Life On A B-I7

Farewell to India

The following is a prayer acknowledging god’s gifts to us, it can also be interpreted as a prayer acknowledging India’s gifts to us. The poem is written by the famous Indian poet Rabindranth Tagore…

Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.

This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.

At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.

Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine. Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.

The English version shown above is a prose translation written by the author. The original poem, first published in 1911, was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913. Tagore was the first non-European to receive that honor.

Ohm Namah Shivaya

Ohm Namah Shivaya

Ohm Namah Shivaya

Punar Milamah… May we meet again…_ 

Rishikesh

This is our last day in India. It will be sad to see this journey end tomorrow, but while this journey is ending, there is no doubt that a new journey is beginning. What I have learned on my visit to India will provide me with food for growth for the rest of my life.

Our journey today took us to the Bhootnath Temple. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. I found out in my Astrology Reading that Lord Shive is my personal deity. I’m thrilled to be able to visit this temple on our last day in India.

The temple priest performed the Abhishekham Puja ceremony. This is a ritual ceremony dedicated to Lord Shiva The ceremony asks Lord Shiva for a blessing to help support a special intention. After the ceremony I shared my intention with a very special friend that I have met on this trip. He shared his intention with me. We now have Lord Shiva’s blessing, but just as important, we no have each other’s mutual support.

After our temple blessing we went down to the Ganga for a special gathering to celebrate the lives of three people that recently passed. The three celebrated were close to three of our group. It was a beautiful remembrance.

On the lighter side, here is today’s front page. Also, I couldn’t help capturing a line crew stringing new power line… we’re not in Wichita any more!

This has been an amazing trip. More precious than any other memory will be the memory of the bonds that I was fortunate to have made with my fellow travelers. You now live in my heart.

Rishikesh

We only have two days left in this magical place. It will be difficult to leave despite the fact that I want to get back to my loved one. Life is a journey and the path forward is not always clear, but if I have the opportunity to return here in the future I would not hesitate. That is especially true if I could return here with this same group of people.

Today we are going to visit…

While not technically “the Beatles ashram,” they along with a few other famous singer song writers of the 70’s put the ashram on the map.

This is actually the ashram founded by Maharishi Mehesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation. At one point the Beatles spent a month in the ashram writing the music that became their “White” album.

The ashram sits inside a national tiger preserve and is no longer an ashram. The buildings are showing the signs of aging but the grounds are now under extensive renovation to preserve all that is there. There is graffiti in many buildings, some of it is very beautiful.

There is a gallery onsite with terrific photos of the Beatles taken during their stay at the ashram.

The site contains 84 man made meditation “caves” like the ones pictured above.

Some of the onsite housing and the beauty of the site.

If there is a message to toke away from my visit to the ashram perhaps it is this…

Visiting “The Beatles Ashram” has been a marvelous blessing. Rishikesh is a place of wild beauty and truly unexpected discovery.

Rishikesh

Today will be a little slower pace. The first thing will be a bit of yoga. Our instructor will be talking about Lakshmi, Hindu deity of love, devotion, and self-knowledge. She is one of the most worshipped deities in India. After yoga and breakfast we will visit Visishta’s Cave, about a 30 minute drive north of Rishikesh, higher into the Himalayan foothills. After our visit to the cave we will return to the city for lunch and some time to wander and discover. Either this evening or tomorrow evening I will get an Astrology reading. I’m looking forward to finding out which Hindu deity is my personal deity and what service is best for me to be providing.

Visishta’s Cave was a beautiful experience. Before visiting the cave I sat in on an oracle reading given to one of our group. The message suited her perfectly. After that I walked down to the Ganga and placed my feet in the river. I sat for 15 minutes soaking up the experience. When I couldn’t feel my feet any longer (the river is cold) I scooped water into my hands and poured it over my head. It was more than refreshing, it was a joy. This part of the Ganga is special because the rocks contain mica that glitters in the sun. It would also be amazing under the moon light. The water sparkles with mica as well. This attribute is highly revered. In Hindu mythology, mica represents the transformative energy of the feminine.

I walked back up to the Ashram and went inside Visishta’s Cave. I had to duck to fit under the cave ceiling. I walked back about 20 yards to a shrine. The area was lit by two small oil lamps. I spent five minutes in silent meditation then exited. Mystics would live in caves like this because it is a perfect environment for prayer and meditation. The cave represents the womb. There is no better way to escape these earthly ties than to go back to the womb.

