Geez-o-freakin' Pete, I got quite the tongue lashing from Robbie (Roderick Robinson) in the comment section of my last post. He's an irascible codger with a mind too big for his noggin. I say that with affection, by the way. I must admit I "almost" enjoy when he challenges me. It makes me think. One really must think. Otherwise, well, just look around you at the stupidity that often passes for reality.
In the post he responded to, I made the claim I didn't have anything to say. He took issue with that. Okay, okay, I suppose I should have told the truth when I wrote my previous post. "I don't feel like writing, thinking, or doing anything productive." But then I would have been admitting my current inertia. I've been undergoing a period of stasis. It's like a false awakening, except I'm actually awake.
I hear my sainted mother in my head, asking "Are you bragging or complaining?" Definitely complaining.
I suppose the only way out of this stoppage is to start.
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| My grandson, N, took this picture. |
"Too big for this world," you might have added. But this was a gracious response on your part and my concern was only that you were under-selling yourself. I know you can do better and I'm about to trawl through your archives and prove my point. How far back, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteIt took me no more than twenty seconds. Three years back, avoid your Christmas posts and here I am, on December 11 2018 and you're just back from Louisville, Kentucky. Where you flirted with Madame Bourbon or do you think of her/him as a fella?
I'm not about to laud you to skies? I don't have to. Nor do I need a long extract. This one will do nicely.
We went to the Old Forester Distillery one afternoon for a tour. An image now burned into my brain is of a vast vat of fermenting whiskey, steamy hot of its own volition and bubbling away as it worked magic unto itself. It lives.
It lives. And so does your prose.
Thanks! I guess I think of Bourbon as masculine. If you ask me why, I'll have to think about it. It has something to do with the difference between a deep pool (feminine) and running river water (masculine). It doesn't nourish or quench. It burns.
DeleteThe talk of whiskey and nothing/something to say reminded of Janis Joplin singing "Turtle Blues" in which there is the sound of a glass breaking.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B41dXQp6Bw
Speaking of turtles, they seem to be showing up everywhere in my communications with friends near and far. We even have introduced Red Sliders living in a local lake. Washington State is not noted for turtles. You are the third person who has featured turtles in a communication in the last 24 hours. I'm thinking of putting at least one turtle in a mandala.
Love Noah's photo. I'm guessing he's learning from you example what a joy it is to take photos.
Funny. Turtles don't make much noise but they get our attention nevertheless (-:
I seriously love Janis. Although I wish she had drank Kentucky bourbon, Southern Comfort was her drink of choice. Many thanks for the music. It takes me away. "I know this God Damned life too well."
DeleteI looked up turtle symbolism and meaning and got this "The turtle is a sacred figure in Native American symbolism as it represents Mother Earth. The meaning of the Turtle symbol signifies good health and long life. The turtle has great longevity living up to 150 years. ... The hard shell of the turtle represents perseverance and protection."
DeleteMore Turtle.
DeleteRight after reading your comment, I picked up my library copy of Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, by Tyson Yunkaporta (Melbourne, Australia) and began to read. Hmmmm ... Turtle:
They [referring to two Aboriginal symbols within a hexagon -- am's note] also show a point of impact, a creation event associated with the Orion constellation (always a hunter or warrior everywhere in the world), a big bang caused by Echidna fighting with Turtle. The trauma of this event caused the sky camp and earth camp to separate, and the universe to begin deep cycles of expansion and contraction, like breaking, in a pattern shaping everything.
[Echidna is a porcupine -- am's note]
I'm sure that won't be the last turtle in this fascinating series of turtle appearances. I've always loved the turtles at the top and bottom of your blog. Then there's that story of "turtles all the way down."
What to do, what to say? I don't know.
I interpreted your previous post as you observing that you were feeling lethargic about your posting. We all go through stages like that. I think Mr Robinson felt a kick in the pants would encourage you to 'get over it'.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. It worked.
Delete"I don't feel like . . . fill in the blank".
ReplyDeleteI don't like to think of this as "inertia" but rather the very natural ebb and flow of life energy.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it : )
This is true. I just need to be more honest about it. The truth is nothing to be ashamed of.
DeleteNot many turtles/tortoises in Northern Ireland. In fact I haven't seen one for a very long time. But squirrels (my favourite animals despite their cheekiness) - plenty of those in our neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteI don't know your illustrious commenter so I have nothing to say about him. Except that I get similar challenges myself and on the whole rather enjoy the fencing.
Thanks, Nick. The fencing is the spice of life.
DeleteOur squirrels entertain us every night at dinner time. I look forward to their antics.
I enjoy your posts whenever you do post so thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Ellen!
DeleteCurious, I went back and read the 'kick in the pants administered by Mr. Robinson. Lo and behold, I felt it too! I've been feeling the same inertia you mention - nothing to say here. But, as he points out, there's always (sometimes frenetic) activity in our heads, so why not put some of it down on the page? Glad he spurred you into action!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are spurred into action, too. I always enjoy reading your posts.
DeleteHi via Molly Bawn.
ReplyDeleteThat inertia..it seems to be everywhere.
My father always said when making a prompt for a letter when I was at Art College....just send us a postcard to say Hi..you will soon run out of room!
Perhaps once the Solstice has been and the year turns we may once more be inspired?
That's a nice thought. We'll see. Maybe after the struggles of 2020 we were just unprepared for a time of increase and light? Thanks for writing.
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