August 17 – Greatest Comedy of All Time?

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Theatrical Release Poster

On August 17, 1979, Monty Python’s Life of Brian premiered in US theatres. This controversial film was initially banned in many countries but went on to be ranked as one of, if not #1 of the greatest comedies of all time. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python’s_Life_of_Brian

Considered both a religious farce and political satire, the film ends with Brian’s crucifixion and the group song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” One verse has been touted as the fundamental view of the film, which is:

For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin – give the audience a grin
Enjoy it, it’s your last chance anyhow.

Hmmm, are religion and humor compatible?

Here is today’s haiku: Greatest Comedy of All Time

Breathing in I smile

breathing out I smile as well

grateful for my life

I would love to hear your comments on this film, on this topic, on your reaction to this post. _/\_

August 16 – Happy Birthday Father of Psychology

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Wilhelm Wundt in 1902 was born August 16, 1832
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Wundt

My undergraduate degree is in Behavorial Science so you would think I would know who the “Father of Psychology” was. Turns out it’s Wilhelm Wundt. Fortunately, we’re never too old to learn.

William James, the “Father of American Psychology” was born in 1842. Sigmund Freud, the “founder of psychoanalysis” was born in 1856. John B. Watson, the “father of behaviorism” was born in 1878. Donald O. Clifton, the “grandfather of positive psychology” was born in 1926. Last, but not least, Siddhartha Gautama, the “great physician” and “first psychologist” was born 563 BCE.

So, it is a pleasant surprise to learn that the acknowledged “Father of Psychology” is Wilhelm Wundt who was born today in 1832 near Mannheim, Germany. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Wundt

Today’s haiku: Happy Birthday Father of Psychology

It’s never too late

to learn something new about

how we think and act

BTW: Let’s not forget the women pioneers in psychology. Check out this article 10 Women Who Helped Change Psychology at https://www.verywellmind.com/women-who-changed-psychology-2795260

Wilhelm Wundt commemorative plaque, University of Leipzig

High Coo – August 15 – World Greatness Day

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4fkWOZjJOg

World Greatness Day is about recognizing the humans, non-humans and events that have had a significant impact on your life AND recognizing and pursuing your own greatness! The video above is a helpful reminder.

Today’s haiku: World Greatness Day

Humble, just and kind?

How do you define greatness?

How do you live it?

May we be our best self today, this week, this month, …

For more information on this holiday see: https://nationaltoday.com/world-greatness-day/

With gratitude to Professor Patrick Businge for establishing this holiday in 2019. Watch this video to learn more about his philosophy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcWTB4wPM_M

headlineplus.com

High Coo – August 14 – Love Your Bookshop Day

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Me standing outside the Beat Poetry HQ in San Francisco two weeks ago

One of today’s national holidays is Love Your Bookshop Day. I have many favorite bookshops; especially those that have displayed my books of poetry on their shelves and/or their websites. See logos at the bottom of this post.

Today’s haiku: Love Your Bookshop Day

See, smell, touch, absorb

surrounded by written words

creativity

What’s your favorite bookshop?

For more information on today’s holiday see https://nationaltoday.com/love-your-bookshop-day/

https://www.left-bank.com/
https://www.spinebookstorecafe.com/

High Coo – August 13 – Happy B’day Alfred Hitchcock

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Alfred Hitchcock Silhouette @ Pinterest

The “Master of Suspense” was born on this day in 1899. Born in Leytonstone, Essex, England, he became a celebrated film director creating many films that received British and American film awards.

In 2012, the British Film Institute announced that Hitchcock’s 1941 psychological thriller, Vertigo was the greatest film ever made. Hitchcock’s personal favorite was his 1943 film, Shadow of a Doubt.

Hitchcock directed over 50 major films which received 46 Oscar nominations. Which of his films is your favorite? Rear Window is mine.

