No news dump last night, no big breaking news today. I could learn to like this. Tonight is an early night for me... and it's a lovely one here on the coast of Maine. Sleep well, everyone. I'll see you tomorrow. [photo by Buddy Poland]
OK, here goes nothing. This piece isn’t terribly political, it isn’t even about US society, and it’s only remotely historical. It’s just my way of giving back to Heather and to all of you.
It’s an article that I just wrote inspired by how much fun I’m having and the joy I’m feeling, due in no small part to the time in Heather’s living room (this forum) chatting with all of you.
Jefferson references inspired by Lucian Truscott and Deborah Truscott. I am on Lucian‘s Substack site as well. Lucian and Deborah have family ties to Jefferson.
Hope you like it.
The Head and the Heart
“I never met a stranger.” Search it and the name Roy Rogers pops up. Whether or not he deserves the credit, the concept can be used as a measuring stick for your love quotient. I just made that up.
Love is a curious thing, as Huey Lewis and the News tell us. As our good friend Mr. Jefferson sought to remind us with the phrase “the pursuit of happiness,” we deserve the best. We deserve to be happy.
As the first-born American in my immediate family, and the eldest son, and the second American born here in our entire clan which is German on both sides, I am no stranger to High expectations. “Great judge,” that’s what my mother was thinking before I was even out yet. Supreme court justice, either state or federal, likely would’ve been fine.
And like every firstborn child in an immigrant family in America, I take my seriousness very seriously.
You could rightly accuse me of taking my seriousness too seriously.
But what about play? What about joy? What about wonder, delight, the love of adventure and learning, the exquisite appreciation of nature and art and so many other gifts bestowed upon us in this world?
What about the enjoyment of life?
One of Mr. Jefferson’s lifelong objectives, we could even argue it may have been his number one goal in life, was integrating the head and the heart. Unbeknownst to most of us, the heart is the seat of the human soul. The head is the seat of conscious awareness of self, but the heart is the radio station, the radio set, that if it is turned on allows one to receive the many different channels of love and life: awe and wonder and delight and gratitude and sweetness and affection.
When you’re having fun, all the world is a playground. Being dialed into the heart set is being dialed into life.
When you’re in a place of joy, everyone and everything looks beautiful.
When you’re happy, it’s very very hard to find a stranger.
Thank you for your meticulous attention to the facts; your painstaking effort to filter the unimportant and prioritize what’s left, and for your lovely closing photos of Maine. I canceled all news sources except NYT Sunday. I have had no TV for 14 years. You are now my only link to daily news. Brava!
For all out there that need something to lift them, put up a bird feeder! my husband did just that right by where i sit at my computer and now a whole joyful world of colorful and amusing winter birds have entered my life! First it was enough to identify them with the Peterson guide I happened to have on my bookshelf, now i am expanding my mind by learning the names and upping my game by the Merlin app, made by the brilliant birders at Cornell U. These little busy guys make me smile, laugh and gasp in wonder. Try it. Pure fun. And you wont feel lonely. Also, since i am offering unasked for advice, consider buying a Ukulele! Super easy to learn since it only has four strings. If you learn 4 or 5 chords you can play dozens of songs!!
Wow. Buddy’s photo is aureus. The word I used was “glorious“ but aureus as in golden will work just as well. Sometimes voice-to-text will give you magical results
We too could get used to the current pace and tone, as the new President and team pursue their ambitious and constructive goals. By the way, as a retired marine biologist, I find Buddy's photo of the moon shining over the Atlantic welcoming and spectacular!
I'm back on the road today heading to the house in Provence. My mother-in-law died on Friday...of isolation and old age in her totally closed-up, fortress-like Residential Home. They thought that the walls kept out the virus...it also stopped all visits! She was 95 and she was collateral damage of the covid panic procedures.
It is nice that there were so many stars visible in the sky on a full-moonlit night, thanks to apparently no light pollution. Please thank Buddy for the restful image.
Thanks for your ongoing calm, fact-based approach to these times. You letter yesterday was especially helpful, pointing out how the Biden Admin isn't "playing the game". I continue to be concerned with things like a report on CNN tonight that just seems to try to stir the pot, making supposed news out of no actual story or focusing on the arguments, not the issues. I got my Journalism degree at the U of Minn in 1965. What happened to the rules we were taught about what constitutes a story. There's probably a story in this for you, when did the media ownership give up on Journalistic Standards? Sorry, that's my rant and I'm sticking to it.
Lovely photo. Lovely group and interesting comments. It’s a misty morning here in Wales. Last night the moon came up over the mountain and brought a howling wind over our stone house and down to the sea. The moons tranquility was soothing and the tumultuous air washed everything away and I finally slept the deep sleep of no dreams. 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑
Heather, may your well-deserved rest be peaceful. I pass along a little “historical” background on sea chanties, along with performances by some creative TikTok musicians. I thought you and Buddy might enjoy them. But a warning: they can become relentless ear-worms!
OK, here goes nothing. This piece isn’t terribly political, it isn’t even about US society, and it’s only remotely historical. It’s just my way of giving back to Heather and to all of you.
It’s an article that I just wrote inspired by how much fun I’m having and the joy I’m feeling, due in no small part to the time in Heather’s living room (this forum) chatting with all of you.
