The Road to 65, Mile 310: Springing Eternal

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on October 6, 2015 in Assistance, Matters of Faith

October 3, 2015, Prescott- This was a very long day- 5:30 A.M.- 1:15 A.M. The wake-up was necessary, in order to be up in Flagstaff, in time for a Baha’i gathering- our region’s annual consultation session and election of a delegate to the National Convention, held the following Spring. It takes about two hours to go from Prescott to “Flag”.

Once we finished our session, I stayed behind to help with cleaning the hall. I mention this only because what was waiting for me back here was: Manning the Registration Table for volunteers at Hope Fest, a faith-based event at Courthouse Square, followed by breaking down the site, when a concert ended at 10 P.M.

Hope Fest was initiated by Evangelical Christians, four years ago, to help homeless families, and domestic violence victims, with access to programs that alleviate suffering and offer relief from the cold, in the months to come. I joined the effort, because that’s what I do. A lot of people were here today, as they were at earlier events that came to the aid of the disadvantaged: Stand Down for Veterans and Empty Bowls, both in mid-September. It’s what our community does.

Our clean-up crew spent three hours transforming the Court House grounds from “The Day After Mardi Gras” to a place prepared for the next day’s Oktoberfest gathering. Trust me, all three dumpsters in the back were piled high, but the grounds were spotless, otherwise. I left right at 1 A.M., walking the mile to my cozy apartment, my pants soaked with salad dressing leakage, to my chagrin and to the discomfort of a twenty-something neighbour, who held her nose as she walked past. I totally understand- and can’t wait to get all the clothing I wore today, into the washer.

The fun part of the evening, actually, was watching the antics of my supervisor’s three pre-school age children. As late as it was, they showed no sign of fatigue, leaving at 9:45. This newest generation, sometimes called GenZ, gives credence to Alexander Pope’s wry observation. Hope is still springing eternal.

The Road to 65, Mile 308: October Beginnings

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on October 2, 2015 in Education, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values

October 1, 2015, Chino Valley- I made my last visit to Del Rio School for a while, spending the day with a class of second-graders, with whom I have worked a few times in the past. I will actually miss this school, and several others, but throwing myself into the well-being of a specific group of children, day-to-day, for at least two months, and hopefully longer, is something I need to do. It’s necessary for my own sense that I can do good by a classroom, over a long period of time. It’s necessary for the children, whose skills are undeveloped, and thus seen by the Masters of the Universe as “low”.

In another iteration, I covered for a teacher on maternity leave, for five months. The children loved me, and I, them. I had the support of the school administration. The teacher, sad to say, did not like my work and made it very clear, especially at the end. I digress.

It was a good day today, and it will be another good day tomorrow, at Mile High Middle School, in Prescott. I can work in Prescott schools on Fridays, until the Winter Break, at least, so the separation is less than final. My first priority, though, will now be Mingus Springs’ third grade class.

October will see me back on the trails- the first few days of Fall Break- next week, and on several weekends hereafter. Son will be out here, at the end of the month, and I will make my now traditional visit to San Diego, at Thanksgiving time. My Faith also factors directly into the schedule: Besides being the cornerstone of my daily life, Baha’i events will occupy me, this coming Saturday, (as will community service, here in Prescott); at the beginning of November and on several days throughout the Fall. I can never tell when the needs of trusted friends may arise and take me off on an errand of mercy, as happened a week ago, today.

October is always a fascinating month- and not the least because of our fun traditions of Halloween. I have always enjoyed treating children, from my front door, over the years, in places like Toltec City, Tuba City, Jeddito, Salome, Phoenix and Prescott. This Halloween will find me at a friend’s house in Tucson, perhaps finagling front door duty.

The crispness of the air, and the changing leaves of the Northland, will also bring me and mine a renewed energy. I had my mid-year check-up yesterday, and all my vitals are in top form. Fall will be a great season.

The Road to 65, Miles 239-40: Random Thoughts On A Lazy Weekend

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on July 29, 2015 in Personal goals, Social

July 25-26, 2015, Prescott- There was, on purpose, little on my agenda this weekend. I went to a devotional gathering on Friday night, and caught up with my Chino Valley friends. The meal is always great. Actually, I end up with two meals, as the Veterans’ Potluck, where informal attendance is taken, happens the same night as the devotional. I have the heart, and a discretional-enough eating habit to attend both events.

