Saintgrizzly - Mar 24, 2010 3:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow again
Yes, it's real, and so far signs seem to be positive. It was caught early, and the doctor doesn't think it has spread. It is, however, a tough one to beat, but I'm determined to do just that. Climbing in the immediate future is a no-go (boy, does chemo ever make you weak!), but hopefully later this summer it'll be possible. Climbing goals are a huge and positive thing!
As to your last observation, about "positive influence," sometimes I think that's all any of us can hope for, and I, for one, would certainly—in a big way—rather have that, than the opposite. But right now, climbing goals are the order of the day, and are a huge thing with me....
As a long time member of SummitPost and frequent traveler to Montana, over the years I've often spent time reading your submissions and posts, and have also enjoyed all your beautiful photos. But this submission is particularly touching to me as I'm also in the fight with cancer. It's really heart breaking for me to hear this news, although we've never met. I was just released from the hospital several days ago after a surgery that went bad, then complications, and many blood transfusions. Sounds like you're up for the fight. Maybe we'll meet one day at a cancer survivor rally, or possibly in the mountains. Wishing you all the best.
Saintgrizzly - Mar 25, 2010 12:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Hey Vernon
Ah jeez, Jerry, I'm so very sorry to hear your story! It sounds as though we've both had some long nights, and are discovering how meaningful friendships can be, and how important those friendships can be when they are REALLY needed. And how caring people can be that you don't even know! Makes you think we're not always such a bad lot after all, despite how we treat ourselves in our daily important thoughts and routines. (Or maybe I should say, "important" thoughts and routines.)
Cancer, and other life and death afflictions, do change one's perspectives. It sounds as though you've had it pretty bad, yet are still thinking mountains. And cancer survivor rallys. I'm all for that! Let me know the next time you're in Montana; it would be an honor to take you to dinner, or even better, climb one (at least!) of those peaks (or both dinner and climb!). I wish you all the best, too—hang in there, it's worth it! (And if you ever need someone to talk to, send me a PM; we'll get together via phone.)
Vernon - Very well written article which captures the surreal emotional state that we enter when our whole world is stood on its head. The lifetime of mountain experiences and challenges will help you be strong emotionally and mentally in the coming months. Meet it head on. We are all cheering for you to beat this.
Bill
Saintgrizzly - Mar 25, 2010 12:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Emotionally Tough
Thanks, Bill, those words mean a lot! Sometimes it seems those "mountain experiences" that flash in front of my eyes nowadays (a lot) will pull me through as much as doctors and chemo....
don't know what else I can add to what's already been said - truly amazing writing but most importantly, we wish you a quick and definitive victory over what you're facing now! Best thoughts and wishes. Radek
Saintgrizzly - Mar 27, 2010 2:04 am - Hasn't voted
Re: amazing
You don't need to add anything, Radek. What you said is more than enough. Thank you very much....
In a field
I am the absence
of field.
This is
always the case.
Wherever I am
I am what is missing.
When I walk
I part the air
and always
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body's been.
We all have reasons
for moving.
I move
to keep things whole.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (<--the caret mountains)
vernon,
sort of part james joyce part walt whitman and maybe a little kahlil gibran but all very you. the amount of work you put into writing, editing, and organizing this piece is phenomenal(not to mention all the time you put into taking, editing, and selecting the photos). thank you so much for creating and sharing this. i'm honored to have experienced some of these amazingly beautiful and wild places with you (esp n. trapper and gray wolf)and look forward to more.
always,
meleah
"It is in moments of illness that we are compelled to recognize that we live not alone but chained to a creature of a different kingdom, whole worlds apart, who has no knowledge of us and by whom it is impossible to make ourselves understood: our body." ~Marcel Proust
Saintgrizzly - Mar 27, 2010 2:08 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Keeping Things Whole
Meleah...boy, have I EVER been fortunate in my collection of friends! Once again you get to the heart of the matter...and then some. If you don't make it back out here this summer, I'm really going to be disappointed.
Thank you, my friend, so very much. (N. Trapper and Gray Wolf were indeed nice, but I remember Flinsch, as well...fondly.)
and now I see the special person behind them, the person who can write with his heart. Just as I was reading about your diagnosis my husband walked into the room; I literally couldn't speak. I guess I was so deep into your article!
Anyway, keep pouring out your thoughts whether you choose to share them here or not. There are many of us here rooting for you!
Saintgrizzly - Mar 29, 2010 2:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Always enjoyed your pictures
Thank you for your kind comments. It was a difficult thing to write, but the many encouraging responses have certainly made the effort worthwhile!
