Double-Darned sure from the Gitgo

An intriguing woman asked me just the other day,” So.. what are your interests?”  Well, that’s almost certainly the kind of interview question I’m certain to stumble upon every single time.  I used to write a column in the Eagle about Real Estate, but despite being known as Property Peddler around town, it might surprise some people to know that I’m not sure if Real Estate actually qualifies as an interest for me.  It’s a vocation that frustrates me, thrills me, infuriates me, and is, by its very nature, fascinating to me, but it barely qualifies as one of my actual “interests” and is certainly not among my highest aspirations.  (Yikes!)

 Having said that, don’t ask me what my aspirations actually are, because once again, I’d be stumped and stuttering, as usual, when such a question is put to me.  All I know now is that I won’t be talking about Real Estate here unless someone convinces me to do otherwise.  As if they would anyway; that’s a laugh!

I’ve always admired those who have known what they’ve wanted to do with their lives, not just since high-school, but ever.  In my case I’ve never really known what I’ve wanted because every time I think that I’ve discovered my “true calling”, life happens, and manages to repeatedly steer me into the “what was I thinking” zone.

I do sometimes like to write. I will say that.  And for the small circle of loyalists that have ever suffered through my ramblings, most of them would likely testify that I use writing more as therapeutic mechanism to sort my own thoughts, rather than to convey to the rest of the world any particular message. Or so it might seem.  If you hang in with me however, you might be surprised.

I do care about La Pine and there’s a lot to talk about in our not-so-sleepy neck of the woods.  Although we’re often dismissed by our neighbors to the north as the unloved and toothless step children of Deschutes County, among the things I’ll be here to talk about is what makes La Pine so special and the unique people that make it so.  Along the way, I’ll be steering off the beaten track by talking about things like “what was I thinking” and how I’ve failed to properly steer my career path throughout my life, but that’s just how “I roll”,  as they say, so I’m giving you fair warning right up front.

I love La Pine.  I discovered it during the midst of my first mid life crisis back in 2003 while driving so-called “Big Trucks” through Highway 97 from California into Washington.  I loved the beautiful Ponderosas, and the blue skies and sunshine that almost always made a point to greet me.  After only about my third trip through this country, I decided that this would be a great place to call home, so one day I parked my truck at Gordy’s, called Dan Varcoe (who owned Gilchrist Real Estate at the time) and told him I wanted to buy a house.  Two days later, I had found my present little hide-away, and I haven’t looked back since.

To me, La Pine is located in the perfect proximity to a medium Bend-sized town; just close enough to be convenient when I need my “city-fix”, and far enough away as to keep me from what I came to avoid in the first place.  Over the last eight years or so, I’ve discovered similar minded refugees from the city, and perhaps even more interesting, are those that have always been here and are not afraid to tell you so.  That’s for sure, because I’ve certainly come across those who have looked at me with seemingly great suspicion at first, who didn’t simply hand over such valuable commodities like friendship and trust without making double-darned sure I was worthy from the git-go. 

There are strong personalities here, including mine, who have distinct opinions about a lot of things.  But that’s what makes life and life here in La Pine so interesting.  We have incredible resources here, especially those of the people variety and I look forward to exploring topics of varied interest, particularly that which might affect life here in La Pine. Or maybe not.  We’ll just have to see.