James Osborne's Blog, page 2

Reflections on Love

                                                               

                   Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies — Aristotle

Those of us fortunate enough to have experienced that euphoric sensation we call ‘love’ might describe it as the joining of two individuals into a single entity …  a couple. Some would consider this attraction, magic. Others will be more elegant, calling it Nature’s pre-eminent gift, and still others prefer the more basic label, animal magnetism.

However defined, when two people find themselves drawn toward each other a highly sensitive process begins. Could this physical attraction be the prelude to something more serious and lasting, and mutually fulfilling … perhaps even an enduring love relationship? Neither of the two is certain about that just yet, nor are they aware the path they contemplate is filled with both enormous promise and an abundance of challenges.

The couple-to-be advance to the next step. It’s a big leap. They decide they’re falling in love. This is where rational thinking evaporates, both having been swept into the vortex of emotional tidal waves. Are the feelings real or wishful thinking? Are they mutual? Hearts become vulnerable.

At this stage, many couples may not yet understand that building a relationship is enormously complicated. The path to unity as a loving couple requires a dizzying array of emotional adjustments and formidable compromises in search of ‘common ground,’ particularly with all the ‘excess baggage’ each will assume they can bring into the relationship.

It took some of us far too many years to realize what that excess baggage – i.e., interests and likes and dislikes and wants and perceived needs and biases and priorities – is all about: ego.

Consider this: two people with different life experiences voice the same words to each other. Guaranteed each will ‘hear’ those words differently. Sometimes the ‘received message’ will not come close to resembling what the other intended to communicate. Why? The history of the sender is different from the history of the receiver.

All too often these differing perceptions can lead to elevated emotions. Our couple would do well to consider how one of them would feel if, during the heat of a disagreement, strong words they might be tempted to direct toward the other were instead directed at them. Combative emotions can be eased by remembering that constructive (positive) words build a loving relationship, while destructive (negative) words damage that process. One antidote to neutralizing damaging words is, quite simply, silence. To be blunt: keeping your mouth shut.

Let’s bring into the discussion another word, this one capable of performing miracles: respect. Put that in capital letters. RESPECT. It’s an antidote to disagreements even stronger than the awesome power of silence. Consider ‘respect’ as a collective term incorporating trust, honesty, caring, loyalty, patience, and a host of other virtues, all essential components in the ‘glue’ that builds and binds a lasting relationship.

Author and teacher, Bryant H. McGill offers this compelling thought: ‘One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.’

Some of us also took a while to realize all those differences we reacted to while building a relationship were insignificant compared with the priceless value of the relationship we were in the process of creating. What helps make that happen? Respecting the other’s right to be right as well as respecting their right to be wrong.

Over time, a loving couple builds an accumulation of shared experiences that supersedes the individual lives each had previously. It is this shared history that creates the foundation for a thriving relationship, made even stronger when there is a willingness to respect the separate interests of the other.

Example: one partner might be passionate about an indoor hobby while the other might be deeply committed to some outdoor pursuit. Both interests can blossom under the same roof. Having respect for the other partner means genuinely honouring different interests, all the while cherishing and building upon that body of shared values, interests, and experiences. Of course, it takes work.

Relationships nurtured with loving care by both partners will almost certainly thrive. A personal vignette: My father quite literally ‘courted’ our mother throughout their lives together, with loving words and thoughtful deeds, that were reciprocated. The love they shared has become a cherished family legend.

Finally, consider this: what defines our worth as individuals is determined not by our physical possessions but by how we treat ourselves and others, especially by how we treat our life partners and our offspring. To get there we must first learn to respect and love ourselves … and then we will be ready to love and respect others in a manner they deserve.
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The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love  — Henry Miller
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Happy New Year!

