Battle lines being drawn

I’ve been thinking this week about the Smothers Brothers, and their CBS variety show that ran a couple of years in the 60s. Because I’ve also been thinking about Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth”, one of the anthems of those years of marching against the Vietnam War.

I believe we'll have more marching to do this year.

The truth is, I can never hear that song without seeing the augmentations wrought by Tommy Smothers (may his memory be a blessing)—all these decades later, they’re still an integral part of the impact for me.

So I’m sharing with you.

You’re welcome.

 

Dinner on the run

I was in a couple of “international” grocery stores yesterday. You know—ones that specialize in Asian, South Asian, Latino and, to a lesser extent, Middle East and African foods. I love wandering through places like that.

They both had tanks for live seafood, which I don’t think I’ve seen in a “mainstream” supermarket in years. I noticed that this one crab was trying to make a break for it, which is also something you don’t usually see.

 

 

 

Friendly visit

It’s been a while since I reported on Foxy, the guy who’s put my back yard on his cruising route. He had a good Christmastide—two lamb rib bones on Christmas and two more on Boxing Day. Plus scraps of cheese, the odd salmon filet skin and mini-omelets from leftover egg wash for chicken cordon bleu.

(I’m not feeding him—I never put out enough to make a meal of; they’re just treats. I’ve also learnt not to put out any dishes. I once gave him leftover shrimp-dipping butter in a little porcelain ramekin, which I thought he could just clean out. Beggar swiped the dish.)

He’s come by several times in the morning, though, and I have to say he’s looking pretty fit and festive. Whaddaya think?

If you're asking—yes, he's eating bird seed.

 

Lessons

 The latest in sidewalk chalk art: someone's learning the alphabet.

Gratitude Monday: a timely reminder

My first yoga lesson of 2024 was all about balance. I didn’t think about the significance of that at the time—I was too busy trying not to fall over. But it seems a good way to start out a new year, concentrating on navigating life with balance.

Also—focusing on not falling over.

I don’t think I spend enough time on this—it’s so easy to get swept up in this or that (especially given what mishegoss we live in). But balance is connected to grace, I think, which we all can use more of.

And grace is connected to gratitude.

So that’s what I’m grateful for today: the reminder to bring balance into my life.