~Chisel set: gift from my co-grandpa-in-law, Mike Ransom (of NJ firefighting fame)
I suppose many people go through their entire life looking for something. Fame, fortune, notoriety, love, home ownership or a combination of these type of things; considered, by many, to be the so-called American dream.
The other day I was working in my barn/shop on a little wood project that likely will not make it into the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art collection. It won't show up for sale on the Bentonville Square at next Summer's farmer's market. It may not even make it out of the barn. But as I was working on that piece of wood I realized, again, how content I was to be right there, right then, doing what I was doing. I smiled when I realized I wasn't looking for anything. I like my life. I have more than I need. I enjoy what I do for a living and I'm surrounded by people I care about and enjoy being with. I don't know if that qualifies for, "Living the American Dream", but from where I sit, it seems more than OK.
It's a wonderful thing to be scaring 60 years old and know you're not trying to meet someone else's expectation or live someone else's dream. It feels good to know you're happy with the overall circumstances under which you're living:)
Regarding other personal insights and random experiences, I'll try to keep you posted....