Great Question

“If the House of Representatives has now declared it ‘illegal’ for the government of Saudi Arabia to restrict oil production, why is it still legal for the government of the United States to restrict oil production? In fact, the government of the United States restricts pretty much every form of energy production other than the bizarre fetish du jour of federally mandated ethanol production.” —Mark Steyn

Not Just Any Sunny Afternoon

This photo is meant to be a "teaser". It did not reproduce well from the website

http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu , which I urge you to visit to see much more.

This is one of the first photos taken by the Mars Phoenix Lander Mission. It was taken at the equivalent of 2:00 in the afternoon of the first Mars solar day after landing. These are powerful images despite what they lack in detail. Very few stop to think what it takes to get this image, and what it means to view it.

The lander flew half a billion miles in nine months to land so softly on the surface that it barely kicked up any dust! Cameras already in orbit around the planet actually photographed it's parachute opening up. To me, this is the most incredible engineering of mankind, but it's amazing how few really appreciate what has been accomplished with this and other NASA projects.

We sit at the computer and look out across the dusty plain of Mars. Rocks, boulders, dust storms and gullies. Long shadows cast by the same sun which warms my palm when I hold my hand up to it on a summer day. Think about it.

There's only one nation doing this. All others are very far behind. Let us never relinquish that status like we have so many other things. And let us never stop reaching further than any other.

On This Decoration Day

“Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower

Right Where I Want To Be

Tonight I wrap up the day of my 50th birthday. It was a fine day, but not that much different from most days "upnorf" here at camp. I guess that helps to validate the quality of life at this place; when even on my big day, there's no place that I'd really rather be. Family and special friends made it a very enjoyable day. Depressing due to the number? Not a chance! No regrets, no looming mid-life crisis. Yet not just another number....

Of course, 50 is a significant number. I know that back in my 20's and 30's, I used to think about where and what I would be doing on this day. Honestly, I don't recall what my guesses where back then, but that was a long time ago. Lately, I don't spend much time at all thinking out that far ahead. That is a symptom of youth I think, which in later years we sort of switch into reverse gear; spending more thinking time on the past instead. Neither of these gears is very productive.

Somehow though, I sense that I'm where I should be. The reason is this: If you are fortunate enough to be living life, more or less the way you'd like (and I am one of those lucky ones) then you are actually steering the ship on a chosen course everyday! So at any point in the future, you are not only just about where you should be, but more importantly, where you want to be.

Despite any predictions I may have made in the past, tonight I'm right where I want to be.

50 or otherwise; what more can you ask than that?!!

Upnorf Once Again

The name is Upnorfjoel, and I have finally arrived there! After the seven month layoff dictated by the nature of our "camp", the blessed season of summer is almost upon us and camp is officially open!

My blog of late has been filled with all kinds of stressful themes. And now, as always, I am amazed how this place strips those emotions right away. In just a few hours they are pushed to the back lot somewhere, and replaced by clear, crisp air, bright lime-green maple leaves just unfurled, and thousands of bright diamonds glistening off a pristine northern lake. I don't really think it gets much better!

A hundred years ago, "southerners" were lured to this place, coming by train from the big city with all kinds of claims about the recuperative powers of the climate. The emphasis was on cures for physical ailments like tuberculosis and hypertension. But when you read the old literature, you don't see anything about stress. Maybe that's because there wasn't any back then, at least as we know it. It's more likely that they just didn't have a label for it. But there is no doubt in my mind that what we suffer from today is at least severely diluted by the natural qualities of this place. I can feel it at work!

Thankfully, the place has again survived the severity of a northern winter. No repairs or fixes needed. Just the normal replenishment of fuel and firewood, cleaning out the spider webs and unfolding the furniture. (All northern furniture folds somehow!) This is all a blessing that gives us the opportunity to instantly begin recreating and not working! It isn't always so!

It's fun to reacquaint with friends and neighbors who share the same love of the place. Catching up on the seven month gap in time away from here.

Even my dog seems more lively up here. But then they do say that dogs have an instinct to "feel" their masters stress and emotions. So she is probably just mirroring my mood. You're welcome, girl!

