Category Archives: Uncategorized

Well…I’m back.

So said Samwise at the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. And my absence from Canoelover’s blog has very good explanations if not excuses. There are only so many words in a guy’s head, I think, and I … Continue reading

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five lessons on one hand

I wrote this ten years ago, the year I injured myself playing Norm Abram and almost cut a few fingers off my right hand. I wanted to revisit this after ten years because my hand has been aching lately, and … Continue reading

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i can quit whenever i want

Hello, my name is Darren, and I’m a laceaholic.  I guess the first step is to admit you have a problem. The problem I have is that I don’t have enough frames ready for lacing. Lace in the summer when … Continue reading

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small kindnesses

It has been a helluva day. Nothing horrible happened, but it was one of those days that just ground away at me. It happens. Pecked to death by ducks seems to be an appropriate metaphor. I just felt raw. When … Continue reading

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Is this heaven?

I’m sitting in our teardrop camper in the middle of a muddy field that is masquerading as a campground.  The downpour of a few hours ago didn’t help, and both the camper and truck are covered in splatters of a … Continue reading

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canticle of the creatures*

As I wrote this a few years ago, I was sitting against a stone wall in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It seemed a nice thing to post on Easter.  -DB _________________________________ Laudato sie, mi Signore cum tucte le tue creature, spetialmente … Continue reading

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flying the friendly skies

I’m sitting in the United Club, ensconced in a comfy chair with two outlets, one for each electronic device that accompanies me on my business trips. I’m off to DC for a board meeting, just an overnighter, so I’m traveling … Continue reading

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of raccoons and peanut butter jars

 6:00 AM flights test the ability of the most zealous Buddhist to maintain a semblance of neutrality.  No one wants to be there; most everyone on that flight would rather take the 8:10 AM flight.  But that flight usually costs … Continue reading

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the real work is within

I have a couple of projects sitting on the back burner.  Recently I felt like moving one to the front burner would be helpful.  I am designing a new paddle from a friend’s paddle company.  We’ve been talking about it … Continue reading

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the importance of play

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” – Plato “If you receive the world, the Tao will never leave you,  and you will be like a little child. The greatest … Continue reading

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