Jim Rooks died four years ago.
We learned of his passing the day after we arrived in Copper Harbor.
We had not known.
We had been away six years.
And we were not really friends.
No one would ever have thought to send word.
But we treasured having met him many times.
He did not really know us . He met many, many visitors like us.
But to us, there was only one Jim Rooks.
His credits were many.
We knew him as expert guide and naturalist regarding the area known as the Keweenaw Peninsula.
We shopped in his Laughing Loon store.
His Bear Track Tours took us to places we would not have gone and taught us things we would never have known..
He was a preservationist, a conservationist, a tireless worker who successfully protected his part of the world from so-called progress.
He once jokingly urged us to visit his world often but not to stay, unless we replaced a person already there.
And if we did decide to stay, to make as small a footprint on the land as possible.
He was the kind of man who would stop his car, an old van, pulling off on the side of the road, to pick up a piece of litter.
He took care of his part of the world.
He was/is a part of our thoughts and feelings about The North.
We miss knowing that he is in his favourite environment, teaching and guiding and protecting.
We wish him Godspeed.
Friday, July 31, 2009
RECONNECT
We of The Study are back from a trip which for us was a trip to the ‘Extreme North’, 5+ hours North of our ‘Northern Camp’.
We visited, for the first time in six years, the Michigan Keweenaw Peninsula and lands between there and the Leelanau Peninsula, our ‘usual’ Northern retreat.
Although internet service works for some in this part of our state, it did not work for us.
We did not access TV or radio or newspapers.
We could have if we had tried a bit.
We were not beyond the pale of civilization by any means.
But we were in a land of 400-500 wolves, by best estimates; bears, unknown numbers; and all the other assorted luvlies [spelling, I know] one would expect.
We met people such as we have never met before.
And we became aware of a death some years ago of a man we think of often.
And now we are back for a little while.
The newspapers are once again being devoured. TV is tuned to the best sources.
Political discussions have begun again.
The world is a fascinating place.
As the events of the last seven days of our trip are digested, I/we will endeavor to share that which is appropriate and/or interesting.
Sometimes I succeed in this. Sometimes I fail.
We’ll see.
Again, the world is a fascinating place.
We visited, for the first time in six years, the Michigan Keweenaw Peninsula and lands between there and the Leelanau Peninsula, our ‘usual’ Northern retreat.
Although internet service works for some in this part of our state, it did not work for us.
We did not access TV or radio or newspapers.
We could have if we had tried a bit.
We were not beyond the pale of civilization by any means.
But we were in a land of 400-500 wolves, by best estimates; bears, unknown numbers; and all the other assorted luvlies [spelling, I know] one would expect.
We met people such as we have never met before.
And we became aware of a death some years ago of a man we think of often.
And now we are back for a little while.
The newspapers are once again being devoured. TV is tuned to the best sources.
Political discussions have begun again.
The world is a fascinating place.
As the events of the last seven days of our trip are digested, I/we will endeavor to share that which is appropriate and/or interesting.
Sometimes I succeed in this. Sometimes I fail.
We’ll see.
Again, the world is a fascinating place.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
TAKE HEART YE CONSERVATIVES
The image is irresistible: the great steam locomotive fitted with a V plow moves steadily down the snow covered track clearing snow off the right of way.
Mile after mile it does the job – until the snowfall grows heavier and the piles and drifts become ever heavier and deeper.
Eventually, the snow begins to compact ahead of the plow, becoming denser, ever more solid and heavy.
The wheels of the engine begin to slip, to turn without traction. Forward movement ceases.
The engineer backs up and rams the impenetrable drifts again and again.
The engine fails to break through and runs the considerable risk of running itself right off the tracks.
Just before that most unfortunate outcome occurs, the engine equipped with a V plow is replaced with one configured with a rotary plow.
The problems remain, but the railroad gets rid of inadequate, dangerous equipment.
New engine, new engineer, and the company once again is on the road to success.
Mile after mile it does the job – until the snowfall grows heavier and the piles and drifts become ever heavier and deeper.
Eventually, the snow begins to compact ahead of the plow, becoming denser, ever more solid and heavy.
The wheels of the engine begin to slip, to turn without traction. Forward movement ceases.
