Category Archives: Observations

High Coo – Nov 8 – What’s in a Number v2 or Looking for Hope

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/222-spiritual-meaning-you-should-know/

Woke up this morning and noticed the bedside clock read 2:22. I deliberately set this clock five minutes fast but never to seem to remember that until I reach the kitchen and notice that clock also reads 2:22.

No, I wasn’t time traveling.

Hmmm? Should I purchase a lottery ticket? Should I go back to bed? Should I research numerology again to discover if there is any significance to this number?

(Side note: Today is Election Day in the “good ole U.S. of A.” I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been voting for exactly 50 years now. I will vote again later this morning. I vote because it’s my civic duty … because it gives me the right to complain when the government elected fails to follow through on their promises … because I’d rather participate than be an apathetic whiner who sits on the sidelines … because I was trained to vote.)

I first wrote about numerology on 7.7.22 and a, much younger, sister blogger I admire a lot responded to my topic header/question. This is what C.J. (Crystal) Grasso said:

“The number 2 in spirituality means it is a number ruled by the moon, which also marks it as feminine energy. Which is connected to the emotional and nurturing realm. The moon also is related to one’s hidden aspects, which others do not see. The number 2 also symbolizes partnership and coming together, bringing in harmony and balance It could be an energy that brings up emotional wounds to work through with love and compassion. Balancing one’s inner and outer world…bringing in balance according to an angel numbers website. Which would be great for the world right about now. Numerology and spirituality are such interesting topics, I myself do not know much about them yet, but based on the things I’ve read these are my personal conclusions, though I could be totally wrong. I’m an observer of all this and try to keep an open mind. Numerology and spirituality interlink a lot.”

BTW: check out C.J.’s excellent blog at motivationalcopingandhealingcom.wordpress.com

FWIW: my Zen teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, said we “go as a river.” Individually we are a single drop of water which can quickly dry up when times are difficult. Collectively, however, we can make a difference. We can form a stronger, more dynamic, flow of energy that makes an impact.

I hope this proves true today both in the “good ole U.S. of A.” and across this beautiful blue marble.

Today’s haiku: LOOKING FOR HOPE

Two plus two plus two

becomes significant when

we unite for GOOD

P.S. The clock now reads 3:33

High Coo – Nov 7 – National Book Award Week

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What is one of the best books you’ve read this year?

A helpful reminder of well-thought-of books would be those that receive top recognition.

“National Book Award Week is held from November 7 to November 13 each year. It focuses on America’s future authors, books, and literature in general. The National Book Award is a set of annual literary awards in the United States….The National Book Foundation also awards two-lifetime achievement awards each year: the Medal for Outstanding Contribution to American Literature and the Literary Award for Outstanding Achievement to the American Literary Community.” https://nationaltoday.com/national-book-award-week/

After the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Booker Prize, the National Book Award is considered one of “the world’s most prestigious literary prizes” according to the NY Times.

Today’s haiku: National Book Award Week

honoring the “best”

is a noble attempt to

increase readership

One of my favorite books read this year is “It’s Not About the Wine!” by Brian Metters (aka Dr. B). Check it out!

High Coo – Nov 5 – National Redhead Day

High Coo – Nov 4 – National Day of Community Service

“NATIONAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE FAQS

What are the advantages of volunteering in the community?

Volunteering can help you gain more self-confidence. Self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall life happiness can all be improved by participating in volunteer activities. Depression can be alleviated by volunteerism. Volunteering can also help you maintain your physical health.

What is the significance of community activity inside a community?

It is the goal of community action to place communities at the center of their local service delivery. It is possible to achieve some objectives by engaging communities in the planning process. These include, for example, constructing a sense of community and social capability – assisting the community in exchanging knowledge, skills, and ideas.

Why is it vital to aid others?

Volunteering provides people a feeling of meaning in addition to health benefits. Giving back to society and making a difference is incredibly satisfying. Volunteer work is a terrific way to meet your neighbors. Volunteering gives you the chance to meet new individuals.” https://nationaltoday.com/national-day-of-community-service/

High Coo – Nov 3 – Thor’s Day

High Coo – Nov 2 – Day of the Dead

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Dead Guitarist at The Blue Habanero in Richmond, VA – photo taken by author

Today’s haiku: Day of the Dead

Let us remember

loved ones departed – and our

future reunion

“Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated November 2. On this day, it is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit their living family members. Many people celebrate this day by visiting the graves of deceased loved ones and setting up altars with their favorite foods, drink, and photos….The main tradition for Day of the Dead sees families gather to honor and remember their loved ones who are no longer with us. Celebrated as a sacred and joyous occasion, there is plenty of food, lots of flowers, visits with family members and nostalgic stories about those who have died.” https://nationaltoday.com/day-of-the-dead/

Today, I honor my departed ancestors, friends and teachers who have “crossed over” and “continued” to the next phase of their life journey. I’m especially remembering my grandparents, father and younger brother today. I look forward to our reunions.

