The Curve

Shotgun Phil & his 356 S

Today, I visited my very close friends Linda and Phil. Linda is a painter, a true artist, and a gifted caretaker and advocate of man and animal. Phil is a retired ENT surgeon I worked with in Santa Barbara. We met in 1997 for a case in the operating room and connected on the spot. We had, among many things, mountain biking in common. He detailed the trails to ride in Santa Cruz, which became my favorite biking mecca beginning 2003. Phil retired prematurely because of the unending maze of unnecessary hassles and dire liabilities of medical practice. His early retirement, a choice that too many of the best doctors are making, was a great loss for the medical community, as Phil was a deeply caring and outstanding surgeon. In 2005, Linda and Phil moved to Carmel Valley, a blessing of reunion for us all. I think it’s been 3-4 years since I last visited them at their beautiful property (yet they have since graciously made many trips to see me at my home). Linda showed me walls of her own exquisite paintings, and Phil let me drive his black 1963 Porsche 356 S, a breathtaking car in concours condition. This particular car was made like a Rolex by artisans of the past. If I had a grand pile of Benjamins just waiting to collapse under its own weight, I’d get one.

Lately, my world is expanding, opening once more to friends and indelible experiences. I am again beginning to consider the universe benevolent, as opposed to an inscrutable universe that is derisively indifferent to the human condition. Given my past, I don’t expect this steady handful of days to mirror my future, but I do expect to stockpile the spiritual fuel they are generating to quickly propel me through the next off-camber hairpin death curve.

Cary~

Porsche 356 S

Photog ~ Linda.

© Cary Gossett and Rollin With Outta Colon, 2012. All Rights Reserved.