Musing

Your adventure is admirable and inspiring, MC, Saco, Maine

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Well done!, WJ, Atlanta,GA

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Mark – missed a few of your emails – where is Gusta?, OH, Calgary

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hi how are you - you're right, it'so... vague... no one really wants to know HOW someone is... most don't care.... why would they... people have very private worlds... luis.. your thoughts, MM, Kahului, HI

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Yes, we all know people who violate the greeting exchange and actually impose on us by telling us how they really are....and that holds true not only in English-speaking societies....so if you really want to know how I am, make that fact plain...but then, I may not want to tell you....it gets awkward. Good communication, though, can be a wonderful mutual experience...it doesn't have to be poetic like two Shakesperean characters conversing. No, let's not look through people, but at them...we might be positively rewarded by what we find..., EG, Calgary

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today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-20C/-3F, clear, cold, breeze from the north bites, provides facial stimulation; walking around the lagoon without Gusta seemed surreal, no need to wait while she sniffs and explores every familiar spot - horizon waking, it’s powder blue leaking into black

poet knows timing, rhyming and pace – knows phrase and rising and falling from grace; but what value there is to saying something that rolls easily off the tongue?

that hinges on whether we really see someone or if we just look right on through, when it does not provide a basis for learning something valuable, what is the point? we make these little investments of time each day, but I wonder about their value

I greet people ‘hi, how are you?’; so often the greeting, to show interest and be polite, but without empathy, without really wanting to know HOW someone is, looking for that greeting to be returned - with a smile or nod and saying ‘hi, how are you?’ - often that’s it, not exchanging much, both parties relieved it seems – but both getting little value from the exchange, getting a return on that which was invested, virtually nothing returned, virtually nothing invested; if greetings shifted from ‘who are you, really – if you have some time, please tell me?’ or ‘yes, I really want to know’, I wonder if we might do more good, spread a more upbeat and valuable message

communicating – serious matters or lightest ones – ought to be about substance, but too often habituated style gets in the way, old ideas, past assumptions - they muddy the water, prevent seeing in or through anything – ‘seeing it through’, a style, ‘seeing through it’ implies understanding without much care about style; looking in, seeing through - understanding often right there, standing by’ but we miss key points, I know I do

I’m going to try: ‘hi, nice to see you, do you have a few minutes to invest in catching up?’; it may take me a little longer to get through some days but I look forward to better returns on time invested

Mark Kolke
340,092
197.6

... with your voice, teach in order to learn


What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

Much enjoyed meeting you. Always enjoy your insights in your musings. Will follow your progress in the years ahead in moving towards your objective of getting to Hawaii... and of being slim and svelte when you get there!, Regards, MG, Cornwall, ON

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Hi Mark; Thought I was on your list already but appears no. Can I be added - please. You are not missing much here in Calgary - really cold. Muse did not enjoy her promenade up the hills this morning. I think she wants boots. Who knew a dog who takes a dip in that river almost daily would complain about her feet. Thanks, KS, Calgary

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Again you demonstrate what are those things that are most important in life....And if we can make a little money besides, that's great....As for "sitting near the crucible of power", how comforting...I know the feeling, but also know that the principals only know a little more than I do, and that we must do our own personal best to be in the vanguard of knowledge and understanding...EG, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

4C/40F, steady breeze at my back as I walked east, high-speed drizzle in my face on my return, like a wintry Vancouver morning, not as west or wet

stepping into unfamiliar environment sharpens vision, noticeably distorts incongruities; whether we sit near elbows of those near the crucible of power daily or if we toil in isolation in far flung places, all things trickle down - we fear things, not so much fears of fiscal collapse, moving averages or risk-reward schtick - fears are more personal, more real

when things are too ‘up-close’ - you know, the forest and trees cliché, we can get easily confused in our zeal to focus on what is really important, what is most important and what is least important of all the really important stuff - not a priority setting exercise but more-so one of keeping really important information sorted so vision is not distorted

incredibly interesting smartest people in the industry explaining why they think what they think, how they see opportunities, what they see, what they fear – optimism mixed with high risk of no reward/great reward opportunity; really smart people admitted they know very little about the real quality of the underlying assets supporting SIVs and CDOs to an audience wanting a ‘tell me what to do’ talk; a few things abundantly clear – assurances things are OK, are un-believable, everyone is unsure where best ‘opportunities lie’ (new oxymoron) - Wall street, rather than spreading risk, really spread fear around, fear that isn’t going away any time soon; consequences, fear of being overrun, missing opportunities – some consensus we are near a tipping point, but no clarity on which way things will tip

yesterday’s conference sessions – as good as it gets; one was worth the time and cost of the entire trip; bonus - visits with musing readers; PC from Calgary and MG from Cornwall – we seem to share some key things learned in this process of exploring, becoming more self aware - a balancing act of living well, ego-centric work, mid-life reality, desire to be relevant, need to be vital, compulsion to do worthy things with time – thanks for your time

I can get worked up a little about how to best advise clients so they can make some money or insulate capital from risk is hard – challenging to do well - but not scary; things that scare me are cardio-vascular events, not being relevant, not experiencing joy and not making enough time to chase a butterfly – I’ll focus on keeping those scary things in focus, not distorted

Mark Kolke
340,116
197.2

... with your voice, teach in order to learn


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Anyone who can wax poetic about the 401 is remarkable indeed, but better that than a state of chronic rage. In life, so much to watch in ourselves and others..., EG, Calgary

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I was reading yet another one of your editions of musings this morning, which led me to your blog and bio. Surprisingly enough it mentioned that you are a golfer. I thought to myself, “I’m a golfer, he’s a golf, I am a writer, he’s a writer. We should talk.” Not sure how I got added to your database, but I figure everything happens for a reason. As such I would like to offer you a copy of my book Golf Balls Don’t Float, as well as extend an invitation for a quick coffee. I am still trying to figure out exactly what it is you do, but am interested to learn more. Kind regards, NM, Calgary

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today’s Musing written and published from my hotel in North York, Toronto

-6C/21F, 2/3rds of a fading moon looked down, Toronto woke; from my hotel room a weave of on/off ramps caress the 401, a 30 lane feeding frenzy of unique drivers, ants feeding a hill, yesterday’s gales subsided to a stiff humid push against cheeks, strange walking without the strain on my rotator cuff – I think Gusta would have enjoyed walking this industrial area strip, freeway buffer fences in row upon row of brick bungalows

there is no difference – between us, in us, about us – no difference at all

things we wear on the surface, clothes and hair and wrinkles and traits of nose shapes and ear size - such little things . . those little things . . that help us find a friend in a crowd or spot a nemesis across a decade across town or across the country, across some mental divide

‘difference between us’ - phrase, so often used, abused – easily, unwisely, it blithely describes us all – so easy to accept as some real description of something, so wrong

sameness, likeness, mirror and reflection between us – closer to truth, not mental construct of how different we are, but how much we are the same - core strength, humanness – savoring the moments that matter

