How do you leave things for the next person?

These reflections will focus on work, but if you extrapolate slightly they can function for everything from toilet paper rolls to butter dishes. I've mentioned obligations earlier on in this Blog, and so this diatribe will be an extension of those in a sense. If you were raised in a certain way and especially within work processes, you were trained with obligations toward the person or persons who would either work beside you or follow you in. (I'm not sure how common that is today.)

Which meant that you cleaned and put tools back where they could be found, you did not leave tools and other objects in the way of work passages, you were aware that what was done in the environment might affect the work others (eg. excessive noise from a boom box), etc. This does not take a high degree of intelligence, but does require a sensitivity to the needs of others. Yes?

Part of this has been "inspired" by the sounds coming from a work site boom box quite a distance from where I hear it. Also, I've had a few experiences with some workers who are new around here, and thus haven't run up against my expectations before (!). It would seem that signage might be called for in some instances, at least temporarily. My hope is that brief mentions to people will do the trick, I am unhappy with redundancy in this area. Undoubtedly part of the problem is what I describe as "self-preoccupation," which makes memory about the needs of others seem to pale. With age I need to be more and more mindful of this myself.

Weather Prediction

Weather news over television and the Internet seems to be more and more unpredictable as we move into the extremes of radical weather change. In an "industry" dominated by weathermen and their male designed gadgets (eg. Dopler radar) it may be time for a paradigm shift, especially for those who work "outside" and are more dependent upon the predictions to be productive.

For example, we have been preparing for our annual garlic harvest for awhile, set the stage not only by contacting friends and relatives to be here with us to help, but with doing the basic things which will make this work flow and be successful as a yearly event. Watching the weather reports very carefully we were warned about a heat wave (not good) but not about excessive moisture. Now, on the eve of the work we find ourselves inundated with rain and the wind is howling mercilessly. Within an hour or so we will make our way out there to see if the whole thing must be called off.

Perhaps it is time to turn weather prediction and broadcasts over to women, especially those who are not unduly influenced by the traditional approaches which have dominated both the air and video waves, plus digital networks. What if we had more intuition applied and less scientific gadgetry? I'm not suggesting the equivalent of dousing rods here (nor the wholesale scrapping of the technology in place), but perhaps those might be as appropriate for job as have the technologies of the past decades.

The Modern Library and literacy

When I was sailing in the Navy I decided to continue my education at sea by reading my way through the Modern Library. This collection was widely available both at bookstores and through some of the so-called libraries at my disposal. I found many of these books to be down right unreadable, but struggled with them because I was convinced that it was the thing to do.

I went in a bookstore down on Market Street, not far from where we were tied up. A nice looking young woman asked if she could help me and I asked for the Modern Library collection. Her response was to asked what I was reading now. My answer "Galsworthy," and she laughed out loud and said "why?" My answer was that I was reading my way through the Modern Library and she laughed again.

Well, I was in for an "educational experience" that day, she informed me that I didn't have to read books that were not really intended for me, that there were things more suitable, and she sent me back to the ship with a couple novels: one by Saul Bellow, and another by a man named Robbie McCauley (I think that was his name). They were both terrific reads and I found myself going back to that bookshop for more help and titles.

Librarians can provide this kind of help too, of course, and it may be that my choice to become a librarian later was exactly so I could be of help to others in their reading choices, and in choosing learning materials in other formats as well. Today there are so many avenues into learning, often not going beyond those that have been digitalized and thus available via computers. My analog learning past has been updated a little, although I still enjoy reading books immensely, playing LP records and audiocassettes, CDs and DVDs. Perhaps the odyssey might be called "beyond the Modern Library collection."

Blog Neglect

I've missed writing in the Blog the last few weeks, a very confusing time with lots of work, fatigue and an 80th birthday and the aftermath of that. At night when I usually write it just hasn't been possible to focus well. Meanwhile I've accumulated a lot of subject matter to deal with, and some of that will not be touched until Fall or Winter. Things set me off, eg. a book on the bumpersticker phenomena: "If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people happy?"

Have I mentioned the Vatos sunglasses earlier (so essential this summer)? They have proven to be a pair that have not been damaged or lost ... so far; got them cheap at Walgreens, made in China, of course. When I asked my son what the word meant he said: "little street criminal," "hoodlum." Which took me back to an earlier time when I was obliged to mix it up with young street people in L.A., called "pachucos" in those days (forties).

Our rival playground for sports was Echo Park, the teams there dominated by Spanish speaking teenagers, who were backed up at times by the equivalent of vatos. We went to play the second, return game of football there, we won the first on our "home turf." It was a rough game, for supposedly "touch football," officiating there definitely in their favor. At halftime one of our payers got his face pushed into the water fountain hardware, he finished the second half bleeding steadily and the game definitely got rougher. The 12 to 12 tie didn't give anyone any satisfaction

On our walk back along the lake (really an oversized pond) to the streetcar we found ourselves ambushed by a gang of hoodlums. They rushed out of some bushes, some swinging razor blades on strings, others banging on us with fence pickets they had collected, and trying to force us into the water. They didn't outnumber us by much and we were able to fight our way out and run for Sunset Blvd. Our fellow passengers were somewhat surprised at our condition, and I was forced to take a clandestine shower and dispose of some of my (bloody) clothes before my Mother could ask embarrassing questions. To this day if I have any prejudices to speak of, they are of Latino/Spanish speaking teenagers.

miigwech

I've known how inadequate the words "thank you" are in the past, "thanks," but I've never known the complete inadequacy of them until my 80th Birthday and Community Celebration happened. Thus I have used the Ojibwa word with the hopes that it will (somehow) convey my deepest gratitude to those who put it together, enjoyed it, gave gifts and donations, and put it to bed. Parties come and go, but this one was totally off the charts.

