TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

We’re comfortably seated. Friends and neighbors close by.

Familiar sights of sun splashed windows: ushers extend a hand

to the regulars.

Musty smell of well worn cushions, the air conditioner is

blaring full force

Microphones are tested; lights blazing from the domed ceiling.

Ministers, priests, politicians and

sundry public relations types puff out their chests

to ascend the stage: get our attention: seek our allegiance/trust.

Many appear to deliver clever, useful, even value added

pronouncements for the public good.

Especially our own personal self good.

Well spoken, articulate, logical, they are smooth,

glib, folksy, with value systems apparently akin to our own.

Apparently

Our inner self says “I can relate”.Makes sense. One of the good guys.

Oh, there may be a bit of verbal slippage. A curse word or two

from the rostrum-pulpit. A smooth double entendre.

Nothing out of bounds.. well, perhaps still in bounds.

We can relate.

The audience laughs, after all, the speaker is one of us.

References to tragic, life altering personal situations sneak

into the dialogue. Intended to relate to us common folk.

It’s ok.

We are still awed by the glibness. We’re proud to be in the

audience. One of those chosen.

Just part of an ongoing drama.

The speaker is trying to relate – to be one of us-really? Is that his preferred

tactic and strategy.

After many weeks, there is a sense of community. We have bought in. We agree

with the leader’s philosophy. He/she is taking us to the promised land—be it

political, religious, product driven.

Eventually a dim red line apparently is crossed. Enamored, we barely notice.

Be it a sexual reference. A religious reference

which doesn’t fit our paradigm. Perhaps a request for a

donation. A personal favor –a little too personal like acting as

a chauffeur for a drive to Chicago. Maybe a hug – too tight, too long. A sloppy,

wet kiss.

A wink at our teenage son. He clasps our wife’s hand. a little too tightly,

too friendly.. she winces, he smiles.

Vacations and more vacations with youth groups. Camping trips

are scheduled –and their purpose?

We want to deny, dismiss. “ Surely I am misreading”.

He/she has always been such a good person.

When? Where? Do we protest? Do we protect the values of

our families, our church, our country.

Listen closely. Every speech. Every conversation.

Words matter. People are transparent. Despite their cleverness.

Apologies are insufficient.

Uncomfortable with what you

hear? Consider this: your mind is the single most accurate receptor of

information.

Do you walk away? Are there actions to be taken?

Deciding between acts of commission and omission? What

road will you take?

.

We Meet The River Styx

Sounds of rushing water thunder in the near distance. It’s the cacophony of the river Styx reverberateing from one side of the canyon to another.

The thunder lacks clarity, familiarity, comprehension . After all, we’ve played in canyon streams for decades. There is a comfort, a healing which comes as barefooted we cross the soft rounded stones which lead to waterfalls and natural dams.. the sound gives us comfort.

Why is our acoustical antennae disoriented. Some force from the mystic beyond is unexplainable.

Words to describe the Styx as it rushes past? Groping, we search our internal thesaurus. Lost, we’re lost.

Why are we nervous, hesitant? The closer we tread to the river bank the paranormal feels close by in the reeds and on the embankment. Brushing against us, creeping Charlies cause an instant rash, a burning.

We want to know more, hear more, understand more; then why are our internals giving us messages of uncertainty and fear?

We’ve trekked for decades . Familiar values, beliefs, comforting friends, life has moved on a predictable course. Slowly the walking path to the Styx becomes less predictable. We double check our memory bank… we are losing touch with past events.. our body aches, tires, talks to us in the dark of the night. Comforting guideposts which lead us safely to the waterfalls of the Styx are less and less present.

A hiker coming away from the river asks “ Sir, can I help you?” There it is again..Others addressing me in the context of my aging face, limping gait, the shadow of a dimmed youth. The ravages of time cannot be disguised. We are indeed old.

The trail to the Styx has no place to turnaround.. no way to return to our youth. Stopping at the river’s edge comes a recognition that there is no turning back. The Styx is the carrier of the inevitability of life’s end.

