Every year my step-father takes off for the great white north (Canada) for probably a total of 3 weeks, all broken out over 2 to 3 trips.  He'll be gone so far north to areas that dont have cell phone service or even paved roads.  He'll take a float plane into the lodge.  He lives for this stuff. 

When he is gone, my mother is basically a widow.  The lures, fishing rods, reels, etc ... all that fishing stuff ... has taken her husband away.  And she is absolutely fine with the temporary absence of my step-father.  She does miss him and looks forward to his return, but at the same time, she enjoys her alone time.  I used to fret of her  being by herself so I would be over there all the time.  I soon sensed she didnt mind being alone, in fact she looked forward to it. 

I went over to their house on Sunday to take Mom to the Wilton Tent Sale for some baking goodies.  I went into the basement to get something and I noticed the 'fishing' room was looking a bit vacant.  Come to think of it the whole house felt a little vacant.