Life On A B-I7

I lean toward non-fiction and poetry, contemporary novels don’t do much for me, but I haven’t completely ruled out fiction. There is some fiction on my Lifetime Reading Plan, so tackling a work of fiction is bound to happen sooner or later. Reading is a great way to keep your mind flexible and engaged.

January

Gitanjali
A Collection of Indian Poems by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore

Nine Lives
In Search of the Sacred in Modern India by William Dalrymple

Rumi’s Little Book of Life
The Garden of the Soul, the Heart, and the Spirit translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin

Joy Ride by Kristen Jokinen
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Stuck by Yoni Appelbaum
How Emotionally Mature Are You? by The School of Life
Turning to Stone by Marcia Bjornerud
Greek Philosophy by Helen Gagatsu
Merlins Tour of the Universe by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
The Cat Who Taught Zen by James Norbury
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
The Hollow Crown by Eliot A. Cohen
Walking in Wonder by Adam Segel-Moss (Cliff Dancer)
Raising Hare A Memoir by Chloe Dalton
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
On Quality by Robert M. Pirsig
How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One by Stanley Fish
Abbey in America Edited by John A. Murray
Shadows on the Koyukuk by Sidney Huntington
Flaubert A Life by Geoffrey Wall

I’m calling this my Lifetime Reading Plan. This is a place to occasionally come when I’m looking for a reading project. If something speaks to me here I’ll pick it up, if not, perhaps then another day. It gives me satisfaction to have a plan and this list is an inspiration.

Titles

The Magic Mountain
Buddenbrooks
Les Miserables
The Return of the Native
Essays
The Third Policeman
Letters to Eckermann
Lord Jim
Hamlet
King Lear
Moby Dick
The Sun Also Rises

Authors

Whitman
Thoreau
Twain
Joseph Campbell
Gary Snyder
Annie Dillard
Basho
Cervantes
Homer
John Muir
Chekhov
Dostoyevsky
Camu
Beckett
Nietzsche

Masters
Zen, Muslim, Taoist, Hassidic, Hindu

Male Behavior

There’s an old saying, women spend more time wondering what men are thinking than men actually spend thinking. It’s also been noted that men and women’s behavior is very different.

I think a lot of the difference in behavior is cultural. Here at home in the United States I wouldn’t hesitate to give a close male friend a hug in greeting or farewell, but wouldn’t occur to me to hold hands with him while walking down the street. In India where I was recently traveling, an Indian man that was one of our guides frequently reached out to take my hand as we were walking. At first I was taken aback, then I realized this was his way of saying that he loved me and respected me. Women probably would not have given this a second thought. Now that I have had the experience, I have to admit, it was gratifying.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 91

We can look for goodness or we can choose to make goodness. The latter is the path that leads to a better society. If everyone took that path, imagine how wonderful society would be.

Der Spiegel

Der Spiegel Magazine in Germany has Trump’s number. These are the covers from six issues published since the start of Trump’s second term.

Historically speaking, Germany has a bit more experience with Fascism than America. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why approximately 60% of Americans still support or are undecided when it comes to Fascism in America.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 90

It is always important to examine why you are committed to a goal. Commitment is good. Goals are good. Keep in mind, they should always be pursued for the right reason. For example, if you are training for a marathon because that means you can spend less time at home supporting your family, you are committed to the wrong goal.

Free Speech

Free speech is a wonderful thing. But the thing about free speech that most people don’t understand is that it is illegal to use it to lie, cheat, and steal. It’s a shame that just saying it is immoral is not enough to stop some people from using it as a shield against the perpetration of illegal acts. We are living through an era where the most powerful people in our country are fully aware of this and are still using free speech to cover their aim of ripping off Americans while enriching themselves and their friends.

I never expected to see something like this in America. It’s possible this is what happens when you take civics out of the public education system, but I’m not going to rest the blame there. Our infatuation with social media and our inability apply moral filters to the content we are consuming is another important factor. The fact that Americans are slipping into illiteracy is not a trivial piece of the puzzle. Perhaps most significant, political actors with autocratic leanings realized that Donald Trump is the perfect tool for them to use to shift our nation to the right in ways that the people that voted for Trump never suspected.

It would be nice to get back to a political culture that embraces truth and respect over politically motivated lies and self aggrandizing tweets.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 89

What is the meaning of life is a question we should all ask. 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. For me, the meaning of life is simply to practice justice, courage, and avoid those things that might bring harm to others.

I’ve been nominated to be the camp chef for our little group of misfits. It was actually more self-selected than nominated. I volunteered. I love cooking in the wild. Dutch Oven cooking is the only way to go. I’m excited for this year’s conclave. Cast Iron Cooking in Joshua Tree National Park

Night 1 - Pork and Beans, Corn Bread, Peach Upside Down Cake
Night 2 - Beef Stroganoff, Crispy Red Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie
Night 3 - Sloppy Joes, Apple Slaw, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Morning Routine

I’ve been refining my morning routine and I have landed on a set of practices that feel good. First of all, I’ll admit it’s nice being retired. You have a lot of time to devote to self-actualization endeavors. I wish I would have landed on these practices thirty years ago, but of course from a stoic perspective, wishing is not a productive use of one’s time. So without further ado, here’s what my mornings look like.

