Say Anything Blog

I had a great vantage point for this event, because I was the host and seed planter that orchestrated this event into being.  Ryan Evans our Grizzly Groundswell Governor of Wisconsin and Author of A [sometimes] Logical View of the Illogical and Bruce Benidt of Same Rowdy Crowd Started this ball rolling.  They were at ends when the 35W Bridge collapsed.  They set up a time to meet and had coffee to discuss their differences.  They actually left that coffee shop, not solving any problems but a general understanding of respect and fondness for each other’s company.  Moonbats and the ditto head seemed not to fit as easily as it did before they talked.  They also Stepped into action and wrote about it utilizing the Blog media.

Enter myself, stage Right.  Ryan, a regular contributor to the Grizzly Groundswell as our Wisconsin Governor, peeked my interest after reading his post.  I then followed the links over to the left’s “dark side” and found a compelling opportunity!  I commented on one and alls posts to gauge the waters.  When I found that this story was not only interesting me but many with all the hits, I proposed we continue the conversation.  I have utilized art and clay all my life as a mediator, or a tool to unlock deep faithful discussion and simply put ministry.  I knew that if I could provide the right bait, I could set the hook and reel this one in to not only benefit myself, but maybe politic in general for this nation.

So I offered my home studio, The Clay Empire and Clay and my Raku Firing process as a shared experience that we could bounce off into continuing the conversation.  Immediately, Bruce was onboard, Ryan soon followed.  Then, there was this interesting blog that also chimed in that was entitled Across The Great Divide that Charlie Quimby writes.  My initial concept was for Ryan to pick 3 conservative and Bruce 3 Democrat and I 3 interesting and maybe even challenging participants.  My focus was more on creating a network or a movement just like the Grizzly Groundswell is a movement even more so then a blog.  It is action, not just pontification.  So I invited Charlie Quimby as it seemed that Charlie could help facilitate while I was busy with the kiln and hospitality concerns.  Bruce invited him also, so I am sure he had to accept!  And he did.

Long story short, we filled our rosters.  It honestly was not easy. 

We had over a month to pull people together and I think there was a lot of tension about getting involved. I know I did not know what to expect. Many of Charlie and my group dynamics assumptions were wrong. Maybe I should say, our fears or anxieties of lack of interaction was unfounded and the reverse was actually true. It was very hard to cut into the conversation. It seemed to have a life of itself. I had planned three stations in which smaller more intimate groups could form utilizing clay by hand, by wheel and by kiln. Honestly, once the conversation started, both seemed to fit together very naturally. No one wanted to miss a word or go to the next station. It was a smashing success! Charlie had planned facilitating large group, small group and mixing the conversation up a bit, but we both looked at each other early on and I think we both knew, we were not needed. This ball was rolling and we just had to watch and listen as it unfolded before us. All our planning and preparation, will need to be utilized another time. We did not need aids and constructs. The conversation flowed naturally and I am sure all sides bit lips and remained engaged throughout.

Blogosphere Divide: A Conversation By Fire Roller Coaster of Events

Oct. 19th, 10:15AM Friday, Quintin Reece plugs the Grizzly Groundswell on Dan Conry’s talk radio show on KTLK 100.3 FM. This honestly, was a total surprise and honestly, one of the greatest compliments I have ever been given. Quintin said he wanted to plug my site because I was actually making a difference uniting great conservative bloggers all across this nation. Quintin was a witness to my action, and now, our action here on the Grizzly Groundswell. I have been listening to Quintin for ten years I think. Maybe longer. He has always been the great caller on am1500 and now KTLK 100.3 FM and also Rush Limbaugh. This was the height of the Roller coaster that was to be this weekend.