A Piano For Christmas

“But it’s almost Christmas Eve,” his wife complained. “I know, Marion,” Richard replied. He hadn’t expected a call for his delivery business on the afternoon before Christmas. “This man really needs a piano delivered to a small town, way out in the country. He’s offering triple my usual rate. Besides it’s a surprise Christmas gift for a little girl who lives out there.” “Well, hurry home, so we can enjoy the evening,” Marion said with a sigh. “No problem,” he replied. Richard parked his aging one-ton pick-up in front of the address the man had given on the phone. A woman answered the door. She was at least a head taller than him, with muscles to rival a sumo wrestler. “My husband and I will give you a hand,” she said. The man who joined her could have been a brother of Incredible Hulk. “Back your truck up on the sidewalk to the door,” The Hulk said. Richard looked around the front yard through the heavily falling snow, searching for any sign of a sidewalk. “Yeah, the sidewalk’s under there,” The Hulk chuckled. “Got buried in the snowstorm. No problem, I’ll guide you.” Truck in place, the Hulk led Richard to the lower floor of the bi-level. There sat a scratched and bruised upright piano. The three wrestled it up five steps to a landing at the front door. “Time for a break,” Mrs. Hulk insisted. She rustled up some coffee and cookies. Richard sat in front of the piano on an offered chair. He lifted the keyboard cover. One look and he yielded to the seduction of the white and black ivories. His nimble fingers produced a few bars from Rachmaninoff, a favorite he played at home on his big black grand piano, surprised that the aging piano was in reasonable tune. “Wow!” The Hulks said as one. “What was that?” “A bit of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2,” Richard replied. Both Hulks were still gushing compliments as they helped him wheel the heavy old beast up two sturdy metal ramps onto the flatbed. “You got ropes?” The Hulk asked. “Tie downs,” Richard replied. “I’ll help,” The Hulk said. “Thanks,” Richard replied, hoping The Hulk wouldn’t. He much preferred to secure by himself the items he hauled. Richard draped two moving blankets over the piano, thinking them redundant considering the scrapes and scars on the aged woodwork. He secured the blankets with bungee cords, and then tossed the ends of four sturdy tie-downs over to The Hulk. Two of the three-inch straps went around the front of the piano, securing it to a heavy steel grid behind the cab, welded to the flatbed’s frame. The two other straps were crisscrossed to help prevent slippage. “You sure you know where to go?” The Hulk asked. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out there,” Richard replied. “But I’ll get someone to show me to the house.” “Okay,” The Hulk said. “My niece Maria lives there. She’s nine. The piano’s for her. It’s a Christmas gift … a surprise. Speaking of surprises, my brother George called this morning and said the storm is leaving the roads out there quite tricky.” “Thanks for the heads up,” Richard said. “I’m going to pick up my helper, Bruce, then be on my way. You’ve arranged for a couple of guys at the other end to help unload, right?” “Yeah,” replied The Hulk. “George and his friend Tom are expecting you.” “Good. Thanks.” Soon after reaching the forested hills leading to the town, Richard encountered increasingly heavy snowfall and drifting. The road had become icy and crisscrossed with snowdrifts. It followed a winding river, visible down a steep bank fifty feet below. “Let’s take our time,” Bruce said, clearly regretting having agreed to help. Richard found it challenging to judge which of the snowdrifts he could drive through and which he needed to drive slowly around, lest a hard packed one force the truck over the side. He erred on the side of caution. “Look out!” Bruce shouted. A group of deer had jumped out in front of them. Richard instinctively swerved the truck to avoid them. Oh, oh, he thought, as he felt the dual rear tires on the driver’s side skid to the left and then over the side of the road. “Damn,” he muttered. “Double damn!” The truck wouldn’t move. The left rear wheels spun aimlessly. The truck had become high centered on the road bank. Ironically, he felt a perverse sense of relief for a second, knowing the truck was unlikely to slide into the river below, but also painfully aware they were stuck. He needed a tow. “Damn,” Richard muttered again as he got on his cellphone. Just then four sharp snapping sounds interrupted his call. Then he heard a loud scraping noise. The truck shook and rattled wildly. Oh no! he thought. Damn … damn … damn! Richard caught a fleeting glimpse of the piano through the side mirror as it flipped down onto its back and then disappeared off the rear edge of the truck. He watched helplessly as the piano skidded through the snow down the steep slope, flattening small trees and shrubs as it went. With visions of the piano floating down the river, Richard ran stumbling down the slope in pursuit of the renegade musical instrument. Bruce followed, cursing all the way. They learned later that about that time, half a mile away, The Hulk’s brother George was snowmobiling with his cousin Tom, who were Richard’s designated helpers at the piano’s planned destination. The two had stopped for a rest when they heard music. “Is that your cellphone?” Tom had asked. “Naw,” George replied. “I turned it off. Yours?” “Can’t be,” Tom replied. “Left mine at home.” The two told Richard later they had listened in surprise and then set off down the road looking for the source of the attractive sounds. The road curved around a hillside. Halfway around they saw Richard’s truck, left rear wheels hanging over the edge. The men walked to the truck, looked over the side of the road and down the slope. There was Bruce leaning against a tree just above the bank of the rushing river, drinking from a thermos. He admitted later it wasn’t plain coffee he was gulping convulsively. Then they spotted Richard. He was sitting on a bench in front of an upright piano tilted awkwardly to one side, partly hidden by a damaged bush, and propped up precariously against a sturdy poplar tree. He was playing more Rachmaninoff. “Hey, what else is there to do until the tow truck gets here?” Richard shouted up to answer their unasked question. “Sure does sound good!” George called down. Bemused, George and Tom hopped up onto the flatbed and dangled their feet over the edge and swinging them to the sound of the music, seeming to enjoy every bit of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2. Later, when Richard phoned The Hulk about what had happened, the big man surprised him. Richard offered to pay for a replacement out of his business insurance, but The Hulk refused. He asked Richard to meet him at the music store. There he handed Richard a gift-wrapped package containing an electronic keyboard and sound system to be delivered to Marie. Marie got the piano she wanted for Christmas, after all. Turns out what she received was exactly what she really wanted so she could take it with her to ‘jamb’ with her friends at their various homes. 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Grandpas Are Antique Little Boys

