First Time From Afar

Before the leaving the U.S. from Providence RI where we had spent a day and night before our flight with our Daughter, my wife Mary and I were generally excited to be using Passports for the first time and embarking on an international flight to Dublin, Ireland where we would meet up with our tour guide and coach (bus) for a trip around The Emerald Isle.The day of our flight out Ashley had taken us to an old lighthouse near Jamestown, RI a  historic coastal area in the south She would later drop off us at the airport to begin our journey. The weather that day was what we thought we could expect for most of the next 10 days across the Atlantic maybe 10-12 degrees higher in latitude but similar temp and precipitation, windbreakers and hoodies. We would be pleasantly surprised as we traveled on.                                                    

 After our maiden 6 hour trans continental flight we were picked up from Dublin Airport by our touring coach driver and tour guide, in a Mercedes touring coach, both fortunately turned out to be wonderful at their jobs, After attempting to get a nap from the jet lag/time change we met up with most of our 45 fellow travelers who we would be spending much of the next 9 days with traversing the Irish coastal countryside.
Let me start with our tour guide Liz, born in Tralee ( a town we would visit on our trip)who resided in Dublin and would set the tone for our daily excursions around the coast of Ireland. Her demeanor was calm but she had us all on schedule everyday. She had a masterful knowledge like that of a well liked history teacher who made our lessons fun and full of local anecdotes.She dressed stylish and possessed a soft, Irish accent.
 The coach was comfortable and in 9 days we never spent more than 2 hours riding without a break. There was a system where we changed rows, skip and move up 2 every morning so as to be fair with views and meet new fellow tour travelers.After a few days of travel I figured that about half of those on the bus were from somewhere other than the US. Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada and Ireland made up the rest. Most were Mary and my age or older only a handful were younger than us.It made for an interesting mix.

From here I am going to bullet some trip highlights as we motored around the coast.
* DownPatrick- burial site of Saints Patrick, Brigid and Columcille. Remarkable that we stood in the area that 461 AD St. Patrick was buried.

* Belfast- I got the feeling that this city represented the economic turn around in Ireland since the downturn of the 2000's. Not only has it bounced back from  "The Troubles" which plagued Ireland as recent as the late 1960's it has revitalized itself in tourism, industry and technology, once again becoming a vibrant force in the world as a port city with the Titantic Experience and Game of Thrones exhibits and tours.Northern Ireland as a whole does have a bit of a different feel throughout.

Landmarks-There are so many cemeteries, castles, towers, churches in deteriorating states some with rivers and estates surrounding them each one with a tale of a battle or some historical significance.We would get off the coach sometimes for just a photo op and other times to walk about for a brief respite.

Villages and towns -Of course part of Ireland's charm are the many quaint villages and towns, especially along the sea. Londonderry, Donegal, Galway, Limerick, Dingle and Killarney were a few we spent time in. Each one hundreds of years old with little shops, pubs and restaurants.

Giants Causeway and Cliffs of Moher- Both of these natural seaside sights possess the visual breadth that speak for themselves and we were fortunate to have decent weather to walk among  them and appreciate each one and their own mythology surrounding them.

Since Cliffs of Moher was about half way on our journey I will break off here as Part 1 so as not to throw too much at you in one entry. Part 2 forth coming with Mary's search for roots, Ring of Kerry, and what the Irish version of "craic" means. Thanks for being with us this far.

FB

Love it or hate it , use it or have never touched it, Facebook quickly has become embedded in our culture.Why? I am not sure but it seems to be rooted in some innate needs we have for approval, alleviating our boredom for a time and quest for knowledge. I have not written a blog in several months, just not been creatively inspired to write much during that time but watching not only my own struggle with participation in Facebook but my wife's and other friends seeming obsession I've decided to explore and express my own feelings and confusion about this social networking giant. Here is my ramble.
There are those who religiously participate, sometimes accessing FB's offerings several times a day, first thing in the morning last thing at night, using up their precious data GB's, while others look at it with disdain, wondering what the attraction is. Some have tried it, never to go back again, others go on and ''stalk', not posting but just looking at pictures, others' posts, not commenting, just giving an occasional like.A non-user friend calls it F-Book.You know what that F stands for. Only 3-4 of my closest 'male' friends have gone all in on FB. My self I sometimes will say "Stupid Facebook" after seeing a ridiculous post or exchange. I mean how many adorable cat or cute kid videos can one absorb? Or watching someone cook a turkey in a dishwasher, really? Or read users personal or political rants and where we 'are checked in' at this moment. .
What is it inside our brains that drives us  be 'liked' for what we choose to post and share? Do You think I am smart or cool for that article I shared or that photo I took of the sunset or moonrise last night? Some folks like everything, go further and "love' this or that picture of the kitten or grandchild. When an old reliable 'liker' doesn't 'like' something, uh-oh are they upset at me or for what I posted?

