Storm Warning

There's supposed to be a major storm headed our way, so, for once, I tried to develop a modicum of pattern recognition, and went outside, and brought to shelter all the things that seem to blow around in a storm - plants in plastic pots; wind chimes; my wonderful metal garden snail I got at the family reunion (I'll have to post a photo for you to truly appreciate its glory) but last time, it was transformed into a slug, as the shell part blew off. But never fear, I found it later.

In any event, after this, I settled down outside on the porch with a cup of tea to read, watch the rain, and see what transpired. I'm reading "The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life" by Thomas Moore. I know, it's an old book, more than 10 years old, and so "'90s" but there you go. Which reminds me of one of my favorite sayings "Where ever you go, there you are." This is actually quite profound, if you think about it, but I digress.

In a chapter on "The Waters of Life," he writes "Like Tristan, I have taken the rudderless route in life, dragging from one barely familiar piece of land to the next, trusting fate, bringing all my sources of stability with me - my music, my books, my small rituals ... " (Like having a cup of tea and watching the birds and the rain.) Now, I think I'm getting somewhere ... You see, I'm trying to sort out exactly what it is I want in life; what brings me to Kansas, to this farm, to this porch. He continues: "Although I haven't been in many boats in my life, and I've never sailed, I think we have to be sailors of a sort, because the soul is a universe of its own with its own waters and its own rules of navigation."

Again, he continues: "I've never felt comfortable with the word 'path' as a description of a way of life. It is a land word, dry and earthy, whereas the only way I make any movement in my life is by allowing myself to drift, to sail, unknowingly, with a spirit of adventure, ready to adapt to the culture at hand..."

Do I see myself as a drifter? Well, no, not exactly. But who knew I'd go from Cheyenne to Baltimore, to Princeton, to Kansas?? Not I. He continues: "but there is no doubt it is an eminently responsive life ..."

I'd better read on, think more. Drink another cup of tea.

Oh, it looks like the storm will pass to the south.