“Starting thinking is an ethical act. Stopping thinking is the second most classical methods of pain avoidance in the human bag of tricks, the first being to deny that anything is wrong enough to make a fuss about.” — Carol Bly

Carol published her first novel, Shelter Half, before her death. On the back cover of the book, Tobias Wolff, author of Old School writes, “…Her people are endowed by their creator with the dignity of choice, and the choices they face here are charged with the possibilities of moral heroism and tragic moral collapse, and, occasionally, a kind of hilarious moral farce.”

The book is a product of Holy Cow! Press. I started it some time ago, but like everything else I read, I failed to complete it. Not so long ago I heard Betty Benner, who was a personal friend of Carol’s, speak highly of the book. It was enough to get me back at it, and this time I am going to finish it.

Carol was all about ethics. Unfortunately, Carol is no more, and ethics seem to be on a down swing in our society, at the national level, the state level, and it can be measured in some ways at the local level. A friend I talked to on Sunday morning was pointing out the money that is spent on higher positions within the community and with hard work their wages have climbed and then they reach retirement, or in some cases death, and a replacement comes aboard, and they automatically receive the same wage as the previous recipient.

He questions this. And it seems to me, it is a good question, especially now, in these times of uncertainty. I know there was some questioning of per diem money increases in the legislature in a recent Star Tribune article.

At work the other day, I tried to read pages of guidelines that were produced by a legislative group that’s impossible to understand as it pertains to vulnerable adults. It goes on and on for pages clouding things together. It seems to me all of this could be condensed to fewer pages with greater clarity. As an employee in this environment, I am required to read it. I’ve begun.

I’m sure this took time to develop, and I would suspect that over time this document has had many adjustments and more will come.

I don’t have any recollection of the study of ethics in school with the possible exception of Edith Morey’s fifth grade class. I’m thinking the sayings she had tacked around the room above the chalkboards were linked to ethical thinking. And having our desks in “U” shapes similar the United Nations was a subtle exposure to ethics as she discussed the United Nations. She also was responsible for the student council program.

Sunday, several tables of Bohemians occupied the Bohemian Hall or folks married to Bohemians or dating Bohemians. Of course there were Klatches and other pastries and cakes. Being the food preparer I am, I carried my cake, a cake purchased earlier from Hy Vee, without frosting. For a while, there was only one piece taken from store-bought cake, the one I ate, but in the end only three pieces remained, and they traveled with my niece Jana and Brady and their kids, Franny, Henry and Jack back to Cloquet. They arrived late because of the faulty directions of her Uncle Bob. They finally had to stop in Myrtle bar, the heart and soul of the area Bohemians, who redirected them to the Bohemian Hall.

Uncle Bill came from Los Angeles and was honored by all as he shared his relationship with his wife Bessie and the Vilt family. Uncle Bill is in his 90’s now.

My nephew, Chris Vilt, gifted me with two rings of Jiternice.

Near the end, a gentleman asked if something could be done to improve the outdoor biffs. I was offended by his request. The women have an “indoor/outdoor toilet” in the building that has been as long as I have and then some. The outdoor men’s bathroom has slanting grooved metal nailed to the wall that flows down to some rocks. Not a complex system. There are some side-by-side holes to sit on if that is your need.

There was a time when the hall was busy with dances and all kinds of get-togethers and an occasionally tussle.

On the wall, above the second booth, is a photo Vaclav Havel, my hero, standing together with Bill Clinton.

Correction: In my column last week, I stated the incorrect date for the Bosse event. It’s Saturday, Aug. 15 at Super Fresh.