tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37807824154429822652024-03-18T21:14:54.964-07:00Scenes from the JourneyWry, funny, sad, irreverent essays on the author's journey through life.Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.comBlogger826125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-69523855511416491862024-03-17T07:07:00.001-07:002024-03-17T07:07:29.860-07:00Declining<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Introduction: I decline to decline these nouns because attempting to do so would make more obvious the decline of my cognitive functions.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">It began when I turned 80. Until then—until that very day—I had been about 60 in my mind. But those two little digits suddenly turned my attention from my present and past toward my future which, for the first time in my life, had limits. It's hard to believe, but until that moment I had given zero attention to the inevitability of personal extinction—aka death. Like, ME. Me. I was going to die some time in the foreseeable future. Ninety seemed like an ending date, and that was only ten years away. Ten years to get my affairs in order (a bit of a joke, that is). I'm not a bucket-list type of person, so I didn't start making notes about projects or trips. No, I just thought: someday soon this will end.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Now, I say this began at 80, which it did. But let me tell you, turning 85 is what revved up the process. 85! Only five years left until 90. Maybe I should revise that ultimate date. Move it to 92, 95—and look! The obits these days feature dozens of deaths at 102, 105, 107. So with that realization, surely I can begin to relax: there's no rush. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2024 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-31822307730651097352024-03-03T06:34:00.001-08:002024-03-03T06:34:33.310-08:00Hesitant Light<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">May the light shine boldly.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Let's have nothing hesitant about our light.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We slow our step, our sight, our very minds,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">allowing the best and most of light</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to enliven us with its glow.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The glow, the shine, the brilliant sparks</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">will open into our dark places</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and by penetrating the penumbra</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">lead us to a new level of understanding</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">that goes beyond the mind and</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">instead</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">incorporates the slow body.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We need that light to show us slow.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2024 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-46140607131062767662024-02-18T06:38:00.001-08:002024-02-18T06:38:29.161-08:00A Winter Rant<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">First of all, let's discuss the weather and its ramifications. Without even acknowledging a recent snowfall of fluffy white flakes that could be whisked away with one sweep of the broom—without even taking this into consideration I am left with a sufficient number of weather instances to keep me going for a while.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Because of the specific timing of the various freezes, thaws, rains, ice storms, and snowfalls during January and February, the condition of the roads and sidewalks varies from block to block in the city. Did the homeowner fail to shovel snow the day before the ice storm crusted it over and then the freeze hardened it into slick stone? Did the carefully shoveled snow begin to melt from its pile and leak water onto the walkways so it could freeze into invisible glass (even less visible if it was then covered with a thin layer of the fluffy white)?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I was out and walking yesterday for the first time in five days. I have discovered in myself an ability to curse. Not your standard "blankety-blank" kind of curse but the kind uttered by real witches, as in "A pox upon your house through the third generation of sons"—that kind of curse. I walk along a block of beautifully cleared sidewalks, striding and breathing deeply of the crisp, cold air of the season. And then, with no warning, I come across a house with a corner lot, and there were 50 linear feet of ice. Solid, four-inch thick ice from curb up to the edge of the house itself. Can't go around it. Can't go under it. I have to go through it. My stride shortens to the baby steps of a two-year-old encountering his first ice rink. For me it isn't the first time, more's the pity. It's a familiar, terrifying situation of potential fractures and concussions (among my close friends during this time were a broken fibula and a broken hip). And once I'm past this uncaring household's frontage and back onto solid concrete, I turn to the offending house, raise my arms as if I were truly an avenging angel, and hurl my curse: A pox upon . . . etc.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I doubt that it will be effective, since I haven't really honed my black arts skills. But such is my anger.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Being fair-minded, I look for mitigating circumstances: the homeowners are in their 90s, too frail to wield a snow shovel. So hire someone! A new baby is in the house requiring all the time in their world. So hire someone! They shoveled but the clear sidewalk was attacked by the ice storm and then they were busy and couldn't shovel and then, you know: life got in the way. And so forth. So get out there with the ice breaker and chop away at your dangerous walk. Make an effort!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">That's really all I ask: make an effort!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Now, on the plus side of the weather I can report how exciting it is to see all the lawns and gardens covered with many inches of solid ice and to know that somewhere under that heavy load are tulip bulbs, crocuses, snowdrops, and scylla—all biding their time. I'm biding mine as well, 'cause that's the kinda gal I'm.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Did I mention that in some places the ice that edges out over the sidewalk has now been undercut and is ripe for the thwock of breaking if you tap it with your toe? The most satisfying winter sound!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2024 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-31357595758668456182024-02-04T05:39:00.001-08:002024-02-04T05:39:23.029-08:00Kicking a Stone<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">It is unseemly</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">some might say</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">at my age to be kicking a stone.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Or anything.