Monday, August 31, 2009
Never Say Die (2)
Well all is on track but the track is perilous and emotionally frustrating. The board fired me at their August meeting while I was away with a personal emergency. They gave no reason for their action and I was the last man standing...no more employees at this time. Now others will have to take their action and that is beyond my control. What I must do is to take the necessary post-termination actions and just wait. My family's emotional roller coaster ride through this bullshit has come at physical and mental costs. Sociopaths and idiots exist all around us...but why the hell do they have to be in control of situations around me? Now for phase III.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
A Day at the Beach
We went to Mustang Island for a couple of days. I really enjoyed the trip with Todd & Lesley and all the girls: Alyssa, Miranda, Valarie, Jolee & Tori. The kids did boogieboarding, sandcastle building, swimming, seashell hunting at Big Shell on Padre Island, and a very little fishing. I got to watch and take a lot of good photos. I loved getting up early before the rest of the gang and taking in what goes on at the beach at that time...sunrise, cruising birds, soft sounds of waves, gentle breezes, and the feeling of being satisfied. Then we had to break camp...UGH! Like to have killed us in the scorching heat and lack of wind. Next time we'll have the canopies, ice chests and chairs. We'll sleep in a motel for the comfort of all. But most of all to rachett-down the break-camp blues. All in all...it was fantastic. Now for the floundering this fall!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Some Advice on Dreams
For those of us who have traveled a fair ways along the timeline of life we should take note of the following quotes which I think are rock solid.
1. Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. (Dale E. Turner)
2. When I dream, I am ageless. (Elizabeth Coatsworth)
3. A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. (John Barrymore)
4. Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. (Doug Ivester)
5. When you cease to dream you cease to live. (Malcolm S. Forbes)
Sometimes people we hang with don’t believe these truths and can obstruct our ability to dream if we let them. It takes a certain amount of courage to keep focused. The choice is ours. Don't waste life just sitting around. Dream and act on your dreams! And those friends of ours who help us through the tough spots as well as smooth sailing jaunts…give them a big hug or a kiss and of course a big thanks…Oh, and keep them around. They are priceless.
1. Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. (Dale E. Turner)
2. When I dream, I am ageless. (Elizabeth Coatsworth)
3. A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. (John Barrymore)
4. Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. (Doug Ivester)
5. When you cease to dream you cease to live. (Malcolm S. Forbes)
Sometimes people we hang with don’t believe these truths and can obstruct our ability to dream if we let them. It takes a certain amount of courage to keep focused. The choice is ours. Don't waste life just sitting around. Dream and act on your dreams! And those friends of ours who help us through the tough spots as well as smooth sailing jaunts…give them a big hug or a kiss and of course a big thanks…Oh, and keep them around. They are priceless.
Swift Setwing
Dragonflies are one of the oldest families of insects known. Millions of years ago these guys had a wingspan of up to 2 feet. The Swift Setwing is beautiful but also a vicious hunter. Survival of the fittest proven out with these territorial critters as they eat whatever they can catch in flight. I enjoy photographing the odonates.
American Rubyspot
Sunlight dances through the crimson wings of this dainty damselfly as this beauty flitters in an erratic pattern. Look for them around flowing streams and be still, it may light on your shoulder.
Caribbean Blue & Dreams
I am not sure how I came across the song "Caribbean Blue" by Enya but it engulfed me. No it is not from the mainstream rock list but it is a kind of song worth hearing. I visited the Enya fan site for more info. The song is about dreams and their value. A day-dream is as rich a gift as any and that the imagination is free and can choose and create its own journey. This is a belief that I have long held. As with all dreams we reach for the ideal and apparently Caribbean Blue represents such a dream. Enya lyrics indicate that it is a simple fact that people may create something good merely by thinking it so. And that the lyrics can be summed up in three words: Believe in yourself.
In my lifetime I have seen proof that what we dream can come true. One of my day-dreams was to create a wetland park. After years of dreaming it took me more than 7 years to make "Cooks Slough Nature Park" happen. And it wasn't easy but it happened. It behooves us all to slow down a bit and allow ourselves to day-dream. It could be the first step in you creating something good. Don't be afraid and don't give up on your dreams.
