Blog Entry 5-25-10

(continued from Face Book)

Our minds need to be . . . sharp and focused on the tasks at hand, not hung up in some medieval thinking that one race or sex is better that the others. In God's eyes, we are all brothers and sisters and are all equally important. We have ravaged our planet and destroyed our atmosphere, I only hope there is enough time to repair the damage we have done. That task is going to take cooperation of all mankind. I really like being here and living here. I hope my grandchildren and great grandchildren will have the same opportunity. It's time to open the minds of man and think universally about the survival of the species.

MY DIVING:

My dive buddy, Jim, and I went to Wazee on Sunday and got in two great dives. We dove out of divesite 4, also known as the south boat ramp. The first dive was to 75 feet and lasted 54 minutes. The water temp was 47 degrees below the second thermal cline, but was a balmy 54 above it. The surface temp was about 66 degrees. The fish are becoming more active and we saw several species: White Suckers, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and a couple of small Walleyes. As the summer warms the water in the bay, more panfish will occupy it. We feed the bluegills snails and crawfish, by the end of the summer, they get very demanding when divers are in the water. Our second dive was to the right down the road bed. Once again, we got lost on this dive. There is a weird topography under there and you think you're on the right path and yet you just never seem to get where you need to be. We finally surfaced to get our bearings and discovered we were about 300 yards from where we thought we were. Of course, that 300 yards was away from shore out in the middle of the lake. We swam on top for a while then submerged and swam back in. It was tiring but we made it back safe and came back with the same number of divers we went in with, (2).

My shipwreck for this week is the Milwaukee. She lies in 90 to 125 feet. Location: This wreck lies 3.5 miles northeast of North Point, Milwaukee. The steel railroad car steamer, Milwaukee (338' x 56' x 19'5"), tragically foundered in an autumn storm on October 22, 1929, while inbound from Milwaukee for Muskegon, Michigan, with a load of railroad cars. All 52 people who were on board perished. Launched on December 6, 1902, at Cleveland with the long name Manistique-Marquett & Northern No. 1, she was given a more manageable name, Milwaukee, in 1908. This is a challenging dive, as the visibility is frequently low (15' or less) and the maze of wires and twisted cables invite entanglement. some of the railroad card can be explored since this part of the wreck is relatively open. One car contains a cargo of bathtubs and toilet seats, while another holds three automobiles. The wreck is split in some places, with thick silt filling the crevices. Do not disturb the silt as it will destroy your visibility and possibly your orientation. Very experienced divers with proper training, conditions and equipment can enter the shipwreck. ("The Great Lakes Diving Guide", Cris Kohl, 2008)

MY FAITH:

We've all heard the saying: "When God closes the door, look for a window." I don't know who said it but it is very profound. [I think Michael Card recorded a song by that same title, I think it was him.] Throughout our lives we talk to God and pray for His guidance and help, but then complain when we don't get what we wanted. That echo, that inner voice, that answer we're seeking is sometimes a resounding NO. But when that voice says no there is usually another path we are supposed to take. The door we were expecting to open and grant "our" desires and wants was locked when we got there. Instead of fretting and getting upset because we didn't get our will, we should stop, listen, pray, and look for that other path; that window that opens to God's will and God's gift to us. We have no way of knowing or comprehending what God has in mind for us, but I believe that every person on the planet has a purpose in God's plan. When we accept God's will and let God be our guide, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Through our humble observance of this divine guidance we will eventually find our purpose and fulfill our reason for being. But, alas, we are all human. We have a strong will to do what we think is best and what we think is right. For some, it takes a long time to find their way along the twisting and winding trail that they blaze in their human way, only to find that there was a much shorter, straight path if they had only listened to that echo.

I believe we need to pray, meditate, and humbly listen for that guidance from above. Then have the courage to follow the path laid out before us. We may not understand God's will, but it is usually a much better way than anything we as humans can come up with. Trust in your God, as I trust in mine, to guide you to your final destination.

