The Great North

Kate and I are back at the cabin, arriving last night – six months after our last visit. It’s always fun to return after the winter, even if it’s raining and cool. But I always wonder as we approach if there will be trouble. A tree across the lane? A burst pipe? When we got here this year the door to the cabin was open. Not a good indicator of things to come. But in this case an inaccurate harbinger of trouble. The cabin was clean as a whistle. Not even the sign of a mouse. I had left a fire prepared in the woodstove. So it was burning away almost immediately. The pump started producing water with a minimum of effort. The water system filled quickly. Within 30 minutes we had running water, clocks with accurate time, music playing quietly. My biggest problem in life was the lack of ice cubes for a cocktail of my choice. So I settled for a really nice glass of wine. It was and is nice to be back.

Today has provided more iffy weather. But without leaving the cabin I’ve seen a bald eagle twice. Once on the tree in front of our cabin - which required a photo. Loons were here to greet us last night. A pileated woodpecker has been making his dinosaur-like call all day. And I saw a little bird called a brown creeper between sauna sessions this afternoon. It’s hard to describe what a pleasure it is to be sitting outside in a light rain and 44 degrees, steaming away from the residual heat of the sauna, watching a tiny little bird that you see only every couple of years climb a tree a few feet away. But at least for me it’s a wonderful thing.

Kate is fighting a cold. She’s reading away. I’ve finished one book today and look forward to starting on the next in a few minutes. Greta has blown out her right rear knee so long walks, a staple of our existence here, are pretty much out of the question (she goes “under the knife” on Monday). It looks like one of those “did nothing and rested afterward” days. I can ask for nothing more. By the way, our supply of ice cubes is now more than adequate. Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

Ironic Harbinger

I decided two years ago to make the red-winged blackbird my official harbinger of spring. Today as I was biking to work I heard my first call of the red-winged blackbird. At that very moment it was snowing pretty hard and I was biking into a ten mile an hour headwind. It just didn't seem very springlike.

I realize that I choose to live here in Minnesota, and I am usually very reluctant to complain about the length of winter. But I am ready for warmer weather and the advent of spring. With blackbirds and without snow.

Coming Soon . . .

To strip malls everywhere, it's the -


"It's Not Just Good, It's Fu Xing Good!"®

They serve only drinks made with their signature vodka.


(I about drove off the road I was laughing so hard. And, this very establishment is located on Rice Street in Saint Paul - really).

The Stars Are In Alabama

Road trips haven't been our family's norm. But this year we decided that logistically it just made sense. So we loaded up the rented van and headed to what is euphemistically referred to as the "Redneck Rivera." Because of our inexperience, we fell prey to the "bring it along - we've got a van" mentality. It did bring back some memories to look back and see the kids in the back of the van.


Our "new" car is a '99 Blazer. So the Chevy Uplander rental van was a nice upgrade. While the drive was a long one - we had the ability to play music from our iPods without those goofy fake radio transmitters that never work. And, though I was unable to figure it out immediately, there is even a DVD player for the kiddies in the back.

We pushed hard the first day, but still didn't get to Memphis until 9:30. It was the picture in my head to get to Memphis (it just sounded more interesting to me than Cape Girardeau, Missouri). I was letting go of the idea, but Kate had the drive to drive on. I was so glad. We went on for a late night dinner at Rendevous Ribs. Made it there just before 11, as the place was winding down. But had some great ribs, and really enjoyed the atmosphere.


We even wandered Beale Street for a while. Amazingly, we were caught in a very short hailstorm. Then it was off for a quick rest (and a lecture to me about snoring) and on through Mississippi.

We were traveling in a loose tandem with our friends the Grays (who were about 90 minutes behind us aiming for the same destination). Kate did one of the funniest cell phone calls I've ever heard from M-I-S-S-I-P-P-I to alert the Gray's of the local driving style - which features, among other quirks, a quick cut in front of a passed car within 5 feet of their bumper.

We picked this destination mostly because it was the closest ocean to Minnesota. But it's really beautiful. And our beach house is really something!