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I'll kick a pine cone,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">a lump of icy snow,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">whatever comes to my itchy foot.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Doing a hitching half-step </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">in order to approach the stone squarely</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and on the correct foot?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Well, that's flat-out cheating.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">You've got to play it as it lays—</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">or pass it by.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">A few hints:</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">no sandals,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">unless you're angling for a broken toe.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">And the winter version is variable:</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">maybe it looks like a chunk of tennis-ball-sized ice</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">but it turns out to be a pile of soft snow.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Or maybe it looks freestanding</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">but it's fast-frozen to the sidewalk</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and will not budge with a kick.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Lurking dangers don't stop me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I kick whatever. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I kick no matter what.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2024 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-4933591083793588202023-12-31T07:07:00.001-08:002023-12-31T07:07:56.983-08:00Hesitant Light/Hesitancy; Scenes from the Journey, vol. 20, no. 53<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'></DIV></DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT size=2 face="Baskerville Old Face">This Scene completes Volume 20 of Scenes from the Journey, which means I have been sending an essay or a poem to you every week for the past twenty years. I have always enjoyed it (don't know whether you have), but it is time for a change.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT size=2 face="Baskerville Old Face">I will continue to write and send Scenes, but not on a weekly basis. You may see one every other week, or once a month, or even occasionally two in a row. Who knows? Who can predict how firmly I will be clasped by the Muse of Spontaneity? It will be a surprise event for me as well as you. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT size=2 face="Baskerville Old Face">As usual, I welcome your responses. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Hesitant Light</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">May the light shine boldly.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Let's have nothing hesitant about our light.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">We slow our step, our sight, our very minds,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">allowing the best and most of light</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">to enliven us with its glow.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">The glow, the shine, the brilliant sparks</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">will open into our dark places</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">and by penetrating the penumbra</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">lead us to a new level of understanding</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">that goes beyond the mind and</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">instead</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">incorporates the slow body.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">We need that light to show us slow.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Hesitancy</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Having evoked the idea of hesitation, I feel compelled to channel my father, Myron Johnson, whose advice to us was succinct, if ambiguous: </FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style='FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Lucida Sans"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Look before you leap, for he who hesitates is lost.</FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"> This was a typically Myron evasion of the serious, but also a cunning reminder that every folk saying has its opposite. Therefore, don't believe any of them. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">And on that note, we say farewell to 2023. </FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face="Courier New">See you in the funny papers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Copyright © 2023 A</SPAN>nn Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><BR><BR><BR><BR></P></DIV></DIV> <DIV id=DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2><BR> <TABLE style="BORDER-TOP: #d3d4de 1px solid; COLOR: #000000"> <TBODY> <TR> <TD style="WIDTH: 55px; PADDING-TOP: 13px"><A href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target=_blank><IMG style="HEIGHT: 29px; WIDTH: 46px" alt="" src="https://s-install.avcdn.net/ipm/preview/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png" width=46 height=29></A></TD> <TD style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; WIDTH: 470px; COLOR: #41424e; PADDING-TOP: 12px; LINE-HEIGHT: 18px">Virus-free.<A style="COLOR: #4453ea" href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target=_blank>www.avg.com</A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-33992892575103316872023-12-24T06:42:00.001-08:002023-12-24T06:42:33.763-08:00Words to Live By?<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">One day I sat on the subway (many thanks for that last open seat I found) and I thought. I believe I've been asking, listening, and reading too much, for my mind is full of strictures. Do this. Do that. Spine straight (or as much as it can be in a subway seat), chin lowered to raise the crown of the head and lengthen the spine. Tongue gently resting behind the teeth on the soft palate. Breathe—but not partially. Breathe all the way. Let the diaphragm move. Expand your lungs, your belly. Keep all this in mind.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Think violet. Did you dot your crown, your third eye, and your heart with that mixture of cedarwood, frankincense, and rose, as was suggested? No, you forgot. Pity. Maybe you can do it later.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Drop your shoulders. In Therapeutic Touch they call them "should-ers" because they reflect the tension in our body as we "should" our way through our lives.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Each day is a new life, I read somewhere. I like that idea of starting anew every morning. And I'm still greeting that day with "ole" instead of "ohm", though I follow the first with the second immediately. The "ole" wakes me up enough to think, "Oh yes. I'm supposed to (i.e., I should) start the day with an ohm."