Article Archive46714

In case you havent noticed, the world is going to hell in a handbasket. No one knows where that phrase comes from or what it means exactly, but the implication is understood by anyone who hears it - that things seem to be out of control. If you watch the evening news, read today's headlines, or listen to the radio then you know what I am talking about. The world is going to hell in a handbasket. So what does the worlds demise have to do with the title of this article? Thats easy, in a world out of control, there's just something miraculous about logs that creates peace and tranquility in my life.

If that sounds a little bizarre to you, permit me to explain. Your house may be of a contemporary design, or a Mediterranean style bungalow, or perhaps you make your home in a French chateaux, but for me there is no warmer, or more peaceful environment than a log home richly decorated with rustic and log furniture. I call it my Norman Rockwell effect.

The late Mr. Rockwell had a distinctive painting style and his prints portrayed an optimistic depiction of everyday life in America. Even while the world was at war and our nation was climbing out of the great depression, Rockwell had an uncanny knack of reinforcing what was really important to ordinary Americans. The imagery his pictures produced inspired us to be decent people and live a good life. They evoked a feeling of calming and harmony. I experience that Norman Rockwell effect every time I walk into my cabin in the woods.

There is this undefined something about a log home and log furniture that literally transfixes me in an extraordinary way. How best can I describe this to the uninitiated? When I look at a wall constructed of logs, I get a sense that it vibrates at a different intensity than the rest of its surroundings. No, I am not some new-age metaphysical tree-hugger, Im a guy who appreciates natural beauty and I connect with things created from logs.

Consider if you will that a pine log and a 2x4 (or 2x10, etc.) are both wooden building products of the same matter and used for the same purposes. However, if one were to erect a wall using both materials, there is no similarity in the visual experience, the character or any aspect of the two walls. The logs with irregular lines, bold grain, conspicuous knots and uneven coloring produce a visual rendering that Mr. Rockwell strove to achieve with every brush stroke. To me, logs exude a sensation of warmth, of strength, a sense that all is right with the world and that is a lot to expect from a dead tree.

So what is it about logs that give me this near spiritual experience? I think it is an implicit appreciation of a sense of perpetuity, of history, strength and permanence. America was built from logs. The first structures erected across this land were more often than not constructed of logs. For hundreds of years, people carved their homes, shops and churches from the wilderness using the most plentiful resource available, trees in their natural form. In addition, we Americans like to be noted for being individualists, and at a time when most of the population live in city apartments or suburbs with cookie-cutter houses, a log home sets one apart from the crowd. In that same rationale, log furniture is not generally available at ordinary furniture stores. One must venture out to the wilderness (or at least exit the shopping mall) to find quality log and rustic furniture.

Okay, I will admit to having some plastered walls in our home and yes, we even have several furniture pieces that one might label as conventional, but visitors to our home invariably remark about our log furniture and log accents. To date, no one has yet to compliment us on our marvelously plastered bathroom.

I began this dissertation with a clich about our world going to hell in a handbasket, and how that related to my love and appreciation for all things log. I am confident that my opinion on both matters is sound. We inhabit a turbulent and chaotic planet, but I live in a log home with hand-made log furniture. For that reason, all is right with my world. Now dont anyone turn on that darn TV while Im reading my old issues of the Saturday Evening Post.

# posted by satellite25744 : 9:27 PM  0 comments

Its time that we listen to Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Mike Tice and take him at his word. He asked us early in the season to reserve judgment until the end of the year. He told us that if he failed then it was on his shoulders.When Tice took over as head coach three years ago we were all led to believe that he had all the ingredients necessary to do well.

Mike Tices Vikings arent any better today then they were three years ago. Mike Tice has made the playoffs one time and that was last year. Mike Tice has a combined win/loss record of 31-33.

It seems as though every time Tices team takes a step forward, they take five steps backward.

So we should take Tice at his word. We must listen to him and hold him accountable for his actions. Mike has failed once again and I dont feel that there are any reasons that he should be given another chance.

If Tice had the character and could instill values into his players then I might have a different opinion. His team had off the field scandals from Onterio Smiths Whizzinator incident to the Vikings Boat scandal.Then there was Tices scalping incident. Mike Tice scalped Super Bowl tickets and was caught. The NFL fined him $100,000. Tice blew the incident off and considered it a minor infraction. Very few people are fined as much as $100,000 for a first time offense. Obviously the NFL considered his actions to be serious enough to warrant such a stiff penalty.

Mike Tice says that he shouldnt be held accountable for his players actions. This is nonsense.I dont think that his players respect him. How can he command any respect when he broke an NFL rule?How can he demand that his players respect rules and laws. How can he demand that they conduct themselves in a respectful manner on and off the field?

The answer is that Mike Tice cant command respect and he cant demand that his players follow the rules. There are a number of coaches in the NFL that demand more from their players on and off the field. These coaches wont put up with the type of behavior that was exhibited by Vikings players this year.

Mike Tice also has a big mouth and has been known to yell at fans and call them stupid when he disagrees with their criticism.

I just cant see any logical reason why Mike Tice should keep his job. I do feel that people should do their best to keep their word and when they ask us to judge them based on the results of their actions, we should listen to them.

Mike Tice asked us to judge him based on his success or failure with the Vikings this season. He asked us to wait until the end of the season to judge him.With Sundays loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Vikings season ended in failure. The Vikings will not be playing in the playoffs.

I hope that Vikings ownership doesnt give him too much credit for his winning streak. That winning streak came against some of the worst teams in the NFL. When his team faced tough opponents they stunk up the field.

Its definitely time for the Vikings to start a new era with a new coach.

# posted by satellite25744 : 1:57 AM  0 comments