We are alone. The sounds we can’t identify – we have never heard them before. We have never seen or heard the end of life’s inevitability before. God stands in mid stream. Arms outstretched. We look into the stream. Paranormal beings tell us not to step off the river bank.. Dante waits.

Clashing, thunderous sounds emerge from the river. Just beyond is a vista of peace. How do we get from point A to point B? We are alone. Our friends and family have passed on. It is just us.

Alone.

Hurry because the clouds are gathering: night is near: how long do we have?

PROMISES

PROMISES

Promises on the premises

Allegiance, trust, belief all standard bearers

Verbal handshakes, head nods, eye to eye contact

Sharing of blood rituals – not quite

Kings and minions walk a similar path

 

Fealty is rewarded: transgressors are punished.

Promises are based on quantifiable trust

A belief system mutually understood

Broken stems carry a death knell.

Shattered promises equate to misplaced trust.

AN IMAGINARY TALE

Imagining what could be:

So different than what will be

A dilemma of will power

vs passively accepting the inevitable.

Imagination is rooted in truth telling dreams

Therein possibilities start in paranormal DNA where

life begins, thrives, expands , ends.

Each decision, life challenging event,  heroic victories

is embedded in our grey matter

Incalculatable  algorithmic equations  spin, turn,  evolve

to create fantasy plots of which Broadway playwrights

are nigh envious.

Imaginative scenarios reside outside our control.

The purpose to which we employ these sometimes

unexplainable tales become our legacy.

SHARING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

The winter of 1815 was particularly harsh for the leather faced pioneers establishing

homesteads around the area which is now  Great Falls Montana. Blowing, drifting snow, raw

winds,  frozen rivers all combine to make survival a problematic adventure.

From mid –October to mid April the grey laden skies hung low over the mountain tops and

along the river valley.

Settlers stored smoked meat, build drums to store vegetables, stocked potatoes in dirt floors, and

stacked cords of firewood : fire being an essential for survival.

Many days could be  very cozy, intimate, calm. Warm rooms, a pleasant, slow moving, meditative

existence.  Hours of time to spend with one’s family.

Sometimes we romanticize about the toughness of the settlers.  Their ability to survive.  But we

have no hands on concept of the fine line between life and death.  Medical care was inaccessible.  Even

if a doctor was within 10 miles, the sheer action of contacting him: then the doctor coming to your

house: having the tools to diagnose the problem and providing treatment – success was problematic.

Let your mind wander and consider complications from serious illness, broken bones, degenerative

conditions, all leading to life threatening situations.  The delivery of a child was painful – and could be

very dangerous. Home remedies and prayer were the only treatment options. 

 

Have the stories of your family’s history with its trials, tribulations successes, and victories overcoming

adversity been discussed around the fireplace in your house?

 

American history is about more than military forays,  the passage of laws of great impact, our successes

on the world stage.  Schools report that students turn up their noses at history. They are disinterested.

The connection to real time is missing according to the young learners.

Question – do we teach in terms of how people lived, survived and succeeded? Non abstracts, actual

events?

Students relate to the miraculous treatment of an accident or death in their families.  They understand

the travails of childbirth.  They don’t understand the war of 1812 or the Yalta Agreement.

The winter of 1815 in Great Falls is not a time period  that we can reconstruct. 

 

What can we learn from these settlers?  Civilizations survive ONLY if those values which enabled

them to survive are passed from generation to generation.  This means turning off the TV and

X boxes. Talking with each other face to face, eye ball to eye ball:  Discussing, agreeing

and disagreeing.  Learning from each other – not the Lindsey Lohan’s of this world.

Learning to conduct a civil discourse including honest discussions about our parents and

grandparents.

What do we stand for and believe in? 

Ask your family questions like – where did your grandparents live – why did they come to

the United States? Why are we members of the _______ Church?  Do we believe in abortion –

why or why not?  I am sure there are many questions that are close to your heart that you

would like discussed around the dinner table but never have

The point is – take the time and talk.  Help each other find out about your family, its culture

and beliefs – and share yourself with others.  These are priceless gifts.

