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Take away modern technology: house, car, microwave, cordless phone, newspapers, radio, television, computers, but don't take my iPhone since it allows me to take pictures and utilize it as many of the other convenience functions as soon as civilization is within reach.

I had the opportunity recently to be stripped of many 'necessities' when I went on a camping trip with a friend, his mother, and my son. We decided to camp in a spot where one, as a seasoned camper, had gone for several decades - we went to Timber Creek, Colorado.

Timber Creek is one of several campsites available to the public at Rocky Mountain National Park, located in the Kawuneeche Valley and surrounded by the Never Summer Mountains. (Boy, did they have the latter right!)

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We arrived late Sunday afternoon (July 26th) and were greeted with a solemn reminder of how ravaged this area has become by pine beetles.

Timber Creek, a once forested campground, had been stripped of its ambiance and left a wasteland.

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Machines had arrived on site as soon as snowfall ended in early summer and removal of the aftermath of the devastation had begun. Everywhere around our site were huge piles of pine carcasses - some in small pieces usable for firewood, but most were simply saw dust.

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Sky-reaching centenarian pine trees, which previously directed eyes upwards to stars, heavens, and mountains, were now gone - the campsite was barren and battle scarred. One lone tree, silhouetted against the descending darkness, held the promise of a quarter moon waning from behind.

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Cold rain fell as three pods for tents were secured and we moved quickly, in silence, to build a fire. (watch for "Running Naked With iPhone: A New Day" tomorrow)

Waking up to a crystal clear morning in the Rockies - it doesn't get any better. The devastation of the campsite by pine beetles seemed less foreboding than it had appeared in the cold rain of the previous evening. Although the first words out of my mouth, "I'm not leaving the tent until the sun is up and the temperature is 70 degrees. No, make that 80 degrees", the thought of campfire coffee, bacon and eggs, and a roaring fire enticed me to exit the comfort of the queen-sized bed with overlaid sleeping bags.

Once the sun came over the mountains, the cool night air warmed immediately. So much so, that we discarded layers of clothing to begin exploring the area surrounding the campsite.

We noticed many small signs of life: a new beginning that provided not only hope that in time this site would return to the beauty of the past (knowing that probably wouldn't happen in our lifetime), but also a gentle reminder of the cycle of life. The knowledge that nature has a way of regenerating and doesn't require much in the way of help from mankind.

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The lure of wildflowers, a mountain stream, and the instinctual use of our senses enabled us to first 'trip' across a mother moose with her calf, enabling us to see sights to which I previously would have been oblivious.

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Once we spotted the moose, we began circling around her to position ourselves closer, but with an awareness not to come between her and her calf.

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As we circled, we became aware of what would have been signs, or clues, if we had known what to watch for. These included fresh moose and/or elk scat (poo by any other name), and an area of grass that had been a recent nesting place for a mother and her calf.

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Eventually, with much trepidation, we made our way close enough to the female to get these two pictures. The awareness of her odor, her closeness, her sheer size, brought an excitement and understanding of why people hunt - whether that be with camera or weapon. I felt more alive than I had in a long time, scarcely noticing how soaked we were from lightly falling rain, and the dampness of the tall grasses as we made our way through them and back to the bleakness of the campsite.

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Within less than a 24-hour period, we had witnessed what many people go their whole lives without seeing. And, we had adapted to our climate enough to have steaks on our plates in time to retreat into the warmth of our vehicle as evening rain fell once more.

(Stay tuned for: "Running Naked With iPhone: Day Three - Letting the Cosmos Decide"

"Lattw Niwamh moved smoothly and confidently to the front of the packed auditorium. The poetess had given readings of her poetry so many times previously that it caused as much excitement as her morning cup of caffeine free tea. She didn't begin to realize until hours later, having removed her dramatic bright red lipstick, sheer foundation and deep magenta eye liner with matching mascara, as she climbed into bed that evening, that the poetry she had read that day was not her own.

At the exact same instant, another poet, Lyiem Kensocdin, crossed and uncrossed his legs impatiently. He was old fashioned. He was as computer savvy as any of the upcoming poets of the day, but he preferred to sit with his bottle of scotch on the balcony overlooking the courtyard where women and girls in multicolored skirts and peasant tops sashayed far below. Sometimes he could catch the faint odor of their perfumes as they mingled together and made their way to where he sat.

He felt frustrated; he'd been trying to write a poem that he couldn't seem to push out of his mind all day. It wasn't until he closed his eyes for a brief moment that it became clear what he was going to write. He was delighted with the final product - it had flowed out of him as a vessel; the way poetry is supposed to come. It was good, really good and he was excited to share it with his mistress of the past six months - Lyiem went through women like most men consume wine or cigars.

He rang Lattw on his iPhone. No sooner did he begin to recite his poem when she joined in, completing word for word everything he had just written.

What they didn't know, but were about to find out, was that every poet in the world had just written the same poem. There would be many more to come, but where were they coming from. Were they a message from God delivered through the poet to the masses in order to save humanity, or were they something more sinister? Perhaps, they were simply another sign of the poet - that madman."

