Listen to your spirit and find joy

 Six years ago this week, I wrote a column on the death of Mary Loraine Peets Buffett. "Peets," who died at the age of 82, had a few simple rules for living the good life.

   These rules included:

   * Read often, including the classics.

   * Accept everyone for who they are, not for what they do.

   * Be well traveled.

   * Learn to be a listener. Shhhh!

   * Live by the sea. (...One of my personal favorites!)

   * Listen to your spirit and find joy.

   * Education, like money, doesn't make you happy or successful, but it sure helps.

   * Love and family are the best things we have.

    Every once in a while, I revisit some old newspaper columns, like hunters revisit old woods or fishermen revisit old secret creek banks. (Or, as Peet's son would say, like ships visit old ports.)

   Lately, much to my chagrin, I've not had much time for reading or reflection. While the past printed word is good, the present ­ and future ­ are more demanding.

   In case you aren't aware, for the past four weeks The Highland County Press has been under new management. And don't blame me if you are less than pleased. We all know who runs this operation and it's sure as shootin' not me. (Fortunately!)

   No one likes to read about a guy who breaks his own arm by patting himself on the back. This being said, when a longtime friend approached me at the recent draft horse show and said what a wonderful job "I" was doing at the HCP, I had no other option but to correct him. As Bob Dylan once said, "It ain't me, Babe."

   We have been simply overwhelmed with the community support these past four weeks. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

     But one point must be clarified: If you like what you see in print and at www.highlandcountypress.com, please send your thanks to Angie, Lisa, Stephen and Caitlin. They're the ones who make it work. I'm just along for the ride. (And the pretzel rods from TSC! Man, I love pretzel rods ­ The Official Snack Food of The Highland County Press.)

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   One more thing, at Peets Buffett's funeral, the musical selections included "Be Not Afraid," "Let There Be Peace on Earth," and "Amazing Grace."

   Great selections, all. Her son, Jimmy (yeah, that one), surely approved...

***

   After all of one single month of being an independent business owner, I have a newfound respect and admiration for the owners of small businesses everywhere. Granted, small business owners have long had my respect and admiration. I just really did not have full comprehension of what you go through, particularly on start-up. The expenses are immediate and they demand immediate attention. The revenues can be a bit slower to realize.

   A national bank has an interesting advertising campaign in which a pizzeria business discusses its most important ingredients. Not unpredictably, the most important ingredient in the pizza is not the sauce, the cheese or the pepperoni; it's the cash flow. Because without cash flow, there's no pizza.

   It's the same with newspapers, grocery stores, gas stations and every other business. Cash flow is always the essential ingredient. For those who have been more than prompt with their payments, you have our appreciation. Your efforts will not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

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   How many of you know that The Highland County Press is being published from the former Boltz-Haggerty Shoe Store? To be honest, I didn't. I thought we were set up in the former Penquite's market, but that grocery business was located next door, according to Bob Hottle of Higher Ground Auto Sales. I recall childhood memories from shopping at Penquite's, but I do not remember the Boltz-Haggerty Shoe Store. (We shopped at Henry's Shoes, on down Main Street.)

   A couple of weeks ago, Bob told me the shoe store used to have an X-ray machine and children often came in just to step into the machine and look at the insides of their feet. (Radiation exposure, apparently, wasn't much of a concern back then.)

   So, as we (by "we," I refer to assorted volunteering friends and family members) remodel our Main Street office, do not be surprised to see an old pair of shoes or cowboy boots on display when you stop by. We'll have some old newspapers displayed prominently as well, but we also want to have some respect for one of the more well-known businesses that once inhabited this building, that of Jim Boltz and Du Haggerty.

   The main thing, of course, is that you do stop by. We're here to serve you and to help you reach thousands of others, as you market your goods and services. We appreciate your continued support. Thank you.