Yona and Zev, 40 yrs. together, epitomize fit and love and zeal – tolerance, understanding, strength and moments - blended, mended – no difference at all – I met up with them at Miller Tavern (150 yrs. old) on Yonge Street (the world’s longest street), to eat some great scallops and to commiserate with old friends (5-6 yrs. of catching up), plus I had a flashback small world moment bumping into T.V., an Edmonton days colleague I’d not seen in 12 years, surreal - disparate Edmonton connections - in the same place the same night, the math boggles

not months or mountains or magnificent feats – life is moments - we know them when they hit us, we know them when memory takes us back to a moment in time – a meeting, a statement, a mood, an event experienced - changes the course of life, career or relationships – a memory takes us back to smile, to marvel at how it could have all happened; not all flows from that moment or word – but the spectacular jumping off point is spectacular – recalling when we chose to appreciate and embrace the experience that emerged – the moment went by in a second, the memory of it happening becomes a thing with its own energy - velocity, mass, impact, personality and raison d'être

everyone has a turning point or a breaking point – sometimes they come at the same moment, just as often not – but, what makes these moments unique is to watch them happen, as if we were a fly on the wall watching ourselves, smiling a little smile of knowing something magic that no one else knows, feeling the power of it that no one else sees

no point looking around for a turning point – when they happen, it seems the turning points look around for us . . . or maybe every day, every point is a turning point – our challenge, perhaps, is to elevate our consciousness enough that we can notice, want to notice, make the time to notice

Mark Kolke
340,140
194.6

... with your voice, teach in order to learn


What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

Dear Mark, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr – it’s cold! I just came back from +30 celcius to -15 celcius – ouch! Please find attached my latest and long overdue (I needed a vacation) newsletter. You will, again, find highlights of what is available in cruises, airfares, air & hotel packages and more. I you are a soccer fan, now that EURO 2008 draw has been made, I have packages available to Austria and Switzerland. Please fell free to call me or email me if you have any questions about your travel plans, Best regards, MB, Calgary

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-21C with windchill here...flying east on red eye is a sure prescription for jetlag.... But the distance from one large metropolis to another shows how large and great this Canada has become... Have a great convention!, EG, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from my hotel in North York

2C/35F, overcast, drizzly - dogless walk from car to hotel followed way too much airport terminal walking in Toronto and Calgary; falling asleep at one end of the country, waking up at the other is strange – cold Calgary tail winds so strong the flight was delayed so we would not arrive here before the noise curfew ends

everyone seems to know where they are from - and where they are going, but in midst of an incredible pace it seems hard to get a sense of where anyone is right now

I’ve not been to Toronto in quite a while, much is new but little seems changed – the pace, the race, hub of the traditional Canadian economy where we make things and move things more than anywhere else - a place once all powerful, now not quite as much, as the west has its day in the sunshine for a while

within spitting distance of the 401, a steady hum will lull me asleep tonight, settled in at my hotel - shower and change - then down to the convention centre to get into conference mode; then a rendezvous late with Yona and Zev . . way too long between visits

last night, I sensed nearly everyone was from somewhere else, going somewhere else – shoulders slumped, weary written on foreheads – the pre red-eye flight wait in Calgary’s departure lounge was part Late Show, part Gong Show – not wishing to connect with anyone – like most – wanting to sleep, an oilsands contracter crew from the east coast heading home too sufficiently lubricated to suit the remainder of the crowd - none of us seemed to have the energy to complain or the will to relocate

Mark Kolke
340,164
194.8

... with your voice, teach in order to learn


What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

Hi - I get your musings and am in Toronto... Are you in Toronto on Thursday night? Thought you might enjoy a little high art - a dance work down at Harbourfront called Bas-Reliefs, DW, Toronto, ON

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So, coldest day of the fall so far, and I might even get to wear my ankle-length quilt-lined coat...I love that coat, it insulates me, and allows me to experience the joys of winter in comfort. Changes of weather are all part of the joyous experience of living....It's objective not subjective, although I know what you mean....What will our roiling inner cauldron spew forth next?, EG, Calgary

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Hurray again.... you really are getting it!! All weather is beautiful.... if you bring the right attitude to it! Each season has it's own special beauty and joys... the same of each stage of our lives... you can hate, fear, dread each birthday... or you can treasure it for the new beauty and joys each day will be bringing. Hugs to you and Butterfly!! , JB, Klamath Fall, OR

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-14C/6F, light fluffy snow swirling, dark overcast - the sky is in a bad mood – Gusta ignores, calmly struts, somehow knowing she will be off to her country club resort kennel in a few hours . . knowing I am going away – she sees the container I’ll load with food sitting on the bench – she doesn’t need to know I’m booked on the red-eye flight to Toronto tonight, she is motivated by a memory of what happens when that container comes out

of little or no consequence – another day, another spin of the earth, another day of water flowing through streams to the ocean only to be recycled by weather to flow again – seems almost like the flow of blood around the body, repetitive, minor erosion of the pathways over time, but little changes

if you don't like the weather - all it takes – a momentary comment, tone of voice, smile or, if you want, the opposite - which will it be?

state of mind can become a state of grace or a stormy state whenever we want it to - mood determines whether or not a workplace, play-place or home-base is happy - it is all about the weather we bring with us; come into a room bringing harsh wind or pleasant breeze, rain drops to nurture or a reign of terror - you set the temperature, control the humidity, decide if it will be stormy?

any morning, beginning matters so much – getting off on the right foot, in the right direction, the right attitude, the right altitude, the right mood, the right lane, right?

am I describing anyone you know, or anyone you see in the mirror - do we give others fair warning of what is to come, do we switch moods depending on what strikes us when we come through a door – do we dress for the weather or do we bring the weather?

I’m going to Toronto, I checked the forecast and found it off-putting; I’ll take clothes for what is predicted – but I’d rather it be nicer, so I’m taking weather with me – if that’s where I’ll be for a few days, I might as well decide that it will be nice

Mark Kolke
340,188
195.0

Even in a larger sense, the games in Beijing will be about attempts at international goodwill and non-military combat...Worthwhile ever since the idea originated on Mt. Olympus...But yes, Earl Grey's legacy will live as long as the maple leaf wafts in the breeze..., EG, Calgary

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Seems we're all on the fly. Just returned from Banff, off to Nassau on Thursday (return Sunday), then Toronto on Thursday the 5th or whatever. Your happiness shows in your writing! And you deserve it! See you sometime, dear man. Keep smilin', CB, Calgary

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I thoroughly enjoy these “daily musings” by Mark, but I’m not sure how I got signed up on this list with this email account. It’s an email account that is used for work purposes, and so I was hoping to request an email address change to XXXX . Thank you in advance for your time, AL, Toronto, ON

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

3C/37F, clouding over, Chinook breeze lingers on - Gusta and I walked the lagoon route where critter tracks on snow covered ice made a strange roadmap – when we walked this morning the moon and sun both equidistant above the horizon like two gigantic flashlights aimed at each other . .