</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Last week I heard a quotation that began, "There is no path." I forgot to copy the second line to it, so rather than search it out I made up my own: "There is only an endless series of choices." And there you are: life in a nutshell.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">In my spirit of striving (oh, stop striving!) to live consciously, I remind myself about joy and the appearance of joy; I remember that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Sure enough, it's useful to bring a thoughtful joy to the table when you can. Duh. Words to live by, maybe, but hardly original. Nonetheless, these are what I will keep in mind today: first, life is an endless series of choices, and second, bring a thoughtful joy to the table.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-10566148411831458642023-12-17T08:16:00.000-08:002023-12-17T08:18:04.378-08:00Urban Scene<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">As I was on a southbound streetcar at </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">10:30</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> one morning</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the sun crept over the high-rise obstacles </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and illuminated every tree in every block </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">turning black branches to radiance </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">each twig dipped in diamond dust for the day or, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">if diamonds are too extravagant, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">dunked into a vat of powdered Swarowsky crystals. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The trees shone, clear and brilliant </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">for us drab and dreary streetcar passengers </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">heading to </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Queen Street West</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">with its grey skies, grey pavements, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">grey passers-by in worn black coats </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">but how lucky we were </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">those of us who saw the gleaming trees </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to counter the grey </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">with that bright memory. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-57285067224668878172023-12-10T06:24:00.001-08:002023-12-10T06:24:48.002-08:00Irreverence<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Who knows where I read it. One spiritual self-help book or another. They pass through the house in a stream of ruffling paper. At any rate, here's what I read, more or less: begin each day, just as you awaken, with an "ohm." Then, as your feet touch the floor, intend that they will guide you into/toward the beauty of the day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">At least I think those are the two things I was told. But no matter what I was told, here's how it has played out in my mornings. Obviously I felt a need to respond to the suggestion to take an active role in directing my day. So the very first day—and every day since—I have awakened and the first sound that has come to my mind is "Ole!" I'm pretty quick to notice that that's probably not the right "o" word, and "ohm" follows right on its heels. But still, "Ole" is apparently how I want to greet the day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">And as my feet hit the floor (as my feet step gingerly onto my bedside rug) I say, sincerely, "Follow the </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Yellow Brick Road</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">."</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Again, obviously, the wrong thought. Am I incurably trivial? Eternally frivolous? Unable to be reverent about anything, even in the almost-unconscious state of half-asleep?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Irreverence is not a fault, I try to tell myself. I recently read a blurb for Anne Lamott's latest book praising her for being both irreverent and reverent. And when I read that I recognized once again that Anne Lamott is my role model.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">But I worry that though I have the irreverent part down cold, the reverent part is lagging behind. Try as I might, the Ultimate Seriousness of Life escapes me. So far, anyway. Some people have it in spades and don't need to wait for the vicissitudes of age to drag seriousness up from the depths. (Of course, also, some people are too serious.)</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">All I strive for nowadays is acceptance of my self: this is how I am.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Ole.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-55498599436053475822023-12-03T06:40:00.001-08:002023-12-03T06:40:49.168-08:00For the Duration<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Once upon a time, "for the duration" meant short-term. Now, I find that the duration is long and hard. Endless, even. Enduring from now until the end is something entirely different.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The names of things are like tracings in the sand that dissolve with the tide. Nouns are sometimes available, but synonyms are gone forever, as if I'm being told I can have one noun for each thought, each feeling, each sense. Apparently, to ask for more than one is greedy; I must leave some words for others. I've had my turn to play with language and now must give way, contenting myself, for the duration, with one word per idea. </FONT></SPAN></P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-39041017220621680782023-11-26T07:02:00.001-08:002023-11-26T07:02:32.252-08:00Sink Deeper<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Sink deeper.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Go long.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Imperatives, imperatives.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">How they distress me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Stop telling me what to do.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">And so what happens if I allow myself</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to go beyond this flash reaction?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">What happens if I simply respond</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">instead of reacting?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Well, I'm not going to go long,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">since I couldn't catch a football </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">even in my prime.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">But will I sink deeper?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Plumb the depths?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I won't deny it's my desire.