Influences

Everyone's life is influenced by someone, something or in most cases many things. I've recently given some thought to my own influencers over the years. Here are the one's that I think had the most impact:

Family of course is right up there with all of the other things but my maternal grandmother, an immigrant from Ireland as a youngster, had much influence on me. Her stories, her faith and her life helped form a good part of who I am. Also my older brother. He has always looked out for me and been a protector of sorts. He helped lead the way.

I was also influenced by life events. When I was 5 or 6 as a youngster at the Jersey shore, two of my siblings and I had polio including some paralysis. We all recovered but I think that experience early on gave me some sense of the impact of a disability and how it could affect a person's life.

There was a point in our lives when my mother had a Black woman by the name of Alma who came and helped around the house with laundry and cleaning. I spent hours with Alma learning about her faith and music. She introduced me to the likes of Mahalia Jackson, the great gospel blues singer. Also, just by being herself, Alma helped me begin to understand inclusiveness and diversity.

I spent a fairly short amount of time in a Catholic seminary right after high school. The time though, beginning studies to become a Maryknoll priest, had a major influence on my values and where I would go in life. Maryknoll as an order is known for the involvement of its brothers, sisters and priests in social justice issues throughout the world. Fr. Raphael Davila, a teacher and guide at the seminary in Glen Ellyn, Ill., had a major impact on my understanding of social conscience.

In 1965 I became involved in the demonstrations that followed Bloody Sunday in Selma Al. There were many famous people and leaders involved in that action but I was mostly influenced by the young people of Selma. They weren't famous or fancy but they were fearless and certainly had heart. I stood on a picket line with them singing songs and confronting the local police. I learned about courage and standing up to power from those young people and it would travel along with me for many years.

Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker molded me and helped me clarify my thoughts about war, peace, poverty, the Works of Mercy. The concept of personal responsibility and standing up for one's beliefs became clear and evident.

Time I spent in federal prison was a great influence, some good, some bad. My incarceration helped me understand incarceration in general and what happens to people when others control their lives for long periods of time. People in institutions of all kinds including the military, facilities for people with disabilities, nursing homes, etc. all see the results of power and control.

People with disabilities themselves and their families have influenced me greatly. Learning about treatment, mistreatment, goals, hopes and dreams that people have for themselves. Learning to listen to voices that are sometimes hard to hear or understand has been critical.

Finally of course my collaborator, friend, partner and spouse has influenced much of who I am.

In the end, it's all connected. All of the influences and all of the values come together and become part of a pathway. I'm very happy with the path I took, the friendships along the way and the changes that were at least attempted.

Organizing a Disorganized Life

Well my project at organization started with good intentions as a New Year's Resolution. You know, the kind we all make realizing that it may not last but knowing that something needs to be done. This one of mine started as a hope, a wish, and a dream I guess. I was tired of looking at the room I call my office and seeing piles of papers, books and notes all over the place. I mean all over the place - the desk top, the little wooden chest, the top of the bookcase, the printer stand and so on. I was tired of trying to find things in those piles and breaking out into a cold sweat when I couldn't find a critical item. So certainly my intentions were good and needed. What I didn't realize was how interrelated everything in my life seems to be. I found that papers are related to other projects and other projects are related to other things not just the papers themselves. Organizing is related to things, places, people and my life. But I didn't realize much of this before I started putting the piles of paper into new piles, folders, drawers, and boxes or compartments.

My organizing efforts have taken over a good part of my life recently. It's part of why I haven't been writing much. The piles of paper led me to more papers sitting in unorganized but full file drawers. Finding that mess led to a need for researching filing methods which led to the need for specific supplies which led to a new pile of material to be shredded. Although I've been somewhat successful on the file front (categorized and color coded), the beginning project has led to more and bigger aspects relative to organizing my life and my space.

Generally, all of this is good. It clears space and makes room and it's helpful to me in terms of finding things (I think). I'm also hoping that it will help my family and partner when the inevitable happens and I'm no longer around to help find all of these critical and some non critical things.

There are some lessons I've discovered in the realm of one thing leading to another. First, there are drawers and cabinets that most likely exist in everyone's home that have just become places to put things, commonly referred to as "junk drawers". Most of the time these are just other places that need organizing. I found more papers in some of these drawers but also many more types of disorganized things. So the drawers and cabinets became new priorities. Tools, bulbs, can openers, rubber bands, etc. all screamed out for a better home, and many of the places they went needed some level of organization.

This also led to some more and different discoveries. There were pictures, videos and cd's. Some in a drawer, others in boxes and a mixed up pile in an old suitcase that came from my father's house after he passed away. This led to a new project - digitizing and organizing pictures on my computer. This was in addition to the pictures already on the computer. So, a new project and more time. But it continues and it seems to be worth it even if it is hard. Ah yes, some of these projects turn out to be ongoing.

