Carefree Truth
Issue #787, November 15, 2019
Notes in the Margins
By Phil Corso
November 12, 2019
As I have for the past several years, I spent a few hours yesterday under the big top in the Carefree Desert Gardens attending the 11th annual Veterans Day Celebration. This year, however, as I sat quietly on a perfect Carefree afternoon on the Sonoran Desert, I had something on my mind.
As I sat there listening to the speakers and watching the reactions of the people of all ages who had attended, I wondered how many had lost someone they loved in the service of our nation or, perhaps, the ravages of war. The thoughts of what it must be like have been following me around all day after a chat with a woman the previous evening. She had lost her son, an Army Ranger, almost 8 years ago and the impact on her life still resonates today.
I’m one of those Boomers who came face to face with an unpopular war when I turned 18 and was issued my draft number. I am also one of the lucky ones who did not get drafted. My number was 154 and the “lottery” call-up ended that year at number 134.
So, I have only an observer’s perspective of service to our nation as a member of one of the branches of the US Military. My view of the Viet Nam war and the turmoil that surrounded it came from Walter Cronkite, the New York Times and my peers. My views changed over time and my perspective expanded the first time I visited “The Wall” in Washington, DC…the Memorial that serves to remind us of those who served but did not return home when I found the names of high school and college friends listed among the thousands of others.
But my perspective is still very limited. It’s hard for me to totally understand the impact of the loss of a child on a parent. Yesterday, as I sat among those brave and courageous men and women and thought about their friends and fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who did not return, I could not help but be inspired. I think it may have also helped me understand more about what my new friend was speaking to when she mentioned her son and how important it is to do more than just say “thank you for your service” to the Veterans in this county.
When I got home last night, I wrote down some thoughts in words that rhyme along with some Notes in the Margins. A copy of that songline and another about a conversation about traveling “Back in Time” that led me here can be found on the following pages.
I am hoping that by my sharing my thoughts, someone else will find a new perspective like I did and make a personal commitment to help a Veteran in some meaningful way. Just like my new friend, Tracy Swanson, is doing with an idea that has become her mission in life.
“Heart Rock Ranch – Horses Helping Hero’s Heal”
If you would like more information on Tracy’s project, drop me a line and I’ll make the connection for you.
Veterans Day 2019
I wrote a Note in the Margins yesterday about connectivity and a woman I have never met. Her name is Tracy Swanson
Late last evening, I sent her a copy and enjoyed a cyber chat where I learned how important Veterans Day was in her life. She said some things that stayed with me today and added some perspective to the annual Carefree Veterans Day Celebration
When I got home, I had some rhyming words in mind and after a few minutes I had written something I called “The Place You Belong” that, at its core, reminds us that:
As I have for the past several years, I spent a few hours yesterday under the big top in the Carefree Desert Gardens attending the 11th annual Veterans Day Celebration. This year, however, as I sat quietly on a perfect Carefree afternoon on the Sonoran Desert, I had something on my mind.
As I sat there listening to the speakers and watching the reactions of the people of all ages who had attended, I wondered how many had lost someone they loved in the service of our nation or, perhaps, the ravages of war. The thoughts of what it must be like have been following me around all day after a chat with a woman the previous evening. She had lost her son, an Army Ranger, almost 8 years ago and the impact on her life still resonates today.
I’m one of those Boomers who came face to face with an unpopular war when I turned 18 and was issued my draft number. I am also one of the lucky ones who did not get drafted. My number was 154 and the “lottery” call-up ended that year at number 134.
So, I have only an observer’s perspective of service to our nation as a member of one of the branches of the US Military. My view of the Viet Nam war and the turmoil that surrounded it came from Walter Cronkite, the New York Times and my peers. My views changed over time and my perspective expanded the first time I visited “The Wall” in Washington, DC…the Memorial that serves to remind us of those who served but did not return home when I found the names of high school and college friends listed among the thousands of others.
But my perspective is still very limited. It’s hard for me to totally understand the impact of the loss of a child on a parent. Yesterday, as I sat among those brave and courageous men and women and thought about their friends and fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who did not return, I could not help but be inspired. I think it may have also helped me understand more about what my new friend was speaking to when she mentioned her son and how important it is to do more than just say “thank you for your service” to the Veterans in this county.
When I got home last night, I wrote down some thoughts in words that rhyme along with some Notes in the Margins. A copy of that songline and another about a conversation about traveling “Back in Time” that led me here can be found on the following pages.