The engineer backs up and rams the impenetrable drifts again and again.
The engine fails to break through and runs the considerable risk of running itself right off the tracks.
Just before that most unfortunate outcome occurs, the engine equipped with a V plow is replaced with one configured with a rotary plow.
The problems remain, but the railroad gets rid of inadequate, dangerous equipment.
New engine, new engineer, and the company once again is on the road to success.
Monday, July 20, 2009
THE ANCHORESS ON THE KING IS A FINK
This is a powerful piece on b.o.
Take the link and then scroll down to the item.
It is a good one.
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress/2009/07/20/no-you-cant-see-the-numbers-the-king-is-a-fink/
Take the link and then scroll down to the item.
It is a good one.
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress/2009/07/20/no-you-cant-see-the-numbers-the-king-is-a-fink/
NEW RESIDENTS - 2009
According to the AP, Detroit is gaining some new residents.
The red fox is carving out a place in downtown Detroit, joining raccoons, skunks, opussum, white-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks that are finding homes in untended lots and buildings.
And we note that Flint is considering turning off city utilities to sections of the city which have only these new inhabitants.
They don't require electricity, water, and sewer.
The red fox is carving out a place in downtown Detroit, joining raccoons, skunks, opussum, white-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks that are finding homes in untended lots and buildings.
And we note that Flint is considering turning off city utilities to sections of the city which have only these new inhabitants.
They don't require electricity, water, and sewer.
HENRY ALLINGHAM - R.I.P. - FOLLOWUP
Joel over at The Mole Hole was good enough to reference and honour the passing of Henry Allingham, sole survivor of the 1918 Royal Air Force which served in The Great War.
Good coverage is to be found at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200516/After-113-remarkable-years-Henry-Allingham-worlds-oldest-man-passes-history.html;jsessionid=5EE89FF6BAD8E8B56D2D35FE5DC15AD6
Boy, some addresses sure are lengthy.
Mr. Allingham is worth remembering, as Joel points out.
I submit that he was a member of another Greatest Generation.
And I repeat, there is no Greatest Generation.
All such generations of such great men and women are The Greatest.
I add one tidbit re his longevity:
Mr. Allingham jokingly attributed his long life to : cigarettes, whiskey and wild, wild women.
Now, why would I find that endearing??
Good coverage is to be found at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200516/After-113-remarkable-years-Henry-Allingham-worlds-oldest-man-passes-history.html;jsessionid=5EE89FF6BAD8E8B56D2D35FE5DC15AD6
Boy, some addresses sure are lengthy.
Mr. Allingham is worth remembering, as Joel points out.
I submit that he was a member of another Greatest Generation.
And I repeat, there is no Greatest Generation.
All such generations of such great men and women are The Greatest.
I add one tidbit re his longevity:
Mr. Allingham jokingly attributed his long life to : cigarettes, whiskey and wild, wild women.
Now, why would I find that endearing??
NEW ITEM
A disclaimer: I have not studied this site - but it looks like a winner.
Title: Get Religion
Founder: Terry Mattingly
If it turns out to be as good as I think it is, I will link to it as a fav site.
Mr. Mattingy's bio is impressive - at least his resume is...
Check it out...
I will be reading it daily for a while.
Let me know what you think.
His perspective: religion does not get anywhere near a fair shake from msm.
Really???
Who would have thought?
The link is below.
http://www.getreligion.org/
Title: Get Religion
Founder: Terry Mattingly
If it turns out to be as good as I think it is, I will link to it as a fav site.
Mr. Mattingy's bio is impressive - at least his resume is...
Check it out...
I will be reading it daily for a while.
Let me know what you think.
His perspective: religion does not get anywhere near a fair shake from msm.
Really???
Who would have thought?
The link is below.
http://www.getreligion.org/
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
THE HOME TOUR
We went on a house tour today in The North.
Our first one.
Five houses, four in woods of varying depth and one in deep woods and Great Lake frontage as well.
All houses would qualify as worthy of inspection by eager visitors willing to pay to support the local charity, school scholarships.
The village concerned is in financial difficulty but the five homeowners are not, to judge by appearances.
All were large, some very large, able to accommodate many people.