He made no apologies for acting like a little boy at times. And that’s how he got four grandsons into trouble. It all started over lunch.

Grandpa’s daughter (aunt to three and mother of one) was getting married the next day. The family had gathered from far and wide. Grandpa offered to take the four pre-teens out for a few hours. Their absence would give the stressed parents a well-earned break from the antics of four young boys compounded upon wedding planning.

Grandpa’s itinerary had just two stops, the first at a store to spend the money he’d sent each at Christmas. Then, he’d take the boys for lunch. The spend-and-eat thing was Grandpa’s favorite outing with his grandchildren.

The shopping was hilarious. It took a while for the boys to get focused – the ‘kid in a candy store’ thing. Finally, each boy managed to squeeze his dreams into his allotted budget, more or less, thanks in part to Grandpa’s penchant for ‘topping up’. Soon, every grandson had a suitable treasure clutched in his hands. Now, it was lunchtime.

Off they went to a nearby restaurant. The place was crowded. It took 15 minutes to get seated, and longer to get menus. The boys were so hungry they were emotionally ready to order seconds as the menus arrived. What’s complicated about macaroni and cheese, or grilled cheese sandwiches? But the server had dropped the menus and quickly left. Waiting for her to return became an endurance test. The five huddled in the booth, watching as servers rushed around delivering food to just about everyone else.

Well now, Grandpa does enjoy the company of his grandchildren. He loves them all – the babies, the toddlers and especially those in their pre-teens. He admits he enjoys most of all mixing it up with the boys. They have wrestled and tickled, and hugged, and he has played games outside with each of them.  That gave Grandpa an idea.

Jon was sitting directly across from Grandpa. A cousin was sitting on each side of Jon. Another cousin, Will sat beside Grandpa. Jon placed his hands on the table, one on top of the other. Grandpa put his right hand on top of them. Jon withdrew his bottom hand and placed it on top of Grandpa’s. Then Grandpa put his left hand on top of Jon’s. The others joined the hand-stacking game. The pile of hands increased in height and then in speed… faster… and faster… and faster. Their hands finally disambiguated, and they dissolved in peals of laughter. 