I am hoping that by my sharing my thoughts, someone else will find a new perspective like I did and make a personal commitment to help a Veteran in some meaningful way. Just like my new friend, Tracy Swanson, is doing with an idea that has become her mission in life.
“Heart Rock Ranch – Horses Helping Hero’s Heal”
If you would like more information on Tracy’s project, drop me a line and I’ll make the connection for you.
Veterans Day 2019
I wrote a Note in the Margins yesterday about connectivity and a woman I have never met. Her name is Tracy Swanson
Late last evening, I sent her a copy and enjoyed a cyber chat where I learned how important Veterans Day was in her life. She said some things that stayed with me today and added some perspective to the annual Carefree Veterans Day Celebration
When I got home, I had some rhyming words in mind and after a few minutes I had written something I called “The Place You Belong” that, at its core, reminds us that:
Life’s mistakes make you wiser
Heartbreak makes you strong
And a wrong turn to the right place
Is the place where you belong
Welcome home…Welcome home
Heartbreak makes you strong
And a wrong turn to the right place
Is the place where you belong
Welcome home…Welcome home
I sent a copy to Tracy then decided to dig a little deeper about something she said in our chat. I found all I needed to know in the first search result. I read a story written by a woman with a vision and a mission…and a passion for creating a Place People Belong…The Heart Rock Ranch.
When I finished reading, I just smiled. It had happened again… Somewhere between the right and left side of my brain a connection was made and the rhyming words I had written suddenly became something else…
Heart Rock Ranch is the place Tracy belongs. Having lost her son while he was serving our nation as a US Army Ranger eight years ago, she has dedicated her life to helping Veterans. Her vision for Heart Rock Ranch, a 501c)3 not for profit corporation, is to assist Vets who suffer with PTSD…a debilitating mental health challenge so many Vets struggle with today… by using something called Equine Assisted Therapy.
Rather than trying to share what I’ve learned, I will just let Tracy’s words speak for themselves.
When I finished reading, I just smiled. It had happened again… Somewhere between the right and left side of my brain a connection was made and the rhyming words I had written suddenly became something else…
Heart Rock Ranch is the place Tracy belongs. Having lost her son while he was serving our nation as a US Army Ranger eight years ago, she has dedicated her life to helping Veterans. Her vision for Heart Rock Ranch, a 501c)3 not for profit corporation, is to assist Vets who suffer with PTSD…a debilitating mental health challenge so many Vets struggle with today… by using something called Equine Assisted Therapy.
Rather than trying to share what I’ve learned, I will just let Tracy’s words speak for themselves.
“There are a minimum of 22 veteran suicides every day in this country. The actual number is estimated to be much higher. Arizona is one of the top ranked states in the US for veteran suicide.
I've seen just about everything you can imagine with my Army friends on Facebook over the years. I relate to them very well. I understand the pain and hopelessness...I've been there.
On this path of hell life has thrown me on, I've given a lot of thought to what is my purpose now, what are my passions. I've asked myself a million times, "what do I do now?"
My passions are our troops and veterans and horses. Horses bring me such peace and calmness. They saved my life and gave me a sense of peace and hope again.
My greatest dream is to be able to ease the pain, help mend the broken hearts and souls of our combat veterans by means of equine assisted and recreational therapy, and give back to those who have sacrificed so much for all of us.
Equine Assisted Therapy has been used for decades to treat a large spectrum of mental health issues, including behavioral issues, attention deficit, eating disorders, abuse/trust issues, depression, anxiety, relationship and communication issues, to name a few. It is proving to be very beneficial to veterans with Post Traumatic Stress.
My vision for Heart Rock Ranch is to help veterans find peace, hope and coping skills to make their lives easier and more enjoyable and helping their families and other relationships as well.
I'm confident veterans will find the same peace as I do when I'm around horses. They are amazing healers; you just have to be open to the powers they possess... “There’s nothing better for the inside of a man, than the outside of a horse".
The name and idea came to me while on an incredible horseback ride around Lake Pleasant, AZ. There were heart rocks everywhere, but I only made one quick dismount for a very unique heart rock...and I heard the words: "Heart Rock Ranch, horses helping heroes heal".
I had my answer. This is what I am meant to do with my life....help our veterans! I truly believe that my son has put me on this path and has given me a purpose in life again. This is my passion; my entire heart and soul are in this project. 22 suicides a day has got to stop! If we can save ONE life, this will all be so worth it.”
Tracy Swanson
Heart Rock Ranch
I've seen just about everything you can imagine with my Army friends on Facebook over the years. I relate to them very well. I understand the pain and hopelessness...I've been there.