Oct. 19th Around Noonish Friday, I pull myself away from the computer to go give my Poultry in my backyard some fresh grain and just enjoy the serenity that is outside my backdoor. I noticed one of my beloved Ducks looking like it was not feeling good. It did not come running like the rest when I called them to the fresh grain. I finished my task of putting grain out in the various feeders we have out for our little feathered society and I returned to the ailing duck, we call Selma. When I stooped down to bring her into my arms, her head and neck simply fell to the side. “What the…..” was the sanitized language I used. I immediately held her close and turned to my coop. Inside it was like a socialist squirrel terrorist had been there. It was bedlam. 17 Ducks and Chicken laid scattered throughout my coop that had held firm and strong against all the wildlife we enjoy in our backyard. 17 deaths, and no vermin to be found. Selma then was taken to my ICU unit we have in our pole barn/studio/everything else I do. Selma was not looking good, but still breathing. I gave her water and put salve on her wounds, found some straw to bed her down in the rabbit hutch that is used as our birthing and walking wounded hospital.

I returned to the scene of the crime and began the Monty Python’s “bring out your dead” routine. It was really devastating. These feathered friends really become characters that you attach yourself too. Chewbacca, our old Buff Cochin, Jack Frost our Houdan who Froze off his feet last Spring, Speckles our pullet that was turning into a gorgeous rare breed cross that had the most beautiful markings, and Skippy our Swedish Duck who sprang his hip when we first got him two years ago and would always “skip” everywhere, Our little Golden Laced Polish who had just fought off an illness, Funnycide Jr. a Raku colored young rooster who also had great promise, and all our summer ducks we hatched and raised, where gone in an instant. I loaded them up in the wheel barrow. Took them to the far reaches of our property and left them for the wildlife. Some good should come to this, I thought out loud to my Daisy Dog.

When you surround yourself with life, this happens. There is no sense to it, it just comes with life. Too hardened to cry, I worried of the time that I would have to tell my Lady Bear that her precious flock is now a third gone. I have never known a person who is such a natural with any animal as my beautiful wife. She takes these set backs so hard. It is a lovely thing to see the woman you love find a passion in this world where she just blossoms. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done in this world is tell her that life has crept into our backyard. Still, I would not change a thing. “The Lord giveth, and the Lord Taketh away, Thanks be to God” as my friend Job says.

Oct. 19th 4PM Friday, Lady Bird comes home with all the grocery needed for Saturday’s event. She was excited and had heard about Quintin’s plug on the radio. Lady Bear gets a little giddy around media types. She is bemused by the success of the Grizzly Groundswell. She always entertains my ideas, and stands by as I try to accomplish them. She is a great support and council.

I then had to break it too her about our little vermin problem in her coop. Tears and anger at our helplessness flow. We devise a plan to keep the rest safe. We implemented it that night under Lady Birds direction.

Oct. 19th 7PM Friday, Jim Aman, my Oak Park Creamery guy delivers straw bales for the winter and our seating for the event on Saturday. Jim had tried to deliver them all week only to be delayed by rain. The sky opened for us and our event and although it was not dry, it was dry enough for transport of some excellent straw bales. We utilize these straw bales for bedding and wind blocks during the winter months for the flock. In the Spring they become mulch and soil improvement for my garden and grapes. The left would say that I have a perfect “eco system”. I say that I am doing as farmers have done all along, conserve and utilize resources advantageous to my endeavors. Capitalism, friends, capitalism!

Oct. 20th 1:31am Saturday, I log off for the night and take a hot bath. What is done is done and I will awake early in the morning to finish this and that. Exhausted from cleaning, blogging, corresponding, stacking straw bales and mourning, my head hits the pillow. I am too tired to worry about vermin, the event, or even brushing my teeth. Slumber, sweat slumber.

Oct. 20th 6am Saturday, I reassure Lady Bear that we can sleep in till 7am, I accomplished more than I thought I was going to be able to on Friday night. We readjust the covers and flip the direction we slept the night before. Pup and cats ride the wave of the comforter until we settle back into slumber.

