Octo𝘣𝘦𝘳 1, 2020

This has really been the year for the front bed by the driveway to take off.  I have mentioned how the Pampas Grass had bloomed for the first time in memory.  When Melissa was checking on the succulents today, she noticed they were also flourishing.  This is especially true of the Kalanchoe donkey ears (Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri).  The plant is about a foot across and everywhere one of the leaves had touched the group it had taken root and begun to propagate.  It had also sent out a shoot that had fallen over and rooted.  This guy was going to make it!

When I looked online it said the donkey ears is a fast-growing succulent with waxy coated, maroon-splotched leaves that extend up to 20″ long.  It is named after the long donkey ear shaped leaves.   Like many other kalanchoe the donkey ears propagate very easily and require little care.  Plantlets develop at tip of leaves which will either drop to the ground or weigh the main leaf down.  The plantlets then take root when they touch the soil.  The plantlets will even fall off and root themselves in the soil.  The one problem is they do not like the cold.

Melissa has been exploring options for taking care of the succulents during winter.  We had thought of putting them in the shed but that means a large transfer and we would need to find a way to water and get sunlight.    What we finally arrived at was to wrap the screened porch where they are now in a 10-mil greenhouse covering.  This should be cool enough to let the plants go dormant but keep them from the cold nights that might kill them.  The outside plants were selected for the ground as they are hardier.  Even here we will need to cover them to protect them from the cold.  I hope her succulents do better than my garden.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  The coming fall has already begun to bring cooler temperatures.  Some of the deciduous trees on our drive north have changed colors and it will not be too long before they will all change and drop.  Fall has also brought schools and football.  We were told the virus would go away when it got warm, but this did not happen.  Now we are putting large groups in proximity and requiring physical exercise.  Several of our local schools have canceled or rescheduled games and been forced to move to online learning due to outbreaks.  The first professional game is “postponed” this Sunday and it will not be the last.  Through it all some refuse to follow the CDC guidelines.  We our covering our plants to keep them safe.  I am not sure why we cannot do the same for people.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 30, 2020

I mentioned yesterday that I had separated the boxes of tax record and other financial data from the storage room as part of my cleanup.  Melissa suggested that rather than shredding the boxes of financial information I should burn it.  This seemed to be an easier solution rather than spending hours putting the papers through a shredder and then having the whole lot go to a landfill.  Our neighbor burns the trimmed limbs from his trees by putting them in a pile on his back lawn.  When we first moved here Melissa questioned the legality of his action and called the city manager to find out, as this used to be illegal.  Apparently, this is now acceptable behavior.

I read Fahrenheit 451 during my formative years in High School.   This and several other seditious books were recommended to me by a woman doing her student teacher certification when I was a Sophomore.  The novel by Ray Bradbury was first published in 1953 and is often regarded as one of his best works.  This depicts a future American society where books are outlawed, and “firemen” burn any that are found. The book’s tagline explains the title: “Fahrenheit 451 – the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns…”  The lead character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his role of censoring literature and destroying knowledge.  He eventually quits his job and commits himself to the preservation of literary and cultural writings.  The novel has been the subject of interpretations focusing on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas for change.

When I started burning the papers, I quickly found out that I could not get the fire hot enough.  I would get the papers to start and then they would die down.  Even the logs I threw on the fire to keep it hot did not burn.  I had tried several weeks ago to make a romantic fire in the firepit, and they did not work then (old and damp).  I am not sure why I thought they would magically work now.  I even poured a little gas on the fire to get it going (I know, not smart).  All it accomplished was I burnt a hole in my sock.  I guess I need to get some decent wood to make this work.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  My brother owns a fire suppression company in the Kansas City area called Fahrenheit 451.  This is the latest of several fire extinguisher companies he bought out and now serves as his base for installation of suppression systems installed in restaurants.  Putting out fires is what we need right now, both figurative and literal.  Better forest management would be a start as controlled burns would remove some of the undergrowth.  Most of the lands burning are federally owned so this could be a directive.  A deeper problem is with the dry conditions caused by changing weather patterns.  Some call this climate change, at least the scientists.  Perhaps we should investigate this as well.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 29, 2020

One of the surprises we found when we moved back to the house three years ago was Melissa’s dad decided to remodel the outbuilding without letting her know.   He basically cut the storage room in half and put a wall across the entrance to make more room for his “shop.”  The original storage room was 8’ wide and ran the entire 20’ along the back.  Melissa and her mother had stored mementos, Melissa’s wedding china, tons of Christmas items, and old tax records.  These were on racks arranged along both sides of the room.  Like most remodeling projects, this was never completed.  There were outlets dangling from the ceiling and the door was thrown across the new entrance. Even worse, the items had been taken down and the racks given away.  These carefully stored possessions had been hastily trashed in the remaining part of the room.

