Musing

I’m a new reader and truly enjoy your words. Happy New Year!, KG, Dallas, TX

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As we prepare to watch "the ball drop on 2007", I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year, with the fulfillment of your fondest wishes in 2008. I hope, Grasshopper, that you and Pretty Butterfly can enjoy a rich and deepening relationship (a.k.a. Love) as you evolve your separate and now intertwined destinies together. Life can be soooo good! Regards, JN, Newmarket, ON

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Animals do not have words, yet they communicate; there re many ways of communicating without words; a look, a body carriage, nudge, signs. But yes, the world as we know it cannot function without words, and those who have mastered them are true architects, and artists. Happy New Year, EG, Calgary

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A Challenge for 2008 – Take your writing to the next level. Best Wishes, AW, Calgary

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-11C/12F, Gusta's nose down, oblivious to a big jack rabbit, white sentinel in the school yard, sniffing where he might have been; calm, light cloud, dusting of snow like yesterday's icing sugar on blueberry pancakes at Nellie's

end of the year, under the wire, on deadline; early, ahead, in front of, before; late, behind, lagging, overdue - these are just a few words - they no more capture a writer's essence than a lab captures a scientist or a camera can capture any experience we view

word-workers, servants of creative process trade on turn of phrase or sharpness of wit or point; a word or two or three, a message conveys meaning or not; branding does this to us in a brilliant age of marketing, merchandising, advertising and, occasionally, communicating; a quick phrase is a quick fix - the right set of words is like crazy glue holding the world together

fewer words do better it seems - right words, fewer words, a single word - the simpler the message, the clearer the meaning - but there are so many e-mails, clippings, papers, newswire items . . they just fly by my eyes, a glint here, snippet there, idea, spark, driver, inspiration - a few words will do; without words the world would literally collapse, fly out of its orbit and gravity would not exist - surely chaos would be the least of the problems in a wordless world; forget language, I'm talkin' no words in any language

words heal wounds, start wars, entertain, inform and describe everything about every thing - building blocks of anything solid or reliable in this life - without them we could not function or communicate or know or do much of anything but eat or sleep or screw; a baby's first word would not exist, an argument's last word would not exist or be needed

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice." - T. S. Eliot

a year ends, like a candle left burning after dinner - no one is in the room to see its last flicker, but in the morning it's wick stands ready to be re-lit

Mark Kolke
339,348
198.9

simply refreshing, simply true! . . . you're a very gifted writer, mark - thank you!, PD, Calgary

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Each year we watch the ball fall in Times Square and sometimes sip the bubbly; that's all; no taking stock of the past, no hard-fast resolutions for the future; as you say, divisions of time are artificial anyhow. How we learn and what we learn is indeed our own choice, as you say; and yes, let us grow with wonder and joy, EG, Calgary

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

-9C/16F, calm, clear, Gusta in hot pursuit of a plump gray bird, only one, that kept shrieking, street out, alley home . . brilliant sunshine, empty sky

no hurt is cured by lobster bisque alone – fresh French bread helps too – stirring, simmering, strained and savored helps; yesterday something was amiss, needed attention – call to arms, call to battle stations, call to the negotiating table - wake up call; awoke I did - discussion touched, touching taught, teaching begets learning, learning led to discussion - so a circle goes round

about 30 yrs. ago I bought a painting by Edmonton artist Fain; not for the images as for the colors that were right for my new office; a visitor pointed out that he paints 2 birds in his paintings, indicating the state of his relationship with the lady in his life – some very close, in others those birds are far apart and occasionally one bird, alone, over by the edge; I’ve wondered how one might capture that brushstroke symbolism with key strokes

how do we know if we are on the same page – or the same canvas, how do we measure distance when one leaves a room, how do we measure desire when no one is talking, how do we measure our world when everything important is within walking distance?

laughter helps that comes at the end, not the beginning; the beginning is where rough edges are rounded off, less edge . . . leads to worthy conversation

gentle stirring as night’s gentle edges connect to morning’s bumpy ones, night morphs - edges of morning, edges of night – favorite time of day to write or think or stare mindlessly off somewhere sweet; butterfly - over by the edge she rests, not far away, grasshopper tries to close the distance between the rough edges

Mark Kolke
339,396
197.9

... 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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Sound means a lot less to those of us who are sighted than to those who are not, where its nuances are critical. To those of us who are older and losing some appreciation of sound subtleness, we are also aware of that lack, as we turn up the TV or turn on English subtitles if they're available....To those of us in between, your sentiments are well appreciated, EG, Calgary

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don't know how I got on your List... however, I do read - and like what I read - your Lines, thank you... ! " ... - sound effects are just noise, but sound, if you listen carefully, affects everything - ... " I just hope the Sounds I make are NOT contributing to too much of the "NOISE" out there ... hahaha... Have a wonderful Day ... All the very BEST for the Year "2008" ... I'll be looking forward to more "musing" ... ! Take Care, RP, Calgary

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

-14 C/7F, cloudy, calm, traffic hums as the city resumes a somewhat normal Friday pace, Gusta amused by the garbage truck cruising the lane too large a toy to play with but fun to listen to its starts and stops and groans

everywhere I go some device spills noise into otherwise quiet space, taking up room in my room; the more I listen to the quiet the more I hear; the more I hear, the more I want quiet so I can hear more - resolve to listen more often, more intently - to listen for soundness of ideas, firmness of purpose, strength of resolve; listening to noise, listening to others; I think that to listen better is good, but to listen better, what should I do, should I tune out the noise, tune out the static – just listen to the important things, but then, how can I tell which is what?

sound affects little, listening - on the other hand - can affect everything; two dogs, one cat and PB with me in a room made an assortment of sounds; conversation minimal, patter with animals mostly one sided, room quiet and noisy at the same time – no tranquility, but there was peace, there was listening there après movie (we saw Atonement - liked it lots, sound effects and acting stood out so well from story well told) as we listened to Rod McKuen’s ‘The Sea’, recited poetry over orchestra sounds and surf sounds, so noisy, so quiet, tranquility amid violent waves crashing on rocks – inevitable relentless waves

outside, dawn broke, scarcely a sound - I know, I was watching; nothing moved, I know - I was listening - this morning, absence of light, absence of sound – thoughts invade conscious like conversation – as tapping keys made staccato-like music in that movie – sound effects are just noise, but sound, if you listen carefully, affects everything

Mark Kolke
339,420
198.1

... 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.