So many people worked to get this event to Ridgeland's Dutchman's Bar & make it work, and to carry it in to the park across the street. I can't even begin to name all the names, but here are a few: my dear Wife, Joni Cash, Jody Slocum, Tina Bloomer, Rene Carrell, Jane Anderson, Ila Duntemann, Kathy Ruggles, Stephen & Mary Ann Boe, Joel and Meg Wittenmeyer, Keith Luer, Aaron Roberts, Todd Miller & Crew, Maureen Rochefort, Suzanne & Douglas Owens-Pike, Erica Granpre, Taylor Dees, and Jennifer Norman. The musicians: Mary Stoyke and Will Agar, Mary Klee, Jay Collins, Jim Holdman, Dean Granros, and Willie Williams. Sky Lanterns thanks to Lewis Dees. Beer & Root Beer thanks to Five Star Brewery (aka Viking), Randy & Ann Lee). Video projection by Kurt Buetow, and the video of Elsie's Farm, "Dirty Work," thanks to Deb Wallwork and Mike Hazard.

People were very generous to the organizations represented, the Hay River Transition Iniative, the Prairie Farm/Ridgeland Food Pantry, and Farmer to Farmer and the Wisconsin Farmer's Union were also present. And I received so many splendid cards and presents, some of which were unidentifiable by name ... thanks to you anonymous people, and to so many people for donations to the "kitty" to make things work. Ice run by Chrissie & Bryan. The food by Bifrost Farms LLC, gift of the brisket by Alexander Roberts. The many, many relish dishes and deserts brought by so many, many people were thoroughly enjoyed. A few food containers are here, only one of which we know how to return; please call us if you are looking for one: (715) 658-1074. Again. miigwech. ps. I would like to acknowledge the sizable number of people who wanted to be there but couldn't. Your presence was a part of the festivities. My apologies to anyone I've left out here in "the credits."

Ridgeland & Environs

Ridgeland and towns/villages around it epitomize what an author has recently described as the vital nexus between rural life and cities, the connexions that truly make the word "local" vibrant and meaningful. It is a no-nonsense small farm town that has a huge amount of heart, strong resources and welcomes strangers and regional people alike. No Currier and Ives here, nor Norman Rockwell, its' summer and winter festivals gather people from close by and afar.

We got to know it well in our years farming there (see "Dirty Work", the recently released video on the farm to be premiered at the party in Ridgeland this week), and is still consider our "hometown" out here. In the many years we worked and lived there we were involved in only one insulting incident, and when we left doing the repairs on a well poisoned by a neighbor's dairy there was virtually no animosity.

So it is a fitting place to have my 80th birthday as a community celebration, and as a location to not only toast and make better known some of the vital organizations of the area: the Hay River Transition Initiative, Farmer to Farmer and the local food shelf, Pantry, but to have an essential mix of people both of the region and the cities. Please come and enjoy yourself.

It is appropriate that some relatively newcomers to the area, Joel and Meg Wittenmeyer of Bifrost Farms LLC in Boyceville will prepare the food for the dinner to be served in Ridgeland; Joel has extensive experience in cooking. These talents are not described yet on their website, but I suggest you look at it to understand the first major focus of their work in the region: http.www.Bifrontfarms.com. Food and their relationship to it will soon be added to the mix.

Party Time

Back in the fifties, in L.A., I was trying to "re-invent" myself after having been at sea for four years. Working with a tree man, Lou Hicks, we came into some wind falls some times on jobs

(eg. a cache of copper pipe in a garage we were hired to demo and get rid of). So extra money was around at times, and sometimes this went for throwing parties.

The combination of Lou and Blue Hicks and their variety of friends, combined with mine, plus the availability of a house and swimming pool (thanks to another former shipmate's father's girlfriend); I was able to "borrow" the fabulous place in Eagle Rock, on a fairly steep hill, and in an unforgettable setting.

A local Italian delicatessen did the food and wine, and beer was complimented as appropriate. I invited a buxom, virgin, catholic young woman from my night class to be hostess, with the agreement that I would guarantee good behavior all night. She helped me welcome people with class and a certain aplomb.

The night was memorable, with only two (2) calls to emergency for broken bones around the pool (one arm, one leg, the cracked ribs person dealt with that the next day). Spirited pre- adult behavior via coed water polo and dodge ball kept us busy when not drinking and eating. I awoke the next morning at poolside with a wild headache/hang- over & some cleanup duties. No furniture was broken. The the little blonde was very gracious and hardworking, and the party was judged to be a success.

Which is a long way around to say that I still have a fondness for parties, especially those which have a wild diversity of people, and in a setting they are unused to. The party in Ridgeland has the making for a fine, unusual event, combining country and city people in a small town setting.

My BLOG has some of the necessary details, my hope is that you will make it with "bells on," that the night will be one you will not forget for many, many years. Consider camping in Prairie Farm if you would like to hang around for a little longer. Pioneer Park is a very nice site, only ten, fifteen miles away, $15 a night. Any questions? Fire Away, and don't forget to throw a party once in awhile: "HELP," several people have contacted us about help, and we welcome it. You can call (715) 658-1074 and talk with us or leave a message ... about: setup, serving, cleanup, etc. This celebration is getting bigger, thankfully, and thus help will be needed. Gracias.