Fox Bark

Spotting Cassiopeia’s, he shifted in his chair aligning the telescope a group would later use, the fire pit glowing, crickets hum.

An Equinox barely past, a rare eclipse awaits, on a crossover day he rescends galloping, as the fox barks again.

Flying w/out Wings

Thud!

From a high limb a young chipmunk survives a fall onto a spongy, recently rain soaked ground; stunned, pause, frenetic is his retreat.

Blocking, he staggers away opposite to my curiosities of astronomy, at least those being read as a Sunday morning distraction.

Is and Was

shuffling money, they negotiate balance, me, you, me and on they go, five pushing music, guitars prominent, keys particularly mellow, waiting for harmonica

Breathless

In their fear, the insecure thump their chests announcing security.
Common denominators suggest shared responsibility, but imbalance evidences prejudice.
In the need for support, development, and inspiration, negligence is insisted.
Breathless and dismantled, integrity and tenacity remain.

Concussion

Fri, Jan 30, 7:49 pm: Where to meet/when?
Fri, Jan 30, 9:32 pm: Not sure about crossing the river heading toward Dave’s.
Fri, Jan 30, 9:42 pm: OK, should I go there now?
Fri, Jan 30, 9:59 pm: When you like.
Sat, Jan 31, 1:17 am: What time did you drop me off ?
Sat, Jan 31, 2:42 am: About 12:20

Where did 30 minutes go?

Horizontal Snow

A fight through the bluster, an anticipated showcase of good work, solid design, accumulating experiences cordial in nature, an announcement of trust on a belief of respect, asked, and answered honestly. Will the deconstruction plateau?

Fire

I started a fire this morning when coffee was on, at day’s end the fire still burns, my thoughts of you, like the orange hot embers, enduring and perpetual.

On North Dakota Coal

Climate change is a fact1, the inefficiently captured work of combusted fossil fuels among the most notable culprits.

Personal transportation, seemingly a right, has petroleum consumption at a sustained high2, with each mile driven adding carbon to an atmosphere3 that we breathe and that protects all of humanity from the destructive rays of our Sun.

Continued burning of fossils mined from the Earth without balance is unthinkable; the lake is not infinitely big, releasing your tired oil directly into the creek had to stop.

Getting to a point of balance on consumption (emissions) and need is daunting, and that effort will extend beyond any of our lifetimes, 100, 200 years forward.

Coal-fired electricity generation has become an easy blame4, with the individual’s automobiles tertiary, in part due to scale: a very large power plant versus my single automobile – a discarded watch battery ending up in a landfill certainly can’t be the problem, can it?

American’s inabilities with conceiving scale and utilizing mathematics renders hindered understandings of the reality of the situation.5 Instead we let the effects of a heated atmosphere creep up on us exponentially when only to discover an irreversible cascade that will gut biologies, and economies. Yet Mother Nature will survive, she does not require the foolhardy to propagate.

And you and I need transportation, we need electricity, we need heat, and appreciate air conditioning, but can we strike that balance with less emotional fear?

Coal in North Dakota is a vital part of the electricity generation picture that should continue as we develop reliable and efficient technologies as alternatives.

Coal in North Dakota is working hard to improve on the processes of efficient combustion and transmission of electricity, and there is no better demonstration in the Nation than at the Great River Energy Coal Creek Station at Falkirk, ND.

Since inception, Great River Energy has led by example in design, in efficiency, in cleanliness, in transmission, in reclamation, with worker excellence, safety, and stewardship.6

As mankind works together to avoid the irreversible, hold captive not the producers of electricity who respond to need and opportunity, challenge instead the consumers who remain ignorant to individual significance to the problem and the resourcefulness to conserve.

Insist on investments in technologies that harness renewable energies, in solar and wind, power storage, even sequestration: could incentivizing the creation of massive oak plantations7 contribute to that balance? And do we need government to force our hand?

Only as alternatives come into fruition will the debate be tempered, rendering tertiary the necessity of the burning of fossil fuels.

