Welcome to Saturday ...

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“Child, child, have patience and belief, for life is many days, and each present hour will pass away. Son, son, you have been mad and drunken, furious and wild, filled with hatred and despair, and all the dark confusions of the soul - but so have we. You found the earth too great for your one life, you found your brain and sinew smaller than the hunger and desire that fed on them - but it has been this way with all men. You have stumbled on in darkness, you have been pulled in opposite directions, you have faltered, you have missed the way, but, child, this is the chronicle of the earth. And now, because you have known madness and despair, and because you will grow desperate again before you come to evening, we who have stormed the ramparts of the furious earth and been hurled back, we who have been maddened by the unknowable and bitter mystery of love, we who have hungered after fame and savored all of life, the tumult, pain, and frenzy, and now sit quietly by our windows watching all that henceforth never more shall touch us - we call upon you to take heart, for we can swear to you that these things pass.”
~ Thomas Wolfe,

A fun, good and refreshing read:

"The accumulative, competitive luxury-seeking society has brought us, everyone will agree, beauty and utility, hot and cold running water, new medicines to relieve painful and disabling conditions, wonderful new devices for communication and entertainment, as well as asparagus and strawberries out of season. Lucretius mentions roads, architecture and sculpture as the advantages produced by civilisation in his own time. We could add jet travel, escalators and the cinema, along with much else. But the intense efforts to change the world, more often motivated by ambition and hope of financial gain than by pure benevolence, have also brought us warfare and the enormous economic waste of military preparedness, the exploitation of working men and women, poverty and deprivation, and environmental destruction.

"Fame and wealth are zero-sum. For some to be wealthy, powerful and famous, others must be poor, obedient and disregarded. And if money, fame and luxury articles really made people happy, we would have to consider only the political costs of our modern aspirations and habits. But the evidence is that an agreeable life depends neither on achievements or worldly goods, and is not served by attractively packaged fripperies, deceptively promising escape into another dimension of harmony and relaxation." https://aeon.co/essays/forget-plato-aristotle-and-the-stoics-try-being-e...


~~:)~~

Finally they got the Singles problem under control, they made it scientific. They opened huge Sex Centers—you could simply go and state what you want and they would find you someone who wanted that too. You would stand under a sign saying I Like To Be Touched and Held and when someone came and stood under the sign saying I Like To Touch and Hold they would send the two of you off together.

At first it went great. A steady stream of people under the sign I Like To Give Pain paired up with the steady stream of people from under I Like To Receive Pain. Foreplay Only—No Orgasm found its adherents, and Orgasm Only—No Foreplay matched up its believers. A loyal Berkeley, California, policeman stood under the sign Married Adults, Lights Out, Face to Face, Under a Sheet, because that’s the only way it was legal in Berkeley—but he stood there a long time in his lonely blue law coat. And the man under I Like To Be Sung To While Bread Is Kneaded On My Stomach had been there weeks without a reply.

Things began to get strange. The Love Only—No Sex was doing fine; the Sex Only—No Love was doing really well, pair after pair walking out together like wooden animals off a child’s ark, but the line for 38 D Or Bigger was getting unruly, shouting insults at the line for 8 Inches Or Longer, and odd isolated signs were springing up everywhere. Retired Schoolteacher And Parakeet—No Leather, One Rm/No Bath/View of Sausage Factory.

The din rose in the vast room. The line under I Want To Be Fucked Senseless was so long that portable toilets had to be added and a minister brought in for deaths, births, and marriages on the line. Over under I Want To Fuck Senseless—no one, a pile of guns. A hollow roaring filled the enormous gym.

More and more people began to move over to Want to Be Fucked Senseless. The line snaked around the gym, the stadium, the whole town, out into the fields. More and more people joined it, until Fucked Senseless stretched across the nation in a huge wide belt like the Milky Way and since they had to name it they named it, they called it the American Way.