Oct. 20th 6:59AM Saturday, I ask Lady Bear to go back to sleep but the cats have waken her and she states it is 1 to 7am. So, I arise as well. I go out to check on my birds and everything in the coop is fine. Selma is still alive in the Everson ICU Unit. I feed the garage cats and come back to get my day going. Stiffness and the anxiety of the day ahead sets into my groggy head and body. A cup of coffee and a powdered donut give me a little fuel to turn on the shower. There is little time to shake out the cobwebs, I lost an hour sleeping in. So we set off responding to correspondence and last minute emails, and then tear myself away to handle the tent, the bales, the kiln, the ware, the set up. Everything must come out of the buildings, I could not set up anything outside due to the possible rain. It was a beautiful day and the sand hill cranes were singing a field away, the cardinals and Blue Jays were swooping in for some seed and my backyard flock where going about their daily tasks.

Looking back tonight, I wonder how Lady Bear and myself pulled it all together. We both have had so many fires pop up this week that we had to put out. But, like we always do, we worked together and that is how we move mountains.

October 20th 9am Saturday, No one is here. “Shit!, this could be a cruel joke!” I thought to myself. I have only met two people out of the 12 coming. Who knows if anyone took this seriously?

October 20th 9:50 Saturday, Eric Black of Eric Black Inc. pulls up. Eric is an intelligent looking man with a great grey beard. Makes me miss my beard. Sacrifices we must withstand! It will be interesting to know what was going through Eric’s mind when he was the first to show up. I hope it was not too uncomfortable. He pitched in and helped me move straw bales to the front of the house and studio.

Eric is a polite, quiet, linear, man who is very cordial and interesting. He reminds me so much of Mr. Frank whom I lived with in Grand Forks, N. D. While finishing up my B. F. A. in visual arts at UND. I tried to talk with Eric about his Jewish faith and that which I learned and grew from talking with Mr. Frank, but it was not the time and place. The conversation changed and Eric seemed to be guarded talking about his faith which most are and it was perfectly understandable.

My impressions of Eric Black are biased by my adoration for Mr. Frank. I did not agree with Mr. Frank’s liberal understanding of the world, but our conversations unlocked much intellectual thought and I return to those conversations in my mind from time to time. Brief moments in time when Mr. Frank would have great clarity and interested in me and my views, we found conversations together as enjoyable. Even our arguments were civil and with humor.

one core misconception Mr. Frank and Eric have I feel is that Democrats care about the poor and downtrodden. My experience and the quest that has been formed from that to vanquish socialism has been just the opposite. I see the DNC and left fracturing our society into interest groups and victims that they manipulate and co hearse into voting blocks. I have found that Conservatives, truly care, and man do they give! A great book that illustrates this is “Who Really Cares: America’s Charity Divide Who Gives, Who Doesn’t and Why It Matters” by Arthor C. Brooks. This is not the only resource, but I feel it is the best in dealing with this Myth head on. I wanted to voice this as it was within Erics reach just behind him in a pile of books on my drawing horse. But, I hope Eric and I can take this up another time as our conversation deepens and continues.

Oct. 20th 10am-ish Saturday, The liberal contingent show up! These three gentlemen obviously in their Boomer splendor lighted up the conversation and matched my jovial personality well. They pitched right in and were anxious to get things rolling. Very interested and engaging. I was a little nervous, because I was the sole conservative and my half of the argument was late! I am sure it showed a bit as I stumbled in my words as I showed them around. We visited Selma and another Duck that was found to be one of the 5 other walking wounded from the terrorist aftermath. I showed them the ceramic wheels and we then went to the studio. It was funny, I set up three stations and we never got passed two. The wheels never saw any clay. The conversation was that engaging.

This left contingent had the perk of being able to come together and I am sure they had great conversation one the way up and back home. Everyone else drove alone, except the Wisconsin contingent.

John Austin of Same Rowdy Crowd, seemed like a person you would want to have around. He was the most happy go lucky and even stated that his life has been one of happy circumstance. John is the guy that I am going to contact next time I want to purchase any new technology. This guy had them all. John utilized my wireless to blog live as our event unfolded and took some great photo’s. John’s sense of humor disarmed the group whenever a tension arose. John is very likeable, great wit, tech savvy, and laid back, yet, successful and interesting in the positions he has found himself. He may be a bit humble, but endearing.

