The "Damnpenic"... Retaining Sanity and a Sense of Purpose in its Midst...!

Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth 

to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!

This Episode:     The "Damnpenic"...  Retaining Sanity and a Sense of Purpose in its Midst...!

In an effort to discover pleasant psychological vistas in these daunting times, I made several ridiculous videos, not to make light of the seriousness of our current circumstances, but to spread a bit of humor in dark times.  Admittedly, it's quite possible that the intended humor escaped the notice of the masses, but, in the realm of happy GeezerHood, one does one's best.

Plunging ahead with the theme of this writing, I thought it a creditable idea to share some of our activities and outings, intended merely to spread suggestions, sort of like Milorganite on a withering and hungry patch of an aged lawn.  (All Geezers need nourishment, after all!)    

Daily Hikes, for example...   SweetHeart and I have grown quite fond of the walk along the Milwaukee River in the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum, a beautiful stretch of trail on the east and west sides of the aforementioned river.  We tend to walk all the way from the end of Park Place, just past the Urban Ecology Center, to the water's edge, and then south, on the East Trail.  

When you visit, look for the magnificent and iconic stone archway that marks one of the  entrances to the trail system. 

Continuing...   as we trek, we pass under the North Avenue bridge to the foot bridge that spans the river leading to the River Revitalization Foundation HQ and a view of Humboldt Avenue.  We trek across the foot bridge, pause midway to enjoy river views on both sides, enjoy the sights and sounds of birds and other walkers and their dogs, and eventually head back from whence we started.  A delightful walk, or hike.

On other occasions, returning to the theme of Daily Hikes or Walks, we trek through a portion of Lake Park (designed by Freddy Law Olmstead, you may recall), head down to Lincoln Memorial Drive and work our way to Water Tower Place.  We then climb the serpentine sidewalk-paved elevation  toward the Historic Water Tower across from the old hospital, then wind our way back north and homeward. 

I didn't mention Grant Park yet, did I?  Trek the Seven Bridges Trail.  It is a beautiful walk, well worth the time and it doesn't require a great deal of effort.  At one end of the arc, you come upon Lake Michigan.  From there you can enjoy a gorgeous view, and then circle back to the entrance.  And, yes, if you circumnavigate the entire trail, you'll cross or at least see all seven wooden bridges.  A glorious wilderness in the city.  Wonderful stuff.  You can even pause, strike an heroic pose and contemplate nature, your own self identify, mortality, pelicans...  

Of course, there are other, more essential activities that we all must accomplish -- visits to the green grocers to purchase necessities, for example.  Not nearly as much fun as trekking in wooded places or along bodies of water....  

Other potential diversions?  The laundromat?  Big box stores, garden centers if one is an avid gardener, watering holes for those who enjoy a spirited beverage, the library, restaurants with outdoor seating, museums, backyards with nicely spaced seating and the company of jolly good chums, parks, high fashion clothing shops, coffee houses, the sewer tunnel off Lloyd Street?...  But what's actually open?  Might be best to call first!   

Somewhat recently, SweetHeart and I traveled north a ways.  A necessary drive.  We had shopping to do for essentials, a delivery perhaps.  We stopped in Port Washington.  The popcorn shop was open, as the owners had some gift cartons to ship.  Lucky for us!  We enjoyed some yummy flavored popcorn (caramel with chocolate, maybe nuts too all jumbled together) as we journeyed home.

On certain occasions -- fortunately for us -- we have dear friends who are bee keepers and chicken keepers (if that's a correct construction??!).  We enjoy backyard visits, splendidly enhanced by communion with the bees and chickens.  It's fortunate for us that we can savor such a pastime with good and generous friends.  We go home with eggs, honey sometimes too!  

Today we were pleased to enjoy the company of some wonderful friends who invited us to gather in their backyard for coffee and conversation.  Hadn't seen one another for quite a long spell.  Great time, long overdue.  Good conversation.  We've conjured other reasons to venture from home, other outings...  but just wanted to provide a sampling for our beloved family members and friends, along with our legions of avid readers.  (Well...  "legions" may be a bit hyperbolic!) 


Thank you!  Stay safe and healthy, and keep that nasty virus from your doors!!

(Special Note of Dedication:   For SweetHeart, Great Friends and all the Chickens and Bees who love us enough to donate their eggs and honey with such exemplary generosity!  Thank you!)    

Humbly Submitted 06-23-2020 -- Joel K. 

   

Chicken Pox and Imagination!... Kids Want to Know!... An Illustrated Children's Book!

Memoirs of a Geezer!

Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth 

to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!

This Episode:       Imagination!...  A "Stab" at Children's Literature!

Thrill to a Dancing
Pickle!...  this and so much
more:  Read:  An "Awful"
Beautiful Day...  Or, Me
and My Chicken Pox!

"From a bright pen they dripped away, 

Thin and filmy, whirling, elusive,

In the end but shreds, scattered and lost,

Caught on the breath of the wind..." 

          -- Anon.