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">You can tell that</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">by observing just how many barriers,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">hurdles, traps, and thorny thickets</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I set in place to keep me safe</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">from sinking deeper.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Sink deeper.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">What is it that's actually down there?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">What lies beneath the heap of discarded views?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Well, if I knew</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I wouldn't feel compelled to sink to find out.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">It's the unknown that I seek</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and fear of the unknown is what holds me back.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">There are those who insist</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">we already know,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">in some part of our unconscious,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the unknown,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">which then becomes the known unknown. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Nothing to fear there at all, at all.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com<BR>ListenandLive: http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0<BR>Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor<BR>Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor<BR><BR><BR><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-86554984221931322262023-11-19T06:42:00.001-08:002023-11-19T06:42:41.985-08:00Crows and Butterflies<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Don't get me started on the sound of crows. Oh, I know many people hate crows and their sound, seeing them as evil, seed-eating, eyeball-plucking vermin with wings. That may well be true, but those aren't MY crows. Mine filled my life until some 15 or 20 years ago. Every time I left the house they'd greet me from </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Nancy</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">'s tall maple across the street, a whole murder of them cawing to me and I'd always greet them: Hi, guys! And thank them for being there. Since the epidemic that wiped them out in the neighbourhood I've not seen any crows—not in </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">High</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Park</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">, not around the house, not in my dreams. But even in their absence they are my crows.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">And now, manifesting what I want to talk about here, I will move on. Because what I need to talk about is the butterfly mind. We've all seen the flight of butterflies. Not the flight of the bumblebee, busy-busy and moving directly from A to B. But that of the butterfy, which is a marvel of inefficiency. In fact, the marvel is that a butterfly ever gets from A to B at all. I picture those clouds of monarchs flitting thousands of miles to over-winter in </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Mexico</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> (in Mariposa, or did I make that up?). The distance, were a crow to fly it, may be thousands of miles, but as the butterfly flies it, the distance is doubled or tripled. </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The connection here, of course, is how the workings of my brain, which was once as focused as the flight of the bumblebee, has become pure butterfly. Three wing-beats up, then four off to the right, then a straight drop down but then immediately back up to where I was at the beginning. Imagine trying to track a butterfly's trip and you'll see the kind of trip I'm on.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">A thought arrives. I begin to explore it, either aloud or internally, and then my eye alights on a dust mote, say, and I see it dance in a sunbeam and my thought veers, pivots, goes off in another direction entirely. I could live with this, just barely, except that with the pivot the original thought disappears.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I might be discussing something important with DinoVino and he interrupts me, innocently, to clarify a point, and with that interruption my thought is gone. I can confidently say that almost all my thoughts disappear, sooner rather than later.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I used to say (I was 70 when I said this) that the mice were eating holes in my brain and were thus responsible for my loss of words. Now I would replace "mice" with something like nematodes, if that's who I'm thinking of: teeny, very slender worms. They've infested my brain by the hundreds and each one slowly eats a very skinny tunnel through the tissue, disrupting previous neural pathways and changing how my brain works, forever. Forever, in this case, is a very scary word.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-63797081129793472472023-11-12T09:40:00.001-08:002023-11-12T09:40:12.877-08:00Small Gods<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">For fifty years and more </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I refrained from using that word </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">(with or without an upper-case G). </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">For me it evoked a childhood</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">of propaganda and rote prayers. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">And now, aware of Spirit and the Universe </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and the comforting, hovering ancestors, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I still find other words. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Not that words are needed, of course.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We pray without words </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">when we attend to moments, to trees, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to others, to our own awareness. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We pray, in short, as we live our lives </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and know that we are here on this beautiful Earth. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We pray in the spirit of the rock, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the woven fabric, the spun yarn, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the kiln-baked brick, the brick-baked bread.</FONT></SPAN></P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-64204429928082476942023-11-05T04:35:00.001-08:002023-11-05T04:35:43.192-08:00Cards Pulled from the Crone's Support Deck<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">What's Left Behind.</SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> If you pulled this image from the deck of Crone Cards, you may find yourself overwhelmed. What's left behind? Well, everything, actually. Depending on your particular circumstances you may have jettisoned the belongings of a lifetime in order to shoehorn yourself into a space so small it fits you like a glove.