Gray Wolf Productions

Category: Musings

Did You Really Want A White Christmas?

The idea of a white Christmas, one with snow on the ground, has become an annual wish for many.

One hears weather forecasters daily asking, “Will we have a white Christmas?” Adding “Stayed tuned for your forecast.” We have many children and adults wistfully looking out the windows to see if there is snow on the ground.

What we have is a national nostalgia for an event that comes from the song “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” The song, from the early 1940’s, has become not a dreaming of – but a longing or wishing for.

We like the idea of a light snow on the trees and the ground, we love seeing pictures and cards of snow covered outdoor Christmas trees all decorated and glistening in the snow.

But a white December 25th largely depends on where you live and for many keeping it a dream is far better than it being an actuality.

In reality, a very white December 25th can mean feet of snow to shovel, no traveling, no shopping and no fun [at least for the adults.]

So be careful what you wish for – you might get these types:

One like the top photo [of my car] from a holiday season in Vermont where there was about 5 feet of snow between 12/24 and 1/1.

Or, as in this photo, one like we had in Portland Oregon a few years ago when many put celebrations on hold til early January as no own could drive, fly or buy.

12/26/2011
Taking a Walk Instead of a Drive

I often drive. I often walk too – but I tend to not walk along the paths I drive on – so it's kind of neat to see what I can see when I am on foot.

It's a whole new perspective.

It's a bit like being in the passenger seat and having a different visual experience – except that these were photos were taken from points where cars are not allowed – like a sidewalk or a park.

Paul Bunyon – up close

Paul Bunyon from across the street

Then through the park

Sometimes I let my camera run and grab video of the scenes from the train rides – but I have not edited those videos – that's a task for a rainy winter day.

Thoughts? Comments? Thank you…

10/15/2011
Listen to the birds!

Often I sit and listen to the sounds around me.

Sometimes it's an F-15 or 2, more often it's one of the many airplanes taking off from PDX, the traffic I hear from I-5 and Marine Drive, or the water critters and pets that live here.

None of this is bothersome to me as I love the sounds of cities.

But every once in a while it's just the birds in this tree. And for whatever reason, the other sounds are not in the background at all!

Listen to my birds with me in the video below.

Comments? Thoughts? Thank you.

09/23/2011
Awesome Late Summer Morning

Woke up very early and this was my gift for getting up! It was awesome.

Spectacular sunrise – complete with a plane taking off from PDX. [see video]

I don't think I've ever before seen a sky that looked like this.

The morning sky in Portland is like no other place I've lived! Love it!

[Well except when it's cloudy and rainy and yukky – but then I dont get up and take pictures]

Comments? Thank you.

09/21/2011
In Honor of Labor Day

On Facebook this morning – I posted:

Seems I posted this last year [according to FB] but it's worth a repeat!

This is Labor Day weekend – take some time to think about what the Labor movement brought to all workers! Quaint ideas like living wages, overtime and 40 hour work weeks.

After reading and responding to some of the comments, I had this thought:

What if this coming Labor Day were to be our last one ever?

It’s not hard to imagine this scenario with all the newly-minted Republican governors trying to eliminate labor benefits – and with many R’s trying to eliminate unions in general.

Caveat: I have mixed feelings about Unions myself. I’ve never belonged to one but my father was a strong union person and I was the Staff Attorney for a major union in Washington, D.C. Working inside is like the adage about watching sausage being made. It left me with more negatives than positives.

But – I have many many friends who are strong labor organizers, members and/or advocates of all things that I also advocate for and so I stand by unions.

Yet we have now come to a time where too many are not only demonizing unions, they are calling for the turning back of all that unions and the labor movement have accomplished over time.

So let’s do the imagining of this as the last Labor Day in the USA.

Minimum wages? Gone! You get paid what your boss or business owner feels like paying you. Don’t like it? Go find another job!

40-hour workweek with time and a half for over time? HA! You work as long as your boss wants you to at your now-less-than-minimum-wages. For all the hours you work.

Vacation time or sick leave? Nope! Get sick? Don’t get paid. Vacation? You lazy bum – you are fired!

Safe conditions at work? You wuss. You’ll do as we say – and stop asking for safety materials or safe conditions. Man up or be fired!

Got hurt at work? Sorry but you just lost your job since you had to take time off.

Insurance? Another wussy idea! Don’t get sick or hurt and you will be fine. Family has medical issues? Work more hours or send your kids out to get a job. We’ve eliminated all child labor laws and changed the laws regarding schooling too. They can go to work for as many hours as they can – at a lower wage than you make.

Pensions? Retirement funds? We aren’t gift horses. Our shareholders need that money more than you do. Save up for your own retirement or better yet – work until you die!

Social Security? We’re working on eliminating that as well. Can’t have all you workers draining our finances because you aren’t capable of saving on your salary. Find a way to cut your own expenses or get 2nd and 3rd jobs! Stop being so lazy!

Unimaginable? Not really.
Stoppable? Only if we elect to office those who are progressive and people-oriented.

The choices are ours – you get what you vote for!

Comments? Thank you!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend

PS – I'd normally put this on my political blog but postings there won't save 🙂

09/02/2011
Finally – Shoes I love To Wear

Vibram fivefingers with nasturtiums

I love my fivefingers! A shoe that I am not in a hurry to take off when I get home.

I don't rave about shoes but I love them so much I even wrote a review for REI [where I bought them.]

Shoe shopping and I have a love/hate relationship. I know I need shoes but the process of getting them is no fun so I do it as infrequently as is possible.

My feet are not made like the manufacturers think all women's feet should be made and I've learned to buy men's shoes – but that only works for sandals and running shoes. When I need to get "dressed up" I am stuck with uncomfortable shoes.

I tried on a pair of the fivefinfgers late last year but waited until REI had it's member's get 20% off sale to buy them. Also wasn't sure how they would manage winter.

Anyway – they are comfy and not too many people think they are odd [but I do live in Portland where one motto is: Keep Portland Weird.]

If you don't go barefoot a lot of the time, these may take some getting used to. But if you do yoga and have learned to separate your toes [like you did as a kid] then these will not feel odd.

They are much the same a walking barefoot and you feel the gravel and rocks underfoot but they don't puncture the shoe or your foot. I'm going to wear them for a run and a bike ride this week and am tempted to wear them to the next event for which I need to get "dressed up."

And for next winter I shall get a pair that are a bit heavier and also some finger socks!

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For those who like shoes without flowers, here is another picture

Comments? Questions?

07/20/2011