Off the Pan, Into the Fire

My journey through the realm of raising our sons...

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Politics 101

"Thinking isn't agreeing or disagreeing. That's voting." Robert frost

My voting decision is based upon thinking, and thinking requires a bit of watching, reading. Learning. A bit of my learning has been watching the theater around our primary process and election season. Editorials, news, conventions, debates all add to my brain's collective narrative of what I want in our president.

I did not watch any of the Republican or Democratic primary debates, but I did watch the keynote
speaker each of the party's conventions. And my household was one of the 80+ million watching Monday's presidential debate. I have already decide who will get my vote, but I wanted to see how each nominee acted, responded, and spoke.

As it turned out, Monday night Galen had to stay up late to complete his homework. I was relaxed, kicked back on the couch as Lester Holt finished the introductions when Galen entered the room. He snuggled up next to me and asked if he could watch. "OK." We sat back and quietly and watched.

In general, whenever the kids are around I don't rail against Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton. I don't allude to either being a savior or devil. I believe in civil discourse, a bit of respect. When the kids mention politics, I try to keep them thinking on balanced, open respect of ideas, policies, and people and keep it away from personal attacks.

After the debate's opening segment, Achieving Prosperity - Jobs, I paused the debate and told Galen it was time for him to skedaddle off to bed. He wanted to watch more, but I wouldn't let him. As he stood up and sauntered away I asked him what he thought. His response? " Can't he answer questions? She has answers, he interrupts and can't answer a question. He's a bigger idiot than I thought."

I chuckled inside and admonished him for calling someone an idiot, and sent him off to bed. Then I wondered how this might form his future political outlook. Here we have a major political figure trying to become our leader, the leader of the free word using reprehensible behaviors; calling people names, unsubstantiated insinuations, denying responsibility, telling lies, misogyny, and intimidation. My son is learning that at its core, politics is personal. He is learning that there is a dark side to leadership. He is learning Politics 101.

Sunday, September 04, 2016

This time last week

School starts Tuesday. After a summer filled with play, camping, goofing off, bicycling, and travels the kids will be back in school. Sitting at their desks, listening to their teachers, filling their brains with new information, reconnecting and making new friends. But today they are this strange hybrid of emotions familiar to all parents. They are sad, excited, energetic, and a bit crazy about the end of summer and the imminent start of school.

But as they fight & scream through their last weekend of summer, I think about my last weekend of summer. Last weekend I was privileged to camp on the south bay of Gull Lake, five miles south of Canada. And the view was glorious...


I canoed in that lake, hiked on surrounding trails. From my campfire I cooked pork chops, steak, eggs, bacon, and potatoes. After the fall of the sun, i was warmed by that campfire, it's smoke providing a fragrant mosquito repellent. And from my camp chair, I could see canoeist, glorious sunsets, loons, ducks & geese, and eat those delicious campfire cooked meals. And on occasion, there was a refreshing, adult beverage or two...


You can tell it's a quiet, safe, wonderful outdoor experience when the lavatory smells fresh and has a  wonderful view.


This was camping at its finest.

This weekend is stressful. But whenever a bit of steam forms under my collar, I reminisce of my last weekend of the summer, gliding through still waters, listening to the call of the loon.