Now on this first day of the season, I am ready to hit the hay. The magic here started at 3:30 this morning with a pack of coyotes yipping and yelping not too far off in the woods. I saw the early sunshine sparkling on the lake. Had the best fish sandwich I can remember at the little restaurant over on the bay. Smelled the cherry blossoms as I drove up the peninsula through the endless orchards this afternoon. Took the hayride through the woods with my daughter this evening. Sat close by the campfire as the sun set at near 10:30! And finally took in a sky full of bright stars just a minute ago.

......And that's just the first day. God bless this place. No wait; He already has.

Where To Even Start? (Part 3 - The Baby)

(Please read part 1 and 2 of this blog before continuing)

Oh my gosh is she cute! Little Lilyanna. Born on my Grandpa's birthday, May 9th; and now she has made me a Grandpa! Just one more of the life changes that I have been writing about, and as I've reiterated through this series of articles, they're having more of an impact because they're all coming at the same time!

Aunt Amy holds Lilyanna

This little baby, born to my son and his girlfriend, gave us the normal nine months of preparatory time, but that only functions as a planning tool for the physical needs of a newborn. It is not nearly enough time to make the mental preparations of dealing with a birth to two unwed teenagers. And maybe that's mostly me, but the entire family is making adjustments now, and still trying to get used to the idea. Her family too.

Myself.....well, this is certainly not the way I planned things for the next generation. The conservative dinosaur that I am, wanted things much more conventional. There is a time for children and this one is way too early. But life doesn't always work. Now that she's here, the only concern can be looking forward and hoping that both father and mother can grow quickly and not at the expense of the baby. A strong dose of maturity is needed immediately. Jobs (too early to call them careers) need to be stabilized for both. Housing for mother and baby is handled for now, thanks to the maternal grandparents. But they understandably expect that to be temporary, and I'm thinking only months rather than years.

Lilyanna, at a little over one week old, is still very much a novelty right now. But she'll demand much more, very soon. She'll demand responsibility, maturity, patience and love. Grandparents can help, but these two new parents are going to have to supply the large part of it every single day. From where I sit, both have serious deficits in one of more of those categories. I think that they know it too, and maybe that's a good thing.

For this set of Grandparents, it will be difficult to help. In part one of this series, you read of my job change and the relocation. We'll be 300 miles away from Lilyanna. That certainly doesn't help the whole equation.

I know things will be alright. There are a thousand babies born this day (actually many more than that) for whom life will be a greater challenge. I know that. But it still doesn't prevent one from wanting better for family. Right now, a support system is in place. The most important thing we can do is to begin the careful and loving deconstruction of that system as we help two new parents to stand. I pray that they appreciate the awesome responsibility ahead and love each other through it, because a parent's love and respect for each other is the most important thing they can do for their child.

Here's to Lilyanna! Not just another change, but changing everyday!

Words of Wisdom

"Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it
is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles
upon which Freedom can securely stand....The only foundation
of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be
inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it
now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government,
but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty."

-- John Adams

Where to Even Start? (Part 2 - The Job)

(Please read part 1 of this blog before continuing)

All right; I feel a bit more energetic tonight, so I thought I'd sit down and take a shot at writing about some of the change described in part 1.

I think I'll take it one life-rattling event at a time. I can do justice to each that way, and perhaps generate some better writing which ultimately may be more therapeutic also.

I never intended this blog page to be a personal, on-line diary. I am far too "personal" to do that! I've never kept a diary, but I've always assumed that they are places to express yourself to yourself. Maybe that happens with me at The Mole Hole, but it would be an unintended consequence of simply wanting to express an opinion, publicly, which is what I'm about on this site, and what I'm probably like in person too. (Did I say "probably"?!!)

So in keeping with above, I hope you've read my opinion on facing "change". Now I can write about the first item; the Job!

March 18th, 2008; I am officially out of work after 23 years on the job. I could spend an entire day just writing about what lead up to this, but that's pointless now. This article is about the change.

