I cannot begin to know why but in the past fifty years I have become a slave to the seasons. In addition to keeping up with holidays, birthdays and other important dates on the calendar I keep my eyes solidly glued to astronomical events that mark the earth's passage along its elliptical orbit about the sun.
Tomorrow at 12:47 EDT, the earth will pass through the winter solstice. For me this marks one of the best times of the year, the time when the daylight starts to get longer. There are those who might quibble about the specifics of what actually happens on that day but for me winter has ended and spring has started. True that the coldest part of the year lies ahead but for me that is but a mere inconvenience, the days are getting longer. Life is good and getting better.
About six months from now the cycle will reverse and the daylight will once again begin to wain. But at that time we will still have several months of toasty weather to give us solace. So for me most of the year is good. There is only the time just before the winter solstice when things for me are predictably dark and dismal and that time is nearly at an end.
Take heart in your Christmas celebrations each year. It is not your imagination that the days seem brighter ( albeit only slightly ) not only because of the fun and fellowship but because the sky has signaled that summer is coming!
I can't imagine it getting much better!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Still pondering...
But I did add a link to my sis-in-law's blog. Great thoughts and a killer playlist (killer in a nice way...).
Think happy thoughts. Life is not nearly as complicated as we make it out to be...
Think happy thoughts. Life is not nearly as complicated as we make it out to be...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A friend makes a decision.
I have a friend that is on the verge of making a life-changing decision. He is 17 and seriously considering joining the military. The Marines to be more precise.
He may not realize it but he will make far more important decisions later in his life but up till now nothing compares to what lies in his immediate future. I do not envy his position but I am glad that he has become man enough to place himself at this crossroad.
I never joined the military. Not for any disdain as some of my generation held for the armed forces. No, I just was never man enough to confront the issue. Since I have become an adult I have often thought of the sacrifices that others have made to keep my family and me free. Both of my brothers were in the military. My brothers in law (all of them I think) were in the military and all are better men for having done so.
Tonight my friend is taking the tests tonight to determine his skill level and what jobs he will qualify for. I know that he is nervous because he feels that a lot is riding on the results. My friend will do fine at the tests because he is a bright young man. I feel confident that his parents and those around him are proud of him and they have good reason to be.
Regardless of the decision that he makes concerning the military, life is going to start coming at him with amazing speed. I and others will tell him steps to take and steps to miss. He will likely not listen but that is mostly OK. He is quickly becoming a man and will have to make many of his own mistakes and enjoy his own successes.
To my friend: I am proud of you for what you are considering. You are more of man than I ever was at your age as is evident in the direction that you are currently taking in your life. You have my full faith and confidence and my pledge to help you in any way I can.
He may not realize it but he will make far more important decisions later in his life but up till now nothing compares to what lies in his immediate future. I do not envy his position but I am glad that he has become man enough to place himself at this crossroad.
I never joined the military. Not for any disdain as some of my generation held for the armed forces. No, I just was never man enough to confront the issue. Since I have become an adult I have often thought of the sacrifices that others have made to keep my family and me free. Both of my brothers were in the military. My brothers in law (all of them I think) were in the military and all are better men for having done so.
Tonight my friend is taking the tests tonight to determine his skill level and what jobs he will qualify for. I know that he is nervous because he feels that a lot is riding on the results. My friend will do fine at the tests because he is a bright young man. I feel confident that his parents and those around him are proud of him and they have good reason to be.
Regardless of the decision that he makes concerning the military, life is going to start coming at him with amazing speed. I and others will tell him steps to take and steps to miss. He will likely not listen but that is mostly OK. He is quickly becoming a man and will have to make many of his own mistakes and enjoy his own successes.
To my friend: I am proud of you for what you are considering. You are more of man than I ever was at your age as is evident in the direction that you are currently taking in your life. You have my full faith and confidence and my pledge to help you in any way I can.
The simplest and shortest ethical precept is to be served by others as little as possible, and to serve others as much as possible. — Leo Tolstoy
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Mostly compliant
I have two things going on right now that I am struggling with.