I have two new favorite drinks, Lemon Ginger Tea and Chi Tea. The best Chi Tea is made by street vendors and served in a ceramic cup.

Rishikesh

This morning began with a brisk walk down to the Ganga River. I dressed warm and that was good. We are after all in the foothills of the Himalayas. I did not know what to expect. When the river came into view I was startled to see how wide it is, and how green. We spent about thirty minutes in meditation and then walked back to our hotel with a stop for chi along the way. My friend the bull made eyes at me for a good five minutes. It was as if he were trying to connect, so naturally I stared back at him. He never dropped his gaze.

Walk to the Ganga River this morning complete with staring contest.

Strolling the streets of Rishikesh you encounter many Sadhu, or holy people. These are people that have renounced the worldly life and have taken a vow to live the rest of this life between the world that we inhabit and the next world to come, the spiritual world. They are easily recognized because they wear orange gowns. Orange is an important color in Hinduism. It is considered a spiritual color. The Sadhu do not beg. They live on whatever dharma may provide. Their life is one of strict intention. That is how they grow in spirit. Not far from our walk there is a Sadhu that has been living in a cave for the last 20 years. When it is time for a Sadhu to pass this world, they will prepare for their last breath, typically seating themselves in a prayerful repose. In India most people are cremated after passing. The Sadhu are taken in by followers who perform special rites then give the body to the Ganga (Ganges) River so that it can nourish the world. What’s left of the physical body at this point has no meaning because the spirit has passed on to the next world already.

Our walk took us through streets full of shops, street vendors, and of course amazing views of the Ganga. We had lunch in a beautiful cafe overlooking the river.

Me with my new friends. Beautiful view of the Ganges River. Street Chi (yes, the cow is in line). Hanuman seated in a cave.

Jaipur to Rishikesh

For our final outing in Jaipur we are going to the Ganesh Temple and Patrika Gate. First stop, Ganesh Temple. I noticed something interesting on the Tuk Tuk ride there. I had to take a picture to send to my loved ones back home…

You can only enter the temple barefoot, this is a sign of respect and it also signifies leaving the dirty world behind. When entering it is customary to reach down and touch the door sill as another sign of respect. Twice a day the priests at the temple of Ganesh perform the ringing of the bells. This is to call the spirit of Ganesh into the temple so he is present for worshipers. We arrived in time to enter during the morning bell session. The priests ring LOTS of bells and it is VERY loud! Ganesh is represented by the form of an elephant. Ganesh likes sweets, consequently many worshipers bring sweets as offerings. Money and flowers are also appropriate. After leaving the temple and putting our shoes back on, we enjoyed a sweet purchased from one of the many street vendors selling sweets outside the temple. Laddu is Ganesh’s favorite sweet. It is one of the most ancient of Indian sweets. It is the sweet specifically associated with Ganesh. Laddu is made from chickpea flour with sugar and cardamom mixed in, then fried in hot ghee. It may not sound appetizing, but to Ganesh it is wonderful. (I liked it too.)

Our next stop for the morning was the Patrika Gate. This is a secular monument which was built to welcome travelers to the city of Jaipur. The monument is ornately decorated on both sides. There is a large open courtyard on one side where public performances are sometimes held. The gate is a beautiful structure that pays tribute to all the many arts and crafts found in Rajasthan.

Before returning to the hotel we stopped at a famous store that sells all naturally dyed and custom designed clothing. Many of our group went shopping. I remained in the lobby and listened to the music provided over the in-house sound system. It was not Indian, quit the opposite. One of the songs is a favorite of mine, “My God Has a Telephone” by The Flying Stars Of Brooklyn.

Next up is our 1 hour 15 minute flight to Rishikesh. I’m looking forward to the last stop on our itinerary. The pace in Rishikesh will be slower. We will have an opportunity for meditation practice each morning by the Ganga (Ganges) River along with a fair bit of free time if we choose. Many planned activities will be optional and it will be safe to wander around a bit on our own should we be so inclined. I’m going to take advantage of the next few days to slow down and absorb the culture.