Jefferson references inspired by Lucian Truscott and Deborah Truscott. I am on Lucian‘s Substack site as well. Lucian and Deborah have family ties to Jefferson.
Hope you like it.
The Head and the Heart
“I never met a stranger.” Search it and the name Roy Rogers pops up. Whether or not he deserves the credit, the concept can be used as a measuring stick for your love quotient. I just made that up.
Love is a curious thing, as Huey Lewis and the News tell us. As our good friend Mr. Jefferson sought to remind us with the phrase “the pursuit of happiness,” we deserve the best. We deserve to be happy.
As the first-born American in my immediate family, and the eldest son, and the second American born here in our entire clan which is German on both sides, I am no stranger to High expectations. “Great judge,” that’s what my mother was thinking before I was even out yet. Supreme court justice, either state or federal, likely would’ve been fine.
And like every firstborn child in an immigrant family in America, I take my seriousness very seriously.
You could rightly accuse me of taking my seriousness too seriously.
But what about play? What about joy? What about wonder, delight, the love of adventure and learning, the exquisite appreciation of nature and art and so many other gifts bestowed upon us in this world?
What about the enjoyment of life?
One of Mr. Jefferson’s lifelong objectives, we could even argue it may have been his number one goal in life, was integrating the head and the heart. Unbeknownst to most of us, the heart is the seat of the human soul. The head is the seat of conscious awareness of self, but the heart is the radio station, the radio set, that if it is turned on allows one to receive the many different channels of love and life: awe and wonder and delight and gratitude and sweetness and affection.
When you’re having fun, all the world is a playground. Being dialed into the heart set is being dialed into life.
When you’re in a place of joy, everyone and everything looks beautiful.
When you’re happy, it’s very very hard to find a stranger.
Welcome to the Heart.
Welcome to the Divine Feminine.
Welcome to our dear Mother Earth.
🦋🌎🦚☘️🌺🥰🧑🎤
Thank you for your meticulous attention to the facts; your painstaking effort to filter the unimportant and prioritize what’s left, and for your lovely closing photos of Maine. I canceled all news sources except NYT Sunday. I have had no TV for 14 years. You are now my only link to daily news. Brava!
Love your photo and the fact that the USA is calm. Not to mention I am getting my Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday. Feels like I won the lottery.
When you rest, we rest easier.
For all out there that need something to lift them, put up a bird feeder! my husband did just that right by where i sit at my computer and now a whole joyful world of colorful and amusing winter birds have entered my life! First it was enough to identify them with the Peterson guide I happened to have on my bookshelf, now i am expanding my mind by learning the names and upping my game by the Merlin app, made by the brilliant birders at Cornell U. These little busy guys make me smile, laugh and gasp in wonder. Try it. Pure fun. And you wont feel lonely. Also, since i am offering unasked for advice, consider buying a Ukulele! Super easy to learn since it only has four strings. If you learn 4 or 5 chords you can play dozens of songs!!
Wow. Buddy’s photo is aureus. The word I used was “glorious“ but aureus as in golden will work just as well. Sometimes voice-to-text will give you magical results
While Maine is covered with snow,
in Texas the powerful winds blow,
And today it hit 70 and was warm,
So we walked off our tensions, pre-storm.
We too could get used to the current pace and tone, as the new President and team pursue their ambitious and constructive goals. By the way, as a retired marine biologist, I find Buddy's photo of the moon shining over the Atlantic welcoming and spectacular!
I'm back on the road today heading to the house in Provence. My mother-in-law died on Friday...of isolation and old age in her totally closed-up, fortress-like Residential Home. They thought that the walls kept out the virus...it also stopped all visits! She was 95 and she was collateral damage of the covid panic procedures.
It is nice that there were so many stars visible in the sky on a full-moonlit night, thanks to apparently no light pollution. Please thank Buddy for the restful image.
Thank you. Sleep deep!
I see that tRump lost his defense team 🤣😂🤣
Thanks for your ongoing calm, fact-based approach to these times. You letter yesterday was especially helpful, pointing out how the Biden Admin isn't "playing the game". I continue to be concerned with things like a report on CNN tonight that just seems to try to stir the pot, making supposed news out of no actual story or focusing on the arguments, not the issues. I got my Journalism degree at the U of Minn in 1965. What happened to the rules we were taught about what constitutes a story. There's probably a story in this for you, when did the media ownership give up on Journalistic Standards? Sorry, that's my rant and I'm sticking to it.
Lovely photo. Lovely group and interesting comments. It’s a misty morning here in Wales. Last night the moon came up over the mountain and brought a howling wind over our stone house and down to the sea. The moons tranquility was soothing and the tumultuous air washed everything away and I finally slept the deep sleep of no dreams. 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑
Am a new appreciative subscriber. How great to not have 10 crises every min!
And now, Trump's impeachment lawyers have started jumping ship...
Heather, may your well-deserved rest be peaceful. I pass along a little “historical” background on sea chanties, along with performances by some creative TikTok musicians. I thought you and Buddy might enjoy them. But a warning: they can become relentless ear-worms!
https://theconversation.com/tiktoks-sea-chanteys-how-life-under-the-pandemic-has-mirrored-months-at-sea-153421