James Joyce Stream of Consciousness it Ain’t

But, it is illustrative of a rattling, wandering, busy mind…just like we all have. Try it sometime. It’s, if nothing else, interesting…

The following comes from a set of notes I made a couple of months ago. I was trying to list all the things I did this day. I’m sure I missed so much, but got a lot of it down.

I was in Winston-Salem at my apartment in the old RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company Headquarters. I was going to the Greystone Inn at Lake Toxaway, over near Highlands and Cashiers.

So much of this is mundane, so much is thought fodder…

Awake

Make Bed

Check weather-gorgeous-am on 14th floor-can see all the way to the Blue Ridge

Shower

Pack up, few clothes, writing bag

Straighten up apartment.

Trash and newspapers to Recycling room

Valet car delivery at front (a nice little luxury)

To UPS Store to overnight a package

To Harris Teeter for WS Journal, NY Times and Wall Street Journal

Go visit with Mother, a sharp as a tack 96 year old

Have breakfast with her, notes indicate we discussed China

(It occurred to me that I needed to make sure I had two suits, navy blue and charcoal gray, and proper shirts, ties and shoes in order-one never knows…sartorial fire extinguishers)

Make notes for upcoming Blog

Get on road to Toxaway.

Once off Interstate, onto fascinating country roads

During my drive, these are people I either talked or texted with or about (Yes, ye without sin, go ahead and cast that first stone…):

Youngest son’s upcoming birthday

My friend Emily, THC Expert

A couple of folks I am worried about

Commercial real estate inquiry

Investment real estate partner

Friend moving from Connecticut to Aiken, sick of the taxes

Conferred with my most recent former wife and always great friend about surely many things

Daughter and Son In Law’s 5th Anniversary

Talked with my young buddy Harris about this and that Tar Heel matters

Talked with my Virginia friend Emily

Talked with the ever-busy Mary G

Talked with Rams Club about football season

Talked with Carolina Inn about football season

Played Spotify music loud and sang (more like screeched)

Thanked my friend Tina, long-time, brilliant GM of The Wilcox in Aiken for her helping me out on my travels

Talked with my brother Paul about all sorts of things

Provided some PR guidance to a friend who is a fine Life Coach and Nutritionist

Make a note that I need poster boards and Sharpies

Arrive at entrance to Lake Toxaway

Driving in deep woods, as though I’m in an ever-narrowing funnel

Arrive at Inn, gorgeous imposing stone manse, built by Minsk Family in 1915, overlooking lake

Am early, front desk folks are so accommodating as i introduce myself

Thanks to Tina, they were waiting for me

Meet GM Paulette-so nice

Since I’m early, go to lovely restaurant lakeside for lunch

A light pasta and a little salad

Then sit in old-timey deck chairs in sun on bluff overlooking lake-close my eyes for a bit

A quiet motor boat here, a canoe there, gliding little wakes

Back to formally check in

Nice young man named Brandon (He insists) takes me and my bags to my room overlooking lake

Room is as big as Brandon and that’s saying something

Gather up some writing materials and busy myself on deck

Do some reading in Hillary Mantell’s wonderful Wolf Hall (2nd time around)

Make executive decision to take long, exploring walk tomorrow-which I did-whole property is big and pretty with all the bells and whistles

Take a long nap

Take a shower and clean up

Walk up to Big House, wander about and look at all the old, fine common areas

The scent of the fireplaces is so redolent, so ‘in the mountains of western North Carolina’

Find a spot next to windows in old Mansion Bar.

Barkeep is a snappy, gregarious ginger named Andrey

Watch ESPN and Weather Channel as I enjoy a few pops

A few hearty enough snacks-Pot Stickers and a serving of good Pimento Cheese and toast

Excellent people watching and visiting-nice, attractive golf group from Atlanta, Georgia Tech fans, knowledgeable and fun

Decide to wrap it up for the night-share a nightcap with me new and temporary friends

Walk back to room in pretty blue black dark, backlit by crescent moon, chilly breeze

Curl into bed with my book

Watch high spinning ceiling fan

Hypnotized

Sleep

A fun, little project. As I said, try it. Do it and then put it aside for a few months, then study on it...No telling what you will end up telling yourself.

And

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