O.K. - that's not our beach house. But ours is really nice. The beach is a beautiful white sand beach. The four of us took a long hike to the end of the spit of land we are on. For the first half mile or so there were beach houses and lots of people (the pictured house is the last one). But for a couple of miles thereafter, there is nothing but beaches and dunes until you come to Fort Morgan. And, as is so often the case, it really just takes a small amount of effort to leave the crowd behind (the crowd isn't that big in the first place - though where we would toss a Frisbee, they toss a football - "Roll Tide" seems to be a good icebreaking opening line).

Such a nice time sharing laughs with our family, as we passed stranded jellyfish

and surfed our way along the beach.

Just a great family time. I'm not even dreading the drive back. . . yet.

________________________

There has been a strong wind blowing the last couple of days. Strong enough that we've taken our beach walks headed into the wind first. Today (Tuesday) started cloudy, but turned to a beautiful, bright sunny day. We've just been taking it easy. Reading a book in the sun. Walks. A beer here and there. I've taught Peter to play cribbage - and so we've had several games.

Last night we had dinner at the house being rented by our friends the Grays. It's five miles up the road. A quiet road, but nevertheless I decided to take it easy and limit myself to one glass of wine. I know you are thinking, "Hey, it's a vacation. Loosen up!" But I am strict about those things. Here's a photo of Kay and Reechow pouring my glass of wine.


You have to have principles!

_______________________

There is a reason I like the ocean so much. Change is so palpable here. The tides go in and out. The wind and water move the sand around with a force that is both constant and inexorable. What yesterday afternoon was this


this morning is this


The water is 200 feet closer to the cabin and there is a storm on its way. I'm looking forward to its arrival.

I like to go to the ocean to remind myself of the constant change that surrounds me. Books like Beak of the Finch and just living have taught me intellectually that change and evolution are always happening. They are more apparent when they are directional over long periods of time (for example, apes to humans - sorry Mike Huckabee). Some changes we label as good, some bad. And some are good and bad. But most just are. I need these reminders.

One of the huge challenges of growing older is that it seems harder to accept change gracefully. Probably it is harder. It's so easy to fall into the pattern of saying "I remember when" romanticizing the "good old days."

It's been suggested to me that I am a "cheerleader" for globalization - lauding the smaller world we now live in. Perhaps that is somewhat true. But I think, or at least hope, that what I've done is accept the change inherent in the communication revolution we have all experienced over the last decade or so. Accept it or not, it's there and it's real. Better to accept it and take advantage of what it offers.

I think my understanding of that particular change happened most powerfully for me when I worked at the expedition. I was writing an electronic newsletter to be sent to the 4,000 or so people who were following the expedition's preparations. I read and reread the email and then hit the "send" button - wondering if anyone would be interested. In five minutes I had a response (several in fact). But the one that hit me was from a woman sitting at the South Pole station. I exchanged several emails with her over the course of the day - she in probably the most remote place in the world from my little office in Minneapolis.

On a different note, we went out to dinner last night. Our skills in restaurant selection need some work. We left one restaurant since we didn't want to sit through a 45 minute wait, only to drive to another restaurant with a less enticing menu 15 miles further away which also had a 45 minute wait. I happened to catch a photo of Kate at just the instant we were finally called to our table.


Now there is a woman who knows how to accept change.

________________________

A great trip!


And it's "back to reality."

The Sauna Chronicles

When I'm not thinking of politics (see below) or working diligently, I'm pondering the sauna. Here's a quick tour:

Optimism

As I was riding to work Wednesday morning I heard the lovely call of a cardinal, the sun was shining brightly and even delivering some heat, and I saw my first "urban" bald eagle of the season. I felt a flush of bliss as the long winter was turning to spring (admittedly a short term sensation, since the sun soon went behind a cloud and a 15 mph breeze hit me in the face). However short lived, this surge of optimism made me think of . . . politics.

