So, sadly, we have come to the end of another season at the Northern Compound. Last weekend, we wrapped things up, technically referred to as "winterizing", and locked the doors until sometime in May next year. It's difficult to leave, but the age-old truth that the long off-season is what makes us appreciate he north so much, is what we have to remind ourselves of as we depart; this year on a beautiful Indian Summer day.
The summer this year was truly that. Unlike 2009, we had a couple of honest-to-goodness heat waves, and plenty of sunshine. That made the boating, kayaking, and swimming much more enjoyable. Other things like biking and hiking were a bit more "work" in the warmth, but actually the only thing that really suffered was the frequency of campfires. Most of the evenings were so warm and humid, that a nice, crackling fire was about the last thing anybody wanted!
And so appropriately enough, we ended the season on a clear, crisp October night, with a welcome campfire to keep us warm as we listened to the coyotes in an otherwise very quiet camp. Good neighbor-friends had closed ahead of us and the waves of kids were gone. But the stars and woods and water are still there, transitioning now, but ready to treat us again next year. We'll just have to wait.
What is more satisfying in recent memory that those 33 Chilean miners being hauled out of a half-mile deep tomb? Absolutely amazing!
There will no doubt be books and a movie or two about their personal accounts of dealing with such incredible adversity, and those will certainly be something to read and see. I will be in line for sure. Who needs fiction?
Thanks to God for the strength He gave them, the determination of the rescuers and the brilliance of the brains behind the technology. It was a good day.
Today, Faisal Shahzad was sentenced to life without parole for his attempted terrorist bombing of Times Square. Unrepentant and belligerent, he wouldn't even let his attorney speak. All that he expressed is that he would do it again, given a chance.
The judge said little, except that Shahzad would have many years to study the Koran he claims to follow so faithfully, and find out if it really endorses the killing of innocent civilians.
Every time someone like Shahzad opens his mouth, attempts murder in the name of his religion, or even succeeds in doing it, where is the outrage from the so-called "real" Muslims, the "moderates" we keep hearing about?
On the other hand, some whack-o preacher in Florida threatens to burn a Koran, and that generates world-wide condemnation from the nation of Islam. There is rioting in the streets and "death to America" becomes the theme (again).
I would suggest this to the Islamic community: Shahzad's actions, and those of people like him, do far, far more damage to your faith than some publicity-hungry, radical preacher. And yet, you don't see it, or far worse, you choose not to react. What do you believe? What is the "real" Islam?
So, sadly, we have come to the end of another season at the Northern Compound. Last weekend, we wrapped things up, technically referred to as "winterizing", and locked the doors until sometime in May next year. It's difficult to leave, but the age-old truth that the long off-season is what makes us appreciate he north so much, is what we have to remind ourselves of as we depart; this year on a beautiful Indian Summer day.