With any passionate discipline, the imperative is action, movement...  an inexorable journey! If one is driven to write, for example, the pen or keyboard tends to fuse with fingers and mind! The writer is compelled to stab nouns with adjectives and send the pair skittering off with eager verbs... It's a kind of madness, some say, an obsession.  a thing that has to be done with compulsive regularity. Or is it a blessing? Who the hell knows what it is, and why the urge is so insistent, like eating, sleeping and other natural impulses. Within the vastness of words corralled in books and libraries, how many are actually remembered, cherished?  Very few, it's true... but, that's not the point. If you love to write, well then you just have to carry on...  For many it's not even a matter of choice, I suppose!

Yeah, Right!  More shameless self promotion!  But, you see,
it's my blog, so I get to throw these images in from time
to time...  You know, to edify...  to annoy! It's a swell book;
it contains a good story, funny and educative too!  Get a
copy:  www.amazon.com; www.barnesandnoble.com;
www.booksamillion.com; www.outskirtspress.com...

With the great success achieved with my first published work (stated with admitted sarcasm, tongue placed solidly in cheek!), I thought I'd try my hand at a book for children. It has now been completed, and includes wonderful illustrations created by an exceptional artist / collaborator, my brother, Kris. SweetHeart's deft hand, too, of course, always a superb editor and contributor! Why not?, I figure!  Other lunatics have tried writing and having books for kids published; many have even succeeded.  Why not one more delusional lunatic?!

Perhaps it's an ego-driven madness of sorts. I make no lofty claims.  I'm no prolific writer or oft- published novelist. I've not achieved fame; I have no bookshelf filled with hardcover volumes bearing my name. In fact, as I recall, there was a Jesuit teacher in my high school who, when asked if writing could be in my future as a possible vocation answered, "That's the last thing you should do!" In spite of that rebuke or because of it, I chose my profession... And thus I write, whether anyone reads what I write is another matter entirely.      

Possibly I should have been wisely counseled prior to embarking, but in any case...  The result of my latest effort -- accomplished recently, and well into my geezerhood -- is entitled, An "Awful" Beautiful Day...  Or, Me and My Chicken Pox! It's based on an episode experienced by my remarkable daughters, Alie and Bethie.  Well, perhaps I should reveal at least the beginning of the story, in its own words, just to demonstrate that the thing is indeed a fait accompli...

             



  


















What the hell...  I'll include another, maybe even two more of the gorgeous illustrations...  I'm certain readers, devotees and others will be excited and delighted. Won't they? Here are more of the illustrations, with text even!:

























The story's central focus is on IMAGINATION! Quite a few readers have pronounced it "Fun and Funny"...  "Delightful Reading..."  "Entertaining..."  "...an Interesting Reminder of a Nasty Virus Kids Used to Get...  and about Which They're Still Quite Inquisitive!"... Yeah, say I!  That's the whole point, fer crying out loud!! Interested literary agents are most welcome to call or write! I must warn you, however, I'm quite discriminating!...  Anyone out there??!!  Hello??!!

Bethie (left) and Alie in their present
day manifestations.  I tried to give
them a kind of "cartoon-ie" look, in
keeping with the theme... 

Writing is a joyful and can be a somewhat lonely experience, but almost always gratifying, that carries with it a sense of accomplishment. Something you can step back and admire once it's done. And so I say to you, my friends, empathetic comrades and kindred souls, pick up a nib, a quill, a pencil or a keyboard and write something. Even if you and a family member or a friend are the only market or audience for your work.  

Oh yeah, one more thing.  There's a Chicken in the book, a rather large, cartoon-ie one! A truly glorious fowl creature to behold! It alone is worth a look...  Ba Gawk, Ba Gawk...  Buk... Buk... Buk! Its words are translated within the story, and that, too, should generate interest and readership

throughout the entire poultry farming community, agriculture in general... the entire planet, even the inhabited parts!! For those of you who many not be fond of chickens, we apologize, and remind you that there are many other redeeming parts of the book, Characters too, that you're certain to find enjoyable, possibly even memorable! 

[ Special Note of Dedication and Attribution:  The perpetrator extends giant thanks, and dedicates this writing to his beautiful, incomparable, fun and funny daughters for their unending gifts of themselves, their humor, support, understanding, patience and love. In addition, a special joint dedication to Brother, Kris, and to SweetHeart, my best friend, muse and cherished co-collaborator in life! (But not also dedicated to the pantomime chicken I met the other day in the mall!) Thank You, and Good Night...! ] 

(A Second Note:  "And Good Night to All the Beautiful Young Women..." is available through www.amazon.com; wwwbarnesandnoble.com; www.booksamillion.com; www.outskirtspress.com! The Illustrated Children's Book -- "An 'Awful' Beautiful Day..." is not yet in print, but can be made available to interested parties...  Contact:    jkriofske@att.net    or    joel.mary@icloud.com!)     

Humbly Submitted, 01-16-17 -- Joel K.