Around the World Trip

     If you could go ANYWHERE in the world, where would you decide to go?  I’ve decided in Stage 3 of my Ultimate Vacation to plan an “Around the World” trip!  How long am I going to allow for such a trip:  80 days?  I’m not sure if I could get everything accomplished in that amount of time.  So what I’ve decided to do is simple:  PLAN the trip I want to take!  No time limits or expense limitations and not completely inspired by the most alluring locations.  This entire excursion would be accomplished by using a private jet charter to fly from location to location, but the exact activities which would be done may require more time and consideration.    

     I would begin by flying from our home in Colorado to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Then we would continue to Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada, to Labrador, New Foundland, to Boston, Massachusetts, then to Charleston, South Carolina. 

     From Charleston we would journey to Kingstown in St Vincent and the Grenadines.  This modern capital was founded by French settlers shortly after 1722, although St Vincent had 196 years of British rule before her independence.  Here the beautiful botanical garden which was conceived in 1765 is one of the oldest in the Western hemisphere.  William Bligh, who was made famous from the Mutiny on the Bounty, brought seed of the breadfruit tree to this area for planting around 1793.  Beyond the fabulous history, the unbelievable sites of nature will require at least a few days to soak in.

     From this tropical paradise we would fly to Caracas, Venezuela, then to Santiago, Chile.  We would continue to Stanley, Falkland Islands and on to Cape Town, South Africa.  We would go north from here to Nairobi, Kenya.

     The natural wonders of Kenya would be enjoyed by a fantastic 7-day tour of 2 national parks.  We would begin at the world-famous Maasai Mara with its breathtaking numbers of large game, before heading to the stunning scenery of Lake Nakuru and Amboseli to enjoy the delights in these areas.  All of these marvels would be enjoyed under the assistance of a local tour guide so the entire experience would be one that we would be talking about for many months to come.

     Then our journey would continue to Casablanca, Morocco, then to Barcelona, Spain, on to the beautiful Dublin, Ireland and up to Bergen, Norway.  Our sites would be next directed to Hamburg, Germany: The Gateway to the World!  The green city on the water is not just one of the most beautiful cities in Germany but, the normally reticent citizens of the hanseatic city also have difficulty hiding their pride about “their” city.

     From dusty porcelain jugs to a chirpy family of ducks, you can find just about anything in the shadow of the 100-year old fish auction hall.  Since1703 pretty much everything that is not bolted down has been traded here at Hamburg’s most traditional market.

     After spending some time in this marvelous historic city we must move on.  First traveling to Vienna, Austria, then we would make a stop in historic Athens, Greece.  We would fly on to Bucharest, Romania, Helsinki, Finland and then to Kiev, Ukraine.

     Our next stop would be in Ankara, Turkey.  When I was in the military I spent two years in Turkey in the southern portion of the country along the Mediterranean Sea.  I would look forward to spending some time in another part of the country.

     Rising dramatically on a steep incline from the banks of the Enguri Su, Ankara, Turkey’s capital and second most populous city, is a modern European metropolis speckled with reminders of its varied history.  Old castles and ruins from Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations dot the landscape.  The modern city includes government and state houses, major universities, military bases, consulates, bustling nightlife and the oldest park in the city, Genclik Park.

     But least we begin to grow “roots” in somewhat familiar surroundings, our journey must continue to Mumbai, India.  Then we would journey on to Ulan Bator, Mongolia and Shanghai, China with our jet zipping into Yokohama, Japan.

     There is at least enough to do here for one day if not several.  A visit to Minato Marai 21, a popular, modern neighborhood with great shopping and tons of restaurant options is a must.  Many traveling sites recommend a stop at Big Wharf (Osanbashi Pier) to enjoy its uniquely shaped pier with spectacular views.

     The Sky Garden is Japan’s highest observation deck on the 69^th floor of the Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Yokohama standing at almost 1,000 feet.  Using the really fast elevator you can reach the observatory in about 40 seconds.  The observatory provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Yokohama city, the Yokohama Bay Bridge, and the Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji (on clear days.)

     Our journey continues as we fly to Bangkok, Thailand, then to Singapore, Malaysia, and on to Quezon City in the Philippines.  Our next consideration will be the sites of Brisbane, Australia.

     Sun-soaked Brisbane still has traces of friendly country hospitality underneath the cultural vibe of urban life yet also offers a striking city center.  Here we find countless restaurants, theatres and cafes spilling happily into the streets, barely contained by the looping flow of the Brisbane River.

     And the rolling hills that surround the city give a number of viewpoints, while the region contains some of the country’s finest tropical rainforest, reaching out to a string of glorious beaches washed by the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

     The coastline is dotted with idyllic islands.  Moreton Island, just a 70 minute ferry ride from Brisbane, is the third largest sand island in the world, yet fewer than 100 residents call the island home.  Most of the island is national park, creating a blissful paradise of sandy beaches, bush and lagoons.  But before we decide to purchase some “home” property in this beautiful land we must continue our journey.

