thoughts

AI or ACS?

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I want to start today’s post with a disclaimer. I am not a Luddite! (Some younger readers may need to look for that word in your online dictionary.) I have worked in the technology field for most of my adult life. I have seen many great things come from technological advances and have also seen times where there were flops or total failures. I do not dislike technology, but I do not love technology that has been created just for the sake of technology or technologists. Having said that, let us move along.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I grew up in a small farming community. While my family did not own a farm, but like many other teenagers in my hometown, I worked on a farm during summers. I drove tractors, combines, trucks, etc. Some years I worked from planting season until harvest. When equipment broke or failed, I helped do repairs to get things working again.

I am amazed when I read about farming today. Tractors with six or eight drive wheels. Tractors with more onboard computers than we have in our offices. Tractors that drive themselves. Tractors that can’t be repaired without a service call by the dealer in a truck with even more computers but few actual tools and no mechanics. The world has left people like me behind in the dust.

But these advances come at a price. Farmers pay six figure prices for equipment that is used one or two weeks a year and for the other fifty weeks or so sits at the dealer awaiting repairs or sitting in an expensive storage shed on the farm. And then we, those who have no understanding of farming, complain about the high cost of food which we often waste.

You may wonder how this ties into the title of this post. I used abbreviations for the title because that seems to be a trend today. AI is artificial intelligence, the latest and greatest trend in information technology today. A method for us to have all knowledge at our fingertips without any understanding of this knowledge. ACS is a term I coined for the post. It is artificial common sense. It seems to me that intelligence is of little importance without the common sense related to the use of that knowledge and an understanding of the source of this knowledge.

A rather simplistic example of AI versus ACS can be found in these two statements. AI – “Fire is hot. You can get warm near fire.” ACS would add – “While fire is hot and you can get warm near fire, if you get too close you will get burned (or may be consumed by the fire).” Pretty simple, right?

A few days ago, I was rearranging one of my bookshelves and came across a book that I purchased and read in the 1980’s. It was a collection of some humorous articles by an outdoor writer, Patrick F. McManus, between 1968 and 1978. I decided to browse these articles to compare them to what we might see today. One especially stood out and I wanted to quote a short selection here.

McManus wrote, “One of these days they’ll probably come out with a mechanical bird dog that locates pheasants with a special scent detector and radar. A small on-dog computer will record and analyze all available information and give the hunter a report: two roosters and five hens in stubble field – 253 feet. A pointer on the dog’s back would indicate the exact direction…Since no self-respecting hunter would want to be seen carrying his dog around by a handle, all but the cheapest models would be designed to look like nifty attaché cases…”

While this was humorous when originally written, it almost seems like a credible concept today. The question is, “Do we really need something like this?” I suspect that if you ask a pheasant hunter, initially they would laugh but after thinking more they might ask, “Why would you want something like that? Some days when you find no pheasants provide as much enjoyment as the days when they are plentiful.”

When I consider all the AI tools that have burst onto the scene in the recent past, I wonder if having a tool that does all our research (or other work) for us doesn’t present the same dilemma. For example, when doing research in person, “Do I always stay on a single subject? Or do I see something that appears only slightly related that leads me in a new direction?”

Have we, in our haste to make and market a new tool failed by omitting the more difficult, common sense, component? I see articles about how AI tools are being used improperly. I also see articles about how AI tools present security problems or concerns. I wonder if AI tools are really needed or are they like the self-driving tractor that, while a neat (dating myself here) idea has only the benefit of driving up costs?

I have no answers to these questions. I only pose them as food for thought. If we don’t use CS (common sense) or ACS (artificial common sense), is AI (artificial intelligence) really beneficial?

Let’s Communicate

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From the time of our birth, we have always tried to communicate. Sometimes we do it well. At others we need to improve. And, unfortunately, at times we fail, either by choice or by chance.

As babies, we were often able to communicate very effectively with our parents. We could tell them when we were hungry, when we were sad, when we were happy, and when our diaper needed to be changed. We did this by nature. We did not need to use words. Our voices, our expressions, our actions communicated our needs.

As we grew older, we learned how to use simple syllables and words to communicate our needs. We sometimes didn’t understand what we were communicating but by imitation of others or achieving results, our communication skills grew.

In a few years, we learned our alphabet and how to put these letters together to create ever more complex words and to use these words to communicate the same things we expressed more simply as babies. Sometimes we learned words or phrases that caused us to “have our mouths washed out with soap” (not really, but another form of communication).

