Life On A B-I7

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

You’ve got a friend in me, you’ve got a friend in me. When your miles and miles from your nice warm bed, you’ve got a friend in me.

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.

Health Care

If you’re an Evangelical Christian, and you believe people that can’t afford health insurance, shouldn’t have health insurance, good for you.

If you believe the government has no role in providing basic health care, good for you.

Even if God allows suffering, there’s no reason for Man to allow suffering. The Bible clearly states that God wants man to aspire to be good. That means doing good.

Basic Healthcare is a gift from Man to Man. It is a good thing. It is a gift that God would approve of.

Skiing Mantra

Bend the downhill knee.

Hands forward.

Zipper downhill.

Pole plant out.

Hip over boot.

What Matters

When loyalty is more important than legality, you have lost your way.

The Real Enemy

Donald Trump’s demand to punish anybody who he says deserves punishment, regardless of the circumstance or facts surrounding his claim, vindicates the charge that he is the Constitution’s greatest enemy.

Hall of Mirrors

Elon Musk’s X is a worthless poisoned hall of mirrors. Those are not my words, but if you look at where the posts on X are coming from, you’ll discover that those posts that claim to be “America First” are coming from places like the Middle East, China, Eastern Europe (non-NATO countries) and Russia, to name just a few. You get the idea. If you believe in America first, and if you are a patriot, you will get off X! Musk is not concerned about America, he is only concerned about becoming the first human with a financial portfolio worth one trillion dollars.

Evolution

I’m starting to evolve. It’s about fucking time. I’m starting to feel love for (almost) everyone… For those that don’t inspire love in me, I’m finding in myself the capacity to grant them space, with modest amounts of scorn and very little hate.

Russian Interference

Russia helped Donald Trump get elected. Russian hackers spread Democratic emails under false pretenses to influence voters. It’s hard to imagine this was done without Trump’s acknowledgement and consent considering the company he chooses to keep. This makes Donald Trump a traitor to his country.

Don’t take my word for it. Read the book “Cult of the Dead Cow,” by Joseph Menn. His writing can be trusted, if you read his book, you will understand.

Toast To The Bride

As father of the bride,
who adores his daughter,
let me just say…

…a few words about Scott.

Scott has a creative mind

and is very talented,
he’s also an accomplished

skier and climber…

An accomplished skier…
for a guy that skis on strange bindings,
and funny shaped skis…
but don’t try to follow him down Mid-Cirque,
unless you know what you are doing!

I’ve hung-out enough with Scott,
that I can say without reservation,
He’s a terrific guy,
I couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law.

Least I fail to mention…
You’re pretty cool too Kelsey!

Let me finish very simply…

May your love guide you,
May your love sustain you,
and may your love fulfill you
for all the days of your lives!

Somewhere around 2022

Brahma Muhurta

I acknowledge the Creator and give thanks for the opportunity to greet another day. It is my intention to honor this day by presenting my best self to the world. It is my goal for today to be kind to everyoneI meet. I will look for the best in everyone and treat everyone I meet with kindness and respect. I will share a smile whenever I can because I believe a smile has the power to make lives better.

A Skier’s Prayer

I acknowledge the Creator and give thanks for the opportunity to ski another powder day. It is my intention to honor this day on the mountain by presenting as much of my skis to the snow as possible. I will strive to present my skis to the mountain through all three phases of every turn. I will honor this day by remaining in an athletic stance. I will show respect to the mountain by always looking ahead. This will allow me to choose the path the mountain wants me to take.

What is the Meaning of Life?

That is the question that everyone should ask themselves. We should be seeking the answer constantly, recognizing that it can change over time. There is no one answer out there to be found. The meaning of life is different for everyone.

I believe the meaning of life is simply to practice justice, and courage, and avoid those things that might bring harm to others.

Father Forgive Me

Father forgive me for I have sinned. I have looked at people that profess to be righteous and I have called them out in my mind as sinners. This shows a lack of compassion on my part. To be more specific…

I think Donald Trump is a sinner. I think Mike Johnson is a sinner. I think Pete Hegseth is a sinner. I think all those people that have given money to Donald Trump are potentially sinners. I have no compassion for any of them. Yes I realize all of us are sinners, but let’s face it, it comes down to a matter of degrees does it not?

For the record I’m not particularly religious, but that really has no bearing on my feelings and certainly no bearing on how I treat my fellow citizens. Treatment which hopefully is of a kind and generous manner, even if they are “sinners.”

Flaw

We need a Constitutional Amendment to prevent the Speaker of the House from keeping the House in Recess for more than two weeks in any given year.

Article I, Section 4, Clause 2 of the Constitution reads:

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Let’s wait and see what happens, but it seems to me that Speaker Johnson could convene for one day and then dismiss. If that happens it is the end of Democracy in America and also a gaping flaw in our Constitution. I suspect the authors never expected anyone to use the power to dismiss as a means to give the Executive the ability to rule like a dictator.

Sadly, we are now in an era where Constitutional Amendments are functionally impossible.

Apology

If you are accustomed to coming to my blog and seeing stories about what is going on in my life and now you have noticed a different slant, you’re not imagining it. I am distressed about what is going on in our country and I’m using my site more-and-more as my way of speaking out against what I see happening. I still publish entries on other topics, stoic aphorisms, adventure stories, and simple musings, which I will continue to do more or less daily. But there is no escaping the fact that my writing has also become more political, I believe for good reason. All I ask is that you read what I have to say with an open mind. I will do my best to keep the invective to a minimum, after all, that is one of the things that has caused me distress, even though there will be days when avoiding invective will be difficult to do.

Professor Jack Lynch, Associate Professor of English at Rutgers University has written that it’s okay to start a sentence with the word “but,” as long as it enhances the flow of your writing. In fact there is no rule against starting sentences with a conjunction. Probably the only reason you were taught not to do that in school was because teachers didn’t want children to write the way the talk.