     We fly to Wellington, New Zealand, then to Suva, Fiji and on to American Samoa.  Our next leg of the journey finds us spending time in French Polynesia.  Tahiti and Bora Bora are the most well known French Polynesian islands, thanks to their picture-perfect beaches and romantic ambiance.  These islands are ideal for handholding, with their lush landscapes and mood-setting features like lagoons and grottos.  The heart-shaped island of Mo’orea makes a wonderful base for divers and snorkelers eager to explore its surrounding barrier reef system.  Feeding the massive, sacred eels of Huahine is a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience an important local ritual.

     But we must finish up our journey around the world by stopping in Hawaii.  Then our trip would go on to San Jose, Costa Rica and turn north to Acapulco, Mexico.  It may be hard to believe but from here we would fly back home into Colorado and end our journey. 

     Of course, I only mentioned some the things we would do in the various locations that we would visit.  However, I might have to “revisit” my thoughts on the duration of this journey.  Maybe an ENTIRE YEAR would be a better time frame!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

Test Yourself:

"Does your life control you,

or Do YOU control your life?"

Western Trip

     Last blog we talked about Stage One of my Ultimate Vacation: The Eastern Trip.  It would provide at least three months to fully enjoy examining the National Parks throughout the eastern states as I had outlined in that blog.  Now we want to consider Stage Two: a journey through the western states which is going to include Alaska.  Since Hawaii is our 50^th state and is way out in the Pacific it will be considered as part of my Ultimate Vacation: Around the World Trip!

     Let’s look at the western journey.  Since it involves less states to travel through we can arrange some additional visits.  However, it does require some extra driving.  We would start off by leaving Colorado and heading south into western Texas.  Since our Stage One trip only skimmed the eastern part of Texas this trip would include a more extensive excursion into the central and western portions of the state.  We would then travel into New Mexico and head into Arizona, turning north we would go into Utah and Idaho.

     After this we would turn south going into Nevada and go for the southern portion of California.  We could take our time as we planned on how we traversed the trip north through California as we headed into Oregon and Washington.  We would journey into British Columbia (Canada), into the Yukon territories and make our way into Alaska.  Our travels then would bring us back through the Canadian territories through Alberta (Canada) while entering the United States in Montana, continuing this journey through Idaho.  We would continue southeastward traveling through Wyoming and re-enter Colorado on the western side of the state before heading home.

     Although having allowed forty-five days for this trip the time frame is always flexible depending upon the places we desired to see.  We could always add additional days if the stopping points became more necessary for our enjoyment.  Remember time is not the factor for this trip and neither is the cost.

     For many people making this trip a stop at the Grand Canyon in Arizona would probably be a given.  However, instead we’re going to visit the Petrified Forest National Park.  Here we can see the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert and stare back into some 225 million years of history in old fossils.

     And at least one of the locations we would have to stop at would be Joshua Tree National Park.  Although my son is named Joshua, it was for the Bible character and NOT the tree.  However, we would have to make the stop, possibly at night, to view the rich cultural history and surreal geologic features of this fascinating area.

     And just for me we’ll have to visit Cascades National Park in Sedro-Woolley, Washington: jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers adorn this complex.  Who wouldn’t want to make a stop here and indulge in the beauty that it has to offer?  After we have made our way into Alaska the choices become somewhat difficult.  This area is truly a vista of adventure and awe-inspiring sights.  At least one of the areas I would choose is Kenai Fjords National Park.  At the tip of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age still lingers.  In Kenai Fjords, glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms are the architect.  Ice worms, bears, and whales make their home in this land of constant change.  Native Alatiiq use these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea.  What a marvelous area to visit and “look back” into the pages of history.

     When going through Moose, Wyoming after re-entering the United States we would have to make a visit to Grand Teton National Park.  How wonderful our adventure of taking in the majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wild life within this area.  Some four million visitors per year visit these attractions and I would look forward to adding my name to that list.  Even after getting back into Colorado we may have to visit some areas on the western side of the state.  Would it be the Black Canyon at Gunnison or Mesa Verde national park in Mesa Verde?  We’ll have to spend more time on making that decision!

     After reviewing this trip and considering the possibility of visiting a few more different places (or perhaps staying a little longer at some that I have chosen) this trip may have to be extended beyond the original forty-five days that I thought it might take.

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"If you could control the weather ---

you'd have a better job and be making more money!"

Eastern Trip

     I’m sure that all of us have at one time or another thought about what we would do if unexpectedly we came into possession of a large sum of money.  You probably have your own ideas, but I thought I’d like to share mine.  Lets’ remember I’m talking about a LARGE sum of money and also I’ll consider NO time constraints.  That being the case I’m going to talk about vacations:  the ULTIMATE vacation!

     Actually my ultimate vacation is broken down into three stages: Stage one is a ninety day trip from our home in Colorado through all the eastern states making a loop from the north to the south and back.  Stage two is likewise about forty-five days traveling from our home in Colorado through the western part of the country (including Alaska) following a similar north-south loop.  The third stage of the trip would be “Around the World in ? Days.”  How would these vacations actually be planned?  I’m going to give you a break-down of each stage in this and the next two blog posts.  Remember money is NO object, so I won't always talk about certain specifics, but I will mention some.