For those of us who are defined as “baby boomers”, our communication skills were further enhanced by family gatherings, often for dinners on weekends or overnight stays. This seemed to be common since families often lived nearby. This is, perhaps, more difficult today with families spread far and wide.

While the physical separation of families has presented challenges, it has also provided opportunities to introduce new technologies for communicating. One of the early methods for communicating was the telegraph. Using a combination of “dots and dashes” we discovered we could send electrical signals over long distances making written communication possible – something much faster than sending a letter.

This was followed by the introduction and then widespread use of the telephone. With this new technology, we could send our voice across the country over wire. It was truly a miracle. One that could not be easily understood but was appreciated by all.

These two technologies opened many doors for communication. Things like television with a wide selection of channels – the baby boomers probably remember having only three or four channels that were only on air for a limited number of hours each day. Things like today’s cell phones, email, and text messaging. Things that are not limited by borders. Who knows what the future may hold.

But as I said earlier, we are unfortunate that communication also faces some of its biggest challenges today. We could possibly blame this on chance. Technology is changing so rapidly that not all are able to keep abreast of the new ways to communicate. This may be because it is so difficult for us “old folks” to learn how to use new technology. Perhaps it is because it is too costly to own the “latest and greatest” things or even to see the need for these things. It might be something else that holds us back. But I find this difficult to accept because I know of many people of my generation that are just as likely to use the latest technology as are those of today’s generation.

Instead, I look at the world around us and wonder if we no longer communicate well because we do not want to communicate. Perhaps we see communication as a way for others to demand our help in solving their problems. Or maybe we see our time as “too valuable” to waste on sharing with others. Maybe politics is the cause, with communication forcing us to see that others may have valid or valuable opinions that may not match our own.

I see a world where parents are not communicating with their children because one group is more liberal or more conservative than the other. A world where life experiences seem to have no value or where “woke” viewpoints are discounted out-of-hand. A world where so-called media stars and other elites somehow see themselves as smarter than others in our country. A world where the opinions of the majority are lumped into a single, disagreeable group that can be blamed for everyone’s problems. A world where it has been suggested that family holiday gatherings, a prime location for communication, be cancelled because of political differences.

One hopes that we can begin communicating with others again; that we can have a world where families come together and resolve differences; maybe even a world where we can return to the simpler time when communication is a way to achieve our needs while recognizing those of others.

Let’s start to communicate and use our communications to resolve our important differences. If there is one thing that we all should have learned early in our lives is that no one is perfect but that does not prevent our living together. Communication is the key.

Sometimes I’d Like to Write a Book or Maybe Just a Short Story

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Several years ago, although it seems like only yesterday, I was travelling along the interstate and saw something that I believed could be the basis for an interesting story or even a new book. In the middle of nowhere there was a small cluster of adobe buildings. Buildings that looked uninhabited. Buildings with no access from the interstate and no other roads leading to them. Adobe walls that looked in good condition but no glass apparent in the windows. Perhaps it was a ghost town or maybe the buildings were used by a ranch. Still, they seemed to just sit there, awaiting erosion or destruction by the hands of man. Even then, it was not the past, present, or future that provided an inspiration. It was simply the small cluster of buildings sitting in the hot sun.

Since that time, I have often thought of how these buildings, or similar buildings elsewhere, could provide the foundation for a book. But for some reason, I don’t know if I could write something, even a short story or a blog post that would do justice to them. I have had some ideas but when trying to move forward with them it always seems like the process becomes so difficult that I give up.

I still believe a story is there. Is it simply bringing an idea to a successful conclusion that is so difficult? Does one start with the buildings or simply incorporate them into a story as it develops? Or is there another approach that eludes me today? I have no answers but will continue to attempt to find a solution. And maybe I will at sometime find the book or short story that is worthy of sharing with others.

Science-Fiction or Science or Fiction?

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A few days ago, I read a short observation about where the future might lead us or how the world might be a few decades or even a few years from now. Unfortunately, I failed to make note of who had written the observation or even where I had read it. But thinking about the writing as I was lying in bed early this morning I thought about how science-fiction or even science itself has changed the world around us.