When we saw what happened, we immediately retrieved the racks, but were overwhelmed by the chaos left in the room.  I was working on other projects and the shed was not a priority, until now.  This was originally supposed to be my “man cave,” but that idea had not gone far either.  I decided this was the day and I would tackle the impossible.  I thought I would need shelves so that is where my task began.  When I measured to room, I noticed there were still several shelves left.  Most of the racks we retrieved had be subsumed into the succulents.  Still, I thought I should see what I needed before going out to buy more.

I removed the boxes of taxes to be shredded, the books and the few clothes to be given away, and then went about rearranging the remaining boxes on the four shelves left.  I was surprised to find many of the boxes were empty.  These were left over from tools that had been purchased and given away.  There were also a lot of empty Christmas decoration boxes, along with carefully stored Christmas items.  Sorting out what went where would have to be left for another day.  Today was about organizing the chaos.  “The first step is complete.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  I have always been amazed by the Christmas decorations Melissa has.  She was a collector of several different brands of ceramic.  Many were stored in the shed, but we also have an attic full.  Melissa suggested we ought to have a Christmas in October Sale.  I had been collecting books since I began college.  I kept many of the books during my quest for five degrees and added more from library book sales.  When we moved, I narrowed my collection down to 15 boxes of “important” books.  I donated the other 42 boxes to the local library.  I have noticed we tend to keep stuff because it is easier than doing the work to decide what we really need.  The same can be said for our attitudes.  It is easier to keep the status quo than work to create reform or even justice.  Do the work.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 28, 2020

I have been a fan of the Mercedes SL series since I was in High School.  While some of my classmates were driving Mustangs and Camaros (and even one with a Dodge 444), I was happy to have the use of our families used Chevy Impala.  When I graduated, I got a job and bought my first car, a Fiat 850 Sport Spider.  While not an SL, it was built low enough to the ground that with the top down you could drive under a semitrailer (you figure it out).  My first Benz was a used 280 C diesel sedan.  This was about 20 years old and had been donated.  It was not quite what I had been dreaming of.

As I drive down the road, I have noticed several bumper stickers that read, “My other car is a . . .”   Almost anything can be inserted.  Some insert a luxury vehicle of some sort.  This implies the driver is better off than the vehicle they drive.  Others declare their other vehicle is a truck.  I have also seen “a plane” or even “a horse.”  One of the better stickers I have seen is, “my other car is also a piece of junk,” although this had a different descriptive on the end.  These stickers make a statement about either status, hobby, or lifestyle.  They also make it clear the car is not the image the driver wants to present.

During my last year at the Conference Center where I worked, I decided to donate my 20-year-old pickup to the camp (I continued to drive it).  That saved the Center from having to pay mileage, but it also meant I needed to get a vehicle for personal use.  While I went looking for a newer pickup, Melissa mentioned I should also check out the SL’s.  I found one with low mileage, but the seating did not feel right, and it was still expensive. Next to it on the lot was a smaller SLK.  When I drove this car, it was exactly what I was looking for.  This was a sleek convertible with a folding hardtop and all the power I will ever need.  I finally found my Benz.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  When my son was in Grade School, I was driving an old Impala (a different one).  It was a piece of junk.   Alex used to ride with a pillow and would put his head inside the pillowcase.  I always thought this was odd, but kids do funny things.  It was not until 30 years later he told me he did this because he was embarrassed by my car and hoped no one saw him.   We use different possessions to project the image of who we are.  For some it is a house or a car, for others it is bling.  I was the same person when I drove my Impala as I am now when I drive my Benz.  However, others perceive me in dramatically different ways.  Neither present a true picture of “me.”  For that you need to take time to get to know me as an individual.  This is true for others as well.  Do the work.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 26, 2020

I have always been an eclectic in life.  That has resulted in the variety of views I hold, but also in the variety of jobs that I have held.  I recall once being introduced by a friend at a conference where I was giving a paper as “a man who has held more different careers than most people dream of in a lifetime.”  That was when I was 35.  When I was younger, I never considered doing anything for the “rest of my life.”  That finally changed when I settled on my life’s work a decade later.  From then on, every job I took I intended to be my last.  Even though circumstances seemed to get in the way and I never made it more than seven years in any of those positions, the job itself remained the same.

