Sunday, July 29, 2018
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Be Safe Out There
Given to thinking too much, I wonder what people have in mind when they proffer glibittudes. Is it a polite reminder to use condoms, or check how many interactions my partner's had since her STI screening?
Gazing into the night, watching the lightning, I was surprised to see the bloom of bright red where moments before a bolt had hit.
I was here....
N41.20525 W116.40835
Soon, it covered a large enough area to warrant a call. Elko Fire took my coordinates and estimate of the fire's location. The waxing & waning kept me entertained for about an hour; far better than tv. Fortunately, it was a few miles off.
This morning there was smoke in the air, even after the winds that'd accompanied the isolated thundershowers. Around 9:30, the plane came by, just as I was taking care of "morning business." After flying over to where it'd been and circling a few times, they went back from whence they'd come. (...whence they came?)
It leant a bit of perspective to the delightful aphorisms that constitute our expressions of care and concern. Ahhhhh, alliteration.
Oh! And havva nise day.
Gazing into the night, watching the lightning, I was surprised to see the bloom of bright red where moments before a bolt had hit.
I was here....
N41.20525 W116.40835
Soon, it covered a large enough area to warrant a call. Elko Fire took my coordinates and estimate of the fire's location. The waxing & waning kept me entertained for about an hour; far better than tv. Fortunately, it was a few miles off.
This morning there was smoke in the air, even after the winds that'd accompanied the isolated thundershowers. Around 9:30, the plane came by, just as I was taking care of "morning business." After flying over to where it'd been and circling a few times, they went back from whence they'd come. (...whence they came?)
It leant a bit of perspective to the delightful aphorisms that constitute our expressions of care and concern. Ahhhhh, alliteration.
Oh! And havva nise day.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Basin Boot Barn & Shoe Repair - Klamath Falls
Muh feets comes down on the outter corner of muh-heel. After a while, the upper takes to leaning off tuh the syd, lak uh boat heeling over.
Ensconced az ah wuz, on the peninsula at Eagle Ridge County Park, I sat in the early-morning light of Saturday, eying 'em up. And decided it was time.
I 'splained how I LIVE in muh boots and ast "Iz there enny chance you could git to 'em rite away?" Dwight, the owner, offered that if I could bring 'em in Monday morning at 7:30 (SEVEN-THIRTY!!!) when he opened, he could probably get them done by the end of the day. I said I'd get back to him.
Thinking it'd be easier on everyone if I could leave 'em for several days, I called the shop in Elko, Nevada, where I was heading. He was backed up for over a week. It'd be ten days before he could start. I called Dwight.
It was now around 10:00 a.m. He encouraged me to bring 'em in, adding that he closed at 2:00. If I could get there soon, he could tear 'em down and they could be drying out. He'd work on 'em Monday.
I arrived at the shop to find it locked and dark. I called. I THOUGHT I'd been calling the place where I was. Leery of Boot Barn -- it's a chain, ain't hit? -- I'd called another shop. Now, standing outside it, I heard, for the first time, Dwight say, "Boot Barn and repair." I 'cided tuh go see. Checking Google for the address, I noticed he was an authorized White's dealer. Hmmm.
Basin Boot Barn and Shoe Repair looks like a cobbler's shop should. Deep-lugged, high-topped boots stacked on the floor; the smell of tanned leather; various projects in process at different types of stitching machines. The White's are gettin' resoled by someone who's "sperienced."
I spent Saturday evening and Sunday shuffling around in my oversized Hushpuppy slipons. A $2.00 thrift store find, they slide on easily at 2:00 a.m. when I gots tuh get up to chase off the bears and mountain lions. But theyz so loose ah cain't hardly walk mor'n tuh the latrine; hit'd been a lazy weekend.
Monday, needing to do laundry and other errands, I went into town a bit early. I called at 1:00 to see how things were coming and left a message. I didn't hear back.
Near on around 4:00, thinking he closed at 5:00, I strolled in expecting to be handed the finished boots. Instead, he was in full vituperation, swearing like a stevedore. As I proffered sympathy, the tale began to unfold.
I wear a size 12, but to match the width of the former sole on these hand-crafteds, Dwight had to use a size 14. This then required cutting off some of the toe to get the length right.
He'd taken the heel from a size 16; the mid-sole was of equally odd size. He never said what he'd done, except it was a good thing we'd decided to take it apart because there were "rocks" in between (the sole and mid-sole). He'd never seen a boot so dirty (the diff tween woods and desert?) and it had taken several scrubbings to get them clean. He'd come in Sunday to hang them upside down so they'd be sure and dry. He said he didn't think they were QUITE there when he came in Monday, but he'd gone ahead anyway.
From previous resolings I'd learned there are quite a few different kinds of vibram soles. But I hadn't thought mine would be that unique. Dwight said in all his 35-years he'd never seen a job like this. I thought about how each morning when I slide these boots on I enjoy their fit; kid gloves.
When I'd come in he was nailing the soles. I couldn't tell the source of annoyance, but it was intense. I suggested we wait another day as it was nearly five o'clock. He said we still had another half hour (this was when I learned he closed at 5:30). I settled in on the white plastic lawn-chair.