I enjoy your daily thoughts - even though I sometimes need to squeeze in the time to read them... so the challenge exists on both sides of the equation... Off to Jay Peak Vermont tomorrow for the day, to ski with my son... but the cellular reception at the summit is quite good... so when I next read your insights on my Blackberry, I'll be scanning the horizon at the top of a mountain and skiing with my son... Life doesn't get much better. I enjoyed meeting you (finally) at the Real Estate Forum and look forward to our paths crossing again in the new year. I hope that you have a great New Year's celebration and that the coming year provides you with health and contentment. Best regards, MG, Cornwall, ON

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I don't even try to finish the year, or set out plans for the new one. Our partition of time is an artificial one, varying from culture to culture, and before the days of calendars did not even exist except in an inexact fashion, and yet people lived out their lives.PB is wise, EG, Calgary

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Dear Gusta: Welcome Back … you so deserve your place of honor at the top!, BG, San Diego, CA

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Hi Mark - I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year and the same for Gusta!, RC, Calgary

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Thank you Mark for your friendship and Mussings. MK, Calgary

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Hang in there, Dear! ife will work itself out!!, JB, Klamath Falls, OR

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Love is always around the corner, I was told, not in the web, not far away. I will apply "THAT" IN 2008. Enjoy your new love, and I hope you both find in each other what you need to be happy. God has bless you with health and now with a new love, BP, Mexico City

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Hey, there… I have been out of the office quite a bit and it just hit me that I have not been receiving “musings.” Actually, I have retired and have been trying to change my email addresses from my former work email XXXXXX to my home email address of XXXXX. Can you please add my new email address to “musings”? Sure would appreciate it. Best wishes for you and your family for a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year, CFT, 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

weather/dog walk report: -6C/20F, clearing, calm, light dusting of snow overnight – Gusta sniffs at her own pace, investigating every familiar spot under that white blanket – no critters - driveway shoveling sounds make music of sorts at a strange pace

… I must go soon … breakfast meeting awaits followed by a day of pacing

I look back on this year – pacing and spacing a big part of it all – fitting things in, making room for new experiences, new people and new ideas – never arriving on a schedule, no scheduled time for arrival or departure, coping and fitting it all in is about pacing and exhaustion; the key is whether or not you are smiling . . and I am; life and pace are not about convenient scheduling – they are about tremendous inconvenience, turmoil in our world and in many cases some degree of turmoil and urgency in our personal world, chaos in the world of friends and family – the pace always unpredictable, but there will be a pace of some kind – or we will be pacing, awaiting its arrival

pacing myself, I began yesterday to sort, prioritize, organize and purge, till work matched time available - I’ve come to like PB’s assessment of it; she says I underestimate the amount of time things take while at the same time wanting to get everything completed resulting in exhaustion; she just rolls her eyes and gives me a tiny knowing smile

time running out, grains of 2007 hurtle to bottom of the hour-glass, so much yet to do, so little time – I had a whole year to do these things and here I sit, 5 days to go, so much left to do (sure, so much already done . . but much yet to do) pitter-patter, I must get at ‘er . .

I want to write more, but lately I’ve been setting aside less time for writing; I want to finish more but since I have been starting less we know where that will lead – to having less to finish; if I start less, there will be less to finish, then there will be time to write more, but then an increased pace of writing gets me buzzed . . . and then I start more, and then there is more to finish

Mark Kolke
339,444
198.2

... 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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Yesterday was a family day. As a single parent , I started my day early ...smiles...when I over slept. Then spent quite a time juggling as we all do, to go pick up my daughter's father and go visit his dad who is in an old peoples' home. 50s Christmas music was on and after greeting and kissing all the residents ,( some didn't even have visitors) I sat down on the floor with Cailtin to talk to Grandpa. It started to seem rather sad, like a lot of the people there were not only remembering other more happier yules but really waiting to go. Then the music turned to carols and Bing Crosby started singing "Silent Night"...timorously a few of us started singing and then over all our voices rose a really confident soprano and the mood changed and we smiled. A gift to give that we went to visit for a couple of hours? No what the peole there gave us! Our christmas gift, just being there in their company. The great thing about a kiss and a hug is that it is two-way...give /have And not just at Christmas, MM, ?

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You're right, time together is what everyone will remember down the road...do you remember what you got say two years ago?..I don't...And it doesn't matter, the spirit is what counts, 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

weather/dog walk report: -2 C/28F, light snow falling . . part rain, part flakes . . steady breeze, wet cold cheeks, Gusta unfamiliar with walking in daylight . . anxious to get back so she can chew her new squeaky toy

advertiser tugs at our values, merchandiser appeals to our kindness or friendship gene, purveyor of goods suggests bauble or garment will best get us a hug, give a smile – our humanity measured as an instrument of the economy; gifting, is economic stimulation, the degree to which we shop in frenzied fashion measures health of countries, corporations and financial institutions

yesterday – food, fun and family - gifting and gift opening, hugs and laughter, day of eating and eating and eating amid the din of simultaneous conversations in a large rooms, children open toys, everyone watches everyone unveil their bounty

for many, the degree to which they give or receive, measured in money, meaningless aftermath is a mix of credit card statement pain and emotional hangover – unless the secret ingredient is present; when we unwrap them, what is it that is there?

we had lots of that yesterday . . time ; time, rather than a shiny wrapped box, matters; time is not something we unwrap or put on display; time is not a measure of anything special, unless we are measuring the length of a hug, the height of a smile, the glow of a spirit . . then time is the best investment of all

today, hang-out time, visit time, more eating, more gathering . . I have time for that

time, is the squeaky toy – is the secret sauce for the sandwich of life . . have a bite, you’ll like it; time, well used, never comes on a bill at the end of the month . .

Mark Kolke
339,468
196.4

... 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

Hi Mark, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you and your lady and family a wonderful Christmas. I am so happy for you. I can feel how content you are right now. My whole family came over for Christmas Eve last night. Too much food, good conversation and we all had a great time. After cleaning up Neil and I sat until 4:00 AM just listening to music and talking. It was so peaceful after the fun madhouse. I have a ham is in the oven to take over to my sister’s house this afternoon; my contribution to what promises to be yet another feast and the chance to do it all over again. I love Christmas! My very best regards, SB, Calgary

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I am replying to you from my Mexican home. Thank you so much for your daily inspirational and thoughtful effort. Merry Christmas to you and yours. BU, Calgary/Mexico-Playa del Carmen

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Merry Christmas Mark, CL, Chestermere, AB

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The little pleasures in life; opening Christmas presents for one....A beautiful sweater, and CD's of the Messiah and Beethoven's ninth by Bernstein...all exactly what I wanted...And a lovely little surprise from my wife, a little red truck I told her I had wanted as a little boy and never got because we couldn't afford it. All were happy with their gifts...A good time was had by all, as we play the Halleluiah Chorus....And later today another (turkey) dinner.... Yes, let us remember those less fortunate than ourselves, and those that guard and fight for what we enjoy, and resolve to express our thanks, and help to make their lives better. And to all a good night, 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

this morning’s weather/dog walk report: 0 C/33F, calm, warm moon looked through light cloud to see a neighborhood so quiet that far off jets made more noise than distant hum of a car or two – cats caucused on a corner till Gusta dispersed them, tree lights here and there only hints of life on these streets, no walkers . . soon stockings will entice babes from their beds

when basking in comfort it is important to remember those who have less, who have to work, who have to fight, who have to struggle, who have to do so much so that we can – on this day at least – do so little as we relax and laugh under a blanket of safety, freedom and peace

icon and tradition, day of peace in a peace-less world, day of treasured moments - I wish you any measure of my bounty; Christmas – like always and not, like forever before and not, like never again, and not, no piece missing

large gathering today; PB’s extended family to soon pour in, then out again - later, the group will re-join for a big dinner – a 20 yr. tradition revisited; a cast of 20+ characters, a script, a set of operational procedures (I’m tending coffee and managing trash removal)

small gathering yesterday; PB, me, my daughters, my dad + PB’s three visited a bit before heading off to an evening with their dad’s family; we ate, talked, laughed; opened gifts, went ooh + ahhhh, treasures passed along; I took my dad home, he smiled, he was tired; helping him move around – arm grabbing, re-folding the walker, loading and off-loading, a hug – I remember Christmases long ago; I, a wide-eyed one, while he fetched and carried; memories of him stuffing trash paper in bags, pouring coffee, making sure everyone went home with every treasure intact and a hug, no piece missing

my creative juice-box re-charged; stream of consciousness - involves a flowing from some place to somewhere else – inevitably like life, of humble beginnings, humble endings, bravado between; no piece missing – reservoir run dry, yesterday re-filled it

Merry Christmas to all . .

