NARRATIVE of WARD COURIER, Continued

January, 2011

RUSKIN, NY

My book-like journal was in a hip-pack under my ski jacket, and I was planning to spend time with it. I am a master at being by myself in a public place and hauling it up for a few strategic jots. Only someone who made a point of studying me would notice. For some crazy reason - at least sometimes - the ambience, the wall-of-sound, helps me think.

I took an open spot at the bar and brooded for a ...