Sporting Road

My father was an expert woodsman, spending a lot of time, hunting, fishing, cutting wood, and exploring. He frequently took me out and tried to get me lost in the woods. When he was thoroughly sure I was lost, he'd say close your eyes, and he'd spin me around 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 times just to be sure I wasn't pointed in the same direction when I opened my eyes. Then he'd say, great, find your way back to the car or the house. It was a game for him, as he knew how to navigate by stars and the sun in the sky, also using other way points, looking for tracks, all without a compass and long before GPS. I learned and, truth be told, I got pretty damn good at it. Then I got schooled on "situational awareness," which then was also taught to me by military servicemen and professional officials in various camps. They had you memorize everything in a classroom, what the teacher was wearing, whether he had jewelry on, what brands, what was in the bathroom including how many stalls or sinks, what the billboards on the drive in to the class, what vehicles you saw, everything. I got pretty damned good at that too. I think that in my life I’ve also overestimated the value of not getting lost. A person can be too cautious, can play it too safe, can put too much pressure on himself to avoid taking risks. And thus you lose part of yourself---that is the belief and trust in one’s own problem-solving ability. I have tried to impart that into my daughter using many of the same methods my father used, while we

Before enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. -Zen proverb In a certain way, we are living back at the time before the entry of the booming forest industry. There are no axe-using forest workers any longer. The millions of cubic feet of pulpwood and timber that arrive today at forest industries have never been grazed by an axe. Chain saws, harvesters and logging machines have taken over completely. Today most axes are used in small scale activities by people like home owners, firewood cutters, campers, hunters, joiners, woodworkers, log builders. This manual that from the legendary Small Forest Axe maker Gransfors Bruk tells you everything you need to know on how to use an axe. Our axe was made by Martin Forslund. We use the axe for everything from camping to firewood, to trimming trees around the house and getting to and from hunting spots with downed trees on two track roads. https://www.gransforsbruk.com/app/uploads/2013/02/Yxboken-Engelsk.pdf

“I have been practicing TM for over nine years, and it has changed my life,” says Katy Perry. “It is one of the most important tools I use to keep me balanced and creative with a positive mindset. I started TM back in my college days and I recently went back to it. It is surprisingly effective and can be done anywhere for even a few minutes a day, but it is very effective at helping you fall asleep as well. I repeat my mantra as I fall asleep. Cracking a window, which both of my grandmothers always did, even in Minnesota winters, also helps with a good nights sleep. https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/better-sleep-fresh-air/?mc_cid=d1e1bc25f1&mc_eid=c18403c855 What is TM? It’s a simple, natural, effortless technique practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. The TM technique allows your active mind to easily settle inward, through quieter levels of thought, until you experience the most silent and peaceful level of your own awareness — pure consciousness. Six things you should know Absolutely effortless — It’s so easy and enjoyable that anyone can do it — even children with ADHD. This makes it very different from other techniques.No concentratingNo control of the mindNo monitoring of thoughts (mindfulness)No trying to “empty the mind”Authentic — The TM technique was founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi over 50 years ago, and has been learned by more than six million people. It can only be taught by certified TM teachers in a course carefully personalized for each individual.Unique — Other meditations often claim to be the same or similar to the TM technique. In fact, they are very different — and there is no evidence they provide the same benefits.Evidence-based — Hundreds of published research studies on the TM