Stairway to Success

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Outdoor Recreation

This is the narrative I shared at our dad’s celebration in reference to the stairs in Thoreau’s halls:

First: As some of Thoreau’s students and staff may remember, ONE of the highlights 6th graders had the fortune to experience, was building model rockets and shooting them off in front of their peers here on the playground every Spring. 

So, when dad read the book The Rocket Boys in 1998, it struck a special cord in him. This true story took place in a West Virginia coal mining town and the memoir recounts a small group of rebels and their youthful pursuit of amateur rocketry. 

AND applauds their supportive teacher- encouraging those young students to pursue their interests and to chase their dreams. (Sound Familiar) The book was soon popularized in the film-adaptation, titled October Sky.

In 1999, the year of the movie’s release, while planning for one of our parent’s classic cross-country ROAD TRIPS, dad intently wanted to stop in the Rocket Boys’ hometown, aptly named Coalwood,  with the hopes of shooting off one of his own model rockets and (as usually happens) as part of his signature social engagement strategy, coincidentally meeting some townsfolk along the way.  

Imagine then, later that Summer, when our folks arrived in that small WV town, in what mom refers to as “A turn of events. We soon found ourselves following a caravan of townspeople”- A procession led by Red Carroll, the father of a Rocket Boy, to the location where Red’s son, Jimmy, and his curious friends, 42 years earlier had launched their own inspirational homemade rockets. 

A launch site now endearingly referred to as Cape Coalwood. I imagine the impromptu caravan heading out of town, a line of cars, and I’m sure trucks, next became his audience, in that open field, cheering him on, as our dad got his wish. 

While it may not have been the Kennedy Space Center, I envision that this was a true American Experience, nonetheless. 

Two curious teachers from Washington State, welcomed by a community of coal miners. 

The provincial rocket that our dad launched multiple times that day, was eventually lost in those West Virginia woods. 

BUT little did our folks know that the local kids would eventually retrieve it and Rocket Boy, Jimmy Carroll, would sign it and mail it back to our dad, with a nice note. 

THIS, is the autographed ROCKET, hung from the ceiling in Mr. Elsworth’s colorful classroom until he retired.

Now, we get to the SECOND part of the story- Let’s go back to Coalwood in 1999. NEXT UP, 9 miles south of their hometown,‘ol Red wanted to show off Big Creek High, the kids Alma Mater. Of course, Up and Over a Holler to the City of WAR they went. As THEY toured the school, dad was moved by a staircase. Stairs, simply with printed words, listing the school’s values, easy for all to see. 

Years later, Dad was so inspired by the power of those daily reminders, for those kids that he proposed to a school committee to have Thoreau’s newly built school have it’s 15 Life Skills, also added to their stairs’ visible risers.

Years later, in 2009, at the culmination of his impactful teaching career AND as I interpret it, a tribute to THE MAN, dad’s proposal was approved.

Outside of these gym doors, in these hallowed halls of Thoreau Elementary The Stairway to Success memorializes him, reflecting his legacy of a  lifelong love of learning and self-improvement.  Dad’s intent was for these powerful words to be constant positive reminders that would take hold in students’ minds and fill their hearts as the kids walked, and continue to ascend the stairs daily. 

On your way out, be sure to take a moment, soak in these words and reflect on his legacy. 

STAIRWAY to SUCCESS

Effort
Friendship
Responsibility 
Initiative
Cooperation 
Courage
Flexibility
Respect
Perseverance
Caring
Organization 
Integrity
Patience
Problem Solving
Curiosity 
Sense of Humor 

 

Ken Elsworth – A Life Well Lived

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections

Kenneth Douglas Elsworth, 80, of Kirkland/Bothell, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family August 12th, 2024. He was born on October 4th, 1943 to Helen and George Elsworth in Tacoma, WA.  

Public Ceremony: Celebration of Life

Remembrances: Memorial – Mr. Elsworth

Ken attended Western Washington University (WWU); was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve his country at Fort Irwin, CA as a Medical Specialist Fifth Class; and graduated from WWU with a degree in education.