I've been closely following the major party nomination process (somewhat proudly, just like like Michelle Obama) and it seems to me that each of the three remaining candidates will at least try to lead us in a better direction (talk about damning with faint praise. Apologies to Mike Huckabee, but I think there is general agreement that he cannot win the Republican nomination since he needs to win something like 137% of the remaining delegates. Plus, one litmus test issue for me is a basic belief in the scientific fact of evolution - even if that belief is overlaid with religious beliefs that appear inconsistent with evolution. So I'm calling it three remaining candidates).

I've listened to the last two Obama/Clinton debates. Even they admit that their substantive positions on most issues are very similar. It's almost painful to listen to sixteen minutes of debate about minor health care position differences when you consider that either's position will require a pretty radical change in health care delivery in the U.S. - which says to me that if the change happens there will be plenty of compromises and the differences between Obama and Clinton will have long since ceased to be very relevant.

It seems to me that the essential question in deciding who to support is one of optimism. Obama speaks of a movement, of a "yes we can" coalition that brings to my mind the anti-war movement of my youth. Clinton chides his approach, joking that Obama awaits the moment when the "skies will part, a bright light will come from heaven, and we will all work together."

Parts of me sympathize with both positions. Life does teach you that the number of times when that bright light comes down and we all work together for a common good are few and far between. In some ways that is why I'm much less "cause" oriented than I was when I was younger. I've concluded that I will most likely change the world in a small way, one positive interaction after another, day after day, year after year. But presidents of countries have a real chance to make change that isn't small or incremental. The more interesting point to me, made by Obama, is that governmental change of the type they are discussing is facilitated by and probably requires active involvement by "the people." So coalitions and "yes we can" movements of inspired people really do matter.

Peter and I had a number of interesting discussions in the run up to the Iowa caucus about Obama. We agreed he was and is an inspiring speaker. Oddly, it was me - the old guy - who was saying how important that ability to inspire is to leadership. I was pleased and somewhat surprised that Peter was a Joe Biden supporter (clearly an "old fart's" candidate), based on what Peter perceived as Biden's better thought out substantive positions.

The more I listen to Obama, the more willing I have become to join "the movement." For me it's more of a toe in the water than a dive into the lake. I think Obama has a much greater chance of effecting the change I would like to see than the more polarizing Clinton. There is always the risk that any politician will try to be all things to all people. Or will lead based on polls rather than principles (one of the things I really like about McCain is that he appears to be principled. Of course, the same argument can be made about our current president. It does matter which way the knee jerks).

Ultimately it seems to me that optimism is the better approach. Of course, I am hard wired as a "glass half full" guy. But I do believe that change can be for the better. And that it's hard work. So I find myself knee deep in Barack Bay of Lake Obama. The water is clear and the sun is shining from the heavens.

Systems

I've been thinking about systems alot lately. It seems to me that in so many parts of our lives we ignore the fact that things are interrelated, often to our peril. Favoring the bad right knee soon creates a sore left hip. A nice morning walk starts the day well, leading to a better reaction when something goes wrong later in the day. Things are connected, creating spirals which are positive or negative. Ripples and waves.

Systems seem to me to be if anything even more important in things political and economic, and more commonly ignored. We subsidize ethanol made from corn, and then are shocked when the increased demand for corn has the effect of raising food prices. We start a war to "liberate" Iraq while giving scant attention to the collateral effects this action is likely to have around the world. Or, once started, politicians advocate immediate unilateral withdrawal from Iraq without much regard for the effects on the system. I've been constantly aggravated during this election season by politicians of all stripes positing simple answers to complex questions.

But, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding, the politicians probably aren't the stupid ones. They know that most voters really want to hear the "simple" solutions. Simple causes.

On one level, the events of 9/11 were caused by al-Qaeda. That's the simple statement. But globalization had a role. And American policies. And probably bin Laden's parents. And Islamic fundamentalism. Do we solve the problem by capturing and punising al-Qaeda or by trying our best to get at the root causes of the problem?

The answer probably should be that we do our best to do both. It's relatively simple to pass legislation like the Patriot Act. We give the government more power to fight terrorism, but erode the very rights that make the U.S. unique.

