Years ago a wildfire swept across our property while my husband was at work and I was in town with our children doing chores. We could not return to our house because fire crews had closed the road due to the active fire, and for two days we believed our home had burned along with all of our possessions. I was terrified to think of all we had lost. But suddenly I felt incredibly light and it dawned on me that I had been set free of all those stupid possessions that cluttered up my life. Here I was with only my children and husband, and dear friends who took us in! Then the news came -- our home had miraculously survived the fire. Strangely, it felt like a real let-down. When we were finally able to return to our home, I spent days getting rid of everything extraneous. It felt so good and so freeing.
These days I'm burdened again by life and possessions. Reading this, Chris, I realize it's time time for another (metaphorical) wildfire. Thanks.
A timely affirmation from Mary Oliver. Just finished sorting through and letting go of many of the remaining belongings in my less than 700 square foot condominium. There are things I have kept since I was in my early 20s. I'll be 72 in October. A heavy burden has been lifted on numerous levels. Thank you for what you write. Looking forward to reading your books.
Reminded me of this passage in Of Human Bondage - Maughan "I sought on the contrary plainness and simplicity. With so much that I wanted to say within reasonable limits I felt that I could not afford to waste words and I set out now with the notion of using only such as were necessary to make my meaning clear. I had no space for ornament."
budbill wrote plain and simple--yes. but when in nyc he performed w/the free-jazz improv crowd. something's under all that zen. it's wm parker's bass. that combination is a sweet mystery to me.
Years ago a wildfire swept across our property while my husband was at work and I was in town with our children doing chores. We could not return to our house because fire crews had closed the road due to the active fire, and for two days we believed our home had burned along with all of our possessions. I was terrified to think of all we had lost. But suddenly I felt incredibly light and it dawned on me that I had been set free of all those stupid possessions that cluttered up my life. Here I was with only my children and husband, and dear friends who took us in! Then the news came -- our home had miraculously survived the fire. Strangely, it felt like a real let-down. When we were finally able to return to our home, I spent days getting rid of everything extraneous. It felt so good and so freeing.
These days I'm burdened again by life and possessions. Reading this, Chris, I realize it's time time for another (metaphorical) wildfire. Thanks.
A timely affirmation from Mary Oliver. Just finished sorting through and letting go of many of the remaining belongings in my less than 700 square foot condominium. There are things I have kept since I was in my early 20s. I'll be 72 in October. A heavy burden has been lifted on numerous levels. Thank you for what you write. Looking forward to reading your books.
Reminded me of this passage in Of Human Bondage - Maughan "I sought on the contrary plainness and simplicity. With so much that I wanted to say within reasonable limits I felt that I could not afford to waste words and I set out now with the notion of using only such as were necessary to make my meaning clear. I had no space for ornament."
budbill wrote plain and simple--yes. but when in nyc he performed w/the free-jazz improv crowd. something's under all that zen. it's wm parker's bass. that combination is a sweet mystery to me.
Absolutely lovely, fellow Chris!
I need to be like Mary Oliver and dump all the " stuff" I have and don't need or use.
It will be a very freeing moment.
A wonderful writing and reading adventure with both Dogen and Mary Oliver. Was most needed, I seemed to have misplaced August.
Love this. Thank you, Chris. And happy birthday to my favorite poet.
I love your weekly missives.
🙏
I look forward to reading your submissions. Does it feel so familiar because we have the same heritage and grew up so similarly?
Make a beautiful
fire!