Wilderness Blues- Ramblings from the Great Land

  The longer I live, the more of my friends I lose. I suppose in part because some of my closest friends have been older than me. Last week, as I was sitting in my easy chair, Jan came upstairs and let me know that Uncle Bill had passed away. I knew that he was dealing with cancer, but I thought it was more or less under control. When I spoke to his oldest son, Doug, he mentioned that Bill had been hospitalized for pneumonia. I guess in his weakened state, his body just couldn't fight off the inevitable anymore. I wish he could have hung on for a little longer. Jan and I were planning a trip down south in October, and we had planned on dropping in and seeing Bill and his wife Sally. His passing is a bittersweet reminder that we only have today to make a phone call, or send a card or letter or drop in on a neighbor or friend. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed to any of us. I first met Bill when I was in the navy, almost fifty years ago.  I think it must have been the beginning of 1974 ...

  I don't usually like to put out new posts before the last one has run for a bit. However, I feel the need to write this while it's still fresh in my mind.  Today I went to the movie theatre for the first time in almost fifty years. The last movie I saw in a theater was Bo Derrick in the movie-10. The movie I saw today left me with a much more inspired feeling and was just overall a better movie, delivering a message that needs to be shared with the world. Sound of Freedom explores the world of child sex trafficking. Unfortunately, it's a world wide problem. The movie is based on a true story. It takes place initially in the country of Honduras, and then Columbia. It stars Jim Caviezel , who was also the main character in the hit TV series Person of Interest and the movie, The Count of Monte Cristo. He's an excellent actor, and I believe he's been involved in several movies that address spiritual issues. He may have even played Christ in one movie. While the subjec...

    I was going to write this post when I first got back from Hoonah, but life, and death, got in the way, and I've delayed doing it until now. I couldn't very well put off writing about the death of my good friend and fishing companion Fagan, so it took priority.  Then I had multiple projects that needed tackled around the house, so either I didn't have the time or the energy to do another post until now. So, here it goes. Last year I had made up my mind to sell the Bonnie J. My body was having a harder time keeping up with the demands of  wooden boat ownership, and though I was reluctant to sell on the one hand, I knew it was time. I put a price tag of $10,000 on it and hoped for the best. There were two interested buyers at the time. Both of them wouldn't have the money until the end of the fishing season or tourist season, as one of the prospective buyers worked at the cannery. I knew the one fellow, and while I wasn't sure that he would come through, he and his...