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Category Archives: Musings and Odd Thoughts

Creative Non-Fiction

The Last Tap Out

27 Jan

9835640-campfire-by-a-calm-forrest-lake-in-the-swedish-wilderness

Those who follow this blog know that a few months ago a friend of mine passed away. He was a strong proponent of the Boy Scouts of America. It is also where we met. Within the Boy Scouts is an honor society with a dramatic selection process. Shortly after hearing of my friend’s passing, The following Short came to me and I thought I would share it.

The bonfire blazed before us, 1,000 strong. We stood in long lines and stared out across the still water of the lake. At the edge of the firelight, a war canoe slid silently toward shore. Four great warriors paddled in perfect rhythm. Their strong shoulders and backs propelled the canoe across the dark water. Another warrior, wearing a headdress made from eagle wing feathers, rode in the center. He stared forward, rigid as an oak tree.

When the canoe came into view, many among the 1,000 shifted on their feet and began to fidget as if the chief was staring directly at them. Some murmured to each other in low voices. I stood still with my Brother, proud and erect. We gave our highest respect and attention to the coming visitor. Together we awaited the arrival of the Great Chief.

The great canoe landed with a soft crunch. The four Warriors jumped from the canoe and pulled it up onto the shore. Then, as smoothly as a fish moves through the current, the Great Chief stood and stepped onto the land. Together, the five visitors moved to the bonfire. Dew claw rattles on their ankles signaled each step. Paint on their faces and arms created stern visages in the firelight. The Great Chief’s arms were folded before him as he took position opposite us on the far side of the fire.

The Warrior to the right of the Great Chief stepped forward.

“SILENCE!”

All movement and sound stopped.

“RESPECT!”

All eyes were on the Warrior as his eyes swept across the 1,000. I dared to look him in the eye as his gaze fell on me and passed on. I reminded myself to breathe.

The Warrior looked at the Great Chief. Though nothing was said and the Great Chief did not move, The Warrior nodded.

The four Warriors broke off. One stood to the side at the far edge of the firelight. The other three moved to the end of the first row. They began to move slowly along the row. The Warriors looked straight ahead and seemed to pay no attention to the 1,000 who stood straight as Lodgepole Pine trees.

Suddenly, two Warriors fell upon one of the 1,000. They grabbed him and quickly pulled him out of line. Their steps were so rapid that the Chosen one was dragged, unable to keep up. The Warriors took the Chosen one to stand before the Great Chief.

The Great Chief unfolded his arms and placed his hands on the Chosen’s shoulders. Their eyes met and a moment past. Then the Great Chief’s right hand raised up and came down hard on the Chosen’s shoulder. The sound of flesh meeting flesh cracked across the firelight. Three times the Great Chief’s hand struck the Chosen. After the third blow, the Great Chief crossed his arms. The two Warriors again, grabbed the Chosen and took him to stand beside the single Warrior at the edge of the firelight. The Warriors returned to the line and continued along until another of the 1,000 was chosen and dragged before the Great Chief. The ritual was repeated as the Warriors worked their way along the lines of the 1,000.

My heart pounded in my ears as the Warriors approached. They stepped in front of me and seemed to hesitate. They turned as one and grabbed my Brother. By reflex I stepped forward to protect him. A glare from one of the Warriors froze me in place. I was knocked aside as they dragged my Brother to stand before the Great Chief. After he was taken to stand with the other Chosen, I waited, expecting the warriors to return and take me.

When they did not, shock and self-doubt swept over me. Was I not worthy? Had I not proven myself throughout my life? Had I broken the code that all humans must live by. I again stood as before and silently called to the Warriors to return and take me to my Brother. Tears formed and rolled down my face. But the Warriors continued to walk along the lines of the 1,000, taking few to be tapped out.

When the Warriors had reached the end of the long lines created by the 1,000, Two returned to stand with the Great Chief. Two stood with the Chosen, now a score strong. The chosen were led off beyond the firelight where they disappeared into the darkness.

Those of us who remained looked to the Great Chief.

A voice, deep and powerful yet gentle sounded in my head.