The previous paragraphs are from my science fiction piece, "The Poet - That Madman"

Rules for the contest:

Submit your original science fiction short by August 1st to ronda@sunflower.com (or via ljworld at random)

Your submission must not be longer than 999 words, but it can be shorter.

There will be a panel of five judges from varied backgrounds. Please submit one story only.

Prizes include gift certificate to Borders (supplied by our Fiction 500 winner Roe), and a $50.00 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant.

Top winning stories, along with names of the author, will be published online during the month of September.

Have fun - make it 'unreal'!

Go ahead and string me along. It is hard to find better listening music than a guitar - regardless of what type of guitar or music. Be it rock and roll, blues, country western, Spanish, those guitar solos really stand out in our favorite tunes.

Today we are going to string each other along by posting our favorite songs that include a guitar solo. Additional commentary you wish to include explaining why your guitar playing hero is tops is welcome.

I remember a time when we had to cast our vote in one of the teen rags of the era for best guitar player. Our choice was between George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Boy, what a tough decision that one was!

Play us your favorites - give us your fantabulous guitar solos. (One song and link post per comment, please)

I'm a screener - a person of fair skin who applies sunscreen each morning regardless of the season, a person who burns within a matter of minutes in direct sunlight. I burn so easily, that two people handed me a tube of sunscreen with an SPF of 70 written on it the first day I was in Florida this past week.

I've had enough bad burns that I tsk tsk when I see a negligent parent; care giver of child, neglect to keep sunscreen slathered on their child, outside with no hat, no shade within sight. There should be laws against such abuse. Aren't those parents aware how much more likely the child is to get cancer after just one bad sunburn?

I went to my dermatology office just a few days ago - frightened enough by a friend's recent diagnois of melanoma that I thought it time to have that slightly annoying patch of dry skin on the bridge of my nose checked. I was glad I did - it was precancerous.

Hot news the past couple of days: FDA cover-up of knowledge that sunscreens containing vitamin A, retinol and retinyl palmitate actually speed up skin cancers. A supposed half of the 500 products listed promote skin cancer and only 39 of the 500 were 'safe'.

Additionally, there is discussion that sunscreen products containing oxybenzone are obsorbed into the skin making it possible for them to enter the bloodstream. It reportedly messes with hormones. Another negative ingredient: nanosized titanium dioxide is connected to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases.

To screen or not to screen, to trust the FDA or not, check out your skin care products, read what you can on topic, make your own decision, but please don't let me catch your baby with a sunburn or a tan. You'll recognize me - I'm the pale redhead.

What's trending now? Okay, so it may not exactly be trending, but I've always wanted to be on the cutting edge of a trend - in this case, the posing edge. I read recently about a guy who was making waves in the funeral circuit by choosing to be posed riding his motorcycle at his final viewing. I guess riding his motorcycle was his big love in life and it was appropriate for people to see him for the last time as he rode off into the life hereafter.

That news item gave me pause to consider not only my biggest loves in my life, but what I would choose to leave as a final viewing impact on those I love. I asked one friend how she'd like to be posed at her viewing and, without pause or hesitation, she said, "Eating a chocolate bar." Now that's really knowing oneself!

I have many loves and interests, so which one would I narrow it down to? I could be posed at a computer desk; ready to blog about what I see when I go through that final doorway and into the beyond. I could be posed as the contortionist I've always admired. Imagine a loved ones reaction as they walked through the doorway and found me standing there to greet them with my body twisted pretzel-like and my face, with a huge grin on it, positioned between my legs! But, after much deliberation, I believe the position most suited for me at this stage in my life would be posed "Running Naked With iPhone"

How about you? How would you like to be positioned that one last time?

With wild and wicked weekend weather winding it's way along a multi-state area, many activities from canoe trips, outdoor birthday parties, complete with kite flying at a park, and pre-race Kentucky Derby Balloon festivities are being canceled.

What's a horse fanatic to do!

On the positive, we'll be forced inside where we'll have the good, cheap seats closest to the television. We'll have no choice but to go online to study the genetics of each and every horse (yeah, don't you dare ignore the long shot, and you better examine the jockey just as thoroughly as the thoroughbred! I suggest you not look at the jockeys' teeth though as some of those guys and gals are vicious).

So what's got me all lathered up, chomping at the bit and showing the whites of my eyes?

Several things actually. I haven't picked my horses, have never placed an online bet (any advice on this as far as secure sites used would be appreciated), but my big fears are: 1) what if the horses are forced to run in severe weather, 2) what if the Kentucky Derby is rescheduled?

Like a kid waiting to hear that Santa made his delivery because I truly was a good girl this year, I wait and I hope and I send up a silent prayer or two and ask that the horses and jockeys remain safe and that the race will go on!

What plans for the weekend are you beginning to rethink?

What are the odds of the Kentucky Derby actually being rescheduled? What are the odds I'll pick a winner this year?

