Cannot beat the hyphenated word descriptor of a spring day after a shower ... "puddle-wonderful." Our dear e. e. cummings, a Unitarian brethren. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful poem Christopher,
One of the things she mentioned, worries me. Colin Allred giving up his seat to oppose Ted Cruz. Texas has written the script for cheating and all types of voter suppression shenanigans, making it virtually impossible to unseat the cretins. I depleted my resources significantly supporting Beto. He would have won in the last two races, but for the sleight of hand and legal machinations of repubs in Texas. It will take a miracle, and my wand is worn. Hope there is one, but Texas and Florida took aim at fair elections and have stacked the deck.
I hear your angst and understand Texas situation having lived there until I was 32 and my sisters still do.
But, I want to offer some encouragement.
In probability mathematics there is something powerful that applies to, well, everything.
It is called "The Mean Value Theorem".
Simply put: In ALL systems, a distribution of (anything) tends to the mean, or the center of the distribution, and excursions from the mean drop off rapidly from the center.
Extremes exist, but, their probability and existence are progressively less likely the farther one moves from the mean. Practically speaking, everything obeys something called a "Normal Distribution".
Regression to the mean is one of the best explainers I learned in multivariate statistics And also one of the most exasperating, at times. But hot damn, Mike S., you’ve got a winner here.
I like this Mike. Not only is it optimistic - it is logical. And sadly, the Texas GQP will be the cause of much more suffering and death by fall of 2024. The "mean" and cruel will help us swing back to a more normal mean.
And...I think that simply in terms of presentation, Allred is a far better candidate than Beto was (who I also sent money to).
Bill. Yes. Allred is better. Beto cannot win in TX, although if he did I think it would be a vast improvement. TX has been drinking the Ronald Reagan, let’s all vote ourselves poor, coolaid for 43 years.
Beto may have lost the battle due to GOP shenanigans but, his boots on the ground, grassroots work, helped to build resilience to the fascist propaganda. That’s a win!
I was really enjoying my coffee out on my porch until I read this. Is it with blind hope that I wait for the likes of the two Justins to rise up in a state that's gone rogue where they're openly killing each other with assault rifles? How can someone so hideous as Ted Cruz be re-elected? I guess you just told us Jeri. I'm bummed....
Where IS Beto? Out of funds? Exhausted? Life and family threatened beyond bearable? Important to know. It could be one more Republican horror to remind US of.
Love the Lincoln, Nebraska celebration of mayor winning ~ "Gaylor Baird prevailed despite Geist’s receiving massive amounts of money from both the state GOP’s political establishment and dark money PACs. Dems also won 3 of 4 open city council seats, and a clean sweep of all 3 open school board seats." Thanks Just Janice from Jess' list of things to celebrate. Also her Wes Moore's celebration!
JustJanice, you shared for me. Thank you. This beautiful quote and the idea of Tikkun Olam, Repair the world, the way each of us separate and joined together have an obligation to make the world a better and safer place for all of humanity. Through action. In my search I found this site, Tikkun, and letter to Rabbi Lerner. “How Speaking Truth to Power Can Be a Catalyst for Change.”
Love your attitude, Janice. Here is Leigh McGowan, Politics Girl, with an empowering podcast from last week. Republicans truly are “not reading the room” in any way, shape, or form that supports our freedoms. A good listen to start the week.
Thank You Keith! For 50 years of my life, every April my mother would exclaim, "Spring is sprung, the grass is riz!" But never said the rest of it. Now I know! (Sadly, we lost this great, witty lady 20 years ago. She would have been 100 this year. Guess I'll have to carry on the tradition!)
🤣🌷Thank you for a real chuckle. My father used to sing nonsense songs and there was “The Owl and the Pussycat” and other Edward Lear. Yours is a new one. Question: is there current memorable nonsense?
Beautiful photo! Spring has arrived in the Columbia River Gorge too. I took my 94 year old Mom a beautiful and fragrant bouquet of lilacs from my yard today. It was a good day.