Some place along the way my writer friend Jack, suggested that I should think about publishing a book based on some of my writing. This intrigued me but led to all sorts of research into self publishing methods. In that process I found a great software product that authors and writers use to organize their work. Just what I need, another organizing project. But in the end, this project has been useful too. It has helped me Identify the quantity of my writing as well as the need to get it in some sort of order. It has also helped me put it into a format where it can be filed and stored and that in itself is a huge accomplishment.

So my organizing continues. I've decided I probably need a new shredder since mine keeps overheating. I've put critical papers in a fire proof and lockable file box. I've created a work space in the office area and when things come in the mail that need filing I've got a pretty good idea where they go. I'm not totally sure I can find everything I need but perhaps with time I can create some organized piles on my clean work space. We'll see.

The Plot Thickens!

If it were a novel, it may be interesting, perhaps even enjoyable. A President elected with the help of a foreign power, a purported enemy to boot. An attack against open and free elections, similar to prior attacks by us against other countries and their elections. Outrage, frustration, investigations and partisan calls to protect or throwout the newly elected President. Schizophrenic behavior by this official with dabs of paranoia and a Napoleon complex. Hiring the best generals and the smartest business people followed by insulting firings of the idiots who were the best and the smartest months later.

Having fun yet? It goes on and gets better or worse depending on your point of view. Random attacks on people, individuals, groups and institutions. The media is the enemy of the people. The FBI is dirty and corrupt. The CIA and intelligence community don't know which end is up. Everyone's incompetent and no one's sleeping very well at night. The Republican Party is in effect dismantled and replaced by a 35% base of people who love rallies. A midterm election shifts power in the House of Representatives. The government shuts down at year end and continues into the new year.

The chief investigator continues to investigate at a maddening turtle's pace. People are arrested, indicted, sometimes sentenced and singing like Mocking Birds. Different tunes at different times but lots of tweeting.

A young Russian woman is arrested and starts to cooperate. She has info that could be damaging to both the American and Russian President. This should help the investigator. He and his crew get excited. Suddenly, an American is arrested in Moscow. He's accused of spying. Government's begin posturing and negotiating. Ah yes, the plot thickens......Will the spies be swapped, taking away the investigator's potential for proving COLLUSION? We'll have to wait and see. Sadly, this is no novel. It's real life as we enter 2019. Hold on to your hats!

The Tone and Words of Leaders Do Matter

It really doesn't matter where a leader is or who she or he leads. It could be an organization or a school or a company. It could be in a place far away or someplace right next store. Perhaps it's a team, a congregation or an army. The point is, that leaders are all around us and that different leaders may impact different aspects of our lives. They get to where they are through various means and routes including, education, training, experience, appointment, election and so forth. The fact of the matter is that someone has placed faith, and hopes and dreams in them.

Yes, leadership is a skill and the communication that a leader provides is part of the toolbox that they may use to get the job of leading done. Normally we would all agree that good, clear communication is a necessity for a good leader. Then we are confronted with the upside-down world of Donald Trump. His leadership in the cut throat environment of real estate development and property management has been based on division, dividing and conquering, insults and bullying. That's the world he has known and he relishes the fight. I say it's an upside-down world because there are other leaders in that world who see things differently than Trump and who use more traditional models of leadership.

But when Donald Trump won the election two years ago, many people thought he would make a transition to a more traditional method of leadership. Well so far that hasn't happened. Some people have been left scratching their heads and others are disgusted with what they hear and see from someone who is supposed to lead a country, a people and a world looking for direction and yes, leadership. Why they ask, is a President holding political campaign rallies instead of leading the country?

It seems like a silly conversation that we shouldn't really need to have but here we are. There are people defending a message of division, hate and disruption. After a week of domestic terror, where suspected explosive devices have been mailed throughout the country and throughout the mail stream to 15 individuals perceived as political enemies of Donald Trump, some hesitate to say Trump's tone is a problem. After a weekend of killing 11 members of a number of Jewish congregations, there are still those who defend a tone and message of nationalism and anti-immigrant language.

Tone does matter. Tone is how children learn from their parents. Tone is how people learn from relationships, Tone is how students learn from teachers. Sometimes leaders take on all of or a combination of those roles and the people who follow them listen. For a real leader to blame their tone on the tone of an opponent is childish and another sign of an immature leader - someone who just doesn't get the consequences of their own words or language.

I think hate speech is pretty clear. Hate speech is hate speech, is hate speech! And hate speech can kill people because people follow leaders. So this weekend 11 Jews were killed. Jews who were helping immigrants were killed. Donald Trump needs to be told over and over again that his tone, his words, his rallies, his encouragement of chants all matter. He needs to be told by his staff, by members of the GOP, by world leaders and by voters. He should be unifying a divided nation and helping people heal. He should be the first to pull people together in any tragedy. If he doesn't or won't, he has failed us all.

A Lot Going On This Week!