Bruce Benidt of Same Same Rowdy Crowd, was equally engaging and generous. He purchased his own book, “Cross over the River: lives of Stonewall Jackson” signed it and presented it as a gift to Lady Bear and Myself for hosting this second step in Ryan and his conversation. The liberal contingent also presented me with a bottle of Chardonnay entitled “Fat Bastard”. Should I be offended? No, if it was a shot, It was a funny one and it was appreciated. I am not a big Chardonnay fan, but Lady Bear and I enjoyed a glass after all was put away and we were able to wind down.

Bruce was probably the most engaging of the three, always steering the conversation and subtly taking us out of our comfort zone with the probing questions posed to go around the room with. That is when Lady Bear went to check her site and correspondence. Her online students were taking a quiz I think. So we were glad to have her when she could make herself available.

Bruce seemed to stand tall and would of made a good Shakespearean actor. Engaging, generous, articulate and easy to be around. He seemed to direct the conversation at times. Bruce did a great job on the grill as well. We ate like Kings!

While Bruce was grilling I tried to engage him about my Great Grandfather and how I had found injustice being done by the left of E. W. Everson’s great American story. How he had brought the NPL to it’s knees yet wrote out of history. Bruce’s response was the cliche that those who write history determine the truth, meaning history is bias. Maybe that is all that can be said, but it is a main reason why I write, and have formed the Grizzly Groundswell. I feel we are in a time not unlike my Great Grandfather’s and to learn from history, if we only relied upon tangible links to buttress our arguments, they would all be bias. I feel this is of major concern for the Blogosphere. Especially with the advent of social networking sites that systems are developed to produce more of the same. I will be interested in deepening this point in future.

Charlie Quimby of Across The Great Divide was probably the most boomer left of all. Yet, I was very surprised that he and his left contingent had all voted for a Republican before. No conservative present had voted Democrat. Charlie, a bright, well dressed and aesthetic artisan, was very engaging and had a good sense of humor. I was leaning on Charlie to facilitate in my absence as I focused on more the hospitality and clay related activities. Early on in the day as the conversation was completely organic and engaging, we both looked at each other and almost relaxed to say that our assumptions, fears or anxieties and our preparation to keep people engaged were simply not needed. I think both of us felt like there was something special going on here. Both of us kind of stepped back and let the conversation grow spontaneously. Charlie relaxed and enjoyed the clay along with the conversation. Charlie was very good to work with and we seemed to be able to communicate without saying much at all. We both were witnessing over a months of anxiety and preparation blossom in our hands. I expected Charlie to light a cigar and say, “I love it when a plan comes together!” It was funny, Charlie was wearing an FBI shirt and when my conservative contingent did not show up, I was thinking oh, great! They are finally onto me and want to shut down the Conservative Republican Grizzly Groundswell! LOL, It is funny the things that go through an active imagination. Especially as the Grizzly Groundswell grows into the political power it is becoming. I pray that Charlie and I can assist in planning the next such get together. I think we all know there is something special happening here. Besides, it is fun to see how worked up Charlie and the others get when Jason Lewis is mentioned!

The three left bloggers where now 4 and I waited anxiously for some reinforcements!

Oct. 20th 10:15ish, Alan Gay pulls up and parks in his spot behind my studio. Alan was one of the event goers I met before the event. Alan is Nightowl42 and a MN contributor to the Grizzly Groundswell and KTLK’s TalkSpot where I met him. Alan has expressed interest in running for an elected office in the future and I was meeting with him to see how the Grizzly Groundswell could help him discern his calling.

Alan is a great guy, the kind of guy you would like in your corner. Alan is a story teller and does not need to come up for air when he has an audience. Honestly, there have been days when we seriously have talked for many hours. He is bright, articulate and his world experience is fascinating. I learned only at this event that as a child Alan lived in 25 different cities. This explains to me what appeared to be a need to be liked, but an expectation that I would not like him. Honestly, I think Alan will be a great elected official in any election in the future. I like him a lot, and even more now that I have gotten to know him better. When ever I needed a hand, he was there and already had it figured out.

