A Touch of the Past

Every once in a while, two paths cross: the past and the present.

I've been zigzagging across these paths for a while now and especially over the last few weeks. Following along the Pony Express Trail, passing old stations and land marks known and marked from history, sometimes the past just doesn't seem so long ago.

This past weekend, I came across the preserved cabin built by Porter Rockwell in Eureka, Utah. It stands outside, under a protective roof, like a proud trophy or monument to a remembered hero. While I stood admiring the work that must of been used in order to move and protect this old structure, several other passer-thru's stopped to look as well. Ol' Port still can draw them in!

I snagged a picture and touched the cabin. Although the oils of our hands didn't mix, the act of touching something that someone who died nearly a hundred years before I was born had touched, made that person real and become a part of me.

Within the echoes of the past

Stirs the whispers of the future.

"It was an experience calculated to undermine one's religious convictions"

Hey y'all!

Sorry again for my awayness, but I have been businessing. Of course my busnessing is writing, or something so related.

I have been hanging out in the desert- the Utah Western Desert to be exact. The crossing of such caused Mark Twain to pen the sentence from which I drew my blog post title.

The stories of which I am writing are set in and around this environment, especially my second book CURSING BLACK'S TRAIL. I love this area and being out in it makes me feel connected. It makes me feel the story I want to tell. It makes me return to those thoughts that drive me to want to write in the first place.

So again I must apologize for my awayness. But I am out there, getting to know my characters and my story better. And getting a good dose of religion to boot.

If you need me, just howl like a coyote and follow my howl back. I'll keep the 'dutch' warm until you get here.

Need Not Be Commanded in All Things

"Do not approach the Bison"

I read this several times during our day trip to Antelope Island. Located in the middle of the Great Salt Lake, away from the civilization of the Wasatch front, the island is teaming with wild life. You know, the animals that don't eat from a provided food dish and water bowl. Deer, antelope, rabbits, coyotes, Mountain sheep, and buffalo all roam free. Throw in a few badgers and bobcats and it's a Western Style Safari.

The massive buffalo roam free and are seen grazing in nearly every open grassland field, which is the most of the island. Some were close and some were far away. I have even been stopped by them as they crossed the road and really don't care because, well they are big and they are wild. They need us for nothing and they, well, like I said, they're big.

I have never, ever thought of petting one. It surprised me that warnings would have to be issued. I mean, really.

I figure if you get to the point in your life where you travel on your own, or even with others, and haven't figured out that life is not a petting zoo, that bad things can happen when humans leave the comforts of their houses and cars and mingle with wild animals, or that it's no one's job is to make sure you're not too stupid for yourself; maybe a good buffalo sized lesson might be in order.

Just saying.

Weekend Homework

I used to hate doing homework, back in the day, back when I had to. Especially when it invaded on my precious weekend. Not so much anymore.

I attended my first ever writers conference on Saturday. Held on a college campus, in classrooms, it felt like being in school again. I have to admit, though, I liked it.

It's funny how as an adult, learning is so much more enjoyable. We, this weekend, were all chomping at the bit to hear the next piece of wisdom that we each needed so desperately. We awed at the published authors imparting their wisdom, sharing their secrets, and we clapped at their conclusions.

If the other writers were like me, they left with copious amounts of notes, many with stars and exclamation points on things to start, improve or to forever cease and desist. New rules by which to live our writing lives. I left different, full of thoughts and ideas, and excited to get back to work. My work. My writing. My passion.

If you have a passion for something, fear not to try to learn from others more about it. It is not like the homework of old. It is worth surrendering a weekend, or a few bucks, or a little humility to admit someone knew something you did not. Add it to your arsenal of tools for better results and/or enjoyment.

Homework, even weekend homework, as an adult rocks!

Cold Hard Fishing

I love fishing but I have not been doing enough of it lately. So today, I'll share a video today that I found through Twitter:

http://vimeo.com/58265378

I love winter fishing as well. The narrator in the video mentions that it's slower fishing in the winter. It could be that I'm just not as good of a fisherman as he and so it's always slow for me, but I never noticed winter to be any slower action than summer. I'm a little bit slower, but that could be because I'm cold.

