Turning over a new leaf. . .

Hello All,

I hope you like the new blog and the new look.

I think this blog very accurately and sublimely frames where I am at in life right now. The inspiration for the theme of this blog was inspired by Bambi: A life in the Woods by Felix Salten, particularly chapter eight. In this chapter two oak leaves are having a dialogue, reflecting on change and life. While my faith may answer some of the challenging questions raised by our oak leaves, I feel a little like a leaf. The leaves have more questions than answers, the gravity of their inquiries is sobering, they have experienced change and its dramatic impact on their life and wonder at what is ahead. They are the reflections of a falling leaf. . .

Two leaves clung to its very tip.
"It isn’t the way it used to be," said one leaf to the other.
"No" the other leaf answered. "So many of us have fallen off tonight we’re almost the only ones left on our branch."
"You never know who’s going to be next," said the first leaf. "Even when it was warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudburst would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still young. You never know who’s going to be next."
"The sun seldom shines now," sighed the second leaf, "and when it does it gives no warmth."
"Can it be true," said the first leaf, "Can it be true, that others come to take our places when we’re gone and after them still others, and more and more?"
"It is really true," whispered the second leaf. "We can’t even begin to imagine it, it’s beyond our powers."
"It makes me sad," added the first leaf.
They were silent for a while. Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, "Why must we fall?…"
The second leaf asked, "What happens to us when we have fallen?"
"We sink down…"
"What is under us?"
The first leaf answered, "I don’t know, some say one thing, some another, but nobody knows."
The second leaf asked, "Do you think we will feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we are ‘down there’?"

The first leaf answered, "who knows? No one has ever come back to tell us about it."

They were both silent. Hours passed.
A moist wind blew. Cold and strong through the treetops.
"Ah, now" said the second leaf, "I…" Then her voice broke off. She was torn from her place and she spun down.

Winter had come.

Thanks for joining me on the journey.

Happy Birthday Zifardeah!

Happy Birthday! Wow you have gown so fast. I love you so much and look forward to many more years of birthdays with you.

I love you!

A luke-warm welcome. . .

Apparently, there are all sorts of catches with being classified as a spam blog. I am unable to really do anything with the layout, I have to word verify everything, and I think I have been added to a terrorist watch list. . .

Oh crap! My just saying that probably got me added to a terrorist watch list. . .darnit, I did it again!

I was able to add two blog lists. The first has blogs of family and friends I like to follow. The second is for aspiring authors.

It looks like I am going to have to wait a while to get my blog up and going. Hang in there with me.

A warm welcome. . .

I am building this blog to replace another one I already have. I love my first blog but it was just that, my first blog. I learned much about what I do and do not like and I hope to make this one my own masterpiece.

When I came into my blog today to keep working on it (prior to the grand unveiling for friends, family, and my regulars) I was greeted with this message:

This blog has been identified as a potential spam blog. Your readers will see a warning page until the blog is reviewed.
This blog will be deleted within 20 days unless you request a review.

I have no idea what a spam blog is -- but I sure hope mine is not one, it sounds terrible. Alas, the folks at Blogspot know what they're doing and they provide this awesome blogability to us for free so I will request my review and await their omniscient judgements.

I guess this is the first turn of the leaf in the wind. . .

A fitting poem. . .

Nothing Gold Can Stay

by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Nate Note

Great lives, like nature's gold, all eventually pass away. Greatness by virtue, is the hardest hue to hold. May we each take our turn and pass as we must. . .as nature's gold.

Remembered. . .

Joyce A. Adams Ahlstrom Osborn Evans Oct 31 1921 - Nov 08 2008	[Return to Obituaries]
A Legacy of Love Joyce A Adams Osborn Evans, age 87, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2008, in Parowan, Utah. She was born October 31, 1921, Parowan Utah, to Will L and Lizzie Watson Adams. "Joyce never established nor ran an orphanage like Mother Teresa, nor did she try to eradicate AIDS like Princess Diana, nor improve literacy like Barbara Bush, but she touched many lives, one by one, throughout her whole life. Much of the world may not know who Joyce Osborn Evans is, but those of us who knew her were touched by her love in countless ways." Survived by husband Daniel Evans; children, Bill (Jone) Osborn, Manhattan Beach, CA, Bonnie Barber, Lehi, UT, Mimi (Marc) Lauper, Hacienda Heights, CA; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; and brother, Karl (Karole) Adams, San Jose, CA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 15, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Parowan 3rd Ward Chapel, South Main St, Parowan, UT. A visitation will be from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. prior to the service, at the Chapel. Interment will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the St. George City Cemetery, St. George, UT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joyce Adams Osborn Evans Memorial Fund, Utah Shakespearean Festival (435) 586-7880.