Law Day:

Approach the Bench

Hon. Richard C. Wesley
Tuesday, Oct. 23
10:50 a.m. class
Jephson Science Center, Rm. 104

Join students in Dr. Angela Narasimhan's Law, Politics, and Society class for a special presentation from guest Judge Wesley, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, and hears cases bound for the U.S. Supreme Court. He’ll share his thoughts on judicial independence in the wake of the recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings and subsequent Senate vote for nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Above is just one of the things going on in my world, in and around Penn Yan, NY. This is a great opportunity to hear from a Federal Judge and to interact with students and professors at Keuka College. Join in if you can.

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And then on Wed. Oct. 24th between 1pm and 3pm at Starkey Lookout on Rt. 14 in Dundee, NY join NYS Senators Tom O'Mara and Pam Helming for a round table and panel discussion with 20 experts on water quality looking at and talking about "The Future of Water Quality: A Discussion on Challenges, Crises and Responses". 

HABs, invasive species, non-point source pollution and other contaminants, flood and erosion control, habitat preservation, and water quality infrastructure will highlight the range of issues the panel plans to discuss. How we understand and proactively address the issue of water quality is critical. It is important for drinking water, for the agriculture and tourism economies, and for the recreational use of lakes and other waterways.

With all of the issues we have had with the quality of the water in the Finger Lakes recently, this will be an important event.

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More, more, more........On Thursday evening, Oct. 25th at 6pm,  as part of the Civics 101 Series at the Penn Yan Public Library, there will be a session on the Midterm Elections 2018.

What are the midterms, why do we have them, and how important are they? Who thought it was a good idea to make us vote every two years? These questions and more will bring November’s election into focus, whether you’re a political animal or are hoping to better familiarize yourself with our democratic process. And the many reasons to Vote, Vote, Vote! The Library is pleased to welcome members of Keuka College’s Political Science Club to present this important topic! This event is free and open to the public, and there’s no registration necessary.

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Mitrano and Reed Debate 23rd Congressional District

WETM Corning Debate

October 30th, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Doors open at 6:00 PM

Corning Community College Gymnasium

1 Academic Dr, Corning, NY 14830

This debate will be televised and streamed through WETM's station. A great opportunity to hear from both candidates in this important election.

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And squeezed in but most important --- A visit with my newest granddaughter, Riley and her sister Dylan.

A Bird In Flight

Sometimes we learn about nature or how lucky we are by chance. Living on Seneca Lake in upstate New York provides me with that chance on a pretty regular basis. I have the opportunity to gaze out my windows or off of my deck to watch nature in many forms. I have grown to love watching birds in flight. The flight can be short and brief, a mere jump and flap from one branch to another, or a beautiful soar on thermals above the water and the trees on shore. I get to see the migrations in the spring and the fall - the geese, the loons and the raptors to name a few. Sparrows and eagles move through or make their home here.

The other day, about a week ago, I caught the glimpse of a huge bird soaring along Seneca's shores in the left corner of my eye. I looked quickly as this beautiful specimen moved through the air to the north. Some things didn't compute. I had never seen a bird so large and the color was a mix of white, gold and black from underneath. Soon he or she was out of sight and I thought perhaps this was the American Bald Eagle that I know is here eluding my eyes. I had recently seen two Golden Eagles battling in the sky only yards from my deck over a fish that one had snatched from the water. They both twirled in the sky with wings outstretched, one finally victorious.

Yesterday the mystery of the large soaring bird was solved I believe. John Van Niel, an environmental professor, who writes columns for the Finger Lakes Times, had an article about an American white pelican who has recently ended up at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge just northeast of Seneca Lake.

Above is a photo Van Nile took of the visitor who I'm pretty sure I saw making his way to the refuge, a bit lost according to the author. The American white pelican has a wing span of up to nine feet and this certainly matches what I saw as this fellow traveled up the lake. Here is Van Niel's full article: SPEAKING OF NATURE - Pelican Makes Rare Stop.

Again, birds in flight are truly amazing, reminding us of our own travels or those of loved ones who we've traveled with over the years. So take some time to look up or look out and see these amazing creatures, finding the wind and each other just as we do.

Technology Challenges

The other day I attempted to do some editing on this site that caused some problems and challenges for people who subscribe to The Gadfly. I wanted to consolidate four separate Chapters having to do with my experiences in Selma, Al. back in 1965. The pieces were written some time ago as individual installments and as I reviewed data related to readership, it became evident that many people read the first post and then moved on without reading further.

So I decided to try putting them all together in one piece and posted them as a single piece. Well the results were about half successful. If someone visits the site directly everything is fine. But if you happen to subscribe to the site, the email subscription failed pretty miserably. I'm sorry for any inconvenience or frustrations the posting may have caused. For now, I'm going to stick to writing and posting original material on a real time basis.

Hopefully none of this will stop me from moving forward with continued writing and postings, but sometimes I realize that keeping up with the latest technology is a challenge. Anyway my thanks for your interest and following and my apologies for any problems this may have caused you.