Mark Kolke
339,492
197.8

... 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.

Happy for you Mark. “Joy surprises the patient soul”, PL, Calgary

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Merry Christmas Mark. Have a wonderful Christmas with your butterfly and the rest of your family... including Gusta of course !! Hope Santa is generous to all, CCC, Calgary

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Taking this moment to extend my very Best Wishes to you and your family at Christmas and to thank you for the past year of musings. I hope that my tradition of reading your musings each day will continue for a long time to come. I am very happy for you and PB and wish you love, laughter and health!, BP, Calgary

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The very best to you Mark I enjoy reading your morning e-mail We meet at the Coast Golf Tournament, FC, Calgary

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I just arrived home from Harrison Hot Springs (with the doctor) and I am going to catch the bus to Salmon Arm to have xmas with my parents. This is their last time to have xmas at home before they move into a Step down Facility...so the family are coming together to make it a special xmas for them. I wish you and your new friend a wonderful xmas and all the best in the New Year.You, my friend deserve the best! Lots of hugs and kisses, ML, Burnaby, BC

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

this morning’s weather/dog walk: -3C/27F, clear, milder feeling than the weather office says - full moon woke us as we walked, rabbit after rabbit drawing Gusta’s attention without regard for safety or traffic, her nose overruling her sight every time

traditions worth having vis-à-vis ones simply making Hallmark happy are distinguished by how much laughter is in a room, smiles witnessed, time we sit back contented . . relaxed, without angst, as gifts brightly wrapped spill outward from a spectacularly decorated tree; in a few hours, for a few minutes, a few children of every age will rip them open

turkey prep morning and work awaits – ‘my family’ tradition of dinner and gift exchanging this evening – tomorrow morning PB’s extended family will descend for what sounds like an early start to an all-day-moveable-feast . . ooh-ha!; the past six years have been very challenging – my daughters and my dad have been my tradition, strength and joy at this time of year; when I met PB she told me she came ‘with people’ – like a machine coming ‘with attachments’ – my ‘traditions’ experience grows

yesterday PB made her kitchen an egg-nog factory while I took my daughters shopping – repeating last year’s experience - shoe-shopping for their Christmas gifts at Arnold Churgin followed by lunch at Joey Tomatoes - seems we’ve created a tradition; traditions start the instant we do again what we did before that makes us smile - by doing again, this year, something that gave us great joy last year creates the tradition; once established, traditions form part of our lives for a short while at least, perhaps much longer (ie: turkey dinner, Boxing Day, gift exchanges, hanging stockings, Boxing Day sales)

shop, wrap, cook, clean, plan, fetch, carry - nearly done – enjoying time is here; this kind of enjoying has special meaning in most families – certainly in mine – nothing to do with religious belief or observance, even less to do with time honored custom, ceremony or circumstance - time spent enjoying simple activities with those we love

Mark Kolke
339,516
196.6

... 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.

Dos cervezas por favor. Back 31 December. Be Merry, JD, Calgary

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The Silence IS the message and the understanding! Life is love, BL, ?

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I agree with JB - tradition, or ?, but it just seems to set the stage for your musing to have the weather & walk come first. Interesting - we learn a lot about ourselves too when we notice the things we shy away from talking about or listening to, and conversely, what rivets us. And then, we really should do something about it even though it may require effort... Merry Christmas, SH, Calgary

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I agree, so much to learn from silence, more than the "silent majority" decisions. Words not spoken and action not taken convey volumes...Further explanation is not always necessary if we allow ourselves to understand. Yes, we can fool others and ourselves by our words and actions....And selective listening, like selective understanding, is an art imbedded in our psyche, 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

my morning walk: 0C/32F, clear, calm; Gusta followed her nose, completely missing the giant jack rabbit on hind legs, black tipped ears reaching for the sky, his white coat just part of the school yard landscape

I want to know what wasn’t said, I want to understand silence better

mid of night – hearing my quiet as people sleep, critters too, clock tick, clock tick, clock tick, furnace motor start, ductwork groan, warmed air moves, back to clock tick rhythm as dark outside edges to twilight, then it dawns

all things 9/10ths something, 1/0th something else

communication, like understanding, often comes – not in noise - but in silent space between the noises; it can be a word not said, a question not answered, an issue avoided ; I am adept at disguising feeling with words, emotions with action, understanding with . . . so I easily recognize it in others

non-verbal-ness, when enforced silence, is torture; when by observation, is delightful – more than body language alone, learning much - I find when someone doesn’t want to talk or write or interact, it is so informative about the issue avoided, the door closed, the direction changed – tells more in a moment than hours of hearing what is said

‘selective hearing’ is a punch-line; selective listening, an option; selective talking, revelation; I learn as much in terms of what they won’t talk about as I do from what they do talk about – no insight to issues, but certainly identifying what they are; in silence I explore these – a private viewing, a darkened room - late at night or early morn, alone, no absolute silence, no absolute understanding found

for those who care: regarding yesterday’s circulation of the Turtle Pie recipe (mine turned out great), the sauce should be made just before serving - drizzle on each piece – more than a garnish but not so much as to overwhelm; also, Carla and Krista arrived – PB and I took them to a movie (Charlie Wilson’s War . . great Aaron Sorkin writing, Philip Seymour Hoffman literally steals this movie – phenomenal) - conversation, movie and food followed by a night of rest to gird for a day of mall marauding and hanging out

little to teach them, much to learn from them, clock tic, clock tic

Mark Kolke
339,540
198.2

... 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’m relieved that the recipe for your musings once again has the weather/walk/Gusta report in it’s place of prominence, JB, Calgary

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I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and blessings for 2008. I am so happy for you that you have found someone special to treasure. You are lucky to have your daughters with you this Christmas. I will miss my children very much but I expect to have many more with them. It may be Mom’s last. We are having a small family Christmas with her. My new job is great, very busy and somewhat exhausting. There are so many activities in the community as well as teaching classes. I have the week off and am planning to relax, read and walk the dog. Somehow that has spun out of control already with thoughts of lessons for the upcoming semester. Oh well. Enjoy your Christmas and I will enjoy the Turtle Pie. It may be me but I think it can’t be better than sex but…. I am getting loads of sweet things and not anything else. LOL. Hugs, DB, Red Deer, AB

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

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

-16 C/3F, clear, calm, critters hiding – the term quiet neighborhood never more apropos, Gusta’s fur vibrating antennae tail explored new route, a school yard and down a lane

in and out they cross my path for a time, with little warning some leave us – most, like stars in daylight, always standing by (yesterday’s response from CB, JF, TL, SK - cases in point); ‘what it is’ that is so special in these delicious relationships, which ingredients and what formula for success makes some connections magical, others not?

