Farewell to Door County
My farewell memory upon departing Door County was our breakfast at the Carroll House Family Restaurant in Sister Bay. The restaurant is unassuming; the dining room has a typical blue-collar, every mans atmosphere. The menu is ample with a number of breakfast choices. The coffee was hot and strong enough.
Eggs, toast, sausage are a good basic breakfast. The restaurant is true to its name, operated by family members. They are from California. I asked our waiter if he was planning to stay in Door Country over the winter months. He replied that he didn’t know if the other family members would keep the place open for a while longer, but he was heading for Texas. I sensed that here is a family unit that is satisfied to take care of one another, while taking care of the wider community operating a fine little restaurant.
Now back in Illinois, I return to my day to day responsibilities. Each element of my day needs my attention, my care, no different than scrambling an egg well, to benefit a customer patronizing a restaurant. Sure all manner of things arise, persist for a while and then are replaced by something else. All of these “things” I have no control over, and no responsibility for. I must attend to my business to the best of my ability even as I am aware of these uncontrollable factors of life, some of which are wild and threatening. These will pass according to their measure and in due time.
You can guess that I have the mid-term elections in mind. Today is November 6, voting day. The struggle between interminable conflict, racism, nationalism and a humane, reason-based execution of public policy will be reflected in the outcome of the balloting taking place today. I know the result will not bring a resolution to anything. The “fighting” will continue, and other battlegrounds will be occupied and prepared for assault.
But life goes on. A plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast is a non controversial indication that life is by definition “good.”
