We are all one people. We are home.

We are all in this together and the more clearly we see it the better off we all will be.

The sun rises, so also do spirits. The sun is implacable in his path. Some spirits are rising faster and higher than others. It’s nothing to get all proud of. Or envious of.

Rank and privilege and riches and power are there for those who devote themselves to finding them. Peace and love and happiness likewise are all there as well for those who devote themselves to finding them.

Heart Washing in Japan

The trip started long before I actually left. Sam was in Japanese language class in Okinawa and had a month off for summer vacation, like all schools in Japan do, and asked if anyone could come visit. I took a hard look at my bank account and said Yes. Continue reading Heart Washing in Japan →

What Number Cousin Were You Again?

Or, how to amaze your relatives with little known and mostly useless facts.

Okay, before I start, it’s true that some of today’s blended families make the idea of half-siblings and second cousins kind of moot, and maybe a little annoying or even a bit offensive. Regardless, I push on. Most of the structure for this came from reading an article in the Farmer’s Almanac some years ago, and the picture stuck in my head well enough so that I can share it around and make – hopefully – sense. Continue reading What Number Cousin Were You Again? →

Deer Hunting in Wisconsin
By Joe Larson
© 2013

Caution: there’s no lewd language, sex, drugs, or rock and roll here, although there is some violence and bloody gory parts. Continue reading Deer Hunting in Wisconsin →

1864LetterPage2and3a 1864LetterPage1and4a

We found this letter from a Civil War soldier in an old family Polyglot Bible that belonged to my great grandparents. We’re not sure who the writer is, but it’s a good bet that he was at least an old friend of the family. Sorry about the formatting. The writer didn’t have much truck with spelling, punctuation, or paragraphs. Continue reading 1864 Civil War Letter →