Saintgrizzly - Mar 29, 2010 2:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wishing you all the best
Thanks, Barry! I tried figuring out a way to include my failed Kit Carson attempt (blisters slowed me so much I ran out of time) in the article, but couldn't. I'd still love to return for that mountain, and here's hoping I can show you GNP some day. I very much appreciate your sentiments.
Thank you for writing this and sharing, this article made my day. I wish you the best of luck. Your photos have inspired me (not that I needed any additional inspiration) to explore and climb in those areas, maybe I will see you out there sometime. Again, Good luck and thank you.
Saintgrizzly - Mar 29, 2010 2:12 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Incredible
Thanks for your comment, Alika, and I would like to point out that if you've enjoyed the photos (mine or anyone elses)—the reality is several magnitudes greater! Hope you can make it sometime; it's worth it!
I stay fit and hike a lot but at 61 scampering up 4 or 5,000' isn't as matter of fact as it was say, at 51! Actually I don't think I've done 5 in a day for some years.
Excellent writing! You should find a publisher. Or maybe put out your own book of this stuff with the great photos to go with it.
I always remember Norman Clyde and Fred Becky when I think I'm getting to old for this. But then again like my spiritual teacher says: 'not even one moment of life is guaranteed'.
The article was a lot of work, and I appreciate your taking the time to check it out!
Clyde and Beckey, and (in this part of the country) J. Gordon Edwards, are, I think, great examples of NOT getting too old for this! Age does take away the ability to "bound" up mountains, but no matter...the peaks are still there, and certainly accessible to those of us with only faded memories of our teens and 20's.
Saintgrizzly - Mar 24, 2010 3:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow againYes, it's real, and so far signs seem to be positive. It was caught early, and the doctor doesn't think it has spread. It is, however, a tough one to beat, but I'm determined to do just that. Climbing in the immediate future is a no-go (boy, does chemo ever make you weak!), but hopefully later this summer it'll be possible. Climbing goals are a huge and positive thing!
As to your last observation, about "positive influence," sometimes I think that's all any of us can hope for, and I, for one, would certainly—in a big way—rather have that, than the opposite. But right now, climbing goals are the order of the day, and are a huge thing with me....
Jerry L - Mar 24, 2010 7:10 pm - Voted 10/10
Hey VernonAs a long time member of SummitPost and frequent traveler to Montana, over the years I've often spent time reading your submissions and posts, and have also enjoyed all your beautiful photos. But this submission is particularly touching to me as I'm also in the fight with cancer. It's really heart breaking for me to hear this news, although we've never met. I was just released from the hospital several days ago after a surgery that went bad, then complications, and many blood transfusions. Sounds like you're up for the fight. Maybe we'll meet one day at a cancer survivor rally, or possibly in the mountains. Wishing you all the best.
Saintgrizzly - Mar 25, 2010 12:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Hey VernonAh jeez, Jerry, I'm so very sorry to hear your story! It sounds as though we've both had some long nights, and are discovering how meaningful friendships can be, and how important those friendships can be when they are REALLY needed. And how caring people can be that you don't even know! Makes you think we're not always such a bad lot after all, despite how we treat ourselves in our daily important thoughts and routines. (Or maybe I should say, "important" thoughts and routines.)
Cancer, and other life and death afflictions, do change one's perspectives. It sounds as though you've had it pretty bad, yet are still thinking mountains. And cancer survivor rallys. I'm all for that! Let me know the next time you're in Montana; it would be an honor to take you to dinner, or even better, climb one (at least!) of those peaks (or both dinner and climb!). I wish you all the best, too—hang in there, it's worth it! (And if you ever need someone to talk to, send me a PM; we'll get together via phone.)
mtnhiker13 - Mar 25, 2010 12:13 am - Voted 10/10
SpeechlessVernon - you will summit this climb of your life. You are inspiring and my thoughts are with you.
Saintgrizzly - Mar 25, 2010 12:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: SpeechlessThanks, Ellen. I like how you put it—I will indeed summit!
Bill Kerr - Mar 25, 2010 12:02 pm - Voted 10/10
Emotionally ToughVernon - Very well written article which captures the surreal emotional state that we enter when our whole world is stood on its head. The lifetime of mountain experiences and challenges will help you be strong emotionally and mentally in the coming months. Meet it head on. We are all cheering for you to beat this.
Bill
Saintgrizzly - Mar 25, 2010 12:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Emotionally ToughThanks, Bill, those words mean a lot! Sometimes it seems those "mountain experiences" that flash in front of my eyes nowadays (a lot) will pull me through as much as doctors and chemo....
Goals, goals, goals: mountains in my future!
