WALDEN THE BALLAD OF THOREAU

Once again, reading the newspaper revealed a unique opportunity in my community. The Sunday paper talked about a film that was being shown at a theatre known for its’ art presentations in Portland, Oregon for one viewing only.

I knew it would be a special movie and immediately put it on my calendar for the following day. At the appointed time, I put the address into my GPS and headed to a district of Portland that I had never visited—Clinton Street.

Arriving early, I parked the car and walked the area…fascinating. Looks like an excellent place for me to put on my schedule to have breakfast sometime in the near future…quaint, little specialty places.

Walked into the Clinton Street Theatre http://www.clintonsttheater.com bought my ticket, a box of popcorn with real butter and my customary Dr. Pepper. This is always my splurge when I go to a movie. Not good for me, but hey, I do it so infrequently.

The film began with an introductory by Michael Johnathon, a Folksinger, who explained that he had written the play to make sure that new generations understand the impact of Thoreau’s work so many years ago.

During the next hour, the play (on film) revealed aspects of Thoreau’s life the last two days of his stay in the cabin alone at Walden’s Pond. Thoreau stayed at the cabin alone for two years,two months and two days.

Ralph Waldo Emerson had given Thoreau the land to build his cabin and would stop in to check on Thoreau during the course of the two years. Emerson at first gave him a bad time because he was talking to his peas…then picked up one of the journals and realized there were many good thoughts written down.

Emerson warned Thoreau that there would be people that would not understand his writings, yet, Emerson knew there was great value in the findings.

After Thoreau’s death fourteen years later, it was Emerson who made sure the journals where published. Thoreau never experienced success during his lifetime.

At the end of the film, Michael Johnathon talks about how Thoreau saw the need to take care of our land and suggests that we don’t worry about saving the world. Just as Thoreau said, “Take care of what is around you”. Michael suggested that we “Pick up the bottles, go for a walk in nature, and appreciate what we have near you”.
I may not have a Walden Pond in my backyard, but I have wonderful pond out my window. Just because it isn’t Walden Pond, it doesn’t make it any less important……time to cherish and appreciate the world that is right in our backyard.

You can see an excerpt of it here: http://youtu.be/-2jukNXO37o

ROAD TRIP WITH HARRY

It had been quite the week. Home in Vancouver, Washington deciding what things I wanted to take with me to Palm Springs. I will be working in Palm Springs to help bring back the Rodeo after 22 years for the next seven months. At the same time, I will be keeping my speaking, training and writing career on track. In fact, already have some speaking and training gigs lined up in the Coachella Valley.

My next-door neighbor, Betty, made sure I was fed before I began the 1080 mile drive. Once the car was loaded, we walked to the newly remodeled deli at our condo complex. It was good to relax a bit and spend some alone time with Betty, who helped me out tremendously during the last week….even down to doing my last laundry.

Decided to drive on I5 --- hadn’t done that in years and even though people comment how boring the drive is in California, I was sure I could find something to keep my interest. I had forgotten how beautiful Oregon was and marveled at the mountains. Which triggered in a mental note, make sure you do not drive home in the winter time—the mountains could be a bear to get across.

I saw the Rogue River for the first time --- and noted all the businesses with recreational activities. No wonder people like to come to this area. Literally, the pine tree scent floated into my car.

I stayed in Medford, Oregon (near the California border) and it was there I picked up Harry. At first he frustrated me because he was constantly moving. It was like he wanted to be sure I was paying attention to him. Then he quieted down.

So the journey continued through more beautiful mountains. A couple of times we went off the road and drove through some historic western towns. In one town, I found the belt buckle that was perfect for me. If I am going to be a cowgirl part of the time, I need to look the part.

Our journey continued. Wonderful rest stops along I5 --- Well shaded, clean, though miss the coffee served by volunteers like we have in Washington and Oregon. Harry continued to bug me, yet, at one point glad to have his company because I was in need of afternoon nap.

Thought for sure he would want to get out in Sacramento, but he decided to stay with me and journeyed with me the Harris Ranch. I had heard about this place on “Sunday Morning” and was determined to get there so I could see the place and have one of the outstanding dinners they talked about.

We arrived about 7:00 p.m. Went to a dining room and decided to sit at the bar. It gets lonely sitting at a table all alone. Harry decided to stay in the car. Before long, Jon, sat down beside me – he was on a road trip to San Francisco.

Jon is a distributor of Belgium chocolate. His main client is Trader Joes’s. Now with a daughter living in Belgium you can imagine how easy it was to strike up a conversation. Before long we had agreed to exchange my book “It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask” for some chocolate. We shook hands and agreed that we would talk more about working out a way his chocolate could become part of the Rodeo events. As my Mom would say “There’s always a way.”

Harry and I drove down the road about twenty miles and found a nice place to stay. I had driven about six hundred miles and had filled my head with many new ideas.

This morning, I put my bag into the car and Harry greeted me. There he was all bright and chipper and I hadn’t even had my coffee yet. So looks like Harry and I will continue our journey all the way to Palm Springs. We should get there about 2:00 p.m.

At first Harry irritated me, I did everything to get rid of him. Asked him to stop bugging me and tried to shoo him out at each rest stop. Nothing worked. At one point, I just gave up and smiled to myself that I fortunate to have the company. Harry, my new friend, is a wonder, irritating and friendly fly.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

When you cannot remember for sure what you heard in a conversation, write down what you thought you heard and send it to the other person for a review.