THE POWER OF CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE

A muggy humid day on the Monet-like flower covered wood lot

with ancient lakes and soaring pines in the hills of northern Wisconsin.

Adults scrambled for shade, natural ice tea, a cold Budweiser.

Eagles and squirrels snuggled quietly in nests and high grass.

 The world snoozed.

Almost asleep  – almost but not quite.

A child’s curiosity never sleeps.

Heat and humidity are non entity’s as life’s journey  has just begun.

Flowers, bushes, fallen tree trunks are a new adventure.

Rising to her waist and beyond, long stems of yellow greet her eye to eye.

A mutual hello, how are you? Curiosity, respect, welcome.

Golden wildflowers to be lovingly fondled for the 1^st time – creator’s gifts.

An audible sigh of delight flows from the bed of wildflowers.

Indeed a shriek of glee and amazement.

She reaches out, gently touches the flower. They converse with each other.

Intense, passionate, innocent, playful.

A lifetime relationship consummated in a millisecond.

Adults lovingly observe and are amazed.

Unknowingly  they see their values passed on to another generation.

They marvel at the pure joy residing in the hearts of their offspring.

Proud of her curiosity, beauty and respect for Nature.

“ Lookie at what I found”.. the flower is sooo big.

Exclamations of joy and discovery.

Our memory tapes speed back  through the years.

Attempting to recreate feelings we had at age 2 or 3.

Each corner turned beheld a new jewel. A shriek of joy.

Adults of the carriers of culture, customs, knowledge, values

plus admiration of all that is beautiful and wholesome.

Generation builds on generation.

Reclining on our decks, collectively “ solving the world’s problems”,

Retelling family tales of accomplishments and times passed.

Somehow our childhood sense of wonderment, amazement

Innocence: of 1^st time events are nourished in the pantry of knowledge,

Experience and culture.

Upon finding solutions to life’s problems- do you emote a youthful a ha?

A sense of discovery, a return of innocence> Do you feel the guttural repeat

of joy, heart pounding thrill of a 3 year old bouncing over fallen tree limbs and

through waist high savannah grasses?

Confidence regained? Giddy to see more, hear more, solve more?

No adult singed cynicism or over wrought analysis.

Let us listen to nature and our inner childlike voice revealing the truth about ourselves

Including our limitless capabilities to be spontaneous as the youngest among us in

the flower filled wood lot.

Photo provided by Jim Templin: jtemplin@ymail.com

Childhood Innocence

The CHALLENGES OF WRITING A MUSE

 

Gurus instructing those who are learning to enhance their

public speaking skills  have a

repetitive successful theme: talk to your audience.

Help the in the seats to listen – as compared to hear.

Develop a vibrational relationship with them –

A two way transmission of a type of verbal karma.

 

Written communications are  a mirror image.

Whether a James Devita writing for the educated reader:

Judy Cullins instructing those who are attempting to E publish

or Stephen King writing hair raising themes for the middle class.

All have  a targeted audience.

 

Those with an eclectic, diverse audience have a broader challenge.

Question – do they attempt to appeal to everyone by saying

Something – but not really anything, such as is the case with our prodigious politicians?

Everyone hears “something” but few listen and realize the words are as

seeds sown on rocks which bear little grain and thus no results.

Words for words sake – substance subordinated to emotional pep rallies.

 

In a writer’s sense – there are the writers of pulp mysteries, romance,

and researched historical fiction.  E books and soft cover books

sell well to the masses.. one can safely say these publications fulfill a customer need.

Writing is a business.. stocking the shelves with time proven plots and theories.

A capitalistic enterprise well worth the time and effort of authors and merchandisers.

 

 

Others entangle their writings in philosophical, historical, cultural topics.

Subjects with a basis in the oracles from Rome, Greece and Shakespeare.

Those who write in the shadows of Frost, Angelo, and Whitman.

 

Complex, elusive,  nerdy, the meanings are illusory, not easily discerned.

Making the simple complex and the complex simple ,exploring   the challenge

for universal truths and creating a voice for the yet undiscovered mystics.

 

Muses  attempt to create open space for the reader to  develop  their own interpretations.

