Over the past 3 months an urge has grown within me to take a fresh direction with my writing.   That’s another way to say “an urge has grown within me to take a fresh direction with my thinking.”  

You see, for me – writing is how I do my deepest thinking.   My 7 books are simply me trying to makes sense of a part of the world around me. 

Until recently, I couldn’t find the proper “voice” for my next writing effort.   Over the past four weeks I’ve been working with Bruce Forsee to build a Beach Bar on the deck above the lake behind our Brain Brew Distillery at the Eureka! Ranch.  The idea was to build a replica of the one on Prince Edward Island where we spend summers (except for this year). 

As Bruce and I “Bull Crapped” as he calls it – the idea for this Blog was born.  

My goal is to replicate the Beach Bar conversations.   The conversations that are informal – insightful, occasionally wise and sometimes foolish.  

For example – recently a guy stopped by the distillery to buy some bourbon.  

“You don’t recognize me do you? He said to me. 

Ken’s Screen Mobile

He looked familiar but I couldn’t place him.   He introduced himself as Ken Eilers the Screen Man. 

I remembered instantly. I’d written about him many years ago in one of my books. 

Ken was an inspiration in focus.  He drove the Screen Mobile.  He specialized in fixing screens.  Just screens.  Not windows, not doors – just screens.   

My co-writer on a book at the time, David Wecker, tried very hard to get Ken to break… to see if he could get him to do anything other than screens.  He offered money, food, women and other bribes of increasing ridiculousness. 

Ken didn’t budge.  He told us “I don’t want to compare myself to a brain surgeon but if you only do one thing you tend to get good.” 

Back now to the present – I asked if he was still doing screens. 

“No – as I’ve gotten older I gave them up”, Ken said. 

I asked why?

“They take too much work.” Ken said with a smile and with total clarity  “Today I ONLY repair broken windows. It’s easier work.”

I broke into laughter – my face mask vibrating.   Ken was just as focused as before.   

Later at the Beach Bar, I related this story.  It sparked a conversation on what joy there must be in doing just one thing very, very well.  And, how that seems impossible in today’s multi-tasking world.