A couple passages from my reading rattling around in my head this morning.
From a few days ago:
Luxury, then, is a way of
being ignorant, comfortably
An approach to the open market
of least information. Where theories
can thrive, under heavy tarpaulins
without being cracked by ideas.
This is the beginning of Amiri Baraka’s poem, “Political Poem.”
I keep thinking of it because i see myself as living in luxury. When I forget that I do it is indeed “a way of being ignorant.” My theories do sometimes feel like “tarpaulins” not “cracked by ideas.”
Then I read this passage this morning from Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations.
Betimes in the morning say to thyself, This day I shalt have to do with an idle curious man, with an unthankful man, a railer, a crafty, false, or an envious man; an unsociable uncharitable man. All these ill qualities have happened unto them, through ignorance of that which is truly good and truly bad. But I that understand the nature of that which is good, that it only is to be desired, and of that which is bad, that it only is truly odious and shameful: who know moreover, that this transgressor, whosoever he be, is my kinsman, not by the same blood and seed, but by participation of the same reason, and of the same divine particle; How can I either be hurt by any of those, since it is not in their power to make me incur anything that is truly reproachful? or angry, and ill affected towards him, who by nature is so near unto me? for we are all born to be fellow-workers, as the feet, the hands, and the eyelids; as the rows of the upper and under teeth: for such therefore to be in opposition, is against nature; and what is it to chafe at, and to be averse from, but to be in opposition?
I read that as sort of a guide to how to relate to people on Facebooger. Heh.
Somehow I managed to exhaust myself yesterday.
Not sure how this happened. The day started slowly as we waited for our friend, Barb Phillips, to arrive. After she showed up, we went to the Farmers Market, stopped and got some milk, went to my Mom’s apartment and picked up a stack of books to be returned the library, had lunch. Then I went to church a bit early for my rehearsal with Dawn for today and practiced organ. Dawn arrived and we rehearsed. Back home and entered my Mom’s books into the doc I keep to keep track of what she has seen. Interlibrary loaned three new books for her. Off to the library to turn books in and find new books. Back home and Eileen and Barb joined me for the walk to Mom’s nursing home. On the way back we parted ways and I walked to church to finish prepping for today.
By then I was pretty tired. But I walked home and made the dish I have been meaning to make. Eileen took a picture of it and put it on Facebooger.
Neither she nor Barb tasted it. I had two servings. Here once again is a link to the recipe. I pretty much followed it, but couldn’t find shallots. Used sliced white onions instead. I purchased the mild Kimchi which was plenty spicy for me.
After putting this dish in the oven, I madly took a shower and then made myself a martini. It was along tiring but satisfying day.