A View On Seneca Lake

Like every where else, the past week or so has given us extremely cold days and nights here on Seneca Lake and throughout the Finger Lakes of New York. Mostly single digits with some readings below zero, especially in the overnight hours. The cold weather accomplishes a number of things. First, the views of the lake and the scenery around it change many times throughout the day. Most mornings a thick mist rises from the lake distinguishing the different temperatures between the water and the air above it. I watch as on most mornings the winter mist moves from west to east opening up unseen portions of the lake's surface a little bit at a time until the entire surface is exposed. Then a quick blast of snow from one of those lake effect engines makes everything disappear again. In an instant the lake and the hillside across toward the other shore are gone, everything a blur. Then in a moment, the vision returns.

The other thing the cold weather does is that it makes it easy for me to stay put. Who in their right mind would want to throw on layers and layers of clothing to fetch the mail or worse yet, venture to town to complete some menial task that can wait. Staying put means finding a chair or placing one in front of the glass doors leading to the deck that overlooks the lake. A fine place to listen to some music, check email, write a bit or just stare out into the wondrous view of Seneca and its eastern shore.

Snow Geese have arrived and create white platforms or islands in the distance up and down the lake. Duck hunters (perhaps not in their right mind) are shooting off in the distance and every time they do another flock of ducks flies by, perhaps missing a few of their friends this time around. If I'm patient and don't get too consumed by my computer, I have a good chance of seeing one of the eagles of Seneca Lake. Once or twice a day I can usually count on seeing an eagle fly a few hundred feet out just above the horizon of the hillside across the lake. He or she is a big one, out for their morning or afternoon scenic fly over of the lake, scanning the water below for breakfast or dinner. I'm never sure if it's an immature Bald Eagle or a Golden Eagle but that doesn't matter much. Just to watch the flight, the ease of movements is enough for me.

So the cold does have its advantages. It forces some of us to sit and stare and wonder. It forces us to see things that we may have never noticed when warmer breezes blow and we become oh so very busy.

Many Who Work Through Storms Deserve Thanks

The Blizzard of 2016 has ended for most, although others will be feeling the consequences for days as airports and coastlines slowly get back to normal. Here in upstate New York, we sat this one out with not even a flurry showing up on our doorstep. It was a bit odd watching national news coverage of this serious storm. Having family members in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts it was good to find out that everyone was prepared and ready to hunker down with heat, generators and comfort food.

We also got a break from the presidential primary election circus for 48 hours or so. Having said that, it seems Chris Christie eventually figured out that he could get more media coverage by heading home, being front and center and being in charge of emergency activities in New Jersey. Much more presidential then being in diners and town hall meetings in New Hampshire while the state you were elected to govern gets clobbered by a N'or Easter.

Elected officials from all over the east coast put on their emergency, open collared, logo imprinted jackets, sweaters, hats, etc. and joined the media in reporting minute by minute stories and warnings. Some of it was absolutely necessary and some of it was self promotion, overdone and a joke. In the meantime many citizens spent time enjoying the snow with friends and family. Many others were good samaritans and assisted neighbors and strangers. Values that we all celebrate and admire.

We're all aware of the folks who have to work to keep people safe during these periods - clean-up crews, police and all of the emergency workers. But at the same time that governors are telling people to stay off the roads and to stay home, there are always people who have to work no matter what happens. These heroes seldom get the recognition they deserve. Sometimes they even have to argue with police and other emergency workers as they make their way to their jobs and their work. We don't generally think about them because they quietly get their jobs done. These are the people who work to support vulnerable people in homes and facilities for people with disabilities and the elderly or sick. Some are individual care givers, some work for organizations but they all have something in common. They know that people are depending on them whatever happens with the weather. These folks really deserve everyone's thanks and recognition but they're usually forgotten or overlooked.

So here's my tip of the hat and a big thank you to all of the direct support professionals, caregivers, healthcare professionals and others who worked through yet another storm, providing necessary support to people. Thank you! You're the best.

Not Going Along With What Everyone Else Believes

First things first. There's nothing wrong in going along with a majority point of view. But it's also ok and sometimes extremely important to go the other way and take a minority position.

Over the years I've certainly done both - gone along with the crowd and when necessary gone in a different direction - sometimes far, far off course from what everyone else was thinking and saying. It has been a curse and a blessing. Marching to a different drummer isn't always fun, yet at times it's invigorating and cleanses the soul.

The real problem comes when we do go along with a view that we know is wrong. It could be a moral, ethical or political position. We've all done it I think. It has to do with lots of things - getting along, not wanting to rock the boat, hoping to get ahead in a career, etc. It happens in the workplace, in neighborhoods, in churches and clubs. There are pressures we all face that determine our actions in certain instances.

I remember times in my youth when I stood by as someone was ridiculed, made fun of or bullied. There are times I remember when I acquiesced to racist comments. I'm certainly not proud of those times. On the other hand, all of those experiences have helped me evolve and become a person who tries to speak up more honestly when confronted by questionable actions or voices. I'm certainly not always right but I try to be thoughtful about issues and statements made by other people. When I think about the people I admire, something stands out. They all have that one thing in common - not going along with what everyone else believes. But there's something else. They're not or weren't grandstanders either. They made their point and took the consequences relative to social status, moving forward or treatment by others. Sometimes they even changed people's minds on important issues.