If you are interested in seeing the video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeYL3uhYv48 .
In my lifetime I have seen proof that what we dream can come true. One of my day-dreams was to create a wetland park. After years of dreaming it took me more than 7 years to make "Cooks Slough Nature Park" happen. And it wasn't easy but it happened. It behooves us all to slow down a bit and allow ourselves to day-dream. It could be the first step in you creating something good. Don't be afraid and don't give up on your dreams.
If you are interested in seeing the video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeYL3uhYv48 .
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day
My blog needs to take a very brief detour today...it's father's day. Not that I wish to slight the women but this is our day. I'll speak to the girls at another time.
I woke up this morning thinking of my dad. He now has Alzheimer's disease and is 94 years old. I have always marveled at his easy going style and resiliency in all matters. His work ethic has only been overshadowed by his commitment to family. There was never any doubt about the fact that his job was to be the breadwinner and occasionally worked two jobs. I know he got his guidance from his dad who had a great sense of humor and commitment to family. I'm glad I had a chance to know him when I was young. I know I have wanted to emulate them in many ways...but I am my own person.
My dad had a serious impediment to having a normal life. As a youth he came through the barn door and caught an ice pick in the eye. He's been essentially blind in that eye for 80 years. I, on the other hand, developed asthma and have wrestled with that all my life. People don't visually see that I have a problem with living normally. So in a way he and I share hurdles to normal living...what ever that is. Now my son has a disability that gives him a bit of extra kinship with us. I know that has thrown a monkey wrench into his life. Because of these circumstances it has given us another thread of commonality...we don't give into the obstacles in life. We all persevere.
One thing different between me and my dad is that he is unable to show the affection and love that I know is in his heart. He shows it by what he has done for me and our family all our lives. Somehow the ability to show how we feel inside has developed well in me and my son and for that I am happy. We all love and support our great families and we all enjoy a good sense of humor that helps us through this passage through life.
There's so much I could say but in the spirit of brevity, suffice it to say that today I give thanks for my dad, my son and my other father..."God the Father". I love and appreciate 'em all.
Happy Father's Day to all dads out there!
I woke up this morning thinking of my dad. He now has Alzheimer's disease and is 94 years old. I have always marveled at his easy going style and resiliency in all matters. His work ethic has only been overshadowed by his commitment to family. There was never any doubt about the fact that his job was to be the breadwinner and occasionally worked two jobs. I know he got his guidance from his dad who had a great sense of humor and commitment to family. I'm glad I had a chance to know him when I was young. I know I have wanted to emulate them in many ways...but I am my own person.
My dad had a serious impediment to having a normal life. As a youth he came through the barn door and caught an ice pick in the eye. He's been essentially blind in that eye for 80 years. I, on the other hand, developed asthma and have wrestled with that all my life. People don't visually see that I have a problem with living normally. So in a way he and I share hurdles to normal living...what ever that is. Now my son has a disability that gives him a bit of extra kinship with us. I know that has thrown a monkey wrench into his life. Because of these circumstances it has given us another thread of commonality...we don't give into the obstacles in life. We all persevere.
One thing different between me and my dad is that he is unable to show the affection and love that I know is in his heart. He shows it by what he has done for me and our family all our lives. Somehow the ability to show how we feel inside has developed well in me and my son and for that I am happy. We all love and support our great families and we all enjoy a good sense of humor that helps us through this passage through life.
There's so much I could say but in the spirit of brevity, suffice it to say that today I give thanks for my dad, my son and my other father..."God the Father". I love and appreciate 'em all.
Happy Father's Day to all dads out there!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Never Say Die
Looks like the first genuine effort on my mind since I started this little writing bit is to see my vision related to my new career to bear fruit so to speak. My last big effort was to develop a wetland nature park with environmental restoration and water quality improvement components. It took 7 years to bring it to reality. There's still more that could be done on that if opportunities present themselves.
