Hex signs are cool, there I've said it. Maybe it was that wet-bottom shoefly pie I ate for breakfast this morning, but the PA Dutch in me has always admired this stylized folk art medium for its rainbow of colors and ingenuity. Case in point, the distelfink. A brightly-hued symbol of PA Dutch design, distelfinks are mythological avians based on the goldfinch who have thistle smorgasbords and also industriously use thistle to line their nests. Somehow 'thistlefinch' morphed into distelfink, our lucky bird of paradise (see the pix below, right-hand column, keep scrolling down, section called "About Me").
Since spring is officially here, maybe it's time for me to take a drive down to Lancaster County for the day and enjoy hex signs in their natural habitats, "chust for pretty."
Today's MUCH: Yes, but what do hex signs mean?
Another MUCH: Hex vex, or powwowing
Today's SUCH: Too bad I can't afford to take classes here...
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Losing Track
A wistful composition that I love......
Losing Track by Denise Levertov
Long after you have swung back
away from me
I think you are still with me:
you come in close to the shore
on the tide
and nudge me awake the way
a boat adrift nudges the pier:
am I a pier
half-in half-out of the water?
and in the pleasure of that communion
I lose track,
the moon I watch goes down, the
tide swings you away before
I know I'm
alone again long since,
mud sucking at gray and black
timbers of me,
a light growth of green dreams drying.
Today's MUCH: One of the best poetry collections every written is
by Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, at the tender age of 19: 20 Love Poems & A Song of Despair I passed by Neruda's house when visiting Vina del Mar, Chile back in 2003.
Another MUCH: I greatly admire one verse of Prologue of the Earthly Paradise by William Morris:
Dreamer of dreams, born out of my due time,
Why should I strive to set the crooked straight?
Let it suffice me that my murmuring rhyme
Beats with light wing against the ivory gate,
Telling a tale not too importunate
To those who in the sleepy region stay,
Lulled by the singer of an empty day.
Losing Track by Denise Levertov
Long after you have swung back
away from me
I think you are still with me:
you come in close to the shore
on the tide
and nudge me awake the way
a boat adrift nudges the pier:
am I a pier
half-in half-out of the water?
and in the pleasure of that communion
I lose track,
the moon I watch goes down, the
tide swings you away before
I know I'm
alone again long since,
mud sucking at gray and black
timbers of me,
a light growth of green dreams drying.
Today's MUCH: One of the best poetry collections every written is
by Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, at the tender age of 19: 20 Love Poems & A Song of Despair I passed by Neruda's house when visiting Vina del Mar, Chile back in 2003.
Another MUCH: I greatly admire one verse of Prologue of the Earthly Paradise by William Morris:
Dreamer of dreams, born out of my due time,
Why should I strive to set the crooked straight?
Let it suffice me that my murmuring rhyme
Beats with light wing against the ivory gate,
Telling a tale not too importunate
To those who in the sleepy region stay,
Lulled by the singer of an empty day.
Monday, March 22, 2010
in time of daffodils (who know
I love poetry, and E.E. Cummings is one of my favorite American poets. Enjoy!
in time of daffodils (who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remembering how
in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so (forgetting seem)
in time of roses (who amaze
our now and here with praise)
forgetting if, remember yes
in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek (forgetting find)
and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me, remember me
Today's MUCH: Here is a collection of Cummings' works.
Another MUCH: Another favorite.....i am a little church(no great cathedral)
Last MUCH: Maybe you are more partial to a good limerick? (warning: items are slightly X-rated)
in time of daffodils (who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remembering how
in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so (forgetting seem)
in time of roses (who amaze
our now and here with praise)
forgetting if, remember yes
in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek (forgetting find)
and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me, remember me
Today's MUCH: Here is a collection of Cummings' works.
Another MUCH: Another favorite.....i am a little church(no great cathedral)
Last MUCH: Maybe you are more partial to a good limerick? (warning: items are slightly X-rated)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spring Serenade
Normally I am an early riser, and I like to be about my business before the sun is up. During the last 2 weeks I have awakened to birds singing, a sure sign that Spring has arrived. There is a loudness and persistence to their melodies which is difficult to ignore, as if they are trying desperately to communicate something important. And, as it turns out, they are......these males are warbling for sex.