I respect that your experience may be different from mine. Many cultures honor their ancestors with holidays like the Day of the Dead. For example, see the chart below:

La Catrina mural at The Blue Habanero in Richmond, VA – photo taken by the author

High Coo – Oct 30 – Visit a Cemetery Day

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“Visit a Cemetery Day is a holiday that takes place every last Sunday in October. This year it falls on October 30. It is a day that allows us to honor the life of those who are gone. It is a chance to admit that, though they’re no longer physically with us, we still have them in our memories. It is a day when people go to the gravesite of friends and families who have left this world.

WHY VISIT A CEMETERY DAY IS IMPORTANT

To honor the dead – On this special holiday, we get to honor those who have gone before us. It is good to cherish the memories they left behind.
Understand life better – When we visit the cemetery, we get a better insight into life and appreciate that we must cherish it.
Helps to remember the dead – On Visit a Cemetery Day, we get to recall the times we spent with departed loved ones. We remember all the things they’ve done for us and the memories we shared.” https://nationaltoday.com/visit-a-cemetery-day/

Today’s humble haiku: Visit a Cemetery Day

There for us in life

we are there for you in death

Together we rest

High Coo – Oct 20 – National Day On Writing

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For eleven years now, the National Council of Teachers of English has celebrated a National Day On Writing. In a 2018 position paper, the group updated their definitions of writing, writers and the principles and purposes for writing. For example:

Principle 3.2: Writers grow when they broaden their repertoire, and when they refine their judgment in making choices with their repertoire.

Writers need models and strategies—to find topics, issues, and questions to write about, to revise, to contextualize and connect their piece with others, to give and receive feedback. However, collecting those strategies is not enough; writers need practice not only in choosing a strategy to fit a particular purpose and context, but they also need practice in explaining why they made the choices they did.

See https://ncte.org/statement/teachingcomposition/.

I enjoy the challenge of seventeen-syllable haiku because the structure requires brevity. Someday I will attempt the Six-Word Story format. 🙂

Today’s haiku: On Writing

words, words and more words

often dilute our message –

simply, less is more

Learn more about this holiday at https://nationaltoday.com/national-day-on-writing/

High Coo – Oct 17 – Black Poetry Day

1 Reply

Gorman in 2021 at the inauguration of Joe Biden delivering “The Hill We Climb“

Since 1985, October 17 has been celebrated as Black Poetry Day “to honor all the talented African American poets, both past and present. If you’re a literature enthusiast, poet, or writer — no matter your race — you’ll absolutely love Black Poetry Day where you can celebrate black heritage and history. Black Poetry Day is celebrated in commemoration of the birth of the man popularly referred to as the father of African American literature, Jupiter Hammon, the first published black poet in the United States of America.” See https://nationaltoday.com/black-poetry-day/

Famous black poets include Langston Hughes, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou and more recently Amanda Gorman, pictured above. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Gorman

Today’s humble haiku: Black Poetry Day

different voices

reveal a loving spectrum

for all to adore

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_Hammon#/media/File:An_Evening_Thought_-*Jupiter_Hammon*-_1761.jpg

High Coo – Oct 9 – World Hospice & Palliative Care Day

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“Throughout time, people have suffered life-limiting illnesses but there wasn’t always a system in place to make sure that their last days were comfortable….In 1967 Cicely Saunders influenced the modern concept of Hospice Care. Dr. Saunders directed St. Christopher’s hospice in England and she was a champion in developing the philosophy of end-of-life care and hospice practices that spread globally….The first World Hospice and Palliative Care Day was held in 2005.” For more information see https://nationaltoday.com/world-hospice-and-palliative-care-day/

Dame and Dr. Cicely Saunders (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicely_Saunders)

“Dr. Saunders developed breast cancer but still continued to work. She died aged 87 in 2005 at St Christopher’s Hospice.” (See Saxon, Wolfgang (31 July 2005). “Cicely Saunders Dies at 87; Reshaped End-of-Life Care”. The New York Times.)

Today’s humble haiku: World Hospice & Palliative Care Day – Thank You Dr. Saunders

it’s true, we all die,

yet our lives can help others –

die with dignity

Life Matters

CHOOSE LOVE

Category Archives: Observations

High Coo – Nov 8 – What’s in a Number v2 or Looking for Hope

High Coo – Nov 7 – National Book Award Week

High Coo – Nov 5 – National Redhead Day

High Coo – Nov 4 – National Day of Community Service

“NATIONAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE FAQS

What are the advantages of volunteering in the community?

What is the significance of community activity inside a community?

Why is it vital to aid others?

High Coo – Nov 3 – Thor’s Day

High Coo – Nov 2 – Day of the Dead

High Coo – Oct 30 – Visit a Cemetery Day

WHY VISIT A CEMETERY DAY IS IMPORTANT

High Coo – Oct 20 – National Day On Writing

Principle 3.2: Writers grow when they broaden their repertoire, and when they refine their judgment in making choices with their repertoire.

High Coo – Oct 17 – Black Poetry Day

High Coo – Oct 9 – World Hospice & Palliative Care Day