You never know what we'll churn up in cleaning a stall
You know, that chinaware under coffee and tea cups.
Maybe they went the way of the cups, too, when mugs took over.
Is it something we can’t blame on changing technology, unless microwave safe is a consideration?
Or maybe it goes along with all of those paper cups we get for our takeout brew.
I seldom use my cell phone except to text or take photos.
Rarely watch television but do stream in binges.
Prefer small dinner parties to big gatherings.
Have fallen into a habit of indulging in the New York Times online in the morning.
Find it hard to believe that I’ve wound up living in an expertly renovated Cape along the Atlantic coast.
Appreciate the many days when I don’t have to get in a car to go anywhere.
I no longer desire to travel many places I haven’t yet been but would rather revisit places where I’ve been, either in person or, in the case of Tibet or Japanese temples, in my thinking and study. I also recognize that could change, given different economic circumstances and an influx of free time.
~*~
In the years since I noted that, the list has shrunk even more. As has the number of favored people who remain.
I am thinking I’d like to travel more intently closer to home. So much is overlooked.
I recently deleted a file full of personal questions.
Personally, most of them didn’t fit, and besides, now that I’m no longer submitting writing to quarterlies and reviews for publication, I have no need for my own contributor’s notes.
Still, I found these responses from working other sets of questions. I am curious how you’d answer.
Revisiting these exercises, I’m struck by how many other desires not included here have been fulfilled or are no longer applicable. Consider CAN’T WRITE WITHOUT: caffeine. Today my mug’s filled with decaf, per doctor’s orders. Caffeine counteracts one of my meds.
He would have said alert but she’d counter twitchy
He would have said observant but she’d counter oblivious
He would have said free-thinking but she’d counter too serious
He would have said independent but she’d counter aloof
He would have said sensitive but she’d counter nervous
He would have said inquisitive but she’d say he rarely asks questions
He would have said accepting but she’d counter indecisive
He would have said nurturing but she’d counter cold
He would have said serious but she’d counter silent
He would have said playful but she’d counter negative
He would have said witty but she’d counter legalistic
He would have said intelligent but she’d counter uptight
He would have said slightly bent but she’d counter insecure
He would have said self-sufficient but she’d counter evasive
He would have said caring but she’d counter mean
He would have said spiritual but she’d ask how that makes him a better person
He would have said spirited but she’d counter lazy
He would have said somewhat reserved but she’d counter socially deficient
He would have said somewhat shy but she’d counter loner
He would have said elitist in quest of excellence and quality but she’d counter self-centered
He would have said egalitarian in opportunity and expectation but she’d counter workaholic
He would have said outdoorsy but she’d counter escapist
He would have said rainbow chaser but she’d counter impractical
He would have said aging but she’d agree
He would have said youthful but she’d counter bald
He would have said honest, direct but she’d counter defensive
He would have said exploring but she’d counter unemotional
He would have said hedonist but she’d counter lazy
He would have said ascetic but she’d counter dull
He would have said a bit gallant but she’d counter straight-laced
He would have said organized but she’d notice he rarely dusts furniture
He would have said self-starter but she’d counter with a list of projects
He would have said visionary but she’d counter icy
He would have said original but she’d counter quirky
He would have said inventive but she’d counter weird
He would have said creative but she’d counter unrealistic
He would have said hopeful but she’d counter inexpressive
He would have said responsive but she’d counter boring
He would have said kind, gentle but she’d counter too serious
He would have said frugal but she’d counter tight-fisted or fiscally irresponsible
He would have said financially marginal
but she would have countered too willing to pay full price
Now, for her side of the dialogue?
After throwing myself into business crusades and tumultuous romantic relationships, I consider myself a survivor.
That’s even before we get to politics.
How about you?
Theology? It’s where science must answer what came before the Big Bang.
Can anyone even calculate how many seven days that multiplied into? Before?
Now, just look up at that Milky Way overhead, interrupted by a miniscule satellite.
When I was growing up, it meant something of a Mount Olympus quality.
Not some kind of norm but an aspiration – a better person and society in the end.
Back before the very culture clash between the two concepts.
Now we add to that the concept of supremacy, not just white but European. Or perhaps, grudgingly, Chinese.
The question remains: How do we encourage excellence?
And what do we name it?
Remembering gazing forlornly at LS, the cheerleader of the mysterious olive skin, and dark brown eyes etc.
Jenny, a year older, at the other end of our street, too.
The ache … tongue-tied, like facing a childhood hero or famous actor or scientist …
A shadow of that looking at prime foliage.
Jnana's Red Barn 