Wilderness Blues- Ramblings from the Great Land

  I got an email from a friend where I used to live. His name is Tim. He used to work in the woods as a logger, climbing hillsides and cutting down huge old growth spruce and hemlock trees. Now he's working at the local sawmill, running the saw, turning those logs into lumber. He's tough as nails, a real he-man. We developed a friendship some years back when he started coming to church. He knows enough about some of my misadventures in life that he felt comfortable relaying to me a story of his own misfortune. While getting ready for church a week ago, he took a look in the mirror and realized that he was starting to look pretty shaggy. Hoonah doesn't have a barber shop. There are a few people in town who cut hair, but by and large, most folks either opt to cut their own, or get a haircut when they take a trip to Juneau. Tim decided to trim up his hair and shave his beard. Then he noticed that his eyebrows were really getting long. He said about an inch and a half in length...

  From time to time I like to share a poem or story that I've read on the writing web site, Fan Story. The other day, a writer in Texas who goes by the name Pome Lover wrote this poem for America. She speaks from her heart and is a patriot who is frustrated with the direction that the country is moving in. I share her feelings and worry what is to become of this once great nation if we don't change the path we're on.  A Different Valentine by  pome lover My country is my valentine! This poem is for her. She’s in a lot of trouble And I think most folks concur.   I love my country, and I fear what “they” want her to be: Americans  who hate her, want to change her, totally.   They called her names and burned her flag, caused riots in the streets; those in power didn’t stop them, so of course, there were repeats!   Those horrors really happened And are quickly getting worse; If Americans don’t take a stand There could be no reverse.   Why  have s...

           I was making my bed today. Actually I was changing the sheets before I made it. While the pillow case was off I noticed the tag that hangs on pillows and mattresses. It's like an official government notice not to remove the tag under penalty of law. Really? Are you kidding  me? What, is there a pillow police? If I remove the tag, will a couple of guys show up to my doorstep wearing trench coats, fedoras and dark glasses? What is the fine for removing the tag off the mattress? Is it higher than the fine for taking the tag off the pillow? Why do they even put it on there? Can you imagine ripping off the tag  and thoughtlessly tossing it into the bathroom waste can, and the next day the feds show up? Picture this if you will- you're drinking coffee in your easy chair. It's 8:30 on a Tuesday morning. You're watching the news and getting royally pissed off by the latest blunder by our leaders. The doorbell rings and you look at your wif...