Retirement brings on an altered state of consciousness. The borders and boundaries of the work-a-day life have dissolved and I now have time to daydream to my heart's content. I recall my first day in public school with lots of rules and requirements so the adults could shape me into a productive member of society. So that eventually I would be able to take my place as a worker, husband, father and all the other roles and hats a person may wear over the course of his life. Oops....seems like I experience a disassociated moment talking about myself in the third person.  I enjoyed playing the game. Samsara has its pleasure and pain.  I wore lots of hats and some red clown noses as well.
  Now I am learning how to traverse the experiential void of retirement.  Happily I spent most of my life collecting tools for my cosmic toolbox. Over many years of meditation, I have found silence to be a friend. Hmmm...Simon and Garfunkel just ran across my keyboard. They are sitting on my monitor stand swinging their legs and singing to me.  Thanks!

Dear Mom,
  On the one year anniversary of your passing I wanted to share my loving thoughts with you.  I have patiently allowed a year of silence between us so as to not interfere with your continuing spiritual journey.  My grief at your passing was deep and at the time I felt .... well feelings are not easily put into words but I really missed our time together. Despite the fact that we had 62 years to love and enjoy each other, to go through the many phases of life but it was a wonderful adventure.
  The pain has eased and now when my thoughts turn to you I see your smiling face and remember the fun we had.  Our walks along Alki Beach every saturday morning after coffee and pastries and your commenting on people's butts as they walked past.  Too fuuny!
  Perhaps I will write more now as I think of things that happened over a lifetime but for now I simply wanted to say I love you mom! On this Thanksgiving Eve I am so grateful that you are my mother for truly the blessing of the Divine Mother shone in your eyes,  More than that no child could ask.
  Happy Trails!

Your Loving Son,
Andy

Grocery Stores

Had some fun at the grocery store today.  A woman in a car stopped and rolled down her window to thank me for making her smile.  Another woman called me a Bozo!  I told here with a chuckle, "We are all bozos on this bus." With thanks to Firesign Theater. 

I am always fascinated by people and how they respond.  I keep a running log in my mind about who ignores, who laughs, who smiles and turns quickly away, and who speaks to me.

For those who are inspired to pay it forward.

I love you all!

New York Kinda Nose

My dear friend Becca came to visit this week.  We had a good laugh about the nose and I gave her one to take back home. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The First Quarterly Hayes Family Hunger Games

Last night my wife Vicki and I hosted the First Quarterly Hayes Family Hunger Games.  Vicki's brother Scott and his two children Dan and Courtney and our son Joe all sat down to a big bowl of macaroni and bacon which was prepared by Dan and was delicious! Then an evening of board games, laughter and merriment.  Thanks to all.

Twins

I was grocery shopping today and an older man who must have clocked in at 6' 4" with white hair and a cane and wireframe glasses says to me, "You look like my wife in the morning."

Merry Christmas

    It's been a very fun Christmas this year. A sensory delight with lights and smells, tastes and touches.  Shopping with the nose seem to elicit a lot of Rudolf comments especially when I wore my Santa Cap too.  I bumped into a Santa at Burgermaster.  I asked him if I could lead his sleigh this year and he laughed and said yes! 
    It happens occasionally that a couple (man and woman) will see me on the bus and begin talking about how fun it would be to have a clown nose in bed.  As I always carry a spare nose, I give it to them and what them laugh and whisper in each other's ear about intended uses of the nose.  No judgment from me.  Always makes me laugh.
    A Starbuck's barrista looked at me and said, "I am a big fan!"  to which I replied, "I am blown away!"   She laughed but no one else seemed to get the joke.
    Our daugher and son in law could not make the trip from NY this year, alas, but out wonderful son spend Christmas morning with us, helped us cook a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns with toasted homemade bread and homemade raspberry jam, cranberry juice, and hot fresh coffee.  Then we opened our stockings and exchanged gifts with plenty of good humor and laughter.

From our family to yours:

"May all beings have shelter; may all beings have food. Bless this day as it transpires and help me be the best Andy Towne I can muster."

With deep thanks for inspiratation from Wavy Gravy.