Catching Up

My computer has been giving me problems for quite some time and I finally found someone who could provide me with the support it and I needed. So, as of now, I'm back and trying to catch up with all the thoughts in my head and the things I should have written down.

Speaking About Dorothy Day
I recently presented two sessions on Dorothy Day, her history, the Catholic Worker and the relevance of her teachings today. I really had fun doing it and it helped me put my own experiences at the Catholic Worker and with Dorothy into some perspective. Actually the enjoyment of the storytelling surprised me. I'm scheduled this weekend to give a presentation on my experiences in Selma, Al in 1965 at an event commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The balance of course is between history, the present and the future.

Well Intentioned But Missing The Point On Poverty & Homelessness
Recently NYS Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order on providing shelter to homeless individuals when the temperature falls below freezing. Well intentioned I'm sure, but missing the point on poverty and homelessness and causing more problems for people and communities. As I've stated here before, Gov. Cuomo tends to act and think with his mouth and like many in power, believes his way is the right way and usually the only way. He rarely considers or involves other viewpoints from what I can see. He is driven by his own values and certainly believes in them. The reality is though, that there are people who can speak to the issue of homelessness, poverty and 'street people'. Namely, the people who are making that choice (street people) and in many cases the people providing support to them. People choosing that lifestyle have reasons for the choice they make. Sometimes they are also caught in cycles that government systems and society create. We can't and shouldn't assume that people who make what we consider to be bad choices, are mentally ill. That's some of what the Governor's executive order has done. Under current law in NYS, removing someone from the streets requires a judgement and action relative to their competence. A close look at existing government sponsored shelters in most large cities should raise questions about the competence of government officials. The poor and the homeless know this and they know what the issues are better than most. Yesterday the Governor in his State of the State and Budget proposal has identified the need for millions to deal with shelters and housing so he is recognizing that there are much bigger problems then forcing people off the street into poorly run facilities. He's evolving.

Theater, Bluster and Untruths
As I've watched the politics of the day, I've tried to figure out what's happening and why it's happening. Sadly I think the press, pundits, writers like myself, social media have all played a role in creating and sustaining the political theater that many are watching and being influenced by on a day to day level. People are caught up in watching free coverage of one candidate to see what outrageous thing he might say next. News coverage or commentary is almost always accompanied by a split screen or smaller view of an empty podium and a crowd awaiting the appearance of Donald Trump. It is theater and it gets ugly along the way. Grapes in a bunch, birds flocking together - all of that for sure - but there's more. There's bluster, there's bullying, there's putting down those who oppose you or who are different and sadly, it seems to be catching. The other thing that is becoming more clear to me is that truth is getting harder and harder to come by and that it is more and more acceptable to say anything you want, true or not. It is also more clear than ever that if you just say things often enough, no matter how untrue, people will believe you. It is a show, there is a ringmaster and few, including the press, have the gumption to question the statements being made or ask for clarifications. We shall see.

State Of The Union
Although I have disagreements with President Obama, I think his recent State of the Union speech was extremely important and historic as well. He challenged the country relative to inclusiveness, a commitment to doing something about climate change, as well as all of us working toward fixing the political mess we have through dialogue. He identified and talked about the huge problem of money in politics and how it has to change. He offered hope and challenged us all to work for change. He has had to put up with a lot during his two terms. There have been hateful attitudes about his presidency, his competence, his policies and his race. He has put up with absurd allegations even about his birth. He is by no means perfect but he has certainly tried and has put up with much.

Nikki Haely, the Governor of South Carolina who gave the GOP response, wasn't half bad either in the most important sense. What she did, pretty fearlessly, was to show the difference between dialogue, disagreements and debate versus the bluster and dishonest statements that have been the hallmark of the Republican campaign thus far. She was able to speak to the immigration issue and the politics of exclusion that have evolved over the past six or seven months.

Like I said, I can find plenty to disagree with relative to President Obama, especially in terms of foreign policy and military actions, but he is a decent man. He has taken on big issues and tried to bring about systemic change in both our politics and how we deal with issues. He will be judged on the totality of his administration and it will show the good and the bad I'm sure. The opposition will also be judged on their obstructions and inactions.

Memories and The Future

Over the past week or so I've been lucky to have had some wonderful correspondence with and from old friends. We've shared thoughts and memories about times we spent together working for peace and social justice through the 60's and beyond. The memories are like those you may have - some good, some bad, some painful. They are also an important piece of our personal history.

Sometimes, many of us, can dwell too much on the past. It can become burdensome and frankly unhealthy. But the past is certainly important. It helps us understand who we are, where we came from and can help lead us in where we're going and how we get there.

One of my dear old friends is currently in Vietnam building homes with Habitat for Humanity. He's working with other volunteers and local Vietnamese helping to make current life better as well as impacting people's future. He recently told a brief story about his conversation and bonding with another volunteer, an ex-marine who fought and watched many die in that land so far away. Two men with different histories, different memories of that war and that time, working together today to make a difference in people's lives.