One of the first things I remember that could be classified as science-fiction was the mythological tale of Icarus. I tried to find a specific date when this was written but was unsuccessful. It was written by Ovid, along with several others, and focused on an escape attempt by Icarus and his father using wings made from metal, feathers, and beeswax to fly away from imprisonment. If one gives this some thought, this was science-fiction of its time. Flying, by man, was not even a dream. Yet Icarus’ father was able to conceive the construction and use of wings which would allow them to fly. Sadly, according to the myth, Icarus flew to close to the sun, the beeswax melted, and he fell to his death in the oceans below.

A person must wonder, could the people in Ovid’s lifetime conceive, or even dream, of our large airplanes today that can easily fly us around the world? Or could they possibly things like space travel? Yet in some form this myth was recorded and passed to later generations and is even known to some people today. So, while the tale of Icarus has passed through generations it is still a part of our lives today. So, were the writings of this myth only fiction or were they science-fiction, simply not defined as such?

Science-Fiction probably became a more well-defined genre in the latter half of the 1800’s with the writings of Jules Verne. Verne seems to have included technology (a term used loosely), or science, that existed in his day but expanded on how it was used. For example, this work “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” suggested the use of submersible craft to travel some 40,000 miles or more beneath the ocean. While submersibles existed, they could not travel to that depth, even had such a depth existed. Yet Vernes conceived this as a possibility and while we can search the oceans to great depths today, not anywhere near the depths Verne described. But Verne was able to imagine what might exist there.

Verne also wrote “Around the World in Eighty Days”, a time that, at least in the 1870’s seemed almost unbelievable. One must wonder, what would Verne think of today’s air travel where a trip around the world takes hours rather than many days. Again, the technology that Verne imagined existed. But it has advanced far beyond what he wrote as a novel, not as a prediction of the future. So, how was Verne able to reach out and predict these things that might exist in future times?

While science-fiction, as a genre, continued to grow over the years since Verne, one must also look at the world around us and ask how science has grown. We should mostly ask ourselves are today’s researchers and scientists science-fiction writers or dreamers. Should they have chosen to record their works in novels, would these works have been considered science-fiction? Or were they only science?

An example might be the works of Henry Ford. Ford did not invent the automobile. Instead, he made the automobile affordable. Had Americans who travelled westward on the Santa Fe Trail or the Oregon Trail known of the automobile would they have made those long treks via animal-powered wagons? Would we have the rutted trails that offer historic value today? Or would they have laughed at Ford?

 In other fields one can see both individuals who by imagining possibilities. They looked at problems and tried to find solutions. When they began, there seemed to be no solutions, yet they were willing to stretch the existing limits to create things that were better. People like Pasteur and Salk in the world of medicine who often were chided or punished for their works. People in other fields where advancements were made, or new solutions were found. Many who were successful and many who failed yet challenged others to try.

The differences between these individuals and people like Verne is not in what they imagined or accomplished but in how this was shared with others.

Now, perhaps in a less serious mode, let us move into things into the 1960’s, when I was a child. Many of my generation remember the cartoon series “The Jetsons”. The cartoons were, supposedly, set in the year 2062. This means that we have about thirty-seven more years to see if these cartoons were true or if they were only the imagination of the writers. But we can already see some things become real. For example, the Jetson home was cleaned by Rosie the Robot. While today’s robots take different forms, we can now have our carpets cleaned by robotic devices. Similarly, The Jetsons also had smart watches, video phones, and video chat; all things that are commonplace today. So while Hanna-Barbera were making a cartoon to keep children entertained, were they actually writing science-fiction?

I grew up in the “space age”. We, along with the Soviets, sent man and animal into space. Our exploration allowed us to ultimately development of a craft allowing scientists and others to live for extended time away from earth. They have allowed us to explore other planets and environments. But when we were children each trip to space created tons of junk. Old rockets and other craft that either burned up in the atmosphere, was left in space, or crashed into the oceans. It seems such a waste.

So, what have we done? Today, we have ways to bring much of this junk back to earth, land and capture it safely, and reuse it in the future. Are today’s solutions perfect? Probably not, but they are a step forward and can be improved as we move forward.

When I was in my teens and early twenties I worked on farms, drove tractors and combines, and help farmers tend their crops. When I look at farm equipment of today, I am amazed. Things that we learned to do in the past are now done by automated tools. The farm worker is still there, but for how long?