My dad retired when he was 62.  He had been having health issues and my parents wanted to pursue their passion of working on the mission field.  After two stints in the field in Thailand they finally came home to settle in Wichita.  This was followed by serving as an interim minister and then as an associate at a church not far from their home.  He also served as the M&M (retirement plan) representative for the region.  After leaving the church he was hired by the region as a fund raiser for missions’ work and as a consultant on church growth.  After 54 years in ministry as an American Baptist pastor, a denominational leader, and a fund raiser for mission work, he was set to retire December 31, 2010.  He died from complications from chemotherapy on Wednesday, November 24, 2010, the day before Thanksgiving.  He never did retire.

One of our family sayings is, “You are just like your father.”  This is usually told to one of the three boys by their spouse and rarely in a good way.  I would say this might also apply to me.  I retired at the age of 62 to pursue what we assumed to be a life of travel and world hopping.  While health complications put an end to our dream it did result in our move to Arkansas.  Now, just like my father, I am again employed and probably will be for quite some time.  “For the rest of my life” used to be faced with trepidation.  Now it seems more of a challenge.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  Melissa and I have been working through several studies that focus on anti-racism.  The content has been challenging and at times disturbing.  This was a stated objective at the beginning by one of the authors as the intent was to point out the white supremacy inherent in our world, even in areas where BIPOC predominate.  Another challenge we face is once you recognize systemic racism exists, if you do not work for change your apathy supports the problem.  This is something you must commit to for the rest of your life.  You cannot retire.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 25, 2020

When we arrived at our fishing cabin, I noticed there was a vector trap located just off the walkway leading down to the river.   I have mentioned I was director of a conference center for five years.  We were in a rural setting on the outskirts of a small town, so we got plenty of critters.  I obacerated this by allowing fifteen acres of native grass regrow in several areas that had previously been mowed.  While I occasionally smelled the presence of skunks, I rarely saw one.  That changed one summer when we had a skunk crawl under one of our decks and gave birth to a litter of kits.  I thought it was appropriate since the annual women’s meeting was being held that weekend.  I called a vector control company who brought a similar trap to the one I saw at the cabin.  We never trapped the skunks, and a couple of weeks later they left on their own.

Arkansas is home to two species of skunks, the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and the eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius).  Skunks are members of the weasel family and are well known for the pervasive odor they spray when provoked.  The striped skunks are about the size of a cat, 2-3 feet long and weighing 10-15 pounds. The fur is very thick and mostly black with a white stripe on its neck and head extending down the back and through the bushy tail.  The spotted skunk is a much smaller skunk, only half the size of the striped skunk and exceedingly rare.  Instead of stripes, the spotted skunk has white spots.

I have been told that if you see a rabies vector species (raccoon, skunk, fox, bat) out during the day there is a good chance they are rabid.   When I checked this online, I found it to be a myth.  Rather than nocturnal (night active) or diurnal (day active), raccoons and skunks are called crepuscular.  “Crepuscular” is drawn from the Latin word for “twilight,” and refers to animals that are active primarily at dawn and dusk.  While most of these species are not often seen during the day, it is not uncommon to see them out during the day during fall and spring seasons as they try to pack on weight.  Thankfully, the trap was never sprung while we were there.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  One of my fears when we placed the vector trap at the camp was that we might actually trap one.  Skunks are not known to go “easily into the night.”  Instead they get mad and spray.  When I asked the control agent about this, he said you could only use the trap for one skunk.  Then you had to throw a blanket over the trap to move it.  Once they sprayed you would never get another one to enter.  There are a lot of myths about how different species act and what their action means.  I learned that was true with vectors.  I have also found it true with people.  We have preconceived ideas about how they will act and what it means.  Until we take to the time to get to know another as a person, we allow the myth to what guide our expectation.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 24, 2020