~ Sharon Olds, The Solution

~~~
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smiley7's picture

Giorgio de Chirico

The Two Masks, 1926; Paris, France
The Nostalgia of the Infinite, 1911 - 1913; Paris, France
The Disquieting Muses, 1916 - 1918; Rome, Italy

Photo, USDI, wind swept beach near the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Oregon

Fair Use

Mountain opened for skiing this morning, it's cold outside. Always an exciting moment in our community, the talk of the town and rightly so although the industry brings several concerns, negatives, it is the local economic engine of winter attracting more visitors to NC than any professional sport including NASCAR, annually.

Wish i were there this morning.

Been a busy week, mostly traveling to physical rehabs which are going well, i can feel the progress, back and hip are getting stronger and not wishing to jinx the outcome, i'm hoping to ski down hill again, a little, when the time comes.

Still using a cane and therapist desires a gradual phasing out of the dependency. Learning about work-out machines for the first time having never been a gym person; life-long learning plan. Smile

Project by Argentinian artist Andrés Iglesias is poised for completion next week in eco-conscious city https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/08/greta-thunberg-mural...
Maybe, one of our West Coast c99er's can share a photo someday.

Eggs for breakfast?

A rare collection of “ice eggs” has been spotted in Finland, a phenomenon experts say only occurs in highly particular conditions.

Risto Mattila, who photographed the eggs, said he and his wife were walking along Marjaniemi beach on Hailuoto island on Sunday when they came across the icy balls covering a 30-metre (98ft) expanse of shoreline.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/07/couple-rare-ice-eggs-finni...

The sun is shining, winter's light in window and 'all's well that ends well.' Have a beaming day.

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Thanks for the Thomas Wolfe story and leather heads. Thought provoking and fun!
A chuckle on the milky american way.
Enjoy your Saturday!

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smiley7's picture

@QMS

First, a belated cheers for 'Mending Fences' yesterday, the photo reminded me of Stonehenge and the farm, memories stirred, meant to get back and comment after a very early morning read, but Wolfe stayed in the mind as i edited today's OT. Back in the sixties, one did not matriculate at UNC Chapel Hill without a full immersion in Thomas Wolfe.

Glad Sharon Olds brings a chuckle to the truth as well.

Thanks for the BB, the king, with dancing fingers always bringing the thrill.

Have a great one.

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@smiley7

Had one replaced a few years back. Can walk again, but what a pain! A lifetime of PT. Parts are wearing out, but considering all the hiking done over the years... up both coasts, up and down the Rockies, Sierras and Adirondacks, trans continental us, all over mexico and brazil, guess it was worth it.

Walking the blues away. Now just go for boat rides!

Cheers

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smiley7's picture

@QMS

taken almost 9 months as our good healthcare system does move slowly to zero in on the problems, lower back 1-5 vertebrae have severe deterioration and a bulging disk, the extreme pain apparently emanates from there, but the hip has bursitis, and arthritis everywhere.

So far i've had two epidurals, and one cortisone shot and as you know strengthening therapy three days per week. Also in pulmonary therapy three days a week, trying to avoid having surgery.
Very pleased with my therapists, knowledgeable folks. Finally, i can say things are improving.

Encouragement welcomed, sometimes one feels like a squirrel in a cage going round-and-round on those work-out machines. Should supply good dobies to go with the enterprise. Smile

It may weigh heavily on my soul if i don't get on skis at all. And knowing this motivates me.

Hiking, hey a wonderful subject for an OT someday, sure our crew could add lots to that conversation.

Happy day.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

I used to downhill ski
but it's been years, and
although it is like riding a bike,
my fear of a broken body
deters me.

I miss the slopes - at 67, not sure I will ever return. Grew up skiing in Taos - a school program instituted by my dad, the superintendent. Made winter bearable and fun.

Enjoy your Saturday, everyone! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

smiley7's picture

@Raggedy Ann

Those school ski days are great fun for everyone, especially appreciate ski communities that have robust ones, a sport and skill the children will have for a lifetime, fun experiences and memories, too, as skis don't like surprises.

Have had many senior citizen students over the years, bucket list fulfillment for some and refreshers for others, most all successful, matching the drills and terrain to ability in a safe, easy guided way.

Cool to have a super dad.

All the best the day can bring.

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Lookout's picture

Bright and sunny with the forest at about peak color. Hard to beat a beautiful fall day.

Trade day was slim, but found some nice avocados and lemons. While in town I also do my grocery shopping, so we're stocked for the week.

Hope everyone's weekend is going well and you all manage to have a little fun sometime.

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I managed to play in a couple of great sessions this week...

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Have a good one!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout
Ain't misbehaving

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smiley7's picture

@Lookout

Can almost hear your music coming up the hill from Mabel, good neighbor. Bought the last of the local cabbage crop a few weeks ago, so fresh produce becomes a winter problem. I do my best when off the mountain in Chapel Hill at Trader Joe's and ALDI's. With one exception, greens, turnip, mustard and collards being supplied by costal farms in NC are available here, but most of the produce section in our local grocery stores is half-dead by the time it arrives from South America.

Purchased a good Butternut squash for this weekend's treat, recipes welcome.

You may enjoy this, read a story in the Times, i think , it was, about hard biscuits outside the South which surprised me that folks didn't know about winter wheat, soft wheat which we all use daily for fluffy biscuits, always taken that for granted in baking.

