Monday, February 20, 2017 is Presidents Day. While plenty of negative talk abounds about what people will not do, the more important question persists: What will you do? Presidents Day honors all our presidents, a consolidation of Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12) with George Washington's (Feb. 22) into one holiday, then given an inclusive name to … Continue reading Presidents Day: Happy Birthday G.W.!
Year: 2017
Wednesday Words on the Wild: Campfires
Then it was strange to see the notorious desperado, a red-handed man, sleeping as quietly as innocence sleeps. But, above all, it was exciting to lie there, with no better shelter than a bower of pines, on a mountain 11,000 feet high, in the very heart of the Rocky Range, under twelve degrees of frost, … Continue reading Wednesday Words on the Wild: Campfires
Yosemite Park(ing Lot)
While visiting Yosemite last summer, finding a free parking space outside Half Dome Village required a hunt of over an hour. I circled the same aisles dozens - hundreds? - of times. Having risen before dawn and driven five hours to get to the park, I seriously considered turning around and heading home. The purpose of the trip? Realize some small measure of … Continue reading Yosemite Park(ing Lot)
The Fall of the Pioneer Cabin Tree
Long years into our California drought A wealth of rainstorms poured, bailing us out. We're so grateful, despite some casualties. Most publicized? Pioneer Cabin Tree. How it survived so long is the riddle. Could you last with a hole through your middle? Not me. And further, I would make a sound Even if no one heard me hit … Continue reading The Fall of the Pioneer Cabin Tree
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Inspiration
In celebration of the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, two thoughts: First, these inspirational words from the man himself that remind us why and how he earned his own holiday: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. (I know -- picture is a bit obscure, … Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. Day Inspiration
Introduction Part II: My Cake Adventure
As family lore tells it, my mother's father's passion for baking started early. He dropped out of school around the 8th grade, then went to work on the family farm. During his free time he enjoyed baking blueberry muffins. (If he'd written a blog, would it have been called "The Muffin Man"?) After one of his brothers declined … Continue reading Introduction Part II: My Cake Adventure
Introduction Part III: Tell Your Story
Thank you for indulging my three-part introduction. Here's hoping this conclusion wraps everything up neater than a pine tree bow! First, if you please, a relatively painless recap and a brief definition. Part I launched this blog by presenting a symbolic cake that linked the founding of the National Park Service - an institution that champions and … Continue reading Introduction Part III: Tell Your Story
Find Your Voice
Happy New Year! Although this blog is meant to include the National Park Service, there are many different topics to come (as will be foreshadowed in my as yet unposted Introduction Part II... Part III... and Part IV). That said, lately I am seeing the NPS everywhere. Yesterday, while viewing the Rose Parade floats in Sierra Madre, … Continue reading Find Your Voice
Campfire Tales 