Jaipur

We began our day with an outing to Galtaji Temple, also known as the “Monkey Palace.” It got the name for obvious reasons… there are monkeys everywhere!

The monkeys are actually living in a priestly compound. There are several temples on the grounds. We gave our devotions in two of the temples and spent the morning enjoying the grounds.

Our next stop was the City Palace. The first thing to notice was that the Royal flag was flying over the Palace, that is a sign that the King is currently in residence. The city Palace is in the heart of Jaipur. From the outside, it doesn’t look all that imposing. Once you enter the palace grounds, you are greeted by a huge expanse of courtyards and buildings of various purposes. One of those buildings is a museum. The museum houses many royal artifacts, including the king’s throne, which is still used on occasion to this day. Probably my favorite artifact was a suit of armor worn by an elephant during the age when they were used in combat.

Elephants use their head for ramming. The spikes on the door are to protect the palace from enemy attack by elephant.

After our visit to the city palace, we had lunch at a street side cafe. The order of the day was Dosa. My first. Dosa is a very thin crisp crepe like pastry served with dipping sauces. It contained a filling that appeared to me to be potato based. The entire meal was very tasty and satisfying. After our late lunch some of us (myself included) returned to the hotel for some rest while the remainder of our group went shopping.

Jaipur

We began our day with an exciting Tuk Tuk ride to the Amber Palace. The Tuk Tuk rides are always exciting. I’m beginning to look at them as an adventure in an adventure. Some in our group may not agree with me. Of course, the fact that I was sitting in the middle seat of three across may have something to do with my lack of apprehension. My companion on the outside was not quite as thrilled. I told her it was okay to grab my arm and lean in when the oncoming traffic got too close… which was almost every passing vehicle!

Always an adventure!

To reach the Amber Palace we had to climb 233 steps. It was a workout. Those that prefer to ride can take an elephant from the base of the mountain to the entrance courtyard of the palace. I should point out that anyone prone to motion sickness should probably take the stairs. I was surprised by how much sway there is in the elephant’s gait. We entered thru the East Gate of the palace. That is the main gate. In its day, it was reserved for the king and royalty. East is special because that is the direction of sunrise. Sunrise is said to bring good luck. The common people entered thru the East Gate. The servants residences and common folk all lived outside the palace to the east. The West Gate enters the palace onto a grand courtyard.

View from the base of the stairs.

Avoiding the stairs looks like fun!

The Grand Courtyard inside the East Entrance.

Our first stop inside the palace was the temple Shila Devi dedicated to the goddess Durga. There, a priest tied string around our wrist and gave us a Binde. Roughly translated, the Binde (red dot on the forehead) represents the spirit and heart working together seeking inspiration and guidance. (Trust me, that is more my definition than one you would get from someone truly knowledgeable.) After prayer and meditation we continued our remarkable tour of the rest of the palace. The art and glasswork in the Amber Palace are renowned.

In the lower right frame you see the queens birthing bath.

We exited the palace through West Gate (like the common folk that we are) and walked through the servants quarters and the local residences. One of the architectural marvels outside the palace grounds is the Step Well. This is a natural spring well, but the water source Is quite deep, so the builders surrounded the well with steps. The steps allow people to rest when hauling water out of the well.

Reminds me of M.C.Escher.

Next we visited the nearby Meera Bai Temple. After prayer and meditation inside the temple, our host took us into an alcove to read one of her favorite poems to us. The poem was written by an enlightened one long ago and describes how wonderful it is to obtain understanding of the Devine. (Again, a loose interpretation of my own making.)

We finished our day with a wonderful mid-afternoon meal followed by a bit of shopping. Upon arrival back at our hotel we were treated to live music and dance in the hotel’s courtyard.

This is truly a beautiful poem. It makes one want to seek the Divine.

Agra to Jaipur

Today we shift from Agra to Jaipur. Jaipur is referred to as the Pink City. There is a portion of the city where the buildings are literally painted pink. Jaipur is a center of arts and writing and textiles. I’m looking forward to experiencing that culture.

We started the day with yoga practice on the roof of our hotel. It was a beautiful morning, the birds were out chattering a welcome and the Taj was visible in the distance from the rooftop. I don’t normally practice yoga, in fact, this was my first real experience with a yoga practice. I didn’t know what to expect, but by the time we finished, I can honestly say I want to experience more. Since this tour is a yoga retreat, I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen. Yes, a yoga retreat. Not something I would normally have thought to sign up for on my own, but I’m here with my daughter who practices yoga and she was kind enough let me join her on this adventure.

