Otherwise known as, “So who says ignorance is really bliss?”
Where does the water end, the ice begin? Water turns to ice turns to water turns to snow, and still the air up here is dry as my fingers crack and lips feel parched and eyes are burning red.
Such is spring on the mountain. Such is life. Hard to define boundaries. Harder still to define oneself. And are we really so different from one another?
I’m forty five. Mid life. There’s a lot of self definition going on now. Then again, I suppose there always was. Just trying to figure out my place in the big picture. And always feeling more than a little out of it.
When it comes to politics and religion, I tend to keep my mouth shut. My beliefs are just that. Mine. I’ll keep them to myself and usually wish you would do the same. Please do hold your beliefs dear and strong. But don’t except me to feel the same. Diversity is a beautiful and exciting part of life, and if I’m so insecure I can’t tolerate a conflicting opinion, or need you think the same way I do, well, it’s a shallow world we live in. And you know; I’m all about diving in deep.
Challenging the assumptions that one might be best holding ones beliefs deep within as personal truths, I also am learning to be true what I’ve always heard: Life is worth nothing if you don’t stand for something. What do you stand for? Tell me if you’d like. I don’t have to agree. But I enjoy knowing what matters most to you. For with that, I learn who you are. Though I consider another quote I read recently: You are not known by your beliefs but your actions. I’m not sold on that yet, but thought I’d throw that in since I’m stirring the pot today.
What do I stand for? If you don’t know, I hope my words speak true and you’ll figure it out if you stick around and read a while. In the meanwhile, make no assumptions. Because I don’t know about you, but when I do that I tend to be wrong. So this much I can say is true: A person is only proven by the actions I have known them to take. Stories don’t count. And for that, you can read: rumors and gossip and third party tales.
Here’s a grand example of one who stands for what she believes in, and isn’t afraid to stir the waters and create a little mud in the process. Tricia Cook stands for the wolves… and coyotes. (See her most recent article from the Mountain Gazette HERE) Both of which I relate to, as I live beside the coyote day by day, and roll my eyes to hear of men “hunting the problem coyote.” You got a problem? Because my coyotes don’t. Not here at least. In fact, chances are they are a lot less of a problem on this mountain than that ignorant hunter might be.
Oh, excuse me. I’m often a bit gruff on Fridays. And tact, well, tact has never been my forte. I’m working on it.
But really, what I meant to get to in writing this post, I’m a long ways away from. Something about that pile of bones. And it’s nothing to do with coyote hunting, though I wouldn’t be surprised if coyotes are in on the picture somehow or other.
Well, until Monday! I’ll share the rest with you then. Have a wonderful weekend.
Gin Getz 
Here is the Gin Getz that I know! The San Juans have brought you back to life! This post is so disturbing and has me in tears. I read Tricia’s article and well, ugh, I just don’t understand people. I have so many fond memories of coyotes and wolves. More so coyote since they are most common around here. I love to be camping and hear the coyote yodeling in the middle of the night, first one, then another, then the whole pack chime in. What a beautiful sound!
Gin, I remember coming out to the ranch in the middle of the winter and a young coyote escorting us in. I took a beautiful picture of him when he turned into the forest and stopped to watch us. No threat felt on either side…just curiosity.
Then there was the time in Yellowstone National Park when I was blessed to see one of the wolves that live there…
Oh, and I’ve heard wolves howl, too, how magnificent is that!
I could go on and on about this, you sure did stir the pot this morning!
You are still you .My wie is 32 years older than you .She works beside me and some times when I tire out she is just getting ready to work .You have a long life ahead to enjoy .We were looking at a map and you are not that far away . You may see us in the future .We both are looking forward to it .
Gin, Thank you for the howl out! I am going to go to my Alice’s Restaurant post and point folks here, as well. And I love Karen’s comment above and would encourage her to copy and past as a comment on http://www.mountaingazette.com/blogs/living-beyond-lost/alices-restaurant/
A pox on the coyote and wolf killers! Wishes for a wilder world!
Peace, T.
Someone said that “democracy doesn’t work.”
A wise man responded that “it is up to us to work democracy”.
That starts with thoughtful people like you, Gin, deciding what they stand for and putting their views out there. Which is what you do. It is a defence against ignorance and tyrany, neither of which governments care about.
Europe and the US are different, of course, however over here we too have a certain overbearing tendency towards “tidiness” in the land. This species is good, that is bad, and let’s make all the fields and trees and rivers nice and neat. Are the coyotes a victim of some peculiar view as to what is “natural” and “tidy”?
Long day working outside until dark again. I love it! Finally a moment to respond…
Karen, I forgot about your time with the wolves, and hope you and Tricia correspond and keep in touch. Definitely a connection there! Please do re-post your comment if you can on Tricia’s blog.
Don, We would love to have you and Fely visit. Finally meet you! This summer would be a great time, and you’re right… it’s not that far! Two days drive? And I know a nice place to stay. :) It’s about time…
Tricia, well said, “Wishes for a wilder world!” And standing up to keep our wild places wild.
Julian, My mother spent (is still spending) the better part of her days working for democracy and standing up for our rights. I am very proud of her. More often than not, I have taken the quiet stand. But sometimes, I am finally learning to see, too quiet is no stand at all. It’s a cop out. And it’s weak, lazy and lame. We were given a voice for a reason. I may not be able to sing with mine, but I can write.
Great words by good people. Thanks to everyone for your inspiration. I may not be here as much for the next few months as Carolyn and I are helping to lead a Glass Art Fesitval at the Dallas Arboretum by Dale Chihuly of Seattle, Washington. Talk about wild and speaking his mind. He does that with his fantastic Glass Sculptures, throughout our gardens. Please come and see them if you make it to Dallas this year. Some are over 20 feet tall. All are so colorful, and amazing.
Can’t wait to see pictures, Al. Can share some here if that’s OK. Sounds wonderful!
yes of course.
We camp often just above you in Aspen Meadows. My girls called it Castle Rock because of the castle like formations at the top. We have been enjoying the beauty of this area since 1974. I’m drawn back each year to get recharged and restoked for life. I hate the fact that road from San Juan Ranch is smoother now that it was in the 70’s, 80’s. That means more people, more cars. The thought of a paved road across the divide torments me. I love it wild and free.
A few years ago a man in a jeep stopped at our camp and asked if we had seen any Moose around because he had a tag. With a sinful lie I said no! That very day we took some beautiful pictures of a moose at the beaver dams just above Timber Hill. I wasn’t about to tell him of the magnificant creature we had just seen.
I love the little things about that area. The simple wild flowers that grow in the meadows along with the rocks. I don’t know how they grow among the rocks but they do. Looking through my spotting scoop, at the ridge on Pole Mountain, watching the Elk come across every morning is a great way to start a day. I hope and pray we have that many more years to come.
I love your words and stories. Love the history up there. It inspires me.
RDE
Thought of your note and story today, Ricky, as a young moose jumped fence and walked out on pasture much to the upset of my horses. Watching him gamble down our little dirt road towards the river as the horses resumed their breakfast… one more of the greatest pleasures of being here now!
Oh what a thrill! You just have to stop what you are doing and take it all in. God’s gifts to us! Mama and Daddy Heron continue to feed in my yard almost every morning!
My daughter in law in Allen had a blue heron pay a visit to her koi pond over the weekend. About 20 small koi missing. I told her that The heron was doing what they do best although it was a tad to easy. ha.
That’s great! Ours are Yellow Crowned Night Herons and they are nesting in a tree right across our fence! I guess last year’s drought had an effect on them…just hoping they find enough to eat around here.