If you are hoping to determine what type of bird is doing their best American Idol impression outside your windowsill, you need a few items. One, most of what you hear in the spring at dawn and twilight are calls and not songs....they are the vocalizations which our feathered friends use to attract mates. Additionally, the quality and pattern of the call as well as intervals between calls can be distilled into types that make identification easier. Of course, you can just peek out your window if you would rather enjoy the melody than scientifically dissect chirping and twitters. For right now I am delighted to hear so many men serenading outside my window!
Today's MUCH: Someone went to the trouble to describe and record bird melodies.
Another MUCH: Evidently, robins are persistent little buggers.
Last MUCH: Besides the robins, wrens and cardinals near my residence, there is one owl that hoots in daylight which I would like to see.
If you are hoping to determine what type of bird is doing their best American Idol impression outside your windowsill, you need a few items. One, most of what you hear in the spring at dawn and twilight are calls and not songs....they are the vocalizations which our feathered friends use to attract mates. Additionally, the quality and pattern of the call as well as intervals between calls can be distilled into types that make identification easier. Of course, you can just peek out your window if you would rather enjoy the melody than scientifically dissect chirping and twitters. For right now I am delighted to hear so many men serenading outside my window!
Today's MUCH: Someone went to the trouble to describe and record bird melodies.
Another MUCH: Evidently, robins are persistent little buggers.
Last MUCH: Besides the robins, wrens and cardinals near my residence, there is one owl that hoots in daylight which I would like to see.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Deserts
I've been thinking alot about deserts recently. Not a topic I normally ponder since it is pretty green and leafy in Pennsylvania. But I'm not talking solely about the natural environment per se....I have also been contemplating fecundity, and the birth of new things from nothingness.
Deserts conjur thoughts of dryness, sand dunes, extreme heat, vast and empty spaces, harshness, maybe even exile, punishment and death. There is a lack of life, a sense of isolation and even despair. I see it from a different vista....a representation of faith, a redemption or rescue, survival, a concentration of miracles, and a 'possible future oasis.' In literature the desert seems to be the place you put in your dues before you are led to the Promised Land. What if the desert IS the reward.....you just need to transform it into your version of paradise?
Today's MUCH: Stephen Crane said it best
Another MUCH: Hope from despair
Deserts conjur thoughts of dryness, sand dunes, extreme heat, vast and empty spaces, harshness, maybe even exile, punishment and death. There is a lack of life, a sense of isolation and even despair. I see it from a different vista....a representation of faith, a redemption or rescue, survival, a concentration of miracles, and a 'possible future oasis.' In literature the desert seems to be the place you put in your dues before you are led to the Promised Land. What if the desert IS the reward.....you just need to transform it into your version of paradise?
Today's MUCH: Stephen Crane said it best
Another MUCH: Hope from despair
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Here Comes the Sun
After a cold, dark, and snow-avalanched winter we are getting an early preview of Spring this week. PA temps in March average around 38, currently we are about 30 degrees above the norm, and it seems like years since it's been here. Walking on sunshine is a great source of Vitamin D, so get outside and commune with nature while you can.
The entire world seems happier in the sunshine, not sure exactly why....maybe because I am. Not many people actually believe that SAD is a legit disease, but I sure do. Yet another brain chemical deficiency screwing with my moods and general well being.
But soon I will come from the winter cave into the (almost) eternal sunshine....hmmm, will it be too bright? or will I enjoy the cactus/palm tree gardens?
Today's MUCH: I feel good in a special way
Today's SUCH: For those that don't believe in SAD
The entire world seems happier in the sunshine, not sure exactly why....maybe because I am. Not many people actually believe that SAD is a legit disease, but I sure do. Yet another brain chemical deficiency screwing with my moods and general well being.
But soon I will come from the winter cave into the (almost) eternal sunshine....hmmm, will it be too bright? or will I enjoy the cactus/palm tree gardens?
