I think that my ideas about what a vision might be and individual’s perceptions of them is pretty spot on. I had said previously that there are three levels – a person has a vision, and a recipient agrees wholeheartedly. A person has a vision, and the recipient is so-so. Or, a person has a vision, and the recipient is downright skeptical.

I have seen all three responses at various times. Mostly, those I mention my idea to are skeptical, the main reason being that they can’t see the BLBP volunteers running a hotel. I then have told them that they have to instead see it as a literacy center, one with rooms that are rented out, this being our revenue stream. Some then, who previously thought this to be a crazy idea, have taken the middle road.

I now know that in order for a vision to become a reality that there must be critical mass, in other words, the vast majority must not only believe in the vision but look for ways to carry it out. We don’t have this.

So most likely my pie in the sky idea will remain a pie in the sky idea. When I think of pie in the sky, I think of Pete’s lemon meringue pie – sometimes the lemon is too much like goo, and sometimes the meringue is like Milk of Magnesia. So for now, I’m sticking (no pun intended) with this analogy.

I think, when I think of my vision and critical mass, of Joan of Arc. Now she got others to believe in her vision, to the point where she went to battle with large numbers of soldiers on horseback. And I do mean large numbers.

They wanted to believe her vision because they had a vested interest in the outcome of the battle. I just had an ah ha moment here – in order for me to get others to get on their horses and follow me, they would have to have a vested interest. A literacy center. Why a literacy center? It’s easier to envision a free country when literacy is the primary concern.

When I’m am asked (mostly by Pete) why haven’t you done this or that? (and lately, the this or that has to do with coordinating a literacy program), my answer is that I am too busy doing the other things.

I then feel guilty, as if I am coming up with a not-so-valid excuse for not doing this. There is enough time. There is also enough time to revise and continue work on my book.

I can’t win no matter how hard I try because I am a loser.

I wonder if Joan of Arc thought she was a loser. I wonder if Joan of Arc thought God thought she was a loser. Most likely, at the end, she did.

If this project goes up in flames, I am not going down with it. Hell no. I may go to hell in a handbasket, but that handbasket is going to have a bottom to it.

Next: 100. 4/11/25: Ripley’s Believe it or Not