Christmas Day...

...was celebrated at Linda and Phil's. First we picked up Mom and enjoyed the decorations around her complex...



More gifts were exchanged...



... and then we partook of Linda's delicious dinner, which Ellen assisted in preparing...

Gary Larson Galore!

Ellen gave me The Complete Far Side, a bound-and boxed two volume compendium of all 4337 cartoons from Gary Larson's famous comic strip, replete with a foreword by Steve Martin, an intro by his longtime editor, a preface by Gary, and production notes.





It will take me quite a while to peruse the 1200+ pages of his work, but I began with the intro info and have to agree with the following phrases I encountered there: "subversively exhilarating," "hilarious abnormality," "bizarre genius," and "riotous upheaval" to quote a few.

Gary writes at the end of his Preface: "My drafting table...faced a window that overlooked a beautiful garden; beyond the garden was a lake, and beyond the lake Mount Rainier rose majestically into the Washington sky. I worked at night."

Christmas Eve 2008...

... and the Morlock descendants assembled again, as they have for over 7 decades since emigrating to the United States, to celebrate the birth of Christ, this time at Ron and Millie's lovely new home.



After socializing, the delicious buffet dinner was served...



... followed by the traditional carol sing, led by Andrea on the organ...



... and even the children joined in with joyful voices...


... knowing the gift exchange would immediately follow...



... and excitement electrified the air as the children "delivered" the gifts left under the tree by Santa, delivering them to the adults before they could open their own presents.



Finally, the adult grab bag commenced, with everyone trying to determine which package they shouldn't take because it might be the dreaded "Teddy Bear Platter" which is recycled every year by last year's unlucky recipient. Imagine everyone's surprise when Ron opened the final package containing not one, but now TWO identical platters!



Amy had managed to find a duplicate platter on eBay and now the decade-old recyling tradition has a new twist. Come back to this blog next year to learn what happens when 2 platters are in play!

For more photos of the evening, go to Chuck's gallery.

And then some...

What's the best gift to give?

Yourself.
Or more specifically, the very best you can be ... and then some.

The finest summary of this philosophy is by Carl Holmes who wrote:

And then some…

These three little words are the secret to success.

• They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies. The top people always do what is expected …and then some.
• They are thoughtful of others; they are considerate and kind … and then some.
• They meet their responsibilities fairly and squarely … and then some.
• They are good friends and helpful neighbors … and then some.
• They can be counted on in an emergency … and then some.

I am thankful for people like this, for they make the world a better place.

Their spirit of service is summed up in these three little words … and then some.

Havasu Canyon, Havasu Falls, and Mooney Falls

In 2001, we backpacked into Havasu Canyon at the western end of the Grand Canyon, lands which belong to the Havasupai Indian tribe. The Havasupai (translation means "the people of the blue-green water") occupy a reservation of 185,000 acres, predominantly the Havasu Canyon and its blue-green Havasu Creek. Approximately 650 enrolled tribal members comprise the tribe (the smallest tribe in America) and all speak their native language, Havasupai, which has been a written language for only about 30 years. Most live in the village of Supai, eight miles down from the rim, with a dusty trail providing the sole land access. The tribe has occupied the canyon for over 800 years, but when miners found these lands in the 1800s, the tribe's lands were drastically reduced in size. In 1975 Congress returned most of the land to the tribe.

Access is possible only by foot, horse, or helicopter. Guarding the people of Supai is the stone monument Wigleeva, a double tower of Supai Sandstone overlooking the village and protecting its occupants. Four waterfalls below the village carry Havasu Creek to the Colorado River, another 9 miles below the village.

At the start, Steve pauses at a vista point displaying the glorious beauty of the Grand Canyon as far as you can see...



The first mile or so is a series of switchbacks descending 1000 feet and the remaining seven miles descend another 900 feet. No water is available, so carry plenty. If you would rather hike without your gear, you can pay to have your gear taken down and up by horseback, and even hire a horse to ride both ways. You also can hire Havasupai guides to take you to the waterfalls located miles below the village. Here you see Scott and Steve, and behind them Len and Marlene, as we backpack the 8 miles into the canyon...



