The author is well aware the future holds success and failure. The only question is if can he successfully handle failure. (Courtesy Photo | Jeff Lund)

The author is well aware the future holds success and failure. The only question is if can he successfully handle failure. (Courtesy Photo | Jeff Lund)

Keep the lows, medium

‘You’re on a roll, Lund.’

Well, it looks like I’m nice and set up for failure.

This sort of thing happens whenever I think I have a grip on how things work. Understanding is fleeting as is mastery or even competence.

It’s not that I’m a pessimist. Quite the opposite really. It’s also not that I can’t enjoy the moment. I just understand the undulations of life. To further clarify, the context in which I use the word “disaster” is such that it almost cheapens the meaning of the word. It’s overly dramatic, used for comic effect, not out of self-absorption or sadfishing.

[Lucky? Good? Who cares]

My disaster will be something like forgetting my bow release, or spooking a deer, because the last two weekends, I have taken a deer. A two-week streak.

“You’re on a roll, Lund.”

Yeah, I am, and it’s pretty sweet. I feel like I have learned, that I have figured something out, that I may have ascended to the next level of hunter. I figured I was somewhere around Advanced-Novice or Beginner-Intermediate, maybe even an Intermediate-Intermediate. There’s a long way to go before I reach the three levels of the Advanced Stage, but I’m making progress.

My recent success has come on the heels of a resounding failure in Wyoming. I was close on a few antelope, but cows, private property, wind or something foiled my efforts and I returned meatless. It was only a $34 tag, but still.

By a results-based standard, it was a disaster, but how could I call hunting with my girlfriend a disaster? I’d have to be a real piece of work to make that claim. That’s the key in being able to navigate the ebb and flow of life. Context. Perspective. Optimism.

I used to be terrible at this. I threw little tantrums. I am not immune to them now, but the likelihood of me becoming a woe-is-me pouty brat when things are bad is dramatically reduced and rather than be the ungrateful, pessimistic, unappreciative drag even when things are good, I am in a better position to enjoy the ride.

So, what will it be that gets me off this hot streak?

In the last year, I’ve put $6,000 into a vehicle that Blue Books at $4,800, so it probably won’t be that. Well, never mind, it sure could be. I figured after the transmission, brakes and rotors, I was good for a little while. Nope. Bearings and ball joints were next on the menu.

Will I miss a buck? Not see one? Will the rain continue until June? Maybe. But right now, this moment, life is good.

I know intellectually that things will level or dip, but that’s not something to worry about. Because just beyond whatever it is, will be another rise.

If you see yourself as a protagonist, and all of us should, then we know that the protagonist in a good, interesting story has to endure conflicts. A story without conflict isn’t one worth watching because it’s not realistic.

So, I try to keep the highs high (but not too high) and the lows, medium.


• Jeff Lund is a writer and teacher based in Ketchikan. “I Went To The Woods,” a reference to Henry David Thoreau, appears in Outdoors twice a month.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Columbia is scheduled to replace the Kennicott on the mainline ferry route between Southeast Alaska and Bellingham, Washington, starting in mid-December. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)
Proposed summer ferry schedule for 2025 remains much the same, with Columbia replacing Kennicott

Public comments being accepted until Nov. 12, with virtual meetings scheduled that day.

A simulated photo shows the tailings stack and other features of Hecla Greens Creek Mine under the final notice of decision for expanding the mine announced Thursday by the U.S Forest Service. The expansion will extend the life of the mine up to 18 years. (U.S. Forest Service)
Extending Greens Creek Mine production for 12 to 18 years gets final OK from Forest Service

Agency says there will also be more habitat protection measures and mine waste disposal capacity.

A sperm whale is seen in an undated photo published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NOAA photo)
Southeast Alaska fisher could get six months in prison after attempting to kill sperm whale

Federal prosecutors are recommending that an Alaska fisher serve six months in… Continue reading

Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
No leaders change as 1,500 more ballots are added to Alaska’s election count

Almost 46,000 votes cast before Election Day remain uncounted, according to absentee and early vote figures.

A weather-beaten Kamala Harris campaign sign is seen on the railing along a downtown street on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
How Juneau voted: Support for Trump varies between 55% near airport to 15.7% in downtown precinct

Voters in two local districts favor keeping ranked choice voting, while statewide residents evenly split.

The Alaska governor’s mansion on Wednesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is considered a contender for a post in Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Election summary: Trump wins, GOP takes over U.S. Senate, Alaska may get new governor

Begich and repeal of ranked choice voting narrowly lead; GOP may lose control of state House.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Voters line up at the polling site at Anchorage City Hall on Nov. 4, 2024. City Hall was one of the designated early voting sites in Alaska’s largest city. It is not a designated site for Election Day voting. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Republicans lose two seats in state House, increasing odds of leadership switch

Rural Alaska precincts had reported few results by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Most Read