“It is not your time my son. It will come soon enough. You have much yet to do. Go now and live well, love one another, and be strong.”

My tears stopped and I stood straighter. “Be strong,” I repeated to myself.

The Great Chief and his two Warriors returned to the canoe and paddled into the mists of the lake.

I whispered to the darkness beyond the firelight, “I will see you at the great council fire, Brother. But, not yet.”

By Dennis Langley

 
7 Comments

Posted by on January 27, 2014 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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A Renewal Accord

16 Jan
Courtesy of Free-picture.net

Courtesy of Free-picture.net

Two years ago, today, I posted the inaugural Welcome Post on this blog. Within minutes, Teschoeborn was the first to Like and comment. Truthfully, I about fell out of my chair when I saw the comment notification light come on. She was also a newbie and we said we would support each other as neither one of us knew what to expect. Little did I know just how much support I could expect from the world at large.

In the beginning, I thought this blog would be about writing and the journey of becoming a published author. As usual the best laid plans… I have virtually met some fascinating people from around the world, many I consider my friends. That is not trivial for me to say.

The blog has covered topics ranging from writing craft, to real space adventures involving the MAVEN project, to creating longer arrows for a traditional bow, to poetry, to eagles, and even a fish story. Not quite what I had in mind when I started.

As I look back, it occurs to me that the blog has done exactly what it was supposed to. It shows the journey. The only constant in life is change.One of my favorite sayings supports this constant. “This too shall pass.”

My approach to reading other blogs has changed as well. At first it was mostly new writers and a few legitimate profession writers. These days I spend time on poetry blogs, photography, editors, Olympic athletes, and blogs by classical musicians. I recently read my first romance novel. notice how I buried this information deep in the post. 😉 I’ve written reviews and critiques of published works. All in all a very interesting journey.

In the midst of one of the coldest winters in recent Minnesota history, I reflect on the purposes of winter, rest and renewal. I have learned to cherish time off. I guard it like Ft. Knox. I no longer take rest or afternoon naps (when I can take them) for granted. You will too as age sneaks up on you.

And so, I am renewing my blog for another year. WordPress offered me two years for the price of one but I’m not sure I can commit to two years. Seriously, I am looking forward to sending out my posts and reading yours. As Mr. Miaggi would say, “You and I will make sacred pact. I promise to write blogs that are at least somewhat interesting. That’s my part. Your promise to read them and comment. That’s your part.” Good. We have an accord.

Now it’s nap time. See you in two hours!

 
14 Comments

Posted by on January 16, 2014 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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Sacrifice

29 Dec
What ever I said, I'm sorry!

What ever I said, I’m sorry!

If this image doesn’t scare the hell out of you, you are certifiable! PERIOD!!

I say that with experience as I’ve had the misfortune to be on the business end of one of these on two occasions. Through the grace of the creator and some quick talking I am still here.

For those of you chomping at the bit for some juicy anti-gun propaganda let me say one thing. This is NOT an anti-gun post. Sorry to disappoint some of you. It’s far too easy to step up on a soapbox. So, you might ask, “What is this post about?”

The ultimate sacrifice.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I would die for my children?” Perhaps you have even said it yourself. For those of you without children, you might swap a spouse or parent for the children in the statement above. In any case, the statement indicates the willingness to give up everything so that someone else can live. To step into the VOID, the unknown. To cease to exist. That’s a lot of pressure to place on oneself.

Okay, for your child, spouse, or other family member, I can buy into that. And, I buy into members of the armed forces willing to pay the ultimate price for each other. It comes with the territory. But what about someone else?

My first response is, “The list would be very short indeed.” However, history has shown me that I tend to run toward the burning building instead of away.  My gut tells me the list would be much bigger. My instincts are to protect animals, children, elderly, and women. Sorry guys, that’s just how I have rolled in the past. But since the past does not predict the future, who knows how I would react.

This is not an easy question so, before you write a comment, think about what you are saying.

Outside of your immediate family, who would you be willing to take a bullet for? Why?

 
8 Comments

Posted by on December 29, 2013 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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Happy Holy Days

24 Dec
From my family to yours!

From my family to yours!

