Counting On It
Newsletter by the numbers…
3-2-1…and here we go!
FIVE: THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER
A short video I made during the pandemic for families…it’s actually a cool way to teach kids to pray!
TEN: This one’s for my precious Aiden, who will be 10 years old on May 27th…love you SO much, buddy…
POEM: Here’s a wonderful poem that nails how it felt to cross the threshold from young childhood…by wonderful Billy Collins.
On Turning Ten
By Billy Collins
The whole idea of it makes me feel
like I’m coming down with something,
something worse than any stomach ache
or the headaches I get from reading in bad light–
a kind of measles of the spirit,
a mumps of the psyche,
a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
You tell me it is too early to be looking back,
but that is because you have forgotten
the perfect simplicity of being one
and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
But I can lie on my bed and remember every digit.
At four I was an Arabian wizard.
I could make myself invisible
by drinking a glass of milk a certain way.
At seven I was a soldier, at nine a prince.
But now I am mostly at the window
watching the late afternoon light.
Back then it never fell so solemnly
against the side of my tree house,
and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
as it does today,
all the dark blue speed drained out of it.
This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself,
as I walk through the universe in my sneakers.
It is time to say good-bye to my imaginary friends,
time to turn the first big number.
It seems only yesterday I used to believe
there was nothing under my skin but light.
If you cut me I could shine.
But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life,
I skin my knees. I bleed.
TWENTY: From “Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jesus” (“Twenty Contemplations on the Infant Jesus”) by Olivier Messiaen
If you have never heard any Messiaen, well…I can only encourage you to seek out his absolutely breathtaking music. It is otherworldly, colorful, deeply spiritual, and often inspired by birdsong…have a listen!!
FORTY: 40 CUTE ANIMAL FACTS
Awww. Leave it to my friends at Bored Panda to come up with this list! How about this nugget: bumblebees can push a ball around just for fun, making them little furry guys that know how to play!
50,000: TV SHOWS I’VE BEEN MISSING (CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE)
Time was, you could comfortably watch just about everything on offer by the three TV networks, and the day’s programming always came to a crashing halt with a test pattern after “The Tonight Show.” But since the eruption of cable, being a savvy television viewer has felt like a full-time job.
Between the embarrassment of “riches” and my galloping ADHD, I decided that I’d save my pinball-machine brain for books, music and theatre mostly. Therefore, I am entirely ignorant about everything from “Better Call Saul” to “The Last of Us” to “Baby Reindeer.”
It was only on the plane to Europe a few weeks ago, that I decided to dip into television culture a wee bit—four episodes of “Abbott Elementary,” to be precise. While the mockumentary format has gotten rather old, the cast and scripts of “Abbott” are solid. I especially enjoyed the Philly setting and references to my adopted city, as well as the cockeyed optimist young teacher Janine (Quinta Brunson) and the brash, inept principal Ava (Janelle James).
Would I watch it at an altitude lower than 30,000 feet? Hmmm, maybe. What I can tell you is, four episodes of ANYTHING is my limit, which means I would surely drown in a tidal wave of “Bridgerton” and “Stranger Things.” For those of you who can handle it, though, go forth and binge!
BLOG PREVIEW: SCOTS, WHA HAE! There are, I believe, 195 countries on earth. Scotland would not necessarily have ranked high on my “must visit” list (it’s basically like Ireland, right? But not as witty?) However, Stevo has long wanted to travel there, so the land of Robbie Burns and cullen skink made it onto our latest itinerary, and I did truly love our Highland fling. Where else is every single city busker playing bagpipes in a kilt? Where else are “haggis bon bons” on every menu? Read Working Title this week—you’ll be plaid with envy!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Thought I’d leave you with a challenging quote, my friends. Are we all part of the mind of a Creator? One massive consciousness? Not sure I totally agree, but I do recognize our interconnectedness—and if my “mind” is really part of something more, something greater—well, that’s OK with me! Wishing you a 1000% terrific week!