I do too. Three years ago I planted some lilacs in my back yard. Last spring the little twigs bloomed lilac bunches so big they bent the branches almost to the ground. This spring since we had such a mild mostly non-winter - no blooms. Lilacs need a cold, dormant period to bloom. Climate change, I’m not sure folks realize that it truly affects everything, even whether your lilac will bloom in the springtime.
We are finally at spring in the Willamette Valley too. In fact, it will be summer at the end of the week. I still have much to transplant and of course, it is supposed to rain today. But I have a fragrant verbena whose scent goes all over the yard.
There was a large lilac right next to my bedroom when I was growing up, so I delight in them, but couldn't keep the one we had here alive.
I always look forward to the serenity photo at the end of the week which brings peace.
Beautiful scene with a path of shells to follow in a bath of spring colors. Thank your for this spring display and your rock solid analysis during the week.
A few thoughts from other masters:
What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that
they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they
say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.
___Robert Kennedy
Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow.
___Kurt Vonnegut
At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.
Fern! You always add just the right touch -- for me -- to what’s been shared. I love this trilogy of quotes and would love to reconnect. Thank you for your voice of reason.
Those of us who are paying attention, and that includes all of us who follow and depend on Heather, are very concerned. Seeing the insidious, multi-decade Republican plot to stack the deck against fair elections leaves us slack-jawed. How could we have been so oblivious?
We are fighting back to reclaim our democracy. This is our Normandy beach. Every generation is called to defend and this is our fight. We will not fail.
I agree with you, this view is great. And you gave equally valuable quotes. How many times have I seen people who give themselves to creativity and don't seek to make money come out of it with great results. And not necessarily in terms of money, they overcame difficulties along the way and developed their spirituality.
How true it is: we endure what previously seemed unthinkable to us.
Here Spring actually teases us in February, we think it has come in March, April opens petals of pastels, May burst with brilliance of plants that defy as they should only grow in the tropics or Asia💐🌸🏵️🌹🌺🌻🌼🌷🥀🪺
This picture puts me in mind of *Blueberries for Sal* by Robert McCloskey, c.1948. Lovely picture book, all in blue (not black) and white. Two mothers each with a toddler go blueberry picking in Maine; will the moms take the right toddler home? ❤️💙
Suzanne, a sweet reminder of how books and stories fill our hearts and souls, starting with our very youngest. I began reading to my newborn babes and books and poems and stories contributed to their own creativity, imagination and inspiration. And of course they shared that inspiration with their own children. May we value that creativity, our librarians and libraries and stand up to preserve them. For our children and communities now and the future.
Irenie, I’m a retired school librarian and I thank you with all my heart. It’s as though the good that libraries and librarians have always done is being “inter’red with our bones.”
Thank you, Suzanne. You are still a Librarian, forever. And the work you do is of utmost importance to our Democracy. So important it is threatened by fascism. Gratitude to you and every Librarian who has and continues to open doors and keep the lights on.
I’m always thrilled when you give yourself a night off! I think from now on, since you’ve been doing such a good job, you may have two nights a week off. Enjoy!
Jeeze Marlene. You all talk about poppies and lilacs and dress it up with frenetic poetics burbling happily. We finally have budding leaves on the cottonwoods and willows. One brave daffodil put on a show. Mostly in the large moonlight I see snowy peaks reflecting in the flooding hayfield and fresh snow falling after dark. The dog and me share a bed and she has the odor of horse manure as her endearing contribution so I leave the window open and cower under the quilts my wife and sisters made for me. Sometime in every night the wild geese give concert as they squabble over who gets what puddle. They are such hissy fitters. With the water splashing and the moon streaming reflections of jagged peaks in the meadow I’m going to think up something nice to say for once. Hang on.
I don’t think Texas understands what Spring is suppose to be. Went straight to the 90s and 90% humidity. Either dust storm, pollen storm, or loud thunderstorms!
By E. E. Cummings
in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman
whistles far and wee
and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it’s
spring
when the world is puddle-wonderful
Cannot beat the hyphenated word descriptor of a spring day after a shower ... "puddle-wonderful." Our dear e. e. cummings, a Unitarian brethren. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful poem Christopher,
rudy
newark, de
One of my favorite poems by one of my favorite poets!
