Joining the Penguins

Bottom line: We humans are hard-wired to explore, rivaling the curiosity of felines. (Better yet, we can do more with what we discover because we have thumbs.)

Using my thumb as Janet and I explore a tiny portion of Antarctica.

As a boy I never thought I'd visit the places I've been in my lifetime, certainly not Antarctica! I worked to keep mt expectations within reason, according to my thinking. A trip here, a trip there added up . . . and then I found myself in Antarctica. Though some might call it "a dream of a life time," I'll keep truckin' as long as I'm capable. Forward thinking, that's the orientation to develop.

My wife, Janet, and I have enjoyed traveling the world together and over the years have taken a number of cruises.

I'd nurtured the dream of a trip to Antarctica for a few years and though a splurge, when we discussed travel to the southern continent, we decided to "go for it." We chose Hurtigruten (Norwegian) for this cruise over the Christmas/New Year holidays '18-'19 and haven't regretted that decision.

Our ship's captain navigated us around the worst of approaching bad weather on our two crossings of the Drake Passage, considered the most dangerous waters in the world. Then, we toured a portion of the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Using "zodiac boats," staff transported us to and from our island visits and for close-up inspections of ice formations and animal activity, such as feeding whales. We toured research stations. We visited several Adelie Penguin colonies, during their hatching/fledgling season, where we enjoyed close encounters . . . if the penguins so chose.

They weren't disturbed by our presence.

Roughly, the Antarctic Circle became our southern most latitude.

At times I looked at the stark horizon of ice and mountains and longed to trek to the pole, to go and be where Amundsen, Shackleton, Scott and Ross had gone, and where only a few of all humanity has ever been.

The best part of travel for me is witnessing the wonders of the world firsthand, meeting different people, learning about other cultures, and most of all experiencing my shared humanity and living existence . . . as an earthling.

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Photo Credit: Connard Hogan

Kokopelli Squared

One day some years ago, I examined an aerial photo of ruins of an Indian village along a dried river bed, I think perhaps an Anasazi village in New Mexico. The village clung to the long arch of a river bank. The buildings clustered together, and with their roofs long gone, the remaining walls formed rough squares.

Intrigued, the image of the village ruins stuck with me, until some time later an idea emerged, could I recreate an aerial view of that village? And thus sprang my "squared" drawings.

I enjoy drawing, though don't do enough of it. Drawing provides me another avenue of creative expression, relaxes me and offers immediate satisfaction.

My "squared" drawings fuse a number of interests. I've always had an inquisitive mind, studied science, mathematics and drafting in high school, then engineering in college.

Look closely to see the pun! The superscript refers to the mathematical term "squared." The subscript identifies this piece as second in my Kokopelli series.

I believe everyone possesses the creativity and innate abilities to express themselves, though in various ways and levels of skill, if only we don't limit ourselves by our own thinking.

You can start by listening to your dreams or noticing your random thoughts through the day, then, get out of your own way. Avoid pressuring yourself with high expectations and counter your negative thinking, such as "I can't do. . . ." Start small, keep it simple and allow the process to guide you. Do it for yourself, because YOU want. Remember, practice improves you skill.

Bottom line: Just do it.

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Photo Credit: Connard Hogan

COVID Ode

Months into the COVID-19 lock-down, a realization struck me one day as if I'd been challenged with a Zen koan. Feeling isolated, though happily married, I found solace in reminding myself of my connection with all living things, and beyond that everything in the universe. I consider that my spirituality. Bottom line: you're part of the big picture and can't be otherwise (regardless of what you think, feel or do). I encourage you to kindle an awe of the universe, and through that, feel or find your connection, too! I offer the following "poem."

As COVID “stay at home” gnaws at my psyche,

And boredom whittles down my enthusiasm,

I grieve the spontaneous interaction with others,

Zoom a pale substitute for handshakes and hugs.

Then, songbirds trumpeting their melodies,

Or an owl calling through the darkness,

Reminds me I’m connected to all else,

Separated only by my thinking.

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* This post updated from its original which appeared on Primate's Big Adventures.

Photo Credit: Untitled by Greg Rakozy - Unsplash.com