He married college sweetheart Frances Marie Mancuso and they enjoyed 57 magical years together. Ken and Fran were blessed by their loving children Todd and Jennifer and adoring grandchildren Violet and Sebastian. 

Mr. Elsworth dedicated 41 years teaching 5th and 6th graders, starting his illustrious career at Carnation Elementary and then on to H.D. Thoreau Elementary where he retired in 2009. As a Master Teacher, Mr. Elsworth was recognized for his dedication and service to children by the Lake Washington School District. 

Sports and recreation were an important part of his life. As a Tacoma youth, Kenny enjoyed playing football but “struck out” on the baseball diamond. At Stadium High School, he lettered in multiple sports- Basketball, Football, and Track and Field (discus*)  often competing at the state level. In high school, Ken and his brother, Dave, built a boat with their dad to water ski in Commencement Bay.

Mr. Elsworth was an Assistant Coach at Tolt High School for the football and basketball teams. As a dad, he coached both Todd and Jenny’s soccer and basketball teams. In his 30’s, Ken enjoyed playing soccer on the Burger King Whoppers, running like a gazelle down the pitch, as teammates would remark. 

Ken and Fran were always on the sidelines cheering for their own children’s teams and with his Mr. Elsworth hat on, he would also be there supporting his students playing sports and other artistic performances. 

As an enthusiastic outdoor recreationist, Ken and Fran enjoyed hiking and snowshoeing in the mountains, oftentimes arranging group outings with family and friends to share their favorite trails and hidden gems of the Pacific Northwest. After retirement, Ken became an avid cyclist with his abundant available time, easily taking 35-mile day rides including trails and roads. A simple ride for him could be hopping on the Burke Gilman trail at Bothell Landing, through the UW campus, onto I-90 and then head back to Bothell. It didn’t matter the weather; he was a true cyclist at heart. 

Ken relished his home life as a family man. As a faithful and loving spouse of 57 years, Ken was a Gold Medal winner among husbands. He was devoted to Fran. He supported, celebrated and loved her.  They were partners in life and crime.  Rarely separated, they could enjoy the simple pleasures of life as well as extravagant experiences. Ken was always a willing participant along with Fran in midnight capers, skits, pranks and performances at family celebrations. He was spontaneous and flexible with Fran’s wild, crazy, and random ideas. Ken and Fran shared so much in common: their strong commitment to family, love of teaching, enjoyment of the outdoors, travel, and sense of humor was twofold. Ken was known for his one line, quick wit that left Fran laughing. His light heartedness and a sense of not taking life so seriously, made for a happy home. To show appreciation and gratitude is a quality of character. Ken was genuine in his Thank Yous and didn’t miss an opportunity to express how blessed he was for what Fran did for him. His goodnights would always come with a “Thank you for what all you did for me today.” It’s easy to love someone when they are so lovable. 

As a young dad, he took joy in playing with Todd and Jennifer and was the one parent out playing with the neighborhood kids. He had a strong sense of humor and was willing to be playful and silly- showing his childlike spirit- and was genuinely present in his family’s home life. Ken was curious, nurturing, supportive, and sought knowledge constantly- instilling this in his children and grandchildren. He consistently provided unconditional love.    

He was the ultimate example of a parent guiding his children how to treat oneself and others with respect, leading by example at home and in the community. Sitting on his big shoulders, he gave his kids a wonderful perspective of the world around them, as well as providing them with a solid foundation to stand and lean on. 

Over the years, he continued to demonstrate his admirable qualities with an added element of friendship with Todd and Jennifer. He prioritized his family, and was always there when they needed him.

Ken’s extended family as well as Todd and Jennifer’s friends, were recipients of his love. He was sincerely interested in them, hearing their stories and participating in many aspects of their lives. His arms had a big wingspan, to enfold many people in his grasp.  

