DOYLEISM OF THE DAY: “In a curious way, age is simpler than youth, for it has so fewer options.”

Finally back home from Montana. Nobody but me will ever know how much I needed that three weeks away from everything. For the 1st time in my life, I felt like I was about to crack. I hadn’t had a real vacation like this in 5-6 years and I really enjoyed it. I think my poker was affected by my work ethic over the past years and I’m looking forward to a good finish for 2010 and then having a banner year in 2011.

For the lack of anything better to do in Montana, I jotted down what I did and thought each day. It is a tongue-in-cheek thing but oh, so much truth in it.

Day 1. “What a beautiful place. Trees, water, blue skies everywhere. Wow, why did I ever leave the country?”

Day 2. “Went fishing today. Caught 8 big lake trout. Threw all back except the one I kept for supper. Great day!”

Day 3. “I’ve got 50 some odd fruit trees on my places here. Apples, cherries, apricots and pears. Nice fruit and delicious.”

Day 4. “The wolves and cougars may be thinning the deer but there were 4 whitetails in my yard this morning. They are really cute and man, can they jump.”

Day 5. “Tons of good restaurants around the Flathead Lake. Don’t know where they get their cooks, but they are superb.”

Day 6. “Todd and Anjela, Pam & Cheryl, my grandson Jeff and his wife Angie and their two kids come by for dinner every night. Nothing like family.”

Day 7. “Todd’s Montana Challenge poker tournament was tonight. I’ll go play with these nice folks.”

Day 8. “Went riding in my pontoon boat and Sea Doo today. Rode my Rhino up to the top of a  mountain I own. Terrific views.”

Day 9. “Rained all day so I stayed home, opened a bottle of wine and chilled out all day. Temperature got down to 38.”

Day 10. “Went over to a 40 acre ranch we owned. We have a few Texas Longhorns and I stepped in a big pile of cow shit. Noooo I’m beginning to remember why I left the country.”

Day 11. “The fruit trees are dropping apples, cherries, etc all over the place. Maybe I’ll cut the stupid things down.”

Day 12. “Family wanted to go fishing. Bunch of dummies, who wants to handle those slimy things again?”

Day 13. “There isn’t an In and Out’er anywhere. This food is beginning to suck. You can’t live on grits and biscuits and gravy forever.”

Day 14. “Started to ride the Rhino up to Glacier Park then thought about how dangerous those things are. Didn’t Phil Laak almost get killed on one of those things?”

Day 15. “Freaking deer are tearing my yard up. A big black bear is coming everyday and eating the apples. Where is my rifle?”

Day 16. “Went to one of these small towns around the lake. I’ll swear I saw Goober, Gomer and Barney by the barbershop. Gotta get out of Mayberry.”

Day 17. “Went to dinner with the entire family. Constant battling about absolutely nothing. Can these people really be related to me?”

Day 18. “Called the airline and can’t get out for four more days. Going into survival mode!”

I’m going to Texas tomorrow to see my folks and go to my 60th high school reunion. We have had a reunion every 5 years since 1955. Lots of great friends and we have stayed in touch all these years. This will probably be our last one so I sure don’t want to miss seeing my old classmates one more time. Out of a graduating class of just over 100, we expect 40 or more will be attending. Pretty good when we have lost more than 30 out of our class. Our class president was Jack Scott who is a state senator in California. He will be our keynote speaker at our banquet. Afterwards, I’m coming back to play some damn good poker!

My heart is absolutely breaking for Chip and Katrina Jett who lost a four year old son in an accident. Everyone gives their condolences and says they know how they feel, but unless you have lost a son or daughter, no one knows. I lost my first born over 25 years ago and I still hurt everyday. So when I say to the Jett’s I know how you feel, I really do and I’m hurting for you. R.I.P. Apollo Jett.

-DB