I was distracted a lot through out the day with various hospitality chores and trying to stay ahead of the crowd by a step to get the next activity ready. I was glad that Alan was there to give voice to the conservative ideals and values. It was funny and very interesting that Alan was so engaged in the conversation that he did not take time to create more than a few items in clay. He then, grabbed a chunk of clay and worked it keeping his hands busy as he followed and contributed to the conversation. When he was done he had an almost perfectly round sphere. As many of you know I teach a class in making clay marbles. I was amazed at the roundness. Now if I could only get him to start kicking out hundreds of those, we may have a product we could market!

I was very interested in Alan’s stance that he will not take a handout of healthcare because he did not earn it. It was an almost foreign concept on most if not all of the event goers. I thought it was a powerful statement. We all have something or some bit of socialism that we have succumbed too, at one time or another. Health care, especially being shoved down our throat lately, seems to be a lost cause of forced socialism on our society. However, if there are more like Alan out there, maybe there is hope after all!

Oct. 20th 11amish, Cindy Bruckbauer pulls in! Alan and the left contingent and getting on famously and having fun with clay. I was out checking on Selma and closing a garage door when I met Cindy walking up the road after she parked. It was very strange because Cindy and I have been corresponding for quite a while and she is probably one of the first to sign up on the Grizzly Groundswell as Country Cub. We have never met in person and I do not know if either of us knew what to expect. It did not take long before Cindy brightened up the event with her conservative passion and candor. Cindy comes from a lifetime of conservative understanding and is a very powerful and passionate voice. Cindy demanded attention when she spoke by her passion in her conviction. I was glad she was there. I have wanted her to meet my wife, Lady Bear for a long time. They hit it off right away. My wife really was touched by who Cindy is and how she was so hospitable in our home. I think Cindy and her husband Bob will be friends of ours for a long time.

Cindy brought a mother’s perspective to the conversation as well as another business owner’s and Christian. I found it very odd the uncomfortableness others seemed to be having when any of us fell back on our faith. How can faith not enter into the conversation about politic? This is an interesting aspect that could be utilized into victory I feel if learned from and utilized to advantage.

Oct. 20th noonish Saturday the Wisconsin Contingent rolled into The Clay Empire. Fashionably late, it was only a short time until they became engaged and I do not know if we ever skipped a beat.

Ryan Evans of A [sometimes] Logical View of the Illogical and Arclightzero as our Grizzly Groundswell Governor of Wisconsin, was shotgun in the pilgrimage from Wisconsin. Ryan just out of the service not too long ago, served during 9/11. Ryan is a very talented writer and started this ball rolling with Bruce over coffee.

I think the only thing Ryan and I talked about the whole day was he told me that on the drive here they agreed not to get into any heated political debates. I thought that made sense, and I was not afforded any other time to talk with Ryan as he was engaged in the conversation.

Ryan is a young tall man, fashionably dressed, who wears a smile and an earring that compliments his arm band tattoo. Ryan is bright, quiet, and engaging yet reserved. I think he is pretty easy going but a little stressed as of late with a possible job change. I honestly did not know if he was coming until he showed up. His driver had said they were coming together, but the communication was brief.

I was glad Ryan made it since it was Bruce and him who took action to meet to begin this ball rolling. I hope Ryan came away with something. Well, I know he did because I read his great post here on the Grizzly Groundswell and on his site.

Mick Bear or Micky2 I met responding to one of Ryan’s posts. A good friend of Ryan’s that was jealous he could not be here with us. We promised if we get enough money together or funding we will hold a future one in Hawaii! Mick has a very interesting comment on Ryan’s site here.

The Driver was Joey Monson of Pheisty Blog, or Pheisty Chick on KTLK’s Talkspot. Joey had the presence of mind to bring along her musically talented and articulate son Mitchell. Mitchell had fun chasing the chickens and enjoying our dog Daisy. I let Mitchell play with my old banjo I never learned to play and he fixed a broken string and was playing dueling banjo’s in no time! This kid is our future, thank God! In all my workings with the next generation, I have been just as impressed. We have some great intellect coming up behind us!