Poppie. The Man. The Myth. The Legend. As “Poppie” to his grandchildren, Violet and Sebastian, he continued to share his tried and true playful approach to life and living. Consistently showing authentic interest in their lives, he celebrated them, their friends, school activities, interests, and passions. Poppie was there in all aspects of life. As a sincere listener, he would respond with his sage advice by offering anecdotal stories demonstrating the variety of his life experiences amassed over his years. Poppie kept the door open to encourage them to learn more about the world of art, history, and travel. Most importantly, he took every opportunity to tell his family he loved them. 

Everyone packed and ready? Here we go, cross country for summer adventures. Beginning in 1980 with Ken at the helm of a 1976 Dodge Aspen with no A/C, and long before the Griswolds, the family ventured far past the borders of Washington. Taking in historical sites, monuments, national parks, museums, capitals, and all contiguous states and provinces across Canada. The family traveled from the day school got out to the end of August packing in as many adventures as possible on a tight budget. KOA Campgrounds and Motel 6s were our home away from home for the 3 months. Oh no, there’s the same bedspread in every Motel 6! Always the educators, Ken and Fran made sure there was a learning opportunity with every stop. Ken was on a constant search for material and ideas to include in his classroom and lessons. It probably took so long to travel around the US as Ken would stop and talk to many along the way. There were no strangers in his life, only friends waiting to be met.

In 2007 and 2008 Ken was a teacher leader in the People to People Student Ambassador Program traveling in the summer with high school students throughout Europe. He was a beacon of light for the students, not only with his spirit but he could easily be seen in a crowd in case a student got lost, which happened often. 

These travels were an impetus for Ken and Fran to conquer Europe and northern Africa on their own. With Ken retired, he and Fran would immerse themselves in researching destinations, travel hot spots, navigating routes, transportation and lodging. For four years they traveled to 26 countries, with each trip lasting two months. Every trip was an incredible adventure and they treasured this time together. A highlight was traveling to Norway where they were welcomed by a rousing bunch of “Viking” relatives still living on the ancestral farm. Ken was the chauffeur and the scribe, writing every night in their travel journals capturing the day’s adventures. As in their other travels, Ken found people to be equally fascinating and intriguing, so much so, he and Fran created “person of the day” acknowledgements. Some of them are still in contact with them to this day. Travel encapsulated his wide range of interests, history, science, art, architecture, culture, and geography. It was one of his life’s passions.

As “Mr. Elsworth” to decades of Thoreau Frogs, Ken was a mentor to students, faculty and staff.  He provided inspiration, guidance, celebrated individuals, their talents and allowed a safe and nurturing place for students to feel seen, heard and have value. Each morning, his students would be greeted with a welcoming handshake. 

Mr. Elsworth spearheaded the experience of Camp Burton and field trips to; Safeco Field; University of Washington campus (including attending a customized class for the students); Schooner Adventurous; Port Townsend Historical Museum; Western Washington University Robotics, Seattle Center Fun Forest, Friday Harbor Whale Museum. These excursions provided students with an off-campus opportunity to open their eyes to the world around them beyond academics and gain a stronger sense of place. Parents clamored to be chaperones on these trips that left a lasting impression on his students and families. 

On Thoreau’s campus and in his colorful and lively classroom he was known for hot air balloons, rockets, pinewood derby races, gingerbread houses, the word of the day, daily science experiments, read alouds, autobiographies, intramurals, his “Steps to Success” stairs (in the new building), and the culmination of the student’s experience with a 6th grade picnic and graduation ceremony and celebration.

A tribute to the impact Ken made on his students was evident with the relationship he had even years after they left his classroom. Students continued throughout the years returning to visit Mr. Elsworth in his classroom or home to share with him their successes and challenges.They knew he would listen and give them encouragement and provide support. With the advent of Facebook, Ken enjoyed being updated on his students and being able to celebrate them. 

Authors: Fran, Todd, and Jenny

A public Celebration of Life ceremony is going to be held Saturday, September 21st in Kirkland, WA. The family requests no flowers or gifts be sent. Ken Elsworth’s remains will be dispersed by his family around the world in his favorite places and those he had yet to travel. 

Please share your memories on Memorial – Mr. Elsworth. 

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Memorial for Mr. Ken Elsworth

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections — 9 Comments ↓

We invite you to share your reflections on this page.

