Needed: More Good Karma

We listened to Germans, French and one from the Netherlands. While in Iceland we heard their tales of the refugee crisis. There are no easy answers. Human beings need sanctuary. The homeless have fled the carnage and ravages of war and have come to the richest of the European countries. Most bring a desire for work, education for their children, a home and safety. They also bring their faith, a sharp contrast to those long settled in Europe. This difference, together with the monetary cost and temporary upheaval have unsettled and disturbed the Europeans. They are struggling in their governments and in the consciences of each individual, causing some divisions among families and friends.

These stories we heard are not new. In fact, they are all too familiar to those of us who have lived through the migrations of the displaced in World War II, Vietnam and more recent conflicts. To be sure, we have all have seen conflicts about differences closer to home.....in our own families, neighborhoods and local governments.

While immersing ourselves in the culture of Iceland, there was a city council meeting back here in our home town of Hot Springs, SD. On return we heard that the council and citizens in attendance were deeply divided over some issues regarding the finances of our local tourist attraction/health club called Evans Plunge. This Plunge is the oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills and has been a year-round destination for local residents seeking to improve their health and well being. It offers all types of exercise, including the healing mineral waters for swimming and the hot tubs, sauna and steam room that are conducive to relief of aching muscles, as well as a social oasis during the darkest days of winter.

We returned from our "Viking" adventure to the furor of residents who wanted the city to carry all debt to those who wanted some cuts to assist the health of the city finances. Each person had an opinion. Each one wanted it resolved in their way. Each wanted what they felt was best for the city.

There was another meeting by the Plunge Advisory Committee that oversees the Plunge and its finances. They listened to all sides, from "close the golf course, to keep the Plunge open all days, some days, shorten hours, raise rates, lower rates, market more", and on and on.

This committee had yet another meeting. They made compromises in an attempt to appease all sides. They presented their findings at the next city council meeting. Wonder of wonders, each and every council member voted for their compromise! Each council member seemed to appreciate the hard work and decisions made by the advisory group.

I sat in quiet awe. I felt a feeling such as a wave of good karma had filled the chamber. Anger had dissipated and an overwhelming calm was left in its wake. I observed first hand how a small group of determined volunteers had done their extensive research, dismissed their egos and tweaked their initial proposal for the general good.

It can be done. It was done in our small community of Hot Springs, SD. Long may it continue, both here and, just maybe, fingers crossed, it can happen "out there!"

Hello and Goodbye to Iceland

We recently returned from the land of the geysirs, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and geothermal used in heating homes, businesses and greenhouses. There are numerous hot springs that are also used by the locals throughout the country for their recreational soaks and social gatherings. Many have been made into outdoor pools, used through out all seasons because of their temperatures averaging 100 degrees. The American and Eurasian tectonic plates which are pulling apart at the rate of a few centimeters a year, can be seen right through the middle of the country.

I was confused. It is also the land of the Vikings. The Vikings were known as explorers, conquerors and pillagers. They could travel miles by water, on oceans and up rivers. It is known that they explored America long before Columbus. And yet, today, the people of this country appeared friendly, kind and extremely polite. You never heard the angry tooting of a car horn or saw the police. Crime is almost non-existent. We saw no beggars, homeless or indigent. The streets were clean and bike/hiking paths were numerous and well-used.

Parliament began here, long before any other country. They settled their disputes by law. When there was an issue over legal issues by two sides - pagans and Christians, it was settled by one man. He mulled it over during one night and made his decision: Christianity would be the official religion but paganism would be allowed in private. There was no bloodshed over this decision. All accepted it and went back to their homes and lives.

In present day Iceland there is no army. Tax money is used on health care and education. Where is the Viking spirit? Perhaps it is channeled into their environmental exploration and their conquering of world visitors through their extensive and convenient tourism spirit using all of their natural resources that appeal to both the adventuresome seeking adventure on the glaciers and river rafting and those who simply want to observe the natural wonders or soak in the warm healing natural mineral waters.

I left Iceland with appreciation for all they have achieved in our world of today, but, as always when I return from another country, with gratitude for my country, with all it flaws and struggles. We can learn from visiting other cultures, hopefully taking the best of what they have to offer and merging it gradually into our own.

Grandma may have had the best recipe for her marvelous bread or chocolate cake, but that does not eliminate some amount of improvement with a dash of a spice from some foreign land. Mixing, blending, while retaining the essence of a way of life, just might bring some enrichment in an unexpected way.

Perhaps when jet lag has evaporated I may return to some adventures in Iceland, but for now I will leave this journey and get some much needed rest.

Soaking in the mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon

Through the Eyes of a Child

When do things change? When do we lose taking the normal breathes from our stomach as a baby does? When do we lose our daring to hope? When do we lose the dreams?

Somewhere between childhood and maturity we discard the sense of wonder at the beauty around us, long taken for granted. We become jaded, afraid to love and be hurt.