ISP’s help-line (thanks Calvin in Nanaimo), grit and determination, several hours re-building files, cleaning cache, losing cookies – journey to HQ - skeptical as counter clerk (she can’t be 12, but she looked 12) said ‘hook this up and everything will be fine’; I did and it is

troops in Afghanistan stand guard to keep peace and frustrate efforts of those who threaten it; this day we have an annual symbolic battle on Canadian soil - it too involves guards and hard running behind opponents lines, special teams and a field-general

he left a legacy of grit and determination - Earl Grey, the guy – not the tea – once Governor-General of Canada donated a large cup of silver that has been more about Canadian unity than it has ever been about football, more about partying than fighting, more about pride than ego – Canadians braving cold and field conditions and each other; today, from Toronto the Riders of Saskatchewan and the Bombers of Winnipeg will not prove anything of great cosmic consequence other than this one thing

Canadians work hard, play hard, have grit and determination and stand on guard - at least once a year, Canadians think about being unique and Canadian – football fan or not – in ways only Canadians understand, with a national anthem that really means what it says

Mark Kolke
340,212
195.4


... with your voice, teach in order to learn


What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

As long as man and nature endure, there will be a season for everything.Let the mind fly with the spirit!....And each has sight and feeling....And we're long past Newton....David Bohm, and now Jeffery Satinover, have stood on his shoulders and those of others and seen much farther horizons...., EG, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-3C/28F, Chinook arch in motion, pushing that blanket of overcast eastward, Gusta enjoyed our first trip to the ridge path in quite a while, no critters seen, a few Halloween remnants still in place as lights and outdoor decorations begin to appear; frenetic Friday done- adrenalin level subsided, work is set aside, time to write; for the first time in three months I’m not attached at the hip to b’fly this weekend – pace change, miss her face, her voice - she’s in a state, Montana; I’m in a state, blissful, but missing her too

no stop, speed limit or ‘bridge out’ signs litter my dream-way; only roadblocks, limitations - not planted by parents, watered by education, fertilized by society, not found in literature or art or politics or laws of man or physics - set by one person’s narrow view, one person’s ability to see only so little, mine

Newton's law of inertia – “an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force”

Kolke’s version (substitute ‘emotion’ for ‘motion’ if you wish): “a mind at rest tends to stay at rest and a mind in motion tends to stay in motion unless it hits self-imposed roadblocks”

when I see something no one else sees, am I seeing what they missed or what they cannot imagine – as I see what I imagine, am I seeing the possible, or do I risk dismissing it as a dream not to be realized?

I have this voice – a need to write it and speak it is not compulsion, but an action fulfilling choice to overcome roadblocks and things that keep my mind rigid, keep me stationary – to overcome those forces, to live my dream without limitation – the more I’m open to it, the more it unfolds

my mind is in motion - same speed, same direction, but held back by self-set limitations; its time, I think, to apply some unbalanced force . . .

Mark Kolke
340,236
193.0

... with your voice, teach in order to learn


What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

To subscribe to Mark's Musings daily email distribution, write to musing@maxcomm.ca

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

I haven’t written for a while, but I am still glad to receive your musings! Keep up the good work. I liked your thoughts about technology versus thinking today. Perhaps we all have the mental capability of Sir Isaac Newton, but we just don’t allow ourselves the opportunity to have an apple land on our heads – somewhat akin to knocking in some sense! Perhaps our use of technology, which is designed to help us be faster, smarter and stronger, is preventing us from having the opportunity for insight! One of the most wonderful experiences I have had in my life was a three-day solo stint in a heated tree house overlooking the Ghost River. There was absolutely no technology (other than the comfort of heat) and I found that as the time passed, my thinking became clearer and more fluid. I was able to gain true insight into myself and my life. I would love to try a simpler world without so much technical help! Perhaps in retirement!, Cheers, KDK, Calgary

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I know what you mean. But it’s still a choice, right?, SB, Calgary

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Hi _ Can't remember the author but your musing today would be greatly complimented by a book called "A world lit by Fire" not a long read but so illuminating of those times, CH, Chimacum, WA

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My favorite comment on old age is one by Bernard Baruch: "I consider old to be anyone 15 years older than I am." I like Don Marquis' observatioin which you quote as well. I agree that it's necessary to move away from all the hectic interconnectedness on a daily basis...Leave the cell phone at home and go out for a good walk to communicate directly with the earth and its natural ecology. But yes, the Grey Cup, that sacred institution, is not to be missed, any more than Church on Sunday if you're a Christian, or Sabbath if you're a Jew, etc. And don't underestimate late bloomers (I'm a great deal older than you!), EG, Calgary

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today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-9C/16F, slight warming breeze pushes streaks of color across empty pre-dawn sky; Gusta sniffs snow dreaming of rabbits, standing in the chill, I watch the sky imagining I'm walking in Kula . . my middle-aged creaky left foot creaking along

Americans are having a football and shopping extravaganza weekend – an institution designed to keep their economy going called Thanksgiving; Canadians will find unity in a little Grey Cup as teams from Regina and Winnipeg, representing east and west, will unite the country for a while, galvanize our pride on Sunday afternoon in Toronto – go Riders!

“Of middle age the best that can be said is that a middle-aged person has likely learned how to have a little fun in spite of his troubles.” - Don Marquis

at Toastmasters last night someone spoke of some people being quite old – mid-late sixties; at 56-and-ticking I felt a visceral reaction – who, me?, old? – middle-aged, yes, but old!

this triggered thoughts (OK, my mind bounces around a little) on what it would be like to have been middle-aged in the middle ages - when Europe struggled to move on to ‘new and improved’, when middle-ages gave way to renaissance, when middle-ages – the dark ages – yielded to a time of great enlightenment . . . I wonder, if we could have some of that magic today, whether we would embrace it or simply dismiss it as slow, as old, as middle-aged

central heating, antibiotics and refrigeration had yet to be invented, but there must have been magic in their quiet, in their absence of so many things we take for granted - an age of thinking, of enlightenment, era of art and writing – but also a cold time, life was grim, but I am sure middle-aged middle-agers didn’t see it that way - it was better than before; and, after that, renaissance men felt things were better still – time of great progress, yet primitive too - as doctors didn’t wash their hands, dentists were cruel (aren’t they still?), poets rhymed and romance writers wrote romance, thinkers thought and painters painted like never before

we’ve come far - processing data at speeds that boggle, but imagine the days when middle-aged Newton, just sitting under his apple tree every afternoon, undisturbed by e-mail or cell phone or trendy hype or poorly writ movies or TV interviews with politicos – just to think about falling apples – lots of time and peace of mind

I want to take a break from my virtual prison – calls find me, my IP address is a virtual ankle-bracelet as big brother profiles my clicks and key strokes, 100-channels invite numb and invite me to consume things I have no need for, time-saving devices populate every room - but, does my life really offer free time, free choice to think, dream, imagine or invent or create or live or love – or to just sit under a tree in the afternoon

outside my window a snowy apple tree, no leaves, no apples, stands in the chill – aching for someone to watch it; maybe I’ll disconnect a bit . . turn off modern, drift back in time, to spend time just sitting, just watching

Mark Kolke
340,260
194.2

What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

Love your Philosophy. Keep writing, RF, NYC, NY

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You know, it's funny. I almost fired off a "Happy Thanksgiving" to you, Mark. Likely, this was yet another manifestation of egocentric (culturalcentric) projection; "I am everyone, and everyone is me." But now that I've considered it, whether or not you celebrate this or some equivalent holiday, the sentiment is a fine one: I hope that today finds you with many blessings and the breathing room to note them and be thankful. So, after all, Happy Thanksgiving, Mark, CW, New Orleans, LA

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today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-8C/18F, moonless night not ended, sun not yet previewing, stars magnificent – early joggers, small dogs leading their handlers were out early, Gusta happy to see all

