30 years

Each day placed end to end over a period of time allowed for personal growth and change into a new person and now an elder. 

This weekend marked the first occasion that I was accepted as a new elder. I am so moved by the experience. There are not yet words. 

Beethoven

One of the most influential composers in history, Ludwig van Beethoven left us 32 piano sonatas. 

Piano sonatas are written for piano only. The romantic songs include the  Fur Elsie, Funeral March, Moonlight, Tempist and the Hunt. 

Beethoven's list of works were numbered. The sonatas are also given dull titles: Piano Sonata 1 in F minor, 2 in A major, 3 in C major, 4 in E-flat major, 4 in C minor, 6 in F major, 7 in D major, 8 in C minor, 9 in E major, 10 in G major, 11 in B-flat major, 12 in A-flat major, 13 in E-flat major, 15 in D major, 16 in G major, 17 in D minor, 18 in E-flat major, 19 in G major, 20 in G major, 21 in C major, 22 in F major, 23 in F minor, 24 in F-sharp major, 25 in G major, 26 in E-flat major, 27 in E minor, 28 in A major, 29 in B-flat major, 30 in E major, 31 in A-flat major, and 32 in C minor. 

Route 66

The highway crosses the western half of the United States providing a major travel corridor from the middle of the country to the coast. Route 66 was established in November 1926 until it was officially displaced as an official highway in June 1985. 

The highway runs through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. 

For thousands of pilgrims in the 1930s, route 66 offered a way to leave the Dust Bowl to go West to start a new life. It also provided a road to connect hundreds of towns that were previously isolated. An entire travel economy developed along the route. 

Route 66 is part of American history. Nostalgia is best shown in the most recent tribute by Disney's movie CARS. 

Passages

Passages from point A to point B offer lessons in life.

7 point story arc

Normal day - my character starts here.

Happening - a dilemma makes a normal day impossible

Quest - the path to resolution defined

Obstacle to Solution - nothing happens easily

Choices - if this then that... sometimes

Climax - the possibilities are endless but pick one

Resolution - happily ever after  until the next happening...

Re-evaluate Again??

Reevaluate – access, determine the significance or worth.

Reset - to clear any pending errors or events to bring the system to normal condition.

Renew  - to make something new, fresh or strong again.

Anymore, it seems I’m in a constant state of evaluating and modification: Modification to my surroundings, modification to my attitudes, gathering more information to find if there is a way to improve the situation.

One of my advisors says that it’s for spiritual growth that we must continue to change. Another of my advisors says that the world has changed and all we can do is adapt.

So I set out to learn more in a new writing class and hear the same thing that was said to me, said to a new generation. I’m not so inclined to believe everything but I am looking for the jewel that may change past experience into a better brighter future, not just for me but for everyone.

Despite all the hits I’ve taken I really am an idealist at heart. More than a decade into the 21^st century, I’m seriously disappointed with the state of affairs. My little bit of the world has progressed in a most delightful way but as is the human condition, I want things better and even more progressive to a happy peaceful place rather than the apocalyptic zombie land that invades our collective consciousness.

So I’m back to reassess, reset, renew.... Life Continues...