The free version of The Morning Dispatch gives me about all of the news I want in a day. I hardly ever click the links because I’d hit a paywall anyway. But their summaries make me aware of what’s going on, and I can follow up if something piques my interest.
Goodfellowship by Li Po
Hast thou not beheld the Yellow River Which flows from Heaven? It runs rapidly down and empties into the sea, Nevermore to return. Hast thou beheld the mirror in the hall That reflects the grief of white hair? In the morning it is like black silk, In the evening it will be covered with snow. While we are in the mood of joy, Let us drink! Let not the golden bottle be lonely, Let us waste not the moon!
Something I don’t feel like I see much anymore: oncoming drivers flashing their lights to warn of a speed trap ahead
Wendell Berry: “There are no sacred and unsacred places. There are only sacred and desecrated places.”
I may have cut the biscuits a bit thick.
It’s good to see a squirrel lounging on our picnic table in peace. They’re too busy to lounge for long but I’m glad they can when they want to.
Memories of Jimmy Swaggart
Jimmy Swaggart has died. He was a really big deal in my childhood. I went to one of his crusades in the early eighties with my parents. Mostly I remember being amazed seeing the guy on my television in real life. His end-times preaching scared me. He had a series of broadcasts on that subject which began with an ominous fist-shaped cloud on the screen. One day I saw such a cloud outside the window and flipped out.
Talking head says “apocalyptic beliefs based on biblical prophecy should have no bearing on Middle East policy” and, well, sure, okay, but everyone has an apocalyptic belief nowadays. This is the problem with the supposed “view from nowhere”: it can’t see the nose in front of its face.
Anthem of place: ”Ozark” by Jesse Welles
Jesse Welles’ new song “Ozark” feels particularly lyrically rich. Here’s a sketch of what stood out to me. I was born up on the hill though I am being born still Personal participation in the ongoingness of creation. I was carried down to the river valley on the big bend of the Arkansas Carrying the baby to a special place in the river valley. Presentation of the child to the spirits of place.