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Blog Entry 5-21-10

To Mr. Sigmund:

It has been a very tough day today. My cat Sigmund is dying and I miss him already. He is 18 years old and I guess it's just his time. It doesn't make it any easier, but that is very old for a cat. He has been my bosom buddy and my solace for 18 years. He knows the sound of my van and would jump up in the window when he heard it. Once he knew it was me for sure, he would run to the door and wait for me to come in. He would walk between my legs as I tried to get to the kitchen to set stuff down. Then it was over to the couch for our special daily loving session. He would snuggle up under my chin and purr the loudest purr you have ever heard. When he'd reached his limit of stimulation he would jump down and curl up either in the chair next to me or at my feet. If I got up to go anywhere he would follow me like a little puppy. Every night he would curl up on the bed nestled in at the back of my knees. We would have a special good night petting session when I would stroke his ears and give him noogies. He loved noogies. Today he has been in the office all day, he hasn't eaten or had anything to drink. When he tries to walk he just wobbles and then lays back down. I brought his water dish up but he doesn't seem to be interested at all. His coat is very dull and his eyes are kind of glassy, so I know it won't be long. He has given me so much joy through the years, it's really hard to say goodbye, but I know I must. I love him so very much and I will miss him just as much. Goodbye Mr. Sigmund, I love you.

Blog Entry 5-20-2010

(continued from Face Book)

Next, Plan--decide what you will do and what you will stop doing to make room for the "Do." And finally, deliver the plan with Action.

We are all dreamers. The difference between those that reach their dreams and those that don't is a goal with a plan. Successful people set goals and develop a plan of action that will take them to their dreams. Dreamers are just that, dreamers. They survive life in mediocrity and never realize that their dreams are only as far away as a plan to get them there. Planning will include several smaller and readily attainable goals. Each little goal reached is another step closer to our dreams. So Dream Big, set lofty goals, plan small achievable goals as stepping stones toward your ultimate dream, and then get off your couch and go into Action. "How do you eat an elephant? - One bite at a time." It is the same with dreams and goals; one small step at a time. Go for it. Reach for the stars and beyond. You can achieve it.

MY DIVING:

The weather is really getting warm up here in Minnesota. It looks like we'll be heading out for Lake Wazee again this weekend for some great diving. My dive buddy has to get used to his dry suit, so we'll be working on getting his weight dialed in and trimmed so when we hit the Great Lakes later in the summer, he'll be ready.

I have my pictures from Cozumel. I'll get them posted in an album on Face Book. Watch for it in the very near future.

MY FAITH:

I am working on developing a better relationship with my God. I talk to Him every day. I complain about different things in my live; I thank Him for the blessing I have in my life; I just talk to Him like any other friend. I ask Him for things I would like to have and ask for His guidance in getting them. I listen for the answer and sometimes it just doesn't com when "I" want it to. I know my timetable is irrelevant when it comes to God, but I still ask and I still expect it to happen. I'm trying to learn patience. I have found that the answer sometimes comes when you least expect it and in ways you never thought of.

I'm also learning to read the Bible. I don't mean that sarcastically or in a light manner or literally, I mean that there are messages in the Bible from my God that answer a lot of my questions and wants. I'm finding it is essential to spend time in scripture. The Bible is like God's megaphone for us. In Hebrews 4:12-13 the Word of God is described as "living" and "active". If you want to hear God's voice in every aspect of your life, then you need to spend time in the Word, because scripture provides balance, confirmation, and direction.

Many times a scripture will hold the actual answer you're looking and waiting for. If you're praying about a conflict in your life and are not sure how to deal with it, try reading Matthew 5; "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Listen with your heart and your mind and your soul, the voice of God is all around us all the time.

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Blog Entry 5-19-10

(continued from FaceBook)
I feel that by helping someone else reach their goals and realize their dreams, that my own just naturally happen. Having a sense of true, unbiased, love for all our fellow humans opens our hearts and minds to the many wonders of this life. We have the ability to achieve great things if we help others achieve. Nothing is impossible or improbable with the help of others. With many people doing a little, magnificent accomplishments follow.

MY DIVING:

We went to Black River Falls, Wisconsin on Monday. The diving was great. The sun was out, just a slight breeze, and the water was beautiful. We made a dive to 125 feet. The water temp was 43 degrees F. The visibility was around 50 feet once we got below 100 feet. We made the dive along one of our favorite walls. It is almost sheer (just a slight angle). Lake Wazee is an abandoned iron ore mine that was allowed to fill. The county took it over several years ago and has turned it into a diving mecca. It is one of the best diving sites in the upper Midwest (I think it is the best). Divers come from all across the country to dive here. It has the best visibility of pretty much anywhere in fresh water. It is 361 feet deep at its deepest, so it is used for training by commercial divers. It is used for depth and decompression training for wreck divers. The walls make for easy diving because we have a reference. We'll probably go back this weekend and do some more diving.

