Excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Leaves of Grass"

I sing the body electric
The armies of those I love engirth me and I engirth them.

Swim with the swimmers, wrestle with the wrestlers, march in the line with the firemen, and pause, listen, count.

I have perceived that to be with those I like is enough
To stop in company with the rest at evening is enough
To be surrounded by beautiful, curious, breathing, laughing flesh is enough,
To pass among them or touch any one, or rest my arm evr so lightly round his or her neck for a moment, what is this then?
I do not ask for any more delight, I swim in it a sea.

There is something in staying close to men and women and looking on them, and in the contact and odor of them, that pleases the soul well,
All things please the soul, but these please the soul well.

Captain Geno is back from Great White North and Holly is on a video board in Time square.

Thankfully our fearless captain called me today to report that he has survived the shear forces of winter. I am very proud of him as I am sure all of us are. I look forward to one of his "Captain's logs" very soon to update us.

On another note. My wife the Lovely Holly is now on a video board in Times Square for Weight Watchers take a look. Yup that is right I married a super-model. Way to go beautiful.

Welcome to blogging "Dearest" Timothy.

Thanks for the poetry my brother Joe.

DaGeek aka T-Bone

4 months & change

My dearest fellow campers (well, actually my only fellow campers - your dearness to me is effectively irrelevant), it's been wicked cold here in Mo-town, and, as one of my profs says, I've "turned to the dark realm of politics" with increasing infamy in local media. In four agonizing months I will have participated in several political campaigns, performed two recitals, graduated, and hopefully I'll have gotten warm. [I NEED FIRE - where are you, Pyro?] That's a heck of a lot to do, but it'll all be done by the time of our first sacred campout. And believe me, I'll have many a beer to toast the occasion. Actually, I think I'll have one right now because 4+ months is way too long to wait.

TimPat

Hillrat Haiku

Deer Chasing

Silly game really;
We could never catch the deer.
They were too damned fast.


Joe

Snow Wind and Ice...Oh My

Well as our captain is toughing it in the great white north I am having a serious jonesing for some camping. I really miss my peeps and want to commune once more. I have been thinking about what makes camp great and conclude that my words are simply inadequate. I would say however that it brings me to life. It provides a space to break bread and simply live with nature. I would like to have each of the readers of this blog at least sound off for me.

DaGeek

Our Captain is on a mission to the frozen North

I ask that you pray for him. He is going to have plenty of fun for sure but it is going to be a hazardous adventure. To our captain... STAY WARM catch fish and HAVE FUN!!!

DaGeek

Captains Log, January 11, 2007 -- Firewood

With the First Mate living in another town I am sure it will be cumbersome for him to procure the firewood. We mainly have bought the wood from the convenience store. Does anyone have any ideas to obtain good seasoned split firewood? I could probably round some up but getting it there is the problem. Maybe Hawkeye can come this year -- If so, he has a truck. The pine is OK but it burns so fast and is punky. I would love to have some oak. Provides for a hotter fire too.

It appears that T-shirst will be made.

I will ask Weezie what we can do about that. He might be able to give us some good suggestions. And of course I will see to it that his company gets the work. As for the design I am asking each of you for suggestions. Thanks

Chris

First mates log supplemental

Well a happy New Year it was with members of the USS Fleetwood on shore leave. To say the least the Captain sure can dance. All was well in Elkins and I am elated that we had a chance to break bread and share some good times. It should also be noted that the author of this post said that a team from Morgantown would win a shocker in the desert and sure enough the same happened. Anyway, my fellow campers have a happy and glorious New Year and remember, "only you can start really cool camp fires".

Much love and respect,

Da Geek