HAPPY HOLY DAYS!!

Whatever, your belief system, this time of year is special. Everyone celebrates the season for different reasons and that’s okay. Different is good. Different is interesting. I love to read posts about how the season is celebrated by others. Whether it’s midnight mass, Chinese food and a movie, staying up at an all night bonfire, or exchanging gifts, it’s all good. Some people bake, others volunteer for a charity, still others work through the holidays so that their co-workers can be with family. Some people practice their beliefs actively and openly while others are private and seemingly don’t celebrate at all. It’s all good.

Regardless of what the celebrations are called, there are common threads that weave through each belief system. Things like gathering with family and friends, being kind and giving to the less fortunate, giving thanks for what life has brought us, remembering the previous year, looking forward with anticipation to the upcoming year.

I am 100% certain that I do not believe in or practice my beliefs the same way you do. That’s okay with me. I cherish the fact that we can believe as we please and celebrate our differences. So long as we don’t demand that others believe as we do, it’s all good.

Whatever you are celebrating and however you are celebrating it, I wish you well. Happiness, health and prosperity to you and your families in the upcoming new year.

Ho, Mitakuye Oyasin!

 
2 Comments

Posted by on December 24, 2013 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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Performance Review Time

21 Dec
Really? You want me to do what?

Really? You want me to do what?

The end of the year brings forth a ritual that is timeless in its age and vicious in its intent. Annual Job Performance Reviews. These four words strike fear into the hearts of most employed persons. Not only because the outcome of the review dictates annual insults raises, but the process itself has become painful. Sort of like, “I’d rather drag my naked body across a mile of broken glass as write my performance review.”

Okay, take a minute to get that picture out of your head…

Close enough. Let’s press on. In the “old days”, sometime before Christmas, the boss would call you into his office. You would sit down and wipe your sweaty palms on your knees praying that you would still have a job when you left. The boss would tell you what a great job you did for him over the past year. You would pick your mouth up off the floor. The boss would then say you were getting a raise at some percentage above the cost of living increase. He would then hand you an envelope and say Merry Christmas. you would open the envelope, see the size of the bonus check and praise god that you could now go buy gifts for the family. You would thank you boss, skip from his office, and quickly go to the garage and defuse the bomb you had attached to his car just in case… 🙂

My how things have changed thanks to some genius in Human Resources (HR).

Now most companies handle it this way. The week before Christmas, the boss sends you an email with multiple attachments. The email states that’ “You are required to complete the attached Performance Evaluation Form, the 2014 Developmental Goals template, and the Goal Tracking Sheet. All documents must be completed and returned to me no later than January 6th. The Executive Team has set the maximum increase allowed for an “Exceeds Expectation Rating” at 1.24%.”

You open the Performance Evaluation Form and see six pages. Each page has two sets of blanks. A large blank with the heading, “Employees comments” and a small blank with the heading, “Reviewer’s Comments”. Each page has a header with some obscure general term that leaves interpretation wide open. For example: Teamwork, Communication, Commitment, Functionality. If you’re lucky, there may be a handful of bullet points listed to help you understand what the Psychology Professors in HR think is important to you doing your job. If not, you are completely on your own to provide comments for your review. In addition to the Evaluation, you must come up with developmental goals that you must achieve over the next twelve months. Too easy and you will be asked to change them, too hard and you kill your review for next year. HR says you need at three or four goals but your boss wants seven or eight.

Those of you who have not been through this process are probably saying, “Great, I’ll just say that I am the greatest thing since sliced bread and I deserve a huge raise and a company car.” Foolish mortals! There is a rule that you have not considered. “He who wields the pen last, writes the truth.”

Now you provide this nightmare to your boss by the required date, having blown off Christmas and New Years to get it done. Now you wait…and wait…and wait.

Sometime in March you go into your ask your boss when the actual review meetings will be conducted. He responds that HR requires they be completed by 3/31. You say okay and go back to work.