The first is becoming a vegetarian... again. Cherri & I were vegetarians many years ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. We fell off the wagon so to speak and lived life like normal folks pretty much since that time. Off and on for years, I have wanted to get back to eating meat-free. Eating meat-free is a lot easier these days and there are numerous meat 'replacements' on the market, most of which can be found at the local Walmart. The best are pretty good and the rest are mostly palatable but none of them can replace meat so don't get your hopes up.
If you are thinking of becoming a vegetarian, think of your reasons for eating meat-free. If you are doing it for moral reasons, you might want to skip the meat replacements altogether (at least until you get your feet wet). If you want to leave meat behind because you can't handle the moral issues involved then why be reminded each time you pick up a burger replacement? If you want to get past meat for strictly dieting reasons then the replacements are probably OK. But to remind you, the best are just good and the worst are downright nasty.
The other and totally unrelated issue is marathoning of all things.
I have taken to jogging a bit. I can go 5 miles without too much of a struggle but that is about it. In an effort to shake things up, I started to run and walk instead of trying to run the whole distance. Alternating has allowed me to go greater distances and not suffer too much afterward.
The alternating causes a conundrum to exist in my head.
I see running a marathon as just that, run the whole thing or stay home. I think that is why they call it running a marathon and not participating in a marathon. But I realize that there are probably very few folks that could actually run - or jog - the whole thing. I guess that is why there is a veritable cottage industry that has grown up around walking marathons.
I suppose that you have to do whatever you can to get through the whole thing without losing your veggie burger but I struggle with the terms. Run a marathon or walk a marathon.
I guess it is like a getting a degree in college. No one actually asks you if it took you four years or ten years. They just see the degree and know that you made it through. Maybe it is the same way with marathon medals.
I don't know, I just don't know...
The first is becoming a vegetarian... again. Cherri & I were vegetarians many years ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. We fell off the wagon so to speak and lived life like normal folks pretty much since that time. Off and on for years, I have wanted to get back to eating meat-free. Eating meat-free is a lot easier these days and there are numerous meat 'replacements' on the market, most of which can be found at the local Walmart. The best are pretty good and the rest are mostly palatable but none of them can replace meat so don't get your hopes up.
If you are thinking of becoming a vegetarian, think of your reasons for eating meat-free. If you are doing it for moral reasons, you might want to skip the meat replacements altogether (at least until you get your feet wet). If you want to leave meat behind because you can't handle the moral issues involved then why be reminded each time you pick up a burger replacement? If you want to get past meat for strictly dieting reasons then the replacements are probably OK. But to remind you, the best are just good and the worst are downright nasty.
The other and totally unrelated issue is marathoning of all things.
I have taken to jogging a bit. I can go 5 miles without too much of a struggle but that is about it. In an effort to shake things up, I started to run and walk instead of trying to run the whole distance. Alternating has allowed me to go greater distances and not suffer too much afterward.
The alternating causes a conundrum to exist in my head.
I see running a marathon as just that, run the whole thing or stay home. I think that is why they call it running a marathon and not participating in a marathon. But I realize that there are probably very few folks that could actually run - or jog - the whole thing. I guess that is why there is a veritable cottage industry that has grown up around walking marathons.
I suppose that you have to do whatever you can to get through the whole thing without losing your veggie burger but I struggle with the terms. Run a marathon or walk a marathon.
I guess it is like a getting a degree in college. No one actually asks you if it took you four years or ten years. They just see the degree and know that you made it through. Maybe it is the same way with marathon medals.
I don't know, I just don't know...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Just random thoughts...
Not much is going on today. Cherri just finished our taxes... we got a refund! Life is good. What with no overtime and no bonuses, every little bit helps. We also worked around the yard and I repaired a downspout that was an unwitting victim of a recent storm.
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Went and saw Watchmen last night. -thanks to alphageek for footing the bill- The first one third was not the greatest (I never read the book-which would have helped) but after all of the back story was put into place then things really started to rock. Before you knew it there was all kinds of killing and maiming and wanton destruction. I do believe that the Rorschach character was my favorite.