Facebook can be a place for community discourse, some folks embracing the back and forth of opinions on a topic or event. Many will proudly profess what they believe, calling out others who do not agree with them, at times even blocking or hiding their posts or the dreaded "unfriending", sorry we are not FB friends anymore 😟.
FB can be a positive tool, to raise money for a "good cause", promote your business, your artistic endeavors, help locate a lost family member or pet, talk to a friend in China in real time, send out invites to an event you may be putting together or getting this blog out to a wider audience. It really is a microcosm of our world; the good, the bad and the ugly, as there are those that use it to prey upon others. The Russians and others were able to freely post misleading stories attempting to influence the 2016 election. Sorry is all Facebook execs would say we're working on it. Social Media companies do extensive research on how to get us to log on more frequently to check other's statuses, or number of likes, loves on a post or a 'selfie' we recently posted. You would think they could stay on top of the potential negatives.
I think Facebook for many of us ends up as Entertainment of a sort not unlike television or gaming. Between the ease of use on our digital devices and our need to cure our boredom many of us cannot go an half hour without checking to see what out Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat accounts have waiting for us to peruse. The president is an example of not being able to stay off it for very long before having to respond to something he likes or dislikes.
People who post their most personal events or feelings make me wonder why they choose to do that but like an accident on the hi-way I watch and read with a perverted interest. I imagine it is a form of therapy for some to engage in these back and forths. Facebook only  represents our "big, ole goofy world" to paraphrase John Prine.
All in all, it can be a huge waste of time, it can be hurtful with hateful name calling, couples now found out we are no longer 'in a relationship' or it can make someones day with a little smiling emoji.☺
I struggle myself with my participation. I do not want to feel like I have to 'like" everything someone posts without causing hurt feelings but I use more discretion and am more random with my 'liking'.😌
I do enjoy the ability to re-connect with certain folks from our pasts and see what family and friends are up to, the reason why I initially joined. Mostly I try to use it as a vehicle for positiveness, an occasional laugh or a tear, trying not to over do it on anything. Will I continue? Probably, or will I go the way of many of our children, the millennial crowd, who we've chased off FB, to the slightly more technical Instagram or whatever it is that is in the works to come out next? How hard would it be to go dark and stay away? I can still text and oh yes email.What would I miss that my wife wouldn't tell me?
 After all it is just our 'friends' we are talking about.

"A Surf-Song Suite" - The Clones

we call it Spring

we call it Spring

thousands of bees create a perennial humming
among the crabapple tree that flowers,
blossoms flutter soft landing like dry snowflakes
near where the rabbits pause to listen and sniff
green ever greener
color punctuates this splendor
a lively landscape painting
an annual affair

Something In the Way They Moved

Well, we made a promise we'd always remember
No retreat, baby, no surrender
Like soldiers in the winter's night
with a vow to defend
No retreat, baby, no surrender

Bruce Springsteen                                          


Like those who were motivated to march, rally and demonstrate I feel a need to say something about the events of January 21 and the aftermath. I did not travel by car, train, bus or plane but was transported by a spirit that moved a mass of humanity. My wife, sister in-law, my oldest daughter and many close friends, male and female did come from  near and far to do something they felt they needed to do. I watched it unfold in the weeks and days before as my wife packed, created signage, my golf buddy prepared food for their group, others knitted hats and the conversations grew about what you would need and how to be safe, peaceful and in control. On the day of the march I watched it develop on the day of at home, on my computer stream and the TV screen. I could see and hear things up close from the DC stage where my wife Mary was and from afar looking over Chicago, L.A., Miami, Charlotte, St. Louis, Paris and where my daughter was in Boston. I felt pride in their effort. I am not sure how one could not be moved or inspired unless you're political views blind you so that the physicality and spirituality of this day caused you to lose sight of what was happening.

The newly sworn in president chose to say nothing about the gatherings as was probably well advised by his closest confidants.I believe he missed out on an opportunity to reach out and show he may have understood their energy or concerns but he did not. Another one for the disappointment column.

My motivation to blog about this is brought about by one central question. What motivated, compelled, moved all these folks to plan out and leave the comfort of their homes, towns and families, squeeze together in the middle of winter into the vans, buses and trains, in some cases travel all night, lose sleep, spend hard earned money and band together in places many had never been to express something they were deeply concerned with in their hearts and minds? What was so important to each of them, personally and collectively to join in on this day as one?  I believe they did it out of love, to overcome the fear they felt for their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters uncertain futures and the changes they see coming with potentially negative consequences.

