On Dec 3, 2:41*pm, DaveS wrote:
On Nov 29, 5:57*pm, Giles wrote:





This time of year, in this part of the world, one's attention is drawn
(if one is paying attention at all) to the essentials. *Even with all
of the modern conveniences, even with electricity, forced air
furnaces, refrigeration, internal combustion engines, supermarkets,
television.....and free libraries.....life can sometimes still be a
pretty harsh business in northern latitudes between the tail end of
one year and the maturation of the next. *It is a time for reflection,
not only of the blinding low sunlight off of the windshields other
cars on the freeways and the city streets, but also on methods and
reasons for continued existence, albeit most people in the developed
world take both for granted.....a fundamental error for which we all
do, or eventually will, pay dearly, both as individuals and in larger
aggregations. *But that's later.....in the future.....with which we
don't *deal much, because we can't.

Well, actually, that's not all that true. *In fact, we can deal with
the future, as is obvious to those who take the time to look at the
past. *And that's what we do at this time of year. *Or, should,
anyway.....those of us with the time, inclination, and means. *And
most of us have the former and the latter in spades.

Here in Cheeselandia, those of us with the time, inclination, means,
AND an interest in the world outside the front door (well, o.k., and
basic literacy), can hardly help but bump into John, Aldo, and Gaylord
when looking at the past and the future.....but mostly Aldo. *And
Aldo, more and more, with each passing year and decade, brings us slap
up against the truth in all its unfathomable truth and complexity.
Take the Riley Game Cooperative, for example.

Happy hunting! * *

Wolfgang

Just back from a spin on the East Coast. Cambridge/Boston, New
Hampshire/Exeter, Manhattan/NYC, Amtrac/Jetsetc.. Enlightening.

10 years for me since the last Big Apple rendezvous. Amazing place.
Staring down into the World Trade hole from 16th floor reveals both
the truth of the anthill as well as it's complexity. A reconnecting
dinner and apt on Park Avenue raises speculative fantasy of life
routes traded for heading West. The Museaum of Modern Art, dispositive
proof that not all art is equal nor is any such notion sustainable.
The Eastern Rail Corridor, a be-grudged achievement by any standard
not doomed by the Rightard death wish. New England, as pretty,
claustrophobic and brown-gray as ever. Good food in a nephew built
salt box, and creaky soccer legs later. Boston, continuing
intellectual capitol and Cambridge, a challenge to a Silverback's
dream of re-anchoring a family in the Pacific NW. And that always
reassuring point on the flight home when the screen if not the night
sky or the Northern lights says the Rockies or the Cascades are
below.

All of which is to say that I am reassured that for me at least, the
opportunity and work ahead for me and my trees is where I am supposed
to be and what I am supposed to do.

Dave

Nice. Very nice stuff.

Connection to place (and thus, often enough, to one degree or another,
to a way of life) has always been among the best reasons to go on
living. Of course, there are many other best reasons to go on
living.....but how many does one really need?

giles