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">You may have done this willingly. Or it may have happened to you as part of an inexorable push toward your next phase.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">In either case you need to decide how you feel about what was left behind. The emotions of your life are as vivid as the physical items, as vivid also as the people who have played large or small roles in your life. And all of these have been left behind.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">But in another way they are still with you. Not in actual memory, perhaps, but in your body's memory of what it has lived through. Let the physical things of your past go without a thought, but treasure what remains in your body and soul.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Patience.</SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> If there was ever a time for patience, this is it, for these are your years of expectation and waiting. These are the slow years. Perhaps you can welcome the slowness instead of railing against it. Your daily walk is not as brisk as it used to be? You find yourself overtaken and passed by every other walker in the park? Do you really care? The former you—the one you once were--cared. But competitiveness will get you exactly nowhere now, so you might as well take in the sights as you amble along your path.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">What are you waiting for? Once that was a rallying cry: get on with it! Get moving! But we can also see it as an actual question and try to answer it: what are you waiting for? What do you think will happen while you are waiting? Are you an active waiter or a passive one? Your new times welcome both these conditions.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Loneliness.</SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> Oh, my dear. Loneliness. We can be so lonely in the midst of a living space of 200 other people. We can be lonely sitting at the dining table with three other people we know only superficially.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">We are lonely when there is no one around who knows us. If you are a </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">California</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> hippie who traveled across the continent on your motorcycle and who was into woo-woo before the term even existed, then it is hard for your new neighbours to see you. You are a mystery to them, which is to say they simply see you as being the same as them—which is to say they don't see you at all—which is to say you are lonely.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Any remedy for this must come from within. Will it help to drop all expectation of being known in your present circumstances? </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Bursting.</SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> Bursting with energy! Bursting with joy! Bursting with anticipation.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">A literal bursting is not what we want here. But the fizz and sizzle within us that feels as if we're ready to burst? That's something to reassure. When you were five years old this was probably a familiar feeling. Why is it we lose that fizz as we grow older? But now, free from the daily obligations that beset us before we were crone-aged, we can return to fizzing. I fizz quietly when in the embrace of a new, good book. I fizz more energetically when I see each day a new blue flower, three inches in diameter and unfurled like an umbrella from its bud, on my single miraculous morning glory plant. I planted three seeds at the beginning of the summer, but then the pot fell from a height during a wind-storm and I salvaged only one of the little plants. It twined and vined healthily to a pretty length, but without flowers. Then the lower leaves dried up and fell off. And then, on Labour Day, the first blossom appeared, a blossom of surpassing beauty, as blue as the sky. Since that time there has been a blossom a day, ephemeral but even more welcome for that. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">If I count the buds there are still a dozen potential flowers, a dozen days of dazzle, to come from that fragile vine, leafless for a third of its length. Nature's ways are mysterious.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-35315630859749320462023-10-29T06:29:00.001-07:002023-10-29T06:29:53.129-07:00The Way Things Go<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Pema Chodron has said (and I paraphrase) that things don't get solved. They come together and they fall apart, and then again, and then again. The healing comes from being ready for all of this to happen.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Well, thank you, Pema. You've pretty good at coming up with the right words when they're needed. So instead of thinking that I am lost because my thread broke, I can reframe it this way: things fall apart, after which according to you they will come together again. And then the whole thing all over again and the thread is still there. Unbroken. Just like the circle.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">As I lay awake recently in mid-night, I hoped to find a thread of thought to write about the next day. But as I investigated I found that each thought was only one sentence deep. Maybe two.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Nothing that passed through my head from </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">3:40</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> to </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">6 a.m.</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> was worth a second look. Well, wrong phrase. Many of them did want a second look. They'd come charging back into my consciousness but with the same lack of depth they had shown the first time.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I walked longer than usual yesterday, from my hairdresser's new and very far away salon to my son's house where I could see two of the grandchildren. Google Maps showed me the route (I printed it out) and told me it would take 45 minutes. Well, Google hasn't walked a mile in my shoes. Boots.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">In boots, my normal healthy stride is more like a trudge. The map was probably fine but I couldn't read it without my glasses, which were buried in my purse, so I missed a turn-off and traveled diagonally a lot farther south than I should have. Additional trudge, trudge.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">It was a good walk. Not too cold. No ice. But the unspoken comment my mind kept throwing at me was "Oof!"</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Oof? What happened to "whee!"? Or if not that, then "Ohm"? Or even Ole? What happened to the possibility of joy (see "whee!" above)? Or of being conscious (see "Ohm"). But no, the only sound in my head was Oof!