I was moved by the Oracle Card that I selected for meditation to start practice this morning. It suited me, in fact, it provided me with some insight that resonated.

Before we left Agra, the men in our group went for a shave. This was no ordinary shave, we were treated to a classic straight razor shave as well as a hand beard trim followed by after shave and face massage.

As much of an experience as that was, getting there was just as thrilling. We took a Tuk Tuk through neighborhood streets that were barely wide enough for a Tuk Tuk and a motorcycle to pass side-by-side. One of the beauties of travel in a guided group is you are able to take in experiences that would otherwise be unwise to try and manage on your own. Wandering thru the back streets of Agra to get to a barber shop for a shave is certainly one of those things.

The Tuk Tuk ride to the barber shop took us thru some of the back streets of Jaipur.

Finally some clean shaven men!

Agra

Our first excursion of the day was to The Taj Mahal. Sometimes referred to as “The Sky, The End, The Everything.” The Taj is identical from every angle. It is built on an octagonal plan and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is classified as modern architecture. The Taj is made of Indian white marble which was quarried 360 km north of Agra. In 1731, moving that amount of stone requires the use of horses, camels, elephants, and great effort. It took two years to haul all the marble to the construction site. Indian marble is the best marble in the world. That means it is the most pure and hardest in the world. The only thing harder is diamond.

India annually experiences temperature swings from 1 degree to 120 degrees. That causes enormous stress on structures. Even under that kind of stress the Taj has not suffered any structural damage over the millenniums. In order to provide a solid foundation it was built on copper clad teak timbers. As odd as that may sound, that combination provides a remarkably stable foundation, even to this day.

The Taj is the treasure of India. It receives eight million visitors a year. The Taj is 240 feet tall and is designed to reflect the same perspective from every angle. Perspective was taken into account in every aspect of design. The Sanskrit writing inlaid on the exterior is larger as inlay moves up the facade. This allows the writing to appear the sam size to the human eye regardless of where the eye is looking. The four minarets (one at each corner) are tilted outward at a 2.7 degree angle so when one is viewed straight the view of the one directly behind it is not obstructed. This also insures the minarets will fall away from the central dome in the event of an earthquake. That precaution was taken even though the Taj was constructed in an earthquake free zone.

No paint was used in the decoration of the Taj. All the decoration is created by artisans working precious stones into the facade by hand. It took hundreds of artists, cutting millions of precious stones to complete all the filigree work. To adhere the cut stones into the recesses that held them, a special glue was used. The glue was melted and poured into the relief cuts and then the finely cut stones were inserted. A unique property of this stone glue is its strength, another is that it can only be melted once.

One note that must be shared here by way of correction, our guide pointed out that the story of the Emperor wanting to build a black marble Taj was a myth. I stand corrected.

My visit to the Taj Mahal was awe inspiring. It is without question a wonder of the world, and a wonder to experience first hand as well.

Our second excursion of the day was to a visit to a Hare Kirshner temple. As you might guess, this was my first visit to a Kirshner temple. The drive there took us longer than we planned so we missed the devotional portion of the evening but we arrived in time for the chanting. Oh my, was that fun! Some people refer to that experience as a Hare Kirshner Rave. That comes pretty close to describing it! We danced, chanted and clapped in rhythmic movement. The experience can only be described as joyful. It made you feel happy and in touch with everyone in the room, and there were LOTS of people in the room!

We were the only westerners in the room that evening, I soon realized that made us celebrities of sorts. Almost as soon as I began moving and clapping to the chanting I felt a very light tapping on my leg… I looked down and there was a small Indian girl, maybe not 5 years old. She was smiling and looking up at me with stretched out arms! I reached down and we clapped hands together. It was a sweet moment of non-verbal genuine sharing. It wasn’t long before her family wanted a picture with us. That wasn’t the end of the picture taking. We ended up standing in for pictures every few minutes throughout the evening! I will never forget the generosity of spirit that was shared by everyone that evening.

