Old Folks’ Home … August?

        

If the day begins at sunset, it’s August for those looking here even a few of hours after publication.  (If it’s “the day begins at dawn” it is several more hours, but at least one tradition holds that the day begins at sunset.)  Point being made here:  at the place underfoot, there’s been the sudden realization that the year 2017 is over half over. 

The apartment building is “unsettled.”  Indeed it has been unsettled for much of 2017.  (That may be why there hasn’t been much notice of months passing into history.)  Regular states of “unsettled” happen just due to daily matters.  A thing like the mail delivery usually causes a to-do.  Much more than that has upset matters, such as staff changes. 

Whether it is the move in/move out (two new people just on the floor underfoot) or unexpected weather temperatures as has happened, older folks have enough trouble with keeping track of things without “unsettlements.”  The lack of some real notice of the fact that the year is over half over is reason for a little meditation about the matter of 2017. 

To a young person, “2017” is just a number attached to the year.  He/she may have serious hopes for 2018.  Old people could very well have no expectations for 2018 beyond vague thoughts about continued existence.  The former’s aware of passing days with a future in mind.  The latter’s not sure of what day it is.  (And, maybe more on this next week.) 

Viewpoint means a lot.  

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Ohio

      

“Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park” is a bit of wordy description to identify the handful of places related some way to the Wright Brothers under the direction of the U.S. National Park Service.  While that does rather say it all, recently it’s such a few places that it probably should be noted that the superintendent also covered another park. 

The superintendent made local news this past week as he is retiring.  Given the plans afoot to include the factory of the Wrights, he seemed to see a bright and growing future, but whether that might soon include purely local authority rather than one also covering a place on the other side of the state wasn’t clear (or else no one bothered to ask). 

At present, since the government authority could cover two parks, Dayton Aviation Heritage stuff is obviously a small part of the U.S. government’s interests.  For that matter, it’s not even a big part of Dayton’s interests for many of the people.  But, it’s important for understanding of what the Wrights actually did.  It’s a good piece of history. 

Decades have passed since this “salvage operation” started out, and not only are some of the promoters old, some have died off already (as has been mentioned).  Materially that bright and growing future won’t be seen by some; and, it’s quite possible it won’t develop as expected.  Nonetheless, diehards will likely continue because it’s good history. 

Doing something worthwhile uplifts the spirit.