On this path of hell life has thrown me on, I've given a lot of thought to what is my purpose now, what are my passions. I've asked myself a million times, "what do I do now?"
My passions are our troops and veterans and horses. Horses bring me such peace and calmness. They saved my life and gave me a sense of peace and hope again.
My greatest dream is to be able to ease the pain, help mend the broken hearts and souls of our combat veterans by means of equine assisted and recreational therapy, and give back to those who have sacrificed so much for all of us.
Equine Assisted Therapy has been used for decades to treat a large spectrum of mental health issues, including behavioral issues, attention deficit, eating disorders, abuse/trust issues, depression, anxiety, relationship and communication issues, to name a few. It is proving to be very beneficial to veterans with Post Traumatic Stress.
My vision for Heart Rock Ranch is to help veterans find peace, hope and coping skills to make their lives easier and more enjoyable and helping their families and other relationships as well.
I'm confident veterans will find the same peace as I do when I'm around horses. They are amazing healers; you just have to be open to the powers they possess... “There’s nothing better for the inside of a man, than the outside of a horse".
The name and idea came to me while on an incredible horseback ride around Lake Pleasant, AZ. There were heart rocks everywhere, but I only made one quick dismount for a very unique heart rock...and I heard the words: "Heart Rock Ranch, horses helping heroes heal".
I had my answer. This is what I am meant to do with my life....help our veterans! I truly believe that my son has put me on this path and has given me a purpose in life again. This is my passion; my entire heart and soul are in this project. 22 suicides a day has got to stop! If we can save ONE life, this will all be so worth it.”
Tracy Swanson
Heart Rock Ranch
I have a feeling that Tracy will find a way to turn her vision into her reality. In celebration of Veterans Day, maybe there is something you and I can do to assist Tracy in her mission to create the Heart Rock Ranch.
https://hulafrog.com/phoenix-north-az/heart-rock-ranch-horses-helping-heroes-heal-service-organization-b
https://www.facebook.com/heartrockranchusa/
https://hulafrog.com/phoenix-north-az/heart-rock-ranch-horses-helping-heroes-heal-service-organization-b
https://www.facebook.com/heartrockranchusa/
A Sailor heeds the warning
Of a red sky morning
Come the red sky at night
A sailor’s takes delight
While storm clouds may linger
The rain will wash away
The problems that follow you
Each and everyday
Life’s mistakes make you wiser
Heartbreak makes you strong
And a wrong turn to the right place
Is the Place Where You Belong
Welcome home…Welcome home
A purpose that saves lives
A positive born from tragedy
Reality and Sanity
Weave the colors of your tapestry
When a lost life feels empty
The signs say it’s time to go
The universe…a guiding light
Says all you need to know
Life’s mistakes make you wiser
Heartbreak makes you strong
And a wrong turn to the right place
Is the place where you belong
Welcome home…Welcome home
Yes… a wrong turn to the right place
Is the Place Where You Belong
Leave yesterday without a trace
Welcome home…welcome home….
Of a red sky morning
Come the red sky at night
A sailor’s takes delight
While storm clouds may linger
The rain will wash away
The problems that follow you
Each and everyday
Life’s mistakes make you wiser
Heartbreak makes you strong
And a wrong turn to the right place
Is the Place Where You Belong
Welcome home…Welcome home
A purpose that saves lives
A positive born from tragedy
Reality and Sanity
Weave the colors of your tapestry
When a lost life feels empty
The signs say it’s time to go
The universe…a guiding light
Says all you need to know
Life’s mistakes make you wiser
Heartbreak makes you strong
And a wrong turn to the right place
Is the place where you belong
Welcome home…Welcome home
Yes… a wrong turn to the right place
Is the Place Where You Belong
Leave yesterday without a trace
Welcome home…welcome home….
November 10, 2019
There is theory about connectivity in all elements of life that time and again has proven true. It’s also reinforced my view that success in life really is about whom you know and who you meet along the way. More often than not, if we pause for a moment, we find that we know a lot more people than we thought and that the possibilities of meeting the friends of our friends are endless.
The Connectivity Theory is sometimes called "Six Handshakes" or “Six degrees of Separation”. It’s a concept that says that all people are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. As a result, "a friend of a friend" link can connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.
Connectivity is a powerful force in the universe and has often proved to be a source of inspiration and information for me. Here's a real time example of the theory at work.
There is a woman I've never met but with whom I share friends according to Facebook. These are not just friends...they are my Compadres from the Scottsdale Charro's. So, when I see that someone lists these guys as friends, connectivity clicks...a friend of a friend becomes a friend of mine.