My shipwreck of the week for this week is the Sandusky. Location: This wreck lies 5.2 miles west of Old Mackinac Point. The brig Sandusky (110' x 25'1"), built in 1848 at her namesake, Sandusky, Ohio, foundered with all seven hands and a grain cargo in a storm on September 20, 1856. The wreck, located by Chuck and Jeri Feltner's team on May 2, 1981, sits upright and intact with magnificent sights such as the scrolled figurehead (even though this one, compliments of several Detroit area divers from the Ford Seahorses Scuba Dive Club, is a precise replica of the original, which was damaged in a bungled theft attempt in 1988 and is now in a museum), completely intact bowsprit with chains, bow anchors, and windlass. The Sandusky, excellently preserved, is the oldest located and most visited shipwreck in the Straits of Mackinac. (The Great Lakes Diving Guide, Chris Kohl, 2008). Her depth is 70 - 84 feet, well within the range of advanced certified divers.

MY FAITH:

Our God works in strange and mysterious ways. I was struggling to find something that would continue the thought of helping others that we may grow ourselves when one of my books, "Coping", fell on the floor. It was open and the page contained this prayer: "Sometimes I can be standing next to a friend Father, and feel a great distance between us . . . sometimes I want to cry out, but have no voice. Only You perceive my uncertain presence. Only You hear the words I cannot bring to my lips. You see me watching You from the roadside, and You reach through the throng to take my hand and bring me close to You. You let me walk with You part of the way, until my step is strong--and then You send me along another road looking for others who have lost their place in the crowd."

Helping others is contagious. The more we give away, the more we get back. It seems that helping others is God's will and wish for us. Take time each day to help someone you know and someone you don't know. It doesn't have to be something large and obvious, but do a good deed each day for someone you know and another for someone you don't know. It will amaze you how just simple little acts of kindness can pay huge dividends at a later time.

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Blog Entry 5-11-10
(continued from FaceBook)
. . . blaming other people for our shortcomings, complaining about our burdens and tasks, and the problems we face in our daily activities. We need to realign our focus and our priorities. We need to work on way to grow, learn, evolve, and master our jobs, careers, and businesses. We need to make a conscious effort to change and take charge of our own success and well being.

"There are so many people in life who spend too much time trying to change others, when they should be investing time working on themselves first. The best way to change your own career and work life and those around you is to work on yourself first. Your world is a reflection of your thinking and behaviors, so the best place to start is always with yourself. Life works when you work on you first." (Mark Fritz, The Truth About Getting Things Done").

MY DIVING: SHIPWRECK OF THE WEEK

Prins Willem V -- Location: This wreck lies three miles east of Milwaukee, WI. Another "saltie" (ocean-going freighter) that never made it out of the Great Lakes (just like the Nordmeer, Monrovia, and Francisco Morazan, all in Chris Kohl's book), the steel freighter Prins Willem V (205'5" x 42'1" x 14'7"), built in the Netherlands in 1948, sank in a freak collision with the tug, Sinclair's tow on October 14, 1954. No lives were lost, and the Prins Willem V sank with the loss of her cargo of automotive parts, animal hides and jukeboxes. (The Great Lakes Diving Guide, Chris Kohl, 2008)

Brendon Baillod, in his book Wisconsin's Lost Ships, has this to say about the "Willy": Steep freighter Prins Willem V--built in 1948 Neder-Hardinxveld, Netherlands by Van Vlier Co., 258.0 x 42.1 x 14.7 ft., 2763 gt. Construction began in 1940 but she was scuttled to block Rotterdam Harbor during WWII. She was completed in 1949. The Prins Willem V was inbound at Milwaukee with a cargo of miscellaneous freight on October 14, 1954 when she struck the tow line of the oil barge Sinclair XII in tow of the tug Sinclair Chicago off Milwaukee Harbor, tearing a 20 ft. hole in her starboard side. She foundered quickly, settling on her side in 70 ft. of water. All crew were rescued by USCG Hollyhock. The wreck is now the most heavily dived site on the Great Lakes (Jerry Guyer). Type: Foundered; Depth: 75 ft.; Remains: Identified.

A beautiful shipwreck that is diveable by recreational divers. Penetration is possible, though not recommended by divers without Advanced Wreck certification and Decompression Diver training.

MY FAITH:

More on the sacred echo: In our modern world, it's easy to think you can do things on your own. But if you want to begin hearing God's voice, you need to seek Him and recognize your dependence on Him.

That means being honest with Him. Admit you need Him. Confess your disappointment with Him. Ask Him to give you ears to hear and eyes to see the way in which He is speaking. And ask Him for the ability to discern His voice apart from your own.