Joey Monson is a bright, tenacious, fiery Italian conservative woman who is also a very talented writer and researcher. Joey assisted me in standing up for my Representative when the Big Media stepped over the line and was defaming him. That is where I met Joey, at the Minnesota State Capital. Having met Joey before, and admiring her skill, I knew she would bring a great voice to this event. I was not disapointed.

Joey set the tone early when the left started to rail on Jason Lewis, Joey stopped them in their tracks when she requested that they send her the details. It was as if they did not expect that the right would want to see both sides of the story. It was a misconception breakthrough that set the tone for the day. I am interested in other misconceptions that were broken that day as well.

I was afforded the comfortable role of listener most of the day. I observed and tried to take it all in. A lot of sweat and tears went into pulling this off and it had a life of its own and I really can not explain how successful it was.

So maybe you should see what others said as well:

Joey Monson

A Conversation by Fire Some really Great pictures here as well!

John Austin

Flickr Photos of event

First Post From Princeton

2nd Post From Princeton

3rd Post From Princeton

Conversations by the Fire - The Pictures

Bruce Benidt

Conversation By Fire

Ryan Evans

Coming Together in a Brave New World

Eric Black

(I will update when posted)

Alan Gay

(I will update when posted)

Cindy Bruckbauer

A Huge Success!!

Charlie Quimby

Updated Posts from Princeton.

My Dad Went to Princeton and All He Brought Me Was This Crummy Raku.

Chad Everson

Blogosphere Divide: A Conversation by Fire

In the Books: “Blogosphere Divide: A Conversation By Fire” Oct. 20th, 2007 at The Clay Empire

Flickr Photo’s of Event on Grizzly Groundswell

October 20th 2:30pmish, Eric Black broke out the crackers and cheese and Bruce Benidt manned the grill. And this Manna from heaven kept appearing out of cars, bags, and coolers. Lady Bear pulled everything together. We all sat down and broke bread. We ate like Kings!

October 20th 3pmish, I fired up the Raku Kiln. Alan pitched in since he had seen it previously when he had visited me prior to help discern his political aspirations. I stated that we needed to get fresh sand from the garden to replenish the old sand that was now mostly carbon and ash. Alan and Cindy volunteered themselves as the others enjoyed conversation and their seats among the straw bales. In my mind, it showed me who I need to rely upon. Cindy and Alan are Grizzly Groundswellers who buy into my simple formula of Awaken + Stand UP + Step into Action = Change your political landscape in your own backyard. I cherished their assistance. We had a chuckle that only the conservatives where working. To be fair everyone pitched in all day long, but we giggled anyway. It is an old cliche that was illustrated by action.

October 20th 3:30pmish, My lady Bear informs me quietly that our dear Selma had lost her battle and the good race was run for her. I quietly grabbed her as other’s were talking and Alan was minding the raku kiln and buried her in my garden. She will return to the clay and earth and her flesh will nourish my garden as it blossoms forth next summer. This was the death we shared on this day. It was fitting, yet sad. That duck was given to us by a dear friend that we share the love of poultry with. That reminds me, I have to give old Norm the big Swede a call. I refer to him as my favorite Democrat.

October 20th 4pmish, Lady Bear came out of the house calling for me a little startled. I thought, oh no, someone lost it! But Lady Bear said that one of our pregnant cats had just gave birth! What? Today? We thought she was weeks off! Yet, two kittens were born on this day. One grey with stripes and one almost all white with a great top hat on. Fitting and joyous! Cindy begged to help and see them, and thank God she did! There was blood everywhere in our bedroom. Furbilly our little Cat had given birth under our bed and what seemed like all over our carpet. Michelle was a little frantic scrubbing trying to get the blood out. We had not expected to have anyone in our bedroom today and both Michelle and I were a bit embarrassed as we did not clean that room. Cindy said, “Just wait, I have something for that,” to Michelle. I seen her sprinting to her car. I thought she was going home! She came back with a squirt bottle and with a couple squirts the dried blood was gone! It was amazing! Cindy has this new product line from EcoQuest International and it was perfect! If she had not offered to help, we would still have that stain there today! This was another height of the roller coaster ride that this event weekend was taking us on. It touched Michelle so much that Cindy was so helpful that I am sure we will be friends for a long time.