While we were driving home yesterday, I had a car come up on us extremely fast.  I was trying to get around a truck and had pulled into the passing lane.  The car tried to squeeze through but realized they would not be able to make it.  They impatiently waited as I passed the truck and then pulled out of the way.  I had barely gotten over when they whizzed by.  While I was not surprised how fast they were going, I was surprised that they did not have a visible license plate.   The car had tinted windows, was painted in a black matte, and it appeared to have a similar matte covering the plate area.  It looked like a mystery car as it sped into the distance.

When I mentioned this to Melissa, she told me it was a Dodge Charger, and a friend of hers had one.  The car had a roll up feature that allowed you to hide the plate and create an all matte look.  I looked the car up online and found out it was the Challenger SRT Hellcat.  This is the ultra-powerful version of the Dodge Charger muscle car.  It comes with a standard supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine with either 717 horsepower, or an amazing 797 horsepower in the Redeye models.  While the size (wide-body 4-door) and weight means it does not handle the curves as well as the Ford Mustang or the Chevy Camaro, it will blow both away on the fast track.  It goes 0–60 in 3.7 seconds and reaches an advertised top speed of 199 mph.

I had wondered if the matte paint helped deflect or somehow divert radar, similar to the stealth planes used by the military.  It seems it did neither.  There are several auto makers with vehicles that offer the black matte rather than the shiny gloss most prefer.   This paint is susceptible to all kinds of problems and any ding or scratch is said to stand out like an eyesore.   My review also is said it adds an additional $4000 to the price of the car.  It is expensive to look cool.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  My finding on radar detection was confirmed about 30 miles down the road.  The black Charger was pulled off on an exit ramp with the blue lights of a State Trooper merrily dancing.  I did not notice as I whizzed by (at speed limit) but I had to wonder if he had been able to get the license plate switched before being pulled over.  Otherwise it might be hard to explain.  Even with the raised limits on the interstate highway there is always someone who pushes a little further.  Even with 200,000 deaths and spiking cases there is always someone who still holds the whole thing to be a hoax or does not wear a mask because of the way it looks.  It is expensive to look cool.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 23, 2020

Shortly after arriving at our cabin we were greeted by the local welcoming committee.  This came in the form of two large dogs that showed up to look in our open door.  One was a Dalmatian and the other appeared to be a St. Bernard mix.  Both were female.  While I was apprehensive, Melissa went out to greet them like old friends.  They in turn treated her the same way.  Melissa grew up in the country and communal dogs were part of her upbringing.  I grew up in town where the neighbor’s dog (especially large dogs) were often hostile.

During our stay, the girls became a fixture at our cabin.  They both had electronic collars that I assumed were shock collars.  I have heard that once the dog learns the pain only lasts a short time, the electric fence no longer keeps them in the yard.  Since the girls came over several times a day they must have acclimated.  Last night however, we got a different take on the electronic collars.  Their owners live in the next house over and when they got home, we heard a, “beep, beep.”  Both dogs immediately took off for home. They were calling the dogs for supper.

We were all intrigued by the beepers that commanded the girls to come home.  I went online and found the brand they wore.  Their collar featured three modes, but they had obviously chosen the more humane “beep” mode.  This collar had a range of up to 330 yards, perfect for the girls as they tended to range.  Over the next several days we saw the collar in action on numerous occasions.  Melissa is currently “dog hungry” and she let the girls come into the house where they (mostly) laid on the floor.   The girls were a perfect touch to our cabin.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  While the girls were basically well behaved, especially as the St. Bernard seemed to be a puppy (a very big puppy!).  We did find that changed when it came time to eat.  The Dalmatian chewed up a hot pad that had bacon grease on it and tried to stick her nose in my plate several times.  These actions got them ushered outside.  That is something you can do with someone else’s dog.  When they arrived, I made judgements based on experience and was hesitant to accept them.  By the next day they had become a fixture in the house.  We often treat people in the same manner.   Our preconceived ideas label them as a group, without even getting to know them.  People deserve to be treated as individuals.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 22, 2020

We finally got on the water yesterday.  We had scheduled a float trip with a local guide for what was supposed to be 7am.  He contacted me while we were on the road and I did not get the text until Sunday night.  He identified the debarkation site along with directions and said to meet him at 8 am.  The water was down slightly but he assured us the fishing would still be good.  I cannot say I was sorry to get the extra hour of sleep. 

