Driving through a snow covered countryside at dawn. I went to the monastery last Sunday morning. When I left home it was still dark. Along the way dawn broke and all the trees, bushes, and evergreens were still draped with last Friday night's snowfall. It was very beautiful. Once I got off the Interstate I was the only car on the road and I enjoyed my solitude and the Christmas card beauty of the countryside.
Winter sunrises. We had a beautiful sunrise earlier this week with pinkish, orange hues filling the eastern sky. I think winter sunrises are some of the most beautiful. Too often, however, I am in an autopilot daze on my way to work plus I am driving west so the sunrise is behind me. After I drop my wife at her office, however, I am going east on Market Street and often I am greeted with a beautiful morning sky.
Chinese Philosophy. In a past life I must have been Chinese. I love philosophers like Deng Ming-Dao and the collection of thoughts some call "The Tao". I have a book with daily readings. Sometimes they are like brain teasers. Today's thought is "Heaven and hell: Our subconscious". Tomorrow's thought is "Footsteps in the sand quickly washed away: The seashore mind". Sometimes when you see me in the breakroom or sitting at my desk at work and I appear to be in a daze, I am deep in thought about one of these daily sayings. Other days I am in a real daze.
On a lighter note....
There's a fast food restaurant in my city called Taco Bueno. They have these desserts that should never touch my diabetic lips. They're like an egg roll filled with cheesecake, deep fat fried, and then rolled in cinnamon sugar. They're to die for and if I keep eating them, I will.
Stuff my granddaughter says. Here's some examples.
"Pa Paw, I don't want you to use a walker like the old Pa Paw. You need to be able to pick me up and hug me".
"Pa Paw, your whole house is magic. That's why I never get sleepy when I am here".
"Pa Paw, please don't go to Heaven like the old Grandma".
"Only Pa Paw's like to get up early".
"Mommy, do you know what my favorite toy is? No, Chloe, what's your favorite toy? It's my Pa Paw".
Quotes. I love motivational or inspirational quotes. As I have mentioned before, I love books. However, I have noticed that as I get older I can't handle massive amounts of information or deep topics, as well as I used to, especially on a work night. Therefore I like the "soundbite" of a good quote. Here's one that a friend sent to me yesterday.
"Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind and compassionate. The second is to be kind and compassionate. The third is to be kind and compassionate".
-Henry James
Memories. My Dad died one year ago yesterday. I have missed him more than I thought I would. I am not sad, though, because I have many good memories. I read once that "memories are the cushion we sit upon in our old age". I've got a few years to go before I am as old as my Dad was...84 years....but it does sometimes seem that as you get older your memories begin to out number your dreams. I guess this is part of life's journey. The life you have today creates the memories you will have in the future. Live well and prepare a soft cushion for yourself.
I don't watch a lot of television but I do like a few shows. One of them is Survivor. The 20th season started last night with people who had been on previous seasons. They were divided into two groups called "Heroes and Villains". One of the heroes and most popular players in the game is a tie-dyed hippie guy named Rupert. I've actually met Rupert. I ran into him at a Grateful Dead concert. He was a very nice guy and I hope he wins this season's contest.
A weekend where I don't have a thousand things to do, a weekend where I have no commitments, and a weekend where I have no where I have to be. I really thought at my current age life would be much slower. It isn't. Anytime I can have a Saturday or a Sunday that is free and I can do as much or as little as I choose, it is a good day. This weekend has suddenly freed up and it is now full of nothing. Thank you, God.
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