Tuesday, August 05, 2008

This, That and Serenity

So here it is, August, and random ness reigns supreme.

* I didn't take any new garden photos today. There wasn't anything new blooming and the business of developing them on a color-blind monitor is starting to get on my nerves a little.

* Why, Hillary, why? No one's sorrier than I that you weren't able to go the distance against Barack, but I'm making my peace with it. So why must you continue to torment me with daily emails? Don't make me Spam you.

* Forty years ago, the three year old Me was preparing to become a big brother. Happy Birthday, Suz!!

* As a writer, I ought to know better, but I can't help feeling a little betrayed when a word like "always" changes its meaning from something soft and comforting like a feather bed to something that sounds rather more like a prickly prison sentence.

* This afternoon, while casting some worries onto the out-going tide, I spotted a great blue heron in the marsh along Rock Creek. Of course I thought of my friend who sees such occasions as omens of uncertain meaning and couldn't help smiling.

I don't know what to make of it exactly, from an omens-standpoint, except it was probably a sure sign that the fishing was good following the recent high tide. However, since the ancient Egyptians used a drawing of a heron as the base for their depiction of the Phoenix, I'm going to go ahead and assume this means bright things for the Future.

* In the meantime, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and wisdom to know the difference."

That's an excerpt from something called the Serenity Prayer, which many of you may already be familiar with. It's a handy thing to have in your knapsack, I've found, even if the origin of it is somewhat in question.



7 comments:

Birdie said...

The Great Blue Heron is my favorite bird of all of them. It has majestic grace whether standing or in flight. If it's an omen, it has to be a good one.

There certainly is peace in acceptance. Beats the heck out of demanding "Serenity NOW!"

Butch said...

We have a bakery here called the Blue Heron.

I never knew the origin of that Serenity Prayer either.

Had to smile when you scolded Hilliary for all the spam. I'm on the "no-call" list but that doesn't stop people running for office. Today's call was from a judge stumping for another one. I'm glad I use an answering machine 24/7.

Greg said...

Birdie, I agree about the omen...and the idea of "demanding" serenity makes me grin, too!

Butch, isn't it sad we have to be call screeners all the time? I'll bet its a great bakery.

Patrick said...

Ah yes, 'always' is a tricky one, isn't it. I hope you're not letting it trap you when it shouldn't. A tough call, I know.

Yes, GBHs are always a great omen. Watching them in flight is awe-inspiring; hard to believe something that big can fly that quietly. Was not aware of the phoenix connection, but I like it. I say omens are one time when it's always (there's that word) a good idea to take the glass half-full approach if at all possible.

Greg said...

Hello, my friend! Nope, no traps there...just a little sorrow for an idea whose time has passed.

Herons really are amazing...and my heart sang a little more when I learned about them being used to represent the Phoenix. My glass is three-quarter's full...it's just a dribble cup. ; )

Curt Rogers said...

May all the butterflies on the Cape descend upon you in a cloud of color and whimsy. May their flutterings inspire you to dance and lift your spirits to the bluest and sunniest corner of the sky.

I'm thinking of you.

Greg said...

Thanks, Curt!!