61 Comments
Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Beautifully written.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

I’m in Costa Rica for this very reason

Nature matters for mental health

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Jun 19, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Ditto, the tropical mountains of central Dominican Republic.

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"It is essential to realize there are things in this world that can never be subject to the whims of odious tyrants masquerading as philanthropists. Nature and her laws don’t obey any white paper agendas of Oligarchs or social engineers or their parasitic foundations. Nature will always be the wisest teacher we have because she is the oldest, and she is untouchable. If we let her wisdom guide us by staying closer to her, we will be well served to negotiate any internal or external turmoil that comes our way."

Absolutely gorgeous paragraph, and a gorgeous post in general. I take so much solace in the fact that the control the control freaks want just really isn't technologically possible to them.

Have you ever seen Alone in the Wilderness or read any Dick Proenneke?

I think you would find it extremely therapeutic in the "between times" when you are not in nature.

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I was binge watching Alone last year (the seasons before it got hokey) but now look forward to Alone in the Wilderness. Thanks for that!

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Hm. Alone. Never heard of it. I don’t do modern TV. 😂

You will LOVE it. I guarantee. It’s only 45 minutes. I’m sure you can find a Web version but you may have to pay for it. You can find a few free excerpts on YouTube.

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It's a History channel show where they dump 10 trained survivalists out in the middle of nowhere (remote Canada usually) and they have to survive alone for months with just 10 items until the last person taps out, usually in the harsh winter conditions, but most from psych and emotional isolation. I often wonder how they refill their prescriptions ;-) Actually there's useful 'survival' info to be learned and if the people are interesting it makes for good tv. I found the first half of that doc and will watch tonight. Need to find part deux. It's probably out there. Thanks again!

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Jun 19, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

I always loved watching that show, before disposing of cable. Those people had some awesome skills. I would have died off the first week.

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Wonderfully refreshing! What a legend! The tv 'alone' kids have nothing on Dick Proenneke. It's fascinating to see how younger generations are tuning in to YT videos of people who work with their hands and build things - log cabins, survival huts etc. We've become so disconnected from tools and the things we choose to have around us in life, it seems there's this resurgence of interest in the self sufficient survivalist/naturalist loners who document their time in the wilderness. Anyway thanks for that. I found a companion doc on Dick's life that was interesting as well.

https://youtu.be/Hq_RchNo4_c

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Yes, he is very cool. The original wilderness vlogger from the 70s: Dick Proenneke. LOL.

I have some of his books somewhere. I think I learned about his stuff 20 years ago or so. I love the videos because Swerer is a good narrator, and Proenneke's woodworking skills are just incredible. He rips boards that are straighter than the ones you can buy from Lowe's. 😂

I look forward to watching the one you shared because it has some more original footage.

Bob Swerer has been really good at getting all free copies of the original one off the internet. At one time you could find all 3 parts. So, anyway, the original 40 minute one is worth paying for. I lost my DVD over the years.... there is probably a digital copy to be bought to watch immediately.

https://www.amazon.com/Alone-Wilderness-2-DVD-Package/dp/B0058JQYE4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=62RZX9GSHC6T&keywords=alone+in+the+wilderness&qid=1655633796&sprefix=alone+in+the+wilderness%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2

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And yes. This right here (even shows like Survivor, as contrived as they are) are a demonstration that people want something real. They don't want to live in a Metaverse, not really.

I was wrong, it's a full hour.

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I love the films he made. Saw them on OPB. I always wanted to do what he did.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

A phrase has been bouncing around in my head for the past month or two: food for the soul. I’m happy you found some for yourself. : )

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Sweet. Nature unsoiled shows the beauty of God’s handiwork—that’s why it touches us so deeply.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Thanks. I feel bad children have relatively little opportunities compared to growing up in the 70&80’s. We’d be outside until dark. & if we did something wrong, the neighbors would tell our parents

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free range childhoods make for glorious living and learning.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Rural Oregon is special majik. Outside Portland, Eugene and Corvalis, Oregon is an incredible place!

I remember well the view prior to my first landing in Portland, an early September morning, not a cloud in the sky, and the peaks of St. Helens, Hood, Adams, Rainier, Jefferson, and the Three Sisters on the different horizons with a massive river flowing through it. It looked like heaven.

I also remember the then-gubernator, McCall I recall, putting up billboards on northbound I-5 from the southern border; "Don't Californicate Oregon."

That was 47 years ago. And obviously didn't work.

Truth never changes.

(I still believe "little people" secretly living around Mt. Jefferson ;) )

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"Don't Californicate Oregon." so great.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Excellent! Look past those who demand attention to the ever present nature that warrants attention. I'm happy you're restored by a return to your roots. The problem with the current obsession with diversity and integration of peoples is the abandonment of the nature from which they issue.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Dear T. Goode,

You always sounded fine by me. Great men/women carry great weight. It's just the way it is.

Beautiful photos.

When I read how you wrote so sentimentally about fly fishing, I immediately thought of that excellent movie & was gonna send you a clip.

But I see

Happily

You're In

The Stream of Things.

Blessings

I got to get back to mowing, but this Piece with its Scenery echoes brightly.

Thank you.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Glad to hear that you had an opportunity to recharge your batteries, Good Citizen. Nature does have a way of soothing the soul. You can take all that you said about the California migration and all of it's horrors and apply it to some parts of Texas also. I worked construction in the Austin area for many years, and it was in the 80's when the first wave appeared, and the common brag was that they could buy 2 houses here for the money they sold their California dream "nightmare" for. Now, the entire Austin area and much of the I-35 corridor from Dallas to San Antonio is essentially unlivable for any normal person. Which is why this guy left the insanity behind for the cabin's front porch in the woods of a part of Texas that hasn't yet been sullied.