cooking, simmering, baking, stirring, sautéing, roasting or boiling over – taking care, building connective tissue with people in ways we often only read about; thoughts of what worked, of what flopped - I want eye-rolling deliciousness in everything I create; I drifted, pondering recipes - especially one incredible one I lost

about 15 yrs. ago while paying the bill at my favorite restaurant Jack’s Grill in Edmonton, I remarked to the waiter it would be really great to have the recipe to my favorite, their showcase dessert, Turtle Pie . . . minutes later it was in my hands

I’ve been wanting to make it again this Christmas but have lost the recipe; I told someone once that Turtle Pie was better than sex – the response was that I must not be doing it right! . . . I had given the recipe to SA after I had made it for a dinner party about 14 years ago; my query to inquire if she still had it produced this response:

'ere t'is . . . Faded faxed copy reads as follows:

Kolke Consulting Services
To: Susan Doolittle
From: Mark Kolke
Re: Decadence – Turtle Pie a la Jack’s Grill
CRUST
Cuisinart/blend until crushed
3-3/4 cups pecans
1-1/4 cups sugar
7 tablespoons butter
Form and bake in deep 10-12 inch pie plate for 25 min at 325 degrees
Allow to cool
PIE
Melt over double boiler
1 lb. Bernard Callebaut chocolate
2 cups cream
When melted and mixed, whisk in 1 egg yolk
Pour into shell, let cool
SAUCE
Carmelize ½ cup sugar and ½ cup butter
Add ¼ cup cream; whisk
“Merry Christmas from my house to your house”
End of fax

– oh where do the years go!
Merry, merry to you!
S #3

recipe in hand, I shopped - today I’ll make two pies, cutting each into 10 wedges for treating friends and making new ones; thanks to SA for keeping ‘my recipe’ all these years and apologies to Jack’s - consider it free advertising by spreading the secret of your best dessert to 15,600 potential customers (note: Bernard Callebaut is a local Belgian chocolatiere ..the key is high quality semi-sweet dark chocolate . . and, of course, the care you put into it)

speaking of spectacular creations brought to Calgary from Edmonton - daughters, Carla and Krista, arrive later today to spend a few days . . no greater gift ever than spending time with them, no better ingredients to make any day superbly extraordinarily awesome - yes I love them, but I also like very much the delightful women they’ve grown to be

getting, finding, losing, finding again – sometimes it’s a romance novel plot, sometimes it’s a recipe – more often it is real life reality; those I care most about and I have found the best recipe of all - a secret for spreading

Mark Kolke
339,564
196.8


... 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.

Hello Mark: Just wanted to send a very Merry Christmas to you and your new partner Trish. I hope 2008 brings you both all that you so rightfully deserve. Enjoy this festive time! Please send special wishes to your Dad and to Krista and Karla as well. Happy Holidays!!!, CB, Calgary . . PS - give Gusta a tickle or two!

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Hi Mark, I write about once a year, so here goes. We just landed in PEI for holidays with the oldest daughter’s family. Looking forward to spoiling the grandkids. Wanted to wish you and all of your musing friends a very merry holiday and best wishes for the New Year, JF, Calgary . . from PEI

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Hey Mark....Christmas holidays in Denver.....picked up our ski equipment at the airport terminal yesterday and then stepped outside into 14C weather. Snow is forecast though. Deep stuff. Denver will often get two feet or more of snow overnight. Lasts about a week then the City resembles Calgary. No deep thoughts today. Just "think snow". Seasons greetings, safe travels, good health, to you and yours Mark, and to the many readers of your daily column. Cheers, TL, Calgary . . from Denver

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“Inquiring minds ask” … How is Gusta? … I noticed you no longer start your Musings describing your morning walk? … Why is that? … I miss that picture you painted …, BBB, San Diego, CA . . P.S.: Mark … thanks for responding … and, thanks for asking, things are terrific with me … still no love life, however you and the story of your “Pretty Butterfly” give me hope.

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Hello Mark, I was just musing that this time last year, I was in Canada having a wonderful ski holiday in Banff. How time flies. I've been out of touch with you for some time as work and personal life have overtaken me. I started seeing a man in February, a very kind, clever American but although we liked each other, there was too much distance between us for it to work. Also my mother has been very ill following her hip replacement surgery. It exacerbated an existing heart condition so I spent most of the summer driving back and forth to see my parents and try to help. I also came into a bit of money from an investment early in the year so I decided to travel a little more in Europe so I've been to France with my man friend, Germany with Ed and Germany again with an old school friend which has been great fun. On top of all that I've been focusing on my career to really improve my performance in an attempt to get a better job but I fear my age is working against me on that one. How are things with you and your family and Gusta? I hope you've had a successful year. I'll opt in to your musings over the Christmas season to catch up a bit. Peace and love to all, SK, Suffolk, UK

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By all means, stop, look around, take stock....It takes that much to begin to appreciate the world and our life in it. Yes, play, especially with one's family...The opportunity is now, and will never arise again...The 2007 holidays will be gone forever...seize their magic!, EG, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

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

stop . . wait . . hold-it . . hold up . . hold on . . take a deep breath or two . . now take another two or three . . . pause just a minute, will you please? . . . we miss so much if we don’t make time to pause deliberately; eems we have so little time to slow down or pause long enough to know what is happening or what we are settling for - most days, pace of race leaves no time for play, hectic, no time to taste life going by – until that moment is past, the opportunity lost, spirit put on hold . . . . oops

no time to waste, rushing MUST be done; activity more than ever imagined a few years ago fills our days – labor saving (I wonder about that term) devices make us fleshy connected USB ports – text message, call or email anyone, find anything Google’s inventors ever thought anyone might want – in real time, sliced thin, measured in nanoseconds

stop . . wait . . . pause just a minute, will you please? . . no worries, no pressure, just 4 shopping day - 96 hours from now Christmas morn will be underway with lights on in most homes, music playing – pause to hear delicious sounds - children giggling, coffee being poured, oranges being peeled, gift wrap being torn – and deep sighs, loud exclamations, big hugs, soft squeezes; if you listen carefully you will hear sounds of memories being stirred, hearts being touched and fingers reaching out to touch them

let moments pass, let opportunity go by - forgotten, compromised, or left out – then all that is left is mindless filler between memories, space between experiences – pace maintained, that’s the way it is; pause a little over the next 4 days. slice off some time to pause - sliced thin if necessary - but take some slices, don’t wait till they are all gone

for some little tikes this will be a first Christmas, for some folks it will be their last – no way to know how many of these memories we get to have, but we miss them completely if we don’t pause to hold those moments dear, not to say a Tuesday afternoon in April or a cold October night hold any less magic . . . but at this time of year there are more slices of magic than usual

life is a piece of cake, life is a slice - take a really big slice

Mark Kolke
339,588
197.2

this morning’s weather/dog walk report: -11C/12F, winter’s first twilight beckoned, clear, garbage truck hydraulic squelches paused the quiet, Gusta paws-ed with a black lab of questionable intensions, a school bus driver in a Santa hat paused to say Merry Christmas while making a last round before the holidays

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


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Would you please take my name of your mailing list. I get way too many items like yours and I do not have time to read them all. Merry Christmas to you and your family, DW, Calgary

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Good evening mark. I was just reading the header on your formatted blog site and you have a small typo. It makes me crazy when I do that so I thought I should mention it to you. Here is the context. XXXXXX Keep up the great writing. I do love seeing the weather notes in your blog as I sit by the pool in Panama in the morning and open my emails and then read the Herald. Take care, JR, Panama

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Why does Truth matter? Because it's universal, an ideal like its companion, Beauty....Without these two Nature cannot function, and is meaningless.. Everything that happens is true, but not necessarily beautiful...But we, imperfect as we are, have some of both, more or less...And seek both in our sober moments, EG, Calgary

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

with much help I learn – to see more meaning, listen for more understanding - speak out, speak up, speak about things a-mattering because I should and things worth listening to too, like truth; but what is truth and why does it matter anyway?

