The Trunk Series ~ September 19, 1963

In 1963 the freshman dorms at UCSB were former officer's barracks for the Marine Corp Air Station that was once located near Goleta Point. It was kind of the wild west for those of us away from home for the first time.  There were about 20 students per building and a Resident Assistant (Responsible Adult) who multi-tasked as house manager, referee, wrangler, field marshal, and peace keeper. 

This loose knit community of dorms was centered in a wooded meadow a short walk from campus: The Center for Endless Shenanigans. Shortly after the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan singing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" we had a late night visit at Pine Hall. Awakened by knocking on the window we opened the curtains to see Mike Sterling and one of his buddies, in full bug regalia with pipe cleaner feeler headgear. As soon as the window slid open they broke into the song.

My Mom kept all my letters from UCSB. The letter of this date brought a smile and some memories. It was sent Air Mail for the grand sum of eight cents. My handwriting was still legible. It spoke of boys and dates, bad food and long lines at the dining halls, and looking forward to Thanksgiving and Mom food. Life was so simple and from the perspective of a 18 year old, getting acquainted with independence and new friends, quite the bee's knees. 

I'm sure the following had my folks rolling their eyes. Fearless and free we took everything in with open minds and sometimes a little commentary.

"We are naming the field mice in the hall by alphabet and we're already up to the letter S."

"My roommate Pam and I watched a professor cut up a lady for Human Anatomy classes. He was so casual about the whole thing, smoking and listening to the Dodger game at the same time."

It was definitely a different place and time. Campus was isolated from the real world. There were no computers or cell phones. Social media didn't exist. Hell, we hardly ever saw television. Looking back it was a blessing that served us all well. We learned how to communicate, to write, to make friends and entertain ourselves outdoors. 

Just a Thought Series - Feb 1, 1976

He had such a sweet way of using her

Staying on just long enough

To fill his emptiness

He opened her with his honesty

Broke her defenses with a smile

Then so quietly he left her

With a feeling
Maybe
In awhile

Lady Rider

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A prisoner 
Of his own confusion

He found himself on trial

But it was easier to close the door

Than to compromise his style

Their paths may again cross one day
But she's not the girl 
He once knew
No longer easily disarmed
A wiser woman
Sure of self
Immune to reckless charm

Wisdom Part Deux

Serendipity once again dances round my campfire.

Shortly after posting my blog, Wisdom from a Refrigerator Door, I received an email from my friend Margo Metegrano at http://www.cowboypoetry.com/ guiding me to the source of those words "Fun, Freedom, Fierceness, Fearlessness".

They are from poet Paul Zarzyski, released in 2007 blogcast to the participants of his Writing Workshop at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV. Paul was a close friend of Trisha and her husband Vince. I attended most of his workshops, sessions and concerts at Elko this January and instantly understood the connection. He's a total character, an amazing writer and a gifted storyteller. The link for this week's reading assignment is: http://www.westernfolklife.org/weblogs/artists/paulz/2007/01/

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Trust me, the blogcast is well worth reading and you need to take a time out anyway. Go get a cup of coffee, find a comfortable spot, put your feet up and prepare to learn and laugh yourself silly. Perhaps your inner writer/poet will request a chance to be freed from inside your head. Perhaps the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will be added to your bucket list. Life is short, live fearlessly!

Wisdom from a Refrigerator Door

Another Friday at my friend's ranch: a labor of love, never a chore. A storm just rolled through, the air is crystal clear. I can see Mt. Tamalpais from the window seat where I'm working in the morning sun. I grew up on that mountain and to say I have a connection is an understatement, but that's a story for another day.  

Today I've been going through papers and organizing spaces. One of the last tasks of the day is to remove some photos from the refrigerator door that friends have requested. I come across four words typed in capital letters on a piece of white paper stuck between pictures.

FUN ~ FREEDOM ~ FIERCENESS ~ FEARLESSNESS

  

What do they mean? No doubt something different to all who read them.

• For Trisha they were guidelines for one unafraid to pursue life and dreams on her own terms.
• They're learning tools for some, life can be pretty simple if we don't muck it up.
• My grandmother would say "Honey, leave your baggage at the door and get on with it. No time for regrets:  shoulda, coulda and woulda are only excuses for a life not lived to the fullest. What are you waiting for?"
• For me it means live every day with eyes wide open and a passion for:  

laughing at myself

"Hunting Ladybugs While Completely Invisible"

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fearlessly taking on challenges, changes and chances

"Fearless"

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being a force to be reckoned with

"Bear"

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and creating the freedom to chase my dreams

"Freedom Horse"

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Diane Ackerman "I do not want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well."

Bill McKenna "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!"

So take a look at your agenda and the mile long to do list. Now simply walk away from it and do something spontaneous that will make the day for someone.