Human nature leads us to believe that we are in charge. History has shown that every time we are in charge, things go astray. We need to listen for that guiding voice and trust that He is leading us on His path. Learning to recognize God's voice over our own egotistical desires is probably one of the hardest things to do. AA has a simple saying: "I can't, God can, let Him." Listen for that echo, trust what you hear and follow in the footsteps of God.

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10 May 2010

continued from Facebook . . .
(However, it means) giving up old familiar ways of how we think about security. Letting go of what we know can be a tall order for some of us; even if it is the key to getting what we want.
Letting go is the ultimate challenge because it involves overcoming an emotional attachment to old ways of thinking and behaving. We have been conditioned to hold on, take charge and make things happen. For those of us who have ever been white water rafting we've heard words similar to these from the guide: "If you fall out of the raft, don't thrash around in the water trying to find something to hold onto. Instead, let go, point your feet downstream and allow the river to carry you to the next landing".
If only it were that easy. Our emotions complicate the letting go process and create the resistance or discomfort we experience. When we stop resisting and let go, though, we are released from our discomfort.
Let go of the old and open up to the new!
[From "How To Attract More Money Into Your Life" by Maggie McCauley.]

MY DIVING:
Well, temps in the 30s and wind gusting to 50 mph doesn't make for good diving weather. I'm really getting dried out and need to get back in the water. It's been over a month since I've been in water deeper than 12 ft. GRR. I'm hoping the weather warms up this weekend so we can get out.

MY FAITH:
Margaret Feinberg has some fantastic words to guide us through troubled time:
"When God really wants to get your attention, He doesn't just say something once, He echoes. The same scripture, idea, or theme will reappear until you can't help but wonder if a greater something or Someone, is at work."
"The persistent voice of God in our lives--the sacred echo--is available if we take time to slow down and really listen. But do you begin to hear God's voice in your life? Consider these simple steps for getting started."
The first step is to take time to seek God. What does it mean to seek Him? We must consciously make an effort to find Him. How do we seek God? Through prayer--which is simply talking to God. Spend time letting God know your concerns, your questions, your fears, your doubts. Ask God to speak to you. At the same time, don't forget to take time to thank God for who He is and all that He has done. Then listen for that echo, that quiet voice, that persistent voice, for the answers. Just remember, the answer, sometimes, is NO. It is not our will but rather God's will that we need to follow if we are to find serenity in our lives.

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3 May 2010

(continued from FaceBook) It is when we decide to face our fears that we discover our true courage,
our tremendous strength, and as a result, our confidence is lifted to new levels. When we make a conscious choice to stand and face the things that we fear, we discover that what we feared is not really that frightening. Most of our fears are mental concepts that we have embraced and accepted as part of our psyche. These fears are nothing more than imagined crisis. Within each of us is a will to survive and a desire to achieve. By facing our fears of the unknown we allow those innate drives to prevail and our lives, and usually the lives of those we touch, are vastly improved.

MY DIVING:
As I get ready for another summer of diving I find myself reviewing and reflecting on my dives from last year and noting the highlights and the lowlights. Every dive has something that was fantastic; and every dive has an element that can be improved. I try to find one of those little elements that need improving and work on it. I make an effort to change a bad habit into a good habit one at a time. By changing one thing at a time and not working on many it becomes easier to change those lowlights into highlights. With more highlights than lowlights it is easier and easier to dive safely. Each bad habit that gets changed into a good habit is another step toward a safe and event-free summer of diving.

MY FAITH:

One of my favorite readings on faith comes from a book "Sobriety and Beyond". "The price of real maturity in life is a realization of the mistakes we have made. You young men will be really mature the day you look back on your life and cry out: 'My God, what a mess I've made of things!' That day will be a great day for you, but it will be a day, too, when only a real deep humility will enable you, despite the mess of the past, to go forward and do life's work."

"'My God, what a mess I've made of things!' As I look back how pitiful is the good done, how sparing my help to others, how innumerable my mistakes, the wrongs, how all-pervading my self-seeking! How seamy the finished product."

"Is such realization discouraging? Absolutely, unless--unless I fall on my knees and humbly admit it all to God, with a heartfelt thanks that He knows and understands and will make allowance, full allowance, for my pitiful human frailty. What else coule He--or I--expect? Then from my knees I arise and face the future, trusting far less in myself than ever before, and throwing my full weight on God, knowing that it will be an easy burden for omnipotence."

We have given our mistakes a name--we call it experience. Without mistakes to learn from, we can gain no experience. We must try. If we fail to try, we have simply failed. However, a gallant attempt, even though it may end in failure, is still a step toward success. We must be willing to make that attempt, and we must be willing to fail in that attempt before true success can be achieved. Placing our trust and faith in our God we can be great in anything and everything we try. We may not always succeed, but we will always know we tried and did our best.