Today’s Haiku: Happy Birthday Alfred Hitchcock

Known for cameos

and twisted turns of murder

Sir Alfred thrilled us

Theatrical release poster, Style C

For more information on today’s birthday celebrant see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock

High Coo – August 12 – World Elephant Day

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mitigating-human-elephant-conflict-key-challenge-this-world-elephant-day/

“Elephants have the largest brains of any living mammal on Earth. We still have a lot to learn from them and we can’t do that if they are all extinct.” Check out this site for information on what we do know and why it’s important to protect them: https://nationaltoday.com/world-elephant-day/

Today’s haiku: World Elephant Day

Less than twenty years

before extinction occurs

let’s protect them now

“Humans haven’t been very kind to elephants throughout history, despite all they’ve done for us. They are intelligent, loving, and mysterious creatures that should be preserved.” https://nationaltoday.com/world-elephant-day/

High Coo – August 11 – Decoding Pee-Mail

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Eve

This is Eve; another sweetheart at the stray rescue kennel.  Eve is a 9-yr old, 46-pound, female Terrier, American Staffordshire mix who has mellowed a lot over the years but is still described as “high energy”.  Compared to the other dogs I normally walk, Eve is much easier to hold on to and she evens lollygags at times because she’s not in that much of hurry to return to her apartment once she’s outside.

Take yesterday, for example, we were walking toward a major street, and it was apparent that we would not make the green crosswalk light in time.  I nodded to Eve and acknowledged, “we’re not going to make it in time, so we’ll just take our time getting there.”  Suddenly, I had a flash of insight.  Once again, a dog was teaching me the dharma.  “No need to hurry, let’s just enjoy the present moment together.”

I smiled and Eve broke eye contact to sniff the base of another tree on our route.  Must be some pee-mail to “read” from a previous dog who passed by this way before us.  Yes, even urine has its messages to offer but I will leave the decoding to Eve and keep my eye on traffic.

Thank you, Eve for a very pleasant walk.

Today’s haiku: Learning from Eve

Time slows down with Eve

while she reads daily pee-mail;

mindful dog walking

High Coo – August 10 – Spoil Your Dog Day

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Wayne has returned, unfortunately

Today is a Wednesday and every Wednesday morning I walk rescued dogs at a downtown facility in St. Louis, Missouri. I’ve been walking dogs for a year now and it is always a celebration when one of the nearly 100 dogs served here is adopted or fostered. So often this liberation from the kennel leads to a “furever” home where the dog can thrive and not need to compete with other animals for attention.

Unfortunately, there are occasions where a dog is returned after a couple of days, weeks or even months. Whatever the reason for the return, it is better that they return then stay somewhere where they and/or their companion(s) are not happy.

Wayne, a gregarious bundle of joy, is one such returnee. (See my January 13 post “Look Out World!” for more information on this beautiful boy.) It was a sad but happy reunion between us this morning. I did enjoy walking him again but hope that he gets another chance for a “furever” home soon.

Here’s today’s haiku: Spoil Your Dog Day

Unconditional

love provided here and now;

your dog is waiting

High Coo – August 9 – National Book Lovers Day

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One of four floor-to-ceiling book walls in our house 🙂

I think we qualify as book lovers. My partner and I collect, gift and write books. The written word is very valuable to us.

As the National Book Lovers Day website proclaims, there are many reasons to love books and collecting books has been around for a long time. See: https://nationaltoday.com/national-book-lovers-day/

Here’s today’s haiku: National Book Lovers Day

You told me, thank you

You wrote me, I will read this

again and again

We even collect puzzles like this book spine edition 🙂

High Coo – August 8 – Intl’ Cat Day

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Lexie

I grew up in a dog-loving home and never experienced a cat companion. My partner grew up with cats and dogs and has introduced me to the joys of cat companionship. We now have two rescued cats and dogs in our home and we often begin our evenings with all six of us sitting on a couch together.

Today is International Cat Day and there is some very interesting information that is new for me. Did you know that cats have been human companions for 9,500 years, a cat successfully flew into space in 1963 AND petting a cat can produce stress-reducing hormones to improve our mental health? Check it out here: https://nationaltoday.com/international-cat-day/

Here’s today’s haiku for International Cat Day

Silently walking

she brushes up against me

furry love surprise

And here is Lexie and her sister Leezy sharing a living room chair.