Please include your full name and your relationship (class year if relevant) to Mr. Elsworth. If you prefer a private message, email us at family @ elsworth.com. 

Celebration of Life – Mr. Ken Elsworth

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections

Saturday, September 21st
Doors open at 1:30pm

Event begins at 2:00pm
Thoreau Elementary
8224 NE 138th St.
Kirkland, WA 98034

You are invited to celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Ken Elsworth in the gymnasium of Thoreau Elementary. You’ll feel like you have returned to his classroom with colorful decor, classic snacks, and cold refreshments. BYOK*.

Ceremonial Speakers and Entertainers will include family members, colleagues, students, and friends. We just won’t have the time for an “open mic” memorial, instead please share your memories on Memorial – Mr. Elsworth. 

The family requests no flowers or gifts be sent. Ken Elsworth’s remains will be dispersed by his family around the world in his favorite places and those he had yet to travel.

Tribute: Ken Elsworth – A Life Well Lived

 

Remembrances: Memorial – Mr. Elsworth

*BYOK=Bring Your Own Kleenex

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Clark’s Point Fossil Record in Chuckanut Bay

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Outdoor Recreation

I’ve  been paddling and telling the story for years. 

Palm Fossils from Northwest Washington (PDF)
Mustoe, Geology Department, WWU, Bellingham, WA 98225

 

Zoomin’ in…

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History of the Bellingham Traverse

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Reflections

DRAFT. I needed to put this content somewhere. It still needs some massaging. 

If you like stories, here’s the abridged version of how the Traverse and the brand identity came to be…

The Story- My name is Todd Elsworth and The Bellingham Traverse is my creation. Born in Bellingham, raised in Kirkland, I graduated from Western Washington University in 1992. After graduation, I moved to Ketchum, Idaho where I met Mike “Baldy” Wilson who introduced me to the writings of David James Duncan. Reading The River Why is a strong reminder how much salmon matter to the people of the Northwest and the commitment that we as humans must have to protecting their habitat.

On my own life journey, I told my buddy Baldy that I was headed to the Northeast to pursue my dreams of studying and teaching American History. Baldy’s response was “You are a salmon boy- born in the Northwest, you will return”. With this in mind, I traveled by sailboat from Seattle through the Panama Canal to Antigua in the Caribbean. Then up to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where I lived for six years and became an active member of the community.

While in Portsmouth, I became involved with a bicycle advocacy group-Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes by creating an event to raise money for a bicycle/pedestrian bridge. The event was a success and consequently ran for four years. After a short teaching career, I joined close friends at a design house, Harbour Light Productions, where they were able to take philanthropy to the next level helping non-profits throughout the region with design, web production and other related consulting services. Next, I became involved with many groups and gained a strong understanding of the unique needs and roles that non-profits play in any community. It was then time to continue the journey, but before leaving New Hampshire, I competed as a soloist in The Son of Inferno Pentathlon- it took me 6+ hours to finish.

Returning to Bellingham in 2001, I wanted to create an event that was essentially an extension of myself. It went back to the readings of Duncan- who had then released a book titled “My Story as Told by Water”. I had viewed my own life’s journey in an parallel to that of salmon. Here was an opportunity to create an event that helped to tell the story of salmon.

The ideas spawned from there. The goal was create an event that would help raise the visibility of the importance of salmon in the ecological landscape while taking part in recreational activities that people enjoy in the region. It had to be a big circle, so I literally connected the dots of the local parks utilizing the extensive network of greenways and roads to make for a scenic yet challenging course.

It was also important to have it be a community event. Many athletic events raise money for good causes that are health related, but not many raised money for the environmental community. I started with a list of groups that stood out as leaders including Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, RE Sources, North Cascades Institute, Conservation Northwest (previously NWEA) and many others. The objective was to give these groups an opportunity to be seen by the public in a forum called the Eco-Expo that hosted booths of the groups near the finish line.

The Bellingham Traverse began in 2001 and has morphed over the years. 