Saturday gave me time to think, long and hard, about friends. I know who the true ones are, here, online and in other parts of the country. Those who have come and gone, at least meant well, initially-but fear, personality differences and age gaps can put a damper on any number of friendships. I was glad to have spent time with my faithful friends in California, Nevada, and Oregon and to have made a few new friends here and there in Alaska.

I have an outside chance to work for the Red Cross, though the word is that the folks in Washington already have someone picked out for the vacancy. We will carry on, regardless.

This morning, (Sunday), I sat and bantered with the Old Major for a bit, then joined my Baha’i friends at Goldwater Lake. It’s a fine, wooded, fishing reservoir, south of town, and we have gathered there, once a year, for a Cowboy Breakfast. I don’t have leather boots or a Stetson, but I did bring the sausages for grilling. One time, a couple of years back, I brought my solar oven along. We tried toasting bread in it and ended up with sliced hard tack. Heck, that’s part of a chuck wagon, right?

Book wise,this summer, I have finished Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, Crota, Death and White Diamonds, The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, and Looking for Alaska, and am a bit more than halfway through Seven Years in Tibet. I‘ve mentioned most of these before, but making a total list looks a bit better.

I have developed a habit of deleting most e-mailed requests for money. Along the same lines, I am getting rid of my land line phones, soon, since the only calls I get on them are from solicitors. My true friends and family all have my cell # number.

It was a nice weekend- little noise and the Second Wild Woman of the West, who frequents the bar & grill next door, wasn’t throwing any temper tantrums.

The Road to 65, Mile 208: Queen of the Inland Northwest, Day 2

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on July 7, 2015 in Travel

June 24, 2015, Spokane- I was intrigued by the chocolatier’s use of Rocket Bakery as his sandwich purveyor, so this morning, Rocket was my first stop, after getting cash from the ATM. What a fine place! Like so many coffee houses in the Northwest, and our own Wild Iris, in Prescott, Rocket Bakery has a Steam Punk ambiance. Two lovely and effusive young ladies were the baristas, and sang along with each song that came on the house’s Sirius channel, as I savoured my drip coffee and scone. Rocket is a very happy place. It also has a bookshelf, a surprisingly rare feature among coffee houses, and one that is most welcome. The piano is also there, for anyone who can play decently.

After the wonderful interlude, I headed back to Downtowner Motel, checked out and made a beeline back to Riverview Park. One of my friends in Spokane recommended taking the gondola, over the Falls. This I did, to the amusement of four high schoolers who were in line ahead of me. “Like, why is the old dude going up by himself?” Well, because it’s there. There are some decent views to be had, from the nosebleed level.

Once back down, I headed to the southern, less frenetic part of Riverside. I found the Clock Tower, Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and World’s Fair Pavilion to be restful places for meditation.

A flock of Canadian geese, lined up at the river’s edge, was an unusual sight. It almost seemed like the Bird Olympics was set to begin.

A unique feature, for kids and adults alike, was this set of giant blocks.

Lunch was from a hot dog vendor, in front of Atticus. As he advertised “all beef, no additives”, I was game. The coffee and gift shop was worth another visit, after lunch, for some chai and a few gift items. After an hour or so longer at the library, I called my local friend, and ascertained we weren’t going to meet, due to a sudden emergency.

So, it was off to the south side, and dinner at Chalet Restaurant, near a retirement community. I was received a bit cautiously by the waitstaff, but the salmon and side dishes were fine. Sometimes, it is a good idea to greet “outsiders”; like me, who tips 20 % to anyone who gives at least adequate service.

After attending a Baha’i worship service and social, nearby, and briefly connecting with an old friend from Arizona, now living in Spokane, (pictures didn’t come out), I headed east, then south. it was dark, so no photos of beautiful Coeur d’Alene. The night came to an end in Moscow, ID, at Royal Motor Lodge. I woke up the night clerk, who groggily lined me up with a room, and settled in for another comfortable night.