...to the home of the Supai people, comprised of 136 houses, a café, a general store, a tourist office, a post office, a school, a hotel, an LDS chapel, and a small Christian church among other buildings.



Navajo Falls is the first of the four waterfalls you reach after about a 1.5 mile hike down from Supai Village. This waterfall is 75 feet tall and comes down in several distinct falls. The foliage is so thick here that good views of the falls are obscured, though a trail can be followed down to creek level and there are some pools you can go in at the base of the falls. Navajo Falls is named after a 19th century Havasupai tribal chief who as a child was kidnapped and raised by Navajo Indians. Years later he learned of his identity and returned to his home.

Havasu Falls, about 2 miles down the canyon below the village, is about 120 feet tall, dropping into the magnificent blue-green pool which beckons visitors to linger on the shore and play in the constant 70 degree water.




Water is contained in the pools by naturally occurring travertine dams formed by the high concentration of limestone in the water which precipitates out. Though heavy rains and flooding in 1992 and 1995 washed out many of the travertine dams, many remain and are being rebuilt by nature. If you wear proper footwear (such as Tevas), you can safely walk across the dams to access other pools, as I am doing here...



...or you can simply swim over to any area you wish to explore as seen below with Scott, Len, Marlene, and Steve...



The tranquility of this place drew us back the second day and we spent the better part of the day here, in and out of the water, but often simply staring at the beauty, mesmerized by the pounding of the falls, the splatter of the spray, the magnificence of the pool below the falls, and the feeling of peace and serenity permeating the oasis...



This is truly one of most awesome places I've ever been at, and even after 5 hours, it was difficult to leave and return to Supai. This is the most popular place, so expect other people to be there.

Mooney Falls, another mile down the canyon, is the tallest at 196 feet (29 feet taller than Niagara Falls) and it is also the hardest to reach the base of. Mooney was a miner who died here in 1880. Several versions exist regarding his death, but revolve around the fact that he attempted to descend by rope, which either jammed and ultimately frayed and broke, or was too short causing him to fall to his death. The Havasupai call this falls "the Mother of the Waters."

At the top are several warning signs that try to dissuade you from continuing, and as you initially enter the Supai Village and pay your entrance fee, you will sign a waiver for accidents incurred in the canyon. Because descending to the base of the falls (without duplicating Mooney's demise) requires traversing 2 nearly vertical tunnels, between which you enjoy this view of the falls...



...and then climbing down with the assistance of chains attached to steel stakes hammered into the rock face. Several of the chains have detached from the pitons and flap about, and of course, spray from the waterfall make the rocks and chains wet. Also, everything is coated with a layer of red dust from the redwall limestone in this area. However, if care is exercised, this appears a much more difficult operation than it actually is, and successfully accomplishing it is exhilarating! I suggest you follow the trail from the top, go through the tunnels, and begin going down the first section of chains. After you see what the remainder of the "path" is like, you can decide for yourself whether you wish to descend all the way.








After the involved descent, the majesty of the area again bid you to relax and linger. Below shows Chuck, Steve, and Scott with the pool and Mooney Falls in the background.


Two miles farther downstream is the smallest of the falls, Beaver Falls, and four miles beyond that is the Colorado River. The trail below Mooney Falls becomes more difficult and crosses the creek 20 times, and as you get farther downstream, you will begin meeting people coming upriver from raft trips through the Grand Canyon.

More Havasu photos

That Blasted wind...

... that's been hammering us for over 24 hours -- 20mph constant and 40mph gusts -- left a "gift" for us outside the garage door. Since there hasn't been additional snowfall, the plows won't be returning to clear the piles, so I tackled the three-foot high/three foot wide drift myself. Now all my buddies who have to shovel or snow-blow their own driveways and walks won't extend pity, but those who pay monthly assessments for outdoor maintenance may be able to empathize.



It was good exercise, but since I'm in day three of a bad cough and cold, I'm not sure how much my body appreciated the exertion.

All the Way, Shay!