We have cars and trucks that drive themselves so all we need to do is tell them where to go. Again, something that is yet to be perfected. But something that would have been science-fiction just a few years ago is now emerging reality. Electric vehicles, not the first if one remembers trolleys and electric trains, that also have limitations but may ultimately reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.  All these things started as ideas which could have been discarded as science-fiction but have instead began moving into the world of science.

Who can predict what the future holds? Will it be the scientist, the science-fiction writer, or someone else? And will the future leave us older folks behind or will it be something that makes or lives better? I have no answers, just questions and hope.

Reflection

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When we look in a dictionary for the definition of reflection there are some common thoughts or trends as in these from the Cambridge Dictionary Online:

  1. The image of something in a mirror or on any reflective surface
  2. serious and careful thought

There are often other definitions as well, but here I want to reflect on these two. Each of the images in this post are made using the first and then there is some thought, perhaps not too serious or careful, related to each. Others may have different interpretations of these images or even the images themselves.

Innocence – The duckling here is innocent. Quite young, it has not been exposed to the beauty and dangers that may enter its life. Instead, the most important thing now is to simply swim fast enough to catch its mother who is a bit ahead. Living its life in a protected, not natural, environment, it does not need to worry about the source of its next meal, predators from above or below, or even the humans who watch it or take photos. As the duckling ages, it must learn of these dangers and how to keep safe. How does it gain this knowledge? It must be taught by the older ducks, the hen who gave it life or others. But this happens without voice, at least as we humans define it. It must learn when and why migration occurs. It must learn how to avoid predators. When the time comes to breed to ensure the flocks future. Yes, the duckling is innocent now but soon in will be knowledgeable and know how to survive.

Beauty – The wood duck drake is often described as one of the most, if not the most, beautiful waterfowl species. The multiple colors stand out bright against the environment. The drake here is also in a controlled environment, not in its natural habitat. How does the drake know that it is safe? Why does it come close enough to be photographed? There are no trees or other places to hide in the face of danger. Yet the wood duck or perhaps its offspring return each year to share their beauty with other waterfowl and even we humans. If it does not survive the winter, how do others know to come in its stead? While scientists may give us answers, are they correct? Or are we simply attempting to fit animal behavior into our human model? Why does the drake sport these beautiful colors while the hen does not? And how do they know where to go in the winter? The beauty is there for all to behold, but it creates so many questions that perhaps the best answer is to simply enjoy.

Peace – I have always had problems defining why we find sunsets so intriguing. Yes, they are often beautiful, but they can also present danger. But to me, this sunset image from Bosque del Apache to be very peaceful. The sun sets over the mountains, miles to the west. It reflects off the shallow water stirred by a light breeze. The sand hill cranes feed in the flooded fields seemingly without any threat. Later in the evening, the cranes will be joined by others, ducks and geese. And all will rest peacefully through the night. Then early the next morning the peace will be disturbed as the birds take flight, almost as one, to move to their daytime resting places, near and far. Unlike the duckling or the wood duck, these are birds are in their natural environment. Danger and risk are there. But at this time of day, all seem at peace.

Serenity – The Grand Tetons offer many different things to those who see them – safety and danger, homes and escapes, beauty, peace, a place to feed, a place to give life, and a place for life to end. To me this photo represents serenity, or calmness. The mountain in the distance is solid. It stands up to storms and rain. It tells us that some things are reliable and dependable. The river and reflection on this day show how things can be calm even as the world is in turmoil around us. Yes, on other days or at other times the water may be rough but after a few moments or days, it will return to the serenity of the moment to be enjoyed by others. Although one cannot see wildlife in this image, we know they are there, hidden away and safe. Perhaps they too are enjoying the pace and serenity of this wonderful place.

Introspection – As we reflect on things around us, we are given moment ourselves. Time to look at where we have been, and possibly where we are going. To think about what we have done and what we might do. I don’t really see this photo as a “selfie” or even a goal. I know where it was taken but I don’t know why. When I look at it, I remember the day it was taken, a simple reflection in a window. It highlighted a hobby or maybe a wish. But it has never been shared. It was a time to think, alone in a park. Perhaps it was a simple pause in my photography that day or a memory created for the future. I really don’t know.

I hope you have enjoyed these images and the few words that are shared. Maybe the next free moments you have, you too can reflect on the things around you and what they mean. Have a great day!

Why the Army?