To color the meanings with their own culture, ideas, imagination, and creativity.

 Should one size fits all – the muser has been underwhelmed the reader and is unsuccessful.

 

A well constructed muse  leaves the reader with a sense of wonderment: a type of

space travel anxiously/gleefully  hurtling to the next unknown planetary destination.

Wonderment generated by new found answers –and even more questions and queries.

 

Too much complexity leaves the reader with frustration and sometimes disgust.

Too little complexity leaves the reader with inadequacy, unfulfillment, perhaps boredom.

 

Reflective writing requires inner soul searching and honesty.  From a musing standpoint, writing

Is meaningful to the reader when the thoughts expressed are an accurate reflection of the

writer’s core being.

SOUNDS OF OUR LIVES

“ Safe or out?”.  The split second decision made dozens of times a game

By acoustically trained professional baseball umpires.

Yes, an essential segment of their training is recognizing the sound of

a baseball making contact with a glove while blindfolded. 

We hear that sound: and that of a fastball smacking the glove of a catcher.

Recognizable, unique, part of our “ sound culture”.

 

From a sports perspective, there are sounds which define us by geography, culture and class.

Close your eyes: rest in a quiet place: enjoy your memories: Fill in the “ Places” which  your sound recollections. Add to the list…

The Sport	Sounds	Place(s)
Baseball	The “whack” of bat hitting the ball Runner/catcher colliding  at home plate 1st baseman spearing a line drive Vendors selling beer	?
Cricket	Bat smacking the ball Bowler running headfirst and  hurling the ball	?
Car Racing	Roar of high powered engines Air and noise as cars hurdle past Sheet metal bending as cars meet the walls of the track Thousands of beer soaked fans cheering	?
Football	Wide receivers and safeties meet at high speeds in mid air Quarterbacks barking signals Lineman head to head in the trenches The 5th quarter of UW Madison band Profane cheering students at Camp Randall	?
Golf	Golf club connecting full flush with ball off the tee   Club, weeds, ball meet in the rough Clanking of clubs being carried down the fairway.	?

 

Each of these sounds generates unique memories  and contribute to our total person,

 

Sounds of our workplace create indelible memories.  Are you a doctor, a mechanic, an IT technician,

an accountant, a musician? Each has its own rhythm, pace, decibel level. 

Have you paused to recreate in your inner ear  the sounds of where you work, live, or play?

Do you have a preference?  For example, in the streets of Middle Eastern cities the sounds of blaring

 horns is incessant. Drivers seem to blow horns for random reasons.  Loud, continuous, at all hours the

cacophony is ongoing.  Here in the Midwest, horn blowing is rare. Roadways are a place of frequent

silence.  Could you live in both or either place?

We are told that noise or the absence of it definitely impacts the quality of life. Hmm. Some cultures

 have adapted to noise _ others to silence.  

A thoughtful challenge – listen:  what do you hear? What do life’s impactul  sounds mean to you, your

lifestyle, and where you choose to spend your time?

 

“ Safe or out?”.  The split second decision made dozens of times a game

 

By acoustically trained professional baseball umpires.

 

Yes, an essential segment of their training is recognizing the sound of

 

a baseball making contact with a glove while blindfolded. 

 

We hear that sound: and that of a fastball smacking the glove of a catcher.

 

Recognizable, unique, part of our “ sound culture”.

 

 

 

From a sports perspective, there are sounds which define us by geography, culture and class.

 

Close your eyes: rest in a quiet place: enjoy your memories: Fill in the “ Places” which envelope your sound recollections. Add to the list…

 

The Sport	Sounds	Place(s)
Baseball	The “whack” of bat hitting the ball Runner/catcher colliding  at home plate 1st baseman spearing a line drive Vendors selling beer	?
Cricket	Bat smacking the ball Bowler running headfirst and  hurling the ball	?
Car Racing	Roar of high powered engines Air and noise as cars hurtle past Sheet metal bending as cars meet the walls of the track Thousands of beer soaked fans cheering	?
Football	Wide receivers and safeties meet at high speeds in mid air Quarterbacks barking signals Lineman head to head in the trenches The 5th quarter of UW Madison band Profane cheering students at Camp Randall	?
Golf	Golf club connecting full flush with ball off the tee   Club, weeds, ball meet in the rough Clanking of clubs being carried down the fairway.	?