The Road to 65, Mile 194: Southeast IS Northwest, Day 3, Wrangell to Juneau

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on June 13, 2015 in Hiking and Nature, Travel

June 10, 2015, Juneau- Today was a gray, overcast, thoroughly rainy day, headed north. It was alternately cold and mild, outside. The sea was alternately deep and black or shallow and emerald green. No worries here, though, as I was passing from one fabulous community to another.

The ferry this time was the Matsunaga, named for one of Alaska’s most famous valleys.

We passed by more exhilarating islands, coves and mountains, which I will let speak for themselves. It was a pensive and relaxing day.

Our only stop, en route, was the largely Norwegian-American community of Petersburg. I had scant time to leave the ship and explore, so I just stayed on board and was able to take these shots of the town, from deckside. Note that the homes closest to the harbour are on raised platforms. This feature reminded me of towns in Louisiana, or the coast of Guyana.

Patterson Glacier meets the sea, north of Petersburg. The much larger Le Conte Glacier is just south of Patterson.

This wispy cloud, in front of the mountain, cast a disconcerting countenance.

We arrived in Juneau around 6:15 P.M., and i was whisked to a local Baha’i gathering, where once again, I was welcomed as family.

After this hearty welcome, I headed to Juneau Hostel, where I will spend four nights. during three full days in Alaska’s capital.

The Road to 65, Mile 128: Risen

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on April 6, 2015 in Personal goals, Social

April 5, 2015, Prescott- Easter was important to me as a child, for two reasons: The first was that it meant the end of hearing of Christ’s suffering, which I could not understand until my teen years and the second was that there was lots of candy. The first part bothered me because Jesus, to me, has always been the Epitome of Love. I could not see any good reason for either the chief priests’ persecution of Him, nor for Judas’ betrayal. The second part had a relatively brief shelf life. My parents never bought Peeps, preferring jelly beans, Jordan almonds, creme eggs and chocolate bunnies. I outgrew all except chocolate, and occasional Jelly Bellies (during the Reagan years, especially).

Nowadays,as a Baha’i, I recognize spiritual truth as being progressively revealed, across human time. Christ brought a focus on letting God deal with peoples’ iniquities, on overcoming tribal affiliations, on loving others in spite of their shortcomings. He also brought the Sword of Truth, not making excuses for one’s behaviour, but challenging oneself to rise higher on the spiritual plane.

Closeness to the Light has had its place in the hearts of men for a multitude of millennia. There have, however, been limits to awareness, and a tendency to revert to the mores and customs that pre-date a Spiritual Messenger, as soon as that Messenger has departed this earthly life. So it was with Moses, with Krishna, with Gautama Siddhartha (Buddha), with Christ and with Mohammad. Those outside a given religion, or with a perfunctory understanding of it, see mythology as creed, hearsay as doctrine.

When Christ was crucified, the Romans reported that He had cried out: “My God,My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” In fact, an examination of the Aramaic and Greek, shows an affirmation of His role as Saviour: “My God, My God, for this I was kept”. His Rising, then, is a spiritual act, a confirmation that the Word of God can never be silenced. Baha’u’llah tells us as much, in The Hidden Words: “My Light can never be extinguished. Why dost thou dread extinction?” The Creator does not abandon His Creation, or the creatures that comprise it.

Easter, then, is a day to be universally celebrated, a key point along the collective spiritual journey of Mankind. Without Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, we would have no way to comprehend the Call to Nationhood, of Mohammad, or the Summons to the entire human race, of Al-Bab and of Baha’u’llah. Without His having resurrected the despairing souls of His Disciples, by appearing to them after the Crucifixion, there would have been no Christian Faith, and the journey of mankind would have been a more immediate, and far deeper, descent into the Dark Ages than it actually was.

These are only my own measured opinions, yet no matter how much I ponder this most essential of processes, I arrive at the same conclusion I drew as a teenager: The Spiritual Teachers are vital to our overall well-being and there is no daylight between any One of Them, in comparison to the Others.

