I’ve been spending time with ghosts. Their memories are not haunting… Margaret my mother, Jimmy her father, my grandfather. I love them more than ever now because I understand them; having danced some miles in my own shoes.

I didn’t have an opportunity to know them when I was an adult; they only knew me as a child.

I have decided that when its time, I will be buried beside them… my place for eternity.

Dylan said if the Bible is right, the world will explode…

I want to be close to those I love when that happens.

Dennis Mantin

David Allen felt he was the only biker in a town filled with motorcyclists.

I asked him what the difference was…

He said, “When I break down on the highway, I can make the repairs and continue on my way. If any of the rest of them break down, they have to wait for help. ”

Dennis Mantin

The Crowded bus left the station…

I waited behind with no desire to be huddled with the masses.

That’s a difference now between then and here…

I have lost my needs for connecting with strangers.

I feel that I’ve heard it all before, which is such nonsense.

I have not heard it all, just the repetitive parts that seem so popular with those on the crowded bus.

I’m listening to Dylan again.

I’m mining Bob’s words and worlds; seeing if I’ve missed something, perhaps from a 13th century Italian poet all tangled up in blue.

Or maybe its time to go back to Lucretious and Diogenes and that gang of ancients… nothing is created out of nothing, and there’s seems be too much of that going on… on the crowded bus.

Dennis Mantin

I haven’t heard from the Collective.

It’s because I don’t make the effort.

I grew tired of the same old same old.

A random encounter with a voice from the past said “You are missed.”

Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

I do at times miss them; this is true.

Dennis Mantin

Neil said, “She’s in the wind. ”

“That’s different than she is the wind, isn’t it?”

“She got bail and bailed.”

“In the wind.”

Dennis Mantin

It’s difficult to make amends… Vulnerability is not comfortable.

You try, you summon courage and feel fearful. It rarely goes as you imagine.

There are 2 categories; emotional and financial. People can be quite generous with, “I’m so sorry. ” However, in a general way are not so eager to part with their cash.

I have not made that mistake because I don’t want to be owing anything to anyone and I like that peace of mind.

Dennis Mantin

They come to him because they have needs for which he can provide…

He says after they ask, “I will do almost anything for someone who says please.”

A look of confusion usually follows these moments of higher education, that I must confess, I enjoy watching.

The entertainment comes in the form of whether or not they’ll utter the word or stick to ignorance.

Dennis Mantin

It’s all here.

Insanity, rage, chivalry, selfishness.

In abundance.

Dennis Mantin

My 50 days vacation is over.

I’m glad I had it and joyful its over.

I think that’s gratitude.

The vacation with someone I love and her mother was a rousing success. We will be doing this again, God willing!

Learning to make time to do nothing is an acquired skill. Waves help with this I find.

Money greases the wheels to make all this possible and I return with a grateful heart and peace in my mind.

Dennis Mantin

I rarely get out anymore. It was John’s 50th. The storytellers would be there so I had to make the effort. This gathering is really, The Single Father’s Club!

Retirement, easy living and children were all on their talk menu. There was however for me a highlight.

Pete took his kids skiing and referred to a large group of people who were constantly in his way as, “these people were yardsaling.”

Dennis Mantin