At a  fund-raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he posed a question:

“When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do.  He cannot understand things as other children do. Where  is the natural order of things in my son?” The audience was stilled by his query. Then the father continued, “I believe that when a child like Shay comes into the world, mentally and physically disabled, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.”

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where  some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, “Do you think they’ll let me play?” I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, “We”re losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.” So Shay struggled over to the team’s bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played right field. Even though no hits  came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

And in the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was handed a bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because  Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung  clumsily and missed. The pitcher took a few more steps forward and again tossed the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. But instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman’s head, out of reach of all teammates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started  yelling, “Shay, run to first! Run to first!” Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled, and made it to first base.

Everyone yelled, “Run to  second, run to second!” Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay neared second base, the right fielder had the ball. He was the smallest guy on their team and now had his first chance to be the hero for his team by throwing the ball to the second-baseman for the tag. But he understood the pitcher’s intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman’s head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, “Shay, Shay, Shay -- all the Way Shay!”

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, “Run to third, Shay, run to third!”

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams as well as all the spectators were on their feet screaming, “Shay, run home! Run home!” Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

“That day,” said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, “the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn’t make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!”


NOTE: adapted from Echoes Of The Maggid, Chapter 5: “Perfection at the Plate” by Rabbi Paysach Krohn. It is a true story, told to the Rabbi by a friend.

Snopes.com says this is a "glurge" -- an inspirational tale, sometimes true, purporting to deliver an uplifting message, but in fact merely "chicken soup with several cups of sugar mixed in" resulting in a "sickly-sweet concoction that induces hyperglycemic shock." Snopes.com believes this story is a poor pity lesson that doesn’t help the disabled because they don't "experience the honest praise of admiring teammates and co-workers for their actual contributions" which robs them of "their every chance to be seen as actual people." I agree their criticism is accurate in the broad context, but in a story like this, involving a severely disabled child with a brief time to live, the broad context assumed by Snopes.com is out of focus, and the humanity of the "normal" kids is heartwarming and comforting to read about. And I freely admit, my heart was warmed! (The Snopes.com information is found here, so you can decide for yourself.)

Another example of sportsmanship occurred in May of 2008, during the women's softball game between Western oregon University and Central Washington University. Sara Tucholsky hit her first home run but she missed first base, started back to tag it, and collapsed with a knee injury. She would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. A pinch runner could be called in, but the homer would only count as a single.

Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg, so the three-run homer would count — an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs. Here's a video of it.

Church Signs #8

In my driving trips across all 50 states, I often spot clever, amusing, thought-provoking signs in front of churches of all denominations, and long ago I began jotting them down. I'll gradually post them here for your entertainment and edification.

1. God’s promises have no expiration dates.
2. When trouble blows, seek shelter in God.
3. A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to a person who isn’t.
4. Accept correction and you’ll need less of it.
5. The victim of Good Friday is the victor of Easter.
6. No man ever got lost on a straight road. (Abe Lincoln)
7. In the dark? Follow the Son.
8. Give Satan an inch and he’ll take a ruler.
9. Life has many choices. Eternity has two. What is yours?
10. Heavenly forecast: Reign forever.
11. Nature’s beauty is God’s calling card.
12. The heart is an organ. Keep yours in tune with Jesus.
13. God says: My way IS the highway.
14. Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives.
15. Jesus built us a bridge with 2 boards and 3 nails.

Snowshoe Outing at Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve

The "big storm" they warned us about dropped perhaps 7 inches, but it was sufficient to allow snowshoeing, so after a breakfast at Walker Brothers, we headed over to Cuba Marsh Preserve and got a good workout with 85 minutes on the snowshoes. Here are Len, Chuck, Ellen, Patti, and Marlene showing off their footwear...



... and using the footwear in the preserve.

The snowshoes weren't really necessary for the 7" snowfall, but it was a good excuse to allow Ellen to use her snowshoes for the first time, and she was a bit surprised at how strenuous the sport is.