I used to think (still do) truth important, but so focused on that - it overshadowed other important issues; often I missed completely - misunderstood issues of competing values, points of view jockeying for moments in the sunshine, like understanding and tolerance or quality of time

and illumination - to spread light on things, nuanced shaded understanding – seasoning sprinkled to bring out juicy flavored morsel – like last night’s pot-luck party at my Toastmasters club – interesting recipe each time we gather: take 25 people, put in a room, stir in libations, good food, laughter, seasonal influences – yield: good time - learning and exploration amid laughter and observation

perhaps a cross-section of some diverse demographic – listening exercises amid the speaking, illumination in the room, often as not a few lightning bolts of clarity, flashes of hubris, poignancy between pauses, pauses between laughter, sad amid glad

I took PB with me to meet friends I spend Wednesday evenings with; DD opened her home to host, graciously as always; we’ve become in just three years – a collage of common bonds, uncommon people, widely varied skills and experiences – a web of connections and knowing not unlike a family, in fact, just like a family – sprinkled, seasoned, delicious

Mark Kolke
339,612
198.2

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

this morning’s weather/dog walk report: -3C/27F, dawn’s fingers reach around, squeeze darkness out of morning – autumn’s last day – kaput over, finis, , winter arrives tomorrow - tonight our longest, tomorrow a very short day; dawn’s early light brought sky bathed in soft hues, Gusta strained to greet meet some backyard yappy mongrel, school buses rolled by - winter arrives here tomorrow, seems like it has been here a while already

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


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I am on yet another exotic holiday, Best Wishes for a safe, happy and festive holiday OH, Edmonton

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Dec 19 - Jan 3 I will be in Texas! Happy Holidays!, KK, Calgary

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Tis the season of 'O Holy Night, the Stars are Brightly Shining'...the goodness in the night is revealed. Darkness of the spirit or soul comes from within, not from the passing of daylight to night. Many people find their 'muse' in the early hours before dawn when their alone time makes the moments poignant and illuminating. SL, Calgary

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Please add me to your list. I just moved my employment and had to terminate at that location. Now I want it back. Thanks, BC, Calgary

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It was nice to visit with you yesterday. We were headed to the vet because we have two invalid dogs. One is our 11 year old female Border Collie who was stampeded by one of our horses in October and is healing a broken leg. The other is a stray Aussie we recently adopted who was hit by a car as a stray and is now recovering from a dislocated hip. Anyway, that's the story with our poochies and our tip to the vet and they are both doing very well. t looks like I'll may be getting back to Calgary in the new year and we'll get together. Have a great Christmas and New Year, ME, Bozeman, MT

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I have come full circle...Mark and I realized yesterday that we have become that proverbial "Saturday Evening Post" picture of parents all over the world.. we will be assembling bikes this year on Christmas Eve. And there will stand not one, but two under the tree; a fixed gear road bike for my 20-year-old and a tricycle for our almost-two-year-old. When Mark suggested that we have someone assemble them for us, I scoffed at the idea. What? Are you kidding me? You have not been inducted into the Parental Hall of Fame until you have spent 9 hours, 8 phone calls to customer service, 4 t-shirt changes, 27 swear words and 1 bottle of wine on Christmas Eve bicycle assemblage. Little does he know that none of the instructions come with words. There will be minute, smeared pictures to interpret and requisite pieces will be missing. But I wouldn't trade this experience for the world! Work's great, boys are doing very well. Bryan was accepted into UC Santa Barbara for his Junior and Senior years of college. He's very excited and looking forward to a new chapter away from home. Kyle graduates from high school in June and has a girlfriend, and Brady is struggling with his third year of Spanish but is acing Algebra II. Go figure. And Delaney is a delightful bundle of non-stop chattering energy. She has recently discovered that "vertical" provides a new and interesting perspective so she is climbing anything that seems to offer a toehold; the more precarious, the better. We're all looking forward to relaxing vacation time after the holidays. Ahhh...12 days off with nothing to do! Mark gave me a new camera for my early b'day present, so I have been documenting Delaney's every waking move. And some sleeping ones.. Have a wonderful holiday with your "butterfly" and family. Couldn't be happier for you both! Warmly, LR, Irvine, CA

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Why are denizens of death and evil always associated with night, and why must vampires crawl into their coffins and hide from day at dawn? I find nothing supernatural in darkness, it's comforting in fact, associated with necessary rest and recuperation, and sleep with the "companion in life." Night and day are partners as you say, in the on-going life of the planet, and our souls, EG, Calgary

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I went to BPs website and I just want to say, what wonderful Art! Enjoyed looking through the website very much. A talented person! Merry Christmas to you Mark, and all your readers. DM, Red Deer

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Re: in box, Lots of luck on that one! . . Re: you can't take it with you, I believe all your "treasures" go with you... the sort you can't really see or touch. Though the more tangible kind can tie you down or hold you back... from moving on to discover the wonderful new treasures that are awaiting you. Re: a moment to pause, Wise words... oh enlightened one!! LOLOL You will survive the pause, JB, Klamath Falls, OR

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

dark of night is not a metaphor for darkness of spirit or avoidance of daytime challenges, time and place for repose I suppose, in the dark, things are cooking; contented, I snatched another day, escaped to night, fled to calm, to darkness, slept fast – then rose to savor empty of night, absence of filling, street light glow reflects on the under belly of an overcast sky, starless moonless gray cocoon captures it, holds it in place for me

there is no difference in the world late at night, or so early that it is not yet fair to call it morning - but it feels different; very early, still night still is, morning only an idea, this quiet I like so very much – time to write certainly, time to sit - coffee in hand – time to step out on the deck to soak up emptiness of night, soon to be filled again as activity, traffic and daylight will send night cowering to a corner for a few more hours before it takes over again, night waits – it rests in shadows for its next call to duty

lover of sun, daytime, summer, mild weather - all things daylight, I find darkness has qualities, deserving ones - needing light shone upon them – illuminating my mind without affecting qualities of the darkness

this time of year, perhaps best appreciated by we nocturnal creatures, when days shorten, nights get longer, longer yet, soon we will be at night’s longest reach into daylight hours; alone at 4:30 or so in the morning is - for most of us - time of solid sleep that leaves us rested, leaves us prepared for a new day . . then leaves us at dawn

dark is not a place to hide or a state of a sad mind – or a weary one – dark, handmaiden of night, partner of day, gentle guiding hand of calm, crucible of reason – place of joy or mourning, offers no reflection, but remember - darkness is where stars shine

Mark Kolke
339,636
197.1

this morning’s weather/dog walk report: -10C/14F, inky splits here and there in the overcast, all houses dark, calm, Gusta sniffs for critters of interest, finds none