I do it – perhaps we all do – rehearse, play a role, look for nuance, explore alternative ways to re-invent character elements – sometimes with style, emotion rippling through every word or motion, sometimes routine, habit and old attitudes frame the scene; in life’s play, we are actors – director too – parts cast by expectations of someone else’s expectations of what our expectations ought to be

relaxed start, no traffic struggle, a trip to the gym, advance some projects an inch or two each, farewell to b’fly for a week, some meetings – re-ordering the play, re-drawing today’s map instead of rushing downtown for a breakfast function . . .

up early . . going off to that breakfast function as planned – on my walk, a choice to alter the day plan, change focus - today I’ll take a different path, different scenes will play out, different characters will cross my stage

with both hands and all my pockets I cannot capture or schedule or remember it all - but, I can switch course anytime I want to – my day may not change, but my life will

Mark Kolke
340,284
196.5

What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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Thanks Mark for your caring words. We can all make a difference. And when we do, we make a world of difference for those in need and create a different world for all of us to enjoy, LG, Calgary

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Good we got the new shelter opened just in time. But what about that chap living under the porch who preferred to do so because he wanted independence? True, we can't get enough good people.... We can't even get some of them that actually could work. I do believe we must do more for those who can't look after themselves, but let's encourage the others to do as much as they can.....Their psychology is complex, as are their circumstances, so it's not as easy as it seems...., EG, Calgary

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Well said. And in addition, we all pretend that we did not notice that civic officials made no provisions for persons with lower incomes when higher density and constrained availability of land drove up housing prices. In the civic milieu of today, it takes courage to say what you did Mark. Thank you, LHE, Calgary

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“When did it become fashionable to outsource caring?” Mark, this is without doubt one of your best statements in weeks. It certainly gave me something to chew on, KS, Holland

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I hope everyone on your distribution list gets the enormous gut whammy that hit me this morning reading today's Musing. Your words ring true, true, true, and while we (I) do our (my) part with donations larger than 10 years previous, it never seems enough. Thank you again for another of your "wake up" calls, B?. Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-14C/6F, snow overnight, Gusta spins her studded paws through it (she is clearly done her bloated lethargic cycle), rabbit tracks and school buses stir it up, traffic will be slow

another day’s headline reminds how well off we are, a bulging treasury of riches beyond imagination, yet we live where the poverty lives

many without much at all; cold weather, just begun, community resources to help those without stretched; I don’t think it’s the resources that are being tested as much as our ‘willingness to part with them’ - bureaucrats and politicians at City Hall work for a community that collectively says it wants to help, but really doesn’t

how can they determine to invest money in a meal or a blanket when an arena is to be built, provide shelter when a freeway needs another lane?

we care, so we say, but we don’t let it touch us – we have people for that, agencies, departments, NGOs and so much more – that’s there job and, oh, isn’t it sad they are so under-funded and under-staffed; well, we know its hard to get good people these days - when did that happen, when did it become OK, become fashionable to outsource caring?

needs of those less fortunate through poverty, unemployment or dire circumstances give us a collective sigh ‘for those poor folks’; but, no need to do anything, we expect leaders and government to help, that’s there job, to do on our behalf, to care on our behalf – but, they are having a problem because its hard to get good people these days

I look around my community, in lanes of traffic, in check-out lines, teeming hordes in the lunch-time crush or the march to a Flames game – we would all answer yes if asked whether we are good people – sadly, many things that need doing would get done if we could find a few good people, but hey, its hard to get good people these days

what message do we send if we want the prosperity without the responsibility of doing the tough work in the ill-lit corners - mostly, we let someone else do it; at a time of year when many of us make donations (please don’t stop), we go to the mall – drop a loonie or two in some kettle while we shop for the perfect gift for someone we care about – its hard work, stores are strapped, its hard to get good people these days

we live where homeless people live, we live where people in great need grasp for help except for those too weak to grasp - in this city of a million individual citizens, very few personally lend a hand or put shoulder to a wheel to help – we are insulated from caring by charities, social agencies, three levels of government – they do our caring for us, and we know they struggle, because its hard to get good people these days

Mark Kolke
340,308
197.0

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Few words can say so much. B’fly is so fortunate to know that you heard them and treasure them, cb, Calgary

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I think it is time you shared a picture of you and PB........, KN, Camrose, AB

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You're such a tease, Mark. I can only imagine what those 7 words might be, SM, Calgary

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Mark, I am so pleased to hear you have let down your guard and fallen in love. Enjoy...VBL-Colorado

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-10C/14F, soft dusty rose in the east, inky blue black in the west – across a sky the washed out shades of each meet, mingle, grow to be one; lagoon ice not ready for skaters, but soon, Gusta sniffs where nocturnal visitors stopped, no wind, cheeks reddened – the sky, the air, the ice – inseparable, they are one

we write books, make speeches – argue, thrust and parry at length to make points, explain ideas – yet a few well chosen words, crafted, brief, to the point, hit their target - convey feeling - draw a picture with an economy of lines, of thoughts compressed, not terse but to the point, meaty not mushy - maximum impact with gentleness at the core

like a potter’s bad pieces set alongside the good stuff, we write inspired pieces that stand among ordinary ones, often hard to tell good from bad from mediocre; extraordinary happens when meaningful meets beautiful with timbre and pitch to rival great phrases

I’ve written a few, not many, perfect messages, short pieces, witty retorts - we know it when we read it, feel it as we taste those words roll off our tongue

once in a while, someone writes one for me, to me – stunned me, hit me, grabbed me, woke me, pleased me, awed me; I got mine this morning; sent last night at 11:01 from b’fly; resting overnight in my in-box, 7 words and as many dots like these . . . - including the re: line, greeting, salutation and message – 50 keystrokes – that’s all she used

waiting patiently for me to open them this morning, words wrapped in feeling, folded nuance – better than a letter, creamier than cream, meatier than meat, heftier than heavy, feathery like feathers only lighter than that, soft like fingertips that just touch

I’m not alone anymore, inseparable, we are one, I am prepared for all things

Mark Kolke
340,332
197.2


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Monday is bright and full of promise – as long as you completed what you wanted to accomplish by Friday at 4:00 p.m. Monday is bright and full of promise – another chance at completing what you wanted to accomplish on Friday by 4:00. And if you get it done early on Monday, recipients feel special to be the first on your list at the dawning of a new week! Monday is a great day to make people feel special. Monday is a fresh start, a new perspective. A Mr. Magarity Day - starting anew. Are you old enough to remember Maggy Muggins? Monday starts the adventure – one of my favourite days of the week. Challenges of the week, consequences of our decisions, are yet to be revealed. A mystery awaits and Monday begins the unfolding. Monday allows us to look forward. Solutions to existing problems shall reveal themselves over the next few days, or perhaps show us that it wasn’t so bad last week as we thought it was – things can get worse. Monday is the threshold, the entrance onto the playing field. Who will we meet? What game shall we be involved with? What lessons to learn? What blessings to unfold? resh, clean, uncluttered. Light shone on perspective – putting all in their trivial places under the vastness of the starlit sky at Skystone at 5:30 a.m. (Out with Nala). Illuminating the awe-inspiring world that God gifted to us for this short while. How small we are. Huge the trust. How blessed to be the stewards of this bounteous land. Go forward with a purity of intention. Monday beckons, RB, ?

