POST # 69
My goodness, where does the time go? There are plenty of days that go by when I have this question pop into my head and yesterday was just one of those days. One of the online newspapers that I check in on occasionally is a paper from Brisbane, Australia. Yesterday the headline read something along the lines "25 years since Expo 88." Instantly I was transported back in time to the year 1988.
I was there, and in fact I even worked at Expo 88. As I sat here on Orcas, I found it difficult to relate to the fact that 25 years had gone by since that time. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, after all. If one is fortunate enough to still be alive in their late 50's then of course it's easy to reflect back in time in decades rather than just years. If I look at myself in the mirror, I don't feel like I've aged that much, but fortunately for me, I don't have any photos here with me from back then. If I did, then I would certainly see the changes.
Yes, there have been plenty of changes, as the years have gone by, some of them difficult, but for the most part, life has been a walk in the park as the old idiom goes. Nowadays, even though I still like to plan for the future, I am much more focused on the present moments in my little life. I appreciate the fact that I am still here for one thing. Yes, like most people around my age, there are the standard aches and pains, but that's pretty insignificant, really. I try to not complain, but every once and a while I find that I do. I guess it's all part of being human.
My appreciation of the present is a result of many factors, but the main one is the fact that I am very convinced now, that humans, as just one of the many species on the planet, have a limited time span, primarily due to the changes that are taking place regarding the climate. Industrial civilization has brought us all to this place, and it is what it is. We were born into this set of living arrangements so it all seems quite normal. Perhaps as a culture we could have changed our direction a few decades ago, however it appears now that we have started some positive feedbacks into motion on the climate front, so now climate change looks to be unstoppable. We are left to deal with the consequences. It's going to be an interesting ride from here.
And there are plenty of us now, to go on this ride. All of human history up to the year I was born produced around 2.78 billion souls, and in the short 58 years that I have been wandering on this rock in space, the number has increased over two and a half times to around 7 billion. Ah, the exponential curve, it will always come back to bite you in the long run.
Moving right along, I don't follow professional sports these days, however yesterday I recalled the first professional baseball game that I ever watched live. It was back in Anaheim California in the mid 1980's, a game between the Angels, (the home team) and the Detroit Tigers. The game was memorable because the Tigers early on got to a lead of 6-2 and the score remained like that right until the bottom of the ninth inning. The Angels had two out, and the batter up had two strikes against him. In spite of these odds, the Angels kept getting another score in and eventually won the game 7-6. I only bring this up now to show that the home team bats last. Putting this into context with humans and nature, we humans are Detroit, and nature the Angels, and in spite of the fact that we managed to get way out in front early on, nature is now at bat to complete the game. Pass the peanuts and beer and let's see how things work out shall we?
Back here at the ranch, Oscar, Felix, and Sophie, have had their late breakfast and they've all settled in for the morning nap. The sun is back, after taking the day off yesterday, and I will take advantage of the day and get out and breathe the fresh island air and be thankful for my blessings. Each moment is precious.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
THOUGHTFUL: showing consideration for others; occupied with or given to thought; contemplative; meditative. WANDERER: moving from place to place without a fixed plan; or having no permanent residence; nomadic.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
LOAFING AND DIGGING CLAMS
POST # 68
There is a beach called Crescent beach which I travel past most days on my daily bike ride. It sits at the head of East Sound, the large body of water that divides Orcas Island from East to West.
According to a book titled "Magic Islands", back in the 1860's and '70's "the shoreline at Crescent Beach was white with the tents of mainland people who had come over to the island to get away from it all." It goes on to say that "even before this, the Indians used to come here from all up and down the coast to loaf, fish, dig clams, and enjoy life."
This past week there has been some very low tides and this has allowed the digging for clams tradition to continue. For my part, I was happy to sit down in the sand propped up by a large piece of driftwood, and just "loaf" and enjoy life, while watching the others dig for clams. Not far from Crescent Beach is the town of Eastsound. Along the foreshore amongst other buildings sits a church, and according to the same book, the original pastor and his wife survived their first years here by just living off clams. Things have changed since then. In fact I haven't eaten even one clam since I arrived, and my guess is, that I probably won't by the time I leave next month.
