It is good to realize that, if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever. ~ Jimmy Carter, from An Outdoor Journal
Author: Camp Host Chad
Letters With Jimmy
From me to The Honorable Jimmy Carter: Dear Mr. Carter, Over several months during my 8th grade year, a friend and I retreated on our lunch period to a far corner of the junior high school campus (overlooking the graveyard across the street). There I would explain – in exacting detail, like a Faulknerian narrator … Continue reading Letters With Jimmy
Bodie’s Farewell Part III: Easter Released Her
Part I Part II "To what end" would she renounce dust? Bodie cried, "For good!" Setting course by the very source she'd misunderstood. Even supporters, in private quarters, heaved a sigh. 40 days passed. "Still abstaining?" they asked. "Yes. Why?" "Easter is over," some wailed, others hissed. Her defense: "Repent, then relent? Return to what … Continue reading Bodie’s Farewell Part III: Easter Released Her
Survive-aversary Party!
Eleven years ago today I found myself undergoing emergency surgery. "Elective surgery," I might add, considering the surgeon gave me two choices: have the surgery and possibly die, OR don't have the surgery and possibly die. I chose: Surgery, and to Live. (More of that story here.) From that day on, I joyfully observed my, … Continue reading Survive-aversary Party!
Roadside Art: Recycle-ade?
If life gives you lemons and you repurpose them, you call it "lemonade." If live gives you a bunch of scrap metal and you repurpose it, what would you call that? (Oh really, so "art" is the right answer? Ex-cuuuuuuuuse me!) With some extra time on my hands these days (emphasis mine; working from home … Continue reading Roadside Art: Recycle-ade?
I COVID You Not
Everyone handles stress differently. My default — after I rant for "a while," way too long according to some — is humor. What I'm appreciating most in these crazy times is hearing the "nugget of sanity" that I notice everyone either seems to be looking for or has already found. A nugget of sanity … Continue reading I COVID You Not
Cat Tale
Remember Smokey the Bear and Woodsy Owl? I bet you do! I also bet you didn't know they were college roommates.* Even less known is the story of their mysterious third roommate, Archibald Sebastian Persian, whom they affectionately nicknamed, "Scruffy." Ironically, Scruffy (who was anything but) made his fortune as a model/actor, and yet there … Continue reading Cat Tale
Don’t Leaf Me This Way
Daylight Savings Time disrupted MY internal clock. I can't sense what time it is, mornings fly by and afternoons linger for what seems like forever, I keep finding more clocks to change, and so on. To anyone else slogging through the mid-week morass, I present Exhibit A: the trees in my yard. I'm calling this … Continue reading Don’t Leaf Me This Way
Muppet Test
My co-workers were adamant I take the "Which Muppet Are You?" online survey. They thought I would be Beaker. Here are my results: You got: Beaker You're the strong silent type. You're easily stressed and you're a bit clumsy, but you take your work very seriously. Translation: "Meep meep meep meep meep. Meep meep meep … Continue reading Muppet Test
Bodie’s Farewell Part II: Heart Before the Course
Ophelia Bodelia listened how most people do — In spurts. Thoughts wandered; although, words and phrases did too. So charming, in a young child, this "hearing" in reverse. "Hearing" turned to "thinking"? Less a blessing, more a curse. Bodie's Pa urged her, "Always mean everything you say." She confused the order: said things first, meant … Continue reading Bodie’s Farewell Part II: Heart Before the Course
Campfire Tales 