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Mark, Enjoy Musing. Changing jobs. Send future Musing to XXXX, JL, Washington, DC
Thanks for including me - let me know when you have a book coming out so I can relax and read it all at once; thanks...keep up the good work..., GR, ?

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My Monday is a brand new week...Everything from last week is cleaned out with nothing in my way....my first thing this morning was an interview to see about composing a newsletter on a volunteer basis for the regional branch of a national health organization .... And I'll love doing it...How much fresher can one get than that?....is it too large and squat, too big a lump? I don't think so. But as time goes on, this may change, but all the same I'll embrace it if I can... I agree, let's get up and go like Gusta!, EG, Calgary

...

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-7C/19F, clear sky of white/grey awaits sunrise to start the week, Gusta’s eagerness was way over the top this morning

there is no morning of the week to equal Monday morning - fresh day splashed in my face – like cold water – wake up to it; a new week of goal pursuit, mouse-on-the-wheel maneuvering; on Monday morn, questions beg answers, like day follows twilight, follows a starlit night - what, why, how come, when?

if days were like housing, Monday would be a double-wide trailer; thick and squat and devoid of excitement or great design; Monday was meant to ‘pick up the pieces’ of last week’s hanging over items, to start the week but not too fast – can’t call too many people, visit too many people, meet with too many people because they are all busy dealing with last week’s hanging over items

Monday is not an answer day, it is a day for questions - no fog, no cloud, no obstruction to my view – it stands before me, a large lump, wide but not too big around; too big to hug, too wide to pass easily

Monday is a day for cleaning up and sweeping out, for crossing things off lists and making new ones, a day for sorting out and brushing off, a day for hooking last week to this one – a bridge if you will between week and weekend, a narrow passage of filtration where energy is added to inertness, where drive comes from, where renewal comes from, where get up and go gets ready to get up and went

c’mon . . lets go . .

Mark Kolke
340,356
196.6

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What I love about what you do is that you take the time to recognize that you are alive ...... good...bad...sad.......all of it. At the end of the day we all have these little clocks ticking and have no idea when our little clock stops. At least you recognize the tick, tocks., PL, Calgary

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I like Mr. Baldwin's statement. After all, we have the ultimate answers to hardly anything, and if the questions are asked again, fresh, that is a thing of beauty....And as you say, as in the case of Emily Carr, artists are Nature's best friends, and if I may add, it is in their language that we can communicate with her...Science is limited to a few syllables as yet, EG, Calgary

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Small world! I nearly reported you as spam when I first received Musings and after reading one and realizing you were from Calgary thought you might have been in one of my writers' groups. I didn't make the connection between Mark at MaxComm and Mark at Musings! Keep up the good work! I often thought if I wrote a paragraph a day my book would be finished by now!!!, AC, Calgary/Houston, TX

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ADMINISTRIVIA: Office paper work that is more trouble than it’s worth but must be done under any and all circumstances. Examples include: expense reports, memos announcing someone’s departure, the new policy for using the copy machine—or equally inconsequential events and/or edicts; timesheets, file copies of most anything and, of course, the office phone and birthday lists, CM, Chicago, IL

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Like one of your other contacts, I am receiving your message at two email addresses. I don't quite know how you got it, but I tend to use XXXX personal mail so perhaps you would delete that one. Thanks. Regards, NF, Edmonton, AB

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I once actually earned a living as an artist, did a little animation, and a little commercial illustrations. With computers we can do so much more today than we did with oils, water colors and acrylics. Art is a solitary passion done a lone unless you have models. Your interpretations of the world are up to your imagination. I am now reverting to finger painting once again or abstractions. This is my view of autumn. [editor’s note . if you want to view his painting, let me know and I will forward the JPG file to you], FW, Stafford, VA

...

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

3C/37F, Gusta can’t seem to understand where the squirrels go when they go behind a tree, a few poodles out walking their owners, sunny, chilly in the shadows,

“The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by the answers.” – James Arthur Baldwin

writer inks a page, painter covers a canvas, chef decorates a plate; creation from inner angst, joy or just a task in the moment – it depends on how we see it - sculpture touched, passages read, paintings drunk – art, madness made civilized, reviled or revered

art in many forms yesterday – the wok chef, the painter, the chocolatiere, the fish monger – and a great painter like great writers, whose art stays alive long after they’ve gone; not clear what was their best work and real message – we visit libraries and galleries where this work is stored, like a mausoleum, the message lurking somewhere in a shadow

nature did it once, the rest, just copies, views through some lens transferred to paper or canvas or film; a view, one vision – drawn out and painted, every inch of canvas dark, little room for light - not as nature made it, not as you might see - deeper, sharper, knowing the tree, feeling the forest, transferring the history as Carr saw it

she was not just a Canadian treasure but a world class one - Emily Carr, probably the best friend a west coast tree ever had, depicted them on a grand scale - one at a time - both before and after they became totem poles, darkness draping most everything, absence of light most of the time – we saw a great retrospective on a peculiar artist with peculiar talents in the peculiar hat - awesome or twisted or both, depends on how we see it

pretty butterfly and I – made a day of it - dim sum in Chinatown, the Emily Carr exhibit at the Glenbow Museum, ice-cream bars at Bernard Callebaut, the Billingsgate for fresh west coast halibut and some Digby scallops – not a perfect day but some masterpiece moments

at day’s end - much talk of art, halibut under cover of a red pepper salsa by candlelight – maybe not a masterpiece, but a pretty nice picture - that’s how I see it

Mark Kolke
340,380
195.8


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Hi Mark. Not sure how I got on your list but I am grateful that I'm allowed to share. "Calmfident" I'm going to file that little gem with one from Margaret (my spouse of 25 years). She came up with ambivalous which combines ambivalent and oblivious. This describes the present state of being ambivalent about something to which one was previously oblivious. This is only applicable to matters which are trivial as Mag is remarkably decisive about things she sees as important. I'm usually on the road to work at dawn these days. However, I frequently am out for a hike at sunset with Casey. Casey is a little Blue Heeler, Beagle (mostly, we suspect) cross. She's a pretty well behaved pooch. In fact she is comically unsuccessful when she tries to be bad. Her presence in our lives brings Will Rogers to mind: "Lord help me be the man my dog thinks I am." Thanks again for the musings, BT, ?

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It sounds like you’re falling in love. Good Luck!, SB, Calgary

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Hi, A friend has been sending me some of your musings. They are quite good. Thank you. May I be put on the list?, JN, Lyme, CT

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Aye, mon, "Tradition!!" What comes immediately to mind is Tevye's opening musical monologue in "Fiddler on the Roof" and that theme carried through the whole story, but of course every culture has its own, and does well to pay homage to it...I find Celts and Nordic peoples especially fascinating. To preserve a culture gives one a home page so to speak. Even the Cosa Nostra people honor it. I was looking at Wicca last night while researching something else....Goes back to the beginning of recorded history, gives one an oddly tugging feeling of being at one with nature, EG, Calgary

...