The smallest could bed down three or four couples easily.
Our reasons for going were to see places in the area we had never seen before; to meet people of the area; and to see the myriad of furnishings which we knew would be on display.
We were not disappointed.
The owners were successful professionals who had traveled widely and who had decorated and designed and placed their homes accordingly.
Several were gracious in welcoming visitors and we enjoyed the conversations.
It is a complex world we live in.
On the one hand, our nation is in the grip of financial setbacks. Unemployment and business closings are mounting and cities are finding it difficult to make payrolls and carry out their duties.
On the other hand, we today networked briefly with five families in our financially challenged society who are coping very nicely indeed.
What to make of all this?
One side of the political spectrum would have you believe that our economic system is broken, that all is in disarray, that radical measures of reform must be undertaken to avoid catastrophe.
Another side argues that radical measures are not the cure, that reform need only be moderate, not involving changes in the traditional ways of doing things.
And I suspect there are other arguments as well. The powers that be on both sides probably are more in agreement than they let on and the radicals are probably more conservtive than they let on.
At least I hope they are.
At any rate, we glimpsed a bit of the upper crust today.
We are not of the upper crust.
We have no chance of ever being there.
But we believe that our society needs such a crust, that it is a part of the greater scheme of things.
We suggest that it is not a bad thing, that it is not exploiting the rest of us, that it contributes far more than the enemies of our economic system would have you believe.
The Good Book says the poor we shall have with us always.
I suspect that we shall have the uppers with us also.
I hope we will.
Our first one.
Five houses, four in woods of varying depth and one in deep woods and Great Lake frontage as well.
All houses would qualify as worthy of inspection by eager visitors willing to pay to support the local charity, school scholarships.
The village concerned is in financial difficulty but the five homeowners are not, to judge by appearances.
All were large, some very large, able to accommodate many people.
The smallest could bed down three or four couples easily.
Our reasons for going were to see places in the area we had never seen before; to meet people of the area; and to see the myriad of furnishings which we knew would be on display.
We were not disappointed.
The owners were successful professionals who had traveled widely and who had decorated and designed and placed their homes accordingly.
Several were gracious in welcoming visitors and we enjoyed the conversations.
It is a complex world we live in.
On the one hand, our nation is in the grip of financial setbacks. Unemployment and business closings are mounting and cities are finding it difficult to make payrolls and carry out their duties.
On the other hand, we today networked briefly with five families in our financially challenged society who are coping very nicely indeed.
What to make of all this?
One side of the political spectrum would have you believe that our economic system is broken, that all is in disarray, that radical measures of reform must be undertaken to avoid catastrophe.
Another side argues that radical measures are not the cure, that reform need only be moderate, not involving changes in the traditional ways of doing things.
And I suspect there are other arguments as well. The powers that be on both sides probably are more in agreement than they let on and the radicals are probably more conservtive than they let on.
At least I hope they are.
At any rate, we glimpsed a bit of the upper crust today.
We are not of the upper crust.
We have no chance of ever being there.
But we believe that our society needs such a crust, that it is a part of the greater scheme of things.
We suggest that it is not a bad thing, that it is not exploiting the rest of us, that it contributes far more than the enemies of our economic system would have you believe.
The Good Book says the poor we shall have with us always.
I suspect that we shall have the uppers with us also.
I hope we will.
TWO BOOKS – FOLLOW UP
The Guernsey book is definitely worth ‘picking up.’
It is a quick read which can be read on more than one level.
I/we recommend it heartily.
Have read about a third of the way into The Shack.
Interesting.
Worth giving it a try.
We know it is somewhat controversial.
Some controversy is ok.
Am enjoying the reading.
It is a quick read which can be read on more than one level.
I/we recommend it heartily.
Have read about a third of the way into The Shack.
Interesting.
Worth giving it a try.
We know it is somewhat controversial.
Some controversy is ok.
Am enjoying the reading.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
TWO BOOKS
So many books, so inefficient at reading them.
Just finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society .
Another book waits.
Am under virtual orders to read The Shack.
Both came highly recommended.
Guernsey is an unusual read: a novel composed entirely of letters to and from the various members of the cast.
We are told that there are a number of such ‘letter’ books out there.
