Ffolkes,
When I first sat down to write this morning, I had intended to discuss the subjects of the Pearls I found yesterday. However, as I look at them now, I can see they are far too grim for such a beautiful morning. The first was to be an exploration of the anti-intellectualism prevalent today in this country, a subject near and dear to my heart. However, as such, I can tell without having to start that it would turn almost immediately into a rant. Not that there is anything wrong with ranting, but I’m too centered this morning to want to upset my applecart so early, so we will turn to other subjects that won’t cause me to go temporarily batty……
“The Irish Leprechaun is the Faeries’ shoemaker and is known under various names in different parts of Ireland: Cluricaune in Cork, Lurican in Kerry, Lurikeen in Kildare and Lurigadaun in Tipperary. Although he works for the Faeries, the Leprechaun is not of the same species. He is small, has dark skin and wears strange clothes. His nature has something of the manic-depressive about it: first he is quite happy, whistling merrily as he nails a sole on to a shoe; a few minutes later, he is sullen and morose, drunk on his home-made heather ale. The Leprechaun’s two great loves are tobacco and whiskey, and he is a first-rate con-man, impossible to out-fox. No one, no matter how clever, has ever managed to cheat him out of his hidden pot of gold or his magic shilling. At the last minute he always thinks of some way to divert his captor’s attention and vanishes in the twinkling of an eye.” — From: A Field Guide to the Little People — by Nancy Arrowsmith & George Morse.
My cultural background is fairly mixed, at least in terms of cultures made up primarily of Europeans. I know for a fact I have at least two relatives within three generations who came to the US from Ireland, others coming here from England, Scotland, and either Germany or Spain (I could never get a clear answer, and anyone who would have known is no longer available for comment, having passed on to that big library in the sky) (hey, you have your picture of what heaven is like, and so do I….).
For some unknown reason, Ireland has always called to my spirit; their history resonates with that part of me that lived before, and stories and fables such as the above are familiar, even when I know I haven’t heard or read them previously. The feeling of deja vu is so strong sometimes, I find myself breaking out in a brogue, which can be disconcerting when it happens in the midst of a conversation. I get a lot of funny looks when it happens, but being adjudged as strange is a common effect of my interactions with others, so it doesn’t bother me. In fact, it merely reaffirms my own world-view, which begins with the assumption that my approach to reality must remain flexible, and ready to deal….I prefer to not repeat myself in that respect, thus making me a more difficult target…….
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” — Horace (65-8 B.C.)
I don’t think very many folks would disagree with this statement from one of the scholars alive during the period just before and after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, still used as the focal point of the Gregorian calendar much of the world uses. This insight can likely be shown to form one of the pillars upon which our culture is supported. It is part of being human to save a child in danger, or to commit acts of extreme bravery and compassion not commonly exhibited. These acts are brought out only in moments of ultimate danger and urgency, and in many cases are acts completely foreign to the person committing them. It is part of being human, instinctual, and is seen by humanity as being the ultimate example of virtue. And in a very real sense is one of basic components of a good story, one so basic it remains to this day one of the most commonly used plot elements in novels, movies, and any other form of story-telling. This deceptively simple insight, related over two thousand years ago, continues to be a driving factor in humanity’s need to communicate with others, and remains to this day a valuable tool in educating our children, teaching them how to tap into that well of human spirit and empathy, present in all of us as one more resource in the daily battle with Reality……
Cogito, ergo tango. I think, therefore I dance.
As axiomatic statements of philosophy go, this one is better than most. It reaffirms the belief common to everyone in my age group, that Rock & Roll will never die. Being human (I guess you could call the human spirit our discussion thread for the day), there is a part of us that responds, willingly or not, to the rhythmic strains and poetic lyrics of the best of the genre. I defy anyone to resist the urge to at least sway in place and hum upon hearing their favorite pieces; a great many folks like to have it one as background noise when they are working or occupied in activities felt to be tedious, and a great many of those folks will dance as they listen, even if only in their chair. It is an urge we all feel at times, and I think it is one that is beneficial to the spirit, and should be encouraged at every turn.
Listening to good music, whether it is R&R, or R&B, blues, classical, jazz, modern, or Gregorian chant forms a connection with our spirit, and creates the urge to dance. I look at dance in relation to music as I do poetry to writing. It is an integral component of the human to seek to stimulate positive value experiences, and dancing is a sure path to such experiences. To shut one’s self off from these experiences causes us to age faster, whereas it is a known fact that experiencing positive events causes aging to stop, and even can reverse the process to some degree. If I can dance to improve my health, then all I have to say is, “where did I put my dancing shoes!?……
Here ‘s a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And whatever sky ‘s above me,
Here ‘s a heart for every fate.
— Lord Byron (1788-1824)
— To Thomas Moore
No comment on this little snippet from Lord Byron, other than to say turning it over in your mind can be another of those aforementioned value experiences. Good stuff, dirt cheap…. y’all take care out there……
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.
gigoid
Kowabunga!
gigoid 