Car struck then star struck

I'm driving home on I-15 north between 45th and 35th south when traffic suddenly slowed up. I was drive my stylish 92 Mercury Topaz which had no trouble stopping. Unfortunately the pick up truck behind me with the 18 ft closed trailer was much heavier and unable to stop in time. My seat was knocked flat and my car jumped forward a foot or two. Being in Utah, no one stops to let us over to the side of the freeway. . . about 10 minutes later we both get safely on the shoulder. The driver of the truck comes over and asks me if I'm OK.

We waited for 40 minutes and the UHP never show up. The driver comes over and askes what we want to do. I suggested we exchange information and let our insurance hack it out. I get looking at the guy and I think to myself he looks like he would be an MMA fan. He had a beard and a shaved heard. He looks like he could be an MMA fighter. . . wait a minute! He IS a UFC fighter!

"Are you into MMA at all?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm _____ ________, are you into it?"

"Yes! I'm a huge fan! Your a great fighter!"

"Yeah, it's always great to meet a fan, not like this but. . ."

"Hey, it's cool - any chance I get to meet a legend. . ."

"Are you going to the fight this weekend in Vegas? [Lesner vs. Cotour] You want me to hook you up for some tickets?"

"Oh man! I would love that but I have a funeral this weekend. . ."

"Give me a call and I'll hook you up. In fact, I'm driving an octagon up to Layton for a fight, that's what's in the trailer."

We exchanged a few more pleasantries and a man hug. He was such an awesome guy and a gentleman! I have seen him fight several times. He is a class act in and out of the octagon.

There is my fifteen seconds of fame. . . well used!

goodreads, good. . .

I recently signed up on goodreads because a bunch of friends and family were already doing it and I wanted the cool gizmo for the right sidebar on my blog.

It has been great getting all the emails from those friends and family showing me what they have read, how they rated the book, and any comments they shared. This has brought into sharp reality how little opportunity I get to read. The irony is, I read all day at work. . . just not books. I also write all day too, another irony for an aspiring author and NaNoWriMoist. I do fit in an occasional Reader's Digest article or Bathroom Reader page, but not a full blown novel.

Nevertheless, I too shall soon be filling your inbox with emails outlining my literary conquests! Titles such as The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, The Body of Liberties (1641), and The English Bill of Rights! So take that! All you folks who get to read an endless parade of fun novels, I say. . . I'm jealous.

Keep up the goodreads. . .and I'll catch up when I get a life.

Somethin' neat...

I don't normally do unpaid ads as my post and I don't even own this yet, but I think the concept and the product is so cool I wanted to share. . .

BEHOLD! the Amazon Kindle 2.0

PS. If anyone is searching for a great Chanukah gift for me. . .

Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes

by Robert Frost

Sea waves are green and wet,
But up from where they die,
Rise others vaster yet,
And those are brown and dry.

They are the sea made land
To come at the fisher town,
And bury in solid sand
The men she could not drown.

She may know cove and cape,
But she does not know mankind
If by any change of shape,
She hopes to cut off mind.

Men left her a ship to sink:
They can leave her a hut as well;
And be but more free to think
For the one more cast-off shell.

Nate Notes

I have many fond memories of trips to the sand dunes with my family and as a scout.

"Life always finds a way..."

Michael Crichton died on Tuesday at age 66.

He was an author of many novels but best know for Jurassic Park and Rising Sun. He also wrote the hugely popular ER. He has the distinction of being the only writer to have a chart topping movie, television series, and novel at the same time.

Hats off to a great mind and author who has gone the way of the dinosaur.

30 things I am pleased about myself

I need a pick-me-up session. I am going to list 30 things I have done of which I am well pleased.

1. I am an Eagle Scout
2. I am a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow
3. I am a Silver Moccasaine graduate
4. I am a Coup Trail graduate with Honors
5. I am a member of the Polar Bear Society at Camp Loll BSA
6. I worked at Camp Sherwood Forest BSA for two weeks
7. I worked at Camp Steiner BSA for six years
8. I worked at Camp Bear Lake BSA for one year
9. I was the Camp Medic & Search and Rescue for three years
10. I swam two miles in Scout Lake (snow melt lake in the Uintas) five out six years and one mile my first year.
11. I was a lifeguard at Scout Lake for two years
12. I was a plank owner and cadet for two years in WHS Naval JROTC program. 
13. I was Cadet Commanding Officer and a Luitenant Commander my senior year and was rung out with the rank of full Commander
14. I recieved the U of U Naval ROTC Distinguished Leadership Medal
15. I recieved the US Veterans Leadership Commendation Medal
16. I recieved the Veterans of Foreign Wars Leadership with Distinction Medal
17. I recieved two Distinguished Unit Awards
18. I recieved two Outstanding Cadet Awards
19. I was Color Guard Commander with Color Guard Service Award (Three Gold Stars)
20. I was Drill Team Commander with Drill Team Ribbon (One Gold Star) with two drill manuvers named after me
21. I designed and implemented the Gator/JSTU 7  program and was Commander my senior year
22. I was a fencer for two years, foil and sabre
23. I served a two year mission to the deaf for the LDS church
24. I married my wife RED
25. My daughter Havalah
26. My son J-Bo
27. My daughter Tzifardeah
28. I married my wife Sharon
29. My daughter Pookah
30. My son Gid