The movie warrants a second viewing just to fill in all of the cracks. It is not one for the kiddies and the women-folk might to not go even if their men-folk ask them too. That is unless they like general madness and mayhem on the big screen. You got to love a good woman that likes some rip-roaring fun at the theater.
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On another subject, I have a hammered dulcimer sitting near me that I have been giving a half-hearted attempt at trying to tune.
I have wanted try to learn how to play one for a very long time ( I am a fan of instruments that sound good, that you don't have to fret and you can beat with a couple of sticks. ) But after I borrowed this HD, I had to repair it ( built and installed 27 bridges ), then I had to try to tune it.
The tuning part is kicking my buttocks ( both of them in unison ). It is a 14/13 meaning it has 13 notes on the bass scale and 14 notes on both sides of the treble bridge. and each note has two strings that, for some odd reason, have to be tuned the same for the note to sound pleasant. That would be 54 strings tuned to the correct pitch and I am not sure that I have the note layout correct. I think that I will send the HD back to its owner with my thanks ( and 27 new bridges ). I have been listening to the mountain dulcimer and I may try that instrument instead. If you be all hopped up on moonshine and still pluck out a respectable tune then it can't be that hard to play.
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I am SO glad that we had a nice warm day today. Spring is nearing and the vernal equinox is not far away. The time changes tonight which will help the psyche somewhat.
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Rorschach: You people don't understand. I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me!
-----------------
Well there you have it, an updated blog entry that is about as random as they come.
-----------------
Went and saw Watchmen last night. -thanks to alphageek for footing the bill- The first one third was not the greatest (I never read the book-which would have helped) but after all of the back story was put into place then things really started to rock. Before you knew it there was all kinds of killing and maiming and wanton destruction. I do believe that the Rorschach character was my favorite.
The movie warrants a second viewing just to fill in all of the cracks. It is not one for the kiddies and the women-folk might to not go even if their men-folk ask them too. That is unless they like general madness and mayhem on the big screen. You got to love a good woman that likes some rip-roaring fun at the theater.
-----------------
On another subject, I have a hammered dulcimer sitting near me that I have been giving a half-hearted attempt at trying to tune.
I have wanted try to learn how to play one for a very long time ( I am a fan of instruments that sound good, that you don't have to fret and you can beat with a couple of sticks. ) But after I borrowed this HD, I had to repair it ( built and installed 27 bridges ), then I had to try to tune it.
The tuning part is kicking my buttocks ( both of them in unison ). It is a 14/13 meaning it has 13 notes on the bass scale and 14 notes on both sides of the treble bridge. and each note has two strings that, for some odd reason, have to be tuned the same for the note to sound pleasant. That would be 54 strings tuned to the correct pitch and I am not sure that I have the note layout correct. I think that I will send the HD back to its owner with my thanks ( and 27 new bridges ). I have been listening to the mountain dulcimer and I may try that instrument instead. If you be all hopped up on moonshine and still pluck out a respectable tune then it can't be that hard to play.
-----------------
I am SO glad that we had a nice warm day today. Spring is nearing and the vernal equinox is not far away. The time changes tonight which will help the psyche somewhat.
-----------------
Rorschach: You people don't understand. I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me!
-----------------
Well there you have it, an updated blog entry that is about as random as they come.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Voices in my head...
I once heard ( I think...) "The poet gives voice to the tribe". When I heard that phrase, it stirred the pot in my head and got me to thinking... again.
I find it curious that even in my ever advancing age I still have probably more than my share of epiphanies. Although most are minor in scale, they still make me think that there is still hope for the ever-aging puddle of grey mush in my head. I take these minor enlightenments with great joy even though I don't share most, if any, of them in the fear that those around would question the mental faculties of someone that was just a bit too happy too have just figured out how to tally bowling scores. Anyway, when I heard the poet phrase, I began to think of my own ability to make cogent arguments for what I think to be true or false.