 

Todd Elsworth created the Bellingham Traverse in 2002 under a private label Bellingham Benefits, LLC- which evolved to become Fourth Corner Productions, LLC and dissolved in 2019. As a private corporation hosting the event, Elsworth wanted to create a benefit for local nonprofits. Our community was built into the foundation of the Traverse as a fundraiser for local and regional non-profits. Recreation Northwest was founded in 2013 and leased the Bellingham Traverse from Fourth Corner Productions until it was sold to Pacific Multisports in 2018. 

In the first years of the Bellingham Traverse, the event also coincided with the ECO-EXPO, showing off dozens of local organizations and helping raise funds for their selected groups. The event would have “Bait” for fundraising milestones to encourage people to get donations for the non-profit of their choice. We wanted the event to give back to the community- especially to those who are traditionally found at the bottom of the spectrum doing environmental and social work. 

The designer was Loren Bates working for 360 Productions in Bellingham in the Unity Building downtown, where we both had office space. 

I worked with Lauren to create a symbolic and iconic visual brand to launch the new multi-sport race that I had created. I knew that I wanted to have the foundation of the race be based on the life cycle of wild salmon. appreciating the multifaceted elements that salmon bring to our society- including the economic, social, and cultural elements. I wanted to have the artwork be a reflection of the original art of the peoples of the northwest coast. I worked with Loren on the design referencing the work from the book by Hillary Stewart titled ``Looking at Indian art of the Northwest Coast” The book outlines the simplistic anatomical features that are shown in two-dimensional artwork of the Northwest Coast tribes and three-dimensional artwork of more northern First Nations people. 

The first draft that Lauren created had the salmon rotating in a circle and what caught my eye was the tail fins and how they resembled the same shape of a human hand. The progression of the logo was to have Lauren more intentionally show the tail as a human hand to create symbolism. Integrating the human hand in its animalistic form, showed the care and feeding that the natives had done for the fish in the past. We also planned that our event would be able to raise money for local and Regional nonprofits that worked in the Environmental and Community focused organizations. This was our way of giving back and including it in the design of our iconic logo. 

This is from the Wayback Time Machine:

“Traverse participants must choose one green group from the list to the left to be the beneficiary of the funds that they raise. seventy-five percent of the entry will go to the group of choice.

Check them out, they will all do wonderful things with the capital that you raise. Think of yourself as an ad-venture capitalist.”

Green Groups 2003

https://web.archive.org/web/20030402162806/http://www.fourthcornerfestival.com/ecoexpo/

First Course

https://web.archive.org/web/20030424064551/http://bellinghamtraverse.com/course/maps/Bellingham-Traverse-Maps.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 27th, 2012

MEDIA CONTACT:

Todd Elsworth, Director
Bellingham Traverse
360-739-8458

Bellingham Traverse Shifts Fundraising Model after 10 Years of Operations. 

For the past 10 years Bellingham Traverse, a multi-sport race that celebrates the life cycle of salmon, has helped raise over $100,000 for the local and regional non-profit community. The Traverse has offered incentives, called Bait, for individuals to raise money.

In 2012, Bellingham Traverse evaluated its fundraising model and business practices to increase satisfaction with the community. “We have been paying attention to how our participants have been behaving over the past with regards to fundraising and how they also respond to the prizes that have been given out. While a noble effort to encourage the fundraising for others, it was not a message that resounded loud enough,” says Todd Elsworth, Director.

The results of the evaluation have created a shift in the fundraising model for the Bellingham Traverse. Whereas in the past, the Traverse was open to a large group of fundraising beneficiaries, in 2012, only ONE organization will be selected.

As the ONE beneficiary, the chosen organization will receive a percentage of the surplus revenue for the event. They will also receive a complimentary registration to the event so they can raise money on their own behalf as a fundraising opportunity for their organization.

We have chosen the ONE non-profit that will be the beneficiary of the 2012 Bellingham Traverse. The selection criterion was three fold: Mission, Community Involvement, and Fundraising. Our panel reviewed the list and rated their effects in the three categories. The final list came down to Conservation Northwest, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Kulshan Community Land Trust, RE Sources (Power Past Coal), Sustainable Connections, Whatcom Independent Mountain Peddlers (WHIMPS), Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation.