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


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I enjoy your stream of consciousness writings - reminds me of my own! I truly believe that the path to "happiness" is to merely watch the conveyorbelt of ideas going by - not laying claim to any of it as "knowledge." Allis merely thought - everything began as an idea in the mind - and as such is no more "real" than the thought behind it! A quick look at our thoughts reveals the chaotic logic, the impossible dreams, the thrust of fear in some form or other. If "I" were to learn what "they" know, then everything would be cool because then I could be in control of my Universe! Not likely. We who can't even control our minds have little chance of controlling anything! The solution - release, let go, allow that the Universe will/is/has unfolded just as it is "supposed to." Still we move through it and make choices, experiencing the effects of our choices, life mirroring our ideas of it - while all the time we can step off the merry-go-round (as John Lennon put it) and merely watch the wheels go round. "The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it put your whole soul into it - every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." ~ John D. Rockefeller . . , BL, Bozeman, MT

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I haven't written in a while, in spite of some very thought-provoking musings from you in recent weeks. First, congratulations on the advent of Pretty Butterfly to your life. It sounds like you have finally found what you and your "inner-self" have been seeking for so long.I felt the urge to respond to today's Musing, particularly the comment "I want a point where information and understanding cross over, every day", as I believe that I found one today. I arrived at work, dug into my daily morning "dose" of e-mails, was sorting, sifting, deleting, etcetera...so much widely varied information. Then I got a phone call...advising me that my best friend (since college days) passed away last night. This was information that I could have wished to defer...indefinitely. Yet, it certainly made information and understanding cross over - for me...very abruptly! So, I believe, today, that the point where information and understanding can cross over for us is where the information is most deeply and personally relevant to us - or impacts us on a very direct level. This cross over from information to understanding was traumatic for me today. I don't think that I could handle such a cross over daily. Hopefully, your cross-over points will be more of the "aha" or "eureka" nature, where information can be sorted into logical order to become understood and then processed to produce utility and/or functionality as a result of the cross over. All the best, and Happy Holidays, from a steady fan!, JN, Newmarket, ON

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Hello !! Is nice to hear from you (personally) Thank you for remembering me. I had been focusing in my work now. I have a company that decorates walls with Giclees from my art work; This is especially for business, hotels, hospitals, etc.. and eventually homes.I am sending you my web page www.opcionindigo.com I have not been reading your daily notes, sorry ,but my work has taken all my time. I am proud of you that you have kept doing this for so long.My email had change. Please use this one now. If you ever come to Mexico City, let me know, I will more than glad to meet you. Hugs, BP, Mexico City

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I enjoy your musings every day Mark. They keep me up on a lot of important things back home in Calgary. Well the weather is important for us snowbirds, As for the other stuff, it seems to filter in by osmosis, as you say just walking around. "I guess there is nothing that will get your mind off everything like golf will. I have never been depressed enough to take up the game, but they say you can get so sore at yourself that you forget to hate your enemies." - Will Rogers . . . JB, ?

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Are needs and wants mutually exclusive? Or are they simply subliminal messages festering within our subconscious, preying upon the vanities of an ego? Are the needs truly needful and are the wants truly wanting? As we see the parade of goods that are presented to us in attempt to pacify our stressful lives, do they truly quell that restless spirit inside of us? How can you fill the universe with a drop of rain? Things to think about when you’re musing in Maui., MM, Kahului, HI

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So far, I've been able to keep up with my emails, but some I delete immediately....I can't read fast enough to keep up with 10 newspapers or read all of the articles that appear on my MSN and Google sign-on screens. "Information and understanding crossing" is, I agree the Holy Grail of wisdom....I'm using this interregnum between careers to try to do just that, digest the old, prepare for the new..., EG, Calgary

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by this time, each day, I’ve killed a few hundred - e-mails; unrelenting – releases, disclosures, news, forcasts, outlooks, climate change, pollution, oil prices, greenhouse gases, carbon footprint – so much to digest before and during another output driven day – little time to sort useful or provocative from inane

bits of this, pieces of that – soon, a big pile of something – in a while they all look the same – flowing on a conveyor belt with a broken stop button - as fast as I try to take it off the belt, it comes faster, more each mind numbing minute; I wade in, but rarely get through it all – someone is always selling this box or that research, sometimes hoping I’ll find some newsflash about some study proving that reading kills rats

is being aware of trends and causes, politically correct or not, being informed or do we simply regurgitate what someone else understands a wee bit about (or not – who knows?); if I skim 10 newspapers, if I get 3 newswire feeds, am I better informed than someone who has time to thoroughly read just one newspaper – or none at all, perhaps learning more by walking around observing life rather than reading about it?

I want a point where information and understanding cross over, every day

unrelenting

Mark Kolke
339,660
197.3

this morning’s weather/dog walk report: -7C/19F, clear, light breeze, sliver of moon watched over, Gusta found no joy watching lap dogs walking their owners – we returned without a rabbit sighting, maybe the coyotes were busy last night . .


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


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Yes, always that precious commodity Time....completely non-renewable, more so than our natural resources...Use it well, prioritize, but create enough for all of the essentials (when we've decided what they are). I think that what Will meant was that things happen which are completely unforeseen and for which no preparation could be made, like sudden and devastating accidents, fires, being struck by lightning...We need to adjust to them after the fact, if we're still around. But you're right, many times we have multiple warnings... 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

-2C/29F, clearing, Gusta pulling hard – she normally does this for one rabbit – this morning, hot on the scent of five hyper-active bunnies in loose herd formation (family time I suppose), too funny to describe, but you get the picture

“The future has a way of arriving unannounced.” – George Will

George may be right . . but I think the future sends us lots of warning signs; looking back, most major events or changes in my life were things that came with many warnings, clues, hints and chances to change course – I see that looking back; maybe I should walk a half-step slower and watch for clues a little better . . if I only could find the time

each day, especially Mondays, a crush of things to do, news to absorb - life’s pace thrown in my face like first splashes of a cold shower – STOP, take a moment, deep breath now . . be still, be calm, think, breathe, relax

time puts space between things, time to think but rarely enough of it to go around; I think we too often look forward, or back, without much regard for relevance; but who, really, has the time; OK .. take a few more moments to answer these: ‘what is truly important?’, ‘what was important to me a year ago?’, ‘what will be important a year from now?’ and, ‘what will be important to me by the end of today?’

a year will soon be over; sooner yet - a season will change – and who knows how this day will end - can we count on anything?