Wow I feel better. You try it...

Inspire, not require. . .a call for real Men

In the last couple of posts I have been promoting the need for women to honor and obey their husbands. I have outlined the why and some of the hows. . .now it is time to examine what kind of husband inspires his wife to honor and obey.

In today's society there is a dearth of real men. Most boys are wondering what a real man is, what he does, how he becomes one. For most, being a man is related to a driver's licence, sexual conquest, drinking, sports, age, etc. . .you can list em'. But all these things smack of macho more than manhood.

I need to give credit where credit is due. . .I got most of the principles and ideas I will share from a book I read years ago, Raising a Modern Day Knight by Robert Lewis. In this book Mr. Lewis outlines the best definition of manhood I have come across. He also shares why and how to establish rites of passage for boys; to teach and reinforce the principles of real manhood. Without further ado, a real man. . .

Rejects Passivity - Hey guys, we tend to be passive, and passive aggressive. Most of the time it is small stuff. . .

Whatcha wanna watch tonight?
I dunno, whatever.
Comedy or romance?
Uh, whatever you wanna watch is fine.
Give me an idea!
Ok, what ever movie you want to see, lets watch that.
Aaaaagh!

Although this will drive your women nuts, this is not the stuff I'm talking about, I'm talking about the big stuff.

Honey, our son has been really aggressive lately. . .what should we do?
I dunno, whatever.
Well, how should we handle this?
Uh, whatever you wanna do is fine.
Give me an idea!
Ok, what ever you want to do, lets do that.
Aaaaaagh!

I'm not saying you should always have or know the answer to every big issue that comes up, but you do need to get off your butt and work to find the answer/s. Engage! Be involved! Muster mind, manpower, and resources! Be a companion in finding solutions and resolving issues. REJECT PASSIVITY!

Congratulations, you have taken your first step into real manhood. Next, a real man. . .

Accepts Responsibility

"The price of greatness is responsibility." - Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill

Accepting responsibility is about being accountable -- accountable for the choices and decisions you make and their consequences. A real man is accountable to his God, to his conscience, to his wife/wives, to his family, and to his role in the world at large.

You should own your victories and your mistakes and learn from them both.
Leads Courageously

Women need security and stability. In the absence of leadership, a woman will step in to fill the void. Don't be that void. True leadership consists of searching for wisdom to know the right, having the will to choose it, and finding the strength to make it endure (10 points if you can figure out where I got that from). Search and find the right vision for you and your family, share that vision, and be courageous in leading your family in pursuit of that vision.

Seeks the Greater Reward

Discipline is a mark of manhood, putting off what you want now for what you want most. Doing what is hard to achieve what is best. Saying no wrong and yes to what is right.

I believe real men inspire the confidence of their wives and family. It becomes a delight for your wife/wives to honor and obey you.

I'm going for it this year. . .

Suitable title for today's poem

Ghost House

by Robert Frost

I Dwell in a lonely house I know 
That vanished many a summer ago, 
And left no trace but the cellar walls, 
And a cellar in which the daylight falls, 
And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow. 

O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield 
The woods come back to the mowing field; 
The orchard tree has grown one copse 
Of new wood and old where the woodpecker chops; 
The footpath down to the well is healed. 

I dwell with a strangely aching heart 
In that vanished abode there far apart 
On that disused and forgotten road 
That has no dust-bath now for the toad. 
Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart; 

The whippoorwill is coming to shout 
And hush and cluck and flutter about: 
I hear him begin far enough away 
Full many a time to say his say 
Before he arrives to say it out. 

It is under the small, dim, summer star. 
I know not who these mute folk are 
Who share the unlit place with me-- 
Those stones out under the low-limbed tree 
Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar. 

They are tireless folk, but slow and sad, 
Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,-- 
With none among them that ever sings, 
And yet, in view of how many things, 
As sweet companions as might be had.

Obey my husband! . . .Whadda ya mean?

What do I mean when I say honor and obey your husband? Let me give you my take.

