Calliope runs frosted fingertips under warm water. Nią plucks bits of lawn-mower-masticated leaves from Tal’s curls. “In-vihhhhhg-or-a-ting!” Thalia chooses a sunny spot at the kitchen table. “We dihhhhd it! Got the leaves off before Jason comes to tuck our grass into its winter slumber.”
Back when I spent my days with kindergarteners, one of my favorite lessons to teach was Country Mouse -- City Mouse. Even though more than a decade has passed since I read the story, the lesson continues to deepen in my awareness.
Everybody's got their likes, dislikes, and ways of doing things. Much of this hinges on previous experience.
When the mice visit each other at their homes, their perspectives grow. They learn that the world they come from is not the only way to live.
Is this also an opportunity to "do different" if we want "different" in our lives?
I'm just in from zipping around the yard on our riding mower. On Monday, Jason (who makes his living keeping suburban yards green and tidy) sent a note that he'd be out later this week to winterize. On Tuesday, it snowed. ❄
On Wednesday, it melted (mostly).
This morning I felt a strong pull to get a thick blanket of leaves off the grass so that the lawn granules can get to our lawn's roots, as intended.
When we built our home over 20 years ago... this was not a piece I saw in my future.
I do so love mowing -- on warmer days. 😉
I've been a city mouse...
and a country mouse.
Both have their high and low lights.
Often when we begin, we cannot see the pieces we are setting ourselves up for?
The beauty of being a conscious human is that if we don't like our circumstances, we almost always can make different choices. Sometimes we just forget... that we can.
"The beauty of being a conscious human is that if we don't like our circumstances, we almost always can make different choices. Sometimes we just forget... that we can."
Not always a parent, too! (As the kiddos age we shift from gobs of attention to their needs to new endeavors of our own) Such as executing watercolor renderings of perfect pears. I never thought to search for when painters began painting bowls of, or the fruit itself, on a plain background??
Recently I’ve happened upon both writings and paintings (on Twitter) addressing this time of year in temperate climes. Beyond simply “It’s colder. Leaves are falling,” some of my finds constitute powerful allegories about seasons of our own lives.
I’ll quickly note that the quote you provided, noting tricky attribution, very well applies to your evolution (emotionally and spiritually) in recent years. 😊
You might look at the last paragraphs of “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant on the business of lying down to peaceful dreams. It seems your lawn is about to do the same.
Note: Some loose neurons rattling in my skull right now suggest I may have offered some thoughts recently on Thanatopsis. If so, my apologies to one and all. 😔
The “English” that was spoken in his time, including phrasing and idioms and vocabulary we’ve never heard, takes some effort. Somehow I read Bryant in high school and have had a head-start in my pondering. 😊
What’s the half-life of a web influencer today. The platforms don’t make much difference. Some are “one and done.” Some take huge risks (bending over railings at the Grand Canyon, and falling). Some are found in their refrigerators. (I just read this a few days ago). Fierce rivalries for top sponsors. Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame.
Regular readers know who’s who. A new reader likely needs time to read past episodes as well as following along with the current flow. Buy all of the Three Muses “A to Z’s.” And read them!
We’ve not begun to factor in the impact on your profile as a writer with the publication of Poise. I could put it this way: in 3 more days how many “followers” will remember the influencer that got lost in her refrigerator. She may have mastered make up. She may have made great strides in accessorizing thrift store clothes. Did she put your amount of focus and energy into improving the spiritual lives of her followers? Increasing awareness of the total humanity of Earth’s occupants?
I fully expect you to achieve so much more, without falling into the Grand Canyon! Suppose you help others set goals for their lives, learn about community, and connection? Learn about self-discipline in reaching their goals? If young adults today believe AI will create their perfect lives and do all the work to support themselves, a lot more than influencers will be needed.
A good pear pair, since you left the skins on — else they'd be a pared pear pair. But also if you brought them together from being apart, they'd be a paired pared pear pair? 😁🙄
A note from LoveLetterist:
Back when I spent my days with kindergarteners, one of my favorite lessons to teach was Country Mouse -- City Mouse. Even though more than a decade has passed since I read the story, the lesson continues to deepen in my awareness.