Ditto...Sarah Scott from Texas...Dallas area
So miss Maine!
1 of my favorites
LOVE love love this poem! Thanks for bringing it back to me from many years ago. ❤
One of my favorites of e e
Thank you
A very beautiful poem by a favorite author.🧡
Thanks, Christopher, e. e. cummings was a great poet. Please note that he did not capitalize his name.
Indeed you are right.
Thank you for this beautiful photo! speaking of celebrations, recently Jess Craven published a compilation of recent wins from last week, and there feels like a lot to celebrate - her list is here at https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/extra-extra-58-242
And, having just returned from camping for the past few days, I feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes next.
Jess opened with a quote from the Talmud:
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
Do justly NOW.
Love mercy NOW.
Walk humbly NOW.
You are not obligated to complete the work but neither are you free to abandon it."
Rest well, Dr. Heather. ❤
I'll have to remember that passage from the Talmud.
" We are the arrows shot forth from the quivers of our parents to carry their legacy " - Paraphrased from Kahlil Gibran.
Absolutely true quote, good start to the week.
One of the things she mentioned, worries me. Colin Allred giving up his seat to oppose Ted Cruz. Texas has written the script for cheating and all types of voter suppression shenanigans, making it virtually impossible to unseat the cretins. I depleted my resources significantly supporting Beto. He would have won in the last two races, but for the sleight of hand and legal machinations of repubs in Texas. It will take a miracle, and my wand is worn. Hope there is one, but Texas and Florida took aim at fair elections and have stacked the deck.
Jeri,
I hear your angst and understand Texas situation having lived there until I was 32 and my sisters still do.
But, I want to offer some encouragement.
In probability mathematics there is something powerful that applies to, well, everything.
It is called "The Mean Value Theorem".
Simply put: In ALL systems, a distribution of (anything) tends to the mean, or the center of the distribution, and excursions from the mean drop off rapidly from the center.
Extremes exist, but, their probability and existence are progressively less likely the farther one moves from the mean. Practically speaking, everything obeys something called a "Normal Distribution".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution
So it will be in Texas and it WAS in Texas when I was a youth and young adult.
The mean/center will prevail, it always does, although, extremes always exist (at progressively lower probability from the mean).
So, don't worry and don't give up.
Regression to the mean is one of the best explainers I learned in multivariate statistics And also one of the most exasperating, at times. But hot damn, Mike S., you’ve got a winner here.
Maureen. Have not heard hot damn is quite a while. Thanks for the smile.
I like this Mike. Not only is it optimistic - it is logical. And sadly, the Texas GQP will be the cause of much more suffering and death by fall of 2024. The "mean" and cruel will help us swing back to a more normal mean.
And...I think that simply in terms of presentation, Allred is a far better candidate than Beto was (who I also sent money to).
Me too, Beto would have been much better than Abbott! Which was I sent him $ even tho I live in MD.
Bill. Yes. Allred is better. Beto cannot win in TX, although if he did I think it would be a vast improvement. TX has been drinking the Ronald Reagan, let’s all vote ourselves poor, coolaid for 43 years.
Thank you for your ray of hope....
And May the theorem hold in NC too. (I lived in TX when Ralph Yarborough was my senator and Henry B. Gonzales my rep.)
Beto may have lost the battle due to GOP shenanigans but, his boots on the ground, grassroots work, helped to build resilience to the fascist propaganda. That’s a win!
I was really enjoying my coffee out on my porch until I read this. Is it with blind hope that I wait for the likes of the two Justins to rise up in a state that's gone rogue where they're openly killing each other with assault rifles? How can someone so hideous as Ted Cruz be re-elected? I guess you just told us Jeri. I'm bummed....
Ted Cruz is indeed a puzzle.
Visually repulsive an intellectually challenged he has nothing to offer TX.
Where IS Beto? Out of funds? Exhausted? Life and family threatened beyond bearable? Important to know. It could be one more Republican horror to remind US of.
Good words to start my week with. Thank you, Janice.
