Why My History Hobby

I am shipping off for a vacation in Vegas ,yes , Vegas next week. I have to fly and I hate to fly. I also will see the Grand Canyon and ancient ruins of south west native populations of + 1000 yrs ago. When I get back I begin another season of occasional digging into the past. Why do I explore these less than ancient ruins like old farmers landfills to attempt to piece together rather small aspects of small town life and history. Well , I remember last July for instance , a hot day after a cool spring. I am sitting eating my lunch inside a clump of trees on a large rock. I am working on an old foundation of a long gone barn. I am finding all sorts of tidbits which I shall report on another occasion after more work. I realize to most people this is a bore. My own wife of 29 yrs finds it odd. But to me I am at peace , piecing together a part of the world that is not really cared about. My pondering as I eat lunch in solitude is in a sense meditative. I enjoy the peace as my wife enjoys the noise of a casino. Finally I in my semi-retired state have time to do this and I am , after all those years in the workforce helping to solve , train , understand all those people's problems in my career feel free. Enjoying my lunch on a warm summer day , reporting on what I have found or remembering a piece of history worth relating. I enjoy this peace , if it is exploring where the KKK met in Castleton or where the old Hilltop Tavern once stood on Rt9. Interviewing people on what they know , grasping what was and turning it around to better have an understanding of what was going on and solutions people came up with to go about their lives. This is my hobby. Of much importance , no. The interests I pursue are much more about me and my self satisfied peace. If you live in the 12033 region of New York or near 06037 in Connecticut maybe I will see you in the next 7 or 8 months doing some research. I'll be smiling.