Happy Independence Day

God bless the USA

#happyindependenceday

Enjoying the freedoms we still have.

May God bless the USA.

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Honestly Living

As I have mentioned before, I have come across a TV show that I just can’t get enough of. I have found, and thoroughly enjoy, The Last Alaskans. One review I read on this show used a word to describe this show, that I would also use, intoxicating. Completely intoxicating.

The show is now in its’ second season and I can still honestly say, I can sit down and feel myself relax when I hear the opening music to the show, Heimo Korth narrates the opening behind the pictures, and I wait to see what these characters will reveal this week. The blend of music, amazing scenes, the reverence of the participants to their way of life, the hard work seen, and unseen, the stories, their histories, it’s so real. There is no flash. There is real life. It’s so compelling. 

In Plain Sight

I probably watch more TV than I would admit to. Primarily I watch my beloved Red Sox, and then shows on history, wildlife, survival, and a few DIY types now and again. Recently, as I have written here, I have found, and thoroughly enjoy, The Last Alaskans. One review I read on this show used a word to describe this show, that I would also use, intoxicating.

My schedule keeps me quite busy and I don’t always find myself settled in front of the TV on Sunday nights. Thankfully I can record the show and watch it when my schedule allows. Honestly, I can sit down and feel myself relax when I hear the opening music to the show, and I wait to see what these characters will reveal this week.

Life First

Last night I watched the first episode of The Last Alaskans. I loved it. I think about the wilderness, the way of life depicted in the Docuseries, and how I would measure up, all the time. One thing that I take away from my own thoughts on this, and then certainly its reinforced while watching this show; that the first priority that these folks share, is life. Just to live, to stay alive. I don’t know first-hand, but I think it would suit all of us well, to know and understand the reality of that scenario. In our day-to-day lives walking among the so-called civilized, when was the last time you spent your day actively planning and pursuing actions that were so basic as to just live another day, another week, another season, etc. Maybe you did, but I don’t think we even know how to think in those terms, truly. We have everything we could ever need or want all around us, and much of our life is assumed. Thus, the refreshing line of thought, for me anyway, on the simple pleasure of living, life first.

The characters of the show are new to me. I can tell you already that I am liking them, or at least how they are shown in the series. I will mention two folks, Ray Lewis and Bob Harte. First, Ray Lewis struck me right away. Watching the clips of him make me feel like I am watching an articulate, gentle-souled, woodsman, a pioneer, from 200 years ago, but I get to see him in the present. I somehow think that walking the wilderness with him would be both, educational and a treat.

Then there’s Bob Harte who lives with his past mistakes, in physical solitude, but never is emotionally alone. I can’t help but think of myself when I hear his words describing his past, as he stays close to the then, while passing through the now. I posted a couple of his quotes (below) from last night’s first episode. These simple words begin to shed light on the life that he, that these characters, lead in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

“Match my wits against the extreme. That’s what I love.” ~ Bob Harte

“It’s easy to die up here. Everything else is work.” ~ Bob Harte

Bob Harte (photo online animalplanet.com)

Ray Lewis (photo online mlive.com)

 

It’s Memorial Day – established to remind people to remember

Lest we forget.

Please remember what Memorial Day is about.

Give this a listen…pretty cool.

Thanks #17 (Freedom)

I am thankful for freedom. This is New Hampshire, the state motto is, “Live Free or Die.” Taking the motto a step further, it was originally written as, “Live Free Or Die; Death Is Not The Worst of Evils.” I don’t know about the rest of New Hampshire, but I take freedom pretty seriously. Freedom, meaning by one definition, “The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” What a tremendous definition, and an even greater responsibility. I’m thankful for the freedom, and the responsibility that comes with it. I know it’s within the definition of freedom to carry on as we wish, but we are better served by acting, speaking, and thinking respectfully, and responsibly. Freedom allows this blog to exist. Freedom encourages greatness. Freedom allows the human spirit to perform at its highest levels. Freedom is something we should recognize and appreciate everyday, and, by the same token, we should never take it for granted. So, as I sit here in my home, acting, speaking, and thinking as I wish, I am so thankful for freedom.