As a volunteer park ranger I used to do a lot of hiking off-trail in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. I would come back dirty, full of wood ticks, cut up, and feeling pretty great. Some people wondered why I like to do that. So I made this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWul44j7X9w
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Friday, April 30, 2021
Monday, April 26, 2021
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Stop Preaching Racism
To those couple of white people who feel the need to send those, "Hey white people, " messages--you know, where you badmouth others to try to separate yourself to make yourself feel better, please stop. People are just people. Most are good, a few are bad. Color is irrelevant. A lot of us don't want to hear your backward racism. Some of us live in racially and culturally diverse families, and we are far less hung up on race than you and your ignorant rants. It is not going to help our children when you continue preaching your version of how bad everyone is except you. Kids aren't born racist. They learn it from what they hear. So please stop now.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Monday, April 19, 2021
Sunday, April 18, 2021
Friday, April 16, 2021
Bear Clan
While wearing a T-shirt with a bear picture on it, an American Indian man told me he was "Bear Clan." I said, "me too." When he questioned this, I said,
"When I was 23, I camped in SE Alaska where Brown Bears were abundant and dominant. I saw 9 with no moat or fence between us. My late friend John and I endured a lot that week--until the float plane returned for us. My life was forever changed by the experience."
The man had listened quietly until I finished, and then he replied, "yes, you are Bear Clan."
By that, he meant I understood the Bear's Spirit.
"When I was 23, I camped in SE Alaska where Brown Bears were abundant and dominant. I saw 9 with no moat or fence between us. My late friend John and I endured a lot that week--until the float plane returned for us. My life was forever changed by the experience."
The man had listened quietly until I finished, and then he replied, "yes, you are Bear Clan."
By that, he meant I understood the Bear's Spirit.
Sunday, April 11, 2021
Saturday, April 10, 2021
Thursday, April 08, 2021
Tuesday, April 06, 2021
Sunday, April 04, 2021
Saturday, April 03, 2021
Friday, April 02, 2021
Thursday, April 01, 2021
The Silver Lining
Throughout my life I've noticed how bad things can often become good; and how important it is to force yourself to stay positive even when you can't see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Being laid off due to COVID-19 was a bad thing. But even when it looked hopeless because of the lack of jobs or the hundreds of applicants per (good) job, I kept trying. Even today, three weeks into my new job, I still get several contacts per day from recruiters wanting me to work for half the salary that I'm accustomed to. Some people told me I would need to compromise and take less. I was prepared to do that if necessary, but I had already decided that if that were to happen, the job would be something I had never done and wasn't already an experienced professional in.
Then, just as all of those applications (there were literally a couple thousand) I sent out over the 10+ months that I was out of work began to turn into a steady stream of interviews, a contact from a previous employer posted a job and I responded.
A friend of mine commented to me, that if a former employer likes you enough to hire you back after you left them, that "is gold." It's also more reason to keep focused on the positive. Now, three weeks into my new job, and working remotely, I feel very fortunate.
Then, just as all of those applications (there were literally a couple thousand) I sent out over the 10+ months that I was out of work began to turn into a steady stream of interviews, a contact from a previous employer posted a job and I responded.
A friend of mine commented to me, that if a former employer likes you enough to hire you back after you left them, that "is gold." It's also more reason to keep focused on the positive. Now, three weeks into my new job, and working remotely, I feel very fortunate.