Thoughts, words, and actions summarize our interactions with everyone and everything around us. I will frame my opinions of what it means to "honor and obey" in these terms.

In my Manly opinion, there are two aspects to honoring your husband; the honor you give your husband and the honor you bring to your husband. The distinction between the two is shared with the distinction between Private and Public Virtue. The honor you give is about how you treat your husband privately and the honor you bring is about how you represent your husband publicly.

The honor you give your husband

Thoughts - Assume the best! Believe he is capable, creative, resourceful, responsible, powerful, and madly in love with you. If you think, reinforce (overlooking occasional lapses), and believe this about your man, the shift in your attitude and his behavior will be enormous. Every Man wants to be the knight for his lady fair. When he senses your confidence and belief in him he will stop at nothing to fulfill it.

Words - Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?! Before anything passes from your lips, it should meet all three criteria. Once in a great while the third criteria might have to be suspended for the greater good, but that should be in an extremely rare instance.

Tone is everything. Your voice should be music to his ears and the song of his heart. Avoid harsh tones or the tones you use with your children when you speak to your husband. Children hear tones, not words. They will pick up ques on how they should interact with their father from your tone with him. This has a strong influence on how the children will treat their father and how they will treat you.

Action - Be a flirt and a lover to your husband. I found a gem when it comes to advice on how to flirt with your husband. And as far as being a lover... check out some books, do a little studying, and then practice, practice, practice. Oh, and one more bit of advice on being a great lover. . . really love the man! The love in your smile, your eyes, and your touch will do more than any technique could ever do.

The honor you bring to your husband

Thoughts - Let your thoughts dwell with him. Whether in books, magazines, a girlfriend's husband, a co - worker, or the gym, don't let your mind stray to other men or the qualities other men have that you wish he had. The "if only he were. . ." Think on him and admire, adore, and appreciate his strengths and qualities. People respect women who are loyal and subsequently, people respect their husbands.

Words - Uplift and protect his good name. Many will advise against publicly humiliating, criticizing, demeaning, or undermining your husband. How much more important is it to refrain from doing so with peers or parents away from his presence. It is one thing to seek counsel in confidence from a trustworthy parent or professional with regards to a struggle or problem, quite another to make his flaws the butt of your joke and the subject of your whine session.

Pray for him. Your children should hear and catch you praying for and blessing him.

Actions - Be the best woman you can be. Be the woman he is proud to introduce to his co-workers and friends. Maintain an appropriate appearance for the occasion. I'm not talking about being a supermodel-- but PJs, dingy furry footwear, ratnest, and sunglasses to go grocery shopping? Do you look your best for when he comes home and brings a surprise guest? More important than looks, are you sincere and pleasant everywhere you go? Pleasant and personable always impresses more than pretty but prickly.

To obey a husband

Thoughts - Trust him. I'll say it again, trust him. Your husbands are not wrong as often as you think they are, and husbands are not right as often as we think we are. Many times you'll have an idea, and he'll have an idea and they are both reasonable ideas. Just because he doesn't see the brilliance and self evident rightness of your idea doesn't make him wrong. He has the responsibility of making the decision -- and he has the responsibility for the consequences. Trust him.

Words - Back him up and he'll have your back. Don't undermine his authority in front of others or his children. If you do, you diminish his desire and credibility to defend you.

Action - Be not downcast. When you have put your heads together and chosen a course, get behind it 100%, even if it was his idea and you know it won't work or yours is better. Let me share an experience to outline what I am talking about. 

I served a mission to the deaf community. During the course of my service I was given responsibility for the deaf program in an entire mission and a supervisor role over four companionships of sister missionaries. A new mission president came on board, then shortly after called me to his office. The mission president gave me an outline of how he wanted me to run the deaf program in his mission. He didn't ask me how it was being done, why it was being done, what my input is - nothin'. . . he just said how I was going to do it from now on. I was stunned. What is more, I knew what he was implementing wouldn't work! He had no idea what he was talking about. Here was a person I was accountable to, I was suppose to honor and obey, and he was directing to do something I knew would fail.

Part of my responsibilities were to contact each companionship at the end of the day and make sure they were home safe. As I was making my calls a particularly intuitive and wise sister missionary asked how I was doing. I explained to her what happened with the mission president and what he was asking me to do. She listened and then casually told me to do what the mission president directed. 

Are you crazy?! You know it won't work!

Is it breaking any commandments? 

Aaaah no. But. . . 

Do what he says, be sincere and do it 100% and then show the president the results.

Oh, ok.

