Lesson From a Wanapum Canoe

     For a period of about 40 years, I drove past Wanapum Dam, on the big bend of the Columbia River, hardly noticing that massive structure. Then, about two months ago I was in the area doing field research for the latest book for children I am writing. Not only do I believe in “book research,” but I think it’s a good idea to be on site.

After ranging though acres of sage brush, stones, and all sorts of native plants and bugs, I decided to drive up to the Dam and see if it contained an interpretative center or something of interest. Turns out they have one of the finest Native American/Early Settler displays a tourist could hope to see.

One part of the displays sticks in my memory. It’s a hand-carved, dugout canoe, made from a whole log. The craft stretches to about 18-20 feet. Its makers had carved the shape to perfection. In that one canoe, humans and cargo could shoot rapids and sail along swift currents, both upstream and down. According to the pictures on the museum’s walls, such perfection of workmanship allowed for its Wanapum owner to stand up and paddle the craft atop the smooth water of deep pools. I am still impressed!

I took pictures—it is permitted—and stood for a while in thought. Who carved that canoe? How did they do it? What process taught the Wanapums to do such a fine and careful job with a wooden log?

The answers allude me. I’ll be looking for books on the subject and may learn more than I know now. But I do know this much. That canoe, in its finished form, happened one chip at a time. That’s right—one chip at a time! It wouldn’t surprise me if there were times when the canoe makers got weary of their work. Still, they just kept chipping away at it.

“How many books have you written,” someone asked me a couple of weeks ago.

“Eight,” I said. “Four have been published and the others are waiting in line”.

“Wow. I’ve thought about writing a book,” he said. “It just seems like a daunting task. How do you do it?”

“I just keep chipping away at it, one word at a time.”

Do you long to do something significant but don’t know how to get it done? Well, just get started. Write the first words, sew the first stitches, play the first notes, turn the first spade. Then stay with it, learn more about it, apply your new knowledge, and just keep chipping away at it. Your work won’t likely find a place in a future museum, but you will have the personal satisfaction of fulfilling your own dream and getting it done.

Richard M. Cary

www.quietstreambooks.com

About those elections...

     On one hand, it’s kind of interesting to follow the political happenings these days. On the other hand, it’s kind of frustrating.

     Allow me to explain. It’s always intriguing to learn what possible future political leaders think about issues of great importance. I genuinely believe these United States of America stand at a crossroads. We will go one of two directions in November—deeper into debt and farther away from our founding documents, or we’ll find ways to reduce mounting debt and more fully embrace our great Constitution. It all depends on for whom the majority of Americans will cast their ballots in the general election. Presidential and Congressional decisions will have powerful impact on this current generation, and more particularly, on the generations to follow.

     To the politicians, I have this request.  Please, please, please! Let’s dispense with negative campaigning, attack ads, out-of-context sound bites, and hypocritical nonsense. Let us know what you have done and what you plan to do, that’s all.  I know, I sound naïve and simple minded. “That’s just the way politics are done,” some say. I know all that. But deep in my heart, I long for a politician, nay, a statesman, who will rise above the common rubble of  sometimes prevaricating and ad hominem political hack attacks.  Address the issues! Give us genuine hope by sharing an achievable vision for an extension of true American Exceptionalism.

     Hmm. My glass of Diet Coke is finished, and so shall I. Before I sign out, however, I’d like to encourage voters to be informed, believers to pray, and everyone to cast their ballots this year. National, state, and local elections depend on steadfast American patriots doing their duty.

4th Quarter Rant

Today I wrote a check for my 4th quarterly estimated tax payment for 2011.  I always budget what must be paid, and I always pay it on time. In some ways, I’d rather not part with so much hard-earned money, but I can’t argue with what Jesus said: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s...” The context was that of paying taxes.

Really, I don’t mind doing my part as long as those in authority do theirs. After all, the nation must be defended and the very fabric of its institutions must be held together. Somehow, though, those in authority are overspending our national resources by at least $15,000,000,000,000. Just staring at US Debt Clock.org  a few minutes ago almost took my breath away!

We’re talking serious responsibility here. I’m not pointing my finger at any political party. I am, however, disgusted with the members of our executive and legislative branches––all of them. They must get off their political duffs and start acting like dependable servants of the people of these United States. It’s time to treat the nation’s spending and consequent debts as seriously as we treat our own.

This week I plan to write emails to my two Senators and the one Representative. I will simply, politely, but clearly ask them to get serious about the debt. No more politics! Listen to those whom you represent! Be responsible citizens as you manage the finances of this great nation! That pretty well sums it up, I guess.

I am also asking you, dear reader, to do the same thing. A fresh flood of citizen voices could make some difference, what with elections looming in our future.

Yes, I admit to a bit of ranting here. A friend recently told me that since I had a blog, I get to rant if I want to. I guess that makes it OK.  At least I feel better.