Category Archives: Social

Inward, Outward and Onward

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

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We are each on a journey of some sort.

I’ve had a lot of thoughts and a few conversations, over the past month or so, as to what sort of person always seems to be on the move, and what exactly is it that such a person is seeking.  I can only speak for myself.  I have been peripatetic from Day 1, it seems, and not just in the sense of exploring new physical locations or different scenes.  My nose has been in a book, far more often than my feet have been moving forward.  Ironically, though I love to be walking here and there, when the occasion requires, I can sit still for hours on end, patiently reading, watching the most inane TV shows or just letting my mind wander.  This last characteristic served me well during my Penny’s final year- much of which I spent at her bedside- because there was no place I wanted to be more.

Whether one is engaged in a building project, sitting at dockside with a fishing pole in hand, coaching a soccer team, designing jewelry, doing one’s taxes or climbing Sagarmatha, a journey is a journey.  There may be miscalculations and setbacks along the way, and re-dos are the task of the lucky.  The rest end up in one abyss or another.

This brings me to relationships.  I was more fortunate than I can ever express outwardly, that I had the companionship of a blithe spirit and keen intellect for thirty years.  I will have a spiritual bond with Penny for all eternity, and there will never be a time when I don’t feel her presence.  I am fortunate to be surrounded by family, in an ever-distant outward ring, which is nevertheless always pulsating.  I am fortunate, too, to have friends both near and far- those who understand me, and still refrain from judging.

Some ask, why do you not want another companion?  The quick answer is, I am a self-contained unit, and always have been.  Penny drew me out and aided me to build on what my parents instilled in each of us- to be urgently aware of our surroundings, and BE HELPFUL.   I’m far from dead, emotionally, and see women I consider attractive, in one way or another, every day.  The most important thing, though, is that I have finally learned that it is the friendship, not the attraction, that sets us free.  I would rather have a hundred good friends, or a thousand, than be in any relationship where one of us is feeling like “Damn it, I can do better.”

So, I am happy to have the friends in my life, female and male, young and old, on whom I can count and who can count on me, with no ulterior motives.  We are each on a journey, every minute of every day, and it is a fine thing to see a traveler smile along the way.

Trailheads and Paths, Issue 16: Sculpture Garden and An Old Fort

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Posted by on in Hiking and Nature, Social

Last Thursday was an exquisitely beautiful day, and I sensed it would be not good for my spirit to just sit inside and ruminate.  There was one walking path I had not established as yet- a pedestrian route to Yavapai College and the VA Hospital.  So, there was my Thursday afternoon plan!

The “single-step” in this jaunt was a walk along North Arizona Avenue, past the Arizona Softball Hall of Fame, and the Smoki Museum, which has, as its mission, the preservation of Native American culture.  As such, the buildings are constructed of native stone, with extended beams, in the Pueblo style of construction.

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The first photo is of the Smoki; the second, of the Hall of Fame.

I crossed Sheldon Street a few minutes later, and entered the Yavapai College Sculpture Garden.  The community college has grown mightily over the past several years, but the Garden remains a focal point for meditation and serenity.

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Here is “Community Gothic”, by Richard Marcusen.

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Water is a key element in the garden’s central piece, “The Gathering”, by Gary Slater.

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Alternative energy gets a pitch here, with these avant-garde windmills.

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The north side of the college Library has been tapped for this interesting panel.

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Across the dry creek bed, the roof tops of old Fort Whipple peek out.

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Having reached the northern edge of the College grounds, I continued on into Rough Rider Park, where there is a short bike and hike trail, leading to the grounds of Prescott Veterans Administration Hospital.  This is a good trail for me, as I visit the patients of the Community Living Center there, once a month.  Now, I won’t need to drive there every time.

On the way, an old rail bridge caught my eye, at the edge of Prescott-Yavapai Indian Reservation.

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An extra feature of the Hospital is the preservation of Fort Whipple, an old Army post of Prescott’s formative years.  I first went in the Museum, which is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 10-4.

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Below, is the chair used by General George Crook, one of the more successful commanders at maintaining a semblance of peace in the Southwest, during the period of unrest among the Apache.

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After looking about the museum for about an hour, I walked past the preserved old barracks.  The row of old houses, some still occupied by VA workers, cries out for restoration.

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Having come full circle, I walked back to Yavapai College, which along with some parts of the Yavapai Reservation, and Rough Rider Park, was taken from land occupied by Fort Whipple.  The trailhead to Rough Rider greeted me, as I walked through the gate.

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So, knowing three or four more spots to walk and meditate on a slow day- or a rough one, I am that much more settled into my near-downtown neighbourhood.

