, it is my moments of timidity, my fear of making a mistake, and the worry of overcoming said lack that often causes the most alarm. And yet inspiration comes both from places unexpected, and sometimes at the most apropos moments. This morning, Hayley, whose shuttle offers the most spectacular example of some of the possible posted a bevy of photos. She does not always know the support she offers. She too offers a sense of tenaciousness and here’s to hoping she is doing well. A few years ago, in my freshman writing classes, I looked at identity and purpose, using, Glee, as a foundational piece. In this time where DEI is being questioned, this groundbreaking series looked at those considered outcasts and transformed our culture. The video below was their sort of reoccurring theme.
Off to being tenacious.
Thank you for reading.
Michael
thewritingprofessor55 