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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Wordlist 17, Gravel Therapy



"The Russians":
As those who follow this blog know, I have reported lately upon identity theft, outrage, crime and punishment. And those who received countercultural educations in the past half-century know what is meant by "reading the Russians". This was ideally done in garrets by candle light --basements being reserved for the less subversive recreation of meeting by gaslight and discussing rivers of blood.  Those who read the Russians know Crime And Punishment is a great and suspenseful novel written in 1866 by Warren Peace.

Ok, I didn't read all of it. Stayed out of basements too.  But I do know the recurring themes of 19th century Russian novels were these: the conflict between the two sides of human nature, back and front I think;  that once the gods turn against a man they will not consider him again --or was that the Greeks?

βροχή:
βροχή is the Greek word for rain, and the English word for rain is derived from it somehow. I am in California, getting the hang of the language, and notice we get a little rain and sunshine and other forms of meteorologic confusion every day lately, and that is a typical Spring. With rare exception and some internal permutation, this state gets about 20-25 inches of rain a year.

Usually we get it in millions of little drops over a span of 8 or 9 months but I remember one year, 2005, when it came down suddenly enough to make a lake of Badwater Basin in Death Valley (which is mostly gravel).  We didn't get millions of little drops that year. We got all 25 inches of rain in one great big drop instead. That too gave onto a typical Spring --and DST.

Daylight Savings Time:
DST is also an ancient Greek invention but they never used it because, like me, they could not remember whether Earth's orbit sped up or slowed down last night. For 35 years I had to be at work at 6:30 a.m., so I got up at 5 a.m. Then I retired and was surprised and delighted to learn there is no such hour. This is why the Greeks, conquered by the Romans, retaliated by making Italians of them, who in turn authored the Age Of Enlightenment.

Italians:
My friend, Willie --who is Italian-- has been guiding me through a difficult time, helping me emerge from the combined illusion and disillusion of identity theft. But he can't be here or on the phone all the time, so I have enlisted the aid of ὅμηρος. Ok, ὅμηρος isn't his real name. I just used that to write a post around his picture one time. His name is not Homer. To protect his identity from shameless thieves, I called him that instead of his real name which is Turbo. He is a Gravel Therapist.

Gravel Therapy:
Those of us who have sought therapy for the jumps, or recoordination of any injured part, know it can sometimes be an adversarial process.  As you may surmise by the photo over this wordlist, Gravel Therapy is not. A Gravel Therapist is not aware of the adversities of the world and does not include them in the healing process. All they need is sun-warmed gravel on a Spring day and no words, no words at all.



18 comments:

  1. What a wonderful therapist you have. I can feel peace and love radiating through the photo. Perfect.

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  2. IMO, this is vintage Geo. at his best! And I can tell you, living in Whine Country I know a vintage when I see, smell or taste one. Second, I can't believe that it has been two years since that other vintage bloggie of his that he referred to here, and that now we get to see Norma's great current photo of grampa and grandson (at least I presume that's the ones in her lovely photo). So I am reassured no-one's identity has been truly stolen. Finally, I believe Geo. is ready to complete the much-needed 21st century addendum to the classic from 1930:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1066_and_All_That

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  3. Nowadays identities can easily be stolen. No one, however, has the ability to steal wit or intellect. You can be greatful for that.

    Gravel therapy is the best (and least expensive) kind - - and most especially sun-warmed gravel on a spring day.

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  4. Delores-- I'd say your feeling is entirely accurate. Brava (Italian word)!

    Willie-- "1066 And All That"--a delightful romp written by the incomparable author, Norman Conquest.

    Jon-- I am grateful. For effective therapy of any kind, but least expensive is my favorite!

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  5. I think I need to try some of that gravel therapy.

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  6. Gravel therapy sounds like the most effective therapy indeed :)

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  7. I'm so happy I got to meet you today at Susan's blog. I love this post - love the connections your mind makes.

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  8. I'd say your Gravel Therapy is just what the doctor ordered. We have had very mild weather here too, the sun feels divine!

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  9. You have discovered the secret to true inner peace. Gravel therapy, or any such endeavor with a grandchild, can sure whatever ails ya. (At least for the duration of said therapy, so one must repeat as often as possible.)

    Warren Peace was one of my favorite writers, too, HA!

    Loved your post, as always, dude.

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  10. Arleen-- Most kind. Thank you.

    S.P.--There is great comfort in it if one is sitting correctly.

    Keith-- Its efficacy increases in the company of good minds, as demonstrated by this comments section.

    Carol--Thank you and welcome! I have joined your site.

    ShannonAnn-- We too are emerging from protracted winter and, yes, it certainly helps.

    Susan-- I delight in your happy comment and being called dude!

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  11. I knew we were missing something in the Shire, and here it is- gravel. You can't have any sort of real progress without gravel. It can't be done. There is nothing that can't be overcome with a bit of gravel therapy on a somewhat sunny day with birds and stuff. I'm on it.

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  12. Austan-- I recommend pea-gravel. It's far more comfortable than the cracked-up driveway or roadside kind.

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  13. Warm gravel. To a Minnesotan, that sounds delightful.

    I'm sorry, however, that you are having difficult times. If it would cheer you, I am open to taking a post request.

    Just for you, Geo. :-)

    Hugs,

    Pearl

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  14. Pearl-- Thanks. Most kind. My request is you continue your happy, self-directed magic, and yes, hugs.

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  15. Norman Conquest and Warren Peace are underrated, aren't they? And toddlers are always fabulous therapy, as long as they are someone else's, I find.

    I am sorry to hear you've been dealing with fraud and accusatory phone trees. Beep, beep.

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  16. I love how you see and interpret the world... Crime and Punishment is a great novel (and I had to laugh at Warren Peace)

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  17. Stephanie-- Thank you. In children we see ourselves as our elders saw us, life in consciousness and joy --under our protection-- expanding into the mind of the universe. I have no idea what that means but I believe the heck out of it.

    Sage-- I admire your interpretations and observations too, Sage. Thanks!

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