References:

  1. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/page5.php
  2. http://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/DOT-Miles-Driven.php
  3. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/transportation.html
  4. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/how-coal-works.html#.VEk70YvF_p8
  5. http://changetheequation.org/press/new-survey-americans-say-%E2%80%9Cwe%E2%80%99re-not-good-math%E2%80%9D
  6. http://www.greatriverenergy.com/makingelectricity/coal/coalcreekstation.html
  7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359746/

Fluttering Wings

Softly lips glance, silence, coy invitation, repeat, mild and uncertain jubilance, longing
If mine pursue yours it is not diabolically rather southern, how two hearts separate.
I am in a trance anxious to revisit the tone that we last resonated.
If thoughts invoke in you an energy of positivity, lighting bolts ought to be striking.
Aside, we stretch erect, fluttering, shaking the mites and dust, in advance of flight.
Being: is often surreal.
image.jpg

Garage Speak

Wake up, laughter, cussing, what happened?
She is just pissed at me – why are you tripping out on me, I asked?
Hanging friends started at the Bismarck, then snuck off to the Empire…
Nice, be nice, hug be hugged, imagined sun and warmth.
South they went on to Dempsey’s…
Gad they are making out, right in front of us – fuck!?
Fuck it – I am getting a smoke, Raz just fucking does not believe me…
Says Zak

Stella the Basenji

Oh what a life, your back yard antics, pulled a dove from the air, garbled er up on the run, jumped off path for that steak in the bush, your rule of the home, that patience for the cats, your quiet demeanor, your warmth is missed. Stellaat17.jpg

Life as a Rose

A Rose is a Rose
A Flower, with Colour
Appealing in Smell
A Body Slim and Beautiful
To what shall I call you — A Name?

Ceciliav4

But why so much time spent to be as a flower
Petals flourishing for such a short time.
How long shall a blossom blossom?
A petal fall?

Peering across an evening sky,
Chifon and Blue,
I seek, but it answers not,
Or could it be because I rely only on the obvious senses?

As Light Fades to Dark
Anxiety Quickens
My Flower is Wilting
But…That’s OK

In Memory of:
Cecilia Geraldine DeMuth
Born in Louisville, Ky on January 9, 1942, Died May 27, 1994

On possessions and living

What is man worth if he has lost all his earthly goods? He is freed from his nature to curate those goods, but what has he, heat, water, food? Are these essentials available to him?

A gaggle of men line up, none of which have anything, except a hunger, a thirst, if theirs is a willingness to exchange effort to satisfy innate needs, their beings will progress.

The obligation to live is supplied by a beating heart, that rhythm that insists breath and embrace. A feature of worth is in the exchange one can earn for these life sustaining essentials, self worth as motivation to share utility. Without the essentials we may loose a health necessary to proceed. Earthly goods include clothing, rare is the location that does not require protective linings for heat or cooling. Assumes then, earthly goods are the tertiary and non fundamental.

What is the worth of a man who has no earthly goods beyond the fundamental? His goal might be monastic, to study the dynamics and anthropologists of man, to find pattern, to smooth their own breath.

A man without the burden of managing the non fundamental goods may have greater worth if there is an intent to assist another. A man without goods may be limited in his ability to contribute to others who need. A man with many goods may be limited in his ability to contribute to others who need through selfishness and fear. No man is an island, we are community, unless you are the rare self sufficient hermit who is fortunate to have a healthy functioning body. Eventually the old girl shows her teeth, wobbles in her walk, loosing appetite, burbles a last breath and leaves, this is the cycle.

What worth is there in a man who has no earthly goods? His worth is great as is his capacities if his acumen is to live.

Brother Sun Sister Moon

Walking, talking, riverside
   with two who cared, and a sweet young lady chihuahua running nearby
hearing my brother’s tones and inflections in my own voice
   with two who cared, and a sweet young lady chihuahua running nearby
few directed conversations on our shared loss
   with two who cared, and a sweet young lady chihuahua running
as though he was one of the three
   as though he was one of the one

Bro-and-me.png

KY Derby 138

From: “David DeMuth, Jr.”

Date: May 10, 2012, 10:08:03 AM CDT

To: David DeMuth

Cc: Anita Stevens

Subject: Re: Derby


Fun does not describe it, extraordinary more like it.


I arrived Dennis’ house on Thursday night near 11 pm, then we woke at 7 am to go in the direction of the track, when to my great amazement, and appreciation, Bruce Thompson calls declaring he is just 5 minutes away from the house.


After errand running, and establishing that the Oaks Day Infield was really open, we set off on foot packing on a two wheel luggage cart, the (heavy) canopy, a cooler, and four chairs. Dennis’ declares, “Stop, they will pick us up, watch…”, sure enough two golf carts furling down the road stops and says, get in.


The three of us arrived at the track near 9:15 am, We appreciated that security did not find our stashes, and made it through the check-in line time to score a fence-side camp site, setting up and enjoying your canopy system from a previous year.