The Mists of Jindo

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

Park Jee-yung dropped out of college, and went to work on a Korean domestic ferry, when her father passed on, two years ago.  It’s what Korean children do for their families, in the Confucian tradition of filial piety. Two weeks ago,  Miss Park found herself, along with nearly 400 other young people and 75 elders, on an ill-fated journey to Jeju, Korea’s holiday mecca, some 60 miles off the southwest tip of the Korean Peninsula.  This journey entailed sailing from a port in the Seoul area, and thus a potentially treacherous voyage through countless areas of rock and reef.  The story of how the journey ended is gradually unfolding:  Essentially, an inexperienced and unconfident helmsman, scarcely more than a child herself, lost her way and the ship foundered into a mess of rocks.  It’s not certain where the ship’s captain was during this time, but it is notable that he left the ship while most of his passengers remained aboard, and the ship was going inexorably down.

Park Jee-yung stayed with the teenagers, going as many places on board as time allowed, finding life vests for her younger charges and trying to get as many on board life rafts as she could.  Survivors reported that Miss Park repeatedly refused to leave the ship, saying it was the crew’s duty, and thus hers, to be the last to leave. So it went- for her, and possibly other crewmates, though not for the senior ship officials.  This has become de rigeur, in recent years, for the crews of troubled vessels, but I digress.

I lived in Korea, on Jeju, for 5 1/2 years.  The vast majority of the people I met were like Park Jee-yung- bright, organized, and self-effacing.  I can only imagine the horror that has engulfed this blessed nation, whose traditions dictate that a people move forward together, that the needs of the whole trump the whims of the parts, that children mind their elders, without question.

So it went, that horrific day.  The aging ship’s captain issued an order to the students on board to stay in their cabins.  A few rowdy boys chose to challenge that order and went on deck, saw what was happening and, rallying some of their schoolmates, managed to get on board the life vessels and to safety.  One of them was the first to issue a distress call to the mainland.  These were among the people helped by Park Jee-yun.

There is much to admire about Korean society.  Few nations could have risen out of the ashes of war, largely on their own, as South Korea has.  Shoulder to shoulder, Koreans have seen what was needed, and brought it about.  Now it is time to take stock of the price of fragmentation- nearly 160 dead, as I write this, and hundreds more still missing.  I sit here, in the comfort of an American home, and feel only grief and sorrow.  So many beautiful souls, who could have only elevated life in their city of Ansan, and beyond, now sit at the Throne of the God of us all, and wait to see just how they might comfort those who miss them so grievously.

Let Korea continue to move forward as an entity, with the caveat that sometimes, many times, the voices of the rambunctious need to be heard. The gadflies among us frequently see things the masses overlook, and their warnings, however irritating at the get-go, turn out to be what save the day.  Cassandra was not altogether insane.

Rest in peace, beautiful friends, and  may the nation you left too soon regroup, restore its sense of balance and move forward, in unison.

Prescott’s Sesquicentennial

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Posted by on in Social

Prescott will observe the 150th anniversary of its founding, at the end of May.  This afternoon, about 1,000 people gathered on the east side of the Courthouse, to take part in a group photo.  Since I won’t be in town during the actual celebrations, I decided to be in the group photo.  It’ll be ready for distribution, on a poster, in a few weeks.  I will keep checking Prescott’s Facebook page for group photos, in the meantime. While contemplating the arrival of this anniversary, I realized that my photo shoots have been achieved far and wide, across the country, yet I had not recorded some of my adopted home town’s most salient features.  Downtown is therefore presented here. First, at City Hall, citizen and visitor alike are greeted by this imposing figure.

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Two other statues occupy the edges of Courthouse Square.  The warp and weft of this fabulous little town is the ranching West, followed closely by a fierce defense of individual freedom.  There is, in this day’s economy, not that much left of the Cowboy Culture, but we have the Fourth of July Rodeo, the Cowboy Poets gathering, these statues, and what follows- Whiskey Row, Prescott’s legendary answer to Tombstone.

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The northern cornerstone of Whiskey Row is the oldest of Prescott’s three iconic hotels:  The St. Michaels. SAM_8557

At this point, I rounded the corner of Courthouse Square, past the Gazebo, where Penny, Aram and I used to sit and listen to the Friday evening concerts, in the early 2000’s,

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and found the Centennial Tree, offered by the people of Prescott to the State of Arizona, on February 14, 2012, our state’s Centenary.

