Sandman's Journal

In 1972, four years before his death at 84, Norman Rockwell admitted, "I was doing this best-possible-world, Santa-down-the-chimney. . .sort of thing. And I liked it, but now I'm sick of it." He told his son, "If I could start over again, I'd paint like Picasso."

Picasso had more sex appeal. So what? Both were masters. Both were millionaires. Both were "sell-outs." Both were geniuses. One drew portraits. One was a rebel. Pizza pizza.

It's what's for dinner.

This morning I drove to Dunn Center to scope the available housing. I talked to City Hall, as well as to the area's only real estate agent. They said that in spite every other house being abandoned, nothing's currently for sale or rent.

I accidentally took matters into my own hands when I drove up to a tiny house that's always intrigued me. No car was parked there and I wanted to peek in the windows to see if it, too, was abandoned. I was surprised to be greeted by a burly, gruff-looking character who must've thought I was a salesman, 'cause he asked sharply, "Whadya need?" When I told him my purpose he warmed up and we ended up chatting for over an hour. He's a Gulf War vet who's into big game hunting and fishing. He grew up in Montana and moved out here to avoid the yuppies. He's also one of the most eloquent philosophers I've met in months. He confided to me his opinions on the Gulf War and the current Iraq War, and let's just say he has more in common with Michael Moore than Dick Cheney. His name's Kirk.

At the end of our talk he said that it's possible he'll be moving to the northern border of Minnesota sometime this summer. He prefers to be surrounded by trees, and elk. He said if he decides to sell he'll let me know first.

It's strange to think of myself as a potential home owner. Only three months ago I was defaulting on all credit card payments. I couldn't pay rent or loans. Now I'm thinking about buying a house! Only out here, though, where the economy is so depressed. Guess how much he'd be selling it for? $6500. That's ten times less than some of those used horse trailer/RVs they sell.