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In the past. I’ve been asked, “Why did you go into the Army?” This is a question I have pondered repeatedly and even today I’m not sure I have a good answer. Perhaps patriotism played a role although I do not consider myself more patriotic than others my age. If I had been a few years older, I could have said it was because of the draft and the Viet Nam War. But this was not true because by the time I graduated from college, the end of the War was near and the draft was, for all intents and purposes, no longer an issue. Or was it something else?

As I was laying in bed this morning this question came to mind again although it has not been asked recently. While I am the son of a World War II veteran, the idea of entering the military was never discussed in our home. Nor was it ever discussed in our school. So why did I even consider it?

Maybe it was something in my childhood. When I was young in most years my family went to the nearby small city of Jonesboro to see their Christmas parade. The parade consisted of a few floats, some marching units, some vehicles, and Santa Claus – a favorite of the children. While I cannot remember many details, there was one unit that I always enjoyed seeing. It was a small military drill team; I believe they were from ROTC unit at the local college and were called the Reng Rifles. They marched proudly in their uniforms, carrying rifles and wearing brightly polished silver helmets. As they went down the street, they twirled their rifles and did other movements that I found fascinating.

Several years later, a young man who I respected graduated from that same college commissioned as a Second Lieutentant after completing ROTC. He was five or six years older than me, and I can’t remember if he went on active duty or became a member of the reserves. I know he never suggested that I follow in his footsteps yet his decision to become an Army officer increased my respect for him.

When I left home and entered college, one of the first classes I asked to enroll was military science, or ROTC. Unfortunately, the only class session that fit my schedule was cancelled because of low enrollment. I could have moved on and no longer considered ROTC or the military as part of my future. Instead, near the end of my sophomore year I learned of a program that allowed those with interest in the military to enter a two-year ROTC program. To do this, you had to attend a summer camp between your sophomore and junior years, enroll in ROTC classes the next two years, then accept a commission. I agreed to do this and thus was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon my graduation.

There were several who encouraged me throughout these two years – my roommate who was two years ahead of me in college and in ROTC, others both ahead of me in college and even some following me, our ROTC staff, my parents, and others. One person I especially remember was the head of our ROTC department with whom I shared a first and middle name along with a last initial.

Even with all of this, I’m not sure why I entered the Army. Were I placed in the same position today, I believe I would do the same thing. While there were good times and bad during my Army career, I learned much and travelled to places I would never have seen otherwise. I met people who I remember to this day although I have not seen them in many years. I served our country. I was lucky, I did not have to serve on the battleground. I knew many who did. I have no respect for those who dodged the draft, nor can I respect those who criticize our military today yet have never served.

So, if you ask, give me a few moments to gather my thoughts and try to provide you a good answer. There are too many things that affected my decision both to enter the Army and remain there for a career.

Brr….

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In the last couple of weeks, the St. Louis area has suffered through some strong, at least for here, winter storms. During the first, we were on the border between snow and ice. At our home, southwest of St. Louis, we spent the first two days of the initial storm as a target for freezing rain and sleet. Only the final night gave us some of the snow that had been seen north of us.  As a result, we had a layer of ice on the ground, on streets, and on driveways which was then covered by snow.  A few days later, another blast of winter weather added several additional inches of snow.

While many others, like my nephew who lives a short distance from Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, have far worse winter weather and far more snow, they are better prepared for what that brings. Still, I wonder if they sometimes laugh about our weather woes or have sympathy for those who rarely have this type of weather.   

I will admit that I probably have difficulty understanding the reactions to winter weather myself. I grew up in northeast Arkansas. As school aged children, we were usually happy when we had more than one “snow day” in a year. More often, we had none. My second Army assignment was in Germany. There, and like in this photo from Austria, we had much more snow than in Arkansas, but I don’t remember it ever bringing things to a standstill. Instead, communities and drivers there seemed to be prepared for snow and took it in stride. I saw this in multiple assignments in Europe and in the U.S.

But the recent days have made me wonder, why do we not prepare for winter weather and why do react the way we do? Preparation, at least on the surface, seems fairly simple. We should keep enough basic food and other necessities in our homes in case we cannot visit stores for a few days. Instead, it seems that purchasing these basics, particularly food, is never thought about until the last minute. Store shelves are emptied where there should be simple items like bread, eggs, and other everyday items. Little or no thought is given to what will happen if we lose power or if our roads cannot be cleared as rapidly as snow or ice falls.   