It's always a pleasant surprise when I learn something new about a place I've lived around for many years. It was that way when I went back and visited the Breaks just a few miles from where I grew up in Cheyenne County, Kansas.

I had a similar experience this past Saturday night. I was invited to attend a Care Cottage fund raiser at talk show host, Jeremy and Kathleen Taylor's house (About the House - KLWN, Saturday mornings) and the event was held at their Lake House at Bismark Lake (read more about the lake in "Wonderful Old Lawrence" by Elfrieda Fischer Rowe).

Not only was I not familiar with the lake, I didn't have a clue how to get there. Kathleen gives directions as well as she cooks (man was that baked raspberry brie delicious!). I spoke with several other people who have lived in Lawrence even longer than I have and they didn't know it's location either. It seems the Lake was created when highway 70 needed to be built up - land that was removed created a beautiful lake that is large enough for boating and sports and apparently great fishing too. There is that problem about it being a private lake, however!

What else did I learn Saturday night?

Bigg's BBQ tastes wonderful!

That Chef Palooza can't slap my hand when he isn't present (he actually was saving me from eating raw pork products on Jeremy's show one Saturday) and he makes delicious brownies, key lime and lemon bars.

Jeremy is bigger than life in person - not just on his radio show.

Kathleen is as great a hostess at home as well as at the radio station.

Kathleen's mother is lively and fun and knows directions better than I do.

Judy Bellome is every bit as nice in person as she'd been over the phone. Please call her, or Sarah Randolph, at 785-843-3738 to sign up to have a party. Proceeds go to the Care Cottage; an end of life living facility located in Lawrence. They will be having an event at the Oread Hotel this Saturday, April 17th. It isn't too late to host your own party or to dine at the Oread pre party where half the cost of your meal will go to the Care Cottage.

Have you recently learned something you'd like to share with us? (remember you may deduct 14 cents per mile for gas mileage in conjuncture with charity events.

I tend to ignore news items about famous people and their sexual antics; not only was I raised that it was none of my business and may be malicious gossip if I am not in the know, but it is none of my 'affair'. With so many vivid personal stories of broken trust and multiple trysts in the media these days (even CNN and ESPN), I decided I'd tackle the issue from a different angle.

There are those who think the general population holds an interest in other people's anguish because pulling another off of a pedestal somehow lifts their own self esteem. I disagree. I think the fascination has more to do with fear - how can those of us who don't have fame, fortune, or a perfect body ever hope to have a faithful, loving relationship? If our golden girls, Hillary and Sandra, have unfaithful spouses, how can those of us who fall into the average category have hope?

Check out who they're marrying: While there may not always be a red flag alerting one to a husband's likelihood to cheat, there were obvious signs in these examples. It didn't take long to perceive the smooth charm of Bill Clinton and his effect and interest on those of the opposite sex. Jessie James has had a bad boy history for a long time. And, Edwards is as fake and cheesy as another individual can possible be!

So what's the problem? There are those women who are maternal and attracted to the bad boy. They want to mother them, change them, maybe even punish them. They also most likely want to believe that they are the only one, woman enough, to make the man who strays stay.

I'm hoping that the strong women of today's world teach their daughters that they don't have to put up with men who behave badly. Not only do we need to talk to our daughters and sisters about changing what attracts us to men; qualities worth seeking and insisting upon, but we need to stand unified about not being the woman who cheats with the married man. If your man cheats, kick him to the curb - maybe the men in our society will begin to change their belief system about what women will tolerate and want as well. Don't tolerate female friends who break your trust or feel the need to flirt with another woman's husband.

Do women need to accept that there are no males alive who wouldn't be unfaithful given the chance? I don't think so. I believe there are males who are faithful, loving husbands and fathers who would never cheat on a spouse. What do you think?

How would you handle your spouse or mate if they cheated?

I was as upset as anyone over KU Men's Basketball loss - okay, that's not quite true. I was upset, but there are people I know, and I won't mention any names for my own protection, who wouldn't even discuss the game with me Sunday morning.

I found myself doing really weird things following the loss - this was after I finally accepted it was true. I favored the KState team - yeah, I truly am rooting for them. I don't want those eastern states to think we aren't supportive of our home state, in whatever ways we can be. The weird thing though, I found myself rooting for Missouri (stop, I can see you gathering stones - put them down!).

What is it about latching onto someone, some thing, after you lose something big?

So, the real question here is: Who will you replace KU men's basketball with? Who do you want to win?

Will you be giving more attention to the very worthwhile, wonderful KU Women's Basketball team? Finally? I mean, really, isn't it about time our city rallied behind them with the same vim and vigor generally displayed and reserved for 'male' sports.

I know I'll be watching. Way to go Bill Self - you have a great history, legacy, coaching style and I can hardly wait to watch next year's games and see who the new recruits will be.

Meanwhile, rock on, Coach Henrickson! Your fine coaching and dedicated players make us proud!

How many of the women's games have you been to?