Acts of War

After six hours of manual labor yesterday – spent thinning out a flowering crabapple tree in preparation for eventual removal, I was inclined to go purposely off-line today. 

For the record, the flowering crab has been severely destabilized and won’t survive another six-hour barrage.    

However, five pounds of crabapples from the “wild” crabapple tree in the back yard kept staring at me from the middle of the garage floor, and the ceramic log/gas fireplace had begrudged its first firing a week ago, and the latest weather report predicts a cold front approaching.   

So I decided to declare war on both fronts!  The crabapple butter is now simmering in the kitchen and I will tackle the fireplace shortly (the hearth needs vacuumed and the electronics need new batteries to drive the gas line solenoid.)  

And so it goes.   

As I reluctantly “settle-in” to retirement, I’m finding the best way to get things moving forward or out of the way or off the launch pad is to officially declare war.  Anything that threatens my presumptive idyllic existence – either NOW or at any time in the foreseeable future – is going to be dealt with by gun, sword, sledge hammer and tank … or kitchen knife, vacuum cleaner and batteries, as the case may dictate.   

Folks can preach all they want about “priorities”, “motivation”, “discipline”, and “due diligence”,  which are all fine attributes to have in one’s tool box.  But, for me, the thing that first or finally gets the launching done best is to mobilize a campaign … take up arms … embark on a crusade … alter the balance of power … and take no prisoners until the deed is done and matters are set right!   

If it’s something you really detest having to do, go ahead and make a fuss.  Put forth all the drama you can muster, activate the Absolute Imperative, put on your “By God Armorall Coveralls”, clear the battlement field for full engagement, align the armaments to be used, sound the “Call to the Post”, and let loose a blood-curdling battle cry as you wade in for execution.   

Happy to report that the fireplace is now back on line! 

NOTE: Once you pull the trigger of commitment, it’s almost like releasing a spring-loaded catapult or pulling the plug on a dam.  SOMETHING is going to happen! 

 “ ... he took to business as if it were war."
Cornelius Vanderbilt: Bare-Knuckled Capitalism

The Economist (London, UK); Apr 16, 2009 

Declare WAR and go forth and conquer!

Quartermaster

“Action is eloquence.” 

William Shakespeare