     Stage one and two consider trips by auto to visit ALL the forty-eight contiguous states and Alaska.  We would not necessarily visit the “tourist” locations per se but could find ourselves looking more at the scenic aspects of the national parks, although there would certainly be some specified locations that we would like to visit.  When I discuss Stage Three we will be talking about using a private jet charter for transportation.

     In Stage One we would travel north up the eastern side of Colorado and go into Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.  Then we would go east, turning south and traveling through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Indian, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Main.  We might try slipping into Nova Scotia before making a turn to travel down the east coast.

     Traveling back through a portion of Maine and New Hampshire we would pick up the trip going through Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey.  The trip would continue through Delaware and Maryland with a stopover in Washington, DC.  We lived in that area for over four years so we’d probably have to see how things have changed.  Then we would continue through Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky.  Retracing part of Illinois and Missouri we would travel through Arkansas and Tennessee.  Now we would drive into South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and back up through Alabama.  Obviously being from Georgia and spending many vacations in Florida when I was growing up we would need to spend some extra time in these locations.  This would start the final leg of our trip westward as we begin to travel home.

     We would go through Mississippi, Louisiana, and catch the eastern part of Texas.  After that we would turn north into Oklahoma and Kansas before re-entering Colorado and bringing our trip to a conclusion.

     We would probably make some of this trip an examination of the country’s national parks.  Some of the highlights would be in visiting Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  For more than two hundred years people have used the hot springs to treat illness and to relax.  In Florida we could plan on visiting Everglades National Park.  It’s the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.  We might be able to site an American crocodile, Florida panther, or a West Indian manatee.  I really fell in love with these docile creatures on a trip to Florida several years ago and have collected many sculptures of the creatures.  In Luray, Virginia we could visit Shenandoah National Park and take Skyline Drive along the crest of the mountains through the woods and past spectacular vistas.

     And as we plan this three month (?) trip many other National Park visits would need to be considered.  While planning and getting down to more specific details we might have to decide that three months would not be enough time to visit and enjoy all the places we wanted to include so an extension of our time line might become necessary.  This brief information has only been to develop our Stage One trip.  My next blog post will consider the plans for Stage Two: The Western Trip!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Whether rich or poor we all have the 

same amount of time each day."

The Fence

     Usually when I hit a snag in my writing I’d stare outside my office window to get a brief moment of inspiration.  At times I could see someone walking down the sidewalk: maybe with a small child in a stroller.  I would always wonder what the baby may be doing lying there in that stroller, what kind of thoughts may be going through his head?

     But a few years ago that all changed.  I moved to a new location and now I operate out of my home office.  It has a small window in the room where I work and when I look outside I see the fence that separates our place from the neighbors.  That property has been vacant for years.  I don’t know the owners: If they just don’t’ want anyone living there or what?

     From time to time I have imagined that within that yard there could be a really nice pool and entertainment area: maybe a spot where you could invite friends and family over and have a really nice time.  At times, when I am trying to write, I think I hear the sounds of laughter coming from across the fence!  Maybe when I wasn’t paying attention someone had that area transformed into that “special” gathering place.  You can almost hear the splashing of the water and smell the burgers and dogs cooking on the grill.

     Now I’m not going crazy, but with a little imagination you can almost want to invite yourself over and join in the festivities.  But I know it’s not real.  I only have to take a look out the window and I know that nothing has changed.  It’s still the dull, brown fence separating me from a neglected backyard.

     Then there are times when I could imagine that empty backyard as a great place for having a set-up for the kids to play.  Maybe there could be a family who would move in and make the place an ultimate playground.  There would be swings and slides and other types of equipment that the young ones would enjoy.  Perhaps kids from around the neighborhood would be invited to come over and they would all play together.  It might be that I could take a break from my writing and go over to show the kids how we used to play in “the olden days.”  Sometimes if you ride a bike, or swing in a swing, or do so many numerous other things, kids look at you like they are amazed that you would know how to do such a thing!  It’s hard for them to imagine that you were once young before the years caught up with you.

     But I get back to my writing and let the backyard imagination calm down for a little bit.  Although I do recall that my wife told me that a cat and her liter of kittens had made that backyard area for their home.  Maybe I’ll need to complete my assignment for today and take a little visit next door and see what’s going on.  Besides, it might not hurt to see if I can calculate what size pool a new owner might be able to fit into that area: just in case!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Employers be fair to your employees:

Tomorrow they may be YOUR boss!"

Ink Pen

     Have you ever taken the time to ponder the wonderful aspects of the ordinary ink pen?  Most people do all their writing on a computer using a keyboard and letting their fingers tap across the keys.  Instead for an instance take a pen in your hand and let it smoothly flow across the space of the blank page.

