I know no one in power gives a shit about the health of the planet, especially not the so-called experts traveling the globe to talk about it. But then you read something like this and it shocks even my bitter self.
I know no one in power gives a shit about the health of the planet, especially not the so-called experts traveling the globe to talk about it. But then you read something like this and it shocks even my bitter self.
A proverb is one man’s wit and all men’s wisdom.
Lord John Russell, as quoted by Jackson Crawford in this (as always) excellent video “Odin and Wisdom.”
It’s a beautiful spring day here. Rachel is outside giving our pond its spring cleaning. I’m inside preparing a budget presentation. One of these things is more fun than the other.
We heard a hawk call while we were doing some transplanting, looked up, and saw three(!) of them. Every time I see a hawk I think of the Robinson Jeffers’ poem title: “give your heart to the hawks.”
First sighting of the frog in our pond this year! Looks like he survived the winter. Can you see his head poking above the water near the edge?
Pretty excited about this one. I started reading it online through the university library just to get a taste, and within five pages decided I had to buy it and put aside everything else I’m reading until I’m through it.
My father and I, we check the locks–
that’s what the Abels do.
Neurosis passed along the line
just like his Craftsman tools.
I see him there, on his rounds,
nocturnal sealing rite.
Here I am, securing doors
against encroaching night.
There was a time when I asked
what does this signify?
Now we double check the doors
and do not worry why.
Josh Radnor: Give up on your war against reality
When I fight reality, when I wail and moan that things should be going ‘some other way,’ I suffer. When I begin with acceptance and surrender – “Okay this is what is happening right now and where we are” – I don’t suffer. Or at least I suffer far less. And the next right actions are much much clearer than when I’m giving equal weight to each voice in my head.
Someone said recently–and I agree–that the time for new projects, clearing the decks, etc., is the spring, not the new year. That makes far more sense with the rhythms of the world and the body. In winter, your body is working on survival, just getting through. Spring is the time for renewal.
I’m making my way through some links Ted Goia provided on a possible new romanticism. This, however, I had to come back and recommend right away. I could quote several passages but instead I’ll just say you need to read the whole thing.
Well the fried cornmeal mush was okay. It was a little like trying to fry slices of jello. And it took a long time to brown up—probably because it’s mostly water. It was pretty bland, even with maple syrup, but that’s consistent with what I’ve always heard about it.
I’ve prepped cornmeal mush for frying in the morning. I’m following Kent Rollins’ recent video. We’ll see how it goes!
We live on a 1/10 acre city lot, mostly covered in a house, detached garage and driveway. Rachel told me today that she has now sown 65 varieties of plants—perennials and annuals, flowers and vegetables. We have a wildlife pond, a grape arbor, and more room to expand. That’s a lot in a small space.
The proud tongue is tied in prayer.
The parched tongue is quenched in prayer.
The prayerful tongue is loosed—
occasionally, mysteriously—
in co-creation.
Rachel and I are too cheap to be collectors. One exception to this general rule is that we have amassed a collection of statues, typically of the gods. Gives the place a certain air, you understand. Lets visitors know what we’re about.
Recently I started looking for a sort of farmerish, gnomish figure to put on our mantle. Silly gnome statues are plentiful but we didn’t want any part of that mess. I was looking for something handmade, unique if possible, and not expensive (see “cheap” above). I found this guy and snapped him up.
I’m no expert so it’s possible this is manufactured and I was fooled into thinking it’s handmade. There’s no date on him but there is this mark on the bottom.
In the course of looking, I came across some other statues that were of the rural sort. Two pairs of farmers/peasants grabbed my attention. One was listed as being Bavarian. Since I have German ancestors and this pair was smiling, I decided to get them.
This couple is more clearly handmade and “Stolt 1960” is carved onto the bottom. In this case, though, I don’t think they’re unique; I was able to find a very similar couple listed online, same artist, but dated 1957. So maybe the person carved several of these figures over the years.
Here’s one of the new folks enjoying this morning’s sunshine.
Lovers of Tolkien’s legendarium: the YouTube channel In Deep Geek is worth your time.
One alternative to streaming music I don’t think I’ve ever seen discussed: radio! You probably have an oldies (or similar) station in your area with a local connection.
Music: So, yeah, maybe it isn’t your favorite and maybe you have stronger feelings about music discovery than I do. But oldies are basically another canon of standards at this point. It ain’t bad!
Local ads: This is America; you don’t get to escape advertising. At least this way you may hear about local businesses and events.
Local news: Local papers are dead but local radio news does still survive around here, in a much diminished way.
Live broadcasts of local events: Goofy, for sure. But surely that’s not so bad, here at the end of all things?
The voluntary self-limitation of local radio—tune in and drop out, in a different sense—seems like a good option. This is one of the main ways our parents and grandparents connected to their community when I was young. I remember my blind grandpa sitting by the radio listening to Hoosier basketball. I remember waiting so impatiently to hear whether a snow day would be called—and the thrill when the broadcaster said he had a list of delays and closings to read.
This is a lot of nostalgia, to be sure, and I’m getting a bit off track. Anyway, count me in, WQRK.
While I’m in here reviewing these reports, Rachel is outside having a blast and being ridiculously cute.
Also, I’m putting off reviewing financial reporting this morning.
Projects to complete in the next couple of weeks:
Projects to complete over the course of the summer:
Warm weather explorations:
Skills to build:
Oh, I could go on but I really need to start reviewing those reports…
Rachel had an appointment in Jasper, IN, last Friday so we made a day of it. Jasper is a pretty unique town in southern Indiana. While the area has a lot of German ancestry, Jasper is one of the few places where it has remained an ongoing identity.
While Rachel was in her appointment, I went to Sturm’s hardware store, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s a store dog, who raced toward me in a flurry of barks when I entered the store.
It’s a crazy cluttered place–as all the most interesting places are. It’s often not even clear what is and is not for sale. Then there’s this spiral staircase in the middle of the store.
Near the front there was a raised platform (“bullpen”?) with piles and piles and piles of catalogs behind, presumably where someone could have made an order for anything not in stock.
Lunch was at Schnitzelbank, always a fun place to eat.
I never finished the Wheel of Time series, but one phrase has stayed with me: “Glory to the builders.” It arises spontaneously when I’m looking a places like St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
I’m developing an interest in folk art. I have a couple of pieces coming in the mail so I’ll share those when I get them. In the meantime, I’ve been doing a few searches and came across this wonderful video. Long live the weirdos!
Fascinating post by Ted Goia: The New Aesthetics of Slop. At the same time, perhaps it would be wise to balance it by recognizing the revitalization of handicrafts. Humans, bless them, will never fully give themselves over to vulgarity.
Ah, spring really is on the way. Woodland crocus is the first flower we see in our yard every year. I need to get out to the woods soon to see if any of the ephemerals are up.
One of my favorite songs 🎵
As for your tender heart—
This world’s gonna rip it wide open
It ain’t gonna be pretty
But you’re not alone
This, from Alan Jacobs, is one of the most clarifying things I’ve read in a while.
- In the current regime, what persons or groups are most harmed or most likely to be harmed?
- Where can I find those vulnerable people in my community?
- What organizations serve and seek to protect those people?
- How can I (placed as I am, with certain specific gifts and resources) assist those organizations?
Once I have answered those questions, I have a plan for meaningful political action.