Thank you JustJanice
Love the Lincoln, Nebraska celebration of mayor winning ~ "Gaylor Baird prevailed despite Geist’s receiving massive amounts of money from both the state GOP’s political establishment and dark money PACs. Dems also won 3 of 4 open city council seats, and a clean sweep of all 3 open school board seats." Thanks Just Janice from Jess' list of things to celebrate. Also her Wes Moore's celebration!
JustJanice, you shared for me. Thank you. This beautiful quote and the idea of Tikkun Olam, Repair the world, the way each of us separate and joined together have an obligation to make the world a better and safer place for all of humanity. Through action. In my search I found this site, Tikkun, and letter to Rabbi Lerner. “How Speaking Truth to Power Can Be a Catalyst for Change.”
https://www.tikkun.org/a-chance-meeting/
@ JustJanice...we are about to leave for a short vacation too-I'm hoping for the same refreshment of the soul and restoration of the will to carry on.
Great words, fitting as never before.
This is perfect for today - for every day. Thank you for sharing this - a lovely message to "our" Dr. Heather, too.
Love your attitude, Janice. Here is Leigh McGowan, Politics Girl, with an empowering podcast from last week. Republicans truly are “not reading the room” in any way, shape, or form that supports our freedoms. A good listen to start the week.
https://youtu.be/3n7gYDwEHAY
Salud!
🗽
Perfect.
And here we are in the NOW.
Spring is sprung, the grass is riz,
I wonder where the birdies is.
They say the birdies on the wing, but that’s absurd.
I always thought the wing was on the bird.
Thank You Keith! For 50 years of my life, every April my mother would exclaim, "Spring is sprung, the grass is riz!" But never said the rest of it. Now I know! (Sadly, we lost this great, witty lady 20 years ago. She would have been 100 this year. Guess I'll have to carry on the tradition!)
PatPat This was a favorite of my sister (5 years older than me), who died just shy of 90.
She would also say ‘summer is a bummer.’
Thank you Keith. That makes it official. I’d like to attribute it to Dr Seuss but it’s anon.
Gigi You’re right, it is Anonymous, though some sought to relate it to Ogden Nash.
🥰
Beautiful🧡
🤣🌷Thank you for a real chuckle. My father used to sing nonsense songs and there was “The Owl and the Pussycat” and other Edward Lear. Yours is a new one. Question: is there current memorable nonsense?
Virginia In response to your question whether there is current memorable nonsense, except for the daily news I can’t remember.
The ocean and the pines—and flowers and shells and lichens—a perfect long view of the Maine coast. Thank you Heather!
That photo is so beautiful.
I agree with you. This picture is so beautiful that it's hard to single out one thing. All the elements are different in their beauty.
Beautiful photo! Spring has arrived in the Columbia River Gorge too. I took my 94 year old Mom a beautiful and fragrant bouquet of lilacs from my yard today. It was a good day.
Oh how I love the smell of lilacs
I do too. Three years ago I planted some lilacs in my back yard. Last spring the little twigs bloomed lilac bunches so big they bent the branches almost to the ground. This spring since we had such a mild mostly non-winter - no blooms. Lilacs need a cold, dormant period to bloom. Climate change, I’m not sure folks realize that it truly affects everything, even whether your lilac will bloom in the springtime.
How sweet it is.
We are finally at spring in the Willamette Valley too. In fact, it will be summer at the end of the week. I still have much to transplant and of course, it is supposed to rain today. But I have a fragrant verbena whose scent goes all over the yard.
There was a large lilac right next to my bedroom when I was growing up, so I delight in them, but couldn't keep the one we had here alive.
I always look forward to the serenity photo at the end of the week which brings peace.
Beautiful scene with a path of shells to follow in a bath of spring colors. Thank your for this spring display and your rock solid analysis during the week.
A few thoughts from other masters:
What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that
they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they
say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.
___Robert Kennedy
Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow.
___Kurt Vonnegut
At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.
___Frieda Kahlo
Fern! You always add just the right touch -- for me -- to what’s been shared. I love this trilogy of quotes and would love to reconnect. Thank you for your voice of reason.
❤️🦋❤️ Carey
Carey, your words of warmth brought me a happy face. Please accept this Monday's embrace.
