Retired Navy after 23 years. I retired at the age of 40 years old. I've been out longer than I was in. All of the ships I served on have been made into razor blades. I had fun and I lived my life the best I could. Most of my shipmates are gone and I try to stay in touch with the remainder. It continues. Substance abuse counselor, builder of wooden boats, furniture maker, prison non-violence workshop facilitator, life observer, activist, reader, writer, geriatric subject of interest, generous tipper. I stay involved.
A NOTE TO MYSELF I wrote the note in the wee hours alongside a highway during my final trip from Santa Fe to Boothbay. The note indicates that I am driving toward Columbus, Ohio and within 42 miles of the place. The note is six months old. This is all I know. The intention of … More A Note to Myself
THREAD HANGING A killer whale jumping in a bowl of green peas, I found it between vi and vii, A slick photo with no print or explanation A strand of ideas snapped and dead ended, Glossy and colorful and smooth to touch. What I was looking for is gone for the moment … More Have You Ever Seen an Orca? Now’s Your Chance.
WATERCOLOR TREES A blanket of sea smoke steals softly into the cove, Presses along the shore, Two islands lean in with watercolor trees, Their winter branches wave and reach, Divas without wigs share startled stares. Two India ink crows scold and command, Two India ink crows being offensive, All the while the sea smoke With … More Winter is Beautiful. Don’t Let Anyone Kid You.
There are days when I want to lash out at the oppressive nature of someone or some group and discharge all the anger and bitterness that comes with failure and humiliation. Quite a human reaction to things that pile up and gnaw away on a daily basis. I believe that’s what is going on in … More Stress is Cumulative. Empathy is Required.
This scene repeats and never is without joy. The first joy of the early Spring! I just came back in from a mini-tour of The Castle grounds. I discovered the snowdrops where just a few days ago were piles of snow. It always joins the child within with my present day mind. The sight always … More Uplifting Find!
I MADE A FRIEND FIFTY YEARS AGO and I miss him Tailing in on the last post about shipyards and shipyard complexities and shipyard workers, specifically shipfitters. All the trades in a shipyard have a two digit shop number designation. That number is printed large on each side of their hard hat. Each shop’s hard … More Regret? Hardly. I Made a Lifelong Friend.
One of the worst ever jobs I had while in the Navy was a job I was assigned to when I first was promoted out of the enlisted ranks to Warrant Officer. Usually Warrant Officer is a sweet position in the Navy. You’re neither fish nor fowl, as the saying goes. No longer an enlisted … More Waterfront Communication Skills
I’ve written just a little bit about “approximation” before. It was on October 4th, 2017. You can look it up by using the archives piled up over there on the right. The idea of approximation is common amongst us all. We all do it. Sometimes it’s appropriate and other times not at all. To have … More Approximation and Having Fun Without It.
Here is one I can’t ignore any longer. I like it but it needs a brushing up or something. Peace out, G. M. Goodwin 20 March 2018 Spring! NOW AND FOREVER MORE AMEN I sit in my big soft chair Gazing above the false horizon Set by the trees and shrubs growing Outside my window. … More Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You.
I’ve been fascinated lately by sperm whales. I found that they dive deep into the ocean and eat giant squid. That statement is enough to hold my mind captive for a few days. I’m familiar with diving deeply into the ocean. I’ve seen with my own two eyes what is deep under the surface in … More The Depths of Our Planet…(and One Other Place that is deeper)
Playing Fair and Being Kind 