“Ten Years, and More”

c. 2008 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(2-08)




Active writers have cluttered desks.

It seems to be a universal truth. Those involved in professional wordsmithing tend
to become overwhelmed with notes, letters, photographs, documents, souvenirs, and drawers full of archived material. Years of service seem to multiply the effect.

Years of this column have filled the Icehouse home office with many memorable artifacts. Each represents a useful part of the adventure. Yet authentic insight still comes from the printed page. Reading these yellowed manuscripts in a modern-day context is both informative, and humbling.

Recently, I pondered such things while considering the tenth anniversary of ‘Thoughts At Large.’ This series began with a letter to the Leaf editor. It came in response to a feature that described the woes of working for a local food retailer. My intent was simple – to provide balance with a positive slant on the subject:

February 1998 – ‘The Grocery Store’

“In the true spirit of democracy, all are welcome to this bustling, brawling place of business. There is no exclusion by reason of creed, color, or gender. One need only bring a basic level of humanity to be bid welcome. Could our forefathers have imagined a place more perfectly crafted to serve as a touchstone? Indeed, the Statue of Liberty might be calling to far-away shores with a new voice: ‘Give me your poor, tired masses, hungering for Pringles, Pizza Di Casa, and Miller Lite!’”

The submission produced favorable from local readers. When I was asked to compose more essays for the newspaper, my pulse quickened. Suddenly, a new personal tradition had begun. Creative ideas were plentiful. I took the challenge with journalistic zeal:

March 1999 – ‘The Columnist’

“The ritual of producing regular newspaper columns is popular, if convenient, for the professional writer. Syndicated pundits… are familiar to most who have ventured through printed journals across the nation… and numerous would-be clairvoyants populate the Internet. At the local level, such activity is also at a healthy state…
For this writer, an introduction to the world of published thought came at a local paper in Ithaca, New York…Here, I was first allowed to participate in the noble pursuit of journalistic endeavors. Having this opportunity to observe and learn has proved valuable in many ways since then. And it served to whet my appetite for greater things!”

January 2000 – ‘Y2K Blues’

“The arrival of Y2K was an event that seemed to provoke more anxiety than any in recent memory. Predictably, much media attention was focused on this dreaded moment. Fans of the ART BELL radio program (available locally on WTAM-1100) had been hearing about the subject for many months. Indeed, some citizens hoarded mass quantities of bottled water, canned foodstuffs, and paper goods for use on January 1st. Even the typically calm, conservative mood of Geauga was subject to fears of power failures and chaos. Those most immune to panic were moved to ask: ‘What if...?’

This uneasy situation kept us busy in the ICE household… (but) there were no computer woes, or blackouts in the neighborhood. Even our old camcorder registered the date correctly.

Soon after, Art B. appeared on the TODAY show… in answering for the hype of gloomy possibilities, he was brief. ‘We spent two-hundred and fifty billion dollars to comply with Y2K,’ he observed. ‘If you bought insurance and nothing happened, would you feel as though you had egg on your face?’”

February 2001 – ‘Chardon’s Finest’

“For this writer, the constables of Chardon Village have been a constant source of inspiration… the high honor that seems to guide these ‘special soldiers’ is a wonder to observe. An enormous reserve of patience makes them able to calm difficult situations. Their good nature and dignity are ever present. Regardless of our need, they act with care. No burden appears too great. Each challenge is met with confidence and conquered by determination! Because of this, the heart of our county is a safe home for its citizens.”

September 2001 – ‘Life During Wartime’

“Everyone has their own perspective on historic events… for this writer, September 11th, 2001 awakened without special concern. (But) a strong mug of java couldn’t prepare me for the video feed from ABC news… scenes of destruction and tragedy filled the screen. My eyes were burning. I could not escape feeling that it was a second coming of the attack that predicated our entry into World War II. Thoughts of the movie ‘Independence Day’ were unavoidable. Also echoing were the notes of ‘Life During Wartime,’ from the Talking Heads album ‘Fear Of Music.’ There, David Byrne sang ‘This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin’ around…’ It was an eerie moment.”

November 2003 – ‘Why?’

“In the classic British television program ‘The Prisoner’ Patrick McGoohan (as Number Six) defeats a super-computer with the overwhelming question: ‘Why?’ It is a woeful riddle that can not be completely answered by mankind, or any of our creations. ‘Why, indeed?’ Why are we here? Why does our planet dance among the stars? Why does the breath of life inhabit our fragile bodies? Why does the sweet dew of morning inspire us to achieve and excel? Why does each sunrise bring hope, in spite of yesterday? Why, why why???

In more humble terms, the puzzle of ‘why’ can be witnessed in simple questions that fill us with wonder. Why can’t the Cleveland Browns win a Superbowl? (And) why does Chardon have to be legendary for its winter precipitation?”

April 2004 – ‘Pork Rind Fever’

“The crispy, flavorful pork rind is a distinctly American snack. It is both odd, and inviting. One may ponder the wisdom of consuming fried pig strips with abandon. Yet the very sight of these treats can evoke hunger and awe. To eat them gleefully is a repudiation of political correctness and dietary discipline. Still, brave souls will rip open each bag with gusto!”


August 2005 – ‘The Final Frontier’

“Exploration of outer space has been a tempting goal for mankind since primitive souls lifted their gaze toward the heavenly grandeur of night… throughout the 1960’s, American culture was ripe with such images. We saw John Glenn in orbit, and Captain Kirk aboard the Starship Enterprise. The Apollo Missions took flight, as did the Jupiter II with Will Robinson. Neil Armstrong entered our history, while Commander Ed Straker appeared in the British series ‘UFO.’ By the time that first step was taken on lunar soil, we were very comfortable with the idea of traveling into space.”

March 2006 – ‘Think Pink’

“A beige package lay in the midst of everything. It looked woefully out of place in the standard ration of bills and solicitations…it was a novelty T-shirt, sized 2XL. The garment boasted a design that mimicked the generic portrayal of men and women on restroom signage. It was captioned with an unlikely phrase that matched the bright fabric perfectly. “GUYS IN PINK GET ALL THE CHICKS.”

The present came with a handwritten note from a woman named Liz. ‘Dear Rod, I love reading Thoughts At Large and wanted to show my appreciation for your work.’ I was dumbfounded. A pink T-shirt? It had to be some sort of prank.”

Looking backward is a tempting habit. Much can be learned through personal introspection. Yet the best part of this adventure is not carried in the newsprint of yesterday. It lives in the hopeful scribble of a new idea… for tomorrow.

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