But as for now, I'd like to see my community benefit more from the fabulous natural resources of the area...crystal clear water and scenic beauty. And I would like that to happen without destroying the beauty and quality of the area (this is the real goal). Tourism can destroy the environment ya know. What I did not expect was that in persuing the vision I would be met with such hostility from some small minded, non-visionary, persistent, air-headed citizenry. So now I have to preserve both the effort and my job in order to see the vision develop.
Now that I have ditched my old consulting business, I am in a position that could do some good. But there are crackpots that decided to scuttle the "guest-paid-tax" that helps promote their own business and which simultaneously provides support for my vision. I have a plan to solve some of the impediments to economic development but so far the opponents to environmental friendly economic development have managed to eliminate financial support and eliminate my staff. These crackpots' efforts to eliminate me personally failed last week and I have somewhat solid footing/support until the end of the year. Unfortunately no matter what choice I make I will have to continue to redevelop my consulting work to keep bread on the table in case I lose in the battle.
I have evaluated plans A-D for getting past this first hurdle of preserving the effort and my job. At this time I shouldn't get too detailed in explanation of options. Plan A was agressive and basically illegal (ha!...no further explanation please). Plan B was far too passive but would significantly help me financially...but possibly not the vision. Plan C requires a hell of a lot of work and coordination but would work. Unfortunately I think I really wouldn't have the energy and time to do that. Plan D will work, is supported by credible individuals, and the pieces of the puzzle are now in place. But it will take 6 months to fully develop. The next step for now will probably be completed this summer. But the crackpots are insufferably persistent. It's like playing chess with a 2-year old where the outcome is fairly predictable but the moves may defy intelligently planned action. Not that I am very smart, but if you haven't played games with small kids you won't really get what I mean. I do love playing with the kids...not the crackpots. And thank God for friends and right-thinking folks. I'll be posting more later as things develop and hopefully get on to some more positive sounding fun things.
But as for now, I'd like to see my community benefit more from the fabulous natural resources of the area...crystal clear water and scenic beauty. And I would like that to happen without destroying the beauty and quality of the area (this is the real goal). Tourism can destroy the environment ya know. What I did not expect was that in persuing the vision I would be met with such hostility from some small minded, non-visionary, persistent, air-headed citizenry. So now I have to preserve both the effort and my job in order to see the vision develop.
Now that I have ditched my old consulting business, I am in a position that could do some good. But there are crackpots that decided to scuttle the "guest-paid-tax" that helps promote their own business and which simultaneously provides support for my vision. I have a plan to solve some of the impediments to economic development but so far the opponents to environmental friendly economic development have managed to eliminate financial support and eliminate my staff. These crackpots' efforts to eliminate me personally failed last week and I have somewhat solid footing/support until the end of the year. Unfortunately no matter what choice I make I will have to continue to redevelop my consulting work to keep bread on the table in case I lose in the battle.
I have evaluated plans A-D for getting past this first hurdle of preserving the effort and my job. At this time I shouldn't get too detailed in explanation of options. Plan A was agressive and basically illegal (ha!...no further explanation please). Plan B was far too passive but would significantly help me financially...but possibly not the vision. Plan C requires a hell of a lot of work and coordination but would work. Unfortunately I think I really wouldn't have the energy and time to do that. Plan D will work, is supported by credible individuals, and the pieces of the puzzle are now in place. But it will take 6 months to fully develop. The next step for now will probably be completed this summer. But the crackpots are insufferably persistent. It's like playing chess with a 2-year old where the outcome is fairly predictable but the moves may defy intelligently planned action. Not that I am very smart, but if you haven't played games with small kids you won't really get what I mean. I do love playing with the kids...not the crackpots. And thank God for friends and right-thinking folks. I'll be posting more later as things develop and hopefully get on to some more positive sounding fun things.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Dream for Life
There are some people who make things happen, some who watch what happens and there are some who ask...what happened? I don't plan to waste my life just sitting around. We all need to dream and then act on our dreams! But never forgetting that "God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame". On this site I hope to chronicle some of my efforts in making dreams come to fruition. My blogs may also be about politics, religion, nature or just life in general.
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