     Consider for a moment:  the feel of the pen in your hand is firm and the stroke of the letters is dependent upon the pressure you place upon the instrument as it glides across the page.  If you simply let your imagination go for a moment you can smell the ink as it is released upon the paper by means of the writing you are placing upon it.  Does the smell change if you are using blue ink, or maybe red?  Try to see if you can tell the difference. 

     If you listen closely you will also be able to hear the words as you apply them to the page.  Some will come upon you louder than others, but they all will fill a spot within your mind and perhaps within your heart.  As you listen are the words motivating the movement of your hand upon the page or is it your hand that supplies the words as your mind releases the thoughts that are to become reality in some sense as they are written down on the blank page?

     You can also hear the changes that your mind is making and instantly the movement of the pen changes so that new words are produced.  You could let the words linger in your mind and savor them as if you had to “drink” them in and let them roll around over your taste buds.  Consider those words that are placed upon the page that would leave you with a sour taste and almost making you want to “spit” them off the page and begin all over from scratch.  And then there will be words that flow across the page leaving you an unbelievable sweat and happy flavor on your taste buds.  It would almost be like you had eaten the most enjoyable delicacy you could imagine.

     All of these things become possible because of the tiny instrument that you hold in your hand and allow to flow, ever gracefully applying your thought across a blank canvas.  If you allow yourself the opportunity you will find that this small tool can be used to express your inner feelings and show to others your mastery over the English language.  It is true:  The pen is mightier than the sword.

     All the expressions and feelings that you can gain from taking the time to use this tool and return to a time when electronic “gadgets” were but a mere thought in the mind of “far-thinking” individuals.  Put aside your keyboard and let yourself become reacquainted with the powerful affects of using the ink pen to express yourself on the blank page.  You will enjoy all the emotional depths that can become available to you.

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Don't sit next to your best friend

and send them a text!"

Emotions

  Watching your favorite movie or perhaps only hearing the “theme” song or just a few words of dialog can bring back to your mind a flood of emotional feelings.  It almost seems strange and contradictory how a scene can reach into your heart and manipulate your feelings from excitement to anxiety and then almost immediately to a despair that you can’t imagine how low you begin to feel.

     This is the power of the words used in screen plays coupled with the tremendous acting ability of some men and women to put those words into an emotional roller coaster ride of feelings.  In almost an over simplistic statement Sean Stephenson (a professional copywriter) said:  “Speaking is easy.  Make the audience laugh.  Make them cry.  Change their lives.”  He almost makes you believe that just by opening your mouth you are able to change the lives of those who listen to you.  And in some cases this is exactly true!

     At times it’s not the great box office hits that provide the emotionally charged dialog that actually motivate a change in someone’s life.  Occasionally it’s that “quiet” movie that just plays on a basic emotion and twists your heart into a different direction.  I’m going to share one of my “emotionally moving” movies with you and I think you’ll understand what I am talking about.  If you ever get a chance (if you haven’t already) PLEASE watch this movie.

     First I’d like you to ponder what comes to your mind when I mention the actor Sean Connery?  Most of you (if you are of a CERTAIN age) will probably say:  James Bond!  And by many groups and individuals he is THE James Bond.  Of course, I’m sure you realize that he has appeared in many other wonderful productions:  Murder on the Orient Express and The Hunt for Red October, which are two of my favorite non-Bond movies.

     But for this discussion I am going to mention his appearance from a December, 2000 release of the movie “Finding Forrester.”  This is the story of the relationship between a sixteen-year-old, Jamal Wallace (played by Rob Brown) and a famous, but reclusive author William Forrester (played by Sean Connery.)  The development of this relationship goes from a defiant resentment to a heartwarming real love and affection between these two characters.   

     Forrester knows that Jamal has been offered a full academic scholarship from a prestigious private school, partly for his basketball skills and partly for his test scores.  Jamal learns that Forrester is the famous author of, “Avalon Landing” and that he has never publisher another book since that one.  As the movie unfolds Jamal is helped through several trials by Forrester and Forrester is helped by Jamal to rekindle in himself his desire to live.

     In the concluding scenes from the movie Forrester has decided to revisit his native land of Scotland.  About a year later Forrester’s attorney (played by Matt Daman) informs Jamal that Forrester has died of cancer.  The lawyer gives Jamal the keys to Forrester’s apartment, a package, and a letter of thanks from Forrester.
     The emotional ride of this movie is truly one that exerts a moment for thought upon anyone who watches it.  Sometime after I had seen this movie I began to desire to return to one of my former loves: that of writing.  When times passes and you find yourself enjoying putting pen to paper, even when there is NO financial gain, you realize that this is something your heart desires to do.  Then you realize that there truly is a great power that can be found in words.

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEMS

"Don't let a day go by without letting your 

family know how much you love them."

Stories

     I remember when my kids were growing up there was a crazy little book that they loved to read and to have it read to them.  My wife and I found out that there was an entire series of them published.

     The stories were written by Stan and Jan Berenstain and they have become a perfect way to teach children about bravery and overcoming their fears.  The beauty of their illustrations and the simple yet compellingly written stories helped in providing this valuable teaching aide to families all over the world!  The classic Berenstain Bears have been loved by children for decades and will no doubt continue to be so.