She was right. Next meeting I presented and promoted the presidents plan and it was implemented. We chased the desired results for two months. I had another meeting with the mission president where showed him what we did and the results. He looked it over for a minute, looked up and said, "What do you suggest?" We re-implemented what was working before with a few additional plans and things picked up. 

Alright ladies, you have my take on why and how to honor and obey your husband. I hope it might help some and I would love to hear your take. Do you agree, disagree, have another point or idea?

PUBLIC APOLOGY!

On my post Honor my husband!...pffft Whatever! I gave a statistic: 50% divorce to marriage rate (Mormons have higher than national average, so don't smirk). One my commenteers called me out, "You are the first person I've ever heard claim Mormons have a higher divorce rate than average. Either I don't know what you are talking about, or you don't. So back up your claim please, from where do your suspect statistics come?"

I knew I needed to back up my stat and my quip so I consulted the great Oracle . . . GOOGLE.

Turns out I AM WRONG!

The statistical survey that showed Mormons having the second highest divorce rate of religious demographics and higher then the national average was conducted in 1983. Not only was this study old and outdated, the findings were an aberration from studies preceding and following it, therefore it was and is largely dismissed.

More recent studies show the following...

Barna report: Variation in divorce rates among Christian faith groups:

Denomination (in order of decreasing divorce rate) % who have been divorced

Non-denominational ** 34%
Baptists 29%
Mainline Protestants 25%
Mormons 24%
Catholics 21%
Lutherans 21%

** Barna uses the term "non-denominational" to refer to Evangelical Christian congregations that are not affiliated with a specific denomination. The vast majority are fundamentalist in their theological beliefs.

Though my snarky comment was incorrect, my overall point about the cultural diminishment of the strong male role model contributing to the divorce rate remains true. Check out this interview with Dr. Shoshanna, best selling author of Why Men Leave.

Grasping. . .

A Passing Glimpse
by Robert Frost

I often see flowers from a passing car
That are gone before I can tell what they are.

I want to get out of the train and go back
To see what they were beside the track.

I name all the flowers I am sure they weren't;
Not fireweed loving where woods have burnt--

Not bluebells gracing a tunnel mouth--
Not lupine living on sand and drouth.

Was something brushed across my mind
That no one on earth will ever find?

Heaven gives it glimpses only to those
Not in position to look too close.

Nate Note

Truly there are the sublime moments where we catch the fleeting glimpse in the motion of life. But how often are those moments passing because of our hustle, our decisions, our cynicism, and our self denial? How often is heaven, love, happiness within our view and we pass by. . .?

Honor my husband! . . .pffft WHATEVER!

WARNING!

If your easily offended this may not be the post for you to read. If you don't know me personally, you may conclude I am a misogynist chauvin. If you know me personally, you may conclude I am misogynist chauvin. . . Try to make it through the whole post, then let me know what you think.

The role of men is under attack in America. You would not have to search long to discover the theme of most "family" or domestic sitcoms feature a clever and condescending wife/girlfriend/children patiently dealing with a bumbling idiot of a husband/boyfriend/father through life's little challenges - wa wa waaaah! It has become ingrained as an attitude in our contemporary culture. The pendulum has swung from Mrs. Clever/Lucy to King of Queens/George Lopez, and neither extreme is accurate or a beneficial reinforcement of attitudes.

Time and time again, in books, TV shows, articles, movies, and in real life. . . brides choke, chafe, dismiss, cut out, or mock the part of the wedding vow which binds them to "honor and obey" their husband. I'm not saying the media is responsible for this. In fact, I am one who believes media and entertainment are markers or indicators of existing and growing social trends.

I kid you not, I have been to five civil ceremonies and three temple sealings where the officiator gave advise along the lines of "do what she wants and you'll have a good marriage." The officiator actually thinks he is smarter than the God he professes, knows better than the Scriptures he professes to believe in, he dismisses the covenants he professes that God established and the bride just took! Am I the only one who thinks this might be a problem?!

We laugh at the jokes, promote the stereotypes, encourage the affeminization of men, and suppress the healthy male roles. . . all while wondering at the consequences to society!

• 50% divorce to marriage rate (Mormons have higher than national average, so don't smirk)
• Increase in repeat divorces
• A Fatherless rate as high as 80% in some demographics
• 20% increase in single parent homes (83% of which are mother/children)
• Sharp drop in total marriages
• Unmarried women will soon surpass the number of married women
• Steady increase in unmarried couple households

My world view embraces the idea that family is eternal and divine. I also believe our Creator established a family order which naturally promotes stability and happiness. The roles of men and women in the family are part of that order. I'm not talking about division of labor, God never appointed women as the eternal housemaid and cook. I am talking about roles - women nurture, nourish children and affirm their man; men protect, provide, lead the family and love their wives. Some may bristle at this notion, but I believe honest observation bears this out.

