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Monday, September 02, 2013

Autumn Approaches

We're finally into autumn.  September is now here and I'm left wondering, where did summer go?  It seems like it just started yesterday.  I didn't get anywhere near close to completing all of my intended projects.   Hopefully I'm not alone in this regard.  Is it too early to develop a fall list of projects?  Why hurry, soon it will be winter.  Maybe I should simply roll this year's list over into next summer.

Autumn brings hunting season.  I'm an avid bird hunter that relishes in the beauty of watching a bird dog work.  I went out on a casual dove hunt with my Boykin Spaniel yesterday.  His enthusiasm was infectious.  Temperatures hovered in the high 80s and per usual for Oregon, doves were scarce but it didn't matter.  It simply felt great to grasp my trusty Citori Lightning, dog whistle, and bird vest for a short walkabout in Central Oregon's high desert.  The solitude of the desert lends itself well to introspection.  Lately I've been immersed in the philosophical struggle surrounding the identify of the "self".  Locke, Hume, Descartes, Spinoza, Emerson, and James all have struggled with the same issue.  The more I read, the less I know but, I'm left wondering if this isn't exactly the point of this endeavor?

Who am I?  How do I fit in with family and friends?  Am I happy?  Just exactly what does happy mean?  Is it a good beer?  A great dinner?  A restful nap?  Could it be all of the above?  Is it a requisite that you must be happy?  Is wondering merely a bye product of aging?  In my case, I'm happy because I'm enthralled with the idea of wondering?  It is refreshing to have unanswered questions that beget yet more questions.

In 10 days I'll head into Oregon's outback in pursuit of sage grouse.  It will just be my faithful four legged pal Tobey and myself.  While he may not be a great conversationalist, Tobey grants me the time to let my mind freely wander.  It will be great to smell the sage, listen to the wind, and let my mind go on an extended walkabout unencumbered by the confinement of society.  I wonder if I'll learn anything?
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