GOLF AND LIFE SCORES ARE SIMILAR

I admit that I am not the greatest detail guy.  My plants die from lack of watering. My garden becomes overgrown with weeds, the stain wears thin on the deck.  And, yes, even the buckthorn escapes my attention.

But, I have become a pretty good analyst of seeing what went wrong---after it happened.  Of course, this talent will be of no value unless I share my observations.  Unfortunately, this requires divulging both victory and defeat, as such, but it will be worth the time and embarrassment if it ends up being constructive.

It’s like not noticing the blades of grass behind your golf ball.  They interfere with the club face’s contact with the ball, negating the necessary spin on the ball and allowing the ball to careen over the green into a more treacherous hazard than you started from.  Just one or two little blades of grass.

Blades of grass are barely noticeable, much like patience “wearing thin”.  But if you don’t adjust your approach and swing, your contact with the ball will be affected and your ball could very well end up as an “unplayable” lie.

Where is this all going you ask?  It has occurred to me that, with our very busy-and yes- hectic at times, life styles, it could become quite easy to relax our attention to detail.  This could result in weeds overgrowing the patch, plants drying out, and even the buckthorn infringing on the trail. It could also affect our relationships with persons near and dear to us, lest we take care to watch for those small blades of grass before each swing at the ball.  

Every swing we take in life contributes to our score.  It therefore also contributes to the quality of the game.  Before each swing, we should try to carefully analyze the lie and make certain that nothing lies between the ball and the club face that could prevent a clean shot and a winning score.  A good shot will make the game more enjoyable and prevent loads of friction in our “game of  life”.  The resultant rule from this dialogue:  

“MAKE SURE YOU ANALYZE YOUR LIE BEFORE TAKING YOUR NEXT SHOT IN YOUR GAME OF LIFE”.

TREES HAVE BIRTHDAYS TOO

Some species of trees are known to live and thrive for very long periods of time. In fact some Giant Sequoia specimens are estimated to be over 3500 years old, although exact age is difficult to determine.  Other species have considerably shorter potential life spans, depending upon the various conditions in which they exist.  Some species of aspen, for example, may reach an ultimate lifespan of only 30 or 40 years, or less.

The trees of our cultivated forests, however, may have life spans determined by the intended use of the tree and planned harvest.  I like to think that the life of the harvested tree goes on indefinitely in the shape and form of its intended use.  Like the Big Black Oak Tree in the forest explained to Mari, Lari and Cari ,* in the form of a main log in a great cabin, or even as a fine piece of lustrous furniture, or the pages of a fine book. 

There are other factors that affect the life of trees, however, and I am now thinking about those factors, such as storms and disease.  The giant eighty foot Black Oak that is standing sentry duty out near the shoreline at our cabin is upper most on my mind.  It is succumbing, gradually, to the threatening Oak Wilt Disease, which is imperiling our country’s existing crop of Oaks.

If it were out in the “Forest”, it would serve as a fine condominium or apartment structure for our feathered and furry friends* for years to come.  Unfortunately, even though it has claimed its homestead on our lakeshore for an estimated one hundred plus years, it does represent a clear and present danger to piers and boats, if and when it should fall.  Consequently, it will probably have to come down, leaving a large empty spot on both the shoreline and in our hearts.

The shoreline, I am sure, will recover as nature always does, if properly nurtured.  We too, will recover when we take advantage of the many cords of firewood which will serve to warm both the cabin and our hearts for several years to come. Such is Nature-you take care of it and it will take care of you.

• reference to the Big Black Oak’s message to the little pine trees in “Gee! A Story From A  Forest “.  Do you remember?  www. gee! a story from a forest

I JUST KNEW THINGS WERE GOING TOO WELL

It was like never breaking a yolk on a dozen over easy eggs, or still having the blood running on a “truly” rare steak.  I had gone through a pot full of pancakes without flipping one out of the pan.

I had almost finished crimping the crust on a beautiful apple, cranberry, peach pie-----when it happened….   Somehow, an evil leprechaun reached in and jerked the pie pan off of the cutting board, landing it upright on the floor, but shifting the filling and top crust over in an uncanny angle.  Alas, my artistic efforts saved the product, but placed it into what could be regarded as a “factory second” category. It seems as though most of my baking efforts end up that way.  Oh well, close your eyes and you will never know the difference.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom, Sorry I didn’t write you sooner but my computer was down. Windows wouldn’t let me in. Said my password was expired. I don’t know who expired it—I didn’t. I tried to call them, but no phone number. It said email them, but I couldn’t without a computer. I went to a friend to use his, but couldn’t get into my email, because I couldn’t remember the password. They said It had to have numbers, upper case and lower case letters and a punctuation mark. Tried one, but they said it was already taken. After a few tries, they cut me off. I’m not sure why, but I think it was because I couldn’t remember uncle Fred’s middle name. I have two pages of passwords, but now I don’t know which goes where.