I've also had recent discussions with some folks about the evolution of supports and services for people with developmental disabilities. Past battles broke down walls and helped people move from institutions to communities where people are living independent lives. The battles today are for dollars to protect those supports and make sure the quality of life for those people continues today and into the future.

The memories and the past battles are so very important. They let us tell the story that helps the next generation continue to move forward. Some of the history prevents people from stumbling in the same pot holes that line the paths along the way. Sometimes falling or tripping is important to the new traveler.

Then I contemplate the future. Many people are involved in issues around the environment and climate change. What an important place to meld the past the present and the future. Our earth, our air, our water and all the elements around us are crying out for protection and stewardship. Young and old are becoming activists together as they see what's happening around them and as they understand the consequences of past and present practices.

The friend I spoke of earlier is also a musician and like all good musicians, he understands the importance of words and music in story telling and messaging. One of his recent posts from Vietnam consisted of a few powerful pictures and these words from Joni Mitchell's The Circle Game - "And the seasons they go round and round. And the painted ponies go up and down....." Here is the complete chorus, hopefully helping us to understand the relationship between past, present and future.

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted horses go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

It is a great big circle my friends so join in as we all go round and round.

Lets Blame The Mentally Ill For Everything

It seems that's the thing to do these days - mass shootings take the lead in these conversations but it happens in other topics too. When the discussion comes about relative to shootings, it's not about the availability of guns, including assault weapons and powerful ammunition. Instead the focus is on the mentally ill - you know the really crazy people. You know who they are, right? We're not talking about the people who occasionally get upset at poor service in a bar or restaurant and make a scene. Of course not. We're not talking about the man who every once in a while gets upset at his wife or girlfriend. Somehow, that's become normal behavior. Certainly we can't be talking about the otherwise rational human being who gets upset with others in traffic and goes through a little road rage. These aren't the mentally ill people we're talking about. These are just people who sometimes walk around with weapons.

Add to all of this the concept of more people walking around with concealed or open carry weapons keeping us all safe. Vigilanteism at its best. More people, more guns and we'll all be safer. Just don't get caught in the crossfire. None of this is crazy.

So as I see it, maybe we should blame more things on the mentally ill. How about the ineffectiveness of Congress and the President? Its got to be the mentally ill. Then there's taxes. That too has to be the  fault of the mentally ill. The environment and climate change - these have to be the result of the mentally ill too. See, it's easy. Anything you can imagine is really the fault of the mentally ill and there's not much we can do about it unless we round them all up and put them in one big place.

Somebody's looking at me funny so I have to go.

Almost Missed This Anniversary

A great day in music history and I almost missed it. On July 28th in 1973, the concert known as Summer Jam was held outside of Watkins Glen, New York at what is now Warkins Glen International race track. Many were there including The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead and The Band. They say over 600,000 rock fans attended. Many historians claimed the event was the largest gathering of people in the history of the United States. 150,000 tickets were sold for $10 each, but for all the other people it was a free concert. The crowd was so huge that a large part of the audience was not able to see the stage. People left cars and walked miles to the event. At the time I lived in Spencer, NY about 25 miles from Watkins Glen. Traffic was lined up and we invited fans to set up tents in the yard. Everyone was well behaved. There were problems at The Glen but the number of people just overwhelmed all of the infrastructure at the time. Great music came from the event and it made real history. More Pictures & Info Here!

Memories of A Summer Vacation Long Ago

This piece was inspired by a friend who recently contacted me about some health challenges he's having. For whatever reason his news and contact stirred up memories of a vacation long ago. Perhaps its related to thoughts of my own mortality but it is funny how memories appear and sometimes disappear. File cabinets in our brains hold so much information, sorted and resorted to be reviewed every now and again.

My story starts with an explanation or two. My family, like most, has some, shall we say oddities here and there. They appear in our lineage and we have passed them down through the generations. My father had his set of oddities that revolved around family, success, and new gadgets. He had to get his hands on newly marketed items from cars to cameras to high fidelity radios. He had to be the first in his neighborhood, his circles or his family to have these things. He was a salesman and marketer at heart so it was easy for him to be sold too. In addition, he came through and from the depression and made a success of himself.

It was probably the late forties or early fifties when our entire family - four kids and mom and dad, took a trip out west by car. We would travel to Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and God knows where else. As I remember, we had a new station wagon that made my father very proud. The back seat folded up and down and allowed us kids to sit looking out the back window seeing where we'd been rather than where we were going.

Somewhere along the way, my father realized there was a flaw in the plan for this trip. The heat in the west was brutal in the summer months. Even with windows rolled down nothing but warm, no hot, air blew through the car. My mother was cranky and hot, four kids were cranky and hot and my father was trying to keep everything in order but he was hot too.

