MUSIC

CELINE DION - "To Love You More" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHYgVnF9aBY
LONESTAR - "I'm Already There" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrgwxLff4Io
WHITNEY HOUSTON - "I will Always Love You" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGC003Xz3CY
ELAINE PAIGE "Memory" from CATS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s96NZoeDs68
CAT STEVENS - Morning Has Broken" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TWd3skb-Rw
GIORGIA & PAVAROTTI - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC9cLf-5Bdo&feature=related
"SUO GAN" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM9uyA0wVIA&feature=related
JK WEDDING ENTRANCE DANCE - http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/07/24/-wedding-entrance-video-forever-ever/?icid=mainmaindl7link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemondrop.com%2F2009%2F07%2F24%2F-wedding-entrance-video-forever-ever%2F
CHRISTIAN THE LION http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNJnRc9RviA&feature=PlayList&p=265B7A9354D6B8AC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=35
THE MISSION - THEME - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvBT9sqXnew&feature=related

OLD FOLKS - JOHN DENVER - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA3ZIIoNayk&feature=PlayList&p=AD882DABCA7B6749&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=39

JACK

On Saturday evening we went to the A&W drive-in for dinner, their onion rings being to die for. We ate at one of the outside tables.

As I ate and shared, an elderly couple came and sat at the nearest table. I noticed that they were staring at Jack. They then told me that they recently had to put down their dog of eleven years. However, they had taken many motion pictures of her, which they now watched.

The woman then asked if she could kiss Jack on the head. I said yes and told her his name. He went to her, wagging his tail. As she enjoyed a long kiss, her husband petted Jack and the wagging tail.

They thanked me. I saw their tears. And they walked away.

FIRST KAYAKING ADVENTURE

Today Jack and I finally got out in my new inflatable kayak. We went to the nearby Keller Lake. Fortunately, two young canoists helped me inflate the craft. And this charming lady held the craft in place as Jack and I boarded. I wish to thank these Good Samaritans. And we were off! And it was good - I had not paddled in more than a decade. The boat is amazingly stable. Jack is amazing. He is fearless. He will do whatever I want to do without any objections. I look forward to a few more outings before winter arrives.

LOYOLA CLASSMATES

On Oct. 2 Jack and I went to Mankato to have lunch with Patty Postels, Rosale, and Jane Hall. (or so I thought) To my delight, half the class was there. I had a wonderful time catching up with friends whom I hadn't talked to for many years.

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.