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-2C/29F, clear, crisp, Gusta investigated each fence post, new route, no walkers

they’ve been at a long time – traditions preserved – learned over generations it seemed; people in that room taught by parents who learned from theirs, hushed grandchildren too – young and old with more than threads to connect them, shared DNA – oh sure, spouses in the room witnessed it too, but it was clearly a clan-like ritual brought from the hills of Scotland – or so it seemed; magnificent venue, treasure trove of relics and heirlooms

ritual of the ages - no point trying to keep character traits hidden from view there, few of life’s situations could make it as difficult to disguise elements of style or substance, insecurity or fear; these events sort men from boys, pretenders from the genuine article

neither circus or theatre, pomp or circumstance - a place where people speak softly and laugh loudly with knowing looks, vague references to times past, a nod, a wink – personality quirks and little secrets set aside for one night – ceremonial event commands attention; what is this . . pagan chants, wiccan rituals?

only my second time – still a novice, unfamiliar with the rules, the protocol, the pace, the special deference to aged ones; trepidatiously - entering that room full of strangers, mix of first time meetings, some second time ones too, observing people in action reveals much; this is not a place for single folk – nearly everyone coupled except for widows and children - each pairing’s stories demand a program or an org-chart - maybe both

PB’s family gather this way a few times a year to celebrate birthdays of those who’ve had one since the last gathering; 4 honorees among 25 who gobbled pizza and cake . . and made me feel part of it all

they’ve been doing it for a dozen years but it felt like I was privy to a legacy centuries old

Mark Kolke
340,404
197.6

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AM- "Calmfident"...what a perfect blend to describe that outlook, LR, Irvine, CA

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Hi Mark, I saw your note about list maintenance. It appears that I am on your list of Musers twice, so if you come across my addresses, please delete one (but not both), AK, Calgary

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Hi Mark, There is a new level in the quality of your musings. It was a pleasure to read this morning. I hope you are well and life is blessing you. Take care, JS, Calgary

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Mark, I'm learning to see that what I might interpret as a 'problem' isn't a problem at all. It's just the way it is. I'm learning to look at things as opportunities instead of obstacles, learning to observe rather than react. I'm finding it to be an eye opening experience and I am pleased to find my stress level has improved, SM, Calgary

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Mark : Keep these coming, first class ...Is it OK to include your work in our newsletters?, SW, Calgary

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I'm fortunate to have met you at Toastmasters' and flattered that you have taken me into your blogging sphere. As for walking at dawn, I can well appreciate its advantages, but I don't do it presently. I know what it's like, however to be on a sailboat at dawn when the whole sky is a many-hued red. I especially like your comment "The complexity I often deride may be simplicity in an especially intriguing wrapper." That would be worthy of Albert Einstein, who spent his lifetime trying to find simpler ways of describing the laws of nature, but only succeeded partially (the Special, and finally ten years later the General, Theory of Relativity, but could not derive a unified field theory) And speaking of wrappers, when he was talking to his young son about discovering the laws of nature, he said that nature is like a lion of which we've only discovered the tail, and that as we plod along through life, we are like a louse on the lion's back.....And these days, we still don't have a unified field theory, but are discussing massless sub-atomic particles called strings which if they are the ultimate unit of matter would suggest to us among other weird conclusions that there is no such thing as mass! Anyhow, enough for today. Best regards, EG, Calgary

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I assume that Dawn comes in an especially intriguing wrapper, KK, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

2C/40F, yesterday’s Chinook wind leftovers make a warm overcast start, steady breeze, Gusta chased a squirrel as school buses broke the quiet

for each day’s new task, wrinkle or concept - I leap to it a little slower - trying to simplify my life but most days seems more complex just the same, with a few scenery changes tossed in; the view from here is good - few obstacles in my path; I like to walk very early, at the end of moonlight, about dawn, to see dawn before anyone; most days it is the same, but when it is different I want to see it first, to see differences before anyone else

I’ve looked in books, in the mirror, inexperienced hard knocks, watched children and young adults – my own and others – the answer is not there, outside me, in what I see; it would be convenient to see answers on the horizon, each day at dawn, but that is not where I need to be looking so much as an interior view is required

not always, not every day – I struggle; I seek change, a new view or maybe an improved pair of eyes; solutions are all within me, lined up in rows along with questions and self-doubts along side ambitions, dreams and desires – to better understand my drivers; fear doesn’t drive me – nor pride, nor ambition - its not about love and lust (though I really enjoy exploring those elements just in case), or money or power or being on top or the bottom; I look around – the answer must be lurking somewhere - because all questions have answers, because all problems have solutions – they are waiting for us to see them

I am coming to believe the complexity I often deride is really the simplicity I seek in a specially intriguing wrapper – I know I wouldn’t smile as much without it, I wouldn’t see my simple path without it, I wouldn’t be as happy without it

I’ll keep waking early, keep walking, keep asking, keep dreaming

every day . . about dawn

Mark Kolke
340,428
196.8

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

Hello Mark, Thank you for today’s Musings. The reason why I have chosen to reply to your comments is that your final choice is a very fundamental representation of the message of my company. Good for you for choosing to “step away from the computer”. Choosing to communicate respectfully no matter what you receive in return is a quality and skill of a true professional. There are many opportunities every day both personally and professionally where people choose to react to a situation or interaction without taking the time to instead formulate a response. Often electronic communication provides us with a false sense of confidence to say things that we might never consider saying if we were face to face or on the phone. The calm that you referred to is the feeling as a professional that we always strive for. In our curriculum we created a word “calmfident” that represents our feelings when we know without a doubt that we have truly done the right thing. We have treated another with Respect and most importantly we have treated ourselves with Self respect. Thank you Mark. Respectfully, AM, Calgary

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Aren't you glad now that you didn't send hit that "send" button... my usual response is to get that email written and returned to that nasty person so fast that they won't know what happened... and, what usually happens is that I think (after a couple of hours)... now why in the world did I send that email??? When did I quit giving everyone the benefit of the doubt... like in... they're probably having a bad day... they probably just don't feel well today... they've probably got a hectic work schedule today... you know... thoughts like that, rather than... that @#$%!... I'll tell them a thing or two... geez... sure wish I was like I was before... I CAN do it, I KNOW I can do it... just gotta put on my thinkin' cap more often...!!! Have a great day, Mark, and thank you for the very thought-provoking musing. CT, Houston, TX

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-3C/27F, overcast, light breeze, Gusta tentatively explored the edge of lagoon ice, landscapers have sculpted a stubble field into a ball diamond, perhaps someone will come

some fly off their handle, little provocation required – some simmer, perhaps boil, then react reasonably and proactively; others absorb, deflect or ignore the provocation and move on; I’m between the 1st and the 3rd most of the time - but not yesterday

I could have replied nicely, called to forgive his nastiness recognizing his day might not be going well, or imagine that mind abuse of his fatherless carcass by some rude English prof. at law school was the reason, but his nasty attitude needed – really needed to be - put in place, rebuked, skewered, whacked, pilloried, publicly humiliated; that’s how I felt

my acceptance, I suppose, if I’ve found some, is acceptance of allowing myself to vent in DRAFT; yesterday, I was in a place between rage and calm – a choice between reaction and no action; down deep there must be a reason for this, something I don’t yet understand

in a debate or a negotiation I’d have trashed his sorry derriere - or taken his small mind behind the woodshed; a few keystrokes from one guy’s bad day, spreading bile around; a nasty note from a small minded jerk set me off yesterday; why did it set me off? normally I’d ignore, but yesterday I took the bait; why did my nasty come out?