When we pulled into our lodging, we were both surprised how nice the “cabin” was.  It was two bedrooms and two baths.  The inside had been made to look “cabinesque,” with fishing poles on the walls, a wood burning fireplace, and textured walls and ceilings.  It also had all the small appliances to be comfortable and all new stainless appliances.  There was a gas grill on the back deck which we used to grill bratwurst for dinner.  I even tried my hand on the river that flowed down the stone steps to the Little Red.  Sadly, no fish were to be had.

After getting skunked the night before we entered the water with trepidation.  We had hired a guide to fish a lake in Minnesota and while I caught some fish, Melissa had no luck.  Today’s guide set up our lines and then motored upriver to a deep spot.  It did not take long to hook into a small Rainbow.   The next one was a little larger.  The fish kept coming for the next three hours.  I even made an elusive “two fish on,” with a fish on both the sow bug and the nymph dropper at the same time.    About 11 am things started slowing down and we started drifting back to the launch ramp.  While I continued to catch an occasional fish, Melissa really took off in this new environment.  We caught and released 30 Rainbows for the morning.  Even better, I got some insight on how to fish on my own.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  Our guide asked where else we had fished.  While we do not get out often, we have fished some quality waters.  We have done the San Juan in New Mexico, the Dream Stream in Colorado, the Yakama in Washington, and now the Little Red in Arkansas.  He said the place he would like to go was Montana (where our store fly experts had gone “testing”).  I looked up fishing in this state and the web said, “Choosing a favorite river in Montana is like having to choose your favorite child.”  While much of fishing still revolves around luck, it also depends on knowing where and how to fish.  I was in the right place at the right time last night and did not catch fish.  Today I listened to the expert and found the fish plentiful.  Perhaps the climate, pandemic, and social science experts really do know what they are doing, and we should listen.  Follow the science.  Change is coming and it starts with you.

𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 21, 2020

I have been wanting to get up to the rivers in Northcentral Arkansas since I moved here three years ago.  It is not that I was unable to do it, it was just a little too far.  It takes three hours each way from our house.  I was talking to a guide last week and he confirmed what I assumed.  During the summer, the fishing drops way off after noon as the waters warm up.  That meant I would have to get up in the wee hours or spend the night to catch any significant fish.  I have mentioned I am not much of a morning person.  Melissa and I have finally decided to bite the bullet, take the trip, and stay in a rental.

I rearranged my fishing gear several weeks ago, but this week I got around to working on my fly rods.  I had learned from a local guide’s web page that the fish are hovering on the bottom at this time of year.  That meant I needed to use sinking line to present my flies.  I went to a local fly shop to learn how to proceed.  Of course, all the experts were on a “product testing” trip to Montana, but the woman called them for help.  I was soon purchasing sinking tip line and 15# tippet (I am hoping).  It was not until the next day I realized my leaders are all 6# test.  I guess it is back to the store to get the proper weight, or the heavier tippet will not do any good.

Returning from the store I spent the rest of the afternoon rebuilding my rods.  I found 12# sinking leader and got some 12# tippet.  I realized the extra spool I intended to use went to the reel I had left on the lake bank this spring.  Still, I had enough reels to put together two sinking setups and my regular two floating line setups.  I am thinking the sinking line will also be good for fishing lakes like my son and I did in January.  I do not think the Bluegill I have been catching around here need the 12# test line. 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:  I really enjoy preparing for trips.  I like the planning and taking care of the details.  I have gone on spontaneous trips and always seem to forget something (once it was the bed rolls and tent pegs, another Blog?).  Scrambling to improvise is part of what makes spontaneous trips fun, and it makes for great stories later.  During the event, the fun can sometimes be hard to see.  When we look back on 2020, we will have stories to tell.  Some hard, some funny, and some so sad.  Just do not forget the lessons learned.  Change is coming and it starts with you.