Perhaps our businesses should have plans in place to either operate with limited staff or to close for a few days if necessary.  Schools seem to be able to do this, so why not others? Also, our stores should have enough supplies like snow shovels and salt or other ice melting chemicals on hand to meet the needs of the community. This clearly did not occur during our recent bad weather as people needed to call or visit multiple locations, some miles away, to simply get enough salt to clear their sidewalks.

During the first part of our recent bad weather, I had a great deal of sympathy for our HOA president who was receiving email and other complaints in the middle of the storm asking when the streets would be cleared so that someone could go to work or visit a store. He tried to explain that clearing the roads while the snow and ice continued to fall would be of little value. Still the complaints kept coming (along with a variety of reasons for why the roads needed to be cleared immediately). Yet after the main part of the storm had passed and the roads were first plowed, because of the ice the roads rapidly covered over again and driving conditions were no better. Others decided that warnings from area police and highway departments to travel only in emergency did not apply to them so they could travel as usual and create danger for our first responders and others.

All this occurring even after multiple warnings over several days before the storms. I had to wonder, “What would have happened had the winter weather been worse? And how are we teaching our children to be prepared for similar events in the future?”

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow… and Our Wildlife Friends

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Do you remember this song from the movie “White Christmas”? Singing were Bing Crosby and three others on the train heading to an inn in New England where, unfortunately, the snow had yet to appear that winter. As I listened to the weather forecast for this weekend that song came to mind.

We live a short distance southwest of St. Louis and the forecast called for all types of winter weather – snow, sleet, freezing rain, high winds, and low temperatures. In our case, we were expected to be on the line between snow and ice. The forecasters were pretty accurate. The bad weather started with light sleet or freezing rain which began around 10:00 PM, Saturday evening. This lasted until mid-day Sunday when the snow moved in and was mixed with the sleet until early evening. Then the heavier snow arrived and continued until early Monday morning. Driving became dangerous throughout the area beginning Sunday morning and continues even today.

Sunday evening before the heavier snow began, I looked out our rear window and saw two deer run across our backyard. It was dark enough that I really saw only the shadowed outline of their bodies and the bright white flash of their tails. This made me wonder, “How do these wild creatures – deer, squirrels, rabbits, and birds – survive the cold temperatures? If we didn’t have our warm homes, could we humans survive as well?”. It se seems that wildlife can survive, perhaps in nests or other sheltered places. Perhaps, they survive by clustering in groups to share warmth. Or maybe they simply know locations that offer some form of protection. They must because otherwise how could they survive – yet they do. They survive fire and drought, snow and ice, hurricanes and tornados. If they didn’t, we would have no wildlife today.

In this world we live. Humans, the supposed most intelligent species. Humans with technology and science and knowledgeable people who can help us stay safe and survive. But instead of using these tools, we select instead to pay little or no attention to warnings from warnings we are given to avoid travel and stay off the road. We seem to think that driving to the store to pick up a loaf of bread or a six-pack is more important than our safety or that of others, like our first responders. But perhaps we can’t survive without these items. So, we ignore others and try – maybe just to prove we are superior or smarter than those trying to protect us.

Maybe we do survive without problem but often we don’t. We wreck our cars – get hurt or harm others or get lucky and only get stranded. Then what do we do? Do we take responsibility for our actions, or do we do as a person I read about today. This person ignored all the advice and warnings, drove on unsafe roads, and became stranded when stuck in the snow. Their response – claims that there were no warnings (even though warnings were issued days before the storms) and complaints about how long it took first responders to rescue them. They were not injured, or injure others, yet they should have been placed at the top of the rescue list so they wouldn’t get cold. I know I should not judge others but using a quote from a popular movie, “Stupid is as stupid does!”.

This simply, sometimes, makes me wonder, “Who best deserves to survive, our wildlife friends or those who regularly take actions like the above?”

Resolutions

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January 1 has come and gone. Now we look forward to a, hopefully, better 2025.  Did you make any New Year resolutions? If you did, how many of them have you broken already? Do you regret any of them? Are there other resolutions you wish you had made and kept?

What are resolutions? Are they wishes for the future? Are they goals we hope to achieve? Are they simply something we make because our family or others expect from us? Can they be shared with others or are they like birthday wishes which can only come true if kept secret? I’m not sure I have an answer for any of these questions. Perhaps the answers are different for each person or for each resolution. Perhaps there is no need for answers.