I can pop a bottle in a newborn baby's mouth, keep it fed but most would agree I am unable to pop out the baby and I don't hold a candle to the mother baby bond and the nurturing that goes on. It is a role that women are uniquely endowed to fulfill. Likewise a woman has a unique power to affirm and empower her man. When a woman loves, encourages, respects, and affirms her man - he will move mountains to lay a straight path for her.

Men are uniquely suited to their roles; one of which is to lead. There is a crucial need in society for the strong male role model. We need real men! When the natural role of men is diminished, undercut, dismissed and mocked the subsequent crisis in leadership leads to these startling statistics . . .

• 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
• 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
• 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes.
• 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes.
• 85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in fatherless homes.
• 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.
• 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.

These statistics translate to mean that children from a fatherless home are:

• 20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders
• 9 times more likely to drop out of high school
• 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances
• 9 times more likely to end up in state operated institutions
• 20 times more likely to end up in prison
• 10 times more likely to commit rape
• 32 times more likely to run away from home

It is time for society to respect and value the strong male role model. Ladies, it starts with YOU! It begins with a commitment to love, respect, honor and obey your husband. We'll talk about the hows in the next post and the man's part in the next one after that. Ok, let me have it . . . bring on the comments.

One could do worse. . .

Birches
by Robert Frost



When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay.
Ice-storms do that.
Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-coloured
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground,
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm,
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows--
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father's trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It's when I'm weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping.
From a twig's having lashed across it open.
I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

Nate Notes

Where would I begin. . . read it several more times. . .let it settle on your soul. . .

Happy 1st Birthday Pookah!

Happy 1st Birthday !

Make a wish and blow out your candle...

...aah Pookah...PUT DOWN THE GERNADE!

Children are so creative.

POOKAH, I LOVE YOU!

I am currantly reading. . .

I follow a blog written by an editor of a major publishing house. She is a witty read with great insight and advise on writing, editing, being edited, getting published. . . basically anything to do with writing a book. And as you know, this is a current desire of mine.

A couple days ago she said, ". . . advice regarding how to write. . . Read a lot. Write a lot. Read a lot. Write a lot."

Now I do read and write all day long for work and school. While it has great for practice for the technical aspects of writing there is not much room for creativity. What is more, the Halo book I am currently reading is the first leisure book I have read in years. So I have joined up with GoodReads to track my readings and to remind me to take time for the pleasure of reading something fun. It has also allowed me to add a couple cool widgets to my right sidebar that will show you what I am reading and what I have read.

So, what have you read lately? What is your favorite book? Do you have a recommended read? Leave me a comment and let me know. . .

Blogger. . .James Blogger

I have been contemplating a serious attempt at writing something. I have been brushing up on books about writing, blogs on authorship, and all that. Almost universally, they say, at some point, to write for yourself. Don't try to write what you think your imaginary audience wants to hear. . .be true to yourself. This sounds like great advise (especially coming from the likes of Stephan King), if not very affirming. I would like to write for myself but, for reasons unknown, I would also love it if what I write is liked. Not that it is the start and end of my every thought or anything, but even a small devoted fanship would be cool.

Which brings me to my blog. . .increasingly this is becoming my practice at writing for myself. I started with a steady readership of fifteen plus and now I am down to an average of four. Of that, only two comment regularly with spikes on controversial posts. This has led me to realize (dramatic adventure themes playing in the background) I am secret agent, James Blogger!

While it is cool to be a stealthy, sly blogger guy. . . it does make me wonder if I am interesting. I have been writing only what I have in me to write, what goes on in my head. I guess when the curiosity of my lifestyle fades away. . . I am just an average guy thinking average thoughts and putting them down in an average way.

BTW, James Bond was the clear favorite (3 to 1) over Xander Cage for the "coolest agent" straw poll. I wonder how James Blogger would fare?

Happy Birthday Sharon!

My wife Sharon is now 30. Most people wig out when they hit 30, including me. It just seems like you have officially hit old. . .(distant laughter from all the 40+ crowd) But not Sharon, she relishes her hard earned wisdom and experience. She cannot wait till she is 40 and wise by Chinese standards. I should probably adopt some of the same positive attitudes towards aging.

My love and best wishes for you on your birthday!

Today's News. . .Tomorrow Forgotten

A Patch of Old Snow

by Robert Frost

There's a patch of old snow in a corner

That I should have guessed

Was a blow-away paper the rain

Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if

Small print overspread it,

The news of a day

I've forgotten --If I ever read it.