Today's MUCH: I feel good in a special way
Today's SUCH: For those that don't believe in SAD
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Dreams
Here is a fun exercise.....ready? Think of the top 5 dreams you have. Go on. Places you want to go, your dream date, a Ferrari, Superbowl tickets in your own private box, owning a baseball team, having a rocking body, climbing the Matterhorn, maybe attaining a fantasy job, walking a fashion runway, achieving Olympic gold, swimming the English Channel, perhaps winning millions...things you have been wishing for possibly your whole life. OK, you got it? Those 5 things?
4 of my 5 are about to come true in the next 3 months. I mean really, some folks wait a lifetime to attain just one dream, let alone multiple ones. I am not sure I know what to think about this development, to be honest. To say I am thankful just seems so inadequate. Promising to pay it forward is the very least I can do, so I will focus on that....and packing.
Wow lots of positive change is coming. Get ready for the roller coaster ride :-)
Today's MUCH: GEEZ, like where do I start? LOL
Another MUCH: First stop, wine country! How PERFECT is that!
Today's SUCH: Hmmmm, this one's a puzzler. 90% sunshine, heat and lots of Spanish are the downers. LOL LOL LOL
4 of my 5 are about to come true in the next 3 months. I mean really, some folks wait a lifetime to attain just one dream, let alone multiple ones. I am not sure I know what to think about this development, to be honest. To say I am thankful just seems so inadequate. Promising to pay it forward is the very least I can do, so I will focus on that....and packing.
Wow lots of positive change is coming. Get ready for the roller coaster ride :-)
Today's MUCH: GEEZ, like where do I start? LOL
Another MUCH: First stop, wine country! How PERFECT is that!
Today's SUCH: Hmmmm, this one's a puzzler. 90% sunshine, heat and lots of Spanish are the downers. LOL LOL LOL
Moving & Stuff
To paraphrase the late, great George Carlin, my apartment "...is just pile of stuff with a cover on it." Currently I don't own the cover, I rent it, and it may be time to change venues. I'm not saying Pennsylvania is undesirable, but compared to San Diego, well, no contest.
For the time being let's skip the preliminaries of cost and look at dealing with my belongings. Folks get attached to their things....it's understandable. Carlin quipped, "Have you noticed that their stuff is shit and your shit is stuff?" Hmmm, well maybe my stuff IS shit after all....and having less would make for an easier cross-country trip. Time for spring cleaning. If I've not worn it in a year, it will be donated. If it is just gathering dust (father's train set, guitar), it will be sold or gifted. A few days rooting through my storage units and the goal will be 50% reduction in volume.
I already took a dive in this direction, and thanks to Craigslist there are several happy people enjoying my formerly-coveted Coca-Cola signs and my 37" HDTV. Selling the rest now will probably just be anti-climatic.
My second main focus is my book collection. Rather large when I got here, it has grown by a conservative 25%. Packing and cataloguing those items will take a few days for sure. I've been told not to question how the move will happen but believe that indeed it will come to pass, and sooner than I know, so YALA (Hebrew for "get on with it already"). Alrighty then.
Today's MUCH: Carlin's Stuff Skit - a Classic!
Today's SUCH: Reality TV About Hoarding - Gross Alert
For the time being let's skip the preliminaries of cost and look at dealing with my belongings. Folks get attached to their things....it's understandable. Carlin quipped, "Have you noticed that their stuff is shit and your shit is stuff?" Hmmm, well maybe my stuff IS shit after all....and having less would make for an easier cross-country trip. Time for spring cleaning. If I've not worn it in a year, it will be donated. If it is just gathering dust (father's train set, guitar), it will be sold or gifted. A few days rooting through my storage units and the goal will be 50% reduction in volume.
I already took a dive in this direction, and thanks to Craigslist there are several happy people enjoying my formerly-coveted Coca-Cola signs and my 37" HDTV. Selling the rest now will probably just be anti-climatic.
My second main focus is my book collection. Rather large when I got here, it has grown by a conservative 25%. Packing and cataloguing those items will take a few days for sure. I've been told not to question how the move will happen but believe that indeed it will come to pass, and sooner than I know, so YALA (Hebrew for "get on with it already"). Alrighty then.
Today's MUCH: Carlin's Stuff Skit - a Classic!
Today's SUCH: Reality TV About Hoarding - Gross Alert
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