When I was a child, each year it was important to make resolutions. Sometimes they were to correct things that had been done wrong the previous year. Sometimes they were new hopes for the new year. Sometimes they were meaningless to anyone except me. And, regardless of what they were, they were often broken within a few days or weeks.

As I look back, I cannot remember any specific resolution that I made. I can’t remember any resolution that was shared by a family member or friend. Yet it always seemed that making resolutions could not be missed.

When I grew older the value of making resolutions at the end of each December or in early January became unnecessary or unimportant. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was I recognized that resolutions were broken almost as quickly as they were made. Perhaps it was because I became more cynical although I probably didn’t even know the meaning of the word. Or could it have been that the time spent was considered wasted.

Even today, I don’t make resolutions. Now my reasons are more easily defined. I do not make resolutions because I don’t really believe I can keep them. Maybe this is a recognition that one of my human weaknesses is the inability to set long term goals. And, for me, a goal for an entire year is long term.

I’ve never asked others, apart from young children, about their views on making resolutions. I suppose some do and that they can succeed in accomplishing whatever they hoped for. I know some who make resolutions that do not last even a few days into the new year. Some may make resolutions as a form of humor. In any case, if you or someone you know makes a resolution, I hope you can achieve your goal whether in a single year or even a longer time.

Who knows? I may make a resolution or two at the beginning of 2026 or I may continue with my tradition of making none. Or maybe I should make a 2025 resolution to make new resolutions in all future years.

Waterfowl

bill fryman, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

As the first cold snap of 2025 approaches, it reminds me of the days of my youth. My hometown was in the middle of farmlands where the summers saw rice and soybeans growing if fields large and small. In the autumn was harvest leaving bare fields behind. In the winter, it was a stop along the Mississippi Flyway, a traditional migration route for waterfowl and other birds from breeding grounds in Canada to wintering grounds along the Gulf Coast.

Depending on the weather, both in the north and along the Flyway, waterfowl became abundant in our area from mid-October until sometime shortly after the start of the new year. The waterfowl, mostly ducks, could be seen could be seen in huge V-shaped flocks passing high over in the sky or in smaller feeding groups in the recently harvested fields. Perching ducks could be found along bayous and rivers while puddle ducks were more often seen in lakes and ponds.

Our town had a moment of fame just before Christmas in 1956 when ducks on Claypool Reservoir were highlighted on the Wide World of Sports. A clip of this show can be found on the web along with images of a picture and poster showing thousands of ducks taking to the air.

While geese were sometimes seen, ducks were far more common. This has changed over time as has the number of waterfowl seen passing through each year. If you compare the Claypool photo from 1956 and it to these from 2013, you can still see large numbers of waterfowl on the Flyway, just different types.

When I read of “advances” in farming today, I often wonder if we learn from the past. In the early 1900’s waterfowl were much more abundant. Over hunting and habitat destruction reduced populations to dangerous levels. Only through wildlife management and conservation efforts were waterfowl and other wildlife protected and even restored. But then man stepped back on the scene. There were rains and storms that cause short term flooding, so we drained and cleared bayous and woods replacing them with straight ditches. Again, habitat was lost. Habitat that could not be replaced. But even today, the flooding still occurs. Now I read of how farm equipment is so much more “efficient”. There is no “waste”, no residue left behind. But if this is true, what will our waterfowl do for food?

I wonder who the advances and efficiency have benefited. The costs of farming today are unbelievable, so it would seem there has been little gain for farmers. Food prices continue to climb so I don’t see much benefit for the consumer. So, the advances appear to only serve the manufacturers and their investors who care only for the dollar.

I live in a semi-rural area today. Not in the city yet not in a farm community. I wonder how many of those around me appreciate what life hear offers. We share our community with deer, squirrels, and rabbits. In winter we see ducks on our lake, not lifetime residents but those passing through. I’ve even taken photos of wild turkey in my backyard. Yet there are those who complain about wildlife eating their flowers. If it is so bad I want to ask, “Why did you move here? The wildlife was here first. If it is so bad, why do you stay?”  But, perhaps, my thoughts are straying.  

My memories are of enjoying seeing the waterfowl and appreciating their beauty. Mornings in freezing cold duck blinds sharing great time with others. Contributing to conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation who protect waterfowl and wildlife for future generations to enjoy. I hope that you have enjoyed similar times and that we humans can learn to share with our wildlife neighbors who were here before us.