Reunion, American Independence

Returned from a family reunion. 150 of the family’s 228 members there. We prayed, sang patriotic songs, worshiped, danced, feasted, burned fireworks, played soccer, football, Ultimate, golf and paintball. Kids played in the pond and creek. We recalled family members long gone and relished the love among those present. All this springs from traditional family [...]

Recession? What Recession?

We have a long ways to go. Standards of living in Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico are far below the lowered standards of living we are experiencing since the bubble burst. I recall a nearly naked man in Brazil, living on the jungle floor outside of town. I recall a haggard 14 year-old man-handling an iron-wheeled [...]

Mapmaker’s Wife

The Mapmaker’s Wife by Robert Whitaker Finished Feb 24, 2007 About the French meridian expedition of 1750, to Peru. A dozen scientists went to Quito to measure a degree of latitude to determine the shape of the earth. They thought to be gone 3 years. It was an international story; the quest was hotly pursued [...]

Logging in Ecuador

I traveled in Ecuador this year. My companions were botanists, mycologists, cellular researchers, artists, museum managers and business owners. I directed the following letter to Percy, a botanist from Peru. If you wish to see photos of the plant, bird and insect profusion at Bella Vista, you can google search “bellavistacloudforest”. ……………………………………………………………………………….. Greetings, Percy! I [...]

Ecuador rocks!

Ecuador Journal     Sept 17, 2006. Traveled from Bozeman to SLC with the Strobels. They generously purchased gas at Ennis for the Camry. I drove most of the way. They also purchased a meal for me at the Chuck-A-Rama in Bountiful. I learned of Phillips Environmental products and Strobel’s microorganisms and the role they [...]

Random Thoughts “Inspired” by a trip to Las Vegas

LasVegas Trip February2004 One reason I don’t gamble is that I’m afraid to embarrass myself sitting at a machinetrying to figure it out. The lady at her table in the buffet room at Sunset Station has a Keno easel, meaning, I guess, that she is playing Keno through a “runner” while she stokes upon biscuits [...]

A Week on the Yellowstone

A Week on the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers June 3, 2004 Henry David Thoreau wrote “A Week on the Concord and Merrimac Rivers”, a dry read. When an admirer puts his book down, one who has begun fully expecting to enjoy it, one who has eagerly read Civil Disobedience, Walden, and An Ode to John [...]

Preston Thomas Commemorative Trek

The Preston Thomas Trek November 11, 2003 Tom Burnett and Mike Jones Journal Entry: November 10, 2003      Mike Jones and I just arrived in Wamsutter, Wyoming. The motel is dark and filthy, but we are both grateful to have lodging out of the wind. The owner is a stubby, gregarious woman in a flannel [...]