I replied, "I don't know. Does anyone?"
He said,"I do: More geese on that side."
Then he died. No, I wasn't involved. Happened months later. But it got me thinking of jeremiads. We have modest ones throughout our lives. We become sad or alarmed.
When we learn the South Pole has no government, we worry that it exists in a state of antarcty. I refuse to move there and likewise distrust the motives of those who want to "save me from myself."
In short, we've had some sadness here (not a jeremiad yet). However I urge this assumption upon all readers: You have a smile that brightens the world, that captures the affection of all who are lucky enough to see it...
Heartfelt hugs and oceans of caring dear Geo. We have had some sadness here this week too, but there has also been beauty. For which I am very, very grateful.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty is in you too, EC. Thanks for the brightness. I reciprocate as well as I can.
DeleteAnything I can do, advise I can give, give me a shout. Going through a rough patch too, but I'd like to be as much as a friend as I can. I wish you the best, my friend.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you'd like my email or phone #.
Dear Mike, I sure appreciate the comment and offer of support. Basically what's going on is caducity in Norma's family. Her elder brother --my age-- has been a week in VA Hospital after claudication, foot-ulcers, heart quitting several times since Sunday. Norma visited him today --his birthday-- and another relative drove her back to her 90-year-old mom's house to tend her until the night-care lady gets there etc. I think of Shakespeare, "When troubles come, they come not in single spies but in battalions." Thanks for reaching out.
DeleteNot every day can be perfect and yet....every day is a blessing. I hope tomorrow has some smiles and laughter in it for you.....some birdsong and possibly a visit with a remarkable squirrel. Over here in Canada I am sending good wishes your way.
ReplyDeleteDear Delores, Kind wishes most welcome. We're doing our best here and that counts for a lot. Thanks.
DeleteI appreciate the logic of your twangy friend.
ReplyDeleteDear Emma, As did I, and miss him but logic lingers. Good thing too!
DeleteGeo, you are in a particularly fine mood tonight. I howled at the geese story and went in and quoted it to SWMBO. She dismissed me with a snarky look. What are you gonna do? And the caption on your photograph is equally hilarious. I didn't tell her about that. One snark a night is enough for me.
ReplyDeleteHa! Delightful response, Bruce. When I was a Boy Scout --first 4 years of the 1960s-- we were often invited by older scouts and camp managers to go snark-hunting. We were told they were a sort of bird --related to the pin-tailed snipe-- unmistakably distinct from all other birds and a description would win us merit. It was not until some years later I came across the truth. "The Hunting of the Snark (An Agony, in Eight Fits)" (1874) by Lewis Carroll and illustrated by Henry Holiday was a flight of imagination that descended upon us 90 years later. That nonsense poem kept us peering into the treetops for hours. I found no snarks per night was all I could expect.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that you are going through a rough patch, Geo. I hope that your brother-in-law is doing better. It seems like there is a lot on Norma's shoulders right now. I laughed at her photo of Roofcat glaring at the Buddha. As for the geese, I was totally suckered. I nearly fell off my chair laughing ~ Much needed, thank you for that! It's the kind of joke my father would have delighted in telling. I can wait to spring that on my brother. Sending you and Norma big hugs!
ReplyDeleteMost kind, dear Louise. The geese-joke is the kind of humor that composes itself among cross-the-field inhabitants of the bucolic countryside. I have always enjoyed those gentle jokes. Hugs appreciated and reciprocated.
DeleteHello Geo,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the current sadness. My best wishes to you and Norma.
Thanks, dear Tom. Understandably, I've had very little of Norma's company this week and am trying not to wallow in self-pity, even though I'm very good at wallowing.
DeleteSometimes life is very rough, isn't it? It's hard to be the ill person, it's hard to be tending to the ill person, it's hard to be filling in for the ill person, and it's hard to be far away and unable to help. Wishing for peace for all of you, however that peace comes to be.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing the best we can and learning to do even better. I drove over to collect Norma this evening and ended up at the sink, handing dishes to Mother-in-law beside me (in her wheelchair) to dry them off. We talked and joked, like we have over 50 years. Peace seems to come by those degrees.
DeleteP. S. I did enjoy your geese joke and the kitty waiting to eat. Humour can get us through a lot. Or at least ease the way.
ReplyDeleteGood thing, too!
DeleteGeo-through your sadness you made us smile and ponder. That's good human work and thanks for that. Sorry for the events that have created the sadness. It must be the season as we've worried about dear friends facing health problems, an early retirement because of a physical disability, a friend who's six year old granddaughter is fighting cancer, again. Oh that I had a magic wand to wave over such. We do what we can, extend our sympathy, understanding, encouragement, prayers and hopes. Make the most of each day, which you seem to do and smile through it all.
ReplyDeleteDear Tom, It seems, as we age and friends, loved ones, encounter more difficulties --as do we-- the return to humor and sharing it becomes increasingly important. The appreciation of beauty, of art, poetry and compassionate company bring not only new interests to the suffering, but renew the interests they thought were lost.
DeleteSmiles have been very infrequent in my neck of the woods, Geo - but when they occur, the darkness is miraculously illuminated with the flame of hope and the warmth of love.
ReplyDeleteSending many smiles to you and Norma.
I really like your flying geese doodle.
Thanks Jon. I've always wondered why geese fly in Vs and decided there's some aerodynamic advantage like when we believed we could save gas by slipstreaming a semi --but I need to learn more before I believe or understand. That keeps me alive --and smiling. There's still so much to learn! Smiles reciprocated and appreciated, dear man. This world is rife with enigmas; let's figure the damn thing out.
DeleteSmiling is essential in one's life. A dr. once told me a face of one who smiles has less wrinkles than frown faces. I keep smiling.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the struggles in your family. I will pray for you and family. I promise.
Thanks, Susan. Your kind promise induces an appreciative smile. We're holding up ok so far.
DeleteI thought I commented here... I love the term “jeremiad” and do hope you find a few smiles in your world today.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Dear Sage, in your line of work I imagine you're more familiar than I with Jeremiah. That boy could really write! And yes, my smile seems to find me a little or a lot everyday --hope appreciated and reciprocated.
DeleteI have been reading your blogs for a long time but I am not a particularly social-minded creature.....don't trust that I won't get lost in translation...this entry lead to a quick but deep study of the word Jeremiad. And I wanted to thank you for that. Now I know aside from Biblical laments Jeremiads can take the form of poems, songs, novels, speeches, articles, and even movies. Apparently they can also take the form of a blog entry. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Osho! And thank you. The honorific "Osho" tells me you perceive and accept quiddity, with an eye toward improving what is. In our various navigations of time and space, it is a valuable asset. I wish you success.
DeleteP.s.: I have added your blog "Unscripted Continuation" to my blogroll in the right margin of this page.
DeleteWhy thank you. I shall add you to my reading list as well.
DeleteOh Geo, I am so sorry your family is going through such sadness now. You and your wonderful writing and Norma’s photos have touched so many of us out here and we think of you as a dear friend. After going through your own health problems, I hate to read that there is more stress going on in your life. I know that you are holding each other tight and giving each other the strength to get you thru this heartache. We have experienced something similar recently and I know how important that bond is during the worst of times.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Arleen, your encouragement is most welcome. I still have bad days sometimes but the quarterly check-ups have all been favorable. As to Norma's mom and elder brother, things are improving --nearly stabilized-- but she and her younger brother must spend their days to maintain things. Night care lady clocks in at 8 pm, so I must collect Norma in an hour. I hope you are--trust you are-- coping too. Organization is key to everyone's benefit. We'll get thru this, you and I.
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