 

 

 

Each of these sounds generates unique memories  and contribute to our total person,

 

 

 

Sounds of our workplace create indelible memories.  Are you a doctor, a mechanic, an IT technician,

 

an accountant, a musician? Each has its own rhythm, pace, decibel level. 

 

Have you paused to recreate in your inner ear  the sounds of where you work, live, or play?

 

Do you have a preference?  For example, in the streets of Middle Eastern cities the sounds of blaring

 

 horns is incessant. Drivers seem to blow horns for random reasons.  Loud, continuous, at all hours the

 

cacophony is ongoing.  Here in the Midwest, horn blowing is rare. Roadways are a place of frequent

 

silence.  Could you live in both or either place?

 

We are told that noise or the absence of it definitely impacts the quality of life. Hmm. Some cultures

 

 have adapted to noise _ others to silence.  

 

A thoughtful challenge – listen:  what do you hear? What do life’s impactul  sounds mean to you, your

 

lifestyle, and where you choose to spend your time?

 

 

 

“ Safe or out?”.  The split second decision made dozens of times a game

 

By acoustically trained professional baseball umpires.

 

Yes, an essential segment of their training is recognizing the sound of

 

a baseball making contact with a glove while blindfolded. 

 

We hear that sound: and that of a fastball smacking the glove of a catcher.

 

Recognizable, unique, part of our “ sound culture”.

 

 

 

From a sports perspective, there are sounds which define us by geography, culture and class.

 

Close your eyes: rest in a quiet place: enjoy your memories: Fill in the “ Places” which envelope your sound recollections. Add to the list…

 

The Sport	Sounds	Place(s)
Baseball	The “whack” of bat hitting the ball Runner/catcher colliding  at home plate 1st baseman spearing a line drive Vendors selling beer	?
Cricket	Bat smacking the ball Bowler running headfirst and  hurling the ball	?
Car Racing	Roar of high powered engines Air and noise as cars hurtle past Sheet metal bending as cars meet the walls of the track Thousands of beer soaked fans cheering	?
Football	Wide receivers and safeties meet at high speeds in mid air Quarterbacks barking signals Lineman head to head in the trenches The 5th quarter of UW Madison band Profane cheering students at Camp Randall	?
Golf	Golf club connecting full flush with ball off the tee   Club, weeds, ball meet in the rough Clanking of clubs being carried down the fairway.	?

 

 

 

Each of these sounds generates unique memories  and contribute to our total person,

 

 

 

Sounds of our workplace create indelible memories.  Are you a doctor, a mechanic, an IT technician,

 

an accountant, a musician? Each has its own rhythm, pace, decibel level. 

 

Have you paused to recreate in your inner ear  the sounds of where you work, live, or play?

 

Do you have a preference?  For example, in the streets of Middle Eastern cities the sounds of blaring

 

 horns is incessant. Drivers seem to blow horns for random reasons.  Loud, continuous, at all hours the

 

cacophony is ongoing.  Here in the Midwest, horn blowing is rare. Roadways are a place of frequent

 

silence.  Could you live in both or either place?

 

We are told that noise or the absence of it definitely impacts the quality of life. Hmm. Some cultures

 

 have adapted to noise _ others to silence.  

 

A thoughtful challenge – listen:  what do you hear? What do life’s impactul  sounds mean to you, your

 

lifestyle, and where you choose to spend your time?

 

 

 

“ Safe or out?”.  The split second decision made dozens of times a game

 

By acoustically trained professional baseball umpires.

 

Yes, an essential segment of their training is recognizing the sound of

 

a baseball making contact with a glove while blindfolded. 

 

We hear that sound: and that of a fastball smacking the glove of a catcher.

 

Recognizable, unique, part of our “ sound culture”.

 

 

 

From a sports perspective, there are sounds which define us by geography, culture and class.