And thank you very much for your support.
rpc - Mar 26, 2010 1:08 pm - Voted 10/10
amazingdon't know what else I can add to what's already been said - truly amazing writing but most importantly, we wish you a quick and definitive victory over what you're facing now! Best thoughts and wishes. Radek
Saintgrizzly - Mar 27, 2010 2:04 am - Hasn't voted
Re: amazingYou don't need to add anything, Radek. What you said is more than enough. Thank you very much....
mhimber - Mar 27, 2010 1:36 am - Voted 10/10
Keeping Things Wholeby Mark Strand
In a field
I am the absence
of field.
This is
always the case.
Wherever I am
I am what is missing.
When I walk
I part the air
and always
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body's been.
We all have reasons
for moving.
I move
to keep things whole.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (<--the caret mountains)
vernon,
sort of part james joyce part walt whitman and maybe a little kahlil gibran but all very you. the amount of work you put into writing, editing, and organizing this piece is phenomenal(not to mention all the time you put into taking, editing, and selecting the photos). thank you so much for creating and sharing this. i'm honored to have experienced some of these amazingly beautiful and wild places with you (esp n. trapper and gray wolf)and look forward to more.
always,
meleah
"It is in moments of illness that we are compelled to recognize that we live not alone but chained to a creature of a different kingdom, whole worlds apart, who has no knowledge of us and by whom it is impossible to make ourselves understood: our body." ~Marcel Proust
Saintgrizzly - Mar 27, 2010 2:08 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Keeping Things WholeMeleah...boy, have I EVER been fortunate in my collection of friends! Once again you get to the heart of the matter...and then some. If you don't make it back out here this summer, I'm really going to be disappointed.
Thank you, my friend, so very much. (N. Trapper and Gray Wolf were indeed nice, but I remember Flinsch, as well...fondly.)
silversummit - Mar 28, 2010 1:44 pm - Voted 10/10
Always enjoyed your picturesand now I see the special person behind them, the person who can write with his heart. Just as I was reading about your diagnosis my husband walked into the room; I literally couldn't speak. I guess I was so deep into your article!
Anyway, keep pouring out your thoughts whether you choose to share them here or not. There are many of us here rooting for you!
Saintgrizzly - Mar 29, 2010 2:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Always enjoyed your picturesThank you for your kind comments. It was a difficult thing to write, but the many encouraging responses have certainly made the effort worthwhile!
Saintgrizzly - Mar 29, 2010 2:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wishing you all the bestThanks, Barry! I tried figuring out a way to include my failed Kit Carson attempt (blisters slowed me so much I ran out of time) in the article, but couldn't. I'd still love to return for that mountain, and here's hoping I can show you GNP some day. I very much appreciate your sentiments.
Alika - Mar 29, 2010 12:34 pm - Voted 10/10
IncredibleThank you for writing this and sharing, this article made my day. I wish you the best of luck. Your photos have inspired me (not that I needed any additional inspiration) to explore and climb in those areas, maybe I will see you out there sometime. Again, Good luck and thank you.
Saintgrizzly - Mar 29, 2010 2:12 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: IncredibleThanks for your comment, Alika, and I would like to point out that if you've enjoyed the photos (mine or anyone elses)—the reality is several magnitudes greater! Hope you can make it sometime; it's worth it!
Marmaduke - Mar 30, 2010 12:24 am - Voted 10/10
What words can possibly.......do justice to what you wrote? Your words and photos are truly outstanding. Outstanding!
Saintgrizzly - Mar 31, 2010 3:03 am - Hasn't voted
Re: What words can possibly.......Thank you very much for the sentiment! Both words and layout were difficult to come up with, and I appreciate that you took the time to read it.
Noondueler - Apr 5, 2010 8:24 pm - Voted 10/10
I can relate.I stay fit and hike a lot but at 61 scampering up 4 or 5,000' isn't as matter of fact as it was say, at 51! Actually I don't think I've done 5 in a day for some years.
Excellent writing! You should find a publisher. Or maybe put out your own book of this stuff with the great photos to go with it.
I always remember Norman Clyde and Fred Becky when I think I'm getting to old for this. But then again like my spiritual teacher says: 'not even one moment of life is guaranteed'.
Saintgrizzly - Apr 8, 2010 12:43 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: I can relate.The article was a lot of work, and I appreciate your taking the time to check it out!
Clyde and Beckey, and (in this part of the country) J. Gordon Edwards, are, I think, great examples of NOT getting too old for this! Age does take away the ability to "bound" up mountains, but no matter...the peaks are still there, and certainly accessible to those of us with only faded memories of our teens and 20's.
Thanks for your comments.