The local mini-market owner and I over the years have established a
relationship that goes beyond the purchase of my Fosters Lager. Since
I don't get off work until 9:00 PM we can discuss the events of the day with
few interruptions. His wife is a serious, successful day trader. She is an
engineer that did so well in the market that she just couldn't afford to
waste her time at work. I generally stop by and buy a can of Fosters or
so just to discuss the market or the days events.
These little stops sure make life pleasant. I look forward to these nice
interactions at the end of the day. I need to have five or six just like it. I
discuss my fishing and fly tying with him and although he can't get away
he really is interested in the sport. He's from Ethiopia and life there was
hard. Fishing was a subsistence thing rather than a sport. When I fish
Lake Erie for walleye Sal's on my fish list. I drop off six or so when I
return. It's no big thing and I have to pass the store to get home. Sal
likes fresh fish.
We discuss life and our future plans, our modest investments and what
the next month and year hold for us. I ramble on about someday buying
my lobster boat and cruising down the intercostal and he talks about
returning to his homeland and living in luxury. I show him my newest
killer flies and talk about my Lake Erie and Mad River trips. He talks
about how well his kids are doing in school and his hopes for future
travels. A nice interaction at the end of both our days.
Tonight I told Sal that I wanted to buy a Lotto ticket. Sal said "You have
already won the lotto. Your kids are through college, you have a sport
you really enjoy, and you and your wife live in a nice suburb. You work
seven days out of fourteen and even admitted the other night that you
don't need any more toys. What would you do with the winnings?"
I thought for a minute and outside of paying off the master card and
traveling to outlandish places I had to admit that Sal was right. My life
is more or less in order. I think I'll tie a few more flies in anticipation
of next year and schedule more time on the stream and lake.
I may do the intercostal thing with my current Lake Erie boat. Dave and
Bill will hopefully collect a pike or two off of my bass boat in Lake Erie
and I hope to gain ten pounds on good pork ribs. I may talk my
high-school friend Jerry into the intercostal thing.
I guess I did win the lotto. ~ Old Rupe
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