My father made a great discovery in some hot and dusty place. Cars were obviously without what we know of as air conditioning today but there was a solution that had just come on the market - car air coolers - specifically, the Thermidor Swamp Cooler. The theory was simple. The cooler hung on the outside of the passenger window. It was filled with water. A fan in the front of the unit was turned by the air flow as the car moved, cooling and evaporating water that created a cool flow of moist air through louvers coming into the passenger window. Voila! Cool air floating through the car making everyone happy. Here is a picture of an actual Swamp Cooler lest you think I jest.

There it is in all of its glory - the Swamp Cooler - ready to do its job, taking the crankiness out of everyone. A few minor details: the cooler needed a somewhat consistent supply of water and the person sitting in the passenger seat (mother) may be a bit inconvenienced by the lack of a view while touring the wonderful landscape of the country. In addition, there would be a constant flow of moist air on the passenger's neck along with a constant whir that joined the rattle of the cooler on the window. The water problem was solved by the salesman adding four good sized water bags to the transaction. The others traveled with us on our tour of the western United States.

My father convinced my mother to give it a try. She could control the air flow with a string attached to the louvers and at least the kids would quiet down. He promised to stop at various sites so she could get out and see the beauty of the west. That would help us kids too since we were just seeing highway we had just traveled over from the back seat.

So we traveled through the Painted Dessert, the Petrified Forest and stopped at the Grand Canyon. Filling our water bags at every stop. We stopped at Rodeos and at roadside stands set up by Native Americans selling pottery and jewelry to us and other tourists. We yelled and screamed about the noise the cooler was making and that the salesman was "a no good lier because it was still hot".

At some point we noticed that my mother wasn't talking to my father anymore. Her head was being held up by her left hand and she was staring straight ahead into the dusty road ahead. There are a few pictures of that trip but oddly none of us. My father focused on the horses, steers and buffalo at the rodeos. No pictures of us all standing next to the wagon with the cooler on the side. No pictures of everyone hauling water for the cooler. No pictures of a smiling mother and four lovely children on the rim of the Grand Canyon.

In the end it all worked out but we never took a long trip like that again and nobody knows what happened to the Thermidor Swamp Cooler.

Memories - they're great things and can bring a smile to your face as they all get refiled and sorted out.

Some Tests Are A Pain But Necessary

Yup, they are, and the one most of us dread and unfortunately sometimes put off is the colonoscopy. I had missed a couple of years until last year when my cancer was found. So I've been having quarterly blood tests and had another (1 year later) colonoscopy a few days ago. All is well. As a matter of fact the results were great and my Dr. & Surgeon said 5 years is fine for the next one. He was happy and so was I.

It's interesting the conversations that take place in the pre-op area as people wait for their turn. People sharing fears, discomfort from the prep or eagerness of sorts to get things done. Sometimes stories of early detection like mine, surgeries and family histories. Bad jokes and references to body parts and bodily functions creep in along with nervous laughs. People of all ages, talking to each other, family members, nurses and Drs. Some people are there for the first time and others, like me, are seasoned participants. As always, great nurses make a world of difference and they always seem to be there.

When its over and people are still a bit woozy, pie-eyed, etc. first timers become more confident and everyone anticipates the results and report from the Dr. In most cases reports are fine. A polyp here, a polyp there, removed and sent off for testing. But there are different results. The ones where the Dr. tells the patient that there's something that really doesn't look good. That was my result last year although it was even more blunt. It was stated pretty confidently that there was a cancerous tumor on my colon. But yesterday was different, for me anyway. My Dr.'s euphoria, thumbs up and big smile was a welcome site. Me? I was still enjoying the drug induced state and so looking forward to a nice lunch.

The real point though is, these little inconveniences are important and necessary. When you consider the potential consequences of doing nothing or putting it off for a little longer, the prep, the conversations, the procedure itself are really not that big a deal. So get it done when its due. It really can save your life.

Writing Is Hard Work

I've taken a break from posting items here for a bit but it's not because I've stopped writing. I've just changed my focus a bit, attempting to work on some other writing projects including some short stories and fiction. What I've learned, among other things, is that writing can be very hard work - from the beginning of an idea, to research, to the development of characters, to the composition of text. And yes, it's all work. I don't think it matters if it's poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction or news reporting. It all takes effort and research. So it goes and it has taken me away from posting here as well as other things.

Reading on the other hand is a real joy. It's easy and fun. We tend to do it almost without thinking - from billboards to novels with lots of other options in between. Few of us however spend very much time thinking about the effort that goes into the writing.  Putting pen to paper, or in reality in today's world, keystrokes to screens, can be a daunting task. There are interruptions, other things that need to get done and the formation of concepts, ideas and characters. It is so much easier to just read what others have created or said. But of course for the writer, that takes the fun out of it.

Truth Telling

This entry could just as easily be titled "Confidence" or "Speaking Up" but "Truth Telling" will do. You see I really believe we need more of it and we certainly need more people with confidence to stand up and speak out.

It seems to be needed everywhere - at local board meetings, at town hall meetings sponsored by elected officials, at "listening" sessions and planning meetings. How about at that staff meeting or at a meeting with government beaurocrats telling you about new rules or funding cuts. It's needed at demonstrations, rallies, and in news coverage.