Hope you can get back to the river often.

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They've ruined so many states. 😢 There should be a wall, so they can't get out.

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Beautiful photos! I have never been to Oregon due to Karenland Portland, but put Deschutes on my list.

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Jun 19, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

One of your best written pieces, pure poetry. The pictures take my breath away. That river must be a magical place. It sure inspired you to write from the heart. Thank you for sharing it!

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Oregon is red.

Cheating is how Demonrats win.

Like California.

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My daughter just returned from a vacation trip with my future son-in-law and they had visited Haystack Rock. She sent pictures when she was there and it looked beautiful. She is from the midwest and loves the mountains. She told me the worst part of their trip was when they visited a friend in Portland. I believe her words were "That it sucked" and she mentioned the filth and drug addicts. I think as she is getting older she is starting to realize what happens when the 'snowflakes" you mentioned in your previous article start to take over. Made me kind of proud that my little girl is finally seeing what happens in the real world!!! Linking as usual @https://nothingnewunderthesun2016.com/

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

I'm an Oregonian, too. My wellspring of sanity is Nature as well. It also helps to recover from "compassion fatigue" and avoid "victim blaming". Our pea-brains aren't all that conscious, AND being the evolved Top Predator species on the planet, we (intentionally or not) do much harm and insufficient healing. Be careful. All "liberals" aren't hypocritical, confused fools; all "conservatives" are not exemplary good citizens. In fact, I've found them to be narrow-minded, hypocritical, control-freak, bullies.

This "civilization" is changing so fast, over-populated with so many unhealthy, undereducated, frightened misfits, and led by predatory psychopaths in elite gangs of international organized crime. Big trouble everywhere. Remember life is a miracle, however unpleasant. Be kind, or even loving, to your friends, family and community . Your heart will beat longer and you can die relieved, humble, grateful.

Sorry, didn't intend to spout off like that. The plandemic, altersex obsession and social stupidity get my goat, too. But I'm an old, unsuccessful idealist, multicultural tree-hugger from the Rogue Valley. Some things you say sound really reactionary and scary.

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Jun 19, 2022·edited Jun 19, 2022Author

Beautiful area as well, Rogue river. I'm sure much of what I write, when the satire and irony goes undetected, would sound reactionary and scary to a self described old unsuccessful idealist multicultural tree-hugger. You do realize after building fine strawmen on liberals and conservatives for me, you then contradict the previous sentence with "I've found them to be narrow-minded, hypocritical, control-freak, bullies" on conservatives? Surely not ALL, Jovanda.

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It's been my torturous experience, actually beginning with my mother and her six evil sisters. (They grew up in very harsh conditions. I'll give them that excuse). And I've lived in 7 states.

It's no one's fault; the predatory impulse is simply more direct and self-righteous (and lethal) among "conservatives". Libs want to believe we are NOT predators at heart, developing our other instincts for curiosity, care-giving and compassion a fighting chance. They inevitably lose the reins of civilization to warrior, commercial and racketeering cults. With more imagination, kindness, and sense of reverent interdependence, the more talented may leave us with inspiring art, wisdom traditions, and a comforting sense of community, which can inspire the best in us. Now that we've lost all sense of miraculous, organic "oneness" and integrity, however, "the left" is--well--a pathetic swamp of clueless, neurotic hypocrites and wanna-be conservatives.

Bless them all, both left and right: "they know not what they do".

ps: except for Hillary, conservatives are definitely more mean-spirited than others

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Jun 19, 2022·edited Jun 19, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

"...narrow minded, hypocritical, control freak, bullies.." You just described every liberal I've ever met.

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Surely not all, Bandit.

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All the ones that I know their politics.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

You should have eaten that trout. I spent a lot of time in the Adirondack forest in Northern NY state as a boy scout. We hunted , caught and ate all kinds of things. For me the most important lesson i learned from nature is that all our modern conveniences are intended to hide and obfuscate the fact that we are mere footnotes in this multi billion year cosmic saga. We have lost the reverence and appreciate for the tragic dimension of life.

Consider hamlet

“All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely Players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His Acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,

Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel

And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,

Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,

Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,

In fair round belly with good capon lined,

With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

Full of wise saws and modern instances;

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;

His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.“

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So true doc.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Lear: act 4 sc 6

Lear is blind and going mad but he shows he still understands the nature of power and the corruption it brings and how power can be wielded to hide crimes

Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no

money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse

in a light. Yet you see how this world goes.

Earl of Gloucester:

I see it feelingly.

Lear: what thou, art mad? A man may see how the world goes with no eyes.

Look with thine ears. See how yond justice rails upon yond

simple thief. Hark in thine ear. Change places and, handy-dandy,

which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a

farmer's dog bark at a beggar?

Earl of Gloucester: Ay, sir.

Lear:And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold

the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.

Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!

Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back.

Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind

For which thou whip'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;

Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,

And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;

Arm it in rags, a pygmy's straw does pierce it.

None does offend, none- I say none! I'll able 'em.

Take that of me, my friend, who have the power

To seal th' accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes

And, like a scurvy politician, seem

To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now!

Pull off my boots. Harder, harder! So.

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Jun 18, 2022Liked by Good Citizen

Upstate is beautiful. However I’m glad I moved to central Florida just before lockdown. Great comment!

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We are not footnotes!!

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