Ffolkes,

“Socrates thought that if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap,
whence every one must take an equal portion,
most persons would be contented to take their own and depart.”

~~ Plutarch ~~

~~ Consolation to Apollonius ~~

The Bar at White’s Tavern, Est. 1630, Belfast, Ireland

Hajime…. Hmm… Here ’tis, early in the morning before the day our society’s most common delusion is celebrated. Those of us who don’t buy into that particular fallacy have not much reason to join in the game being played during this massive distraction from reality, but, we enjoy the simple fact that all who do are, usually, in a better mood, making it less likely we will need to employ any curmudgeonly techniques to keep them at bay; sort of a mini-vacation, as it were, from the stress of maintaining the socially amenable face so necessary during the rest of the year, negating the necessity of engaging in dishonorable battles of wit with an unarmed populace. I guess you could call that our seasonal gift….

That said, I’ll refrain from any further comments on the season, other than to wish y’all a peaceful holiday, filled with love and family, and a happy new year, whatever that means. Don’t worry, no ranting today. In fact, the Pearl for today is done, I’m just filling in this space, as is our wont, so it won’t look so empty and cold. It’s cold enough outside, right? Right. Wet, too, around here, anyway. But, that’s a story for another time.

For now, I think I’ll just get this slow on the toad, so we can all go about our scheduled activities…. On such days, it’s for the best; ffolkes have other stuff to do, and reading my drivel probably isn’t at the top of the list….. S’okay by me; even us curmudgeons have people to see this time of year…. Not that we expect them to be home, but, hey, the drive is always nice….

Just kidding; I’m going back to bed a while, then going for a long walk. In the meantime, here’s today’s mess, all dressed up & ready to go. Take a deep breath, & close your eyes…. It’s less scary that way….

Shall we Pearl?

“Most people are on the world, not in it…”

~~ John Muir ~~

********************************

Camille Saint-Saëns

Image from mfiles.co.uk via Google Images

Rather than play another playlist of boring Christmas music we’ve all heard too many times, here is one with music from one of the most prolific composers of the Romantic Era…. He’s one of my favorites, for I’ve never heard any of his music I didn’t enjoy…. You will, too….

*************************************

Camille Saint-Saëns

*************************************

*************************************

********************************

Last year, at this time, I was going through the final stages of withdrawal from the opioids I had been taking for ten years. I’m not sure how, or, why, but, on this date, I wrote a poem for Christmas; here ’tis again, just because I can….

A Seasonal Gift

Affordable, these moments in time,
all quite free, not costly, nor for sale at all.
Merely more misspent periods making rhyme.
seeking a peaceful heart, as my words fall.

A price, many will tell you, or me,
is due for every transaction.
In truth, everything you see is free;
Illusion seldom offers any real satisfaction.

Some also tell us we need some sort of god,
we’re told ’tis the only path to immortality.
On the path I’ve followed, that seems rather odd;
I’m quite happy with honorable mortality.

Some days it gets a bit lonely, for a bit,
out here in the cold light of reason.
Solitude is, however, well worth it;
Love, felt and treasured, gives warmth all season.

I suppose one could easily say,
this poem is the only gift I’ll give.
If I can teach love and kindness with the words I say,
such will be fine; it’s enough to live.

Happy Winter to All…

~~ gigoid ~~

12/24/2015

********************************

Naked Pearls

Notes on the Journey….

*********

“If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

~~ Yogi Berra ~~

*********

“Since everything in life is but an experience perfect in being what it is,
having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection,
one may well burst out in laughter.”

~~ Long Chen Pa ~~

*********

“You may not, cannot, appropriate beauty.
It is the wealth of the eye, and a cat may gaze upon the king.”

~~ Theodore Parker ~~

*********

“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along,
listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

~~ Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne ~~

*********

“How much pain have cost us
the evils which have never happened.”

~~ Thomas Jefferson, “Writings” Vol. XVI ~~

*********

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
and nothing is so gentle as true strength.”

~~ Ralph Sockman ~~

*********

“In anything at all,
perfection is finally attained,
not when there is no longer anything to add,
but when there is no longer anything to take away.”

~~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery , Wind, Sand & Stars ~~

*********

“An it harm none,
Do what ye will.”

~~ Wiccan Credo ~~

*********

“Isn’t this my STOP?!”

~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~

*********

********************************

Okay, then; it’s done. Upon looking back over what I wrote, I can find much to improve, yet, nothing I’d change. I guess, for what it is, it’s about as good as it’s going to get. Go figure, eh? Funny how being done can make it look different, if not better. I suppose that’s what Einstein was talking about when he codified his Theory of Relativity… which, most simply stated, says, “It’s ALL relative…”. On that odd little note, I’ll take my leave, with the hopes that Santa’s sleigh doesn’t knock down your chimney, and that you have a very happy seasonal celebration, however you may choose to go about it. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; it’s my only hope….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….