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Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.

I am playing things by the ear today. I feel like I was taken to the cleaners yesterday. I spent way too much money. I was not too thrilled by a couple of episodes with Mikey. Sort of a trial of wills if you know what I mean. I think he could be a real manipulator and he needs to think that over a little bit.

I did not hear from Mikey until eight thirty. I guess it is no surprise that we kept getting voice mail since he had left his phone in my car. The ring tone has been changed to a piece of music and he has it in a scabboard he bought at a yard sale so it is hard for me to hear it – him as well I guess. Anyway when we finally did hook up he grabbed a couple cinnamon buns (one for himself and one for me) some orange juice and coffee at Plaid Pantry and we were off to the skateboard park in Glenn Haven Park on 82^nd Avenue. Even at nine oclock there were quite a few young folks around riding skateboards, scooters, and bicycles. Mikey said he was going to check it out and would leave his skateboard in the car. He suggested I stay in the car, look at the beautiful park and not embarrass him – okay by me. Later he was back for his skateboard that he carried around more than he rode. The crowd grew, I slept and read and did not embarrass him. We stayed for over ten hours. The weather was perfect and he and some other kids developed some games of sliding down the slopes of the bowls with bicycles, skaters, and scooters whizzing by and playing a game of “chicken” without running over one another. Actually there were between 50-75 males playing in this area without any conflict. They were of all ages, colors, and skill levels. I was really inspired by the whole experience. I never saw anyone get seriously hurt, no arguments, no drinking but a lot of good physical activity. Some outfit sponsoring a skateboard video came around about  twelve thirty with a pickup full of pizza and bottled water and it disappeared very quickly.

Several times in the afternoon the Good Humor truck came by and Mikey (son like father) had some bucks and made sure his buddies had some ice cream.

After ten hours in the bright sun and sliding on slick cement Mikey was one pink Indian and a little on the “rode hard put away wet” side – definitely needing a shower. But he had fun there is no doubt. I never saw anyone who could draw out a parting longer than Mikey. We spent thirty minutes getting me headed home. He was still waving when I went around the corner. I should think he did not have to have his back rubbed to get to sleep last night.