So There U Have It: Four days of heaven

So There U Have It

The last and final Act of a Three Act Play

is shaping up as a hopefully long and healthy one.

It is oh so different from Acts l and ll.

Act l was exciting.

Discovering how to live, love and 'do'

involved education,

both formal and otherwise.

Intertwined in this came the relationships

that influenced decision making and the outcomes,

both vocational and avocational

we now can look back upon.

At times it was breathtaking!

The Second Act largely focused on

the 'doing' phase of life'.

At times it was spellbinding.

Other times frightening

and on occasion, disappointing.

I can't speak for the audience,

but by and large

the reviews seemed positive.

The Third and final Act is live theater at it's best

as the actions of l & ll

strongly influence

the 'real- time' action, the 'now.'

Fatalists maintain that Acts l & ll predetermine the Final Act.

I know this to be true at some level,

(we can't rewrite the history of our lives,)

but join me at 'tweaking the outcomes.'

The first section of The Third Act

has surpassed my expectations.

The plan is to maintain the pace.

So There U Have It

is an opportunity for you

to participate

in the writing of the Final Act.

I invite you to contribute

your observations, wit and wisdom

in the Comments section.

We know how it will end,

we just don't know

what awaits along the way.

Join me on the journey!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Four days of heaven

Mitchel, Grandpa and Travis

Friday morning we

Load the canoes with

Backpacks, food barrels

And the gear pack.

Map in hand and

We're off.

Travis and Grandpa

Canoe Lake, portage,

Joe Lake, portage.

Little Joe Lake

Portage, portage.

Burnt Island Lake

Locate the ideal campsite

Set up and get the grub on.

Fish fry with stewed dried fruit

The sunrises and sunsets,

Flora and fauna,

The rocks, lakes and rivers,

Fish that we caught

Could not have tasted better.

We kept saying 'wow'.

18 inch bass

Great grandpa George

Was surely smiling down from heaven

As he saw the tins of mackerel

Still in our gear and grub bags

As we paddled and portaged

The backwoods of Algonquin.

More 18 inch bass

Bannock and eggs breakfast

The campfire coffee pot

Was perc'ing from sunrise

To 'hit the sack time.'

The bannock and eggs breakfast,

The fried bass meals

Were 'over the top'.

Loon heading out

Sunset

Weather, we had it all,

Sun, clouds, rain.

Hot weather,

Cool weather,

Chilly nights and

Star studded skies.

Early morning mist

Monday a.m. came too soon.

A last campfire breakfast,

Breaking up camp

Loading the canoes,

One last hike up the hill

To the throne.

A last cup of 'Timmys'

Then, paddles in the water

For a tiring, memory-filled

Trip back to the

South shore of Canoe Lake.

Just in time to plan

The next trip to Algonquin.

The campsite

To paraphrase John Denver,

We have just experienced an

'Algonquin Park' high.

It all seems like a dream.

It's hard to believe

We're back home.

Mitchel leading us home

4 comments:

Kim RempelAugust 12, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Awesome! The pictures are great and will be wonderful memories. After reading your post I almost felt like I was there. Any bear sightings? And the stars sure are a nice bonus aren't they : )
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Kim RempelAugust 13, 2009 at 5:34 AM
Awesome! Your post made me feel like I was there...and makes me want to go camping before the snow flies. Great memories : )
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SharonAugust 20, 2009 at 9:54 PM
An amazing experience......'Susie' would be so very proud of your poetry. The pictures are beautiful...makes me miss Northern Ont.
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AnonymousAugust 23, 2009 at 9:39 AM
I love reading your stuff and I think you should do some serious writing - I don't know about what just yet, but your blog is EASY reading. It's poetic and has a lovely rhythm to it.
We are keeping busy with general life, picking our raspberries (lots of them) and for fun and alot of work. I'm working on an old cupboard that a neighbour down the road gave to us (wanted it to go to a loving home). They are moving to Kitimat to be near their daughter.
The cupboard is very, very ugly, but I have a vision for it and I know that it will really be quite a nice cupboard eventually. it is taking longer than I hoped it would take, but to get rid of all the ugly stuff - oh well, we all have our problems! Dinner is supposed to be happening here, so I better get moving. Take care and love to Elsie too. Dea
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Why are these my favorite sites you ask