I saw a statement recently that was clear in its simplicity - Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes. We certainly need that type of truth telling and everyone should be encouraged to stand up and tell that type of truth - truth with passion, the hard and sometimes scary truth.

A lot of truth telling gets shared through personal stories. Sometimes these stories are hard to tell. Sometimes they are very personal. Sometimes though it can be as simple as getting up and stating the facts as you know them to a large group of people and that in itself can be the scary part. But that's how we all learn, by listening to each others' experiences. So truth tellers, beside telling the truth, need confidence. Don't worry about how you sound or if you're going to say things perfectly. Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.

Hibernating In The Finger Lakes of NYS

Like so many others, that's what I've been spending the last few weeks doing - hibernating, trying as hard as possible to stay out of the cold, trying to stay warm. Tonight there are wind chill advisories of -25 to -30 degrees again and the driveway has won the battle of clearing, blocking, blocking, clearing, etc. The wind from last night did me in and drifting snow plus brutal temperatures forced me to just say the hell with it. I did venture out today and the all wheel drive had no problem so I'll just follow tracks in the drive for awhile.

It has been one heck of a winter here in the Finger Lakes, throughout the northeast and many other spots around the country. Many of us have experienced some seasonal depression. I know this from conversations with others. There have been times that I've thought how great it would be to have a nice cozy place to sit and read a good book or two during the winter months but this winter hasn't been the time I guess. Maybe it's too cold to read or perhaps it's just too hard to focus. For whatever reason, I haven't been able to do it.

I've finally realized after weeks of listening to weather reports that the weather people are a good part of the problem. They love to report over and over how cold it is, how cold it was and how cold it's going to be. They can make two days of sustained cold weather feel like a week very quickly and they seem to enjoy it.  Add to that their safety precautions, pleas to check on neighbors, closings, wind chill reports and predictions for more snow and 48 hours seems endless. On top of that we have a Governor who has taken on the responsibilities of local officials announcing no travel and road closures. It's enough to drive you really crazy.

So I've been spending most of my time at home. My day consists of some fairly long conversations with my deaf and blind Beagle. I do all of the talking as we bump into each other in a narrow hallway. My other dog, a shelter adopted Brittany, likes to romp in the snow until ice balls form between his toes and then he limps to the door with me, happy but done with the damn snow. When he comes in he loves to sit and stare at the fire in the fireplace and I stare at him enjoying his comfort.

So hibernating it is. I just can't find the energy or the wherewithal to get much of anything done. I'm doing some planning for my trip to Selma, Al to remember and celebrate 50 years since the bridge crossing. I'm thinking about painting the basement - even got the paint. Baking bread and scones would be good therapy I guess, but....But I'm going to hibernate for a few more days. Remember there's a wind chill advisory, check on your neighbors, watch the ice. Peace!

Pushing Against The Status Quo

Pushing against the status quo always has its consequences. Some are bigger and more profound than others but you can pretty much count on something happening when you begin and continue that push. It's almost a natural phenomena perhaps founded in physics itself. But it's not just physics. Its sociology. It's political theory. You push, I stay put. You keep pushing, eventually I push back - and so it goes, sometimes leading to winners, losers or all out war.

I've seen a lot of it lately.

The folks putting pressure on state and local government, law enforcement, a private corporation and the courts relative to gas storage in salt caverns in and around Seneca Lake. These folks are pushing the status quo that says everyone's expected to be good, follow what government officials say and certainly obey the law. Their pushing has led to arrests, some seemingly poor and unfair treatment by officials and the town court, and by the old "outsider" and "rebel rouser" charge. I respect their push. I think it bodes well for democracy, debate and education about the environment.

We've seen the push in the film Selma. A director and cast told a story about a historical event with great meaning and significance, They pushed. The push back we saw was a bit unseemly. Loyalists to President Lyndon Johnson turned an important discussion that should have occurred about voting rights and the continuation of injustice fifty years later into a discussion about Johnson's legacy. A disservice to everyone but pushback to be sure.

Locally, a potential merger of two non-profits, something that was viewed as a very positive and visionary step, came to an end abruptly. The sense I got was that one of the potential partners was pushing very hard for change while the other wanted to cling to what was comfortable. Push and push back with little accommodation or thought for long term consequences of these actions. All the result of an attack on the status quo I think.

We also can't forget the people marching in the streets of Ferguson, NYC and across the country. People who are sick of the status quo of black lives being lost in the streets under questionable circumstances. The push back is swift. Questioning bad policing is presented as an attack on all policeman. Backs are turned on a mayor who states an obvious truth - that he has to have a conversation with his black son about being careful if confronted by the police.

So it goes. Sometimes we think conversations or positions are simple and that there are things that need to be said. Sometimes we are very well aware of the fact that we're pushing the status quo and sometimes we think we're just having a simple and logical conversation. But sometimes we're pushing against the status quo and we shouldn't be surprised when it pushes back. Keep on pushing.