Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Relationships 27 October 2025. 1716 Hours.. I just read this missive, and I'm not sure who the recipient is, but I'd like to respond...somewhat. From my perspective, you are the most interesting person I have ever met. I had admired you from the first moment I met you, oh so many years ago. I have found that I'm just not able to communicate to many of my former friends. Life has changed and most of us have either died or moved on. I am working on being healthy, walking for about 1/2 hour + every day, in addition to working 2 hour every day for my daughter. Following politics is exhausting, mostly because there is nothing any of us can do....Except vote, and support those people who most match our values. For you, Frank, get yourself out the door and into that magnificent piece of nature you own. Communicate with the bats and bees. Are you a bee-keeper? That is not strenuous, but takes training and commitment. I suspect you've done it in the past, but not sure. I just purchased Michael McFaul's (another Scot) latest book "Autocrats and Democrats." Just started it, but he's so interesting, being a former Ambassador to Russia. But now he has become quite the expert on Ukraine. Tis' the end of the summer wine in Iowa. We've had reasonably good weather the past few weeks, but it's all coming to an end. Not sure when the snow will fly, but fly it will, and we'll be frozen out here for 5 more months (although one years, maybe 2010 or 2011 we hardly had any winter at all, and very nice weather, all winter long. I'm ready for another such winter. Most of them are brutal, but then you remember them. I live 10 minutes from the Amana Colonies (where I ran a Bed and Breakfast "The Prairie Rose" for 10 years). It's such a quaint, humble village, but I still like to go there to get in a constitutional. I can walk all over town and feel safe, and occasionally run into someone I used to know. Do you drive? I have a Scottish/German/Irish friend in Sacramento, Sharon Young. She was in the Callie Club, but she doesn't drive, and is starting to have serious health issues, mostly falling. She has travelled around the world, studied German for years, and I believe has a degree in Art. I can't get out there much anymore, but I'm wondering if you would like to visit her. She is about your age, and is very interesting. She lives alone, 3 blocks from the Capitol. If this is something you might be interested in, let me know and I'll arrange a meeting. Anyway, I hope you continue writing. You have so much to offer the world. Slante, Marye Frank Maurer 28 October 2025. 2238 Hours.