rather than ignore it, delete it, laugh at it, set it aside or some other form of deflection - my reaction was to write back an even nastier one; my 1st draft was incendiary and hit back hard, by my 3rd draft, it was perfect but, by then, there seemed no need to send it

Mark Kolke
340,452


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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-2C/29F, calm, quiet horizon gave birth to brilliant quiet morn under an empty sky, 10 geese sat silently at the centre of the lagoon awaiting an opening in the ice like early shoppers awaiting a store opening; Gusta’s frenetic sniffing vigor perhaps signals an end to her cycle – lethargic, bloated, moody – suffering in silence

I had a quiet night, late night, a silent night; silence, often mistaken for quiet - absence of sound far less than it is the absence of communication - you know, ‘he fell silent’ or ‘dropped out of touch’ - silence is not a long pause in conversation, silence does not interrupt, does not run on and on unless it becomes endless silence in which case it is both less and the end

on the other hand, silence – that blunt instrument - can be cold and hard like a cold-tunnel barrier between people, between ideas; to inspire conformity, to make the air still – to remove the noise, to extract the clatter, to make it quiet, scolding mother or haughty librarian utters a quick sshhh- sometimes, so does life

often I fall into silence with people where silence is the opposite of the message I would send if I could send a message; I get busy – often too busy to stay in touch with old friends because we are too busy making new ones or something else distracts; silence can be funny – at least no one worries about saying something wrong when they are silent; silence - serious contemplation, or grave reservation - not the language of the joyous, silence is not an expression of enthusiasm, does not lift, elevate or inspire

at midnight I watched a retrospective on Norman Mailer; awesome talent, enigma, tour de force or force of nature – a life ended at 81 due to kidney failure the other day – his 6 wives, 9 children, 2 Pulitzers, 30 books – wow, what an incredible journey of words and living, followed now by his silence – fallen silent, a long pause at the end, ended

silence can be touching, but it does not touch – it can spell tranquility, can mean something monumental, can mean nothing, can warn of bad things about to happen – or can be the vacuum immediately after; noise brakes quiet, wakes it, quakes it - breaks that silence, shatters it

pre-dawn stars were silent – so too my waking horizon, leafless trees, cold grass, icy lid of the lagoon – all silent, not a sound, not a word, I did not invite it any more than I invited the noise that shatters this tranquil start to the day

silence, soft pause, can be warmly broken – morning silence should be softly snapped, caressed toward sound, nuzzled to noise - when fasting is broken we do it with a meal, when coldness is broken we do it best with a touch, when silence is broken we do it best with a soft word following a silent night

Mark Kolke
340,476
196.0


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Mark, you are correct most things we seek are within our grasp. Many times what we desire we already have in our mind’s computer, WT, Calgary

....

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

3C/39F, strong breeze under a few clouds, really strong breeze – the kind that makes your nose run even when you don’t have a cold – Gusta confused by a wave of odor coming across the soccer field, a poodle of interest to her showed no interest in getting acquainted – his lost opportunity

my take on mistake - learn the lesson, correct the problem, move on – seems my most active mode; rarely stopping to examine the opportunities my little ‘mistake’ made possible - so easy to know once discovered – simply really, why didn’t I think of it before?

I lost something – yesterday, it was some data; freaked for a moment, calm and upset with myself moments later, then determined to find a recovery or fix for a few minutes – reality set in, only one laborious to recreate the lost data; at first it appeared tedious and counterproductive but, upon closer examination, a golden opportunities for me I would never have noticed if not for my ‘all-thumbs’ mindless error in the first place

I lost something – many things actually - along the way; we all have a few, but routine’s evolution too comfortable to disrupt me to examine, unless disruption forces a look; things I’ve left behind - looking back, so easy to see why much is strewn in the ditch where it belongs but amid old wreckage there are so many things that, upon pondering, I am inclined to say ‘why don’t I do that anymore?’ , or ‘when did I stop doing that?’ .

I lost something – along the way, innocence - replaced by a sense of wonder, fear - replaced with thrill of experience, adrenalin - for chasing tigers, not running from them

I spend a lot of time seeking, looking, digging, working – at data, people and opportunities, but when examined, most great finds, ah+ha moments, points of growth have come from looking at the familiar in a new way, with perspective borrowed from someone else – to find some great gem of an idea, pearl of learning, opportunity that does not to be overturned because it was in plain view all along

I found something – yesterday, contained in a smile, wrapped in a laugh, smothered in kindness, a gift . . no shopping required

Mark Kolke
340,500
196.0


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today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

8C/47F, steady wind growing stronger, overcast, Gusta wildly energetic, I walked light in my loafers

yesterday – sitting there after dinner, watching conversation round the table; my dad smiling with satisfaction after eating that last forkful of pie on top of his prime rib dinner, my daughter Carla smiling next to nouveau-beau brought for inspection, PB smiling as she watched two of her children joining the après dinner discussion; I watched them talking about little things and big things I felt like I was watching myself 30 years ago . .

if I’d been trying to imagine/dream that scene 30 years ago what would be on my mind? . . time, place, personalities, dynamics are probably far removed from those around the table, but the issues, dynamics and magic were not – I cannot imagine imagining it any other way

we live in a world where playing in the sand box – as if we were 5 again – is far more plausible, available and viable then ever before – yet, the world sells us a backwards view; that accomplishment of goals, achievement in material terms delivers us to a place where dreaming and imagination are permitted; this is fuelled by media attention on the dalliances and child-like diversions of the right and mega rich, yet, we all need and deserve the energy and direction that come from unlocking our dreams, wishes, desires and ambitions – and, I believe, we learn more about them and ways to make them reality the more freely we allow ourselves to dream it, paint a mental picture – to do it in child-like fashion

at five, a kid can push a truck believing it is a steamer chugging through oceans, dock at a chair that becomes a castle, trip over a book that becomes a plane that flies upside down to an imaginary land on another planet; I would not suggest that dreams of middle-aged adults ought to be that easy to morph to reality . . I am suggesting that the freedom to imagine ourselves playfully enjoying life and indulging out appetite for living, for adventure and for relationships should not be limited – anymore than we would tell that 5 yr old to not imagine every element of that scenario

dreams lead where we want to go; we can dream our way to happiness; life’s been good to me and I credit imagination and pursuit of dreams more than work ethic, luck, management or planning; I don’t advocate dreaming replacement dreams several times daily, but I do advocate allowing the creative process in us to over-rule our stick-up-the-tailpipe reality we find ourselves enveloped by so often; if not just for sport, then to help us imagine a reality we might create that gets us through, over or around our problems

the difference between us is this; the 5 yr old will make up a new scenario several times a day every day - we call that normal, healthy, imaginative, creative play; we dreamers are thought by some to be crazy – by others we are seen as ‘in touch with ourselves’ while the large majority might look on wondering what the fuss is about


life has been very good to me, and I’m just getting started

Mark Kolke
340,524
195.0


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Mark, so nicely said, so appreciated. I hang my head with tear-drenched eyes ,with a poppy in my hand, wondering "why" and when will it stop? For all those who went before and will continue to go before us, JM, Salmon Arm, BC

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To the heroes and their families war is hell, to avoid hell for those of us that aren't heroes. I reverence their sacrifice, KK, Calgary

...

