Trouble Sleeping

 Thursday, August 13, 2019

I fished yesterday with Greg, Earl, Mickey and Roe on Greg's boat. A purely mooching trip off Stinson Beach. Earl caught one decent Salmon about 12 pounds. That was it for the boat.














Tom McKay, my dad's best friend is dying. Lynn called me Tuesday night to let me know that he was home from the hospital, in hospice. My family went to visit him and say goodbye yesterday morning. I could have gone but went through with my plan to go fishing instead.

I regretted my choice. I could not sleep last night, feeling that I made a poor and selfish choice. I called Tom's daughter, Kirsten McKay, this morning. I knew I was going to cry the moment I picked up the phone. I told her how bad I felt about not coming to see Tom and the family sooner. 

Tom is a special person to me and my family. He and my dad went to high school together in Sebastopol. They remained close friends all their lives. Our families were close enough that we feel like family. We  spent many holidays together, attended family weddings and the like. 

Kirsten, her sister Kim and I were at Cal at the same time. We socialized a bit even though they lived at a sorority and I was at a Co-op. Kirsten went to Burning Man with me and Beth in 2011.

It felt good to talk to Kirsten about how much her dad means to me. We both cried a bit. I hope to have opportunity to say goodbye to him tomorrow.

I also worried about Thomas last night, while I could not sleep. He has confided in a few of us about some personal issues. I used my mind last night, thinking up solutions for him; just like I used to think about my workers compensation cases at night.

Thomas came over for dinner (outside in the yard - safely distanced). 



I told him all my thoughts. I hope some are helpful. We ate some fresh salmon and some frozen. You could not tell the difference. I did not drink any alcohol. My gout is nearly gone but I am not taking any chances. I can't wait to get back on my bicycle. Any day now.

I had hoped to fish Sunday. The weather report is not good. We'll see.


the bear







Comments

  1. Thomas LuehrsenAugust 14, 2020 at 9:43 AM

    Yes, Bear, your counsel has been more than helpful, and I am grateful. Here's to generations of long-time friendships and loyalty!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Great Day Fishing with Earl

Image
Another epic fishing day. I had the alarm set for 5:20 a.m. Meeting Earl at the boat at 5:45. I woke up at 4 and could not get back to sleep. No problem - I did the NYT spelling bee. Got out of the house and got to the boat early at Treasure Island. Got things set up and started the engines. Earl arrived and we quickly shoved off. Motored across the bay to fisherman's wharf to get live bait. We were not alone. There was a line of about 20 boats all the way out of the cove into the bay, waiting to get bait. We slowly eased our way to the bait receiver and got our two netfuls of live anchovies which they call a "half scoop", poured gently into our live bait tank. Decision time: where should we fish. There were at least 25 boats fishing all around Alcatraz. I often avoid the popular crowded spots unless I know for sure that the fish are biting there. I tend to go to fishing spots where I have personally caught fish. When I catch a fish, I mark the spot with a big red X ...
Read more

Oh Happy Day!

Image
One more morning of my convention today. Nine a.m. to one p.m. My right foot still plagued by gout. I tried to go for a walk with Beth in SF, but it was too painful - like a toothache in my foot. Karen Hobbs and Mark Lillge invited us over for the afternoon and dinner. We had something to look forward to.  We met Karen and Mark in about 1994. Karen's daughter Annie is the same age as Peg. They went to Kindergarten together. I first met Karen at a kid's  birthday party. I don't remember why Beth wasn't there. I took Peg alone. I liked Karen immediately, and knew Beth would get on with her. I came home that night and announced to Beth that I had just met her new best friend.  I was right. Beth and Karen and Mark and I have been close friends for  about 25 or so years. Karen runs Tilden - college prepatory school. Mark is a semi-retired creative marketing maven; now a professional poker player.  It is nice to have old friends who make you feel so com...
Read more