Winter fishing is different in a couple ways. You have to wear a lot more clothes which can hamper your maneuverability and add additional discomfort if you fall in. (Which I haven't). It's different because you have to fight your line freezing on the guides- a big problem with a fish on. And I found that I secretly hope that the fly comes free once I have a great look at the fish and have it within netting distance. I don't want to have to get my hands wet.


I have been out, in the river, when it's as cold as -5. Some will think that's way too cold. Others will call me a baby. "Cold doesn't start until -20!" So says the Great Lakes fishermen. Either way, for me- yes it was cold but it provided the best part of winter fishing.

You see, the best part of winter fishing, especially on the river and as the video points out, is that I usually have the water to myself.

I love fishing. I love it even more when it's just me, the river, and the fish.

10 Rules of Writing

OK, they are not really rules; just guidelines- observations really. And thoughts. And not very good ones either.

1) I will always think I suck when compared to the great ones. If I didn't, I need to hang it up, I'd be too cocky. They are great. I am not. When I'm dead, that's when I'll stop trying to be better.

2) Yes the first draft is always crap. Hemingway's rule actually, but see #1. I'll learn from the great ones.

3) Adverbs are like relatives. One at a time, spaced out well, and not seen too often is just fine. They are not evil, they just can be. Really.

4) Above all other things, I write best when I write. When I don't, it doesn't blow or anything, the writing just isn't; which is worse.

5) If it's important that the boy's eyes are blue, I'll tell you; otherwise, fill in whatever color you care to see.

6) I hate main characters that are writers. It seems so self-indulgent, so wishy, so pathetic. You're a writer, make the main character or any other charatcer for that matter, a plumber or something. Expand a little. Besides, when the story works out well for the pretend writer, it just makes me hate him or her.

7) I don't have an agent. Why? Because I'm still too dumb and too much a nobody to need one. When the time comes that I need one, I'll have one. Twain said that a banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain. Kind of like that. I'm waiting for my sunny day. (See #1)

8) I Love commas. A novice it makes me, I am sure. But I like them so. ,,,,,,,,, 

9) I don't care much for the eBook versus TreeBook argument. It's reading. We're already geeks and dorks. Choose your poison, or poisons, and enjoy it.  No one else cares.

10) Writing is fun. It's hard work, but it ain't digging no ditch. I really don't care too much for the martyr syndrome that seems to be attached to writing. Maybe when it was done with the quill and ink; but with a laptop, with music, tweets, and  cups of hot beverage of choice, it's pretty plush. Let's be honest, we're "working" on not working. "Writing is easy, all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Gene Fowler 

I have more, but this is enough for now. I am sure these are quite enough for which to be mocked, argued, and later on for which to be embarrassed.

It's What We Expect

The NASA Mars rover Opportunity is 9 years old. It was only supposed to last 3 months.

Are we surprised? Maybe a little, but I remember when it outlasted it's expectancy years ago, I had the thought of hoping it would last forever.

9 years in comparison to 3 months= Forever.

We do this a lot.

Remember when 100,000 miles was the death mark for cars? Now, people buy cars at 200,000 hoping it's good for a few (meaning 3-5) more years. A lot of cars are doing it nowadays.

We all have hope to get more than what others expected. We have hope that, for us, the laws of the universe will be ignored. We hope that our luck is better than the average bear.

Sometimes it is. Sometimes it ain't.

I doubt JPL counted on the rover to last beyond the three months but are happy to use it beyond that time barrier.

Likewise, we should expect out of our investments, our efforts, and our endeavors only what we put into them and what logic dictates they should return. But be prepared, sometimes we get extra mileage.

Use it wisely.

Alone

A day spent alone,
Just like I wished it to be.
Where did they all go?

Utah Weather

 Thursday High 45, beautiful, warm. I called it gorgeous.

Friday, 18" snow by noon. as much snow in one day in a number of years. Tomorrow: Low of -2.

Gotta love it!