We are fortunate to have such a strong representation of interests in our efforts of sustainability both locally and regionally. To cut to the chase: Kulshan Community Land Trust (KCLT) is the chosen ONE for 2012. We are excited to make this announcement to the community and encourage people to choose KCLT as one of their personal or professional beneficiaries as well.

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You Moist Remember This ~ Tom Robbins

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections
I’M HERE FOR THE WEATHER.

Well, yes, I’m also here for the volcanoes and the salmon, and the exciting possibility that at any moment the volcanoes could erupt and pre-poach the salmon. I’m here for the rust and the mildew, for webbed feet and twin peaks, spotted owls and obscene clams (my consort says I suffer from geoduck envy), blackberries and public art (including that big bad mural the authorities had to chase out of Olympia), for the ritual of the potlatch and the espresso cart, for bridges that pratfall into the drink and ferries that keep ramming the dock.

I’m here because the Wobblies used to be here, and sometimes in Pioneer Square you can still find bright-eyed old anarchists singing their moldering ballads of camaraderie and revolt. I’m here because someone once called Seattle “the hideout capital of the U.S.A.,” a distant outpost of a town where generations of the nation’s failed, fed-up and felonious have come to disappear. Long before Seattle was “America’s Athens” (The New York Times), it was America’s Timbuktu.

Getting back to music, I’m here because “Tequila” is the unofficial fight song of the University of Washington, and because “Louie Louie” very nearly was chosen as our official state anthem. There may yet be a chance of that, which is not something you could say about Connecticut.

I’m here for the forests (what’s left of them), for the world’s best bookstores and movie theaters; for the informality, anonymity, general lack of hidebound tradition and the fact that here and nowhere else grunge rubs shoulders in the half-mean streets with a pervasive yet subtle mysticism. The shore of Puget Sound is where electric guitars cut their teeth, and old haiku go to die.

I’m here for the mushrooms that broadcast on transcendental frequencies; for Kevin Calabro, who broadcasts Sonics games on KJR; for Dick’s Deluxe burgers, closing time at the Pike Place Market, Monday Night Football at the Blue Moon Tavern, opera night at the Blue Moon Tavern (which, incidentally, is scheduled so that it coincides with Monday Night Football – a somewhat challenging overlap that the casual patron might fail to fully appreciate); and I’m here for the flying saucers that made their first public appearance near Mount Rainier.

I’m here for Microsoft but not for Weyerhaeuser. I’m here for Longacres Race Track but not for Boeing. I’m here for the relative lack of financial ambitions, the soaring population of bald eagles and the women with their quaint Norwegian brand of lust. Yes. Ya. Sure, ya betcha.

But mostly, finally, ultimately, I’m here for the weather.

In the deepest, darkest heart of winter, when the sky resembles bad banana baby food for months on end, and the witch measles that meteorologists call “drizzle” are a chronic gray rash on the skin of the land, folks all around me sink into a dismal funk. Many are depressed, a few actually suicidal. But I grow happier with each fresh storm, each thickening of the crinkly stratocumulus. “What’s so hot about the sun?” I ask. Sunbeams are a lot like tourists: intruding where they don’t belong, promoting noise and forced activity, faking a shallow cheerfulness, dumb little cameras slung around their necks. Raindrops, on the other hand – introverted, feral, buddhistically cool – behave as if they live here. Which, of course, they do.

My bedroom is separated from the main body of my house, so that I have to go outside and cross some pseudo-Japanese stepping-stones in order to go to sleep at night. Often I get rained on a little bit on my way to bed. It’s a benediction, a good-night kiss.

Romantic? Absolutely. And nothing to be ashamed of. If reality is a matter of perspective, then the romantic view of the world is as valid as any other -and a great deal more rewarding. It makes of life an unpredictable adventure rather than a problematic equation. Rain is the natural element for romanticism. A dripping fir is a thousand times more sexy than a sunburnt palm, and more primal and contemplative, too. A steady, wind-driven rain composes music for the psyche. It not only nurtures and renews, it consecrates and sanctifies. It whispers in secret languages about the primordial essence of things.