Nate Notes

In our age of minute meals, 24 hour news, and sound bites; this poem is a reminder that crisis causing news of the minute is forgotten tomorrow. All the media hype which shakes markets and promotes doom is nothing more than an old patch of snow. . .

Aspiring author. . .no idea

I suppose most people who have a taste for laying word to the page flirt with the idea of becoming an author. I know I have dabble with with the notion off and on since the fourth grade when I wrote about the sinister "XYZ Affair" from the American Revolution. I have several scraps of paper, a notebook, a notepad with jotted ideas. There is this faint stirring within whispering their is a book inside waiting to emerge.

I have yet to make a serious attempt at producing something. I know I should just write and rework it later. . .but the blank screen is there in front of me and the nagging is still within.

What is my motivation? Does it matter? Does anyone care? Does it matter if anyone cares?

Should I write non-fiction? Perhaps short stories or a children's book? No, no, I got it. . . a blog.

Old Frost on the Fully Bloomed. . .

No, your calendars are not off - it is Monday and not Friday. I normally do Frost on Friday but this is a special occasion. My sister sent me a very classy collection of RF's works. If you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of Robert Frost's work.

In addition to my posts on his poetry, I read him almost daily. I love to quote him often. I have used his works when I facilitate trainings at my work. I can usually find an appropriately Frosty poem for every occasion, an example his panoramic observation of Nature and Nature's greatest (and follied) creation.

My idea of a perfect morning includes sitting out on my back lawn with my feet damp and deep in dew drenched grass with a hot cocoa and my volume of Frost.

Thanks sis, the thoughtful gift of a thoughtful poet.

PS - There should be Frost everyday of the year. . .

Blogs of note. . .

Lately I have been checking out the "blogs of note". The folks at Blogspot pick out a blog they like each day and post the link in their dashboard list. I have been fascinated by there selection. I wonder what criteria they use to evaluate and decide between blogs? Do they decide together or do they rotate who picks? If they rotate. . . one of the staff has a food fetish, there are many blogs of note on food and recipes. Another has an animal thing. But there is a surprising variety blogs and from surprising places around the world. I am inspired by this vast sampling of things people blog about and why, from the serious to the silly.

In fact, I aspire to be a blog of note! (Ok, so I am not the romantic artist type who only does his craft for self expression and gratification.) Oh great Bloggods choose me! Acknowledge and affirm me. . . a solitary voice in a cybersea of blogspotty posts. I'm an anonymous social curiosity (cheesy grin).

Oh well, check it out if you get the chance, there are some intriguing gems in that list.

Made aware. . .

The Silken Tent

by Robert Frost

She is as in a field a silken tent

At midday when the sunny summer breeze

Has dried the dew and all its ropes relent,

So that in guys it gently sways at ease,

And its supporting central cedar pole,

That is its pinnacle to heavenward

And signifies the sureness of the soul,

Seems to owe naught to any single cord,

But strictly held by none, is loosely bound

By countless silken ties of love and thought

To every thing on earth the compass round,

And only by one's going slightly taut

In the capriciousness of summer air

Is of the slightest bondage made aware.

Nate Notes

This is one of Mr. Frost's lesser know pieces, yet in my opinion, one of his most profound. Like most of his other poems there is no condoning or condemnation, just observation. This poem is about interconnectedness. For a fascinating exercise, consider the relationships depicted in this piece from the vantage point of each element; the silken tent, the cedar pole, the summer air. Then compare this with human nature. . . how many of us at the pinnacle of our surety of soul are only aware of our interconnectedness when a capricious summer air pulls one of our chords taught?

Halo Forever. . .

I would be best classified as a social gamer. I don't own a game system (Sharon does own a PS2 we play once in a while) or have many opportunities to play. But how I do love to play Halo with my brothers, sister, friends and family. I prefer playing cooperatively to defeat alien forces in a wash of their florescent blue blood. I do play a variety of head to head games with my fellow SPARTANs.

There is a bunch of reasons why I passionately enjoy this game. I love the story, concepts and the characters. I love the simplicity but challenging nature of this first person shooter. I like that I can pick it up and put it down whenever I like, if I have an hour or if I have four hours I can play and have a great time. I like that I am eradicating fictional aliens instead of mowing down other human beings (maybe you think I am splitting hairs but it is a subtle perk I appreciate.) Mostly I just love the fun and interaction I have with the other players.

This great game has been converted into a great fictional series. . .

Halo: The Fall of Reach takes place in Master Chief's (main character, the guy in all the pictures) past. It starts off with the beginning of the entire SPARTAN project, talks about all the SPARTAN's and their missions, the MJOLNIR armor, and the fall of the Reach, the human's main defense planet before Earth. It leaves off right before the game Halo: Combat Evolved begins with the actual discovery of Halo.