Agra

Today began with a leisurely, and at times (more often than not) scary drive to Agra. Agra is 185 km from Delhi. We will spend the next two days there. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal. We will visit first thing tomorrow morning. We will have a special guide that will tell us all about the Taj. I was told the following story yesterday. After the Taj was completed, the Emperor wanted to build an identical Taj next to the original using all black marble. His son told him no, and locked him up in the Taj to prevent him from carrying out his plan.

Half way to Agra we stopped for chai. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I had nothing to worry about, the chai was divine. It was served in a small unglazed ceramic cup. When you are finished you throw the cup in a recycle bin. All the cups are recycled and made into new cups. This is a very practical and also very sanitary practice.

Chai stop along the the way to Agra.

One of our in-country hosts (Akash) has taken me under his wing and has adopted me as his second father. It’s charming. He looks after me and makes sure I have everything I need. He takes great pleasure in explaining things to me and making sure I get a hot cup of chai whenever there is one available.

My new step-son.

We arrived at our hotel in Agra at 3:00 pm. We sat down in the hotel restaurant for a late lunch early dinner. We had rice, sag paneer (a creamy spinach dish) naan, and masala. Very simple, but prepared to perfection. It was marvelous.

After dinner we all went to a silver shop. The jewelry was exceptional. I bought a black onyx ring. It reminds me of a ring my father used to wear. The price was very reasonable. Black Onyx is from Belgium. Interesting fact, the Sanskrit in-law work on the exterior of the Taj is all in black onyx. The interesting metaphysical property of black onyx is that it is respected because of it ability to ward off negative energy.

A few of us went for an Ayurvedic massage after our visit to the silver shop. Also known as a hot oil massage, I’ve never experienced that before and it was extraordinary. I’m back in my room at the hotel now and feeling relaxed and ready for a good rest. Tomorrow is going to be another exciting day.

Delhi

Today was largely intended as a day to recover from jet lag. I started feeling good but by 3:30 in the afternoon tiredness took over in a big way. That being said, today’s tour was nothing short of amazing. We visited the Red Fort in the middle of Old Deli.

Getting there and back was a thrill. It was about an hour drive each way. The traffic in Deli makes congestion back home appear to be child’s play. One of the more experienced travelers joining us on the excursion offered me a Dramamine as soon as we climbed Into our ride. I thought that peculiar. It wasn’t long before it became abundantly clear just how practical that offer actually was! I survived without Dramamine (and without any sort of embarrassing repercussion) by keeping my eyes focused out the side window instead of looking forward. Even at that, keeping an even keel required focus. There were times when I could reach out the window and touch the car next to me, while traveling 25 mph, and do so without straightening my arm at the elbow. We only collided with another vehicle once (that was on my side) fortunately it was a Tuk Tuk and not a full size car. (Full size in India would be about the size of a Honda Civic.) Our driver stopped to examine the damage, the Tuk Tuk having already disappeared, fortunately it was minor.

The Red Fort was amazing. I was immediately struck by the size. Just walking around the perimeter would probably have taken an hour or more. Inside the grounds were so large you could easily get lost without signage. It is called the Red Fort because the walls, battlements, and perimeter structures are all made of red sandstone. The air quality in Deli is the worst I have ever experienced but I was glad to see the color of the sandstone remarkably undamaged, at least to my eye. (There is some blackening.)

The Red Fort was built in 1530 for the Persian Emperor that conquered the Indian subcontinent. You can tell immediately by its grandeur that it was built to not only house and protect an Emperor, but also to reflect that Emperor’s importance.

After the day’s excursion and having arrived (safely) back at our hotel, we enjoyed an excellent early dinner and retired to our room to try and sync our biological clocks.

The Red Fort is said to embody the zenith of Mughal creativity.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 80

A French Saying

“To understand everything is to forgive everything.”

Don’t pretend to know the answer unless you are prepared to give those that have not yet arrived at your elevated position generosity and respect, and yes, even forgiveness.

Welcome to India

After 18 hours in the air with a one hour layover in Paris between flights, we have arrived. It’s 1:35am Tue, 12/2. The time difference will take a bit of adjustment. I’ve never been this far away from home. It’s eye opening. Our host met us at the airport and gave us a ride to our hotel where we will be staying for the next two nights. It was a bit hair raising. We stood in the road 500 yards from the terminal waiting for our driver so he would not have to use the terminal drive to pick us up. Good for him, a little unusual for us. The drive to the hotel was uneventful, if you call going the wrong way down three one-way roads normal. It did get us to the hotel more quickly… It’s a very nice western style hotel. Tomorrow morning we will go into Deli for a tour of the Red Fort.