It is strange how God brings these wonderful people into your life. That goes for all those present at this event. Even the left contingent was full of people who I would love to stay in contact with. Each one talented, gifted and secure in their stance and world view. That I can respect. Politicians that rely on poll data, I can not respect.

October 20th 5pmish- I looked up from my kiln and our accomplishments and the day was over. Everyone agreed the time had come to get back to our regular lives. The event was a success and hands were shook and a shared sense of achievement was shared with a smile. I hate good byes. There have been too many in my life. I pray, this is not just goodbye but a new venture.

I would of given anything to have listened to the conversations on the way home. Alan gave me a call to thank me and reassure me that he thought it went well and he was pleased. So I was able to get that assurance around 6pm. Then the task of clean up was undertaken.

October 20th 10pm, Michelle and I shared a good glass of “Fat Bastard” and we collapsed into our bed. The poultry, cats and dog were safely put down for slumber and our day we had worked so hard leading up to was done. We slept hard.

October 21st 7am, I had to work at my Dave Ramsey part time job at 9am and I had to get moving and let the poultry out so they can go about their day doing what poultry do. I opened the door and I witnessed a duck leg hanging lifeless off its body under one of the pallets we have for poultry furniture. I grabbed the hoe I had placed there the day before. I lifted the other pallet and found a vermin munching on one of my precious Aracana pullets. I nailed it with a hoe as it squeezed out the hole and Daisy chased it up a tree. The Vermin was quickly dispatched to the place Vermin go when Chicken ranchers find them feasting on stock. Our weekend ended in two more deaths bringing the carnage to 19 poultry lives ended and one “fat bastard” vermin.

October 21st 7:30am, I took a shower and was off to my “Better than I deserve” job. So sore and tired I could barely drive, yet alone stock product.

October 21st 4:30PM I return home to get a report on the feedback from event goers as Lady Bird has checked up on everyone. She was happy and a feeling of accomplishment came over us both. When you surround yourself with life, it is hard to invite others over to your modest home, not knowing what others will think and say or perceive about The Clay Empire.

Do others see what we are doing here?

Do others appreciate the serenity?

Obviously, you do not have to be a conservative to appreciate another’s home. Michelle and I feel really blessed that the event goers did take us seriously and our home was blessed by their presence.

I would like to thank everyone who believed in this experiment. Especially Bruce and Ryan for making this possible. Charlie for assisting me with facilitation and John Austin for making the dream of including technology possible in this event. Eric Black for being the first to arrive and the first to offer food to the group. Alan for making time out of his busy schedule to be here on short notice. Cindy for making my precious Lady Bear feel apart of the event and saving our carpet from stains! Joey for setting the tone of the conversation and Mitchell for adding the voice of youth and out of the mouth of babes! Most importantly I thank Michelle my beautiful wife for letting me invite strangers to our home and all the hard work that comes with it.

I would also like to thank all those who were invited and for one reason or another were not able to be here. I pray your day was fulfilling and I hope you can attend the next venture in this conversation.

That being all said, what is the next venture for this conversation?

Can this conversation be duplicated across the nation?

I challenge my Grizzly Groundswell Governors, readers of all of our blogs and forums to Awaken + Stand Up + Step into Action = Change the political landscape in your backyards all across America!

A continuation of this conversation could be your next ”Step into Action”

I pray all will know and understand their courage, commitment and hope is appreciated in the Grizzly Groundswell no matter what your politic may be. Engage your enemy, your muse or your ally. These relationships not in dualistic simplicity but in the third dimension simple stick structure complexity have made all the difference in my life.

How about yours?

~Teddy Bear




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