     One of the books that I remember that was helpful with our children was “The Berenstain Bears in the Dark!”  Within this publication you got to journey into Bear Country and see how Papa was able to help Sister Bear with the problem she had.  After reading a scary bedtime story, Sister Bear is too frightened of the dark to shut her eyes.  Thankfully, Papa has some good “psychological advice” and a nightlight that helps Sister conquer her fears!  What child at any age cannot empathize with Sister Bear and her problem?

     This particular book was first published in August, 1982 and although that was now some thirty-five years ago the basic well-written information is still very useful even today.  It’s only thirty-two pages in length and extremely easy for reading by all ages.  Now for over fifty-five years (since 1962) the Berenstain Bears have entertained and educated children with their antics and lives that touch our hearts with the ring of reality.  These characters become a part of OUR lives even long after we have left the years of childhood behind.  If you’d like to find out more information about the Berenstain Bear legacy and current activities visit their official site at berenstainbears.com.

     Another set of stories that my children loved (especially my daughter) were the “Little House” books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  However, I think most people would be more familiar with the television series that was aired from 1974 to 1984.  This series starred Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls (Pa) and Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls (Ma).  The star of the series Laura Ingalls (Half-pint) was played by Melissa Gilbert.  Although it deviated from the original books in MANY aspects it was set in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

     Actually Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote a series of books based on her childhood in the northern Midwestern United States during the 1870s and 1880s.  Eight were completed by Wilder and published from 1932 and 1943, of which the last covers her courtship with Almanzo Wilder and one covers his childhood. The first draft of a ninth novel was published posthumously in 1971 and is commonly included in the Little House series.  The third book in the series entitled “Little House on the Prairie” is perhaps the most familiar because of the TV series.  However, this book actually covers a period from 1869 to 1870 when the family moved to Kansas.  It was here that they met the extremely polite Mr. Edwards (the character played by Victor French in the television series.)

     It was in 1874 when Wilder was seven years old the family moved for the second time and settled just outside Walnut Grove, MN.  Walnut Grove may be the most recognized name of all the towns Wilder wrote about in her books (although it is the only town she did not mention by name) because of Michael Landon’s television series “Little House on the Prairie” of the 1970s and 1980s which was set here.  Although the show depicts the family as living here through Wilder’s adulthood, in reality, they only lived in Walnut Grove for a few years.

     In 2013 my son and his family were living in Minnesota and my wife and I made a trip to visit them.  At that time we went to Walnut Grove and visited the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.  It was very interesting but I was somewhat disappointed for several reasons.  First, many of the “facts” I had learned about the Ingalls family from the television series were NOT true.  Michael Landon had used great “discretion” in talking liberties with the information from the books.  And, second, my wife and I were very disappointed that “Pa” didn’t look ANYTHING like Michael Landon!  Besides the Museum, the town has various other activities during the year.  You can get more information by visiting walnutgrove.org.

     It’s interesting to think about the books that we read or were read to us when we were children and how perhaps, even today, they have an effect on our lives.  Maybe we could relive these treasures with our own children.  Take the time and enjoy all these moments if you can.  You’ll never have them over again!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"When you tell your children:

Don't ever let me SEE you do that again! ---

You WON'T"

Deep No 3 -- Parallel Universes!

     It’s that time again when I let my mind go REALLY DEEP and discuss a topic that will make you put on your thinking cap and ponder for a few moments.  So we get our topic for this blog:  Deep No 3 – Parallel Universes!

     Is our universe unique?  I like to think it is.  That no matter where you may travel because of our Creator’s design we are special among all the creation in the vast heavens.  I think the intricate design in the physical universe around us is such that there truly exists NO other place that can compare to His marvelous handy work.

    But from Sci-Fi movies and books the concept exists that wants to state otherwise.  We are merely one “bubble” that sits upon a network of untold numerous other “bubbles.”  It has been stated that within these “possible alternate” universes every conceivable action, thought, or event has happened.  As an example:  In “one” universe you may have walked down the street and TURNED RIGHT, in another you TURNED LEFT in another you WENT STRAIGHT and I another you never went down that street AT ALL!

     This concept was high-lighted in the recent “remake” of the “Star Trek” series in 2009.  The premise is that the Kirk and Spock portrayed by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are in an “alternate time line” apart from the William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy versions of the characters.  Now the “changes” that happen in the new movie series don’t have to follow the pattern previously set by those movies already made.  But is such a thing possible?  Or is it truly just a “fringe” of science fiction that makes for “good” story, but could NEVER REALLY be possible?

     There are at least five theories why a multi-universe is possible, as a 2012 Space.com article explained:

1.       We don’t know what the shape of space-time is exactly.  One prominent theory is that it is flat and goes on forever.  This would present the possibility of many universes being out there.  But with that topic in mind, it’s possible that universes can start repeating themselves.  That’s because particles can only be put together in so many ways. 

