POST # 117
Eagles soaring in the sky as I take in some r and r at Shelter Bay.
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.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
MIKE RUPPERT
POST # 116
At some of my house sit locations there is no phone. It's a sign of the times with so many people owning cell phones now. I'm OK with this arrangement as it is a piece of technology that I rarely use these days, much to the chagrin of family and friends.
However just over a week ago on Sunday, April 13th, I would have appreciated having a phone to use to make just one call. For the past three years, if I have access to a computer, I listen to a podcast every Sunday called "The Lifeboat Hour" hosted by Mike Ruppert. I first came in contact with Mike's work probably in late 2006 or early 2007. Last year in May, I had the opportunity to visit Mike while he was living in Colorado.
On Sunday (13th) Mike was interviewing his friend Carolyn Baker, whom I'd also had the pleasure of meeting on Bowen Island last year. The phone lines were open for callers, and my first thought was that it would be nice to just call and say a quick hello and to thank them both for all the work that they do, and to let Mike know that I might have an opportunity to visit him in his new home in California later this year. But, no phone, so the call was never made.
I had an unusually restless night, and the next morning as I was checking another website that I follow, I was dumbfounded to learn that soon after the Lifeboat Hour show, Mike took his own life.
I've included a photo of Mike and Rags his dog. Rags had gone walkabout for a few days last November and after Mike found him, they were both ready for a good long and restful nap together.
Rags isn't the only one who will miss Mike.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
At some of my house sit locations there is no phone. It's a sign of the times with so many people owning cell phones now. I'm OK with this arrangement as it is a piece of technology that I rarely use these days, much to the chagrin of family and friends.
However just over a week ago on Sunday, April 13th, I would have appreciated having a phone to use to make just one call. For the past three years, if I have access to a computer, I listen to a podcast every Sunday called "The Lifeboat Hour" hosted by Mike Ruppert. I first came in contact with Mike's work probably in late 2006 or early 2007. Last year in May, I had the opportunity to visit Mike while he was living in Colorado.
On Sunday (13th) Mike was interviewing his friend Carolyn Baker, whom I'd also had the pleasure of meeting on Bowen Island last year. The phone lines were open for callers, and my first thought was that it would be nice to just call and say a quick hello and to thank them both for all the work that they do, and to let Mike know that I might have an opportunity to visit him in his new home in California later this year. But, no phone, so the call was never made.
I had an unusually restless night, and the next morning as I was checking another website that I follow, I was dumbfounded to learn that soon after the Lifeboat Hour show, Mike took his own life.
I've included a photo of Mike and Rags his dog. Rags had gone walkabout for a few days last November and after Mike found him, they were both ready for a good long and restful nap together.
Rags isn't the only one who will miss Mike.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Monday, April 14, 2014
SNUG-LIKE
POST # 115
As the days go by, the deciduous trees that line the river bank out back of the property, continue to fill in. Every now and again since arriving at this house sit, I have felt as though I was back at my little place that I named SNUG, along the banks of the Klondike river.
I would come to my senses though when looking across to the north shore of the Vedder river because over there, is suburbia. But not now. The trees have now managed to fill in to such an extent that my view is now one of trees, rocks, water and snow capped mountains. Oh yeah, and one dog named Austin to round out the view.
Other observations in the past week include the wonderful fragrance in the air, the crystal clearness of the river, and the multitude of insects that are busy doing their thing. Of all these, it's the insects that unfortunately seem to be out of place, which isn't a good thing. As each year passes, the insect population has continued to decline, and it's no wonder, considering what industrial civilization has done to the living planet. But things aren't likely to change. Just the other day I heard a B.C. politician saying that the province is "just one big gas tank". He was suggesting that the province should just build up all the infrastructure required in order to ship natural gas to Japan. Couple that with the push to build a pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat to pump dirty tarsands oil and it appears for now that it's business as usual. The citizens of Kitimat voted "no" to the pipeline, but I wonder what kind of behind the scenes deals are now taking place between the various pro pipeline factions, in order to get over this latest hurdle? It's always about economic growth at the expense of everything else, including the insects.
Whoa, that was a bit of a rant, but I guess I needed to get it off of my chest. Anyhow, back here at the ranch, life is peaceful with Austin and me just hanging out together and enjoying each day as it goes by. He should have been a cat I think because he sure has some cat-like tendencies. Two that come to mind are that he likes to be let out, only to want to be let in again minutes later, and he sleeps a lot. I almost expect him to start purring any moment.