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Prescott was founded for the sake of the cattle industry, as well as for mining.  Yet, when the horse became a secondary means of transportation, Prescottonians took easily to the automobile.  Antique car shows are held here, once or twice each year.   SAM_8558

In front of this fine vintage vehicle,  I found a palatable and filling lunch at one of Prescott’s many dining establishments,

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On the way home, I passed Prescott’s newer downtown Grand Hotel:  The Hassayampa. born of the Edwardian Era.

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I can’t leave mention of hotels, though, without a glance at our lovely boutique establishment:  The Vendome.

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Prescott still has plenty of serene, natural settings, including some not far from downtown.  Here is Miller Creek.

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We are, after all,

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Here is an example of why Prescott has survived three downtown fires, a few floods and the devastation of last year’s loss of one of our primary Fire Crews.  A real community is never totally rent asunder, and this town, like Tombstone, is too tough to die. SAM_8566

Long after the scrawler of the red graffiti has come to his senses, there will be love and life, and God will love us.

Happy Birthday, Prescott!

Embracing the Catapault

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

I spent the first two thirds of today as planned, attending a Civics Speech contest for high school students in the morning and a memorial service for a neighbour, in the afternoon.  These were punctuated by a conversation with the real estate agent who is handling the sale of the house in which I am living at present.

I was asked how much time I’d need to move.  Truth is, I don’t need much.  I moved a much larger household, in less than a week, in July, 2011.  Niceties, though, entail a decision by the property owners and my securing a residence.  The former is not my call.  The latter will involve  what I hope will be a brief search.  Considering the warp speed with which this process is moving, I trust I will land nicely on my feet.

As I approach the third anniversary of Penny’s passing, I feel a pullback from some of her family members.  Hopefully, this is not due to my moving out of what has been family property.  My in-laws have treated me like royalty for 33 years, and I quite honestly just want to help simplify their lives.

I also feel a pullback from some of my friends here in Prescott.  This was bound to happen, but while I am in the hands of a loving universe, with regards to where I live next, I prefer to stay in this area for at least two or three more years.  So, on Monday, besides doing a couple of service projects, I will go by the first place I have in mind for my next residence, and see what’s available.

I am familiar with this catapult.  I’ve held onto it before, and been flung quite a few interesting places.

Valentine’s Day, 2014

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

Whether you’re a lover or a fighter, I hope today meets your expectations.  This is my third Valentine’s Day as soul mate to a departed angel, and I am blessed with all manner of Earthly friends- of both genders and all ages.  It’s not necessary to always have a live, in-the-flesh type Significant Other.  If you do, though, I wish you both a warm and tender day of love.

I had the day off, as it is the day before a 3-day weekend, and no teacher likes to miss the Valentine’s Day parties at school- so few subs, if any, were called.  Have taken care of several process matters, relative to this house- and can relax just a bit, over the  Presidents’ Day weekend.  A couple of local events, and dinner with a friend, will take up tomorrow.  The trail is calling on Sunday.  Monday will be devoted to volunteer work.

Today, though, will see me spend the evening with friends in Flagstaff. I will stop and hike at Stoneman Lake,, en route.  Macy’s European Coffee House has a gathering, once a month, to talk about spiritual matters, from a Baha’i perspective.  While I don’t get up there every month, tonight is a perfect opportunity for this.  I can bring my oil samples and info with me, too, just to see if anyone might be in need of our fine products.

Sic semper amoris!

Stuff- February 13, 2014

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

Concerns- This house is now being listed for sale.  I will make my move towards downtown, sometime in March or April.

Type A people and I may never really understand, or trust, one another.  This will affect my attendance at a regular mid-week event, but life goes on.

I have two meetings this evening.  Either one, or both, could end up being a hair-raising, or hair-pulling, experience.

I don’t give a care if no one on Word Press reads my personal posts.  The posts will continue- mostly for my friends on Xanga and Facebook.  WP’ers, keep snoozing, just don’t snore too loudly- okay.

Sid- He was about the first TV personality to make me laugh.  So much of Sid Caesar’s comedy was situational.  This made it timeless. RIP, sir.

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Vortex- Southland, you are surviving!  East Coast, hang in there.  You know what to do, and it’ll be gone soon.

Stuff- The Lincoln’s Birthday Edition

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

I will be using this space to randomly comment on matters large and small, when there is nothing huge in my life.

Abe- The greatest American President, up to now, was born on this day, 205 years ago.  It’s hard to imagine what this country would be like, had either his immediate predecessor or his immediate successor been at the helm, when matters came to a head in 1861.

Shirley- Mrs. Temple Black lived an extraordinary life.  She didn’t rest on her considerable laurels, nor express a demand for entitlement.  I remember how much her movies meant to my dear sister, on so many Saturday afternoons.  No one begrudged Cheryl the command of the family TV, as long as Shirley was singing and dancing.  I never did put Animal Crackers in my soup, but I have been known to sing in the rain.