Even though I haven't enjoyed any clams, I certainly can lay claim to the fact that I have been enjoying my fair share of "loafing" as each day melts into the next. I am going to pass the buck and blame it on the cats. The three of them like to spend a large portion of their days lounging around the house. In fact that is what they are doing right this moment. I'm tempted to go join them, but I had best get at least a few more words in before I do so. As I mentioned in last week's blog, after breakfast, the furballs like to find their favourite spots to curl up in and go into sleep mode. It's such a hard life.
Partly because it would be so easy to just be here with the cats all day and hang out, I make the effort to get out for a bike ride. There are some days, when the weather is looking a bit dodgy, that I am reluctant to venture out, but once I do, the effort is always worth it. It's a simple pleasure, and it makes me happy. What more could one ask?
As of this date I am roughly half way through my stay here on Orcas, and like other visits, I find it a very relaxing place to spend time. The cats are a big part of that. Of course with little Sophie the kitten around, it keeps the other two cats and me more active than before she was here. We seem to have a good time together.
Depending on what the weather looks like this coming week, I may decide to take a ferry over to Lopez or Shaw Island and go for a bike ride, but we'll see. Perhaps it might be easier and just as relaxing to stick with the routine here, and do my daily ride past Crescent Beach. Who knows, with the right tide, and a little more motivation, I might even go digging for some clams.
Happy Trails
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
There is a beach called Crescent beach which I travel past most days on my daily bike ride. It sits at the head of East Sound, the large body of water that divides Orcas Island from East to West.
According to a book titled "Magic Islands", back in the 1860's and '70's "the shoreline at Crescent Beach was white with the tents of mainland people who had come over to the island to get away from it all." It goes on to say that "even before this, the Indians used to come here from all up and down the coast to loaf, fish, dig clams, and enjoy life."
This past week there has been some very low tides and this has allowed the digging for clams tradition to continue. For my part, I was happy to sit down in the sand propped up by a large piece of driftwood, and just "loaf" and enjoy life, while watching the others dig for clams. Not far from Crescent Beach is the town of Eastsound. Along the foreshore amongst other buildings sits a church, and according to the same book, the original pastor and his wife survived their first years here by just living off clams. Things have changed since then. In fact I haven't eaten even one clam since I arrived, and my guess is, that I probably won't by the time I leave next month.
Even though I haven't enjoyed any clams, I certainly can lay claim to the fact that I have been enjoying my fair share of "loafing" as each day melts into the next. I am going to pass the buck and blame it on the cats. The three of them like to spend a large portion of their days lounging around the house. In fact that is what they are doing right this moment. I'm tempted to go join them, but I had best get at least a few more words in before I do so. As I mentioned in last week's blog, after breakfast, the furballs like to find their favourite spots to curl up in and go into sleep mode. It's such a hard life.
Partly because it would be so easy to just be here with the cats all day and hang out, I make the effort to get out for a bike ride. There are some days, when the weather is looking a bit dodgy, that I am reluctant to venture out, but once I do, the effort is always worth it. It's a simple pleasure, and it makes me happy. What more could one ask?
As of this date I am roughly half way through my stay here on Orcas, and like other visits, I find it a very relaxing place to spend time. The cats are a big part of that. Of course with little Sophie the kitten around, it keeps the other two cats and me more active than before she was here. We seem to have a good time together.
Depending on what the weather looks like this coming week, I may decide to take a ferry over to Lopez or Shaw Island and go for a bike ride, but we'll see. Perhaps it might be easier and just as relaxing to stick with the routine here, and do my daily ride past Crescent Beach. Who knows, with the right tide, and a little more motivation, I might even go digging for some clams.
Happy Trails
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Sunday, April 14, 2013
THE ODD COUPLE'S EVEN ODDER
POST # 67
Before, that is, the last time I was housesitting here on Orcas Island, I only had the "odd couple" aka Oscar and Felix to care for. The odd couple, but an even number of cats. But now things have changed. Now the odd couple is truly odd, with a third cat on the scene. Her name is Sophie.
