"Gah Wahnut imah mouf!"
"So I see, a walnut as big as your head. Need a break?"
"Lemme pitidout down dere."
"'K, pitooie!"
"Now, what do you want to talk about, Geo.?"
"What do you fear, Geo.?"
"Mortality, like most humans, penury, the clink."
"What is 'clink', Geo.?"
"A cage, a disgrace, the hoosecow, the pokey."
"Explain."
"When I gardened in high schools, there were obstacle courses essential to law and equity classes that had to be kept in order. Students were made to scale a 6-foot wall and drag a rag-dummy down decomposed granite tracks to a place where they practiced throwing it into the pokey."
"I don't know "pokey", Geo."
"Happily, I don't either, E(a)rnest. But I've heard if you're under 7 feet tall you become somebody's 'bitch'."
"I thought you humans were far more humane."
"I wish we were, E(a)rnest, as do many humans, but despite copious literature advocating rehabilitation and general smartening-up, our greatest minds can suggest nothing more than..."
"Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis?"
"Precisely, don't abandon your squirrel-ish scolding, your chattering welcome, your openmindedness and trust in instinct."
"Geo., you embolden me, but I can't do all that and remember where my nut is."
"Base of the stump."
"Heaven help us, E(a)rnest, we are excruciatingly good at that."
I wish we were good at remembering. And I wish we were much better at remembering the important things. The things like kindness, gardens, rainbows and peace. And how precious they are.
ReplyDeleteDear EC, I have to believe we ARE getting better at remembering the simple, good things life has to offer. They have kept us settled and progressive for at least a million years --far longer than divisive forces could have done.
DeleteHow is it we are go very good at remembering yet fail to learn from our past mistakes? Is it selective remembering?
DeleteGood questions Delores. Maybe our commonest mistake is forgetting what we fail to remember what we forgot.
DeleteSome things are worth remembering and others should never again see the light of day; the trick is knowing which is which.
ReplyDeleteI like that your title could have been turned around and been equally true: "E(a)rnest in Autumn" . . .
Those are wonderful photos and commentary. And I wish I were even half as trim and athletic as Earnest!
Indeed, Jenny, the autumnal call for winter preparation is very much in E(a)rnest. His mental well-being relies on getting nuts.
DeleteMy very first memory goes back to 2 or 3 years old … it was about a guy demonstrating his glass eye ... I remember running down a steep rocky screa hill … screa-ming … Anyway … ya … Much love, cat.
ReplyDeleteOh my! There are memories in so many of us as new humans that made us wonder what we'd got ourselves into. Some things still spook us --and send us running down rocky hills.
DeleteI tend to feel in tune with E's C. Yes, some of us are good at remembering good things - and the bad situations from which those good things emerged. But when I listen to certain politicians, and see mindless people casting their votes in democratic elections, I really do wonder, and despair.
ReplyDeleteAs one who has heard my chief executive condemn(?),"...negative press covfefe.", and a past one ask,"Is our children learning?", I must sadly agree and run down the rocky hillside.
Delete"Precisely, don't abandon your squirrel-ish scolding, your chattering welcome, your openmindedness and trust in instinct."
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, dear Geo. It isn't always easy in these times, but good instinct and basic kindness to all of God's children, will always be there. The noise blocks it out sometimes, and it does not make headlines, but it goes on everyday and everywhere. We have to keep hope going and not despair. There are nuts enough for all of us.
Dear Arleen, kind Arleen, you are Hope and I shall not leave you. But do you really think there are enough nuts out there? E(a)rnest keeps no records but I believe he agrees with you'
DeleteI believe you have thoroughly confused poor E(a)nest. He can't possibly understand us. We don't understand us.
ReplyDeleteDear Emma, E(a)rnest takes his instructions from seasons, from tremendous operations of the universe. He will understand us from chassis up and, unless he forgets, will explain it all.
DeleteI remember very clearly being stuck in a corn bin with a rooster lecturing me. Chicken still scare me. I can't even eat any chicken piece that resembles any body part. Me + McD -- we have a relationship.
ReplyDeleteDear Susan, I spent my 1st 9 years on a medieval Portuguese truck farm and am no stranger to roosters. They can be intimidating. My favorite quote from Latvian humorist, Gatis Kandis, is: "I would tell my chicken happy birthday, but it would not understand."
