Monday, April 28, 2008

Fully Refreshed

The trial of the Dude Commune was an unmitigated success. Saturday was a long time coming but once it arrived, it was worth the wait. The day was beautiful, warm sun, blue skies, birds chirping, very few insects. The group of participants were a perfect match of personalities and profiles. We had young and old liberals, older conservatives, and at least one libertarian. We all enjoyed hiking when we felt like it, cooling off in the creek when the necessity arose, and napping when that seemed like the thing to do. For a while, sitting under a tree watching the green meadow grow seemed like the right thing to do. All cell phones were turned off on arrival, some of the participants even made a ceremony out of turning them off as they entered the property. After a wonderful dinner and with the approaching darkness, we gathered around a campfire to discuss life, love, marriage, politics and whatever else seeped into our consciences. At one point, probably around 11, some of us took one more opportunity to take a dunk in a stock tank and then returned to the camp fire. About 1 am we all toddled off to our tents and slept the sleep of innocent children until it began to rain around 4 am. Even the rain was comforting, although there were one or two thunder claps that probably could have been eliminated. Around 7:30 I awoke and started cooking breakfast for the rest of the party. It was still raining but not very hard. It was very peaceful and quiet this Sunday morning in the country. Rain tends to muffle all of the unpleasant sounds of our society. No distant cars could be heard, only the gentle falling rain. As I prepared breakfast, the rest of the group began to appear out of their tents. Breakfast was enjoyed under a canvas shelter, I am not that in love with the rain. After breakfast, everyone loaded up their essentials and we headed back to civilization. From the comments made by the participants in this weekends' activities, it was the most relaxed all of us had been in some time. Civilization and society are a necessary evil in our lives but the lack of them for a few days is heaven on earth. Peace and love till later.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Commune Trial


This weekend I am going to have a small trail run of the Dude Commune idea. I am going camping with some friends on our property. Hopefully the Weather Gods will cooperate with us. I will let you know how our commune with nature develops. Imagine, no cell phones for 24 hours, isn't it great.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Noble Love

I am familiar with two young women who are about to graduate from college and embark the most noble profession that I can think of. They are about to join the Peace Corps and give two years of their lives to help people in third world countries that they do not know. Can anything be more noble, in a time when most people go through their lives with their heads shoved completely up their own self-important asses. One of these women seems to be filled with self doubt about her future, this is normal in almost all graduating seniors from college. What is exascerbating her situation is a group of self centered individuals who are filling her with this self doubt because of their own self interests. They are telling her that she does not love enough or even worse is incapable of loving people. This is utter nonsense. Can a person exhibit more love for her fellow man than by joining the Peace Corps to help people in foreign lands. She will most likely live in a small hut or home miles from nearest other Peace Corps member with a family that she has never met. This is a display of caring and courage that humbles me. Doesn't love? This women's aura practically glows. She could light up a dark room with her warmth and personality. Being in either her presence, or her Peace Corp bound friend's presence makes you feel better and happier. Both of these women are representative of the very best qualities of the sixties ideal and human nature in general.
Both of these women are passionate about their beliefs and values and have no problem defending their positions to anyone. It is rare today to find individuals with these qualities and I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to call these two women friends. Anyone who questions either of these women's motives is self absorbed and just plain foolish. All I can do is give them my undying admiration and support. Bless these two young women in their future and wherever it takes them.