Pax-  The latest storm ending in ‘x’ is an equal opportunity weather challenge.  It’s a chance for the President to do right by the South, and it looks as if he is in the process of same.  No one’s suffering is any less worthy of  concern than anyone else’s, so North, South, Northwest, Midwest, Canada, Great Britain- hope all stay warm, dry and safe.

Bloopers- Criticism is not an attack.  This morning, I posted a comment, in a format that was not suitable to the needs of the person on whose wall it was posted.  The critical response, from someone I don’t know, was fast and to the point.  Said post was deleted, and no animals were harmed in the process.

Sochi-   I wish Shaun White well.  The sport he helped popularize has been stylized further by others.  This is what life is all about, and takes nothing away from what Shaun did, in prior Olympics.  Canada’s Women’s Hockey Team won today, fair and square.  A win by a hair is still a win.

Here at home-  I have worked two days this week.  Yesterday, I started to feel an urge to pull into my shell.  Instead, getting up, after a post-work rest, and attending a Slow Food Prescott potluck and business meeting, followed by a couple hours’ worth of spiritual study, was far more rewarding.  There are many challenges to my comfort zone ahead, and it’s best I leave it behind, more often.  As the saying goes- “Praying God to bring you to the mountain top, whilst sitting at its base, is not the way to get there.”

The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.

— Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 164

The Daily Bruin, Volume 1, Issue 8,February 8, 2014

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

Hiking-  I went to the trailhead for the Drinking Snake segment of Black Canyon Trail- and ended up taking the equally intriguing Forest Road 9218, informally called Townsend Butte trail, as that’s where the trail ends, overlooking the nearly deserted former mining town of Cleator.

Here are some views of the trail.  This shows the Drinking Snake Trail- the one not taken today.

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Next is Townsend Butte Trail, the one that made all the difference.

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Some buttes and basalt outcroppings broke the desert garden views, almost nonstop Prickly Pear groves, interspersed with chaparral.

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This seasonal seep from Bumble Bee Creek is called White Pond.

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Approaching Townsend Butte, there are gorgeous sweeping views of the badlands leading to the Bradshaw Mountains.

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Atop Townsend Butte, the views are of little Cleator, getting a new lease on life- as are several of the  Black Canyon “ghost towns”.  There is no direct trail down to the village from the summit, though.

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It’s only 3,953 feet high, but for a brief few minutes on top of old Townsend, I felt on top of the world.

On the way back, as always, there was a heart waiting for me.

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Social/Musical- The fine day was capped by a small, but lively, drum circle at the Brehmers’ home in Chino Valley.  We had a fine time with sandwiches, a kale-rice dish and the rest of the chocolate cake from our friends, the Hamiltons, left over from my gathering on Thursday. Our drumming and chanting lifted each others spirits, and sent good vibes around the world, to Sochi, and everyplace in between.  Looking forward to a fine Sunday!

The Daily Bruin, Volume 1, Issue 7- February 7, 2014

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Posted by on in Personal goals, Social

Tidbits- I had the good fortune of working at the nearby middle school.  I covered the SPED resource room, and found lots of buzz over the Valentine’s Dance, which happened this evening.  In between the teasing and flirting back and forth, the kids mostly got some work done.  The ones who stood out, though, were a pair of loners, who chose to just sit.  I sense there is more to these boys than most people seem to have registered, but at least the regular TA is aware of their issues, and can be a consistent voice on their behalf.

Broken record- People complain about a complainer.  Is any of that going to help my erstwhile friend, who is obviously in need of a caring, but strong, helper?  I’d be glad to get her back on track, and when she is no longer shutting me out, I will.

Giving- I’ve always given, without worrying about receiving.  My only thing is, it doesn’t always HAVE to be about money.  I am generous with my time, and attention to people.  Those need to matter, also.

Weekend- I thoroughly enjoyed the Crockpotluck, at the Legion, this evening.  It was satisfying to resist the urge to try every single dish, which would have been strenuous, and would have made me what the French call  un gourmand.  Tomorrow night, we have our monthly drum group, in Chino Valley.  Otherwise, tomorrow during the day, and on Sunday, I will be on the trail. 🙂

Olympics- The Opening Ceremony may have been quirky and somewhat photoshopped, but the vast majority of the presentation was as fascinating and moving as any I’ve seen.  The little dreamer, “Lubov”, the historical pageant and Maria Sharipova made for an enchanting opening.

Have an awesome Saturday, everyone.