Meditation

This is key to all that follows. I have a writing desk where all of the morning activity takes place. Centered on the desk is a statue of Shiva (which I understand is my personal deity thanks to a birth chart reading I received in India) and two glass candle holders and a lotus flower incense holder. I light the candles and incense. I put on a recording of the “Om Namah Shivaya” Mantra. A simple chant. I play that in a loop while counting the repetitions on my Mala (Indian Rosary) until I have reached 100. (That’s about 20 minutes) Eyes closed, I focus on my fingers and the beads and try to let my mind relax. I relax my breathing as well as the rest of my body as best I can. It takes time. I haven’t perfected this yet but I’m excited about where this will carry me.

Writing

After my meditation I’m ready to start writing. I focus my writing on six areas. I will spend anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes on each area.

• Reactions from my meditation.
• A few words about what occurred yesterday.
• A few words about my intentions for today.
• Some prompted writing.
• A Stoic thought.
• Today’s Journal entry.

To explain in a bit more detail.

• The reactions from my meditation are simply a recording of any thoughts that came to me during or after the meditation. Since I try not to focus on specific thoughts during my meditation, this is generally reactions that come to me afterwards.
• Next I recap yesterday. I do this as a memory booster. If I choose to review my week I have a source to go to.
• The words about today are simply a way to prioritize what is most important to me today.
• The prompted writing is responding to prompts from the “The Book of Alchemy” by Suleika Jaouad. The book contains 100 writing prompts. My daughter gave this to me for Christmas and it’s been great to read a prompt a day and then write about whatever they brings to mind.
• I write a Stoic thought. These are inspired from the book “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday. Not original on my part, but writing about the material in this book is a great way to absorb classic Stoic advice. It’s also a great way to learn a subject.
• I close my daily writing with a Journal entry. Often these are short, but these can be anything. After I have loosened my writing muscles with the first five tasks, I am often surprised by what this final pen to paper exercise generates. Sometimes these entries end up here on my blog but more often than not they are simply thoughts that help me see more clearly.
• I also have a Mindfulness journal which I write in occasionally. I like having a separate journal for that type of though.

There you have it. Following this practice feels good. How far it will eventually take me I have no idea, but I am optimistic that this practice will help bring me to better health and help me be more focused. It is gives me a better understanding of what my goals and desires are.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 88

“When a dog is barking because someone is at the door, the worst thing you can do is yell. To the dog, that’s like your barking too…”

The trick is to break the pattern.

The more time you spend practicing good habits, the less time you will have for bad habits. If you find yourself doing something bad and recognize it, stop, acknowledge it, and look around for something good to do.

It’s hard to beat a good beef stroganoff in the wild.

Ingredients

• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 tsp celery salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1 C water
• 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 C sour cream
• 1 (12 oz) bag egg noodles
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Brown meat, onion and spices in Dutch Oven
2. Mix water, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sour cream
3. Combing meat and sauce mixture
4. Pour half into Dutch Oven
5. Spread noodles evenly on top
6. Pour remaining mixture over top, moistening all the noodles
7. If additional moisture is needed, add beer
8. Cover and cook 30-45 minutes, 10 coals on bottom, 15 coals on top

Nothing better than crispy little baked potatoes to go along with your casserole. These guys are sure to please.

Ingredients

• 24 oz bag small red potatoes cut in half
• 1/2 stick butter (or less)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp Lawyer’s Seasoning Salt

Directions

1. Melt butter (or slightly less than called for)
2. Add spices and herbs
3. Coat potatoes with butter, spice, herb mixture
4. Put potatoes into preheated Dutch Oven
5. Cook at 450 until crispy

If doubling the recipe, it’s better to use two 10” Dutch Ovens than it is to overfill a 12” Dutch Oven.

This is a yummy recipe that you can make in a campground and it tastes terrific. It satisfies the urge for a salad when camping.

Ingredients

Slaw

• 3 C grated cabbage
• 2 C grated apple (Granny Smith or Rainier or 1 of each)
• 1 C grated carrot
• 1 or 2 chopped green onions

Dressing

• 1/3 C mayo
• 1/4 C brown sugar (or slightly less)
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• dash of salt and pepper

Directions

1. Grate and combine slaw ingredients
2. Squeeze out excess moisture with paper towel
3. Mix dressing
4. Add dressing (not all of it)

Don’t mis all the dressing into the slaw to start with. Reserve the remainder for those that want a bit wetter salad.

10” Dutch Oven

12” Dutch Oven

These are finger licking good. A 12” Dutch Oven is recommended for this recipe.