The weather cooperated nicely, and on several occasions were gifted by the presence of beautiful, happy woman to share in a conversation, two of which ended up camping in a reserve space that we later realized was brilliant as we established our initial footprint, marking our territory with borrowed cord from another new neighbor.


I seem to be able to win in the early races on a given day, then I go bust, hard to pick out the best from the best.


Steve landed at Standiford near 1 pm, and arrived at the track shortly there-after, his first infield experience, but had been in Louisville for Dennis’ wedding. He was beside himself! Secretly, he and I enjoy our large scale people parties, traveling great distances (e.g. Sturgis) just to see a rare act (e.g Guns & Roses).


As the day progressed, my attitude on betting, and therefore winning waned with no doubt the effects of a first relaxing day, being with three of my brothers Dennis, Bruce, and Steve. Another, Tom, enjoying last minute tickets from the office, made a cameo visit to the Infield near race 10, retreating quickly thereafter to enjoy his box for the big race #11.


In a bizarre twist, as clouds threatened, we were told that we were to evacuate, “Evacuate, Really, Humbug!!”, as a flood threatened veteran would indeed say, “Evacuate on my own terms…”


Let’s just say our exit was slow, as molasses, we did dismantle, we packed, and started out, but really, we were not going anywhere, as the storm seemed to be going both south and north of us.


As the infield tunnel was steeped with exiters, the jumbotron sign, flashed, “Racing will commence shortly…” when we returned to the fence line and scored an even better location, setting up our camp, canopy and all, again.


We stayed through the last race, Bruce and Dennis had some nice wins throughout, not real sure how Steve did, I burned through the $100 I budgeted for the day.


Food was a priority, as we did not do so well with preparations for the day, Dennis picking an excellent (we all agreed afterwards) Mexican restaurant which was both close to home and affordable.


Despite near exhaustion (end of semester, Lawrence KS interview, and 6 days at Ash River…) Steve and I elected to take a tour of the area, as we did, stopping only once at a place Dennis’ recommended we not go, without him…


Sleep, then wake, 7 am again, I leave Steve behind at his hotel (enjoying a second bed, the first night on Dennis’ couch), arrive to discover Bruce is still hanging, and we more directly pointed our scope to the track.


Today’s line was massive despite showing up at least an hour earlier, we making it through the line, but today, clipped of one of the two elixirs (Woodford), them not spotting the Vodka poured among the water identical water bottles in the ice-laden cooler.


NOTE TO SELF, PUT BOOZE ON BODY NOT IN COOLER OR CHAIR – SECOND NOTE TO SELF, SEND LEAD AGENT AT 7 AM TO GRAB SPACE, PACKING ONLY TWO OR THREE CHAIRS AND SOME CORD, ALLOWING A DELAYED ARRIVAL FOR THE BALANCE OF THE PARTY.


We still had fence, but this time, opposite of the “jail” from yesterday, and previous year. This jail allows for the police a place to stage from in case of a massive threat, or to stash drunks, or the occasional Santa Claus who was caught doing who knows what. Something about a jail experience that sobers one up quickly, so as we watch the busted, its hard to imagine what they did…


The day even more blessed, the sun penetrating, the people exciting – they say, the Oaks are for the locals, and the Derby is for everyone else, okay, that made sense.


Hurting from the day previous, alcohol was not by beverage of choice, Bruce and I sitting, enjoying a morning coffee. The Infield is really a lot about conversation, sort of like how it is with golf (and the cart). I had not seen Bruce for nearly 20 years, he being the same, telling story after story about his International experiences, triggering Steve’s interest, having has similar focus in his life.


We wondered if we’d be gifted by another prolonged conversation with the two teachers from Georgia, the one, in the poked dotted dress, but sadly not. Other joined our party however, almost all a delight.


Near Race 5, a young brother and sister sit on the grass nearby, broasting under the sun, awaiting the short glimpse of the running horses. Naturally we invited them to sit under the canopy, where they shared with us through the eleventh race; east coast sorts, he working in international business, her a fresh graduate, in a year holding pattern before entering medical school, both of which delightful, their first Derby weekend, driving from PA.


Betting was getting becoming challenging, lines long, and it was dumb not to bet two even three races at a time. Finally the derby came and went, another long shot taking first.


Derby 138 now behind us, we stayed for another race, then began the pack out, and departure during the last race.


The march out through the tunnel was long, and a lot of hooplas, amazing day!!