I am well, my pretty butterfly is on the mend . . . on the go, busy day awaits, I’ll worry about the future later, maybe tomorrow, if I have time; today I’ll try to make some difference – I can do that, but I know I can’t make time – I can spend it, waste it, use it, pass it . .

look forward, look back, see your future arriving - take some time, use some of mine, I seem so far away from ever running out

Mark Kolke
339,684
198.2

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


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Morning Kolke....I too am making chicken soup...which I also expressed to my mother in our daily phone call....she asked "oh, do you have a cold, dear?"...to which I replied "No, Mom, I have a chicken!". Hope all is well.....think of you often, KN, Camrose, AB . .. PS....and you know I hardly ever reply to your musings even though I do have thoughts/comments...LOL

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What a gift you have for reminiscence and analysis, and then conveying it in a poetic fashion like a canvas painted with words. We can indeed change an idea, conceive a dream and then live the dream, and yes, that is the most powerful and satisfying thing we can do in life. My regards and best wishes for recovery to your "butterfly!", EG, Calgary

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To subscribe to Mark's Musings daily email distribution, write to musing@maxcomm.ca
©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

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

-1C/31F, clear, light breeze, empty streets – Gusta fails to find the rabbit whose scent she was chasing, I’ve no idea where ideas come from, but I want some more - a quiet ‘at home’ day yesterday, my bisque making postponed - butterfly acquired a bug (no doubt a shopping mall induced fatigue/illness) - instead I brewed chicken soup

ownership – of things, a process we internalize, an issue that is near, an idea we hold dear, a responsibility we take on – each involves effort to control something, but we control so little, if anything at all

health, good or bad, idea, good or back – or project or plan - so profoundly little control – yet I have notions I can influence direction, attitude, worth, value, pace - just too compelling to let slide, too exciting to view from a sideline; when an idea is worthwhile it has life in it, it can be bigger than all of us; it lurks in our living, it hides at our desks – easily lost in a sheaf of papers, as images drift – in and out - routine offers an illusion of calm, we need it, but the unexpected disruption of routine offers a mind stretch opportunity; ideas float in and out again like characters in restless night’s dream - some stay behind to roll around like food on our tongue – awaiting smooth swallowing or expulsion – delicious or not

changing the path of an oncoming train is difficult, derailments are costly; changing the path we walk costs little; a simple decision but consequences are often dramatic; changing an idea – consciously or in our dream – is the most powerful thing we do, it is not about dreaming our life – it is about living ourdream

reality, dreams, ideas, plans – these are often in conflict - but, since they creep onto our canvas anyway, nothing prevents us from weaving them together, nothing other than self-created barriers in our minds – images drift in and out . . . we need to let them

Mark Kolke
339,708
197.9

... 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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Great ideas do require other ideas to spring from, ideas about one's own experience or that of others, and as you say, PASSION! You're right, we cannot undo what has been done, so it's best to make it as right as it can be made, and relish and relive what was good. I'm sorry to hear that your father is ill...I hope he has had a good life for a' that...Enjoy your lobster bisque!, EG, Calgary

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Re: path through darkness – Happy Anniversary, JB, Klamath Falls, OR

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.

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

-9C/16F, short walk, calm, overcast – Gusta romps in the yard looking for a forgotten bone or a frozen crabapple somewhere in the snow for munching . .moving slow like me

ideas don’t require water or fertilizer - fertile mind, nurtured by passion – they become enormous adventures - Hawaiian ones rip in and out of my mind, life altering thoughts, trade wind wishes – not so much idea, wish or dream but reality not yet reached, not yet affordable, not clear what’s next, not about to give up, not about to be taken off track

revisiting joys, re-inspecting the warmly remembered - like spring day park walking ignoring a blizzard – insulates from reality, avoids - too many thoughts compete for one sleepy brain’s attention, too many thoughts planted - need for focusing on an individual idea - lazy day awaits – some reading, writing, lobster bisque making – ideas to mull

some do – I mean ideas - take root immediately, others wait for some far off spring, others dormant to re-surface on whim like unfinished business overdue for resolution, demanding attention - not getting it; little idea – stays small - set aside, hardy tyke not forgotten, niggling, not denied, not forgot; ideas, like plants start out in strange ways; some planted purposefully, others windblown seeds settled in some crevice of memory

retention - water or salty tear - wishes set aside, hope not lost; old ways yield to new – abandoned last looks back at what might have been, never was – one thing to focus on, one path to walk – to affect my future, make dreams reality; no debt owed for taking it on, no awareness risk, no feeling risk, no easy solution; some buy or sell, trade huge risk on thin margin, invest and hold – rework fundamentals, revisit charts – no fix for a past that passed - new fixes fix only - some debts never repaid – best left as fond memory not ruined

visiting a cardiac clinic with my dad yesterday taught us both – he, joyed-up that someone listens, investigates, works on his issues - no easy solution, worn weary body, no easy fix, irreversible is just that - a lesson (preview!) in improving and maintaining health; I visited the gym after too long an absence, cooked a very low-sodium meal last night . .

Mark Kolke
339,732
197.4

... 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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I am going to be the first with a roof rack on my coffin so I can take my toys with me, VJT, Calgary

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Then I'm not going!, TD, New York, NY

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You make an excellent point, last night as well as this morning, about giving away precious things before we stop enjoying them...It should be such an experience of sharing and charity...And we hope that the receiver feels that way in return. I haven't done any of that myself, but may start... As for taking it with us; to WHERE? I almost envy those who have faith in the hereafter..., EG, Calgary

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We have a large family. My spouse and I have decided to give ourselves this Christmas, by having an arranged meeting with each one of our children on their birthdays in the coming year, and having them out for dinner, one at a time, in order to give them our undivided attention for a few hours to explore their hopes and dreams for their own lives. JM Calgary

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Increased libido for women in menopause? That is what "they" say - whoever "they" are - but most of the women I know in menopause complain exactly of the opposite. -DW, Toronto

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Thought that you may enjoy this (attachment) as you think of your butterfly. Seasons greetings to you, DM, Red Deer

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Happy early ground hog’s day to the Men-who-Pause………………… Well done Mark. A wonderful essay on the women we love! I look forward to the results of this resourceful potstirring!!!!, KDK, 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/28F, dawn and a steady breeze lifts overcast - brings a band of light to shine on the darkness, Gusta sniffed mole and gopher holes, we walked the lagoon route, no one in sight

parties are interesting studies – laughs, behavioral research, last night, pot luck, laughter, libations, gift exchanges – insights and a singular intriguing moment, thanks KL for making my day – enjoy that treasure, get from it some small measure of what it meant to me

my challenge is to not lose focus on my intention, not lose focus on my purpose; I’ve begun a new branch of my path, started another leg of the journey – I expect to give away a lot more of my treasures in coming days – already I’ve found there is nothing more thrilling than seeing someone else thrilled with something I’ve found precious or profound

gift giving season becomes a blur - list striking, wrapping, shopping centre parking lot navigation – STOP, set that aside - take a moment, ask what you treasure most – or, make it easier, just pick your top three; my treasures hang on walls, sit on tables or gently rest in drawers – I horde them like scrooge - keeping them safe, lone guardian of their value

things I treasure most are not for hording, but for giving away - the best gift I might give someone is more likely to be in a box or drawer than on a store shelf; I unleash a treasure’s value best by putting it in someone else’s hands; I’ve begun to give my treasures away, as many as possible (someone expressed concern I might not be well – that I might be ‘getting my affairs in order’ - not the case, but shouldn’t we always have our affairs in order?)

you can’t take it with you – most of us try to keep it until we are ready to go; I see this phrase in a new light - we can take some ‘it’ with us (depends how you define ‘it’); my relationships are light to carry around, rarely a burden, easy to pack for a trip but a lot of ‘my it’ is stuff, requiring boxes and a truck to move around

giving away my most precious things lightens my load, increases freedom and helps me relinquish control (as if I really have such a power) over things; value of treasures multiplies when given away, and time is precious . . yes, I’m giving more of that away too

Mark Kolke
339,756
198.4

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


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Mark, today is my last day of work at my current job and at this e-mail address. I look forward to reading your musings every day so would greatly appreciate if you could change my e-mail to XXXX Thanks so much! TB, Calgary

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Surely you expected such a deluge from the other side!.. We both have experience enough to know that...Yes, my wonder at the whole world has become more focused as I've aged as well...And yes, I have some of the unpleasantries that your female respondent lists, especially falling asleep between dinner and bedtime (I shouldn't have such a comfortable recliner in which to watch TV) So, onward with our tenderness to our goddesses..., EG, Calgary

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we are all spiritual beings struggling with human existence. men too go through menopause, hot flashes, night sweats etc similar to women. as for nose hairs, neck hairs and such i see this as in no way comparing anything remotely similar to female menopause. many women in mid years have mustaches, nose hairs fart more and have incontinence also.. better your lady friend tried to understand or at least speak about the trials and tribulations that men go through as they age better we all be more accepting and compassionate better that men too start to open up more about their fears, their needs, dare i say their feelings ??????? we all go through life changes -menopause-- we all age if we live long enough to do this and many men end up with enlarged prostates. men need to network more as women do. well, just my musings at this moment .... happy holidays, KM, ?

