May You Never Grow Up
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Garden Goodies
I forgot all about this pic of this funny little squash. Had a nice run of squash, but had to rip everything out. May have time to replant for another run into the Fall. Might try some "hearty leaf" veggies if we can get them started in time.
"The Garden" by Rush
Recently while standing at a graveside, this song came to mind and I can't help but share it here. "Long ago I read a story from another timeline about a character named Candide [written in 1759]. He also survived a harrowing series of misadventures and tragedies, then settled on a farm near Constantinople. Listening to a philosophical rant, Candide replied, 'That is all very well, but now we must tend our garden.' I have now arrived at that point in my own story. There is a metaphorical garden in the acts and attitudes of a person's life, and the treasures of that garden are love and respect . I have come to realize that the gathering of love and respect - from others and for myself - has been the real quest of my life. 'Now we must tend our garden.'" Neil Peart, from the album "Clockwork Angels" (2012). Note: the lines in the song "the arrow flies" speaks of death's arrow that comes to every person. But ju...
The Character of The Philosopher
“For philosophy doesn’t consist in outward display, but in taking heed to what is needed and being mindful of it.” (Musonius Rufus, Lectures, 16.75.15-16) Philosophy is not all head-stuff and thinkology. The lover of wisdom discerns, understands, directs the mind in order to take appropriate action. The lover of wisdom has a plan that informs works. The lover of wisdom is identified by character: he is aware of himself and his relationships to others. Imagine for a moment a young lady who, stepping through an open door says “thank you.” A nice young lady, correct? But in getting to the door, she ran to be the first one through, even pushing someone aside. The outward show makes one statement, but her character is seen in how she treated others. Philosophy is more than manners. Philosophy is more than acquiring knowledge. Philosophy is the pursuit of doing what is right, even adding value to others, contributing. This is what distinguishes the lover of wisdom, the philosophe...
Exploration
I was in my third mile the other day, had just come around the curve heading back to the house when in the break of trees, saw this marvelous site. This beautiful cloud bank had been creeping up from behind and did not see it until I made the turn. The pic just doesn't do it justice. But its' still breath-taking. The reason things such like clouds fascinate me is rooted in the science (think of it: a million pounds of water floating over your head) and delight of exploration. I've learned to: 1. Always be looking 2. Consider everything alive 3. Look closer--everything is interesting 4. Alter my course often 5. Observe for long durations (and short ones) 6. Notice the stories going on as things change 7. Notice patterns, make connections 8. Document findings in a variety of ways (like pics) 9. Marvel at the unknown 10. Observe movement, change 11. "Talk to" the environment--especially the wildlife 12. Consider the origin of all th...
No Worries
A recent e-mail sits in my "In-box" tagged with a gold star. The message is so incredibly profound, so complicatedly simple that I can't archive it. Not yet. I need it under my fingernails. The e-mail tells the story of John "Max" Staniforth who in 1916 wrote a letter home describing how he and fellow World War I soldiers of the 16th Irish Division dealt with the reality of their war-time situation on the Western Front. Staniforth wrote: “If you are a soldier, you are either: (1) at home or (2) at the Front. If (1), you needn’t worry. If (2), you are either (1) out of the danger zone or (2) in it. If (1), you needn’t worry. If (2), you are either (1) not hit, or (2) hit. If (1), you needn’t worry. If (2) you [your wounds] are either (1) trivial or (2) dangerous. If (1), you needn’t worry. If (2), you either (1) live or (2) die. If you live, you needn’t worry: and – If you die, YOU CAN’T WORRY!! So why worry?" The choice for whatever we face is this: ...
Fun on the Fourth
Nothing lights up the Fourth like home-made rockets. I could shoot these all day long. Science! And here's the Can-cam:
