Uncloistered

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  “She gazed ahead through a long reach of future days strung together like pearls in a rosary, every one like the others, and all smooth and flawless and innocent, and her heart went up in thankfulness. Outside was the fervid summer afternoon; the air was filled with the sounds of the busy harvest of men and birds and bees; there were halloos, metallic clatterings, sweet calls, and long hummings. Louisa sat, prayerfully numbering her days, like an uncloistered nun.” A New England Nun By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930)

To: my NaNoWriMo friends

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“Blessed are the legend-makers with their rhyme
Of things not found within recorded time . . .
They have seen Death and ultimate defeat,
And yet they would not in despair retreat,
But oft to victory have turned the lyre
And kindled hearts with legendary fire,
Illuminating New and dark Hath-been
With light of suns as yet by no man seen.”

--By J.R.R. Tolkien, ‘Mythopoeia,” in “Tree and Leaf” (London: Unwin Hyman, 2nd ed. 1988)
Happy Writing this month!

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