All of the job searching with the computer, with recruiters (a.k.a headhunters), with newspapers, turns up nothing. All of my contacts, dozens and dozens still working in the industry, turns up nothing. Six weeks of fruitless hunting. And so how do I finally land a fantastic position that provides a nice increase in both rank and compensation? They contact me on the chance that some good people have been left behind in the wake of the sale of my previous company! Crazy! Devine intervention? Perhaps. This would still fit my true belief that while God doesn't make things happen for us, he does provide the opportunity to make them for ourselves. For whatever the reason, it is there for me.

This new one seems like a very good organization. My research, which can only go so far, makes me feel comfortable in accepting the offer. I need to be, because it means uprooting the family and moving 300 miles. On the other hand, did I have much choice? My gut feel says that I would probably still be looking for a job here in September. Maybe in December. Maybe much longer than that even. Unless we decided to completely deconstruct our standard of living, I see no evidence that I could even come close to replacing what I had before in any reasonable amount of time. Not here. Not in this town.

I look forward to the new challenges and responsibilities this new job brings. I am not ready for even semi-retirement yet. I will be given a chance to grow, and I need to continue to do so. Someday soon, I will probably look back and decide that 23 years in any one place is not really healthy anyway. I think that it breeds a kind of comfort that can slowly kill your own creativeness, adaptability and motivation among other things.

My friend Paul reminds me of the old adage about "a ship in port" being safe, but that it's "not why the ship was built." He was responding to Part 1 of this article and the bigger picture of all the changes that are upon my family at this time, and about which I intend to write. But more than any of the other changes, I see his comments being mainly applicable to the Job. Because it is that which brings to mind the safety and comfort of staying in one port for 23 years. Or maybe more accurately, staying in home-waters for 23 years.

Now there is a new mission. The ship is stocked and prepared to head out into the open sea. It is as ready as I can make it. All engines ahead.....slow!

Where to Even Start? (Part 1)

Talk about a "full plate" of life! That is a most extreme understatement for my home and family right now! Honestly, there is so much going on, I'm not sure I even know what to write about next, yet I really want to write about it all. In fact, I must write about it all if this blog means a damn thing. These things are that important. Just not tonight!

It's midnight in Chicago, the rest of the family has passed out in our hotel room, and I'm only typing aimlessly because I feel too exhausted to sleep. However, too tired to sleep does not mean awake enough to do justice with the keyboard on all of the goings-on of this past week. The reason we're 300 miles from home tonight is just one of them.

The fact is, I (we) are being tested right now. And no, I don't credit God with that. He doesn't set these things up that way in my belief. It is the temporal life that we live here on earth, which on rare occasion, lines up a "perfect storm" of change. And that is what is pummelling the family right now.

What God does do, is give us the opportunity to face these things. He gives us the opportunity to react to them. And finally, he gives us the opportunity to better ourselves by them. That is the real test. To enter the storm, and not just come out, but come out stronger and improved somehow. Unfortunately, there are usually no charts to safe port when these things hit. We can only count on what's been built and fortified inside us to guide us through. An internal compass, to which we can pray to the Holy Spirit to point the true direction. God will give us that, but it's still up to us to use it.

We've scouted what appears to be a nice little Church close by that is of our particular denomination. Tomorrow's Sunday, and I think we'll go to Mass in the morning. I will pray for God's spirit to be with my family and me, and you know what? I'll bet that I'm ready to write part two of this blog tomorrow night. That we'll already be starting in the right direction through this storm.

That's what I call Faith.

It Beats The Alternative

A rite of passage in my life today.

A new door opened to me.

A milestone on the long and winding road.

A confirmation of sorts.

A symbol of achievement.

A warning perhaps.

Nah. Just a subtle reminder.

Still, sort of hard to believe.

Something that I wanted to avoid, but wanted to get to! Huh??

Got my AARP card!

Lookout world!