Obviously, then, the Pacific Northwest’s customary climate is perfect for a writer. It’s cozy and intimate. Reducing temptation (how can you possibly play on the beach or work in the yard?), it turns a person inward, connecting them with what Jung called “the bottom below the bottom,” those areas of the deep unconscious into which every serious writer must spelunk. Directly above my writing desk there is a skylight. This is the window, rain-drummed and bough-brushed, through which my Muse arrives, bringing with her the rhythms and cadences of cloud and water, not to mention the twenty-three auxiliary verbs.

Oddly enough, not every local author shares my proclivity for precipitation. Unaware of the poetry they’re missing, many malign the mist as malevolently as the non-literary heliotropes do. They wring their damp mitts and fret about rot, cursing the prolonged spillage, claiming they’re too dejected to write, that their feet itch (athlete’s foot), the roof leaks, they can’t stop coughing and they feel as if they’re being slowly digested by an oyster.

Yet the next sunny day, though it may be weeks away, will trot out such a mountainous array of pagodas, vanilla sundaes, hero chins and God fingers; such a sunset palette of Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Vegas strip, and carrot oil; such a sea-vista display of broad waters, firred islands, whale spouts and sailboats thicker than triangles in a geometry book, that any and all memories of dankness will fizz and implode in a blaze of bedazzled amnesia. “Paradise!” you’ll hear them proclaim as they call United Van Lines to cancel their move to Arizona.

They’re kidding themselves, of course. Our sky can go from lapis to tin in the blink of an eye. Blink again and your latte’s diluted. And that’s just fine with me. I thrive here on the certainty that no matter how parched my glands, how anhydrous the creek beds, how withered the weeds in the lawn, it’s only a matter of time before the rains come home.

The rains will steal down from the Sasquatch slopes. They will rise with the geese from the marshes and sloughs. Rain will fall in sweeps, it will fall in drones, it will fall in cascades of cheap Zen jewelry.

And it will rain a fever. And it will rain a sacrifice. And it will rain sorceries and saturnine eyes of the totem.

Rain will primitivize the cities, slowing every wheel, animating every gutter, diffusing commercial neon into smeary blooms of esoteric calligraphy. Rain will dramatize the countryside, sewing pearls into every web, winding silk around every stump, re-drawing the horizon line with a badly frayed brush dipped in tea.

And it will rain an omen. And it will rain a trance. And it will rain a seizure. And it will rain dangers and pale eggs of the beast.

Rain will pour for days unceasing. Flooding will occur. Wells will fill with drowned ants, basements with fossils. Mossy-haired lunatics will roam the dripping peninsulas. Moisture will gleam on the beak of the Raven. Ancient shamans, rained from their rest in dead tree trunks, will clack their clamshell teeth in the submerged doorways of video parlors. Rivers will swell, sloughs will ferment. Vapors will billow from the troll-infested ditches, challenging windshield wipers, disguising telephone booths. Water will stream off eaves and umbrellas. It will take on the colors of the beer signs and headlamps. It will glisten on the claws of nighttime animals.

And it will rain a screaming. And it will rain a rawness. And it will rain a disorder, and hair-raising hisses from the oldest snake in the world. Rain will hiss on the freeways. It will hiss around the prows of fishing boats. It will hiss in electrical substations, on the tips of lit cigarettes and in the trash fires of the dispossessed. Legends will wash from the desecrated burial grounds, graffiti will run down alley walls. Rain will eat the old warpaths, spill the huckleberries, cause toadstools to rise like loaves. It will make poets drunk and winos sober, and polish the horns of the slugs.

And it will rain a miracle. And it will rain a comfort. And it will rain a sense of salvation from the philistinic graspings of the world.

Yes, I’m here for the weather. And when I’m lowered at last into a pit of marvelous mud, a pillow of fern and skunk cabbage beneath my skull, I want my epitaph to read, IT RAINED ON HIS PARADE. AND HE WAS GLAD!

