08/20/2018

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

This question has made me ponder since I first heard it as a child. It was foreign to me on several levels. Foremost, what was a woodchuck? Being raised in Kansas this animal was not known. Second, what did it mean to chuck wood? Did it refer to chopping the wood or throwing the cut wood into a storage shed to be used later?  Finally, even if the woodchuck was able to chuck the wood with its tiny paws why would it want to? I admit I didn’t spend a huge amount of time on this question but it is one of those reoccurring phrases that came up periodically throughout my life.

I’m glad to say I believe today I solved the riddle. The furry little animal on the right is a woodchuck. The wood shed was located nearby stocked with wood. Therefore the answer to the riddle is – woodchucks can chuck an entire shed full of wood . . . And they can sell it for $6 a bundle.

THOUGHTS: In life we are confronted with difficult questions that seem to have no answers. When we chose to look beyond the negativity that overwhelms us we can find the joy in life itself. Obviously this illustration is tongue in cheek but it points to the joy and wonder all around.

08/19/2018

Some say it’s always darkest before the dawn. Others know it’s even darker before the big presentation.

Today has been a day of preparation. Melissa has worked on her training presentation and I have prepared for the coming week. I think each would have been happier doing the others task.

As mates you support each other but also realize you can’t preform the others task. Instead you support, uplift and prepare to be available when asked. It seems hard to sit by waiting. Yet even here we find joy in the accompaniment of another’s job well done.

THOUGHTS: Ask not what your mate can do for you. Ask what you can do for your mate (paraphrased).

08/18/2018

Today Melissa had a day off so we went fishing. We had booked a guide on Mille Lucs while still in Arkansas. Turns out the lake is one of the premier walleye lakes in the state. We chose to fish for small mouth but it was renown for bass as well.

We hit the water at 8 in the midst of overcast and fog. The guide was a self proclaimed professional twenty something. We were skeptical but when “ya pays your money ya plays the game.” I caught a couple of small fish as the guide explained how Mille Lucs was different than other lakes. The bass took off when it was calm and sunny rather than choppy and overcast (the usual on other lakes).  We fished one proven spot after another with little luck.

As our six hour day was winding down we returned to a reef that had not yielded fish earlier. The water had calmed and the sun was bright and clear. Our guide tried a new crank bait he’d never used before. Bam Bam. Two large bass on two casts. He tied one on for me and again Bam Bam. Two fish on two casts. After several more casts the oddest of all. A large walleye slammed my bass lure. As it came up near the boat my 24” walleye was being chased by a 20” small mouth. When both saw the boat they both took off, leaving me exillerated but with no fish.

The day turned out great. The weather was perfect and the fishing ended well. Best of all Melissa and I shared a moment.

THOUGHTS: Funny how things aren’t always what they seem. I misjudged the weather and the guide but ultimately had to put my trust in both. They came through. Life is often the same. We look at the hand we’ve been dealt and only see the shortfall. When we continue to trust and follow our guide we’re able to not just make it through but to have success along the way. We can have a moment.

A long journey begins with but a single step.

08/17/2018

This week we took the first step on the journey that will mark the rest of our lives. I had retired two months ago but spent most of the time preparing the house to make it livable. Clearing out the old, new paint and new appliances. We got a lot done but still a lot to finish.

This week Melissa went for her final training in St Paul Minnesota. It has been a long but good week for her. As for me I’ve gotten to explore. Some sightseeing and a lot of attempts at fishing. I say attempts bec of the three days I’ve been out there is only one fish to account for.

We have been able to eat at some good restaurants in the evening and I’ve started swimming in the afternoon. All in all very relaxing for me and Melissa is doing the work she enjoys. We’ll keep you informed as things progress.