Everybody's got their likes, dislikes, and ways of doing things. Much of this hinges on previous experience.
When the mice visit each other at their homes, their perspectives grow. They learn that the world they come from is not the only way to live.
Is this also an opportunity to "do different" if we want "different" in our lives?
I'm just in from zipping around the yard on our riding mower. On Monday, Jason (who makes his living keeping suburban yards green and tidy) sent a note that he'd be out later this week to winterize. On Tuesday, it snowed. ❄
On Wednesday, it melted (mostly).
This morning I felt a strong pull to get a thick blanket of leaves off the grass so that the lawn granules can get to our lawn's roots, as intended.
When we built our home over 20 years ago... this was not a piece I saw in my future.
I do so love mowing -- on warmer days. 😉
I've been a city mouse...
and a country mouse.
Both have their high and low lights.
Often when we begin, we cannot see the pieces we are setting ourselves up for?
The beauty of being a conscious human is that if we don't like our circumstances, we almost always can make different choices. Sometimes we just forget... that we can.
"The beauty of being a conscious human is that if we don't like our circumstances, we almost always can make different choices. Sometimes we just forget... that we can."
Game changer. :) Thank you Gail.
Thank you Julie! 😁
Not always a parent, too! (As the kiddos age we shift from gobs of attention to their needs to new endeavors of our own) Such as executing watercolor renderings of perfect pears. I never thought to search for when painters began painting bowls of, or the fruit itself, on a plain background??
Recently I’ve happened upon both writings and paintings (on Twitter) addressing this time of year in temperate climes. Beyond simply “It’s colder. Leaves are falling,” some of my finds constitute powerful allegories about seasons of our own lives.
I’ll quickly note that the quote you provided, noting tricky attribution, very well applies to your evolution (emotionally and spiritually) in recent years. 😊
You might look at the last paragraphs of “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant on the business of lying down to peaceful dreams. It seems your lawn is about to do the same.
Note: Some loose neurons rattling in my skull right now suggest I may have offered some thoughts recently on Thanatopsis. If so, my apologies to one and all. 😔
sustained and soothed...
Poetry vexes me. 😂 What on earth is he trying to tell me!
Oh! The irony.
The “English” that was spoken in his time, including phrasing and idioms and vocabulary we’ve never heard, takes some effort. Somehow I read Bryant in high school and have had a head-start in my pondering. 😊
I often wonder if only faithful 3mm readers can pull meaning from the muses. What might a reader from 100 years in the future think? 🤔🤣
What’s the half-life of a web influencer today. The platforms don’t make much difference. Some are “one and done.” Some take huge risks (bending over railings at the Grand Canyon, and falling). Some are found in their refrigerators. (I just read this a few days ago). Fierce rivalries for top sponsors. Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame.
Regular readers know who’s who. A new reader likely needs time to read past episodes as well as following along with the current flow. Buy all of the Three Muses “A to Z’s.” And read them!
We’ve not begun to factor in the impact on your profile as a writer with the publication of Poise. I could put it this way: in 3 more days how many “followers” will remember the influencer that got lost in her refrigerator. She may have mastered make up. She may have made great strides in accessorizing thrift store clothes. Did she put your amount of focus and energy into improving the spiritual lives of her followers? Increasing awareness of the total humanity of Earth’s occupants?
I fully expect you to achieve so much more, without falling into the Grand Canyon! Suppose you help others set goals for their lives, learn about community, and connection? Learn about self-discipline in reaching their goals? If young adults today believe AI will create their perfect lives and do all the work to support themselves, a lot more than influencers will be needed.
🤗
A good pear pair, since you left the skins on — else they'd be a pared pear pair. But also if you brought them together from being apart, they'd be a paired pared pear pair? 😁🙄
Homophone alliteration. Catch me! I might faint from the excitement.
Cheap date! 😁
You betcha!