Anyways, happy the tunes of friendship in making music sing loud on Lookout Mountain.

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

and so does coconut milk.

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mimi's picture

offer for your listening pleasure. I am quite drawn to Gabor Mate's thoughts. May be some like to listen in:
[video:https://youtu.be/8TBBhPUwrCU]
(Gabor Maté on the misuse of anti-Semitism and why fewer Jews identify with Israel
23,627 views •Nov 6, 2019
)

Thank you for the Thomas Wolfe quote and the art. Reading here always makes me envious about the education so many of you have gotten in their life.

But it is not about what you know or did not know, but what you could have known, if you wanted to know. it.. says Gabor Mate in the conversation with his con.

Now I wonder about those things that you could have known is also of the sort of things that you knew, but didn't admit of knowing ... ???

I wish you heal steadily. Have a wonderful weekend.

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smiley7's picture

@mimi

Few things upset me more than the brutal and ignorant attacks our public education, both primary and higher, endure in North Carolina, decades of destroying the great progressive strides made in the fifties and sixties. Damn those pusher-men.

Our once great university system was the bedrock for we naive farm folks and children of textile workers, providing a window to the world and a life-long desire to learn.

A sad state of affairs, but we must fight on for out children's sake and i've recently grown more confident that collectively, we can move this pendulum back to better places.

Thanks for the video and encouraging words. Happy day in Europe.

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janis b's picture

@mimi

I'm saving it to watch later.

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studentofearth's picture

is a powerful way to effect ones life.

One of the tragedies of life in civilisation is that most human work doesn’t require or develop human ingenuity and artistry. Nevertheless, every human being who is not living in conditions of total cultural deprivation can activate them. The traditional pastimes of childhood were activities carried out for their own sake: crafts and puzzles, reading about animals, history, far-off places and the future, exploring the outdoors, and helping adults and younger children. Their adult equivalents are found in kitchens, sewing rooms, garages and workshops, along with libraries and lecture rooms. Making things such as pottery, jewellery, knitted, embroidered and stitched items, and fixing things around the house is a profound source of human satisfaction. In these activities, hands, eyes and mind are engaged with the material world, and it is your own taste and judgment that determine the outcome. You don’t need to win a prize at Cannes.

The key is to learn to develop your own level of satisfaction, quality and pace of learning. Not outsourcing the judgement to popular culture or what current competition judges are placing as first place.

Thanks for the link and good read.

Always considered walking sticks an underused fashion statement.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

smiley7's picture

@studentofearth

Great to see you. How goes it? Presume, you're busy transitioning to winter chores on the farm.

Glad you enjoyed the read, it also refreshed my memory waking up some old circuits hardly used. Love Aeon magazine on the whole good writers and information i usually find intriguing.

Again, good to see you and wishing you all the best for a happy day.

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janis b's picture

@studentofearth

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bondibox's picture

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F the F'n D's

smiley7's picture

@bondibox

Good to see you. Think it's going to be a Pink afternoon and evening.

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Anja Geitz's picture

take their clothes off using nothing but their teeth.

Reading "The Solution", I can't help thinking about a lot more categories I'd like to add of my own.

Here's a piece of advice for any young 20 something from a voice of experience: Don't read "Fear of Flying" on the bus to work.

You're welcome.

Thanks Smiley for a most thought provoking Saturday Smile

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

smiley7's picture

@Anja Geitz
nor watch, i am curious yellow or read the joy of sex and please, no Henry Miller; still laughing ...

Love it.

Happy day,

PS: given the poweul drug i take in large doses daily for PH, i'd best stick to the joy of cooking. Smile

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magiamma's picture

Love the de Chirico. Always. And the Wolfe. Food for thought. My fave is the ice eggs. So tactile. Good to hear your moving forward and hope you can get up the mountain soon. Went to a long meeting this morning about the recall of two of our progressive councilors. Apparently there are more recalls around the state and they are a part of a bigger Republican strategy to take over our state. We will see what we will see. Two more weeks before we know if they have enough signatures to get the recall on the March ballot. Heard today that the recall folks started planning the recall before the final vote count for the election. Strategy to not loose their grip. Funded by the CAA - CA Apartment Assoc. Because development and rent seeking.

It's looking like we will have to wait for rain. No el niño here yet and we need rain. Send some of the snow our way please. Thanks for a great ot. Be well...

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

smiley7's picture

@magiamma
just when we thought we had room to spare, here came the devil disrupting our hopes. Without digging in Mumford's work, it's a relentless task, pushing society's evolution forward in good directions; notwithstanding the blood of centuries paid to get us to the present.

Feeling positive, though, friend, sensing our movement afoot, collectively. Stay strong, as you will.

Dancing for rain for your area, hey, we've have danced for snow before, too, can't hurt.

Happy evening.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

my comments a second time--apparently, having massive browser problems, and have to wonder if it's the browser, or our connection--so, I'll have to settle for leaving you Guys with a piece that came to my phone, recently,

