“The richest person is the one who is contented with what he has.”
— Robert C. Savage
I know that I will never make it as an American Idol, but in thinking of finding a place for my talents, skills and energy I may try another avenue to public recognition. In review of my very few activities since the first snowflake fell this winter I have decided to be the Lake Metamora Idle.

It seems as though the competition for the title is very weak and I should enjoy a fair chance of success ... that is unless there are some secret challengers that actually remain in deep slumber during the hallowed hibernation period.

I must admit that I have violated some of the minor rules of idleness. I am counting on the fact that anyone alert enough to catch me would by that fact disqualify himself as a serious contender.

If I was anything but as idle as I have been I could have kept notes on the number of consecutive daybreaks I have completely missed, as well as the lack of miles traveled or even steps taken or words spoken.

Looking out on the lake cannot be counted as an energetic action, much like watching the birds attacking their feeder. It is the birds, not me, violating long-honored Idle Rules. I may be accused of spending time waiting for the mailman, even on Sunday, but I think that would be considered very picky by the judges. Even at that I would think that falling asleep in the middle of conversations, especially at the dinner table, would make up for those slips from idleness.

All my early training has been on the opposite side where energetic action was supposed to prevail and Idleness was mistakenly conceived to be the Devil’s Workshop. Remember it is called his “Workshop,” not his “Loafshop,” Here in the Idle world competitors learn to eat apples over oranges, which require peeling, and popcorn over nuts which must be shelled, but even they face elimination for just competing.

When someone in the house recently turned on the TV set, news commentators were busy all day and night feverishly telling stories about extremely busy people at the peak of very busy and successful dynamic careers in the world of politics, sports and entertainment as their lives burst into flames in front of all the world to see and their ashes were left to the winds to settle into heaps of unwanted despair. They called this, “Fast-Breaking News!” What was really breaking was dreams, individuals, families, hearts, trust, hope, faith, love, rigid conformance, law and order and human strength.

Come to think about it. Becoming the Lake Metamora Idle should be left to those who are eager enough to seek such recognition,

Now what did I do with that, “DO NOT DISTURB!” sign?

More Tips