He learned his trade in another town then went to Medford. He moved to Klamath Falls over 35 years ago. In all that time he'd never had a job like this! But he was angry at not having the right sized parts. I related how my therapist had counseled me, years ago, "Adequate, Mike."
Dwight's response was the same as mine, "Adequate isn't sufficient."
At 5:45, boots in hand, I bade him come out and admire Phoebe...so he could say he'd seen her. (Like Didi & Gogo and the Boy in Waiting for Godot.)
Ensconced az ah wuz, on the peninsula at Eagle Ridge County Park, I sat in the early-morning light of Saturday, eying 'em up. And decided it was time.
I 'splained how I LIVE in muh boots and ast "Iz there enny chance you could git to 'em rite away?" Dwight, the owner, offered that if I could bring 'em in Monday morning at 7:30 (SEVEN-THIRTY!!!) when he opened, he could probably get them done by the end of the day. I said I'd get back to him.
Thinking it'd be easier on everyone if I could leave 'em for several days, I called the shop in Elko, Nevada, where I was heading. He was backed up for over a week. It'd be ten days before he could start. I called Dwight.
It was now around 10:00 a.m. He encouraged me to bring 'em in, adding that he closed at 2:00. If I could get there soon, he could tear 'em down and they could be drying out. He'd work on 'em Monday.
I arrived at the shop to find it locked and dark. I called. I THOUGHT I'd been calling the place where I was. Leery of Boot Barn -- it's a chain, ain't hit? -- I'd called another shop. Now, standing outside it, I heard, for the first time, Dwight say, "Boot Barn and repair." I 'cided tuh go see. Checking Google for the address, I noticed he was an authorized White's dealer. Hmmm.
Basin Boot Barn and Shoe Repair looks like a cobbler's shop should. Deep-lugged, high-topped boots stacked on the floor; the smell of tanned leather; various projects in process at different types of stitching machines. The White's are gettin' resoled by someone who's "sperienced."
I spent Saturday evening and Sunday shuffling around in my oversized Hushpuppy slipons. A $2.00 thrift store find, they slide on easily at 2:00 a.m. when I gots tuh get up to chase off the bears and mountain lions. But theyz so loose ah cain't hardly walk mor'n tuh the latrine; hit'd been a lazy weekend.
Monday, needing to do laundry and other errands, I went into town a bit early. I called at 1:00 to see how things were coming and left a message. I didn't hear back.
Near on around 4:00, thinking he closed at 5:00, I strolled in expecting to be handed the finished boots. Instead, he was in full vituperation, swearing like a stevedore. As I proffered sympathy, the tale began to unfold.
I wear a size 12, but to match the width of the former sole on these hand-crafteds, Dwight had to use a size 14. This then required cutting off some of the toe to get the length right.
He'd taken the heel from a size 16; the mid-sole was of equally odd size. He never said what he'd done, except it was a good thing we'd decided to take it apart because there were "rocks" in between (the sole and mid-sole). He'd never seen a boot so dirty (the diff tween woods and desert?) and it had taken several scrubbings to get them clean. He'd come in Sunday to hang them upside down so they'd be sure and dry. He said he didn't think they were QUITE there when he came in Monday, but he'd gone ahead anyway.
From previous resolings I'd learned there are quite a few different kinds of vibram soles. But I hadn't thought mine would be that unique. Dwight said in all his 35-years he'd never seen a job like this. I thought about how each morning when I slide these boots on I enjoy their fit; kid gloves.
When I'd come in he was nailing the soles. I couldn't tell the source of annoyance, but it was intense. I suggested we wait another day as it was nearly five o'clock. He said we still had another half hour (this was when I learned he closed at 5:30). I settled in on the white plastic lawn-chair.
He learned his trade in another town then went to Medford. He moved to Klamath Falls over 35 years ago. In all that time he'd never had a job like this! But he was angry at not having the right sized parts. I related how my therapist had counseled me, years ago, "Adequate, Mike."
Dwight's response was the same as mine, "Adequate isn't sufficient."
They haven't been this clean since new.
At 5:45, boots in hand, I bade him come out and admire Phoebe...so he could say he'd seen her. (Like Didi & Gogo and the Boy in Waiting for Godot.)
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Klamath Falls, Oregon - Stinkin' Tuh High Heaven!
Klamath Lake reeks like a sewer. It's blamed on the rotting of dead blue-green algae that collects along the shoreline. I have yet to find much mention of WHY there's so much, but looking at the surrounding area's green fields laden with cattle, I suspect nitrogen run-off.
Livestock production, mostly cattle, covers the entire upper lake region with myriad small streams coursing through the pastures and draining into Klamath Lake. No boaters, definitely no swimmers, few birds.
Signs warn to thoroughly gut and SKIN any fish caught to eat. Even THEN you're taking a chance. Blue-green algae poisoning results in severe nausea, vomiting, etc., etc.
But those cows and ranchers are our sacred Western Lifestyle. Too bad for the lake.