Here I am with our host waiting for our lift. No worries, all the traffic is making an effort to avoid us… for the most part. Kelsey, my daughter and traveling companion is behind the camera.

Get Outta Dodge

Dodge in this case is Salt Lake City. That’s the home of my daughter whom I will be traveling with on this adventure. We will be spending the better part of two weeks in India!

We have boarded for our 9 hour 18 minute flight to Paris. We will have a 3 hour layover in Paris, then another 10 hour flight to Deli. All the cabin announcements are in both English and French. I don’t speak a word of French, but I will say without reservation it is a beautiful language. We are flying to Paris on an Airbus A-330. As a former Boeing employee, I’m not the least bit bothered by that. In fact, in this case, I find it to be a very appropriate coincidence.

Here’s to a wonderful adventure!

Playing Catchup

Today has been almost entirely consumed with catching up on my entries here. Before today the last entry was October 19. I’m not exactly sure why I let the entries fall so far behind. I suppose this is a good example of why once you get out of a rhythm, the track you find yourself on tends to perpetuate itself.

That said, I wanted to get caught up because tomorrow I leave for India! I definitely want to document that adventure here with daily entries. I was not comfortable doing that unless I brought the site up-to-date first.

Mission accomplished! Let the adventure begin!

Mother & Father Memorabilia

These are items belonging to my

Mother (HMA) and Father (JWA) that I am saving. I have a few items that belonged to my Grandfather (WNA) and Step-Grandfather (Grandpa Chris). Also mentioned WNA’s Wife Frances, JWA’s Mother Phyllis and various friends and co-workers.

• Grandpa Chris’s Cutting Board
• Grandpa Chris’s Bone Handled Carving Set
• Leather Toolbox, probably belonging to WNA containing the following items:
  • JWA U.S. Army Aviation Mini-Flag
  • Letter Opener (probably WNA)
  • JWA/WNA Service Buttons & Service Pins
  • WNA Journal 9/19/1918
  • Photo WNA Portrait Photos (small)
  • Photo WNA Photo Curtis P4 “Aeroplane” (WNA was backseat gunner)
  • Photos JWA & friends photos @ WNA & Wife Frances tombstones
  • Photo WNA in uniform
  • Britains’s First Decimal Coins
  • Letters and Postcards WNA to Wife Frances (mostly circa 1917, approx. 30)
  • WNA Dog Tags
  • WNA Service Record
  • WNA Public School Records
  • WNA Letter from Ward Department
  • Newspaper article re WNA basic training
  • WNA Pocket Watch
  • Pocket Bible Wife Frances
  • Pocket Bible (probably WNA)
  • Pocket Bible 1925
  • JWA Journal 3x5, July-August 1936
  • Doilies
• 2 White Marble Horse Head Bookends
• 1” Walrus Tusk carving (probably Grandpa Chris)
• Funny sign from one of JWA’s employees to JWA
• Tahoma National Cemetery Burial Documents (JWA,HMA)
• Note from friends to JWA
• HMA Memorial Service Program
• Note from Grandchild with letter and photo
• Photos of JWA fishing in the San Juans
• Photo of HMA with Grandchildren
• Family photos (JWA, HMA, Children and Grandchildren)
• Boeing CEO with JWA and HMA
• Journal “A Father’s Legacy” (Your Life Story in Your Own Words, JWA)
• “East In Eden, A Journal” Phyllis 1983
• Photo Album #1 (Photos and Cards)
• JWA 20-Year Photo
• JWA 25-Year Photo
• Photo Album #2 JWA, HMA
• JWA High School Diploma (Faribault High School 1939)
• JWA University Diploma University of Washington
• JWA Yearbook Faribault High School 1937
• JWA Certificate of Death
• Journal kept by WNA (transcribed and printed)
• JWA Faribault HS Letter Tennis
• JWA Work Award Photos and Commendations
• HMK Birth Certificate
• Boeing CEO letter of appreciation to HMA
• JWA letters to HMA and Army Papers
• Cigarette lighter from Japan (JWA)
• Misc Silver Coins (2 Silver Dollars)

Camping Trip - Nov ‘25

I like to cook when I’m camping. I use cast iron over charcoal for as many meals as possible. It’s fun! It is also the tastiest way to cook in the out-of-doors.

