March 24, 2020

We are in the midst of a trying time.  The COVID-19 corona virus has resulted in a pandemic the world really hasn’t seen since the flu outbreak of 1918.  There is no vaccine.  There is no real treatment plan.  The only course of action has been to use social distancing.  This means we need to stay home except to access essential supplies or services.  Everyone admits this will not stop the spread of the virus, but hopefully it will slow it down and allow it to run it’s course.

The screen shot I provided is my new reality.  I’ve begun to work from home.  If I need anything I can order on-line and it will arrive in my mailbox (thanks to all the mail and delivery workers).   If I need groceries I can order on-line and go to the drive through pickup (thanks to all the truckers and grocery workers).  If I feel sick I can access on-line medical advice to see if I need to be tested (thanks to all the  health care providers).  If I need medication I can go to my local pharmacy drive up window for my prescription (thanks to all the pharmacy workers).  If I become very sick I can go to a hospital and be helped through my illness (thanks to all the doctors, nurses and hospital workers).  If I need spiritual support I can watch virtual worship services and Bible studies from my local church (thanks to all the pastors and support workers).

As I list the vast number of people who are there to keep me going and offer their support I realize few of these “essential services” would have been possible as little as a decade ago.   The times have changed.  We are not in the same place the world was at in 1918.

THOUGHTS:  The result of the COVID-19 pandemic is a dramatic change in how we think and interact with each other.  In seeking new ways to access essential services we have been forced to define what we see as “essential” in our life.  We have also creatively found ways to stay connected with our friends and loved ones.  The virus has forced us to practice social distancing, but we are not alone.

 

 

 

 

 

11/07/2018

Having grown up in Kansas I’ve seen and fished the Arkansas River in many different forms. I’ve fly fished the headwaters in Colorado for rainbow trout. I’ve traced it’s disappearance in western Kansas as irrigation has forced the river underground. I’ve fished for channel cats in Wichita in a river you could walk across and never go more than waist deep. I’ve also seen inklings of the rivers power during flood season as it tested its banks. Driving to Arkansas over the last years I’ve driven over the river many times and wondered at the breadth of the river from the bridge.

It wasn’t until today that I was able to see the river in it’s true majesty. I knew there was a system of dams and locks to allow barges movement up and down these waters but had never seen it up close and personal. Until today. I went to one of several boat access sites near me to check it out. It is indeed a powerful river. At the place I stopped it was about a quarter of a mile across. The lazy waters of Kansas were replaced by the swirling turmoil of deep water moving fast. The bridge pictured above is actually a lock and dam construction that I’d driven numerous times and never seen. The waters stretch around the bend and off toward a destiny with the sea.

The power of water has always entranced me. I stood and watched the flow as it rushed by and wondered about the mysteries going on just beneath the surface. It was raining and cold so I didn’t test my luck but it was well worth the drive to see and stand beside this majestic river. I will be back.

THOUGHTS: Rivers are a lot like our lives. They start out small and full of energy rushing to get to their destination as quick as possible. Along the way they face trials. Sometimes they get used up by circumstances and go dry. Other times they are overwhelmed by the rains causing them to lash out at everything in their path. But No matter what try’s to stop them or block their path they move forward. It might take a long while but the river can overcome whatever try’s to stop it. Eventually they reach their potential and become a life force for the lands that surround them. And finally they grow old and join with others as they merge with the sea. Rivers are a journey just as life. We need to live it for all it’s worth.

 

 

10/18/2018

Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead.

Sometimes you need to make hard choices. Today I had to opt between taking the boat out for what might be the last time (can you believe it gets cold in Arkansas?) or fish the way I’ve loved since I was a child. Going after cats has been a passion as long as I can remember. I dare say I’ve spent almost as much on cat poles and setups as I did on my bass boat. I guess the difference is a one time expense verse a lifetime of expenditures.

Today I choose cats. I went to a local no gas reservoir so I didn’t feel quite as bad for not bringing the boat. Problem is as much as I’ve fished for cats I’ve never been able to bring in the big ones. I’ve fished the local hot spots with bait that was working but the best I’ve ever done is a four to five pounder. I’ve had friends who’ve brought in the big ones (40-50#) but they’ve eluded me so far.