Halo: The Flood takes place exactly where the The Fall of Reach ends, or, where the game begins. This book essentially fills in the details of the Halo story line you don't get to hear about in the game. The game tells you Master Chief's story, and the book tells you everything else. It ends at the end of the game with John (Master Chief's real name) and Cortana (super AI and companion) aboard the fighter.

Halo: First Strike is the next addition to the Halo book series. It picks up the story after the game and takes to many different places. I don't want to ruin any of the book, but basically Chief and a few close, personal friends of his find out that the Covenant (an alliance of aliens devoted, with religious fervor, to eliminating the human species) are planning a massive assault on Earth (a la Halo 2) after they learn of it's whereabouts. They are all gathering at one location before they move en masse. Chief decides to kick it to the Covenant and delay their assault on Earth by going on a deadly "First Strike".

Now I am currently reading Halo: Ghosts of Onyx. The Spartan-II program has gone public. Tales of super-soldiers fending off thousands of Covenant attacks have become the stuff of legend.

But just how many Spartans are left?

While the Master Chief defends a besieged Earth, and the myriad factions of the Covenant continue their crusade to eliminate humanity, an ultrasecret cell of the Office of Naval Intelligence known as “Section Three” devises a plan to buy the UNSC vital time. They're going to need hundreds of willing soldiers though . . . and one more Spartan to get the job done.

The planet Onyx is virtually abandoned and the perfect place to set this new plan in motion. But when the Master Chief destroys Halo, something is triggered deep within Onyx: Ancient Forerunner technology stirs, and fleets of UNSC and Covenant race to claim it to change the course of the Human-Covenant War.

But this reawakened and ancient force may have plans of its own . . . bump bump buuuuh. . .

I'll have to let you know how I like it when I am finished. If you like action packed sci-fi, great characters, and the intriguing Halo universe you ought to check these books out. I doubt you would disappointed.

Master Chief's Wanted Poster. . . the stuff of alien nightmares . . .

Ditto. . .

Into My Own
By Robert Frost

One of my wishes is that those dark trees,
So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,
Were not, as 'twere, the merest mask of gloom,
But stretched away unto the edge of doom.
I should not be withheld but that some day
Into their vastness I should steal away,
Fearless of ever finding open land,

Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand.
I do not see why I should e'er turn back,
Or those should not set forth upon my track
To overtake me, who should miss me here
And long to know if still I held them dear.
They would not find me changed from him they knew--
Only more sure of all I thought was true.

Turn the poet out of doors. . .

To the Thawing Wind
by Robert Frost

Come with rain. O loud Southwester!
Bring the singer, bring the nester;
Give the buried flower a dream;
make the settled snowbank steam;
Find the brown beneath the white;
But whate'er you do tonight,
bath my window, make it flow,
Melt it as the ice will go;
Melt the glass and leave the sticks
Like a hermit's crucifix;
Burst into my narrow stall;
Swing the picture on the wall;
Run the rattling pages o'er;
Scatter poems on the floor;
Turn the poet out of door.

Nate Notes

This poem is really about Spring but my thawing wind comes in Autumn. I pass on spring and all the allergies, I shun and shade myself from the suffocating heat of summer, but autumn calls me out to my loved and native element. This waning season has become my favorite for so many reasons. Like the harvest itself, all things become ripe and vibrant to the senses. I love the all the sights, not only in the forest and fauna but on the people as well, all the rich colors and earth tones loosely draped on branches and beings alike. I love the crisp clarity that comes with the cooling air and in each breath. I love the rich pungent scent of things returning to the earth. I love the crackle of leaves under foot and the cheers of children diving into collected heaps of Nature's cotton candy. I love the chill on my face, the wind playfully tossing my short hair and the cozy warmth that only comes from a well loved sweater or hoodie. I love lazy drives through the winding panorama of color covered canyons in a convertible with inspiring instrumentals providing the soundtrack.

I often stand at my office window watching for the first signs of turning. I am waiting, wishing for my thawing wind to turn me out. . .

Pookah LemonHead

Pookah has joined the very prestigous lemon head baby club. If you ever want to enjoy a laugh or two at a baby's expense. . .look up lemon babies on YouTube.

Here is Pookah's premier video. . . 

Gid-e-update

Here a post to catch you up on where Gid has been and where he is now.

Here the cute guy when he is just new...

Then Gid decided he liked the hospital so much he wanted to go back for a week long visit.

They decided to give him martian antenna.

After he was given the square jaw of a superhero it was time the antenna to go. . .

Unfortunately they hit a nerve and now he looks like Popeye.

It should get better with time and perhaps an additional procedure, nevertheless he keeps half smile.