A Likely Conversation

Rrrrrrrrring.......Rrrrrrrrring.......
"Hello, the Rev. Wright residence."
"Hi Maria, is the Reverend there this morning? This is Barack calling."
"Si, one moment sir. I am dusting in the gallery this morning and he is in the library. It is very far to that side of the manor. I will go get him for you. Give me some moments, please."
"Gracias, Maria!"
_______________________________________________________________

"Hey Barry! What up?"
"No, forget the Barry thing Jerry. I'm sticking with Barack."
"Oh, OK. I just thought Barry would have been good politics. Man, does that sound NASCAR or what? Besides, it rhymes with Jerry!"
"Yeah, I know. But I think that would have been a bit too much at this point; you know, Barry and Jerry? In fact, that's sort of why I'm calling this morning. I think we need to start putting some separation between us."
"What are you saying, man?"
"Well, I guess I'd put it this way; your brilliance is starting to out-shine me!
"Say no more B.O.! I understand. You want me to keep the Truth on the down-low for awhile. At least 'till you get in. Is that it?
"No no! Like you say, I'm the politician here. I can make up crap as I go. No, you need to keep stoking the fire with the people. I would never ask you to compromise on the struggle!" But I need to distance myself, if you get my meaning. Might have to say some things that will be hurtful to you."
"Like how bad?"
"Well, to start, I need to blast you for some of that stuff you said to Milktoast Moyers."
"Oh yeah (laughing)....man did he give me some big 'ol softballs to hit, or what?! You'd think I paid him or something!"
"Did you, Jerry?"
"Hell no boy! He's just another one of those lib journalists that are like putty. 'Specially when I use my quiet voice! I just love workin' those guys"
"Well, and then the press club stuff."
"Ditto, baby."
"And then the NAACP thing in Detroit."
"Oh, was I rollin' there. They were pre-stoked, 'cause that Mayor's got things really stirred. Poor guy's a victim!"
"But aren't his troubles sort of like the Clinton stuff? You really slam Willy"
"Nope. Totally different."
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
"OK. Well anyway, so I'm going to be making some press statements today about my disgust with your recent comments, and that you do not speak for me or for the majority of black Churches."
"Ain't you layin' it on kinda thick with that stuff?"
"Nah. The Dems, the Press; they trust. I already told them that I spent 20 years in disagreement with you. They bought that!"
"But you didn't disown me at first."
"Yeah, but that just showed my compassion at that point. My open mind. My willingness to listen to other points of view. Now that I've shown an effort, I can throw you under the bus"
"Hey?!!"
"Sorry Jerry. A figure of speech."
"OK; I get it. And I appreciate you lettin' me keep speechin'. I just got in a bunch of notes from Farrakhan. Good, good stuff! Now that I'm retired, I can get out to other parts of the country that need to hear the Truth. I'm thinkin' about gettin' a motorhome... with no seats in the back! (chuckling)
"Well, let's just make sure we're not in the same city at the same time."
"No problem, B.O.. It's not like we won't be in touch!"
"Right, right. Well, as I said, if you are going to keep making speeches, I'll have to continue to respond negatively. Hannity and Rush are not going to let up. Those dogs aren't going to let this bone go! I may have to say some ugly things, and you just need to understand. Let's not lose sight of our real objective!"
"Yeah, you mean the House!"
"No. I'm already a Senator. I mean the White House."
"C'mon B.O., I know that! But once you're in, that's the first thing we change. We aren't callin' it the White House no more!"
"You think we can actually change that?"
" Sounds pretty discriminatory to me!"
"Man, you are right!"
"Hey c'mon! Isn't Wright always right?!" Didn't you learn anything in 20 years?"
"NO!" (laughing hysterically)
"Well, hey, gotta go. Maria's got my bath run. Say hi to Michelle and the boys. Keep pushin' man, and don't worry about offending me B.O.!
"Thanks Jerry. You're one in a million!"
"You mean as in Million-Man March!"
(more hysterical laughter)
"C'mon....that's the crap I'm talking about!" You're killin' me!!" (no laughter) Bye!
______________________________________________________________

"How is Mister Barack doing?"
"I dunno Maria. He just hung up on me! I worry about that kid. I think he's got some anger management issues!"