The Road to 65, Mile 91: Fervour

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on March 2, 2015 in Personal goals, Social

February 27, 2015, Prescott- A university education is pretty much seen as a right, in this day and age- albeit a right that has elements of privilege, including payment of one’s own tuition. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, however, this right is denied members of my Faith: Baha’i. There are various ruses and pretexts for this government policy, but the bottom line is: Baha’i has no clergy, which the mullahs, hojatoleslamim and ayatollahs take to mean- “You’re fired!”. Given their track record, would that were the case.

In reality, however, we Baha’is respect the right of other Faiths to maintain clergy, as long as the members of those Faiths regard them as necessary. We just have a system of elected assemblies, to handle our administrative affairs, with individuals being responsible for their own spiritual growth, through daily prayer, meditation and study of Scripture.

This has never gone over well with those for whom a career in the Cloth entails making relatively large sums of money, as well as amassing considerable personal power. Such a blur between the sacred and the profane exists in Faiths other than Islam- It was a wealthy Hindu priest who arranged the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, after all, and it remains that the Vatican is a repository of vast wealth. Yet, no opponents of Baha’i in countries outside Iran’s sphere of influence have gone to the extent of denying us basic human rights.

This evening, sixteen of us gathered in a large room at Yavapai College, on the east end of town, and viewed a film entitled “To Light A Candle”. The persecution of Baha’is began with the emergence of Baha’u’llah, our Faith’s Founder, in 1853. It was pre-dated by the persecution of the followers of Baha’u’llah’s immediate Predecessor, Al Bab (Arabic for “The Gate”), from His Declaration, in May, 1844, through the 1840’s and ’50’s. This persecution, rife with torture, imprisonment and death, continues to this day.

It’s largely about money and power, as all religious pogroms are, in essence. Common believers in Islam are duped into participating in the carnage, by appealing to their religious fervour and tailoring sermons to include lies and half-truths. This is nothing new- commentary on Scripture is frequently filled with gibberish and fabulism. We have only to recall the medieval Inquisitions and “How many angels dance on the head of a pin?” Christianity, however, has not, for the most part, gone in for savagery, since the Age of Enlightenment.

It’s time for a new Enlightenment, with people of goodwill and sincere devotion to truth leading the charge. Baha’i represents individual investigation of truth, and devotion to the concept of Progressive Revelation. As do all other human institutions, religion progresses gradually. Attempts to bring humanity backwards invariably lead to heartache and suffering, all of it unnecessary. Look for example, at the plight of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, in Iraq. They are kindred to us Baha’is, and deserve the support of every righteous soul.

“To Light A Candle” is being shown in various locations across the planet, over the next several weeks. It is worth seeing and pondering, regardless of one’s Faith.

The Road to 65, Mile 55: Challenges

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 23, 2015 in Hiking and Nature, Personal goals, Social, Travel

January 22, 2015, Prescott- I got a call at 5:38 AM, got out of bed, fumbled with the phone, hit the wrong button, and ended up with no work today. It always goes the way it is supposed to go, though. While I won’t earn money from today’s activities, I did reassure a transient friend that he has allies in this community, got him where he needed to go, and spent some time with a friend in Prescott Valley, at a restaurant on the north side of the sprawling town. The place is called The Chalk Board. It’s a breakfast and lunch spot and has an inventive, well-prepared menu- like Soldi, here on the hilltop. Several of us will probably gather there on Saturday morning, for breakfast. I want to look for the trailhead where I left off of the Black Canyon Trail, last Spring, so a hearty breakfast, en route, will be a great start.

Slow days like this are a good time to look at challenges that lie ahead. So, between now and the end of May, I have these:

Work- The full-time job will happen, if it’s meant to, by the end of February. Otherwise, I will show up at every charter school in Prescott and Chino Valley, give them each a copy of my sub certificate, focus on building my Essential Oils business (which I’ll do, anyway) and sock money away.

Service- I am with the Red Cross as a volunteer, regardless. American Legion? My continuing there, past May, will depend on the political climate. Right now, it looks iffy. Prescott Family Shelter is on my volunteer radar screen, also, unless I get full-time work.