2.      Another theory for multiple universes comes from “eternal inflation.”  Based on research from Tufts University cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, when looking at space-time as a whole, some areas of space stop inflating like the Big Bang inflated our own universe.  Others however will keep getting larger.  So if we picture our own universe as a bubble, it is sitting in a network of bubble universes of space.  What’s interesting about this theory is that other universes could have very different laws of physics than our own since they are not linked.

3.      Or perhaps multiple universes can follow the theory of quantum mechanics (how subatomic particles behave), as part of the “daughter universe” theory.  If you follow the laws of probability, it suggests that for every outcome that could come from one of your decisions, there would be a range of universes --- each of which saw one outcome come to be.  So in one universe, you took that job to China.  In another, perhaps you were on your way and your plane landed somewhere different, and you decided to stay.  And so on (as I previously mentioned the alternate possibilities.)

4.      Another possible avenue is exploring mathematical universes, which, simply put, explains that the structure of mathematics may change depending in which universe you reside.  “A mathematical structure is something that you can describe in a way that’s completely independent of human baggage,” said theory-proposer Max Tegmark of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as quoted in the 2012 article.  “I really believe that there is this universe out there that can exist independently of me that would continue to exist even if there were no humans.”

5.      And last but not least as to the idea of parallel universes.  To go back to the idea that space-time is flat, the number of possible particle configurations in multiple universes would be limited to 10^10^122 distinct possibilities, to be exact. (I have NO idea what this number is?)  So, with an infinite number of cosmic patches, the particle arrangements within them must repeat --- infinitely many times over.  This means there are infinitely many “parallel universes” cosmic patches exactly the same as ours (containing someone exactly like you), as well as patches that differ by just one particle’s position, patches that differ by two particle’s positions, and so on down to patches that are totally different from ours.

     Still COULD IT REALLY HAPPEN?  When gazing into the heavens, scientists spotted what they refer to as a “cold” area of space.  It was observed some time ago, and explaining it proved difficult, but a 2015 study suggested it was merely an area of the universe in which the number of galaxies is dramatically lower than the rest.  Unfortunately, subsequent investigations couldn’t support that finding, and a new study by Durham University suggests the slim possibility that it’s actually evidence of parallel universes is still on the table.

     But, just because something SOUNDS possible doesn’t mean that it TRULY IS!  Perhaps we would like to believe that “SOMEWHERE” there’s a place where the “great catch” of our life DIDN’T get away.  A place where that IDEAL job REALLY became ours.  Or some other situation in our lives that we hoped would have been different --- IS!

     Who knows YOU may be sitting in another place, living another life, enjoying a wonderful time READING this SAME blog and wondering:  Is it REALLY possible?

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Bad circumstances have made some men jerks!

Others are self-made men!"

Worry

     There are many things in our lives that we have to worry about:  How are we going to make a living?  What type of work are we going to do? Where are we going to live?  Are we going to get married?  If we do, will we have children?  And the list could go on with these types of questions!  In today’s society we now have to add to that such concerns as: Is the person eating next to us going to jump up suddenly and start shooting everyone in the restaurant?  While walking down the street or when “out on the town” is someone going to decide to pull their vehicle onto the sidewalk and mow us down like bowling pins?  When we send our children off to school in the morning are they going to be safe, or will they have to face a massacre from the actions of a fellow student?  We can add numerous amounts of situations to these questions and we find ourselves worried all day long!

     Let’s face facts:  There are only so many things we can do to try and minimize the occurrence of most of these developments.  And we SHOULD do what we can to make ourselves as safe as possible.  But we can’t stop living because of what MIGHT happen!  Otherwise we constantly live in fear and WE become the prisoner of our circumstances.  And often these circumstances are only fabrications within our minds of what MIGHT be possible.  I am not minimizing the terrible atrocities that have happened and are continuing to happen on a daily basis, but often the mere POSSIBILITY of an event happening is sufficient enough to bring our lives to a virtual HALT!  And that’s not how we find real enjoyment in our lives.

     Franklin D. Roosevelt at his first inaugural speech said: “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”  At that time he was speaking about the depression and the prospect of turning the U.S. economy around.  Actually Francis Bacon, an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, orator, and author, said it about 400 years earlier.  In his “Essay on Tribune” he said “There is nothing to fear but fear.”  Winston Churchill later used a similar quote to the British troops.  It seems that politicians (and others) are constantly “borrowing” phrases from one another whenever they feel it is appropriate to do so.

     But the point being made is that on many occasions we contrive in our own minds an expected consequence of situations and, in effect, become afraid of the fear of what MIGHT happen!  I can best illustrate this with a true life experience in my life that happened when I was about fifteen years old.

     One day my cousin and her family came to visit us in Georgia.  She was about my age and we usually got along very well together.  On this visit she had brought along with her a toy:  a gyroscope!  It’s a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotation is free to assume any orientation by itself.  You can even balance it on the end of your finger with a little practice.    The concept has been used in astronaut training and even “carnival” attractions.  But I digress from my story.