Sophie arrived here from the animal shelter a while back. She's still just a kitten and that being so, she has the energy and curiosity of a kitten. Because she is small and young, Oscar and Felix appear to have adjusted to this new addition to the house, and I haven't seen any conflict since I arrived here about a week ago. Of course there is the usual cat wrestling that takes place, but Oscar and Felix were doing that with each other before Sophie arrived. The only difference that I see now, is that instead of it being Oscar vs Felix, it's now either Oscar vs Sophie, or Felix vs Sophie. I have yet to see a cat rumble involving all three of them, but hey, I'm here for a while longer so it may still happen.
The Sophie addition has made the housesitter, that would be me, have to adjust to a new feeding routine for the cats. It used to be pretty easy and straight forward with only the other two, but with Sophie now on board, I have to squirrel her away in a separate room for meal time (as per the owner's request) otherwise she somehow manages to get to the food before Oscar or Felix do. She doesn't seem to be intimidated at all in spite of the fact the two male cats both outweigh her by at least double. So the challenge is to get Sophie into the separate room with the food, without Oscar or Felix following us there. Actually, Oscar seems content to wait by his dish, but Felix usually runs into the room with Sophie, me and the food. We play this little game of back and forth until I can manage to separate Felix and Sophie, and from there on in, my problem is solved. I'm getting better at it as each day passes.
Life here back on Orcas (my fourth visit) is comfortable and serene, and I have no real complaints to speak of other than a few nagging aches and pains, which I think I mentioned in my previous blog. That aside, it's very relaxing to be hanging out here with the cats, and getting in a daily bike ride if the weather allows. Somehow the days just race on by in spite of the fact that I have a very open schedule.
It's still morning as I write these words, and after an earlier shower, the air is fresh, and the sun is beginning to shine on the surrounding countryside. My three furballs have now found their respective places to curl up and have their post breakfast nap.
I guess eating takes a lot of energy out of them. So while my odd couple plus one take a break in the action, I think I'll take this opportunity to get outside and enjoy what's left of the morning.
Happy Trails
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Before, that is, the last time I was housesitting here on Orcas Island, I only had the "odd couple" aka Oscar and Felix to care for. The odd couple, but an even number of cats. But now things have changed. Now the odd couple is truly odd, with a third cat on the scene. Her name is Sophie.
Sophie arrived here from the animal shelter a while back. She's still just a kitten and that being so, she has the energy and curiosity of a kitten. Because she is small and young, Oscar and Felix appear to have adjusted to this new addition to the house, and I haven't seen any conflict since I arrived here about a week ago. Of course there is the usual cat wrestling that takes place, but Oscar and Felix were doing that with each other before Sophie arrived. The only difference that I see now, is that instead of it being Oscar vs Felix, it's now either Oscar vs Sophie, or Felix vs Sophie. I have yet to see a cat rumble involving all three of them, but hey, I'm here for a while longer so it may still happen.
The Sophie addition has made the housesitter, that would be me, have to adjust to a new feeding routine for the cats. It used to be pretty easy and straight forward with only the other two, but with Sophie now on board, I have to squirrel her away in a separate room for meal time (as per the owner's request) otherwise she somehow manages to get to the food before Oscar or Felix do. She doesn't seem to be intimidated at all in spite of the fact the two male cats both outweigh her by at least double. So the challenge is to get Sophie into the separate room with the food, without Oscar or Felix following us there. Actually, Oscar seems content to wait by his dish, but Felix usually runs into the room with Sophie, me and the food. We play this little game of back and forth until I can manage to separate Felix and Sophie, and from there on in, my problem is solved. I'm getting better at it as each day passes.
Life here back on Orcas (my fourth visit) is comfortable and serene, and I have no real complaints to speak of other than a few nagging aches and pains, which I think I mentioned in my previous blog. That aside, it's very relaxing to be hanging out here with the cats, and getting in a daily bike ride if the weather allows. Somehow the days just race on by in spite of the fact that I have a very open schedule.
It's still morning as I write these words, and after an earlier shower, the air is fresh, and the sun is beginning to shine on the surrounding countryside. My three furballs have now found their respective places to curl up and have their post breakfast nap.
I guess eating takes a lot of energy out of them. So while my odd couple plus one take a break in the action, I think I'll take this opportunity to get outside and enjoy what's left of the morning.Happy Trails
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
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