 

Close your eyes: rest in a quiet place: enjoy your memories: Fill in the “ Places” which envelope your sound recollections. Add to the list…

 

The Sport	Sounds	Place(s)
Baseball	The “whack” of bat hitting the ball Runner/catcher colliding  at home plate 1st baseman spearing a line drive Vendors selling beer	?
Cricket	Bat smacking the ball Bowler running headfirst and  hurling the ball	?
Car Racing	Roar of high powered engines Air and noise as cars hurtle past Sheet metal bending as cars meet the walls of the track Thousands of beer soaked fans cheering	?
Football	Wide receivers and safeties meet at high speeds in mid air Quarterbacks barking signals Lineman head to head in the trenches The 5th quarter of UW Madison band Profane cheering students at Camp Randall	?
Golf	Golf club connecting full flush with ball off the tee   Club, weeds, ball meet in the rough Clanking of clubs being carried down the fairway.	?

 

 

 

Each of these sounds generates unique memories  and contribute to our total person,

 

 

 

Sounds of our workplace create indelible memories.  Are you a doctor, a mechanic, an IT technician,

 

an accountant, a musician? Each has its own rhythm, pace, decibel level. 

 

Have you paused to recreate in your inner ear  the sounds of where you work, live, or play?

 

Do you have a preference?  For example, in the streets of Middle Eastern cities the sounds of blaring

 

 horns is incessant. Drivers seem to blow horns for random reasons.  Loud, continuous, at all hours the

 

cacophony is ongoing.  Here in the Midwest, horn blowing is rare. Roadways are a place of frequent

 

silence.  Could you live in both or either place?

 

We are told that noise or the absence of it definitely impacts the quality of life. Hmm. Some cultures

 

 have adapted to noise _ others to silence.  

 

A thoughtful challenge – listen:  what do you hear? What do life’s impactul  sounds mean to you, your

 

lifestyle, and where you choose to spend your time?

 

 

 

ROCKY AND THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART

A keeper of historical culture

The larger than life onyx colored statue of Rocky  stands at the end of a small pathway

A striking presence near the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The elderly spacious museum houses Rubens, Monet, Moorish Art, the masters over time

Unpretentious, but somehow awe inspiring as one travels the cavernous exhibit halls.

 

Outside there is Rocky.

 

Men young and old: athletic and rotund  clamber onto Rocky’s  statue.  They flex their

muscles for the cameras of friends and relatives:  Mugging for the cameras, hugging Rocky

as if he was a long lost friend, or national hero.

Watching these giggling self indulged macho types there is a sense of incongruity. Once the

pictures are taken these cerebral types wander off down the parkway.  The Museum  was treated

as just another building on a hillside in Philadelphia while the celluloid hero gathers their adulation.

Centuries of  man’s artistic and imaginative best is a secondary concern  to this non appreciative  public.

Ben Franklin, the architect of this vibrant city must wonder  what has he wrought?

 

Oh yes, there is a place for diversity of opinion and interest  creating venues.

And there is no negative judgment being posited on those Rocky worshipers .

 

Eric Weiner in “ The Geography of Bliss”,  describes Qatar as a country without culture “ They have no

cuisine, no literature, and no arts” .  The exhibits at the Museum are described as pathetic… “ a glass

case that houses a collection of what looks like camel toenail clippings”.  The point is the absence of

cultural /historical/artistic renderings.  Are we headed in the same direction?

 

As we lead our children, literally and figuratively  away from “ Rocky” to another photo op,,

or a McDonald’s, or an immediate gratification pleasure event,  do we thoughtfully consider

 the importance of culture in the foundation and continuation of Western Civilization?  If our children

know about Rocky,but not Rubens, Chagall, Kahil Gibran, then what is their legacy going forward?

Great thinkers and leaders make decisions based on their knowledge of the world and the consequences

of actions taken by others gone before.  Culture is a stimulus, a reflection of how people at a certain

point in time saw their world.  Art in all its forms, provides a platform for reflection, intellectual

curiosity, and civic development. 

 

Let’s preserve our past and encourage future generations to appreciate the values of their ancestors.