This one can be read on several levels.
It can be a ‘quick read’ – or one can delve more deeply. Important themes are considered, a lot of them.
The Shack is probably more formidable.
It looks that way, anyway.
The author is going to be speaking in Northern Michigan this summer at a 19th Century opera house.
Once again, ‘How sweet it is.”
Just finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society .
Another book waits.
Am under virtual orders to read The Shack.
Both came highly recommended.
Guernsey is an unusual read: a novel composed entirely of letters to and from the various members of the cast.
We are told that there are a number of such ‘letter’ books out there.
This one can be read on several levels.
It can be a ‘quick read’ – or one can delve more deeply. Important themes are considered, a lot of them.
The Shack is probably more formidable.
It looks that way, anyway.
The author is going to be speaking in Northern Michigan this summer at a 19th Century opera house.
Once again, ‘How sweet it is.”
Friday, July 10, 2009
THE LIGHT ON THE HILL
Well, we’re two days back from The North, two days back from what we now sometimes think of as our Northern Compound, thanks to Joel over at The Mole Hole.
There were three units to our ‘compound’ – three units for eight adults, one child, and three dogs.
What a blast!!!
There were family and friends and fellowship and food and drink and campfires and fireworks and such as that.
As an old colleague of mine used to say when things were going to his liking, “How sweet it is!!” and/or, “I wonder how the poor folks are doing.”
Anyway, we returned to the real world, or did we leave the real world, and are now catching up on all sorts of chores and this and that [I know, poor grammar].
How's your gramper?
We were North for two weeks and shared the compound for ca. five days, five days away from concentrating in our inefficient way on planetary happenings.
A lot of stuff was and is going down.
A pop star was buried – mindless commemoration and fascination.
b.o. at international conferences – analyses proceeding. It would appear that the msm will write off the non-progress as grande first steps to really meaningful progress as b.o. guides the world to ‘broader, sunlit uplands.’
Sarah resigns – lots to wonder about there. We have found a new website for her and will share it here if it reads well.
We worry about GM. We watch in fascination as the US Empire grows more muscular, even under the command of b.o.
It has been our theory that it is going to grow regardless of who is at the helm.
We have explored this earlier and would love to do so again – in fact we do with friends, over cups and pints and the like. Probably more than they like.
Rules govern the world order, or disorder, whether we like it or not.
Libs do not know this.
These are heady days.
The Republic is sailing in choppy seas.
But she has always been seaworthy.
But she has had better skippers.
Say a prayer.
Be positive.
The United States of American is Exceptional – even if b.o. does not think it is.
Believe it.
A light on the hill.
Really, the only significant light on the hill.
There were three units to our ‘compound’ – three units for eight adults, one child, and three dogs.
What a blast!!!
There were family and friends and fellowship and food and drink and campfires and fireworks and such as that.
As an old colleague of mine used to say when things were going to his liking, “How sweet it is!!” and/or, “I wonder how the poor folks are doing.”
Anyway, we returned to the real world, or did we leave the real world, and are now catching up on all sorts of chores and this and that [I know, poor grammar].
How's your gramper?
We were North for two weeks and shared the compound for ca. five days, five days away from concentrating in our inefficient way on planetary happenings.
A lot of stuff was and is going down.
A pop star was buried – mindless commemoration and fascination.
b.o. at international conferences – analyses proceeding. It would appear that the msm will write off the non-progress as grande first steps to really meaningful progress as b.o. guides the world to ‘broader, sunlit uplands.’
Sarah resigns – lots to wonder about there. We have found a new website for her and will share it here if it reads well.
We worry about GM. We watch in fascination as the US Empire grows more muscular, even under the command of b.o.
It has been our theory that it is going to grow regardless of who is at the helm.
We have explored this earlier and would love to do so again – in fact we do with friends, over cups and pints and the like. Probably more than they like.
Rules govern the world order, or disorder, whether we like it or not.
Libs do not know this.
These are heady days.
The Republic is sailing in choppy seas.
But she has always been seaworthy.
But she has had better skippers.
Say a prayer.
Be positive.
The United States of American is Exceptional – even if b.o. does not think it is.
Believe it.
A light on the hill.
Really, the only significant light on the hill.
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