What I like best about fishing for cats is the expectation. It’s the excitement of their furtive nibbles not knowing what is under the water. It’s the slam on the line and the resulting fight that makes you think it might be the one you’ve waited for. It’s the first swish of the tail as they break water close to the bank. And if they’re big enough it’s trying to figure out how to get them on the bank to make it a legal catch.

I have to admit that being an adherent of catch and release I’ve counted fish that came off as they were lifted out of the water and hit the bank. I was going to release them anyway right?

THOUGHTS: We know life is a series of choices and choices are hard. They’re hard because each choice has both good and bad results. I’ve looked back on the choices of my life and thought I should have gone another way. But I know I made the best choice given what I thought was right. We need to make the right choice and then be willing to live with the outcomes.

 

 

 

10/09/2018

Time camping isn’t spent it’s invested.

Growing up our vacations involved camping out as we traveled across country to attend annual denominational meetings. Later I spent time camping as part of my job as an historian and archeologist. This is a passion I was able to pass on to my son as we took vacations in the wilderness of the desert west. I recall one trip in particular where we rushed off and left all but the basics at home. It was an interesting trip as we improvised or foraged for food, fire and bedding.

For the last several days I’ve experienced a new phenomenon I call camping in. An unexpected surgery took us to an out of town hospital on short notice. I didn’t understand the scope or duration of what we were getting into so I didn’t properly prepare, bringing only the basics. Thankfully I’ve been able to stay in a small alcove in the room with a couch, chair and small table. It’s also means I wash clothes in the sink and hike down to the cafeteria to forage for food.

THOUGHTS: Camping out shaped my view of the environment and humans place in the world. Camping in provided a similar understanding of both our frailness and ability for innovation. Humans are an amazing species that have proven our ability to overcome the odds to survive. We have also proven our willingness to destroy any obstacle that challenges our dominance. Perhaps the true worth of our intellect is to innovatively find ways to coexist with the environment we have consistently proven we can overcome.

 

 

Getting old is hard but it’s better than the alternative.

I was left behind this week as Melissa scooted off to the east coast so I decided to visit a local buffet that she refuses to frequent. Just my luck there was a coupon in this mornings paper advertising a senior early bird discount. Being retired and not tied to a time schedule I decided to venture into this new world of seniors.

I arrived at @ 2:30 and was amazed by the number of cars in the lot. I saw an opening near the front door and decided to go all out in this new lifestyle and pulled in. I approached the counter and proudly displayed my coupon (NOT a download on my phone app). The space was filled with others getting a good deal on their main meal of the day. There was a lot of food for a low price, the perfect midwestern combination for a “good deal.”

What struck me more was another growing trend across America. We were mostly aging overweight consumers being waited on by young seemingly immigrant servers. This is a trend that will continue to rise as the boomers age into the golden years.

THOUGHTS: The gap between young and old as well as rich and poor continues to widen in America and between America and much of the rest of the world. Even as several companies announced this week they were raising their minimum wage to $15 an hour statistics say it will take over $27 an hour to make ends meet in today’s economy. That means living in poverty is not a choice but a reality.

Btw: this blog prompted me to leave a bigger tip.

09/27/2018

It’s not about how big you are it’s about how big you play.

Downsizing seems to be the latest craze in American housing. While the trend used to be constantly moving to bigger and bigger spaces it’s now ciche to move toward smaller residences. In fact we just downsized from 3200 sq ft to 2100. I have to admit however that was a move from a House way to big we were required to live in to a house we already owned. Still the downsizing required we eliminate a huge amount of clutter we’d accumulated because we had the space.

I’ve also seen people forced to downsize because of circumstances. Some due to economics moving from house to apartment to car. Others due to age moving to successively smaller spaces  as health required greater supervision. While it may be ciche to chose to downsize it’s hard to have the move forced upon you (been there as well).