We become wise and cautious. We learn to be careful. We have been hurt too many times to count. We choose safety, but somewhere in the tangle of our lives we lose the marvel surrounding us in each sunset, flower, bird, butterfly and crawling insect. When I was a child I studied everything around me.....rocks, turtles, chipmunks, salamanders, night crawlers, trees. I watched them closely, at times touched them, held them and admired them.

Children observe and listen to all around them. As we mature we tend to listen less and spout our views. There is much to be said for acquiring wisdom, but in the process, let us never lose our sense of amazement in the world around us. Let us listen, behold, and age with grace and a dogged belief in miracles.

And They Still Want to Close Our VA!

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH_

(From the Military Order of the Purple Heart)

According to a recent article in The Huffington Post, "A tragic milestone was reached last year, when 185 active-duty Army soldiers died by suicide, surpassing the 176 soldiers killed in battle in Afghanistan that year. The Army's annual death toll from suicide has more than tripled since 2001, when 52 active-duty soldiers took their own lives."

This tragic epidemic reflects severe strains on military personnel burdened with more than a decade of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, complicated by anxiety over the current prospect of being forced out of a shrinking force.

 This news comes at a time when the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have mounted an aggressive series of suicide prevention campaigns and offer a wide range of resources to help active duty military, veterans, and their families cope with the pressures of military service. Despite these efforts, the Defense Department's own Suicide Prevention Office predicts "increasing suicide rates, despite over _900_ prevention programs."

 In June 2015, thanks in part to intense lobbying by a coalition of Veteran Service Organizations that included the MOPH, the US Congress passed landmark legislation to address military and veteran related suicides. The $22 Million, "_Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act_" calls for independent evaluations of all mental health-care and suicide-prevention programs in the VA and Department of Defense. A part of this Act requires an annual evaluation to determine the effectiveness of VA suicide prevention programs and the establishment of new veteran peer support programs. It also called for the creation of a new website, now available at:

www.mentalhealth.va.gov, [2] to better explain what mental health resources are available to veterans.

 The Suicide Prevention Act was named for Marine Cpl. Clay Hunt, a 28 year old, combat wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who committed suicide in 2011. After leaving the Marine Corps, he struggled with depression, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress, despite dedicating himself to veterans' advocacy and humanitarian work. After his death, family and friends said he had been battling the Department of Veterans Affairs to get his disability rating upgraded from 30 percent, as well as struggling with unemployment and a marriage that was unraveling.

Cpl. Hunt's case is often cited as an example of the problems within the VA.

He told his Mother in March 2011 that he would not go back to the VA because dealing with them was just too stressful. Two weeks later, he locked himself in his apartment, and committed suicide.

 Military leaders say that some programs appear to be working, but it's too soon to declare success in the battle against suicides. Most importantly, the cultural mindset has changed -- it's now OK for a sailor, a soldier, an airman, or a Marine to come forward and ask for help, thus giving hope that prevention programs and increased efforts to identify troops at risk may be taking hold after several years of escalating suicides. At the same time, the suicide rates of female military veterans have been called "staggering." According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, "Research shows that female military veterans commit suicide at nearly six times the rate of other women. Though suicide has become a major issue for the military over the last decade, most of the research has focused on men and little is known about female veteran suicides." According to VA research data collected over the past

11 years, it is the younger female veterans, aged 18 to 29, that kill themselves at nearly 12 times the rate of non-veterans.

 In sum, these are our brothers and sisters in arms, and we need to care, reach out and give assistance. If you see, or know of someone in crisis, "step-up and step-in!" Learn to recognize the signs of depression and helplessness and know where to look for the resources needed to help.

There is no reason why a service member or a veteran should ever feel that they are alone, or worse-that there is no reason to go on living.

 _You Can Make A Difference._

Bloggers note:
I am publishing this article in today's blog and wonder each time I read statistics such as these why the government is still trying to close down our VA which has one of the best programs in its Domiciliary for PTSD, substance abuse, brain trauma and other emotional issues common to veterans.

Honeymoon in Hot Springs

Oh, yes, we have many who get married and honeymoon in Hot Springs. Those who know of the numerous beautiful spots tie the knot here. Somewhere among the special loveliness the couples take the plunge to live together, for better or worse until one of them takes their last breath.

Now our city and chamber have decided to promote all this specialness in our area for couples contemplating taking the big step or other couples who want to renew their vows. And why not? Hot Springs has the quiet charm of renewal, relaxation and restoration. From the bubbling river that winds through town to the red rock canyons of area parks, Hot Springs is the place!

We are a veterans town and a home to many who love the sport of the motorcycle. This area of mild winters encourages bikers to feel the wind in their faces most times of the year. Bikers and veterans often decide to make their solemn vows in this valley of beauty and serenity in the southern Black Hills.

VOWS AND VIEWS IN HOT SPRINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA

 With this ring......

 In front of the mural at the American Legion.

 The sandstone Episcopal church on the side of the hill with the red door.

 The waterfall on the Freedom Trail river walk in downtown Hot Springs.

 They are off to the spectacular view at the Blue Mesa retreat center.

           
              The mayor of Hot Springs preformed this ceremony this past week.