Fern, you write of Art for Social Change! An ancient and yet modern Art. Creativity. Speaks to our hearts and souls. And minds.
Dear Irenie, you cheer our spirit of Democracy and warm our souls. Thank you.
Fern, thank you. We’re in this together.
Beautifully said and posted, Fern. Thank you.
Love to you, Ally. I can hear your horn!
Those of us who are paying attention, and that includes all of us who follow and depend on Heather, are very concerned. Seeing the insidious, multi-decade Republican plot to stack the deck against fair elections leaves us slack-jawed. How could we have been so oblivious?
We are fighting back to reclaim our democracy. This is our Normandy beach. Every generation is called to defend and this is our fight. We will not fail.
Well said, Cheryl. We have an obligation to protect our rights, our state, for the future of our children and ourselves.
I agree with you, this view is great. And you gave equally valuable quotes. How many times have I seen people who give themselves to creativity and don't seek to make money come out of it with great results. And not necessarily in terms of money, they overcame difficulties along the way and developed their spirituality.
How true it is: we endure what previously seemed unthinkable to us.
You made my day, thank you!
Good on you ! Take the second star to the right, & straight on 'til morning !
Cherish small pleasures
Here Spring actually teases us in February, we think it has come in March, April opens petals of pastels, May burst with brilliance of plants that defy as they should only grow in the tropics or Asia💐🌸🏵️🌹🌺🌻🌼🌷🥀🪺
How beautifully you write.🌺🌸
You are so kind 💐
Spring has finally arrived here too in NE Washington state, and it feels so good.
Sweet dreams, dear Heather~ Kim&Mike
Spring in middle TN - warm, wet days, chilly nights. Middle TN likes to pretend that it's Northern Ontario.
Not snowing in northern Michigan today!!
Here in Florida, we are long past spring.
This picture puts me in mind of *Blueberries for Sal* by Robert McCloskey, c.1948. Lovely picture book, all in blue (not black) and white. Two mothers each with a toddler go blueberry picking in Maine; will the moms take the right toddler home? ❤️💙
Suzanne, a sweet reminder of how books and stories fill our hearts and souls, starting with our very youngest. I began reading to my newborn babes and books and poems and stories contributed to their own creativity, imagination and inspiration. And of course they shared that inspiration with their own children. May we value that creativity, our librarians and libraries and stand up to preserve them. For our children and communities now and the future.
Irenie, I’m a retired school librarian and I thank you with all my heart. It’s as though the good that libraries and librarians have always done is being “inter’red with our bones.”
Thank you, Suzanne. You are still a Librarian, forever. And the work you do is of utmost importance to our Democracy. So important it is threatened by fascism. Gratitude to you and every Librarian who has and continues to open doors and keep the lights on.
I’m always thrilled when you give yourself a night off! I think from now on, since you’ve been doing such a good job, you may have two nights a week off. Enjoy!
Fabulous photo!
I discovered Bing Image Creator, now I think that I'm Ansel Adams with more color.
Spring remembering, Life renews
Well said.
The photo is simply lovely. Here in CA poppies are in bloom along with every flower imaginable. Spring has sprung!
Jeeze Marlene. You all talk about poppies and lilacs and dress it up with frenetic poetics burbling happily. We finally have budding leaves on the cottonwoods and willows. One brave daffodil put on a show. Mostly in the large moonlight I see snowy peaks reflecting in the flooding hayfield and fresh snow falling after dark. The dog and me share a bed and she has the odor of horse manure as her endearing contribution so I leave the window open and cower under the quilts my wife and sisters made for me. Sometime in every night the wild geese give concert as they squabble over who gets what puddle. They are such hissy fitters. With the water splashing and the moon streaming reflections of jagged peaks in the meadow I’m going to think up something nice to say for once. Hang on.
I don’t think Texas understands what Spring is suppose to be. Went straight to the 90s and 90% humidity. Either dust storm, pollen storm, or loud thunderstorms!
Yep, hell is almost here, Spring seems to last for a nanosecond
WHAT?
No Bluebonnets?? What happened to Spring!
:-)