In most cases, once the connection occurs nothing else happens other than we have a new person in our rolodex.
Pause: Ok, Boomers, explain what a rolodex is to your Millennium Kids, please.
Thanks…I’m back. Anyway, occasionally connectivity leads somewhere unexpected. That's what happened again for me this morning.
So, this woman I have never met, a friend of some friends of mine, posted a comment about wishing she could be a time traveler. When I thought about that for a moment, I realized that's a very human desire we all share. Some of us have thoughts of traveling forward in time to the places we dream about. But I think everyone of us has different places or moments in time that we would love to travel back to for all sorts of reasons.
Time traveling has been romanticized and theorized; analyzed and fantasized since Adam got kicked out of Paradise for eating an apple. We are all Time Travelers wishing we could go “Back in Time”
It is funny sometimes how some seemingly disconnected moments end up connecting us…or, in my case today, how someone’s comment about time traveling connected with me and inspired me to take a few moments to write my thoughts down.
When I read them again later this afternoon, I decided to write this Note in the Margins to say…
Thanks for the Sunday Morning inspiration, Tracy. I’ve enjoyed the connection.
There is theory about connectivity in all elements of life that time and again has proven true. It’s also reinforced my view that success in life really is about whom you know and who you meet along the way. More often than not, if we pause for a moment, we find that we know a lot more people than we thought and that the possibilities of meeting the friends of our friends are endless.
The Connectivity Theory is sometimes called "Six Handshakes" or “Six degrees of Separation”. It’s a concept that says that all people are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. As a result, "a friend of a friend" link can connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.
Connectivity is a powerful force in the universe and has often proved to be a source of inspiration and information for me. Here's a real time example of the theory at work.
There is a woman I've never met but with whom I share friends according to Facebook. These are not just friends...they are my Compadres from the Scottsdale Charro's. So, when I see that someone lists these guys as friends, connectivity clicks...a friend of a friend becomes a friend of mine.
In most cases, once the connection occurs nothing else happens other than we have a new person in our rolodex.
Pause: Ok, Boomers, explain what a rolodex is to your Millennium Kids, please.
Thanks…I’m back. Anyway, occasionally connectivity leads somewhere unexpected. That's what happened again for me this morning.
So, this woman I have never met, a friend of some friends of mine, posted a comment about wishing she could be a time traveler. When I thought about that for a moment, I realized that's a very human desire we all share. Some of us have thoughts of traveling forward in time to the places we dream about. But I think everyone of us has different places or moments in time that we would love to travel back to for all sorts of reasons.
Time traveling has been romanticized and theorized; analyzed and fantasized since Adam got kicked out of Paradise for eating an apple. We are all Time Travelers wishing we could go “Back in Time”
It is funny sometimes how some seemingly disconnected moments end up connecting us…or, in my case today, how someone’s comment about time traveling connected with me and inspired me to take a few moments to write my thoughts down.
When I read them again later this afternoon, I decided to write this Note in the Margins to say…
Thanks for the Sunday Morning inspiration, Tracy. I’ve enjoyed the connection.
I've been down this road
I’ve driven this way home
I know which way to go
When it’s time to go slow
I've been here before
I've walked thru this door
The world is all mine
When I travel back in time
Back in time...
Leave tomorrow behind
Back in time...
To see what I can find
It’s the message in the bottle
It’s the sign on the wall
It’s my memories that shine
When I travel back in time
I know it's time to change
When every day is the same
When the moment feels strange
And the storms bring the rain
It’s time to turn the page
It's my time to rearrange
All the memories that are mine
And travel back in time
Back in time...
Leave tomorrow behind
Back in time...
To see what I can find
It’s the message in the bottle
It’s the sign on the wall
It’s my memories that shine
When I travel back in time
I’ve driven this way home
I know which way to go
When it’s time to go slow
I've been here before
I've walked thru this door
The world is all mine
When I travel back in time
Back in time...
Leave tomorrow behind
Back in time...
To see what I can find
It’s the message in the bottle
It’s the sign on the wall
It’s my memories that shine
When I travel back in time
I know it's time to change
When every day is the same
When the moment feels strange
And the storms bring the rain
It’s time to turn the page
It's my time to rearrange
All the memories that are mine
And travel back in time
Back in time...
Leave tomorrow behind
Back in time...
To see what I can find
It’s the message in the bottle
It’s the sign on the wall
It’s my memories that shine
When I travel back in time
Copyrighted text and song lyrics by Phil Corso.