LylesBrother

Thoughts about grave robbers

Parker and I tackled some interesting ontological questions during our hike yesterday, including death. However, neither of us were...

Kurt Bell

Dec 4, 20222 min read

The swim into deep water – Going Alone

06-28-16 10:31 AM I’m going to buy an old fashioned mercury thermometers to use in tracking my body temp during summertime desert hikes, and keep myself away from the dreaded 104 degrees F. I wonder if that’s been done before? 06-29-16 4:40 PM My work day is done, and it’s time to commute home and strategize Friday’s desert inferno hike. I’ve got a scheme in my head to take on the open desert when the heat isn’t looking. But there’s no room for error, so the plan’s gotta be

Kurt Bell

Jul 4, 201611 min read

Trial by water

There’s a story behind this photo… Emily and I were out this afternoon working the last of the sets rolling in from that big storm that sent giant waves pounding the So. Cal. coast all weekend. For the most part the big waves have passed, and Emily and I were practicing diving under manageable, mid-size waves with occasional large set-waves arriving at rough, ten minute intervals.I’d just finished teaching Emily how to handle the situation surfers call “spin-cycle” which desc

Kurt Bell

Jun 29, 20162 min read

A field guide to the identification of atheists

The video series My daughter meets Christianity continues to draw comments and email. This week I was asked again if I am atheist or agnostic. I responded that I’m both, which answer seems to require a little explanation. In common usage ‘atheist’ describes a condition of disbelief regarding the claims of deity, while ‘agnostic’ refers to someone who’s still on the fence and not sure if God or Gods are real. While ‘theist’ (or sometimes ‘deist’ for those who think deity simpl

Kurt Bell

Jun 13, 20163 min read

My kingdom for a moment of free time

My most cherished possession is fast becoming time. The moments now flying by towards a finality so clearly visible on the near horizon. I’d gladly give up all but the most essential possessions to savor just a few more of each day’s precious moments. Bits of irreplaceable time to enjoy in solitary reflection, and to use towards the further development and maintenance of sound life principals and the measured exercise of virtue. Now it’s time to get to work. From the original

Kurt Bell

Jun 9, 20161 min read

A Japanese story swallowed by the forest

One day five or so years back I was exploring an abandoned trail in the deep mountains near the Japan Southern Alps. It was the height of summer and the danger of giant hornets was very real, as was the threat of moon-bear and wild boars. But my most immediate threat were the dinner plate sized spiders which sat like knowing mountain gods upon broad leaves which bent deep with their weight. The spiders were everywhere, and the fact that few ever came this way meant the trail

Kurt Bell

Feb 3, 20164 min read

A religion of our own

Students handing out flyers on the campus quad at Humboldt State University In 1988 my friends Eric and John invented a religion. They did this as a point of utility, as we needed something to print on a flyer we planned to distribute as part of a sociology experiment. The boys produced the whole thing one night over coffee at Denny’s. I was impressed with their work, which included a creation story to explain our existence, a moral code to prescribe how to live, and a very i

Kurt Bell

Jan 30, 20164 min read

A reason to go alone

Nothing warms us to one another, and makes us long to be with family and friends, than the discovery that we’re all we’ve got. A friend sent an article to me listing and explaining the benefits of being alone. I’d add to the list the opportunity, as Henry David Thoreau said: “…to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” But the trick isn’t just being alone, you need

Kurt Bell

Jan 21, 20162 min read

“My breath and my family” – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of the experience of life with me. I’m available on social media at the links below and can be reached via email at dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softypapa Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LylesBrother On Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/109050782163582511388/posts Instagram: http://instagram.com/softypapa LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin

Kurt Bell

Oct 31, 20142 min read

A letter from US Immigration – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Sep 4, 20142 min read

I’m home – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Jun 21, 20142 min read

Sundown on circumstances – MyResponseVideos

Kurt Bell

Apr 21, 20142 min read

My last ride – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Apr 18, 20142 min read

Response to “Broken Japanese Dream” – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Apr 13, 20142 min read

A new season – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Apr 12, 20142 min read

We’re all African – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Image thumbnail used with Creative Commons permission by Positive Force Production/w Local Media Wisdom. My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of the experience of life with me. I’m available on social media at the links below and can be reached via email at dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softypapa Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LylesBrother On Google+ https://plus.google.co

Kurt Bell

Apr 4, 20142 min read

A place of my own – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Mar 22, 20142 min read

A good day – Return to the USA – LylesBrother

Kurt Bell

Mar 16, 20142 min read

Tribute to Softypapa

This video did it. I literally broke down watching this amazing video by my friend Ryan Andrew Salois. By the way, the small child in the thumbnail of this video is Emily aged three. This photo alone was enough to touch the center of my heart. Thank you for what you have done for my family and me, Ryan. —- My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of the experience of life with me. I’m available on social media at the links below

Kurt Bell

Mar 16, 20142 min read