Something flipped a switch in their ordinary lives to make them want to Do Something extraordinary. They certainly accomplished a first step in making their voices heard.

So they returned to their hometowns after making history with their rallies, marches, demonstrations, their tears, their laughter, their music, their tribes of millions. New bonds were forged, making them stronger in the process. Nobody was seriously hurt as they came in peace believing that their actions might make a difference.A difference in the lives of those without privilege, without much of a political voice. They represented those women with a deep concern for their sisters and brothers well being and the Mother Earth we all inhabit.

If the 'Women's March' becomes a movement that affects change will remain to be seen. If they feed off the memories of the spirit and energy of that day and events, then those that I know will remain a force that will try to fight the powers that be with their voices, their own buying power as heads of households, and as nurturers in their family trees and networks of friends that spread out vast and wide. No Retreat, Baby, No Surrender! 

Photos courtesy of Ashley K. and Mary E.

The Year in Rehab

Institutional Rehabs are not places you want to spend a lot of time. In the past year I have been a visitor, caregiver more times than I care to count. Most of the work there is positive and done for the right reasons, the need unfortunately is huge but at times these facilities can be dehumanizing, nauseating, frustrating and depressing. From Kalamazoo, to metro Detroit to Foley, Alabama I have made visits to support, aid and encourage  my loved ones and others. Most notably my mother and step-mother. I also have had other family and friends who this year needed rehabbing of some sort or another. From cancer, fractured bones to broken hips and hearts in need of repair. In addition in Kalamazoo I volunteer at a hospital where my work space just happens to be near the re-hab unit. I have been witness to all these folks working on ways to get better.

There has been a certain amount of recovery from heartbreak in our family this year as well and I will not delve into specifics here but note that emotional rehabbing is another form of coming out of a tumble, fall or crash that requires maybe not physical therapy but some type of recuperation of the soul. We can overcome these obstacles and be stronger with conscious work and time.To say it requires patience and understanding is an understatement.

My time spent with my moms, visiting them in rehab is done out of love and devotion. Helping them to heal in a time of need is a gift to the giver as much as receiver. The time Mary and I spent in Alabama not only involved my step-mom but we assisted my father for a couple of weeks with driving, meals, shopping, etc. I could and someday may write a whole short story of that time we spent with him; caring for him and sharing in Beverly's recuperation and our trip getting back to Michigan. Laughs, tears, frustrations but lasting memories were made over the 3 weeks we spent together. Like the midnight scramble down the stairs with my dad and his walker for a false alarm fire drill. The time spent with them, of course, priceless.

Our country, our world is facing a challenge of our collective restorative abilities. Our aging democracy in in rehab. It is in some constant state of healing or so we need to believe. Can we work it out? I think we must first look within and find our own peace before we can know for sure what action as individuals we can take to "take a sad song and make it better", (thank you Beatles). Creativity in a time of uncertainty should be an everyday goal.

Of course we hope the holidays put us in an inherent search for kindness, giving,  The season makes us anxious to seek the perfect, and the goodness in ourselves and others. Let it be a solid something that lasts longer than a couple of days.

Leonard Cohen in his passing, left us some words of wisdom for times like these, during the longest days of the darkness of winter solstice, hope does spring. from his song Anthem,

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in

May you find your light,  ☆
Sreno
December 2016

Now What

Now What was the working title of my latest collection of writing but I changed it as I always had Raiding the Icebox lurking. in my files. So Now What? seems appropriate this day after the election, after the pendulum has swung back the other way. After all this Democracy thing is an experiment of just over a couple hundred years that is by no means perfect with no guarantees of longevity. Compared to ancient history we have a ways to go.

As does Shock and Awe, Say No to the Status Quo, and SHAKING ALL OVER! I feel compelled as an observer and writer of sorts to put something down this morning after a not so restful sleep, as I am sure many experienced last night.

I have an urge to do something as dramatic as took place yesterday: sell the house, move somewhere rich and warm, or far off the beaten path, try and make my modest holdings as close and protected as possible.

Then I come back to two words that guide me most days as our world turns: struggle and joy.
Many of us have it better than most of the world's populations. We will always have struggle as part of our existence and if lucky a fair amount of  joy will come to most of us over time, if we let it happen. We cannot look too far down the road but stay in the here and now, ( my second name for book), and know all things must and will pass.

We can plant our own seeds of positivity each day, through thoughts and actions. Take the high road and be our own change. It is going to rain and snow, strong winds will blow, rivers will rise and fall, sun will shine, it is thus and so, the flux and flow.