DeleteGeo. you've hit on a perfect way to spend our days--working to help make humans more humane. Best to you and E(a)rnest.
ReplyDeleteDear Tom, I have lately learned the Humane Society is largely made up of humans, so there's hope.
DeleteTrust in squirrels. They trust in their nuts.
ReplyDeleteBruce, I've never heard it put so concisely and accurately. Thanks!
DeleteThere are people who can embrace mortality, penury and the clink, so there is hope for us. However dark the chances are someone trod that way before. Or hid a nut there, if they were a squirrel.
ReplyDeleteI got a lovely pocketful of sweet chestnuts after that last storm, but I'm not a squirrel so I put them in a bowl.
May all storms bring bounty, dear Geo. xx
Dear Lisa, your comment brightened my day. Storms bringing bounty is a kind wish --one I earnestly endorse.
DeleteGeo.....I don't always comment, partly because I have ambivalent feelings about allusion as a descriptive adjective. But, why not. I think there are things we can indeed learn from the day to day behavior of our companions in the wild. You have squirrels, skunks maybe, raccoons certainly, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe have different inhabitants up here.....moose, elk, grizzly, etc. A different conversation ensues with these fellow inhabitants.
Hope you're well.
Mike
Dear Mike, half-well and getting weller. Raccoons have headed toward the city. Skunks are happy to frolic around in the tall grass. Squirrels are polite yard friends. Moose, elk and grizzlies comprise a separate problem, especially if they get into your attic. We've had rats do that and they're noisy enough. I throw mothballs in there to keep them wary, but not sure it would work with larger creatures. However, a dialogue with moose, elk and grizzlies might prove enlightening. Best of luck, thanks pal --I'm improving week by week.
DeleteWhat a delightful post! And those photos of Earnest are wonderful. He's such a big, handsome guy (he looks more robust than any squirrels I've seen in Tennessee).
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to remembering, I always seem to remember the things I want to forget.
By the way, I enjoyed your recent comment (my blog) about Ray Bradbury.
Dear Jon, thanks. E(a)rnest is a fine specimen, as you mention. I suspect he picked the right place and elevation to negotiate foraging rights. His walnuts come from our neighbor's prolific tree and almonds come from our fenceline. Ray Bradbury's work is always a good memory --he specialized in them. It is full of fun and wonder, the kind you see in autumn.
DeleteDear Geo., squirrels are the most beloved animals of my son (and cats, though they have none because of the lots of work they have to do). I love your photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat you fear, Geo,, is what we all fear - and I hope that we do not have to experience it - I prefer the method of the squirrels - they forget a lot, but by that they create a lot of new forest... So: We are tough and fun and creative, Geo.!
Dear Brigitta, I love your life-affirming viewpoint! Thank you.
DeleteAs time moves forward, may the things we want to forget be blissfully absent from our recollections and the things we want to remember and cherish ever be there to provide comfort and joy. Too bad we don't get to pick and choose, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in Tennessee with our friends over the weekend, nine deer were frolicking in their front yard. And I do mean frolicking! They were joy in motion, and it was a pleasure to watch them. It would've been nice to carry on a conversation with one of them. They seemed to have it all figured out.
Glad to hear you're continuing to get "weller," dude.
Dear Susan, the grace and calm of deer ARE their side of the conversation. Your pleasure in their "...joy in motion..." is all they ask in reply --and your kindness. Over the years I have worked with many men who had a special epiphany with a buck in their sights during deer season, and simply could not shoot. They just took cameras afterwards.
DeleteI definitely don't like the thought of mortality, penury, or being locked in a cell (I'm way under 7 feet); but what I fear most of all is losing my mind. As long as I have my mind, I can enjoy the wonder of our world, our universe, and our human journey over our long history. There is much that is bad, but there is so much more that is good. I'm recently back from a month in England and Italy, and I was almost overwhelmed with the amazing art, architecture, music, and history I experienced, not to mention the lovely people I met.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile E(a)rnest and his nuts had me, without thinking, digging into the cupboard for a handful of nuts. I've tried to take photos of squirrels. It is no easy thing to get a good shot. Kudos to Norma for her great photos.
Norma's special interest in close-up photography without special lenses bespeaks her love of wild things, and their sense of trust in her. She gets supernaturally close to them and they just go on with their business without fear. I don't know how she does it.
Delete