A politician who tries to tell a complex story is probably doomed to failure. And this rant is probably not as logical and buttoned up as I would like. It's complicated stuff. I simply can't simplify it.

Happy New Year!!!!!!! (In Pictures)

All the best from Stan, Kate, Madeline and Peter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I'll add a few hundred words. But I hope to let the photos from this past year do most of the talking.

I know I write that it was a great year every year. And every year it's true. I'll let you know if it isn't.

A few ground rules. I promise not to emphasize the stratospheric GPAs that the kids achieved this past semester (can you say "Dean's List?"). Or how nice the sauna I just finished building is. Or how hard it is to maintain a reasonable weight when you live in the same house with Chef Kate. You'll have to talk to me for at least three minutes before those subjects will be raised - and they will NOT be raised in this holiday missive.

It was a great year for really big fish (especially for the males in the family).


Stan's fish was caught in the BWCA with a great group of friends (and wily fishermen). Somehow, even with this fish Stan was able to place LAST in the fishing contest.


Peter's fish were caught by professionals - and processed by him during his summer at the Yardarm fish cannery in Naknek, Alaska. A great summer job - combining adventure, independence and the always important financial remuneration.


It was great to have him back home, though.


Just in time for one of the excellent Train Party weddings we attended during the last twelve months (and two days).


We shine up pretty well as a family. In the photo above Peter is wearing my wedding suit. Soon it won't fit him either.




Somewhere in there we found time for spring break trips to the Pacific Northwest with each of the kids.


Portland with Peter. Then we "Slept in Seattle" with Madeline.


(as guests of our friends Fred and Mary - Suckfish Tours will never die!)


The Olympic Peninsula was great. Kate and Madeline decided I was a complete loser for taking photos - but I'm hoping this "card" will redeem that habit to some degree.


We also found time to have several great get togethers with friends.






And we saw our mothers - if not as often as we would have liked.



It was a lousy year for bridges in the Twin Cities.



I came upon the fallen bridge (which I previously biked under twice each working day) about 5 minutes after it collapsed. But the community worked through it very well.

This might be a good place to mention that I'm happily toiling away at The Scoular Company - now in my third year. Kate has completed thirty-three years at the AG's office. Suffice it to say that I will not pass her longevity record.

The kids came home for Thanksgiving - and there was lots to be thankful for. And the thanks were sincere, if offered in a silly way.


It's hard to say that one thing or another was the "best" part of the year. But if I had to rate things, I'd say that the trip that Kate and I took to Paris to celebrate our 25th anniversary was a huge highlight. There is no greater city. And no better companion than Kate. I have visions of longer and longer trips to Paris as the years pass. Hope we can make those visions a reality.


If you scroll down the page you will come to a more complete description of our trip.

Madeline gave me a Berlitz French language DVD for Christmas. I'll probably still make a mess of French. But the point is when I'm trying to improve my French, I can dream of our next trip there. I loved the gargoyles from Notre Dame.

So I brought one to Saint Paul.

Love to you all. And peace.

Peter, Madeline, Kate & Stan

Possums, Perspiration and Parties

I really should get going on our official holiday blogcard. And I will. Peter and Madeline are home for the holidays. The presents are purchased (if not wrapped). But yesterday was visually interesting. Beautiful snow in the morning. In the afternoon Madeline spotted an apparently confused opposum in our yard, ambling away at his or her glacial pace.


The sauna that I have spent much of the last month building is, except for a few fine tuning details, completed. We had our first family sauna, a proper christening of the space.


We fit though, unlike the high-capacity cabin sauna, four people is about the max. But I must say humbly that I did a good job converting a basement closet into a great space. Now we just have to remodel the rest of the basement and figure out where to put the things that were in the closet.

We capped the evening at a party hosted by our friends Don and Phil in their 29th floor condo in downtown Minnepolis. It was like living in a real city, and the view is just breathtaking. I spent less time in witty and urbane conversation than I probably should. I just couldn't stop gazing out the window. A great time.