O this makes me laugh. What a joy to read 'Becca's post about her patient and their discussion about whiskey jacks. I say 'Becca, hold the old boy hostage and get a mazillion hats. Or at least two for Karen and I.
So, what are Whiskey Jacks? They are members of the Corvid family, related to their raucous cousins, the bluejays, lovely magpies, crows and, bowing deeply and reverently, to one of our totem animals, ravens. This makes whiskey jacks incredibly smart, tricksy as a Hobbit with a ring in it's pocketeses and fun. They are, along with ravens, truly a bird of the wild northern forests. And that is one of the reasons we adore them so. Karen has posted a photo of whiskey jacks after they trained us to give them the dry cherries from our gorp. That was on Crooked lake, in the BWCA, last summer.
That is the bird, but what is Whiskey Jack Flats? I think the short answer would be 'a state of mind' but that doesn't cover the question adequately. I have been thinking of making a poster and hanging it outside our door. Kind of like-Port of Entry- Whiskey Jack Flats. Here is what we think it should say:
WELCOME TO WHISKEY JACK FLATS
Since Whiskey Jack Flats occupies both the state of mind as well as the physical space around Karen and Mike, Portagerat and Angelique and the friends and family of Whiskey Jack Flats, we bid a hearty welcome to all guests bearing the following:
We ask that you do not enter into the physical or mental space surrounding Whiskey Jack Flats, Karen and Mike, Portagerat and Angelique, or friends, family or loved ones of Whiskey Jack Flats, with any of the following:
If you are carrying any of the above, please return home or leave them in your vehicle. Please maintain a hugely infinite buffer between yourself and members and family of Whiskey Jack Flats.
PEACE,
Mike and Karen
Since Whiskey Jack Flats occupies both the state of mind as well as the physical space around Karen and Mike, Portagerat and Angelique and the friends and family of Whiskey Jack Flats, we bid a hearty welcome to all guests bearing the following:
- Love and compassion in their hearts and minds
- Humor
- Courage
- Trust
- Openess to all faiths and spiritual beliefs
- Good food and drink
- Willingness to help others
- Peace
- Honesty
- Prayers and good wishes
- Positive Energy
- Hugs and Kisses
- The Spirits of Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Equality and Freedom
- Foregiveness
We ask that you do not enter into the physical or mental space surrounding Whiskey Jack Flats, Karen and Mike, Portagerat and Angelique, or friends, family or loved ones of Whiskey Jack Flats, with any of the following:
- Hatred
- Anger
- Religious Intolerance
- Violence in your heart
- Violence in your mind
- Spiritual Intolerance
- Racism
- Fear
- Aggression
- Sexism
- Negativity
If you are carrying any of the above, please return home or leave them in your vehicle. Please maintain a hugely infinite buffer between yourself and members and family of Whiskey Jack Flats.
PEACE,
Mike and Karen
3 comments:
I am honored to have my name in the title of this entry. Yes, the old man knew all about the tricksy bird and I know he would love WJF. And all this time I thought WJF was just about drinking and frolicking. Of course, I believe sometimes it is just about drinking and frolicking. I'll work on getting hats to frolick in. Our thoughts are with you in the Emerald City. Peace. Becca
It’s foggy out this early morning—foggy enough that I can’t see the close shore on the other side of the lake. I used to ponder what bothered me more when driving: fog or ice. Was it better to see the destination ahead but be vulnerable to losing control at any moment? Or better to keep control but be forced to travel at insufferably slow speeds and keep telling myself that my destination was up there, somewhere.
Mike, Karen, I got your email about the recurrence of Mike’s cancer. I’ve been reading your blog. I usually start the day with tea, but this time made coffee a-la-Forbes—strong, laced with cream and maple syrup—and went out to the chill of the garden and thought of you both. Came back to the computer. There are several blogs I follow from time to time, but I confess here and now that I am the unrepentant lurker—I’ve never posted a comment. So yikes, this is a first for me, and I do it to honor your invitation to join you here in this space.
I guess I just wanted to let you know that you have been on my mind and heart so much, and when you are there I offer prayers—for your well being, for comfort, for wisdom, for calm, for healing. I smell the intense fragrance of the balsam poplar these mornings, when the air is cool and close, and would send this balm to you to coat and soothe your spirits.
You are in the Cities today, to meet with Dr. Sahin. Some little piece of our north world will go unnoticed today because you are not here; some little piece of the world between here and Minneapolis will be attended to from your passing through.
MaryAnne
What a lovely post! Thank you.
Love and hugs, Susan
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