     As it turned out this was my cousin’s FAVORITE toy and she lacked NO words in telling me that I WAS NOT to play with it AT ALL!  Of course this made my desire to play with the toy even greater.  So during the day I made it my “obsession” to secretly follow my cousin around and I found out where she was “hiding” this wonderful toy when she wasn’t playing with it.

     After some time had passed on the third day of their visit, my sisters arranged to take my cousin shopping during the day.  I knew this was my time, but I had to plan my course of action in detail.  So I waited until about an hour AFTER they left and I knew I still had a GOOD couple of hours before their return.  My Dad and Mom had taken my Aunt and Uncle to visit some of the “old” places they used to frequent when they lived in the area so I knew this was the time to act.

     I slipped into the bedroom and “searched” through the lower dresser drawer that my cousin was using during their visit.  There it was!  All wrapped up in a cloth and safely tucked into the corner of the drawer.  I took it out and just stood there for a few moments simply mesmerized by the beauty of this fascinating toy.  I wound the string around the center axis and gave it a swift pull to start the rotation movement.  To my surprise there was a terrible clang, clunk, clink as the center piece flew out of the toy and bounced around the floor!  What had I done?  The most loved toy of my cousin was in pieces and I had been told DON’T TOUCH IT!  I quickly picked up the pieces, wrapped them back in the cloth and placed them securely back into my cousin’s drawer.  Then I headed for the back door and left!

     Walking away from the house my mind was racing with thoughts of fear and dread.  I knew I couldn’t afford to buy my cousin a new gyroscope and I also knew what punishment would no doubt be waiting for me when I went home.  So I walked!  And I walked!  My mind wouldn’t let me have a moment of peace.  I knew what I had done was wrong, but I feared the retribution that I would have to face.  In time, about three hours later, the tiredness of walking and the desire to have something to drink overcame the fear of what awaited me at home so I returned to face my punishment.

     Upon arriving back at the house I slipped quietly in through the back door.  I could hear the family up toward the front laughing and having a good visit.  As I made my way to the kitchen to get a drink there was my cousin sitting at the kitchen table reading a book.  I wasn’t exactly sure how to do this, but I knew it had to be done.  So I motioned for her to come over to me and when she did I said:  “Can we go back to your bedroom?  I need to talk to you in private.”

     As we got into the room I told her what I had done and retrieved the gyroscope from her “hiding” place.  I unwrapped the cloth and showed her the pieces as I had left them several hours earlier.  I wasn’t sure how she was going to respond as she took the pieces of the toy from my hands.  For a moment she was chillingly quiet and I thought maybe she was going to slap me on the head or something.  Then, to my amazement, she took the two pieces, snapped them back together, and said:  “It always does that, but you just put it back in!”

     My heart sank for a moment.  I had been out walking the neighborhood for HOURS dreading the punishment I would be facing and there was NONE!  She put it back together in two seconds and it was like new!  All my worries and my fears were for NOTHING!  I felt better, but I knew next time I was told to leave something alone that was exactly what I was going to do!

     Yes unnecessary fear can prevent us from living our lives.  It can stifle our joys and bring overwhelming anxiety to our hearts.  Let us use caution.  Let us prepare as we can.  But most importantly let us LIVE!

QUOTE TO CONSIDE

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Give and be happy!

and if you can't give --- take less!"

Different

     There was a day during my senior year in High School:  A day like every other day that year but it was different.  I went to school that morning as I had done all the other days during the school year.  Barely getting into my home room class before the tardy bell rang out.

     But as I went through the day to my classes it seemed that all the teachers and their assistants knew something I didn’t know.  It was really strange the way they were acting, but I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what the problem was.  I just continued all day to have this feeling that sooner or later I would be called into the principal’s office, but it never happened!  Everything just went along like a “normal” school day, but it just seemed different!

     After school, I got home, changed my clothes and went to work.  It was just a part-time position at a small local grocery store.  I had started there a few years earlier as a “bag boy,” but over time I had worked my way up to produce “manager.”  I thought the title sounded quiet impressive and it did come with a twenty-five cents per hour pay raise.  It hardly seemed like a “management” position when I look back on it.  I was the ONLY person I the department, so I guess all I had to do was “manage” myself!

     This too seemed like an ordinary day although my boss’s wife sure seemed extra attentive and helpful to me this day.  She continued wanting to know how school was going and if I had liked my job working there at the grocery.  Like I said it was much the same old normal day, just a bit strange for some reason.  It seemed like everyone in town had decided to come to that little store that day and make a purchase.  It made for a busy day, but it also made it seem to go by faster.  When I would restock the bins and come from the back storeroom there seemed to be an unusual amount of “whispering” amongst the customers, the boss, and his wife, but I just thought they had “adult” things to talk about that they didn’t want me to hear.  Then before I knew it, time had come to close up and go home.

     At home, it was almost normal too.  And yet I couldn’t seem to shake this feeling that something was different.  We had our diner, got everything cleaned up, and were watching a little TV before I was going to get busy on some school work.   Then the “boot fell” (as the expression goes.)

     My Mother sent my sisters out of the room telling them that she had to talk to me.  Of course this made them even more curious to find out what was going on and I knew they had their ears against the door as she began to talk.

