“Famed for his rapier wit as much as his ill-temperament, Henry Louis (H.L.) Mencken rose to national prominence as a journalist and correspondent for the Baltimore Sun.” See https://allthatsinteresting.com/hl-mencken-quotes
Two of my favorite Mencken quotes are: “After all is said and done … a lot more is said than done.” and “When somebody says it’s not about the money, it’s about the money.”
Tree of Life Pet Memorial Room at Stray Rescue of St. LouisOne leaf on the Tree of Life for our companionEtta Pearl, blind, deaf Min Pin Doxie
The second Sunday of September has been designated as National Pet Memorial Day since 1972. “When a beloved pet dies it’s like losing a member of the family, so this holiday exists to allow pet owners to grieve and to honor the memory of their pets. It doesn’t matter if the pet lost is a cat, dog, bird, or fish, pets can provide companionship and comfort that’s worthy of being remembered on this day of remembrance.” See https://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/national-pet-memorial-day/
Two poems are offered today. The first comes from my book NATURAL BEAUTY AND OTHER POEMS published earlier this year.
Who Rescues Who?
In one year’s time, we have “rescued” five dogs. Or, more accurately, they have rescued me. They’ve taught or tried to teach me patience as well as gratitude and humility. Any failures were not on account of their teaching ability.
Who are they, who were they, what are their names? First, a spaniel, named Rosie. Second, an island dog from St. Thomas. Third was Etta, a blind, deaf Min Pin Doxie, and fourth, a nameless Golden Chow puppy.
Two of them came “knocking” on our back door; we brought them in, cleaned them up, had a vet check. One we fostered until a family adopted, one we adopted until heavenly-trekked. All were heart-touching, worth loving and divine respect.
We now have four adopted rescues as part of our family, all four elders in their respective breed. We are grateful to serve full- or part-time. Their presence reminds us of our interbeing creed. Their love brings tears and confirms our mutual need.
Second, is today’s haiku: National Pet Memorial Day
Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? —Lao Tzu
I woke up yesterday looking forward to the day ahead. My Friday morning routine at the local Y is something I really enjoy. Two hours of high intensity cardio followed by an hour of Chi Gong/Tai Chi. Sweat it out. Burn it off. Release the accumulated stress of the week.
And yet, when I arrived at the gym, I was discombobulated, jittery and uneasy. Was it the morning fog that slowed my drive? Was it the audiobook I’d been listening to on my drive? Was it …. I really didn’t know …. but I had arrived …. I was here …. it was time to ….
You may not know that this international game is based on Latin Squares, first developed by a Swiss mathematician and featured in French newspapers in the 19th Century as Number Place, modernized in the USA in the 20th Century and then renamed and popularized in Japan as Sudoku which means “single number”, mass produced by The Times (London) in 2004 by a Hong Kong judge, “Wayne Gould, who devised a computer program to rapidly produce unique puzzles” and the first World Sudoku Championship was held in Lucca, Italy, from March 10 to 11, 2006. The winner was Jana Tylová of the Czech Republic.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudoku
Born September 7, 1860, Anna Mary Robertson Moses, aka Grandma Moses, is “an artist who remains an inspiration to people starting careers late in life. Despite her advanced age, she defied the odds and set out to become one of the most celebrated artists of her time.” (See https://nationaltoday.com/grandma-moses-day/)
She began painting full-time at age 77 and continued until her death at age 101. Grandma Moses’ first paintings sold for as little as $3 dollars in a drug store, but her work went on to sell for over $1 million dollars for a single painting. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Moses)
As 68-year-old poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, proclaimed in Morituri Salutamus: Poem for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Class of 1825 in Bowdoin College
“too easily we are inclined to imagine that God created this world for a purpose. We are so caught up in purpose that we would feel more comfortable if God shared our preoccupation with work. But God plays.”
Are we a blank state? I disagree, there is no blank slate. We never start with nothing since we are all composites of what came before us. Today is the continuation of yesterday. My brain is a collection of neurons and the synapses that result. This moment is filled with energy from multiple sources.
As I sit here behind a laptop computer, I see a backyard with a row of beauty berry bushes attracting birds and many trees with squirrel nests and waving branches from the breeze blowing through and…..
In this office there are many books, pictures on the shelves, more pictures on the walls, a desk, two small file cabinets, three musical instruments and a music stand close by.
How many objects are needed for inspiration? Actually, none. Inspiration is our life force; we can’t help but think and ponder and dream and create and…..
We are co-creators in this cosmos. We are holograms of the life spark. We are “chips off the old block” and the Big Bang keeps banging away. Inspiration, change, creation are all words for the same thing: life.
As long as we keep breathing, we keep thinking, I think. I’m curious – what are you thinking right now?
My father was a carpenter who became a Skilled Trades Supervisor for a major US utility. He retired early to golf, fish and construct wood picture frames for fun.
My first father-in-law was a Welding Foreman for a global office furniture manufacturer who turned down a promotion to Production Superintendent to ensure he had time for the freshwater fishing and the golf that he loved.
My second father-in-law was a Production and Inventory Control Manager who went on to become CEO of the same global office furniture manufacturer. He retired and was recalled for a year before living another 25 years, many on the golf course and doing some occasional fishing.
So, what do these three men tell me; what can I learn from my “forefathers?” Is my life a journey from blue to white collar work and are my “golden years” to be spent enjoying fishing and golf?
My father told his four sons to retire earlier than he did at age 59 because retirement was the best time of life. My father died at age 77 and had only one regret that I know of which was agreeing to elective heart surgery to replace a pacemaker. He died one week after the surgery and told his sons at his hospital bedside what a mistake it was to agree to that final surgery.
My first father-in-law told me to get a couple of hobbies early in life to ensure I had a way to escape home life whenever I needed. He advised specifically joining him in fishing and golf, which I did for many years. He died at age 64 of medical complications from diabetes.
My second father-in-law advised world travel which was another hobby he had. Otherwise, he didn’t say that much to me as he was very active in his own pursuits and demonstrated his values more than spoke of them. He died at age 93 and unfortunately his last three years were using a walker and napping a lot. He had beaten colon cancer, multiple melanomas (from so much fishing and golf?), and finally the debilitation brought on from a stroke.
I gave up golf many years ago and haven’t fished in years. My full-time work life began as a spot welder and progressed to a Human Resources Director before moving on to my career as a Human Capital Consultant for the last 24 years. So, some similarities to my forefathers but some possible differences in my final life chapter.
I’m now focused on joining the Order of Interbeing as a Zen Christian practitioner and my goal this year is to begin an Animal Chaplaincy program, write a fourth book of poetry and become a Dharma Mentor in the next year or so.
Not sure how much longer I might live but want to live my “golden years” doing what I love. How about you?
Maria Montessori (b. August 31, 1870 – d. May 6, 1952), portrait artist and date unknown
Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator best known for the philosophy of education that bears her name. “Her method was founded on the observation of children at liberty to act freely in an environment prepared to meet their needs.[102] Montessori came to the conclusion that the children’s spontaneous activity in this environment revealed an internal program of development, and that the appropriate role of the educator was to remove obstacles to this natural development and provide opportunities for it to proceed and flourish.”
A strong advocate for children’s rights and education focused on children’s natural talents, Maria was recognized by many including Alexander Graham Bell and UNESCO. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Montessori
Today’s haiku: Happy Birthday Maria Montessori
Learning how you feel
develop at your level
express your talent
While I never personally attended a Montessori school or a school using her method, I have benefited by knowing someone who has. Thank you, and happy birthday, Maria.
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Life Matters 