~~~snip~~~

This Is The Moment A Senior Shelter Dog Knew He Was Safe

Finding happiness is no guarantee for pets awaiting adoption at animal shelters — especially for dogs like Jack.

Jack.JPG

Last weekend, a kindly man walked into the shelter with just one request: "[He] asked to see an old dog in need of a home," the shelter wrote in a post.

They directed the man to Jack, noting the pup had some ailments that would need to be addressed. Though some other adopters may have seen those things as flaws, this man felt differently: "He said, 'He's perfect, I'll take him. What vet do you recommend I take him to?'" the shelter said.

In the man, Jack had found a new best friend — and he knew it.

. . . the shelter said. "This is what animal welfare is all about. Falling in love, giving second chances to those who need it most, and finding the heroes in humanity."

~~~snip~~~

Amen!

Biggrin

Thank you for the lovely OT, as usual. Hope your medical meeting (reference a while back) was very helpful and productive, and that this note finds you doing very well, Smiley.

Take good care.

Mollie

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~~Cicero

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

smiley7's picture

@Unabashed Liberal @Unabashed Liberal

big cheers for sharing the photo. Been thinking of you, especially as the conversation about MFA steps into ever sifting sands of BS carried by major outlets in all media. Fuck 'em, we know, having invested years doing the research. New slogan: Centrists, Meet the People.

Presuming you've settled into your new home since we've talked. Son's moved back to DC area. Going to miss trips to Knoxville, it's a place i'm vested in and see more positively than not.

Anyways, back to the pup, read training is soon complete, congrats.

Love to M and you.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@smiley7

BTW, like your catchy new slogan--might think about putting it in your sig line. (Very convenient!)

Pleasantry

Mollie

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

janis b's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

I can imagine how giving a promising future to an old dog can enhance ones own life.

I hope that wherever you are these days, life is good.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@janis b

looks like a real sweetheart to me. Hard to judge which of the two are the luckiest, but, wish them both the very best!

IMO, the positive effect of a dog's companionship on the well being of their peeps can't be overstated.

We're doing well, except that Mr M is still trying to adjust to his new reality--he no longer has to get up to an alarm clock. A 'good miss,' of course. (Of course, as disciplined and structured as he is, he'll probably never be as scattershot as I can be, if I'm not mindful.)

Smile

Mollie

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

janis b's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

The changes you're both making must feel quite exciting.

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janis b's picture

Trying to find harmony in this unsettling world, is, as you’ve illustrated, a surreal endeavour. I choose simplicity whenever it’s possible.

Thank you for setting the stage for us here to practice being the humans we'd like to be.

[video:https://youtu.be/Kd5w2jY-7_0]

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