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-2C/46F, no breeze, no critters; Gusta, in season, happy to spread her scent and wait for prospects; clouds hide sun, we walked an empty street - could be any free safe place where risk of death or maiming is actuarially non-existent

through 55,000 years on this planet mankind has learned to make war very well, but we need to make peace before it can be kept, if we have a future on this planet worth having; most of us have little to say, can do little – are relatively helpless to change it, but if we don’t, who will?

this day - I take freedom and safety for granted, it is normal, it is expected, we call it a way of life; this day is hard to grasp for those of us who recount our memory in terms of reading about war, seeing war TV, appreciating Canadians at war but not knowing any who’ve fought – so very few of us have personal encounters with war’s tragedy

this day – we remember those who did, those who are still – fought for freedom, fighting to save others from tyranny; men and women wearing our flag and uniform proudly, risking it all for someone’s freedom somewhere, prepared to be remembered by a cross on some battlefield somewhere, by some poppy on a lapel somewhere, by some memory of courage spent and blood spilt

this day - we are a desensitized collection of countries, competing economies, conflicted interests – surely no one on this planet wants their children to die, no societies on this planet want other than to be left alone to achieve what they can achieve

this day - war is a series of newsclips and headlines - over time, day over day, numbness sets in; too much, too much, too much of what we ought to appreciate about war is lost somewhere between political rhetoric and CNN station breaks; Myanmar and Pakistan conflicts rise and fall, Tiananmen Square-like events repeat on the 6 o’clock news

In Flanders Fields , By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) , Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

this day – these immortal lines will be repeated and re-read; he wrote them and tossed it away, he wrote them for his friend who died that day before, he wrote them in the moment - then he went back to tending wounded in his care

this day – as Canadians remember that poppies blow, between the crosses row on row – heads bowed, eyes sad, Last Post played, wreaths set out, salutes - mark the time across this land - at 11:11 on 11/11 most of us will give thanks to whoever we thank at times like this, that our family or friends are not out there in harm’s way - as we revere and remember those who fell long ago as well as those who stand a post - this day

Mark Kolke
340,548
196.8

Hello my friend – I am happy to hear your Dad is home and that you are feeling better. It may be that your Dad needed your physical energy for a few days to start to heal and that you did not have flu at all. Shake your head if you like but it’s a thought. Some days I can feel mom’s ailing spirit pulling at me to get her through a rough spot. I am learning to let her have my energy because she needs it more than I do at the moment. I am then grateful for family and friends to support me. Good you have PB for support. Take care of your Dad, Cheers, DB, Red Deer

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Hi Mark, I seem to not be getting musings for the past few days. Please keep me on the list as I am appreciating the small wisdoms that are coming through. ( An alternate address is XXXXX) Give your Dad a big hug and tell him you love him more than anything in the world. All the best and try not to worry. I know its hard not to but just enjoy this time with your family. PD, Vancouver, BC

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-1C/30F, easy breeze, cloud obscuring the sun, Gusta doing wind-sprints after squirrels, some walkers out this morning – all silent types, heads down, deep in thought

some days – like this one, a refreshing walk can bring new energy, renewed perspective and new facets of understanding self and others, new appreciation for PB, and energy that indicates to me that I likely didn’t have the flu – more likely a combo of fatigue, sleep loss and eating something that didn’t agree with me

some days - down time is the best medicine of all; it humbles, it reminds me that no matter what my ego might have in mind for me, when my body has a different idea, no matter what I think I want to accomplish, my body wins when it says ‘not today’

some days – like this one, the day after that really horrible one, things feel pretty good; I am not necessarily 100% but, compared to yesterday, it feels so great!

most days – I enjoy the buzz, the activity, the chase, the busy-ness as much as the results

some days – not so much

some days –like yesterday, I dread the next phone call, want to shut down and let my brain take some down time, some R & R time, some climb back out of the hole I am in time; yesterday it was a flu bug or something like that which put me there

most days – goals, objectives and plan in mind – I work to move things forward, advance initiatives, throw stuff against the wall to see what sticks, talk, write, imagine, work, struggle, negotiate

most days – feel like success, or some portion of it, in achieving something from those efforts

most days – I feel energized by all the whirling about of energy and ideas, prospects and creativity of people I connect with

this morning – I feel renewed, refreshed, slept, nourished – cannot compare to yesterday, yet there seems value in comparing them; I feel several thousand per cent better today; PB’s TLC, chicken soup and sleep seem to have been a winning combo; I’m still not so sure about putting anything risqué in my tummy, but for now it is a great day

Mark Kolke
340,572
195.4

What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

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Mark, I’m very glad for you and your Dad. Take care of them both, PB., SB, Calgary

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I loved DE's response - Dear DE, you have one sort of personality and Mark another. We can all be smart or very stupid about a number of issues but it is left to the Marks (and me) of the world to ponder the significance of it all. Keep on keeping on DE and in the words of Paul Simon yeah, "maybe I think too much" but man... I can't help it even if, ultimately, the answers are a mystery! CH, Chimacum, WA

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I find I must comment... I've discovered that a smile and a cheery word of appreciation work wonders on over-stressed hospital staff at all levels. Some do, I admit, may take a couple of cheerful encounters to get them in the "mood", but have never had one not respond in kind. Has always made my stays much more pleasant and the loving care level rises correspondingly. Selfish I know, but an inquiry as to how their day is going, somehow allows them to see me or my loved one as a person, not just a chart or bed to change. Life tends to be as good as you make it. Hugs and smiles, JB, Klamath Falls, OR

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Mark: How incredibly wonderful that your Dad is settling in to his "comfort" zone once more. Sincere good wishes to the both of you, B?, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

today’s Musing written and published from south Calgary, near Fish Creek Park

-1C/30F (high 11C), Gusta chasing rabbits and a beagle pup, owner dragging; short walk

I feel like crap but I feel great, I feel ill but I am very happy; as this long weekend of remembrance begins we get to pause, to remember, to revere those who sacrificed for us all in wars and conflicts – we owe them a huge debt

lately though, I’ve had my attention focused solely on one veteran – my dad; I took HK home from the hospital yesterday

triumphant warrior returning from battle – waves and smiles exchanged with people as he came through the door and went down the hall were almost as sweet as watching a sense of peace and satisfaction with the quiet overwhelm him; unending invasions of privacy and affronts to dignity behind him for now - as I was leaving him, affording him the first private moments in nearly two weeks he seemed happiest; all services that were supposed to kick into gear have – albeit with some difficulties – essentials are attended to and his needs are met; Hubert has asked me to convey to all of you who wrote or called, his sincere appreciation for your thoughts and messages – it means a lot to him, and to me

it seems my body felt there was time to squeeze in some trouble now that my load has been lightened; orange juice is staying down – that’s a good sign; last night sleepless fever, filled with visions of food poisoning and certain death, were exaggerated; it’s my turn to be sick – yuck – I hate being sick; PB says she will pamper me so I am torn between wishing for the 24 hour flu or the lingering kind that lasts through till Christmas 2009

Mark Kolke
340,596
198.0

What do you think? Join the discussion - your comments are welcomed - please write.

To subscribe to Mark's Musings daily email distribution, write to musing@maxcomm.ca

©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.