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I thought I had exorcized Eeyore for good. I thought that recognizing his longstanding role in my life had enabled me to move beyond Eeyore and into—if not Tigger than at least Owl. Again Pema has nailed it. Eeyore disappears, gone for a while, when things came together, and then when they fall apart again, here's Eeyore, alas-ing his way through my life.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Maybe tomorrow will be different. Maybe Eeyore will recede and I will move from "oof!" to "whee!" </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Ann Tudor </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR>Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor<BR><BR><BR><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-57721245943107362692023-10-22T08:21:00.001-07:002023-10-22T08:21:56.950-07:00It Can Be Lost<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">That scarlet tulip ready to pop?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>It can be lost.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The swift joy of meeting a friend unexpectedly?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>It can be lost</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The welcome warmth of April's elusive sun?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>It can be lost.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">You see the pattern:</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Joy comes, the good times they do roll,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the smiles of a summer night fill the air</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and they can all be lost.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">More honestly, they <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">will</I> be lost.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I'd counsel you to grab what you can while you can,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">but that's too greedy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Instead I'll say something like this:</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Gather ye rosebuds while ye may!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Or Carpe diem!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Or just be awake to every passing beauty</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">because, like life's ills,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">our days of wine and roses will eventually</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">inevitably</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">be lost.</FONT></SPAN></P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-80282462223367226392023-10-15T07:14:00.001-07:002023-10-15T07:14:43.423-07:00Ties<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Oh, they bind, they bind. Around the neck, they bind. Twist them and they fasten the neck of your plastic bag. Twist more tightly and they become the mandatory Sunday lunch at Grandmother's house, reinforcing those old family ties. Spell it another way and you get a tasty restaurant, House of Thai, that will serve you noodles laced with sugar and salt and oil and chiles. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Ties bind. Take off your tie and stay awhile, honey. We'll use that tie to bind us—if you're into that sort of thing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-4490657847595711972023-10-08T06:36:00.001-07:002023-10-08T06:36:26.832-07:00The Giant Question Mark<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I've had it with giant question marks.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I know you think we are defined </FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">by the eternal questioning, the questing.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">But there are other ways to live,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">some of which involve acceptance</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">rather than subjecting everything </FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">to the giant question mark.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Easy for some,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">this business of acceptance.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Easy when life is mild and the outside world</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">is free of random explosions.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I guess we live where we live,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">take what comes,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">and carry gratitude with us</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">in our everyday backpack of burdens.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I will reserve for another time, </FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">another life,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">the giant question mark.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-16837922213247593262023-10-01T04:14:00.001-07:002023-10-01T04:14:48.700-07:00Undoing the Day<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Like Penelope unweaving at her loom every night </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">(though not for the same reason) </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I practice undoing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I do all day what is to be done</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and when the sun sets</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and darkness covers the land,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I begin the work of undoing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">These days</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">there's too much doing!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Random and frantic activities</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">fill my known world,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to no great effect.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">It's time to think before I speak,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">time to breathe before I plunge my poor body</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">once more into the pit.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">If I sit for a while with my feet up</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and my mind idle,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">then perhaps at night there will be less to undo.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Perhaps sleep will be sweeter,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">deeper,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">when I don't have to undo the day's doing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-38327627959432108422023-09-24T10:46:00.001-07:002023-09-24T10:46:46.461-07:00Writing Practice<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">My pen hesitates longly before it can engage with the blank, white page. Sometimes it's enough just to imagine writing. To let the thoughts, the rhymed and rhythmic sentences, reverberate within the skull's walls.