WILD RIVER STATE PARK

We spent three nights (Sept. 24-27, 2008) at
Wild River State Park, my first camping trip in over a decade.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river/index.html

Living in St. Paul, there is always the noise of traffic. I needed to experience the quiet of the Boundrey Waters, or of my annual canoe trips down a river, where the only sounds heard are the sounds of Nature. Upon our arrival on Wednesday, we got site A-14. It was quiet. I was the only camper in the A loop.http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00254_camp.pdf There were only two other campers in the park! It was heaven.

We had two exciting experiences. First, during the second evening while I was reading and Jack was laying nearby, suddenly near our campsite, a preditor got his prey. The death scream was loud and scary. I was startled. Jack immediately got up and growled loudly, the first time I've heard him growl. I like to think that Jack saved me from also being attacked by a bear, a pack of wolves, or some other beast. Second, as the above photo shows, while biking I noticed a snake crossing the bike path. Jack, wasn't very interested in a petty garter snake, but I was.

We explored the park by bike, but next time I'll bring my bike with the pet carrier so Jack doesn't get too much exercise and we can travel farther.

Now I'm busy planning our next trip. I want some fall colors.

NATURE

I eagerly await the fall colors, one of the the wonders of God's Creation:

"Man is but a reed, the feeblest one in nature; but he is a thinking reed. The entire universe need not arm itself to crush him—a vapor, a drop of water suffices to kill him. But if the universe were to crush him, man would still be nobler than that which killed him, because he knows that he dies and the advantage which the universe has over him; the universe knows nothing of this."
(Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), French scientist, philosopher. repr. Encyclopedia Britannica, Chicago (1952). Pensées, no. 347 (1670), trans. J.M. Dent & Sons, London (1931).)

THE PERFECTIBILITY OF MAN - JOHN PASSMORE

Thus far today, I drafted and posted a book review. http://forum.philosophynow.org/viewtopic.php?p=11739#11739

Then we went to the dog park. I talked to Janelle: J: "Were you offended yesterday by the woman who was breast-feeding? Me: "What woman?" J: "You were sitting next to her. You talked to her." Me: "She was breast-feeding?" J. "Yes" Me: "I thought the boy was asleep." J: "We disagreed about her breast-feeding, and we wondered what you thought." Me: "You should call my ex-wife and kids and assure them that I still don't notice what women and kids are doing around me!"

Monday, September 15:

Today I met mother & child (above), told her of my obliviousness, and my conversation with J, and she laughed and laughed. Then we talked sbout Sarah Palin.

JACK'S SHERPA CARRIER

This Sherpa carrier came today. Now we can bike and bus. Jack crawls in the end, turns around, and lays down - ready to go wherever I go.

Now I have two days to plan a bus and bike outing. Todays newspaper lists two possibilities. There is the Selby Avenue Jazz Fest. http://www.selbyavejazzfest.com/ or an Animal-rescue benefit (Music for Animals") at O'Gear's Bar and

Grill. http://www.secondchancerescue.org/events.aspx .

Or we can stay home and watch the Michigan at Notre Dame game, a game that Catholics have a duty to watch..

Or someone could send us one plane ticket to Switzerland.

http://www.sherpapet.com/airlines/airline.php?air_type=U.S.

Lets see, Jack needs shots and some paperwork and I need a passport.

A DUTIFUL SON

My son recently bought me an Amazon gift certificate for $100. Remembering what I used to say to my kids, the gift certificate stated:

"To: Dad
From: Books are your friends!
Thanks so much for all your help with Charlie. He's getting lots of walks and even more tablefood from Geno."

Today I redeemed my gift certificate. Here is what I ordered from Amazon:

Items shipping soon: Delivery estimate: September 15, 2008

1 of: How to Read Wittgenstein Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
http://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Wittgenstein-Ray-Monk/dp/0393328201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220929303&sr=8-1

1 of: Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of GeniusSold by: Amazon.com, LLC
http://www.amazon.com/Ludwig-Wittgenstein-Genius-Ray-Monk/dp/0140159959/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220933744&sr=8-1

1 of: Liberty of Conscience: In Defense of America's Tradition Of Religious Equality Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Conscience-Americas-Tradition-Religious/dp/0465051642/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220960657&sr=8-1

