Clara's Window

Well folksies, May 20th marked my mid-30-somethingth year here on earth. Whereas past birthdays have been spent lunching at some terrible suburban mall restaurant with co-workers whose best intentions didn't always mesh with mine, this was a model for how birthdays should be. I took a picnic lunch down to the beach and sat on the very same rock I've sat on since my mother first dared set me loose in the world. The sun was shining, the water was intensely blue, all sorts of birds were out, and I had that uncomfortably nice feeling of being completely and totally satisfied with life. (Of course it's usually followed by worries of gloom and doom because as we all know, nothing good ever lasts, etc. etc. etc.) Then I headed to my favorite garden store and went totally berserk, bringing home 26 beautiful plants. I spent the rest of the afternoon prepping a large area of topsoil with manure (oh YUM!) and peat moss before tucking in each little plant for the evening. Many times I've doubted the wisdom of my decision to leave San Francisco and pursue a quieter, more grounded life. People near and dear to me just couldn't understand. Those in the technology publishing industry thought I was totally insane. "Maine?" they'd snicker. "Do they even have electricity there?" But now I'm here, time has passed, and I can honestly say that every ounce of difficulty was worth it. Don't be afraid to rock the boat now and then. Life is short, and the world amazing. That's my profound statement for the day. Stay tuned for more information about my motivational videotapes and cassettes, available soon at a Home Depot near you.