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">But the point of writing group is full participation, so pen hits page and words tumble as I let the somethings fall as they may (pieces? That's too mundane to have become a saying. Oh yes: Chips! Let them fall, those bits of the old block—old blockhead—fall as they may, scattering like a bride's rose petals onto the lines of my white page.)</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Sometimes it's enough to wander without focus because sometimes that's all there is.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-21168941868097566462023-09-17T05:01:00.001-07:002023-09-17T05:01:29.630-07:00What It's Like in Words<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I'm ready now to give up on words.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">For years I've been telling anyone who would listen</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">what it's like.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I've been using words for that because they were handy,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">available, popping to the fore as needed.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">And then the words began their disappearing act,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">which started slow and seemed innocuous </FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">until it snowballed down the path of my life</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">taking no prisoners</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">and leaving me a pauper for words.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I know what it has been like in words.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Now what will replace them?</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">This is a time of change:</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">I gave up the piano, I can give up words</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">(hardly a choice, since they are the rats</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">leaving this sinking ship).</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">What will remain when I can no longer say</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">what it's like in words?</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">What it's like in fabric?</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">What it's like in paper and paint?</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">In quiet introspection and observation?</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-31378876743005954302023-09-10T05:13:00.001-07:002023-09-10T05:13:59.306-07:00Sadness<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">A whole poem on sadness?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Pictures of sadness are plastered</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">on the insides of my eyelids,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">daring me to close my eyes in search of sleep.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I don't need or want a sadness poem.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Sadness I can do quite well all by myself,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">thank you,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">with no help from a poem.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">So what else is in the quiver?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Pull out an arrow of attention</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">or one of calm acceptance.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Is there an arrow of compassion?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Empathy?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">How about the standard Cupid's arrow?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">A dart of love to prick the thickest skin.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Tipped with healing herbs from the garden,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">this dart can change us all.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">At the very least</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the shock of its sting </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">will eclipse sadness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Copyright © 2023 </FONT></SPAN>Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><BR><BR><BR><BR></P></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-55503361395709797782023-09-03T05:25:00.000-07:002023-09-03T05:26:02.533-07:00A Round of Applause<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">A round of applause for each of us—</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the just and the unjust,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the deserving and the . . . no, wait!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The point is that we are all deserving,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">whether or not we believe it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Wouldn't it be welcome,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">that sound of a pair of hands coming together</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">at day's end</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to recognize your accomplishments--</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">no matter how mundane they are</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">(wake up, brush your teeth, wash your face,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">feed the cat, walk the dog)?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We don't even have to go beyond</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the everyday</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to be worthy of applause.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Though we could.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We could go beyond.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">We could juxtapose the heavy spring snow</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">with the still upstanding tulips, for example,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">and let that scene echo in the mind's eye.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-71861214131955061442023-08-27T06:26:00.001-07:002023-08-27T06:26:07.232-07:00The Final Version<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The final version of myself,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">not yet achieved,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">will be the finest version.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Or so I hope.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The optimist in me, </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">newly arrived,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">projects progress into these late years,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">even as I bring to bear on life's vicissitudes</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">a previously rare courage,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">a compassion hitherto reluctant</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">to show itself.