Valley of the Gods Menu

• Beef Stroganoff
• Apple Cabbage Slaw
• Biscuits with Honey Buter

Moab Menu

• Pork Chili Verde
• Blueberry Cobbler
• Mac n Cheese with Hot Dogs
• Corn Bread

Gratitude

Some words I would choose to share in the event I am attending a memorial service but I am unable to speak, or move about, or generally participate on any observable level.

Gratitude for Mr. Tux

What can I say about the companionship that a pet brings into your life. No, not a pet, a family member. Pure happiness is the reward for living with a pet. I hope I was able to give Mr. Tux a fraction of the love he gave to me.

Gratitude for Friends and Family

Thank you to all my Friends and Family here today, both physically and in spirit. Know that you have enriched my life and that I am truly grateful for that.

Gratitude for My Adventures

Simply enjoying the out-of-doors is as much as anyone can ask. Whenever I needed to find peace and confidence, cycling gave me what I needed. I cherished every day on the mountain and am thankful for all the challenges the mountains presented. The mountain, like life, holds secrets that can never fully be revealed, but the challenge to do so is always there. I’m grateful for those opportunities and for those of you who participated in the adventure with me.

Gratitude for Daughter #3

I am grateful to have shared this life with you. The joy you have given me is beyond any I could possibly have imagined. I look forward to hanging out with you in the sweet bye-and-bye.

Gratitude for Daughter #2

I am grateful to have shared this life with you Audrey. The joy you have given me is beyond any I could possibly have imagined. I look forward to hiking and camping with you in the sweet bye-and-bye.

Gratitude for Daughter #1

I am grateful to have shared this life with you Kelsey. The joy you have given me is beyond any I could possibly have imagined. I look forward to skiing with you in the sweet bye-and-bye.

Gratitude for Wife #1

Thank you for giving me Daughters #2 and #1. You have blessed me beyond words by giving of yourself so unselfishly.

Gratitude for Wife #2

Thank you for giving me Daughter #3. You have blessed me beyond words by giving of yourself so unselfishly.

Gratitude for The Love of My Life

I can’t believe how lucky I was to have found you. It started with a cup of coffee and some snow, and it grew into a dream come true. I am ever grateful to you for sharing your life with me. You have given me your best years and have made my years with you, my best years.

Gratitude for Everyone

Love and wonder don’t cease at the boundaries of who we know and what we have done. Everyday brings new joy, new experiences and new loves. May this day bring you peace. Be assured my love for all of you is unending.

The Draft

I remember when I was a Senior in High School about to graduate. I went to visit the Air Force Recruiter. I told him I wanted to enlist in the Air Force ROTC with the goal of going to pilot training school. When we got to the part in the conversation where we began talking about my health history, he had some bad news for me. He said there was no way I would get close to a cockpit. He was very nice though, he offered to introduce me to the Army Recruiter and he informed me he thought the odds were good the Army could put me in boots and find something for me to do. While I found his offer very kind, it came while the Vietnam War was still very much active. I had to decline on moral grounds. I decided I would go to college and let the draft determine my future relationship with the Army. As luck would have it, my number was 357. College beckoned and I answered the call.

Peace and Tranquility

You may disagree with me, that’s okay, but I’m going to suggest that today, as opposed to two centuries ago, it is much harder to find peace and tranquility.

We live in a period in history where humans have to work harder than ever to find peace. We are bombarded on every imaginable front with views and opinions, almost all of which insist that we side with their viewpoint. I choose to consider all of these options with great care. I suggest that we all should do the same.

It is the unconscious decision to follow one path that will lead our society to corruption. As long as we all think for ourselves, take in as much information as we can, and filter what we are taking in against what is not only good for ourselves but what is good for everyone, that we will preserve what is best in society for everyone.