Recreation and Travel- Colorado, next weekend, is my most immediate focus- for a Winter Summit. Texas, the Gulf Coast and central Florida follow, from Feb. 6-17. My MIL has a birthday during that time, in Leesburg. Weekend hikes will be many, from mid-February until late May: Continuing down the Black Canyon, McDowell Mountains’ Pemberton Trail(Scottsdale), Spur Cross Ranch (Cave Creek),Kendrick Peak (west of Flagstaff), Tucson’s Sahuaro National Park-West Unit, a few more places in Sedona and the rest of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park’s trails. Then, there are the hikes I will no doubt take, on the spur of the moment.

Faith- Baha’i, like random acts of service, makes up the built-in cabinets and shelving of my Life House. My growth, and that of the community, will continue in tandem with all of the above.

These may seem like trifling challenges, and they are. Then again, I’m autistic. Everything is a challenge.

The Road to 65, Mile 54: Who Serves Whom?

Posted by Sagittarian Seeker on January 22, 2015 in Social

January 21, 2015, Prescott- I am a member of the Baha’i Faith, as many of you know. The Baha’i concept of service is one of humility and reverence for the human spirit. It was modeled by the eldest son of our Faith’s Founder, Baha’u’llah. This eldest son is known to posterity by His title, ‘Abdu’l-Baha. The title is Arabic, and translates as “Servant of the Light”, in English. Although ‘Abdu’l-Baha was, and is, revered by all Baha’is, in His lifetime, He walked a humble path of service to others. For example, He organized and saw the establishment of a series of storehouses in the Galilee, during and immediately after World War I. He visited North America and Europe, during the period, 1911-13, and would often prepare meals for His visitors, in the course of His travels.

I will have more to say about ‘Abdu’l-Baha, in later posts. The above anecdotes, though, form the backdrop for my own view of what public service is. The person working with the public is in a position of trust. The teacher is responsible for the education, welfare and safety of all students with whom she comes in contact, during the day. The bus driver, both school and public transit, is responsible for the safe transport of paying and subsidized riders, for the duration of their travel in his vehicle, as well as safe ingress and egress. The health care worker, be he or she a physician, nurse, pharmacist or medical technician, is responsible for the well-being of any patient in a care situation, within his or her purview.

Most such public servants know these responsibilities, and take them to heart. So, too, there are a large number of people serving in the social welfare field who do their jobs with the best interests of their clients in mind. There are, unfortunately, a disconcerting number who view the people coming to their offices as wards, as people to be pushed around, browbeaten and treated in an undignified manner- because they are down on their luck.

It’s time to take the “Kick Me” signs off. I received word today, from a credible source, that one of the local offices purporting to help veterans is engaging in browbeating and intimidating the homeless, and refusing service to those who stand up for themselves in a respectful manner. It is past time for the veterans of our Armed Forces to be treated as full human beings, and not just in the VA Hospitals, where slow, but considerable, progress is being made in that regard. Anyone who hangs out their shingle as a Veterans’ Resource Center has no business refusing service to someone for not going along with psychological gamesmanship, or not wanting to indulge a caseworker’s quirky behaviour, or for just being homeless.

I mention all this because I am tired. I am sick to death of the patronizing, bullying, gamesmanship and dereliction of duty that I have witnessed from various government officials, both elected and appointed, at the Federal, state and municipal levels, over the past eight years. From the hired thugs who threatened to beat a man for stopping to eat an apple, on a sidewalk in Washington, in 2007, to a mayor and several councilmen of a small city, who personalized a conflict with a constituent, over the past year or so, there is an increasing air of arrogance, and “Feed my ego” seems the name of the game.

I serve in a few capacities. I am not the greatest Chaplain the American Legion has ever seen, and at least one member of the Auxiliary can’t wait to see me go, but I approach my fellow members in a spirit of service. I take any posting as a Substitute Teacher seriously, and am well-regarded by students and colleagues, precisely because their well-being and quality experiences trump any desire I might have to be revered or obeyed. I take any work I do with the Red Cross seriously, or any recommendations I make to people, regarding use of Essential Oils, because there are lives and healthful situations at stake. Because of the way I was raised, ego gratification is not an option.

It ought not be an option for anyone in public service.