Ah, but they weren’t finished with the games quite yet. Hey, they were still waiting for service. Grandpa grabbed Jon’s right hand. It was familiar – their arm-wrestling mode. They’d done it many times. Their clenched hands wavered back and forth. Grandpa always faked it. He let Jon push his grandfather’s hand down almost to the table … but not quite.  He pushed Jon’s hand up and then down the other way until Jon’s hand was almost at the tabletop. Then he let it come back up to the middle. The other boys understandably were cheering their cousin. They were certain Jon could ‘take’ Grandpa. He was old, you know!

In a booth across from them, a twenties-something couple was enjoying the contest. The man urged on Jon. The woman wore a faint smile on her attractive face. But not everyone was enjoying the impromptu entertainment. Two elderly women in the booth next to the young couple kept frowning and clucking their mutual disapproval to one another over the spectacle across the aisle. 

Back at the arm-wrestling contest, the grandsons were not to be denied. Jon recruited allies. First, cousin Joey added his right hand to the clasped hands of Jon and Grandpa. All the boys began to cheer. Grandpa had no trouble managing two opponents. The other two boys noticed. So, Casey joined the boys’ team. More cheering. Still Grandpa prevailed, but he was just barely holding his own by now. 

Will was sitting next to Grandpa. He was the youngest, but big for his age. He got set to join his cousins. Grandpa called him a traitor to their side of the booth. Ignoring the criticism, Will added his hand and to the pile of hands. Grandpa’s arm began to waver, but he was holding on. Then Will stood up and put one knee on the seat, bringing the force of his weight to bear. Grandpa’s arm wavered and then came crashing down.

The boys cheered loudly. In several parts of the restaurant, people were standing to see what was going on. The couple across the aisle joined in the merriment – the young man cheering and clapping, the woman smiling indulgently. The old ladies, frowning, tut-tuted even more and readied their purses for a hasty escape from this unruly behavior. 

And then, as if by some miracle, a flustered server arrived in a rush and took the orders. By another miracle, the meals arrived in record time … in just a few minutes … just as the boys and their grandfather were getting started on another contest. Imagine that!

A half hour later, as Grandpa approached the front desk to pay the bill, the cashier smiled at him and chuckled self-consciously. She knew what he was thinking – both understood exactly how to speed up service.

Source: BestWishes.org

Skydive Picked Up By Media

Here’s a story picked up by the local media outlet, Castanet News, about how I celebrated my 80th birthday, albeit twice delayed, first by Covid-19 and last summer by local wildfires. Enjoy:

Vernon author takes pandemic-delayed skydive to celebrate eight decadesSENIOR SKYDIVES AT 82

Jon Manchester – May 24, 2022 / 11:22 am | Story: 369782

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Photo: Jack Carr, Vernon

A Vernon author jumped out of “a perfectly good aircraft” to celebrate his 80th birthday.

James Osborne belatedly marked the milestone on Sunday, even though he’s now 82.

The jump had originally been planned for 2020, but had been postponed first due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last summer by local wildfires.

Osborne, author of the Amazon bestseller THE ULTIMATE THREAT, said he made the parachute jump “to celebrate the privilege of having enjoyed our amazing planet for eight decades. Not all that many people are so fortunate.”

Osborne did a tandem jump with Skydive Okanagan, freefalling from 10,000 feet and then parachuting the final 5,000 feet.

The descent took about 40 seconds. 

“My first jump was 12 years ago to celebrate my 70th birthday,” says Osborne. “And after this one, the next time will be to celebrate my 90th birthday. It’s probably a little early to make a reservation, and I suppose that applies to the jump after that, for my 100th birthday.

“Don’t be surprised if that skydive becomes a segment in my next novel,” he joked.

The Vernon author’s debut novel, THE ULTIMATE THREAT, made it onto Amazon’s bestseller list twice – the first time at No. 1 and again in second place, between reprints of two books by Tom Clancy. “Nice company,” Osborne said.

His other books include THE MAIDSTONE CONSPIRACY, the first of a suspense trilogy, and winner of a Best Suspense Novel award from McGrath House Agency in London, U.K. A collection of his short stories called ENCOUNTERS – Tales of Living, Loving & Laughter, also won first place in an international competition sponsored by The Critique Group.