Ingredients

• 3/4 C sugar
• 3/4 C brown sugar
• 1/3 C butter
• 1/2 C peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 C flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 12 oz milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream butter and peanut butter with sugars.
2. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well
3. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt
4. Stir into wet mixture
5. Spread into 12” Dutch Oven
6. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top
7. Bake at 350, swirl chips after 5 minutes of baking, bake 20 minutes more

Cool thoroughly before serving. See cast iron baking temperature chart.

This isn’t the type of thing you would normally associate with camp cooking, but why not? This is typically made in a 12” Dutch Oven.

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 (29 oz) can pumpkin
• 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 3 eggs
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 C evaporated milk

Topping

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 C butter

Directions

1. Mix filling ingredients
2. Cut butter into cake mix
3. Pour filling into parchment lined Dutch Oven
4. Sprinkle topping over the filling
5. Bake for 1 hour (or more) 8 coals on the bottom, 16 on the top

Serve with Cool Whip, of course.

A great camping desert. For deserts in a Dutch Oven, always line with parchment paper.

Ingredients

• 1/2 C butter
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1 (20 oz) can peach slices (enough to cover bottom of oven)
• 1/2 C vegetable oil
• juice from peach slices plus enough water to make 1-1/4 C
• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1 box cheesecake instant pudding mix
• 4 eggs beaten

Directions

Use 12” Dutch Oven. Melt butter in bottom of dutch oven. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of butter. Place pineapple slices on top of butter brown sugar mixture. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and spoon into dutch oven. Cook with 6 coals underneath and 18 coals on top. Place serving plate over dutch oven and invert onto plate.

Rumi’s Little Book of Life

Selected poems translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin. It was difficult to choose just four from the more than 200 poems in this particular collection. Rumi writes beautifully of peace, love, unity, and respect. It’s wonderful to think that a 13th Century scholar and poet can bring to life knowledge that is still hard to fathom in our modern age, and do it with such beauty and clarity. Perhaps not surprising really, since the knowledge spoken of here is something that has to be earned, not something that can simply be handed to you. The most poignant aspect to Rumi’s writing is his confidence in the power of love to transform human lives. Something desperately needed today.

I love this poem because it gives me strength. We are living through a very tough time. I never expected my generation would have to deal with the fallout from spectacularly poor leadership. Leadership that is reeking havoc around the globe. This poem gives me encouragement.

Separation bends the back of hope
cruelty ties the hands of longing
yet the lover never despairs.
For a committed heart
everything is possible.

This poem grounds me. It helps me see the true priorities of life.

Who would write on a page already filled with writings?
Who would plant a sapling where one is already planted?
One would look for an empty page and virgin soil.
Become bare like the earth so the Beloved
may plant His seed, become a blank page
so His pen may write upon you.

This poem reminds me of the importance of love and its power. It speaks to the power that understanding of the Divine brings to the individual.

He who is not captured by Love
is like a wingless bird.
What understanding can he have of the world
without knowing the Knower?
In love with himself, he is easily lured astray
with no courage to embark on the path.
The Beloved is the guardian of the gate
that only He can open.
Those unable to pass are robbed of their essence.
Dawn may come, but they remain asleep,
while in our sky, the sun never sets nor rises.

A reminder to open your eyes and see beyond your desires.

I stole a glance from You and my eyes
became longing and wistful.
I heard one word from Your lips and
my ears deafened to the world.

But my friend, if you have not had this experience
you are excused to be entangled in this world.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 87

It doesn’t do any good to publish a stoic thought every day unless you can remember and put into practice the wisdom you humbly attempt to impart…

Very little of this wisdom is mine. I’m simply doing the best I can to put it into words I can understand and remember. The inspiration for these posts is from the book “The Daily Stoic 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and The Art of Living,” by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

So why am I doing this instead of just reading the book? It’s about absorption. You can’t make something your own unless you focus on it and put it into your own words. Words that speak to you. I believe when authors put pen to paper they are speaking to themselves, and after all, the words Ryan Holiday is sharing are his interpretation of the words originally written by men like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, so in a way, what I am doing is no different than what has been done for ages, simply put, trying to understand through exercise of your own mind.

Stingray

I never had a Schwinn Stingray bicycle as a kid but I sure do remember them. In fact, I was always a little jealous of the kids that had one. That didn’t stop me from putting playing cards on my bike. I distinctly remember turning my bike into a roaring 4-cylinder monster with four playing cards pinned to the rear wheel. I was very intentional about which cards I used, always Aces, never anything else.

Just for fun I’m going to card-up my Davidson and ride it down to my buddy’s house, knock on his door and tell him let’s go for a ride. I can’t wait to see the expression on his face when we head out! First I need to buy some clothespins…

Best Friends

We were best friends in a previous life. Go ahead and laugh, but after you have regained your composure, try and prove me wrong.

The Eternal

I love how the cat
curls himself up between
my love and me.

His gentle purring is pure contentment.
I stroke the top of his head
and he purrs louder.

He is pure bliss.
This is how I feel
when I contemplate the Eternal.