At noon on 3/31 you receive a meeting request for 4:00 PM. You are handed a copy of your review with the bosses comments and asked if you have any questions. You are allowed five minutes to read through the Evaluation. You are then required to sign the Eval whether or not you agree with the boss. He then says that he’s not sure what your raise will be, if you qualify for one. He submitted it and it will show on your next pay stub. When you look at your next paycheck you realize that the half percent increase the company so graciously gave you bumped you into the next tax bracket and your check is 10% less than it was before your review. WhooHoo.

Maybe next year I can review my Boss and send the review his boss before their review is complete. *Sure, Cut back on the Wild Turkey, Dennis*

Headache medicine

Headache medicine

Aren’t performance evals fun?

 
21 Comments

Posted by on December 21, 2013 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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Small Winter Joys

16 Dec
Mini Snowman

Mini Snowman

Little gestures make the biggest impact. Helping a stranger navigate an ice-covered sidewalk. Holding an elevator for someone on crutches. Letting the person with one item step into line ahead of you when you have a cart full of groceries. These are small things that take virtually no effort but mean a great deal to those helped. When a small gesture affects many people, it becomes extra special.

I was driving through downtown Minneapolis a week ago. While waiting at a stop light, I looked to my right and saw an unusual sight. The building on the corner was built of stone and the builder had incorporated a small ledge into the wall at about waist-high. Sitting on the ledge was a miniature snowman. I couldn’t help but smile. It made my day.

I have no idea who made it. It might have been someone waiting for a bus or, perhaps, a homeless person on their way to the shelter for a hot meal and a warm place to sleep. Whoever it was, they did a very special thing. This intersection receives a lot of traffic everyday, both vehicles and pedestrians. I’m talking about several thousand people every day. I cannot believe that anyone passing the Mini Snowman would not smile and feel the joy of the winter season. Thar’s a lot of happiness spread by a small gesture that took little effort and little time. Whoever you are, thank you!

 

 
10 Comments

Posted by on December 16, 2013 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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Dad’s Driveway

09 Dec
The first 200 yards

The first 200 yards

The turn around is now paved. The new owners of the old house use it as a parking lot. A gravel track leads off to the left across the thin grass. The track disappears at the edge of the grass like an infinity pool. At the edge of the grass, an old apple tree guards the entrance to the driveway proper. Apples from this tree used to make some of the best apple cider I’ve ever had.

Next to the tree, the gravel track, that was once a logging road, slides down a short slope and crosses an old stagecoach road that ran through the cooley country of SW Wisconsin.  Several yards along the track,where the sunlight breaks through the canopy, is a crossing. Deer moving from their bedding areas to the apple orchard and oak thickets to feed, have cut a deep path into the sand and grass on either side of the track. There is scat from bear and wolf within sight of the track. They travel unseen less than 300 yards from the house. Knowing they have walked this path adds mystery to the journey.

Nearly to the White Pine tree.

Nearly to the White Pine tree.

The track slopes gently upward and weaves slightly through the trees. Open fields of long ago now find poplar saplings struggling for light against the scrub oak and the ever-present white pines. Few raspberry bushes remain of the once large thickets that lined the old logging road. Memories of picking berries in the scorching sun wearing long sleeves and hats to protect skin from the sharp thorns. The taste of fresh berries and hot pie and ice cream.

The branches of the ancient white pines reach out across the track blocking out the warm sun. They provide a roof to the track creating a tunnel which leads toward the fork. A cock ruffled grouse stands guard in the middle of the track. Daring anyone to enter his territory. He puffs up his feathers and stomps around trying to intimidate all intruders. His kind are few these days but, with luck, the cycle will continue and the sounds of his drumming will echo throughout the woods again.

Where the track forks, a huge ancient white pine stands as sentinel. With a trunk measured in feet instead of inches, it has been watching over this land since before white men strode beneath its branches. Place your hands against the pine and feel time. History itself.

Here the track divides. Either way will take you there. The tracks form an island that is only an illusion of separation. The house rests at the far end of the island. The wind whispers through the pine’s upper branches, “You are home .”

 
4 Comments

Posted by on December 9, 2013 in Musings and Odd Thoughts

 

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