Rosemary Apple Pie

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 2 large sprigs fresh rosemary plus 1 tsp. finely snipped fresh rosemary
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 6 cups cored, peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 recipe Rosemary Pastry, see recipe
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Directions

• Step 1 - For rosemary syrup, in small microwave-safe bowl combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the water, and 2 sprigs rosemary. Microcook, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 2 minutes. Let stand 30 minutes; remove rosemary sprigs and discard.
• Step 2 - In small bowl combine brown sugar, flour, salt and 1 teaspoon finely snipped rosemary; set aside. In very large bowl toss apples with lemon juice. Add brown sugar mixture; toss to coat. Add whipping cream, vanilla, and rosemary syrup.
• Step 3 - In large skillet melt butter over medium heat; add apple mixture. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Step 4 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. On lightly floured surface, slightly flatten one Rosemary Pastry ball. Roll it from center to edges into a circle 12 inches in diameter. Wrap pastry circle around the rolling pin. Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie pan or plate. Trim pastry even with rim of pie pan; spoon in apple mixture.
• Step 5 - Roll remaining ball of pastry into a circle 12 inches in diameter. Cut large slits in pastry. Place pastry circle on apple filling; trim to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pan. Fold top pastry under bottom pastry. Crimp edge as desired. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sugar. To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 35 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 20 to 25 minutes more or until fruit is tender and filling is bubbly. Cool on wire rack; serve slightly warm. Makes 10 servings.

Rosemary Pastry

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon finely snipped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 cup shortening, chilled
• ⅓ cup ice water
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions

In a food processor combine all-purpose flour, salt, sugar and fresh rosemary leaves. Add shortening. Pulse until mixture resembles cornmeal. In a small bowl combin ice water, egg yolk, and vinegar. Add liquid mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, to flour mixture and pulse until a soft dough forms. Divide in half; form into balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes.

Mom

I recently ran across this photo and I couldn’t resist sharing it. It came out of a cookbook that my Sister published. Mom was a beautiful woman. It’s no wonder Dad worked as hard as he did to capture her. He used to go over to her home when she was living with her mother to court her. There were times when she wouldn’t even come downstairs to see him. Dad persisted and eventually she relented. Of course, I’m happy things turned out the way they did… here I am, and my sisters, and all our children too.

A Question

How do I know if my loved one truly loves me?

It’s completely normal to wonder this, and there’s no single perfect sign—but there are patterns you can look for. Love tends to show up more in actions than in words. Here are some ways to get a clearer sense:

1. They show consistent care

They check in on you. They notice when something’s off. They try to make your life easier, not harder.

2. They make time for you

Even busy people make some space for those they love—time, attention, or emotional presence.

3. They listen and remember

They pay attention to what you say, remember small details, and take your feelings seriously.

4. You feel safe being yourself

Love usually feels like acceptance. You shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells.

5. They include you in their life

Introducing you to friends/family, talking about future plans, or wanting you involved in decisions.

6. Their words match their actions

Someone can say “I love you,” but real love shows in consistency. If their behavior aligns with their words, that’s meaningful.

The above insight was brought to you by ChatGPT. Believe or not, that is the first time I have asked CharGPT a question. I have to admit, the answer is not bad, but what does it truly mean to have a large language model provide you with insight and answers to important questions instead of searching for those within yourself? I can’t help but think this tool will move society in a direction that will ultimately stymie debate, discussion, and reflective thought. I hope I’m wrong. Just in case, this blog is going to remain exclusively my thoughts and my thoughts alone… excluding this post of course…

I followed that question up with another: “How many times has ChatGPT been asked that question.” Here is the (excerpted) answer:

“Because ChatGPT is used privately by hundreds of millions of people weekly, and conversation content is not centrally logged or released in detailed form for privacy — it’s virtually impossible to retrospectively count all the times a specific prompt was used. What we can say is that according to OpenAI-backed usage data published this year, about 1.9% of all ChatGPT messages fall under ‘relationships or personal reflection’ category.”

While statistics about questions may not be released, it is the nature of LLMs to track this sort of thing nonetheless. Be careful what you ask, and by all means, be careful what you believe.

Skiing

Skiing is like life.

There is a right way and a wrong way.

You can do it either way you want.

It’s your choice.

Keep in mind, the choice you make,

Will have a huge impact on your success.

Not only that,

It will determine how people judge your skiing…

And your life.