1 of: In Praise of Prejudice: The Necessity of Preconceived IdeasSold by: Amazon.com, LLC
http://www.amazon.com/Praise-Prejudice-Necessity-Preconceived-Ideas/dp/1594032025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220961432&sr=8-1

1 of: A Secular AgeSold by: Amazon.com, LLC Items shipping soon: Delivery estimate: September 15, 2008
http://www.amazon.com/Secular-Age-Charles-Taylor/dp/0674026764/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220962208&sr=8-2

1 of: On the Unseriousness of Human Affairs: Teaching, Writing, Playing, Believing, Lecturing, Philosophizing, Singing, DancingSold by: Amazon.com, LLC
http://www.amazon.com/Unseriousness-Human-Affairs-Believing-Philosophizing/dp/1882926633/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220964039&sr=1-7

I'm in heaven! THANKS NICK

Watching Annie, the movie

I love this movie, especially the music. I watched it on the Hallmark channel last night, with Jack on my lap.

I used to watch it when I baby-sat. We'd have popcorn and ice cream. Alas, they now live in Switzerland. We miss them.

JACK'S NEW COLLAPSIBLE KENNEL

Today we spent a couple of hours at the dog park. We then went to Petco to check out collapsible carriers. When I asked the price for this product, the clerk said that he would check. He returned and said: "Your in luck; its $10.00!"

At the cashier, I said that I was embarrassed to give her a "10% off" coupon. She took it and I ended up paying $9:00 + tax on the product that had listed for $119.00. I can now bike and bus and take my pal.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

On Wednesday in Rice Park, I asked this 9/11 protester if he knew James Fetzer, my former friend. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FETZERclaimsDEBUNK/ He said 'yes', that Fetzer spoke to the group before their march, and that Fetzer had led the protest march of the conspiracy theorists.

The number and variety of activists obsessed with an enthusiasm is truly amazing.

MICHAEL GARFIELD on PHILOSOPHISING

Two blocks from our home is a wooded, hilly five-acre off-leash dog park. We love the park and go there daily.

As Jack and I arrived this morning, our friends Michael, Lucy, and Ethel were arriving.

As Michael and I walked and the dogs played, I complained that I was disappointed that no other member of the Philosophy Now discussion forum
http://forum.philosophynow.org/viewforum.php?f=13 had bought and read Richard Baron"s book PROJECTS & VALUES - An Ethic for Today (http://www.projectsandvalues.com ) Baron is an active member of the forum so I have the opportunity to engage him regarding his philosophical thought.

To my complaint, my friend Michael Garfield replied:

"Most people are not interested in philosophy unless it is their philosophy."

A profound insight?

I'll close now. Its time for Jack and I to get downtown for today's RNC action in the streets.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Other than meeting these charming Obama-supporting sisters from Mankato (where I grew up and graduated from college), today was uneventful. I got a late start, arriving at Rice Park at about 4:00 p.m. I had intended to take the "north walking tour" to the vacinity of the Excel. But, when I discovered the length of the walk, in view of the late hour, I just went to Rice Park to relax and watch people.

The anarchists were violent today - breaking windows and other property, and assaulting some delegates. As I write this, the evening news reports that there were 283 people arrested, 119 on felony charges.

I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. It is supposed to rain.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Yesterday we left at noon and drove to the police department to park the car. But there was a security perimeter, so we had to park 20 feet from the security guys. They promised to guard my car from any anarchists and nihilists.

We then biked to Mears Park to have lunch. Leaving Mears, we ran into s couple and their dog whom we know from the dog park. My Reagan t-shirt draws attention and is a hit (But, I think, though, that I got a few dirty looks from some liberal types) They were en route to RNC protest rally at the Black Dog Cafe!

At Rice Park I sat and watched people and then walked south-east to where the the "South walking detour" begins on Kellogue Blvd. We then biked to the car and arrived home at 5:00 p.m.

Today we'll take the "North walking detour" starting at W. 10th Street and walk the bike to the "sidewalk access areas" near the Excel. The public speakers stage and Fox News are there.

Today, starting at 11:00a.m., is the big protest march from the State Capitol to the Excel. From what I saw yesterday, I'm certain that the protesters will be outnumbered by the police and other security personnel. I hope to be there on time!