Kim Rempel.com She gets it. This artist understands. She cites the dictum, "science will dictate the future, (and it has), art will gladden the soul, (and it does). Whether it's her whimsical, the Father Christmas collection or interpreting the human form or the world as she sees it through her very identifiable plein air abstract sense, I love my daughter's mind and her art!

SLL-lymphoma Sheelagh Willer found out she has this incurable disease. She's sharing the very personal story of her's and Barry's journey. In our professional lives they were very important as friends and mentors. In our personal lives the quality of her life is much more important. For me it's an inspiring journal. Thank you Sheelagh.

Younger Next Year Helped change the way that I think about my body and describes how our bodies have evolved to be the amazing piece of work that they can be, if we but let them. May '09 following my annual physical my doctor, Karen Berti, ordered me to buy and read the book. It hasn't left my side. For me it's one of the greatest books ever written.

Vinyl cafe I know of no one who can tell an original story like Stuart McLean. A person who has endeared himself to most every one who has ever heard him. Start with his Christmas stories and you'll be hooked.

AA.org Two way too sharp dudes, Terry and Mitch, have taught me what the spiritual growth that AA nurtures among friends can accomplish for the human spirit. AA is the embodiment of all things good in the human soul.

John Shelby Spong He's into his 80's. His new book, Eternal Life: A New Vision has just been released. His writings demonstrate a tremendous track record of acquired knowledge, personal and spiritual growth and insight. For sure I don't agree with all of his work. But he has taught me a lot. And he is so interesting. I actually anticipate his weekly essay.

Red Roof Retreat A hero of mine Steffanie Bjorgen, along with her husband Moe have, by example provides the inspiration and leadership for a truly vital comunity organization. People in Niagara, benefit greatly from the opportunities available at Red Roof Retreat. Some through providing support, and some through receiving support.

Reading the Rocks, (an autobiography of the earth), a response

grandpa, "this I wrote in gratitude, for . . . the times we've shared . . . how much you care . . . . and how much I care about you." love, mitch

As Venus grows hot,

With Mars cold in slumber,

Here we sit on earth,

Above is her sister and brother.

They glow in the distance,

As space consumes their light,

Down here she sits,

Swirling in her plight.

We try and master our seat,

That binds us safely together,

While she is milking her fortunes,

We are bold as we torture.

We alter her heat,

And rewire her structure,

As we force her feet,

To meet that same fate

Of her sister and brother

As we drift out in space,

We don't heed the wind

And it's awesome warnings,

Or read in the rocks

All her wise tales and stories.

As we float through time,

I can hear as she 'mudders',

"Beneath you I'm dying"

To be burned or to shudder.

mitchel durksen

the above is excerpted from his personalized birthday card to me on my 67th.

Some of my Heros past and present

Terry Carter

how can one person commit so much time to "be there 24/7 for 'hurting people?'

Martin Luther King

as a commuity activist, (all things brain injury) his writings were my model

Steffanie Bjorgen

she just does it. Red Roof is testament to some of that

Santa Claus

who else brings so much goodwill to kids of all ages

Our son, Jeremy

(see his story on the Wall of Fame at the Meridian Arena in Virgil)

I'm glad that I can't quantify the hurdles he has over come to become a world class athlete, father, husband and contruiting member to his faith group.

So There U Have It

Santa Is Alive and Well

So There U Have It

Death Valley, Southeastern CA

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Four days of heaven

4 comments:

These would be us, Elsie and Ray

Books worth remembering that have passed through my brain

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Some of my Heros past and present