Poem #43: Father-scents

Today marks 32 years since my father died, and naturally my thoughts traveled to memories of him. In 1997, while biking past an elderly gentlemen who was smoking a cigar, the wafting fumes exploded within me recollections of Dad, who also smoked the same brand of cigar. As I continued to bike, words flew through my head compelling me to stop and jot them down. After returning home, I typed them into the computer, and the next day, with minimal revision, I had this poem:

Father-scents

Memories erupt from depths long unplumbed
while biking past an elderly walker with
father-scent emanating between gnarled fingers:
sweet, reminiscent cigar smoke,
rich, tasty, distinctive, redolent with childhood images.

Two miles on, other smell-memories ripple,
then cascade, through consciousness.
Cheerful smells of hair tonic and Old Spice
and scents evincing workshop memories
of sawdust, electric motors, carbide wheels, oil, glue.

Then pungent smells, less palatable, less comforting,
but no less unrelenting,
of beer breath, sweat, sickness, death.

Father-scents evoking father-remembrances
as if they were yesterday, not yesteryear.
A pity two adult decades traveled
before childhood father-scent memories
returned home.

copyright Chuck Morlock 1997

Scents of Pierogi and Cookies...

...wafted through the house yesterday, as Kasia and Ellen spent 7+ hours in the kitchen, making the dough...



... and then the Pierogi.



Next came preparing the ingredients for the cookies...



... followed by cookie-cutter artistry...



...replete with sprinkles on the tops...



After an afternoon of aromatic air throughout the house (and with Steve joining us following work) we feasted on cheese pierogi with slow-cooked spare ribs and sauerkraut, and dessert of sugar cookies and decorated orange-chocolate, cookie-cutter cookies.

Wind chill factor

With the premature cold snap across Chicago and much of the rest of the country, the media weathermen are again talking about wind chill factor and its impact on cars and other non-human things.

I had always believed that wind chill only referred to evaporation of moisture from exposed skin, and had no effect on machinery and metal and such, so I did some research years back. The World Book Encyclopedia (1996 edition) says wind chill factor is "the estimate of the relationship between wind speed and temperature, with respect to the physical effects of the wind on living things."

The New Encyclopedia Brittanica says wind chill can be "expressed by a formula K=(10.45+10 (square root of v-v)) (33-t) where K is the heat in kilogram calories lost by one square meter of SKIN in one hour..."

Furthermore, the physics teachers at the high school where I taught all agreed, stating further that "the average temperature of the air is as cold as an object can become."

The Wikipedia entry agrees, stating "Wind chill is the apparent temperature felt on exposed skin, which is a function of the air temperature and wind speed." It adds later, "A wind-chill factor of 25° F (−4 °C) will not freeze water if the air temperature is 35° F (2 °C). Water changes state according to the temperature of the body of the water. In this case, the water and air temperature are about the same—too high to freeze water."

NOAA's National Weather Service in 2001 implemented an updated Windchill Temperature (WCT) index based on a human face model, incorporating modern heat transfer theory (heat loss from the body to its surroundings, during cold and breezy/windy days), lowered the calm wind threshold to 3 mph, and used a consistent standard for skin tissue resistance. (Click to enlarge.)




So use of wind chill by TV/weather reporters is useful to let people know they should put on more clothes and take other precautions in extremely cold weather, but should not be used by the reporters (or received and interpreted by listeners) as hype regarding the effect of the cold on car engines, etc.

Worthy Quotes #17

The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and beauty.
** Theodore Parker (1810 - 1860) **

Verses which do not teach men new and moving truths do not deserve to be read.
** Voltaire (1694 - 1778) **

Turning your children into Cubs fans is a form of child abuse.
-- Mike Royko

Sunlight is the best disinfectant (for political corruption).
--Justice Brandeis

It has been said that politics is the second-oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.
-- Ronald Reagan


Treat the other man's faith gently; it is all he has to believe with. His mind was created for his own thoughts, not yours or mine.
-- Henry S. Haskins

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
-- Robert Byrne

Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.
-- Socrates

When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.
-- John Ruskin

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
-- Anne Frank

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

... but we hiked in the woods anyway -- about 4 miles in 90 minutes -- despite a temperature of 6 degrees and wind chill of minus 15 degrees. The last 11 days have included 5 rehearsals and 5 performances for concerts by my 2 choirs. I was so exhausted, I went to bed at 9pm last night and slept 10 hours -- unheard of!

