Did we awake from the stupor that can consume our lives — lost amidst bits & bytes, screens & feeds — and find ourselves, as G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “in a street full of splendid strangers?”
The idea is not that we will win in our own lifetimes and that’s the measure of us, but that we will die trying.”
Barbara Ehrenreich
Stopping puts some space in your long haul. Rest is a way of being. Pacing is recalibrated care. ~Pato Hebert
The Adventure Begins – another year of living with the questions about life & work.
What can done within the confines of 365 days which enlarges the lives of more than one person? Taking a day-long nap isn’t the answer, although at 5 AM that’s the first thought that occurs to me.
In 2022, it was 36 degrees outside in Northern California.
Dressed for comfort, on my back porch at 6:30 am, I could see the stars while drinking my first cup of coffee – ah, the pleasure of that first sip.
All energy moves in waves & particles, but the ocean wave is the only wave the naked human eye can see.
If time is the lesson willing to be learned, the wave is time’s expression. It comes again & again. It keeps saying:“Will you know me now?”
Life’s Work: A Memoir (2022) by David Milch
In 2025, the moon was a waxing crescent, spiritually representing a time for new beginnings, setting intentions, and stepping towards a new goal. It symbolizes growth and potential, and is considered a phase for initiating action and building something bigger.
Forge your own path, trust in the magic of individuality.
Though the methods vary, the mission is the same: to realize that we are all of us temporary & fragile beings.
Shot here from who knows where, bound for who can tell, we can love ourselves and each other while we’re here.
Elizabeth Berg
High above the flying scud and dark-rolling clouds, there floated a little isle of sunlight, from which beamed forth an angel’s face; and this bright face shed a distinct spot of radiance upon the ship’s tossed deck.
“Ah, noble ship,” the angel seemed to say, “beat on, beat on, thou noble ship, and bear a hardy helm; for lo! the sun is breaking through; the clouds are rolling off – serenest azure is at hand.”
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Methinks we have hugely mistaken this matter of Life and Death. Methinks that what they call my shadow here on earth is my true substance. Methinks that in looking at things spiritual, we are too much like oysters observing the sun through the water, and thinking that thick water the thinnest of air. Methinks my body is but the lees of my better being. In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not me.
Chapter 3 – The Chapel, Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Mark Singer: Is there anything you’ve been able to draw upon, David? Is there comfort in the past?
David Milch : I feel the past falling away and the attachments of regret for what wasn’t done or was done badly or was done without sufficient sympathy, and it was for that reason that our granddaughter’s visit was such a redemptive and compelling occurrence. Everything is an adventure for her and a delight and a surprise, an opening up, and that’s a big gratification.
Mark Singer: I’ve never thought of you as a sentimental person, but maybe I misread that. How would you characterize yourself?
David Milch: As an unsentimental person.
Third Act by Mark Singer (New Yorker May 20, 2019)
Artificial Intelligence might prove to be an inspired portal to higher consciousness. How much more of humanity should it be allowed to control (if it even can be constrained)?
Seven older gentlemen of various political persuasions gather in the courtyard under the squawking birds to politely discuss and examine, in regulated heartbeat, the current issues and events of the week.
High-school classmates, both living & dead, unknown to others outside of Los Gatos, they also like to talk about.
Exclusive club it is.