Thoughtful Thursday

One of my favorite gifts this past birthday was a gift certificate to a book store.

Because I am ca-RAY-zee for the books; they're shiny, they have that smell, when you hold them in your hands you can feel the potential hum between the covers. I also love that oh-so-satisfying "crack" when you break their spine - I feel very Hulk-like.

But before I went on my hunting/gathering foray - and because I know that this bookstore sells a variety of things other than the written word - I presented myself with a challenge.

"Self", I said (please note that the majority of conversations The Baroness engages in are either talking about herself in the 3rd person, or talking to herself)(so very easily self-amused is she), "Self - I dare you to go into that store and use that certificate for everything but a book".

"Self?" I shot back (because the Baroness is such a sassy wit), "you are on like Donkey Kong."

I almost did it.

Out of all embarrassment of riches I procured, I only got one book.

That is some kind of record. For me.

Interestingly enough, today's Thoughtful Thursday source is not from this book, but from an T'ai Chi DVD I scooped up.

The quote comes from one of China's preeminent poets, Li Bai, who literally roamed the earth from 701 to 762. It is said that he perished during one of his many artistic benders, when he went to embrace the reflection of moon while riding in a boat on the Yangtze River (let's be real here - hasn't this happened to us all at least once in our lives? Praise be the PFD).

I'm afraid I don't know the title of the poem, and my translation and punctuation from 8th century Cantonese might a a little rusty. But enjoy it as you can:

I take my body and breath
And I go to play
beneath the trees in the mountains
We are always three
Counting the sky
And my friend the nurturing earth

Happily
The sky
does not judge me
And the earth
gives me lessons

After class, students and teachers
go their separate ways
But this sadness
I do not know

When I go home
The earth goes with me
And the sky follows me.

And on this blustery fall day, these are just the soothing words I need to hear to appreciate the humble majesty that is the outdoors - the beauty I dare only see through a window.

Have a connected Thursday, everyone.

How About That?

Here in von Bloggenschtern world, we look high and low (ok, mostly low) for any excuse to celebrate a day. Last Saturday was Hat Day - I managed to find Duke 1 & 2 the most amazing sock monkey hats. They loved them so much, they've pretty much been welded on to their heads all week (and by yesterday, "welded" is pretty much the most accurate term). We've turned "Hat Day" into "Hat Week". Viva la Revolucion! I imagine that is how most of these obtuse holidays get started. Here's some more that we will be partaking in over the next 3 days. Maybe you'd like to join us?

Saturday, January 26th
First up, only for the denizens of Illinois for some peculiar reason, "Bald Eagle Day". The Baroness is not entirely sure exactly how one pays homage to the great American symbol, but I'm fairly confident in suggesting that one defers climbing into cages and lovingly stroking their pin feathers. Admiring from afar will do quite nicely. If you're feeling rebellious and want to venture outside of the Illinois area, a trip to Brackendale, British Columbia is a bracing way to view these magnificent creatrures. Again, use binoculars or a zoom lens. They seem to be a little skittish, and they can gut a salmon with their beak in 2 seconds flat.

For the Saturday-morning fashion-challenged (show of hands - how many of you are still in your jammies and some sort of novelty t-shirt?), it's "Clashing Clothes Day". Extend your questionable choices throughout the day. Because really, if you can sell that striped shirt and those leopard print leggings as haute couture, someone will buy it. Have at 'er.

The last, but surely not least, significant activity to honor today does not even involve leaving the house. Perfect for the snowed-ins, the shut-ins, the agoraphobes, and the just plain lazy. Today, dear readers, is the birthday of .... Television! To show my appreciation for this amazing little box o' pixels and culture, the Baroness will go to the shrine the Baron has erected in the family room (now referred to as "The Sanctuary"), and spend at least part of the day watching "The Dog Whisperer" and "Flip This House". OK, maybe all day.

Sunday, January 27th
After what promises to be a full Saturday, it is exciting to note that all 3 of Sunday's days of note can be celebrating in one, er, sitting.

For today is "Mozart Day", "Chocolate Cake Day", and "Thomas Crapper Day". Not sure who Mr. Crapper is? Well, he was a visionary - an artist who worked in porcelain media. He more or less revolutionized the plumbing world, and paved the way for Mr. Moen, Mr. Kohler, and Mr. American Standard. Yes - he created the toilet.

You multi-taskers out there know what to do. Just keep the CD player a good distance away from the bowl. And make sure you wash your hands.

Monday, January 28th
Before you get all technical and huffy, The Baroness is well aware that Mondays are not part of the weekend. On the other hand, if there is a way to carry over some of the weekend's frivolity and lightness (note here that I did not suggest to carry over pounding hangovers or nausea...), why not? And these three days are chock full of the yum, the hum, and sass galore:

1. Blueberry Pancake Day. Orbs of gushing purple sweetness. Butter. Syrup. Mmmm. I think I might backdate this day to Saturday.

2. Kazoo Day. The Baroness loves, loves, LOVES happy music. The banjo. The accordion. The Kazoo. It's downright giddiness, and as an added bonus, it makes your lips tickle.

3. International Make Your Point Day. I wasn't at the Priory meeting where they decided this was an International (see last week's "How About That?") Day, but no hard feelings, guys.

To summarize - opt for any (or all) of these days of celebration, and The Baroness guarantees enjoyment may ensue. I think I've made my point.