Incidentally the cash machine at the bank lobby locked me out too, so would appreciate it if you could send me some of those Raman Noodles and Mac and Cheese packs to keep me fed until the bank gets straighten away. Anyway, Hope you are doing better than me. I’ll try to be home for Christmas. Your loving son, Junior.

PS: Hope this snail mail reaches you before then, and I sure hope somebody solves this password calamity soon. What’s this “SensiPass” thing?

I Heard Him Say "Pull off the Runners and put on the Wheels

I was “up north” last week and I heard him say it. “Pull off the runners and put on the wheels”. Without snow, landings would be difficult, so he did an accurate job of forecasting the weather. High (relatively) temps and no snow accumulation. Beautiful weather for most and unwelcome for many. Sleds and skis, and their related industries aren’t doing well, but the multitudes shopping the streets and malls in shorts seem to be enjoying the respite from typical blustery Decembers.

Let’s remember that, in spite of the weather conditions, the joyous seasons are to be appreciated and celebrated in recognition of the gifts we have been blessed with. So here is wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Oh, and I promise you, it will be downhill-or uphill- from here, depending upon your preferences.

WINTER MORNING AT THE CABIN

WINTER MORNING AT THE CABIN 12/12/2015

You could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he was enjoying doing what he was doing. The old wood burner was consuming oak by the box full and the cabin was as warm as toast on this cool morning in December. The smoke curled from the chimney and floated softly down onto the deck as high pressure promised a pleasant winter day at the cabin. That old Monarch wood stove had been doing his job for over thirty years, and as long as somebody would continue to stuff logs into him, he would exude warmth.

A small flock of mallard ducks puddled in the lake, enjoying what could well be the near end of the open water, the lake having been ice covered only a few weeks before. Old Man Winter is lurking just around the corner, and when he chooses to make another entry is anybody's guess, including the duck's.

Of course, when the Old Man does return, the ducks would simply update their Visa's and take off for a warmer climate, an option not available to all. The ducks, however, do not have the option of sitting in the cabin and absorbing the warmth of the old Monarch wood burner. Perhaps, the better option of the two is a tossup.

HOW STILL IS A WINTER FOREST?

Not much time left. Only until closing tonight and tomorrow and chances for venison steak are diminished for another year. We silently trod to our selected stands, and we are obviously intent on accomplishing our ultimate goal, filling the larder for the hard, upcoming winter.

Having accomplished the relatively difficult trek to our makeshift blind, I discovered that light rain and freezing cold had partially collapsed our cover. In short order, all was restored. From here on, no creature’s search could penetrate my heavily camouflaged position.

The forest was still, the wind was light, the time right. We would hit it right. I did everything right.

My “cell phone” was on silent/vibrate in case of an emergency, but my not being of any particular use in any emergency, it was of minimal value. So, I settled in for the long, cold, stealthy wait, anticipating the appearance of treasured game.

Suddenly, I felt the slight vibration. What could it be? Not my cell phone. Who could be calling at this hour? I dug the phone from its deeply hidden pocket and quietly whispered “Hello”. It was my good neighbor, Pat. He asked if I was at the cabin, because I had left a yard light on. He volunteered to turn it off for me. I whispered “I’m in the woods hunting Pat. Don’t worry about the light, but thanks.” The entire exchange took about twenty seconds. Back to the hunt.

Eleven hours later, back at the cabin and in the process of building a Manhattan, the cell phone rings. (I took off VIBRATE while leaving the woods) “Hello Earl?” asked a neighbor, Jim. He called to advise me that another neighbor reported that someone was hunting in our woods and was talking on a cell phone in a low voice that morning. I explained that it was me answering Pat’s call, but I just barely whispered and hung up.

The neighbor was in a deer stand at least 230 yards from me, but still could hear my whispered communication in the forest. If you ever wondered how still it is in an early morning winter forest……we now have found the answer. And we are never really alone, are we?