Occupation of Independence

 "Independence" is an easy word to praise.  It is not so easy to practice.  Once this winter a friendly camping-neighbor approached me.  We had several good and long conversations.  These days I try to respond positively when somebody else takes the initiative, but I never take the initiative myself.  Call it the 'triumph of experience over hope.' Spending so much time alone makes a person feel a bit unhinged or cranky.  You are free to develop opinions that are out-of-step with the ignorant masses.  Then you wonder if you are getting a little crazy or whether the other people are. For instance I have rolled my eyes at the pickup truck trend of the last 20 years.  Finally I ran into a channel that put out the same sort of rant that I do.  Validated, at last!  It is fun to find worthwhile channels on You Tube and to shout them out.  They are in the minority.