That about gets it, Steve and I took a longer tour of the city on Saturday, Dennis and Bruce opting for sleep…


On Sunday, Steve and I talked about a Directors position he has at his campus, something that I will apply, and then parted, then driving to the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course near Prospect (evidently adjacent to your niece’s farmstead).


Tom was there first, then I, Dennis joining, then Bruce, the foursome complete. Another blue-sky day, we golfed, Dennis and I, Tom and Bruce pairing in the carts, I sharing the golf bag with Brother.


We lasted 15 holes before being scorched out, really, and that Tom had a birthday party to go to, we packed it in, then went our separate ways.


My direction afterwards uncertain, committing only to being at Fermilab at 10 am the next morning, something I honored, after, let’s just say, an interesting encounter on the northern bank of the Ohio…


How about Derby 139?


David

Dennis-Derby138-2.png


View image


On the fence line


On the porch afterwards


Pointing


Wish You Were Here, by Bill Sutherland, recorded July 24, 2013

Requiem for Another Time

  • Leaning On the Everlasting Arm – Iris DeMent, Lifeline 2004 [YouTube]
  • Wish You Were here – Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here, Acoustic [Soundcloud]
  • Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold my Body Down – Charlie Parr, When the Devil Goes Blind [YouTube]
  • Paradise City – GnR, Appetite for Destruction, Acoustic [YouTube]

Talking to Anita in Fargo’s airport, Cousin Jeff and Kathleen at his side, Anna riding up the elevator at the hospital talking to him, taking notes that he is alright, best thing that ever happened to him is to see mom again.

DeMUTH, DENNIS WADE, 50, of Louisville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 19, 2013.

Summer Solstice

You learned from your fathers greatness, his innate shared loved, wisdom
He seemed to always buzz and resonate
Proud of his family
That I was at snowbank, experiencing what was built there and elsewhere, on the peripheral, listening
And at Ash, he smiled
Certain were his days left
The longest day his transformation
Storms and rain quenching life
Rest Bill Sr. rest

More on the Human Condition

In an instant, the unsuspected
Or we watch a wildfire jump to its prey
Walking cliff’s edge is a decision, required and not
Large eyed senses preserving breath
Sleep and dormancy as a risk-adverse principle
Live how you will, how YOU will

After Show (1987)

At first I was to send another
This will do
As I think
Hello
Its David
Similar thoughts
Intrigued?
Sister/Brother
What did I mean by that.
It was your sister
Reminded me of mine/
and I’m her Brother
Telephone conversation
Anyway
I was thinking
while riding
in the back seat
of a very dark car.
8/2/87 3:45 AM
Indianapolis

Shooting Star

Casino.JPGSeas of desperation, despair, sagging decay
Closer doorward some being entertained, smiles
Retina flash flash flash
Winners are silent
Killed 56 VC said the wheel chaired elder patriot
Smoke is thick on the reservation
George Thorogood playing earlier,
now even more Northern bound, and at night,
contributing to experimental evidence
to justify the truth.

Two Moons of Saturn

Discovered rediscovery, with metropolitan flare, slender beauty erect and alert, recognition even curiosity served by intermittent occultations, we seem to agree.

Does that door work?

The piled snow crunching under his feet while trotting across the span o’er the Red in search of music, his therapy.

 Dione Rhea Occultation
Dione_Rhea_Occultation.jpg

Proverbs 21

09 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

Equinox

That balance of light and dark, that season that hastens preparation, on that day the drummer and his indigenous chant, complemented by bell ringing, sound to the heaven containing universe, as we each stand facing on the perimeter of the medicine wheel, participating in the ascension to those heavens where all essence returns to be mixed eternally with those who have gone before, anticipating those who follow, as the sun sets in a distant clear sky.

medwheel_vcsu.jpeg

Time to Die

Death as an industry, optimized to be self sustaining, innovation squelched to ensure profit, not life, too often shift workers lacking monastic attitudes of service to anyone but themselves.
Whose life matters but your own, and with age, that glint in the eye, that sparkle fades, eventually we give in to the invading army of bacteria, feeding on their host, as caterpillar eat all the forest, selfishly.
But in my seventy two years, I did this… I did that…, earned a few bonus years, came to appreciate my parents sacrifices for my life, but eventually its “time to die,” and my control of that day, that hour, that minute is limited—
One day we will time out before we die for man will invent anti-death, extend life for a time, and for a cost, feeding the industry of death.