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">With courage and compassion my companions,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">the faithful dog and pony accompanying my road show,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I will attain the finest final version</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">within my capacity.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">Finally.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-45280223352217065412023-08-20T06:47:00.001-07:002023-08-20T06:47:23.488-07:00Being Idle and Blessed; Scenes from the Journey, vol. 20, no. 34<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Being Idle and Blessed</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">It has taken me lo! these many years</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">to learn to be idle.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">And now, in the blessed life</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">that idleness gives me—</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">cradled in the humid warmth of this</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>ceaseless summer—</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">I adjust myself to the peace of idleness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Sometimes I forget.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">If I find calendar squares marked</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">with Things To Do </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">I apply my energies to winnowing</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">those people to see, places to go,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">erstwhile delights </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">that I now grudgingly incorporate </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">into my life of idleness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">I live a delicate balance </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">of putting nose to rose</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">while soaking in the heat of the week.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">And still I must admit a pride of accomplishment</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">when I mend with embroidery the hole in the left knee</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">of my thirty-year-old blue jeans.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">To do.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 24pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style='mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"'><FONT face="Courier New">Not to do.</FONT></SPAN></P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor<BR><BR><BR><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3780782415442982265.post-54356267205340570002023-08-13T04:06:00.001-07:002023-08-13T04:06:41.133-07:00Roughing It<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">As we waited for the film to start, Michelle and Stephen, in the row behind us, talked about their upcoming foraging workshop. Michelle was surprised that I hadn't signed up for it: "I would have thought foraging was right up your alley." Michelle doesn't know me well. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I've never even camped, I said. Shock was expressed by all. Michelle talked about the Girl Guide bike-riding camping trips of her youth (her mother was the leader). </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">After the movie I began thinking about camping. Was I right? Have I really never camped?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">There was a Girl Scout camp that I attended once, when I was 11. It was a permanent campsite, so we stayed in cabins with bunks. What do I remember about it? Well, a couple of ear-worm camp songs such as "Good Morning, Mr. Zipzipzip, with your hair cut just as short as mine" and "Down by the old mill stream". Other than songs, I remember a fried egg. We (a baker's dozen girls) "cooked" a meal of bacon and eggs and toast. The toast was canned biscuit dough wrapped around a stick and held over the fire: burned on the outside, raw in the middle, for what preteen has the patience to cook it slowly while holding that little stick steady over the fire?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">The bacon? No idea how we cooked it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">But let me tell you about the egg. Each camper was given her own empty three-pound coffee can with a two-by-three-inch opening cut at the bottome edge of the can. We took coals from the main campfire and set our coffee cans over our individual piles of red-hot coals. We put a pat of butter on the top of our make-shift stove (formerly the bottom of the coffee can) and broke an egg onto the flat top. Magic! The egg cooked! Who knew you could cook an egg without an electric stove and a kitchen?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">In fact, the egg probably overcooked, depending on the intensity of the fire. Did we each have a spatula to turn and remove the egg? I don't know. But I know that this was the best egg I had ever tasted. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman">I've never repeated the experience, but I've never forgotten it. So there! I DO have camping memories.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Other than that pre-teen experience, the closest I ever came to camping was thirty-odd years ago when we rented a houseboat with another couple for a week on </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Big</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Rideau</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "> </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">Lake</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: ">. The owner told us that in the middle of the lake was an island and within that island, if you could find the almost-hidden entrance, was a small, secluded lake. We found the spot. We were the only people (the only boat) on that little lake, which offered us beavers and a pair of loons. We were surrounded by woods and wildlife, but we had all the comforts of our houseboat: a kitchen, beds, a toilet, running water. That's my idea of camping.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-FAMILY: "><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Copyright © 2023 Ann Tudor <BR>Musings blog: <A href="http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com">http://www.scenesfromthejourney.blogspot.com</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">ListenandLive: <A href="http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0">http://www.listenandlive.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Ann+Tudor&search_in_description=1&osCsid=0710648c0eea428843aca84d0c04837d&x=0&y=04837d&x=0&y=0</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Ca: go to https://www.audible.ca and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Audible.Com: go to https://www.audible.com and search for Ann Tudor</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"><BR><BR><BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>Ann Tudorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05598505289803689971noreply@blogger.com0