We all have favorite speakers, authors, magazines and songs. Did you ever wonder why? I have my favorites and I may have a bit of an enlightenment into the reasons why. At least for me. It may be because - in part- that these mediums of information or entertainment lend their words to thoughts that we have in our own heads but for whatever reason, cannot place into words that make sense to us as individuals. Yes, it is also because the words we read and hear and dance to agree with our self defined worlds but I think it is more important to know that someone is able to put into the spoken words what we are striving to say but cannot.
Now don't freak out on me here. I am not talking about having brain problems here. Just talking about some thoughts that we have lived with forever but have not quite given complete form to. Like not quite figuring out why we never quite liked Aunt Tillie's fruit cake. We thought we didn't like it because of the taste but it may be because deep in our past we learned that we didn't like it without even tasting it. (Probably from Uncle Rufus who new that it was soaked in rum and he wanted it all for himself. That Uncle Rufus was a lush and we all knew it.)
We all have tons of incomplete thoughts and incomplete beliefs in our heads. I have a friend I will call Bud (because that is his name ). Late in his life Bud began to question why he had the thoughts and beliefs after he was 'confronted' during a debate that an argument that he was making had no basis in reality. It shook him a bit because he had rooted much of the course of his adult life on the basis of a belief that had now been exposed as being baseless. It set him back on his heels for a bit and made him take an honest long look at what he believed and why.
Now Bud didn't have to go to a mountain in Tibet to get the answers. He just had to sift back through his mental filing cabinets to find where the roots of the belief came from and when he could not find the root of the belief, he forced himself to re-examine some of his current thought processes. Bud still believes what he believed before but now he knows why and has a firm footing that he can explain to others.
I probably have more than my share of incomplete thoughts in my head but as time goes along input from others helps to fill in the gaps. Listening to others' thoughts and reading blogs is a great help. Listening to Cyndi Lauper and Jethro Tull songs doesn't hurt a bit either.
I find it curious that even in my ever advancing age I still have probably more than my share of epiphanies. Although most are minor in scale, they still make me think that there is still hope for the ever-aging puddle of grey mush in my head. I take these minor enlightenments with great joy even though I don't share most, if any, of them in the fear that those around would question the mental faculties of someone that was just a bit too happy too have just figured out how to tally bowling scores. Anyway, when I heard the poet phrase, I began to think of my own ability to make cogent arguments for what I think to be true or false.
We all have favorite speakers, authors, magazines and songs. Did you ever wonder why? I have my favorites and I may have a bit of an enlightenment into the reasons why. At least for me. It may be because - in part- that these mediums of information or entertainment lend their words to thoughts that we have in our own heads but for whatever reason, cannot place into words that make sense to us as individuals. Yes, it is also because the words we read and hear and dance to agree with our self defined worlds but I think it is more important to know that someone is able to put into the spoken words what we are striving to say but cannot.
Now don't freak out on me here. I am not talking about having brain problems here. Just talking about some thoughts that we have lived with forever but have not quite given complete form to. Like not quite figuring out why we never quite liked Aunt Tillie's fruit cake. We thought we didn't like it because of the taste but it may be because deep in our past we learned that we didn't like it without even tasting it. (Probably from Uncle Rufus who new that it was soaked in rum and he wanted it all for himself. That Uncle Rufus was a lush and we all knew it.)
We all have tons of incomplete thoughts and incomplete beliefs in our heads. I have a friend I will call Bud (because that is his name ). Late in his life Bud began to question why he had the thoughts and beliefs after he was 'confronted' during a debate that an argument that he was making had no basis in reality. It shook him a bit because he had rooted much of the course of his adult life on the basis of a belief that had now been exposed as being baseless. It set him back on his heels for a bit and made him take an honest long look at what he believed and why.
Now Bud didn't have to go to a mountain in Tibet to get the answers. He just had to sift back through his mental filing cabinets to find where the roots of the belief came from and when he could not find the root of the belief, he forced himself to re-examine some of his current thought processes. Bud still believes what he believed before but now he knows why and has a firm footing that he can explain to others.
I probably have more than my share of incomplete thoughts in my head but as time goes along input from others helps to fill in the gaps. Listening to others' thoughts and reading blogs is a great help. Listening to Cyndi Lauper and Jethro Tull songs doesn't hurt a bit either.
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