By Tom Robbins

This essay is excerpted from “Edge Walking on the Western Rim: New Works by 12 Northwest Writers,” edited by Mayumi Tsutakawa with photographs by Bob Peterson.  “Edge Walking on the Western Rim” is not a simple literary anthology. It brings together 12 writers from Washington and Oregon for a purpose: to reflect on their choice of the Northwest as a home for living and working. Why here?

In the essay, local wise guy and novelist Tom Robbins gives us his answer to that question. Robbins was born in North Carolina but made his way to the Northwest during the 1962 World’s Fair and stayed. During different times in the 1960s he wrote for both Seattle metro newspapers, then moved on to novels with “Another Roadside Attraction” in 1971.  

Originally published by The Seattle Times. Sunday, August 28, 1994. I carried this piece of newsprint around for decades before I finally had the chance to meet my admired author. Here we are at Village Books while he signs the original copy I found back in 1994. I transcribed it online to be able to share with people over the past decades. 

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Mindsets – Choose to Change

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections

Last night, I picked up Mindset for some inspiration. We had a meeting this morning with our current and new staff, so I shared these timely words reflecting of our team philosophy as an evolving and nimble organization- doing our “post pandemic pivot” – offering new programs for Recreation Northwest. 

“When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world. 

In one world- the world of fixed traits- success is about proving you’re smart or talented. Validating yourself. 

In the other- the world of changing qualities- it’s about stretching yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself. 

In one world, failure is about having a setback. Getting a bad grade. Losing a tournament. Getting fired. Getting rejected. It means you’re not smart or talented. 

In the other world, failure is about not growing. Not reaching for the things you value. It means you’re not fulfilling your potential. 

In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you’re not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn’t need effort. 

In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented. 

You have a choice. Mindsets are just beliefs. They’re powerful beliefs, but they’re just something in your mind, and you can change your mind.” 

I’m delighted have the new CREW in place and looking forward to this next chapter for our organization and community. The Universe brought us together! 😉 

~ Todd 

Quotes from Mindset, The new psychology of success. Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. p15-16

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Federal Funding – A piece of CAKE

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections

For Rob,

We interpret the world through our own lens. I have enjoyed listening to this song as a my motivational theme song to find federal funding for the activities and programs that we dream up at Recreation Northwest. As you know, our mission is to promote outdoor recreation and bring people together to enjoy, preserve and improve the places where we play. As we discussed today, we are mission driven and money motivated (we need it to function) in order to help get folks outside. 

As for the Federal Funding from CAKE? 

When I listen to this song these lyrics strike me differently: 

You’ll receive the federal funding, you can add another wing
(we really just needed more office space in The Cooler and subsequently moved into our new office new space on N. Forest) 

Take your colleagues out to dinner, pay your brother to come and sing

(you’ll be able to afford to bring pizza for board meetings and hire a consultant to motivate them to fundraise)
Sing, sing, sing
(otherwise known as fundraising) 
 
You’ll receive the federal funding, you can have a hefty grant
(whether it’s our Parkscriptions program or launching the Washington Outdoor Business Alliance- you think that there’d be some funding out there to help us make it happen) 
Strategize this presentation, make them see that you’re the man
(as you know, this is what I do) 

The video from CAKE shows what their original intent was in their lyrics. I like my inspirational interpretation better. They also get points for Italian Guy 😉 

The Good NEWS:
We are receiving Federal Funding to help us get back to work! But that’s a whole ‘nuther story that you’ll have to wait to read on The Confluence. 

We’ll see what tomorrow brings. Enjoy that whiskey! 

XO

~ Todd E. 

 

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Man Crush

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections

Post from 2018 I never finished. It’s 11.02.20. 

It started with Tina Fey. After listening to Bossy Pants on audiobook, I started watching 30 Rock when I could. This brought my attention to Alec. I didn’t really know much about him, sure I’d seen him in some movies, but really didn’t follow him.

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/08/alec-baldwin-cover-story

11.02.20. 

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