It's a sunny spring morning so I think it's time to head outside with Mr. Austin and enjoy the Snug like qualities of the surrounding countryside.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
As the days go by, the deciduous trees that line the river bank out back of the property, continue to fill in. Every now and again since arriving at this house sit, I have felt as though I was back at my little place that I named SNUG, along the banks of the Klondike river.
I would come to my senses though when looking across to the north shore of the Vedder river because over there, is suburbia. But not now. The trees have now managed to fill in to such an extent that my view is now one of trees, rocks, water and snow capped mountains. Oh yeah, and one dog named Austin to round out the view.
Other observations in the past week include the wonderful fragrance in the air, the crystal clearness of the river, and the multitude of insects that are busy doing their thing. Of all these, it's the insects that unfortunately seem to be out of place, which isn't a good thing. As each year passes, the insect population has continued to decline, and it's no wonder, considering what industrial civilization has done to the living planet. But things aren't likely to change. Just the other day I heard a B.C. politician saying that the province is "just one big gas tank". He was suggesting that the province should just build up all the infrastructure required in order to ship natural gas to Japan. Couple that with the push to build a pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat to pump dirty tarsands oil and it appears for now that it's business as usual. The citizens of Kitimat voted "no" to the pipeline, but I wonder what kind of behind the scenes deals are now taking place between the various pro pipeline factions, in order to get over this latest hurdle? It's always about economic growth at the expense of everything else, including the insects.
Whoa, that was a bit of a rant, but I guess I needed to get it off of my chest. Anyhow, back here at the ranch, life is peaceful with Austin and me just hanging out together and enjoying each day as it goes by. He should have been a cat I think because he sure has some cat-like tendencies. Two that come to mind are that he likes to be let out, only to want to be let in again minutes later, and he sleeps a lot. I almost expect him to start purring any moment.
It's a sunny spring morning so I think it's time to head outside with Mr. Austin and enjoy the Snug like qualities of the surrounding countryside.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Monday, April 7, 2014
BUDS AND BIRDS
POST # 114
As the season progresses, the trees are beginning to respond by putting out buds and so my landscape continues to change. Life is change.
This past week I have been watching a couple of robins that have decided to take up residence here, by building a nest alongside of the garage. There was some string-like material on the ground that was snagged onto a timber, and one of the robins was trying to free it, in order to use the string for additional nest building material. I watched from the kitchen window, as the robin pulled and tugged with all its might, to try and free the string from the timber, to no avail. I could see what the problem was. The bird needed to be pulling the string in a direction 180 degrees from what it was currently doing. Perhaps I could help. I strolled outside, and walked towards the bird, which of course flew away. I unhooked the string from the timber and bundled it up in a small pile and left it on the ground and returned to my viewing point in the kitchen. It didn't take long, before the robin flew to the pile of string, collected it in its beak, and made a beeline to the nest. It felt good to be able to help out. While all this was taking place, Austin was asleep on the rug. He missed it.
Speaking of Austin, he is currently sleeping on the rug after having completed his morning inspection of the yard. It's a dog's life, and he has it pretty good as far as I can tell.
And so it goes, here along the banks of the Vedder river. Life is slow and relaxed, with plenty of time to watch the trees budding and the birds building, while Austin continues to sleep half of his life away.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
As the season progresses, the trees are beginning to respond by putting out buds and so my landscape continues to change. Life is change.
This past week I have been watching a couple of robins that have decided to take up residence here, by building a nest alongside of the garage. There was some string-like material on the ground that was snagged onto a timber, and one of the robins was trying to free it, in order to use the string for additional nest building material. I watched from the kitchen window, as the robin pulled and tugged with all its might, to try and free the string from the timber, to no avail. I could see what the problem was. The bird needed to be pulling the string in a direction 180 degrees from what it was currently doing. Perhaps I could help. I strolled outside, and walked towards the bird, which of course flew away. I unhooked the string from the timber and bundled it up in a small pile and left it on the ground and returned to my viewing point in the kitchen. It didn't take long, before the robin flew to the pile of string, collected it in its beak, and made a beeline to the nest. It felt good to be able to help out. While all this was taking place, Austin was asleep on the rug. He missed it.
Speaking of Austin, he is currently sleeping on the rug after having completed his morning inspection of the yard. It's a dog's life, and he has it pretty good as far as I can tell.
And so it goes, here along the banks of the Vedder river. Life is slow and relaxed, with plenty of time to watch the trees budding and the birds building, while Austin continues to sleep half of his life away.
Happy trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
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