Walter Nels Funk and his Joy Ride to Vermont

I've been a complete slacker when it comes to writing on my blog and am sort of sorry about that. A very unexpected and amazing thing happened to me last week that I am still in the process of processing but think that sharing the experience here will be good for me and of interest to you, especially if you believe that miracles do happen everyday and that our thoughts are powerful in making things happen.

It all started two weekends ago when a friend who I had been canoeing with asked "You never speak of your father much. What's the story?". Before I began to give my friend the abbreviated history of my father, at least what I know, I uttered his name and proceeded to tell the story. His story.

Walter Nels Funk was born on Halloween in 1942, enlisted in the Navy from 1960 to 1968 as a sonar tech and communications specialist. He served on a few different destroyers during the Vietnam War. At 20 years of age, he had already met and married my wild at heart mother who gave birth to me in 1963. They divorced three years later and the father - daughter relationship was severed. I think his spirit and heart were wounded and never fully recovered which is why he now lives in the small community of Ola Idaho, population 100.

And that was that, or so I thought, until I arrived at work last Tuesday and had a message from my dad indicating that he would be arriving in town in less than an hour and was looking forward to seeing me. WTF?

The last time I spoke with my dad was about 8 months ago and he didn't mention anything about a plan to come visit. Unexpected visits in general, is not a wise idea and ill advised, especially if you are driving all the way across the U.S. in an '89 Pontiac Grand Prix with valves made of duct tape to visit your first born child because you feel compelled to do so. More amazing is that had Walter been delayed and arrived a day later, I would have already been gone for three days and the connection would have been missed.

I'm thankful that I had the chance to see him and am certain that he is too. So with that, Funk out and enjoy the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. I intend to fully engage is perpetuating some joy and love into the world and hope you do the same.

Peace.

Words for the Music

Today's five minute creative writing exercise is actually song lyrics to one of my original tunes that I sometimes opt to share with complete strangers at open mic or coffee house gatherings. I am far more comfortable playing the tunes for my plants and furniture but need feedback on occasion to determine whether the song is a keeper.

I understand the importance of hearing a song in order to fully appreciate the potential, but for now, the lyrics will be all that I can offer you here. So without further adieu, a T Funk original for your consideration. I hope you have an opportunity to funk things up just enough to spread a little more joy in the world today. Have a great weekend and as always, Funk out!

The Flame

Where you are going will be where you've been
it's all the same place in the end
Words spoken are ideas uttered
sometimes in vain and then forgotten

But sometimes,
they make a connection and need no clarification

If one small push can put you over
then one good turn surely leads to another
One chance is all life requires
for one dream to be inspired

One spark catches another
and that spark feeds the fire's flame.

You probably haven't noticed that I've not blogged very regularly these past weeks, and if that disappoints you, I apologize. There has been a major construction project going on in my front yard that has managed to drain most of my patience right out of me and sadly, has also compromised my sense of humor. I fear that cynicism will soon kick optimism's ass and leave this Funk in a permanent funk, the likes I've never known before.

To counter the bad attitude that is trying to take over my emotional well being, I decided to review some inspirational quotes with hopes that my spirits would be magically lifted and I would succeed in turning my surly outlook on things into something positive. Instead, I found myself uttering negative responses to each quote which only made me feel worst!

For example: "When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us." ~ Helen Keller
Of course you couldn't see the door that had been opened for you, Helen. You were blind.

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities. ~ Aristotle
Pastimes and amusements probably didn't even exist during your day, Ari, so of course you would say that.

"Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities." Aldous Huxley
Right, Aldo. Did you come up with this one as a result of the 'other activities' you pursued, like taking psychedelics or growing that alternative tobacco product in your father's botanical laboratory?

I'll stop there, dear reader, because I think I've made my point. The Funk is in a funk and needs to get out of it. Suggestions?

Be well, stay happy, and as always

Funk, out!

Where the Funk I've Been, What I Said, and Why You Don't Care

Okay, so I've been slacking on the public display of my innermost thoughts via this blog and am sorry to the few, but impressively cool, readers that have discovered my digital diary and want me to write more. I haven't forgotten about the 5 minute daily commitment to the creative writing exercise that is the source of inspiration for this blog, I've just been preoccupied with spring, planting my garden, and snapping photos of wild creatures. I thought it would be better to give my next entry some thought so that I might come up with something to pique your interest enough to keep you reading.

Last week was an interesting mix of weather, neighborhood drama, and high adventure and in the course of those seven days, I managed to offend a some people with the language I used and refuse to give up because they are not "politically correct", will make people uncomfortable, and will give people the impression that I am insensitive and un-diplomatic. That may be true but I say "Funk that!" There is a civil right called free speech and I intend to use it. Freely, and with conviction.

The offensive words and language that I am no longer supposed to use but do from time to time are as follows:

"I'm feeling quite gay today!"
"Whew! That mountainous hike really fagged me out."
"Don't be so niggardly with that (insert item name here) and give me some."

I'm sorry if people think I am being malicious when I use words that make some feel uncomfortable because I'm not. I'm only exercising my right to speak my mind in words that, for me, help express the way I feel or think about something. To take language away from me infringes on my civil rights and that, my kind and literate reader, is offensive.

Until the next time,

Funk out!