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2 May 2010

(continued from FaceBook)
it is only then that the wonder of true friends comes shining through. They are there by your side to give you a shoulder to cry on, to give you a hand to hold, and to give you a heart-felt hug when you need it most. They don't ask for compensation or payment of any kind, they are just there because they are your friend. The true beauty of a person can only be seen in times of darkness. True friends, just like the window, glow with an absolute beauty, lit by the light within.

MY DIVING:

I taught a group of Boy Scouts to dive this weekend. They were a genuine pleasure to work with. They learn so quickly it is really fun. We were in the pool this weekend; in about 3 weeks we'll be in the lake to finish up their certifications. They are all really excited to be learning to dive. They are going on a high-adventure trip in August to Florida to "Sea Base". They had their choice of sailing or SCUBA and they chose SCUBA. I know they will have a wonderful time down there. They are all vey comfortable in the water and totally fearless so I had to keep reminding them that we don't have gills, they must keep track of their regulators and masks. By the end of the weekend I thik they got the message. They are all going to be great divers.

Another shipwreck my buddy and I will be diving is the Grace A. Channon. Chris Kohl had this to say about the Channon: This wreck lies 6.8 miles southeast of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The schooner, Grace Channon (169' x 29"), built in 1873 at East Saginaw, Michigan, sank after a collision with the steam barge, Favorite, broke a large hole in her port side on August 2, 1877. The seven-year-old son of a co-worker sleeping below deck, died in this sinking, while the Favorite rescued the others. This wreck, located in April 1985, by Kent Bellrichard and his team, sits upright and in remarkably good shape, with an intact cabin. Rigging lies on the deck.

Depth of this wreck is 185' to 198'. This one is also beyond the range of recreations diving.

INSPIRATION:

Take a good look at your life and the choices you have made. Are you fulfilled and engaged in living, or just going through the motions to get through the day and pay the bills? If the answer to the last question is yes, reconsider the direction in which you would like to take your life. Give deep thought to what would satisfy you. Ingaine life you love getting up for each day!

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1 May 2010

(continued from FB)
It is only when we bring our dreams out of ourselves and share them with others that we begin to take action (wake up) and work on achieving our dreams. There is nothing you can dream, that you cannot achieve. It takes a conscious effort to make that happen. You need to see yourself as already having whatever you dream of; spiritually, physically, and financially. When the dream comes from the unconsciousness and moves to the conscious, the brain will find ways of making it a reality.

MY DIVING:
Diving shipwrecks in the Great Lakes is a wonderful experience. There are thousands of known wrecks and probably thousands more unknown. My dive buddy and I are going to be diving a few of the wrecks off the east coast of Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan. One wreck we're going to dive is called the "Northerner". Chris Kohl, in his book, "The Great Lakes Diving Guide", has this to say about the Northerner: "This wreck lies southeast of Port Washington, Wisconsin. The twin-masted, 77 gross-ton "pocket schooner", Northerner (78' x 18' x 7'), constructed in 1859 at Wells Island, Michigan, foundered in severe weather on November 20, 1868, with a cargo of cord wood below deck. No lives were lost. This almost totally intact, upright site includes the railing, windlass, masthead, a mainmast which rises 5' above her deck, centerboard winch, bowsprit, anchor chain and, the most unique feature of the site, her figurehead, still with signs of white paint on it and which closely resembles the figurehead on the Sandusky in the Straits of Mackinac.

Depth of this wrek is 122 to 138 feet--unfortunately that is beyond the limits of recreational diving. My dive buddy and I are trained and certified and are qualified to dive this wreck, and dive it safely. Our plans for this wreck will be mid to late August.

Diving shipwrecks is like taking a trip back in time. You see construction techniques that are lost. You see timbers and masts that can't even be made today because we don't have trees that are big enough. These wrecks are preserved in the depths of the Great Lakes due to the cold temperatures at the bottom - bacteria can't grow in the cold. So it is an ethereal experience to touch these works of art and share (even if just for a moment), the wonders of the open sea, and ponder what life was like aboard these vessels.

MY BELIEFS:
Everyone struggles at some time in their life to find meaning. Right now, accept that you already have a purpose - live intentionally. Wake up each day determined to take advantage of all the opportunities this particular day has to offer. The night before, make a list of things you want to accomplish the next day, and from the moment you wake up, face them head on. Include work items, family things, and, most importantly, leave room for spontaneity - time to be "silly".

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