     “I had a visitor at work today,” she said.

     Her voice was calm but I could only imagine where this conversation was going.  Still I sat silent waiting what I imaged was going to be a scathing denunciation coming from her lips.

     “Don’t you want to know what it was about?”  She asked.

     “Of course I do, but I’m a little afraid to ask.  This entire day has been “different” but I can’t guess what’s been going on.”

     “What’s been going on is the FBI has been interviewing people all over town today about your job application.  You have been accepted!”

     I sat as my heart felt like it was sinking, but also having a great relief.  I guess sometimes “DIFFERENT” can be a GOOD thing!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Do something today that may surprise your workmates --

actually WORK!"

Sometimes!

     My mind drifts back to an old TV commercial about candy.  Their little jingle had a line in it that went:  “Sometimes you feel like a nut!  Sometimes you don’t!”  I remember it very well.  I loved that candy (and still do!)  And yesterday I think it was being the “sometimes like a nut” kind of day

     Everything I have started yesterday (at least in my mind) had turned into a BIG scribble on the page or either had gotten crumpled up and thrown into the trash.  I don’t know exactly what it was, but that’s the way it had been going.

     I thought I could “take a break” and things would hopefully “reset” themselves and start to work out for the better.  So I got up from my desk and went into our kitchen where my wife was looking over some of the Instagram posts she had received.

     “What would you think about taking a two hour lunch with me today?”  I asked her when I entered the room.  She sort of gave me that look like “what have you done?”  You husbands know what I’m talking about.  “I’m just not getting anything done this morning and I thought a break would get me going again.”  With that comment she was agreeable to the invitation and told me to wait ten minutes while she got ready.

     TWENTY minutes later she came back and was ready to go.  Now I’m not complaining because she came back looking even more beautiful than when she left the room, but that seemed like the longest TEN MINUTES I had ever waited. We left and went to our favorite eating place, leisurely ordered our meal, and spent the better part of the two hours laughing and enjoying our company together.  When we got back home I returned to my office knowing there had been a complete turnaround from the morning dilemmas.

     However, I was wrong!  After three or four attempts to put my thoughts to paper I was already scribbling through the lines and throwing pages into the trash.  After about an hour and half of miserable attempts to get something done I finally threw up my hands in defeat and walked out of the room.

     Today I returned to my office and sat at my desk.  I picked up my favorite writing pen and began to watch as the words flowed across the paper as if they were being written all by themselves.  Before I knew it about fifteen minutes had passed and I had completed this short little article for my blog post.

     It’s true; it’s not like some of the more in-depth articles that I have posted in the past.  But those were THEN, this is NOW!  I guess it really is true:  “Sometimes you feel like a nut - - - and Sometimes you don’t!”

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Sometimes the intelligence of some people can only be measured AFTER they speak."

Cleaning Day

     I took some time today to clean out some files from my desk draws and try to create a little more space in my home office.  At times it’s hard to imagine how much you have let “pile up” that really is no longer needed or even needed from the beginning, but you had decided to hang on to it for some reason.

     I found some papers from 1999!!!!  Yes you read that right – 19 -- 99!  There were some notes on products and services that I had considered trying to get into operation.  Now the ideas alone don’t make any sense.  I guess it’s because I’d like to think that in the past 18 years my concerns about what I would be doing to create income have drastically changed over that period of time.

     It seems at that period I was considering more concentration in the area of mail order and producing some “captured on disc” products that I could offer to the public.  Now with all the advancements in the digital age they seem a little antiquated as to their ability to sustain a lengthy time period of producing income.

     There was one item I found that I thought was an early beginning to my current writing career in hopes of producing income.  I had prepared a 20 page booklet entitled “What Must Baby Think?”  It was a humorous look at some comments that we make as adults and what a baby might conceive in his mind upon hearing these sayings.  I had also included some crude illustrations trying to depict these things in picture form.  Upon looking over some of the pages I can see why I should stick to writing and NOT illustrating.

     On the left hand side of the page I would put the adult “thoughts.”  On the right side of the page I would put the baby’s “thought process.” I’m not going to bore you with attempting an illustration of the process within this blog.  (Remember I found out:  I’m NO illustrator.)  But I will try to give you a “taste” of what the booklet was trying to portray.

     The left hand side of the page illustrated a “grandmotherly-type” lady adoringly looking down in the direction of the baby and saying:  “He looks like he has his father’s eyes.”

     On the right hand side of the page was an illustration of the baby sitting on the floor with a puzzled look on his face and “thinking”:  “How can Daddy see if I have his eyes?”

     This type of “back and forth” went on for several pages.  After reviewing the little booklet I decided it was time to put this endeavor in the trash bag and continue with my efforts to get the clean up finished.  If I stopped for every piece of “old” attempts I had made  I’m going to be at this a very L-O-N-G time.

     But, wait!   Here are some of my attempts to prepare a wedding disc to record a couple’s special moment in time!  Ah!  What memories!!!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Trying and failing is better than never having tried."