Regardless of why you downsize the result of the move still comes from your attitude in the space you are in. You can decide to make the change a positive source of possibility or a negative defeat for your future. Again, I’ve had friends and loved ones who have reacted in both manners.

THOUGHTS: Life provides both good and bad. The attitude we bring to both instances determine whether we will use the event as a learning experience to progress or as a barrier to understand how to move ahead. It is all about how you play the game.

09/14/2018

If you want to test your memory, try remembering what you were worrying about one year ago.

Having spent a majority of my life in some form of academia I’ve been involved in a variety of tests. One thing I learned the hard way is it isn’t as important what you know as what the tester wants you to know. Once you figure out what the other thinks is important it’s easier to take the test.

Another thing I’ve realized is it doesn’t matter whether or not you believe the information on the test is important. I used to give the answers to my students prior to the test. Many couldn’t understand why I did it or even if the questions answered would be on the test. My point was always the same. This is what I want you to know so you might as well learn it.

THOUGHTS: Life is like a test. As you interact with others you need to get to know them well enough to understand what’s important to them. It doesn’t matter if you believe them to be right or wrong, this is their reality. The real question is whether or not you want to continue to have a relationship with them. If you do you’ve got to be willing to pass the test, at least part of the time. If not move on knowing you also hold your own reality.

 

09/06/2018

Two days will rank as the best day of your life: the day you buy your boat and the day you sell it.

I’ve taken the plunge once again. Several years ago my brother gave me his old ski boat. I was both excited and overwhelmed. The boat had been out of the water for several years and I really didn’t know where to start to get it running again. It sat in my drive for three years until I finally abandoned hope and turned it  over to a local dealer.

Today we picked up an old 17.5’ fish and ski. This boat was also in storage but it was running and had an operable trolling motor and fish finder. The more I fish around the country the more I realize that to catch big fish you need to be on the water. That’s because of accessibility and because the fish go deeper during the summer. Now I just need to get it on the water and learn how to use it.

btw: You’ll notice Bella is ready to become a lake dog.

THOUGHTS: As in today’s example best day can be relative. It seems it’s not as much about what happens as how you perceive what’s happening. Circumstances can be turned to provide learning or failure, to provide joy or sadness. We may not be in control of all that happens but we can decide the outcome.

09/01/2018

Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for what we will.

Labor Day was instigated by disgruntled workers in the late nineteenth century. At the time most mining and industrial workers earned between $1-$1.50 a day and worked 10-12 hour days. They felt taken advantage of and disrespected. In response they walked off the job and took a day to honor all workers with parades, ball games and picnics. The first Monday in September was officially federally designated as a day to honor labors in 1894.

While few may recall the sacrifices that led to granting this holiday most are grateful for it’s existence. For many Labor Day Weekend is a time of final summer outings, cookouts and a last push at household projects neglected during the summer. We did most of that. We shopped for remodeling supplies and spent time with family and friends.

At times I believe our dog Bella best understands the true meaning of Labor Day and the end of summer. This is a time to sit on the back porch and reflect on life and the good times that lay ahead.

THOUGHTS: Life can race by at breakneck speed, but only if we let it. When we take time to sit back and relax it not only refreshes but prepares us for what lies ahead. The future will bring both joy and sadness. It’s not about what comes but how we handle it.

08/28/2018

Living near a military installation means getting caught up in maneuvers. Awhile back they were testing the new 150 mm cannons and today I was buzzed for two hours as a transport plane flew in circles overhead. Both were loud and noisy and also necessary.

Practice is a part of the job no matter what you do. When I played sports I practiced plays and techniques. As an historian I practiced my craft by writing. In a relationship I practice talking and listening.

There are times when practice seems boring and not worthwhile. The reason you push through is because the more you practice the easier the job becomes when it really matters. Practice is important to prepare you for the quick decisions that need to be made.

btw: I included the fish to prove to my mom I was actually catching something.

THOUGHTS: Communication is the most important practice we participate in. We need to practice talking and listening when things are going well so we’ll know how to hear and understand in the midst of disagreements. That’s true in all relationships; marriage, job, politics, and particularly now in our globalized world.