end of the tunnel

"The thing about a hero, is even when it doesn't look like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, he's going to keep digging, he's going to keep trying to do right and make up for what's gone before, just because that's who he is." --Joss Whedon

with the year rushing to a close time on the lake is still enjoyable and warm temps let me paddle both Christmas day and yesterday. a second tunnel is now large enough to slide through, carved out of the sandstone like the north side of devil's island in the apostles on lake superior. if you are paddling and the lake shoreline looks calm though watch closely because it is probably ice and the unaware paddler will end up stuck in the middle... i know.

it's tough trying to be a hero, but maybe with a lot more work... sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is the headlamp of a train...

Christmas day

"we are nearer to spring than we were in september, i heard a bird sing in the dark of december." -- oliver herford, "i heard a bird sing"

today is the first day of kwanzaa and boxing day in canada and the UK. just being on the lake on Christmas day is reason to celebrate, but spending time with family and friends the most special.

virtue

"assume a virtue if you have it not." -- william shakespeare

patience has never been my best virtue and it dates back to early Christmas experiences. my father would put up a sheet of plywood over the hallway entrance and secure it against curious eyes. an orange and a set of lincoln logs was enough to satiate a year's expectations. as we got older new ping pong balls and new flourescent lights over the table would insure many evenings of competition. now, warm socks are the most welcome gift. the thoughts of loved ones far exceed any present under a tree.

dreams of the future

"i like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." -- thomas jefferson

i unfortunately remember this 1 cent stamp as a time when you could value things according to the amount of work you created. starting out as an 8 year old shining shoes, then delivering papers, and selling greeting cards and cleaning supplies, and baling hay and walking beans, and working at a myriad of short term jobs before finally a career makes me wonder what unemployment really is about. right now the unemployment rate has dropped to recent lows and shows promise of a brighter future. who will take credit? those that are resting on their laurels or those that have vision? it will be an interesting "new year" perhaps. meanwhile our representatives have gone home job undone... with a looming 27% cut in medicare physician payments many seniors/disabled will find medical care unavailable.

delirious burning blue

"all that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream." --edgar allan poe, "a dream within a dream."

up, up the long delirious burning blue... where neither lark, or even eagle flew..... flying to va to see family is the only gift i need this year...... and besides, i'll only get lumps of coal in my stocking anyway..

under the sun

"there is nothing new under the sun." -- proverbs

while in avegno we found that the sun was delayed in presenting due to the mountains to the east and disappeared very quickly due to the steep rise to the west. now back on red rock lake under a full moon last night i expected to paddle with plenty of light, without worry, but the shoreline was frozen and after dark at 6:30pm carrying back out through the mud wasn't appealing. i paddled back down to the dam, carried up the access to the highway and then had to walk the half mile around to my van. paddling, lifting/carrying, and hiking all combined into an evenings workout made for a productive two hours.

where you are

"do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -- theodore roosevelt

the village of avegno di flouri, on the maggia river above locarno, switzerland had houses in what they call the "commune" or close set arrangement. the roofs were covered with hewn granite tiles that have weathered long years. the tolling of the church bells enlivened my morning energy to hike farther up the ridges along the stations of the cross. the prayerful nature of the solitude was so peaceful and tranquil, yet brought back an appreciation for time together with others.