Don't End the Story with the Book

A few years back, I read the book FINN by Jon Clinch. It is a prequel to Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. It had been recommended to me by my sister.
It was a good read but disturbing in some ways.

This many years later, I still think on that story. Part because I think of Twain stories on a regular basis but also, it's just a story that rolls around in my head. A story that just won't rest.

Today, via Twitter, I was able to be at the same time that I knew the author was online. I got to finally tell the author "in person" that his story still bugged me. He responded, "Good".

He's right. We should seek and read books that don't end with the closing of the back cover.

Take the story, lesson, or emotion with you.

This Year, Not Next

I Climbed that mountain. On a whim in September, I got up early one morning and walked my big ol' butt on up to the top. It wasn't easy. It wasn't quick. But I ascended the 4,000 feet to reach the summit at 11,750 ft. I still enjoy that feat becuase on why I did it.

I told myself that I would not spend another winter looking at that mountain, telling myself that "next year" after the snow melts, I would do it.

Now when I see the snowy cliffs, I say "I did that." It feels good. And for a chronic procrastinator such as I am, that's a mountain climbed in and of itself.

Smile

Today I woke up.
I felt a strange pull on each side of my face.
I was smiling.
Smiling?
Yeah, smiling.
No particular reason existed either. I had no happy thought running through my head. No great event waiting for me. No reason at all. Just a smile.
It made me smile again.
Wow!
What a wonderful, unexpected surprise morning.
Thank you smile. It's been a while since you've been around without being asked. Come back again whenever you like.
Hey, look at that!
I'm smiling again.

Still A Hero

I paid a visit to the grave site of my main character in "Ain't Dead Yet", Porter Rockwell.

It is not odd that his grave site is still commonly visited or that he is still popular locally even after over a hundred years since he passed away. It isn't even odd to always see flowers left at the base of his head stone. Porter is a hero to many of us. Paying a visit seems like a small price to pay for our thanks for what he did and what he means to some of us.

Today, stuck between the headstone and the plaque honoring his pioneer efforts, someone had left their guitar pick. Apparently even with the musicians, the ol' gun-slinger's still hip.

Rockwell Rocks!

I perceive, therefore, it was, is, or something.

The first day of school was yesterday. All the kids began their respective schools and grades. This year they spread out over four schools. One began High School and another began her Jr. High experience, the other three all progressed to the next grade.

The changes come quick nowadays. The clothes, the language, and of course, the size. Both my older boys sport shoes into which I can nearly fit both of my feet! It's hard to believe they actually came from those cute little things at the hospital just years ago. I find it amazing how quickly it all changed.

Even more amazing still is how it all of a sudden became Fall. It's still August, yet with the sights of school kids and talk of football games this Friday, it all feels different. I thought the air at the baseball game last night had a slight chill, the sun hadn't felt so hot during the afternoon, and I'm half expecting to see the leaves changed when I venture out this morning.

Why? Sunday was very much Summer. Just one day before we were talking swimming pools and how hot the summer has been. Can it really turn on one day? Is perception really that important?

I perceive that it is.

Yummy!

Oreo chocolate dutch oven cake . If you haven't had one,I'm sorry.

Donut Falls

Really disappointed that there were no real donuts at the end of this hike.

Trailmate

Call me simple minded if you must but I still get happy to see wildlife, even deer, anytime I do.
This girl allowed us to borrow her backyard on the way to Donut Falls.

Feeling Chilly?

Maybe the memory of the backyard fire can warm up the otherwise frigid temps around here.

Goms is Smog Backwards

I know that there are very few good things to say about smog but I will say that the sight of the moon setting into the far west horizon this morning was gorgeous! Thanks to the smog layers, the moon glowed as a beautiful hazy red orb slowly sinking out of sight.

It even caught the attention of my 14 year old son who asked "What's wrong with the moon?"

"That's the plus side of industrialization that no one wants to talk about, son!" I explained proudly.

I'm not saying that we should keep it around all the time, but the next time I hear someone bashing smog- by damn, I'm not taking it anymore!

Update on Van

According to the letter I got yesterday, our van has returned to "High in Demand" status.