Cheers From the Veterans Town

So, there was a trunk show at our American Legion for our town's own Miss South Dakota. We gathered, veterans and town folks, to view the dresses that will be worn by our Hot Spring's candidate. We celebrated with a meal and a silent auction, all to raise money to send Autumn Simunek to the Miss America contest in Atlantic City.

How appropriate to join together in sending off our home town candidate at the American Legion. She has always supported our veterans in a veteran's town. We watched her grow up, attending events for veterans, selling poppies on the steps of the post office, visiting veterans at our very special VA. She never refused an invitation that involved our veterans.

She has honored the veterans, and the veterans appreciate and love her. It has been 30 years since a local gal won the Miss South Dakota contest and our town is rejoicing. Whatever happens in the final Miss America pageant, we citizens of Hot Springs will be rooting for our home town candidate. Even many of us who never before watched the contest will be at the TV, cheering on one of our own who we know worked humbly and tirelessly to perfect her talent, poise and appearance, so that one day she could walk down the aisle into Miss America history.
                                         

Who Remembers Calumet Location?

There is the familiar saying, "You can't go home again." I have returned to my childhood home many times over the years. Early on it was to visit my parents and relatives. This month a high school friend and I stopped to visit former high school chums at a class reunion. (Bob did the driving, or I would not have gone. It totals to about 16 hours of drive time.)

Each time I have returned to Ely, MN, I stopped to wander around the ideal spot for growing up during the depression. It was called Calumet Location, located a mile from town, in the north woods, next to a large freshwater lake. I wrote about this idyllic spot in my first book, A (not so) Simple Life.

During the iron ore mining boom on the Iron Range of north eastern Minnesota, the Olive Iron Mining Company built small locations of company houses for the miners to live in, close to the mines, with rents modestly priced. After the closing of the mines the houses were sold to the miners occupying the houses and moved away. We had been told that the ground was sinking under the location because the closed mines were filling with water and the land was collapsing into the empty tunnels.

A company mining house in Calumet Location

The first time I visited my old stamping grounds I recognized the sidewalks, the alley and the very spot our house had been. Over the years all of this disappeared, devoured by the forest and several new landowners who had built on the former condemned property. The land beneath the mines had become a crystal lake, filled with fish and a walking path built around it.

Calumet was so very special to all of us who once lived there that I included several chapters about this precious garden of Eden in my book. I did not want it to disappear from maps and memories. At one time I purchased a brick for a downtown street with the names of my parents, including the words, "Calumet Location". As the town would change and former residents would leave with new arrivals taking their turn, I wanted them to see that brick and ask someone, "Where was Calumet Location?"

This last trip to my hometown of Ely, Minnesota was truly "bitter-sweet". There were no family members remaining to tend to my parents grave and I spent some time attempting to renew the names on their headstones. My book about Ely and my present home of Hot Springs, SD, was no longer available at the local bookstore. I asked some locals what they knew about Calumet Location. I received only blank stares. The brick in the downtown area was blurred with age and barely visible.The former library was condemned and barred from curious visitors who wanted to view the beautiful murals on the walls just one more time.

What did I expect? I know change happens. It is part of life. But as I sank into a depression over my struggle to fight the change, a few things happened that renewed hope. I made a trip to the local bookstore and while browsing the shelves came across a publication titled, Where in the World was Calumet.....

It listed all of the former mining locations, all 9 of them. As I leafed through I found our family name on the location of our home in Calumet, and further on a page titled, "The Former Residents Speak...." The author, David Kess, from the Ely-Winton Historical Society quotes from my book "A (Not So) Simple Life." Of course it is about my childhood years in Calumet Location.

Later I visited the Ely-Winton Historical Society and Museum located in the Vermilion Community College. Once again as I walked through years of Ely history from logging, mining and tourism and the Boundary Waters, I viewed familiar places and faces. I found another book by David Kess, More Than Just Ore. The Era That Really Made Ely. As I thumbed through many recognizable faces and places I found a photo of my father in the "cage" (elevator) of the mine entrance that brought the miners to and from the depths of the mine.

All of this was comforting to me, a former resident, who still subscribes to the Ely paper, who lives in a town so very similar to the one I grew up in, and who so deeply desires to have her former childhood location remembered as it once was, filled with laughter of children playing in the woods, swimming and fishing the lake, dreaming dreams of their future in the world "out there", hard working miners who toiled underground to give their children a better life above the ground, mothers and wives who ironed, washed, cooked, canned, pickled, preserved, hung clothes on the line, made pasties for their husbands lunches and poticas for weddings, funerals and other celebrations.

I do not want this place lost in memory when I and the last of my family and friends have left this earth. Now I know that it will live on, not only in my book, but in the books of David Kess and other Ely residents and in that museum in the former Ely Junior College that I once was fortunate to have attended, and that was paid for entirely by the Oliver Iron Mining Company and the sweat of the immigrant miners, who were proud of the schools that would raise their children to a better life out of the damp and dangers of the underground iron mines.