His most recent novel, THE PLOT TO ASSASSINATE SECRET SHEPHERD, is the second book in the trilogy. It was described by New York book publisher, Lois W. Stern, as “a magnificent story of love and hope prevailing in a world under siege.” 

The final book in the trilogy is expected to be released sometime next year. 

Osborne says parts of the plots in his novels were inspired by his own experiences as an investigative journalist, army officer, college teacher, vice-president of a Fortune 500 company, business owner, and parent.

Happy Easter, Passover, Ramadam

Ukrainian Grandma Welcomes Russian Troops

Bestselling author Stephen King posted this on his Twitter account on March 7. It says it all.

Why Putin Wants Ukraine

Ukraine is located between Russia and NATO countries Poland, Hungary, Romania & Slovakia. It’s well-educated population of 44 million people and it’s natural and agricultural resources make it a prosperous country.

A post circulated widely on social media recenty listed Ukraine’s natural resources. Snopes investigated each of the claims. Below are the claims that the independent, apolitical researcher was able to confirm. Included are links to the substantiating sources. 

 True. “1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores.” Data from 2018 that were published in 2020 showed that Ukraine was seventh in the world for recoverable reserves of uranium ores and in first place for Europe. (Source: Statista.com)

 True. “2nd place in Europe and 10th place in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves.” According to information from 2021, Norway was the only European country with more titanium ore reserves. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Page T11, Exhibit C)

 True. “2nd place in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ores (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world’s reserves).” The website ukrainetrek.com backs up this data. (Sources: ukrainetrek.com and USGS)

 True. “2nd largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons).” Data published in 2010 showed that Ukraine was only topped by China in this category. It’s unclear if more recent numbers changed those rankings. (Source: USGS)

 True. “2nd place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves.” As of 2010, Spain was the only European country that had more mercury ore reserves. (Source: USGS)

 True. “3rd place in Europe (13th place in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters).” This was correct with the context that it appeared the “22 trillion cubic meters” number was a typo. According to Reuters in 2012, the number was 42 trillion cubic meters. (Source: Reuters)

Ukraine’s Agriculture

 True. “1st in Europe in terms of arable land area.” According to the CIA’s World Factbook, 56.1% of Ukraine’s land is arable. Arable land is defined by Merriam-Webster as land being “fit for or used for the growing of crops.” (Source: )

 Mostly True. “3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world’s volume).” While we did not find data that matched these exact numbers, the point being made here was that black soil was abundant in Ukraine. In 2014, the FAO Investment Centre published a report on worldbank.org that mentioned more data:

Ukraine is renowned as the breadbasket of Europe thanks to its black soils (“Chernozem” black because of the high organic matter content) which offer exceptional agronomic conditions. One-third of the worldwide stock of the fertile black soils, which cover more than half of Ukraine’s arable land, a large variety of climatic zones, and favourable temperature and moisture regimes, offers attractive conditions for the production of a large range of crops including cereals and oilseeds. Ukraine’s proximity to large and growing neighbouring markets – the Russian Federation and the European Union – and access to deep sea ports at the Black Sea, provide direct access to world markets, especially large grain importers in the Middle East and North Africa. (Source: worldbank.org)

 True. “1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil.” This data came from 2019. (Source: The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC))

 True. “5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons).” The website NationMaster.com showed that this was true. (Source: NationMaster.com)

 True. “Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.” This statistic appeared to come from Kyiv Post. (Source: Kyiv Post)

 True. “2nd in Europe and 4th largest natural gas pipeline system in the world (142.5 billion cubic meters of gas throughput capacity in the EU).” A 2007 report from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies said: “Roughly 20% of Europe’s gas passes through Ukraine and the country has the third-largest gas production and the fourth-largest gas market in Europe.” As for the number included in the parentheses, we found that it had been published by TASS, the Russian News Agency. (Oxford Institute and TASS)

May all the joys the world has to offer be yours this Chr...

May all the joys the world has to offer
be yours this Christmas Season
and througout 2022!

Happy Thanksgiving!