Livestock production, mostly cattle, covers the entire upper lake region with myriad small streams coursing through the pastures and draining into Klamath Lake. No boaters, definitely no swimmers, few birds.
Signs warn to thoroughly gut and SKIN any fish caught to eat. Even THEN you're taking a chance. Blue-green algae poisoning results in severe nausea, vomiting, etc., etc.
But those cows and ranchers are our sacred Western Lifestyle. Too bad for the lake.
Friday, July 13, 2018
Happy All Smirkets' Day - Friday, 13th.
https://youtu.be/xtiGZIixzZI
I was telling Karen how I really don't care for lakes; I'm more of a stream enthusiast. So where do I end up? Klamath Lake.
The word "smirket" was coined in Double-El's early childhood as part of her and her brother's cat-centric nomenclature. It denotes an all-black cat. Friday the 13ths were designated as their day of celebration.
I was telling Karen how I really don't care for lakes; I'm more of a stream enthusiast. So where do I end up? Klamath Lake.
The word "smirket" was coined in Double-El's early childhood as part of her and her brother's cat-centric nomenclature. It denotes an all-black cat. Friday the 13ths were designated as their day of celebration.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
The Hub Of The Universe - The Playa
It reminded me of Maya Lin's sculpture, the Vietnam Memorial, but the other end of the spectrum.
I stood atop a hill overlooking what, in a few weeks, will be Black Rock City.
There're far too many people for me to handle, but just gazing out at the cloud shadows, seeing the mirages and the light making magic through the dust clouds, I got a sense of the wonder and joy the event engenders.
I got to visit with Karla, the new Office Manager at their field office in Gerlach. At the tender age of 42, after 15 years of living in a van, she now has a 13-month old daughter and recently bought a house in Gerlach in order to take the job. Her partner is helping with childcare.
I also stopped in at the Immigrant Trails Conservation Area Visitors Center. There I got to meet Sarah, the new Exec Dir. She gave me a whole *different* perspective. She told how Charles Dodd, guesstimated to be in his 90s, started advocating to set aside the area in the 1960s.
It was encouraging to meet these two women who are passionate about what they're doing and are in positions where their enthusiasm can make a difference in peoples' lives.
I'm near Lava Beds Nat'l Monument (California), a little south of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
(further details and corrections to follow)
I stood atop a hill overlooking what, in a few weeks, will be Black Rock City.
There're far too many people for me to handle, but just gazing out at the cloud shadows, seeing the mirages and the light making magic through the dust clouds, I got a sense of the wonder and joy the event engenders.
I got to visit with Karla, the new Office Manager at their field office in Gerlach. At the tender age of 42, after 15 years of living in a van, she now has a 13-month old daughter and recently bought a house in Gerlach in order to take the job. Her partner is helping with childcare.
I also stopped in at the Immigrant Trails Conservation Area Visitors Center. There I got to meet Sarah, the new Exec Dir. She gave me a whole *different* perspective. She told how Charles Dodd, guesstimated to be in his 90s, started advocating to set aside the area in the 1960s.
It was encouraging to meet these two women who are passionate about what they're doing and are in positions where their enthusiasm can make a difference in peoples' lives.
I'm near Lava Beds Nat'l Monument (California), a little south of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
(further details and corrections to follow)
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
No Spectators - The Art of Burning Man at Smithsonian
The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum will transform for No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, an exhibit of enormous scale that is sure to create a sustained buzz all over DC and captivate visitors through Jan. 21, 2019.
Below is link to full article excerpted above.
https://washington.org/visit-dc/burning-man-exhibit-renwick-gallery
Below is link to full article excerpted above.
https://washington.org/visit-dc/burning-man-exhibit-renwick-gallery
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Reconciliation and the Ruby Mountains
After a harsh exchange, she'd hung up on me. We'd been through it before so I figured I'd wait a few days before deleting her phone number. Still, it was a surprise when she called two days later.
We celebrated our sixth anniversary this year and although we've had some rough spots (in addition to German, she's part Dutch), we've continued to be highly enamored of each other.
So, after getting supplied in Elko, we set out to explore the Ruby Mountains. It is beautiful country with small creeks and streams coming down from nearly every crotch. But contrary to what many Elko-area websites seem to suggest, access is extremely limited. Although the entire central portion of the range is National Forest, the northern two-thirds is fronted by private property and there are only three access roads on the West side. After going where we could, we moved to the east side and spent several days there.
Independents that we are, six days was enough. She headed south to scout for further access; I'm heading NW for a while.
We celebrated our sixth anniversary this year and although we've had some rough spots (in addition to German, she's part Dutch), we've continued to be highly enamored of each other.
So, after getting supplied in Elko, we set out to explore the Ruby Mountains. It is beautiful country with small creeks and streams coming down from nearly every crotch. But contrary to what many Elko-area websites seem to suggest, access is extremely limited. Although the entire central portion of the range is National Forest, the northern two-thirds is fronted by private property and there are only three access roads on the West side. After going where we could, we moved to the east side and spent several days there.
Independents that we are, six days was enough. She headed south to scout for further access; I'm heading NW for a while.
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