So it felt good to get out and hike up and down the hills...




... but it sure felt good to get OUT of the cold afterward, as we thoroughly enjoyed our hot lunch at Potbelly's.

Nice NICE Meeting again...

... which was well attended considering it's so close to Christmas and all are so busy. NICE is the Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel and all who have ever attended an Elderhostel program (or would like to) are invited to join us on the 2nd Saturday of every even numbered month. Go to our website for info.




... and the attendees were rewarded by 3 presentations of trips. John was first, with narrated movies of his travels in Turkey and Greece on an Elderhostel program entitled "Discovering the Jewels of the Mediterranean: Athens to Istanbul." Then Bob reported on his program at Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park with another wonderful slideshow of photos he took of volcanoes, lava, a hike through a lava tube, steam from lava entering the sea, and more. Finally, Bill and Jenny recounted their trip to Thailand and Cambodia, replete with magnificent photos and firsthand info on the culture and religion of the land. Below is a photo of Bill, Bob, and John.



The next meeting is on February 14th, 2009, and more inspiring travel programs will be presented.

Writers Group Meeting

... was today following the NICE meeting mentioned above. Phyllis hosted us for a delicious lunch...




... during which we honored our founder, Don (on left), for his upcoming birthday, by all enjoying a piece of Boston creme pie...



...followed by readings of our latest memoir masterpieces.



The stories related the year Santa visited, the travails accompanying the knitting of a scarf when an inquisitive cat got into the act, the exploits of a bulldog named Brutus, and some reflections on jury duty.

Deer Grove FP hike

The cloudless sky and blazing sun didn't seem to warm the 12 degree air temperature, but did warm our spirits, as we hiked for 85 minutes with Patti and Dave and Marlene and Len in Deer Grove.



Lots of deer tracks but no deer appeared today, though a few cross country skiers were out on the trails with us. The trail alongside the partially-frozen creek was particularly scenic today as noted in this photo...



A lunch at Billy's in Palatine rounded out the morning before heading home and resting up for tonight's performance. (See the post below this.)

"The Christmas Piece"

... is the Village Church of Barrington's 2008 "gift to the community," a tradition begun in 1996 and known as "Christmas In The Village" which features the church's choir, orchestra, and drama players. The presentation begins with the hustle and bustle of shoppers, , scurrying to purchase gifts to "Celebrate" the Christmas season...





... and then shifts to a local sculptor, Nathan (Scott), a non-believer, who is lamenting to his wife, Christine (Kim) about the "foolish people chasing foolish dreams" as they with "empty faces are buying everything" as they "seem to go insane" in their "crazy yuletide game."



Nathan is then visited by local pastor (Randy) in need of a new Nativity scene. He admires Nathan's magnificently scuplted figures, but unfortunately, the price tag for the exquisite and life-like artwork is far too high and he leaves disappointed, but perhaps having challenged Nathan in his lack of faith?



And then the magic of Christmas brings Nathan's life-like sculptures to life, transporting Nathan to various scenes from history. First is Mary in the manger with the newborn Jesus...



... surrounded by the dancing angelic host...



Nathan is also taken back to the Renaissance to demonstrate how singing Christmas carols on the street was the only "gift" at Christmas, and that giving presents to everyone is a very recent addition to Christmas. This scene features the Madrigal Singers of Barrington High School.



Next stop is December 23rd,1818 in the small town of Oberndorf, Austria, where Father Josef Mohr pens the words and organist Franz Gruber scores the magnificent "Silent Night, which had to be played on a single guitar because the church organ was inoperative..."



In a 1930's Depression-era soup kitchen, Maurice proclaims that cares and woes should be forgotten because it's Christmas and "there's music in the air..."




Nathan's wife, Christine (Kim), poignantly laments her husband's unbelief, unaware of Nathan's "visits" into the past which convict him to believe in Christmas and Christ...



...and he accompanies Christine to the Christmas Day service where his gratitude to God for giving him the wonderful gift of belief leads him to donate the expensive Nativity set to the church.

More photos of the presentation can found on my web gallery.