Tommy did not come home last night. Concern arises every time, even with a history of not communicating. And history repeated itself once more. He was at Stanford all night. Allegedly. Jen's plans for her day shifted so she was able to come with me to check out the "coin collectors" event at the DoubleTree in the Proneyard. I went in skeptical and left informed, yet still skeptical. Ultimately, it's a traveling pawn shop of sorts, and my having done due diligence beforehand gave me a good standing when it came to the value of gold and silver. I sold two items at what I consider a very good price. And over 3x the initial offer, which was where all my recent efforts paid off. Tomorrow is the big event, taking mom's collection to a "real" event -a bi-monthly buy & sell gathering of some 30 or so dealers. I hope to do well again by being informed, knowing, and having well-cataloged all of her inventory. Jen made a chicken salad that we took to my mom's. They had a wonderful time going through her costume jewelry, discussing each piece and its history. Lindsey gets first dibs, but Mom expects that she will have little interest. State Farm wants to total the PT for a fender/radiator replacement, but she made it clear she would not accept that, so the option of a sum to go towards repairs was agreed to. Insurance is an evil business. I don't recall it being so decades ago, but it, like many things, seems to have traded ethics and humanity for a higher profit margin. Along those lines, I cancelled my life insurance. I know I'm tempting fate, but as I told the support rep on the call this morning, the diminishing returns past 65 don'twarrant it. It's a good thing to have lived long enough to feel like it's a critical necessity that has passed because I have not. I was successful in making the cheese crackers today. They came out great. I plan to make a lot more. Jen spent the evening at Cindys helping with flower arrangements for Sunday's service for her dad. Tonight, in a brief chat, Lauren said that the one thing she will be sad about when I eventually die is that the chance to make more memories will have ended. How rewarding is that?
Insights: I know I make judgments and even feel compelled to defend them at times. the baggy pants kids, bikers, homeless.... I know, too, that judgment can be undone by experience and consideration. So why not reverse it? Assume nothing but the best. conclude otherwise ownly in and when proven wrong, and even then.... is it true fair and just, or just a judgement based on my comfort?