In November, in a cold country, a fresh snow fallen and the future a frolicking of ideas, I went to Amazon.com and decided I needed some things I didn’t REALLY need—but I desired each item with a celebratory feeling. 

One of these things was a small brass telescope. “Please can I have it!” I said to the powers that be. Then I remembered I was 31. I was the power that was and lo, the little golden telescope all was mine. 

From the view now, just into 2017 I see that that prick of desire was the future calling, telling me that life in the new year could use a little telescope like that to pan the horizon and be grateful for this mighty ride. Can’t wait to tell you how I got this place. It all began when I started living in a tool shed for $3 a day.