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OK, now that we have a list started... what about the ADD channel surfing of middle aged men - really, as if you weren't there at all... and the impatience not just in traffic... and I'm not sure of this in your case Mark but there is just a generalized "shrinkage" in generosity, willingness to compromise and the ability to try new stuff that so many middle aged men suffer from. Whew, thanks for listening. CH, Chimacum, WA

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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, morning sun rose to a steady warm breeze, Gusta looked at several dogs – they held no interest – but that Springer Spaniel cross sure looked like a ready playmate

we went to CB’s seasonal soiree – thanks - nice to see you and meet your colleagues; the path home somehow led through Inglewood to Sugo - without reservation, they took us anyway; noshing awesome prawns and fettuccini at the bar, delicious moments

as I get older I my view less, but hopefully I see a little more - in each instance, I see what I want to see – yet look right by things that don’t matter to me oblivious to many things of marginal importance, focused on the heart of matters, or sometimes just on the heart

there remains, however, a challenge for all of us, to see how others see us . . .

yesterday’s piece on menopause drew response – not least of which was from PB – she feels, in the interest of fair-play, I should comment on what women confront with ‘men of a certain age’; she says (not necessarily all of these are about me) mid-life men do things women endure, equally challenging as those I poked fun at yesterday; to name a few: un-trimmed nose and ear hair, not shaving on weekends, raw (like a wood rasp) skin on feet that scratch tender shinbones, falling asleep without notice between dinner and bed time, flatulence and burping, furry necks of men who don’t get haircuts often enough, explosive mood swings (ie: yelling at pedestrians and other drivers)

you may see her as a sweet woman – slight in stature, dignified and proper, smart and kind, sweet and charming, smart and sassy, of good taste and good breeding – whereas I might simply see her, without reservation, as a pretty butterfly

she, on the other hand, easily sees right through me . .

Mark Kolke
339,780
198.4

... 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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Hi Mark -- I'm enjoying your musings. I'm not yet going through the change but I plan to save this for when I do and just hand a printout to my husband. Who knew he had so much to look forward to!, J?, ?

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A comment of being a doer rather than just a watcher. “There is a great dignity in being a spectator; and if you do it long enough, you are dead inside” C.P. Snow writing in “The Affair”, JM, ?

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Dearest Mark: Here I sit in my office laughing out loud at your hilarious take on this trying time in life for we women of the world. Your sense of humour delights me & your perspective will likely allow you & your pretty butterfly to sail right through any rough meno-waters you confront. Fondly, JH, Kelowna, BC

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I can't wait to read the responses to this one. There will be some wing-flapping to be sure. Ch, Cimacum, WA

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I'm not quite sure how to approach the problems you mention today...In my case, my b'flies have always been either pre or post, and it would be extremely unlikely that at my age I will ever be faced with the dangers you put forward.. However, "nurturing the goddesses" is always a good idea anyway...It makes one's life easier and more fulfilling.... Regards, 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

0C/32F, Chinook arch brings warm, Gusta enjoyed the lab pup and the poodle on our path to the soccer fields, overcast, windy

men of all ages, take a moment to pause, out of respect for our tired, weary and bewildered brothers who have gone before us, and those who struggle even now, who weather the storm and especially those currently committed to mental health facilities, let us bow our heads for these brave men cut down in their prime by this incredibly bizarre debilitating condition and to those survivors who have courage to talk about it – setting aside their wounds to confess they lived with it – this ode to men-who-pause

just as Wile E. Coyote is far more likely to have an Acme Anvil hit him on the head than to be eating roast road-runner, men-who-pause recognize no matter how resourceful, caring or strategic we might ever be, there is no understanding hormonally altered woman; not to say we get it right ever - or often - we observe, navigate, facilitate and often irritate the situation; but we are not – and in this I believe I can speak for all men – I repeat, we are not unsympathetic; we attempt understanding, we strive to avoid conflict, we nurture our goddesses while at the same time we recognize how precariously close to danger we tread

I’ve met many women ‘of a certain age’; ranging from late 30’s to late 50’s, who experience ‘the change’ a little, or a lot; we know it in a hot-flash moment – room temperature varies without warning, we are ready to volunteer for therapy until we learn it is hormone replacement therapy; with the stealth and cunning of Wile E. Coyote, we men-who-pause give deference, at a safe distance in tense times, awed by the impact of tides, moon and mystery of these hormones when it affects the women we love

in early stage menopause-watch, exercise caution, learn, listen, learn again, listen again . . perhaps do some reading - minimal speech is recommended - remember, in addition to all the ‘not so nice’ elements of menopause, there are many delightful side-effects such as: reduced home heating costs (hot flashes), no need for a humidifier in the bedroom (night sweats), increased libido (no fear of pregnancy), no excessive eye makeup (spontaneous crying), excitement (risk of being shot for-simply-existing mood swings), reduced requirements for making sense and forgetfulness (meno-fog), more free time (she needs less sleep), your diminished eye-sight and sense of proportion/propriety help you say ‘honey, you look so thin in that outfit’ (sudden weight gain)

to men currently in hormone-watch, what can I say other than ‘eventually it will be over’ and when it is over, really over(not necessarily), but compared to what you’ve experienced it seems like it’s over, you may simply be ready for ‘the home’ because a mood swing could send you into sudden-death; I don’t mean overtime, I mean sudden death

if you have completed your ‘tour of duty’, collect your prize – buy a sports car, buy a hat . . . but DO NOT trade your butterfly in on a younger model or you will have to go through it all again, and again, and again

Mark Kolke
339,804
197.2

... 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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I agree completely, but then there's the old admonition,"Hitch your wagon to a star" which I also believe in to some extent....Maybe I can be bitten by a spider, or visit Krypton. What I do believe is that I haven't explored all of my possibilities yet, but will continue to do so to my last breath...(I can't swim either), EG, Calgary

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How is life treating you this days. I think of you everyday. I have just back from then Dominican Republic and found the weather quite crisp here to say the least. I enjoyed the nice weather over yonder and had a nice time. I got robbed at knife point which was so scary....but at least I am alive to tell the tale. Are you going away for xmas to a warmer climate or perhaps you are having it with your butterfly and some of your children. Either way I know that you will have a few days off in a row...so enjoy. Have a great day sweet man, ML, Abbotsford, BC

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©2007 MaxComm Communications, all rights reserved.