Friday, October 31, 2008

Psalm 23


I attended a funeral mass of a 17 year-old girl who died from a car accident 4 days ago. The mass and the eulogy of the girl's parents and friends were solemn though with some laughter were still filled with grief.
The priest recited psalm 23 and told the congregation that the passages may help everyone in experiencing the grief. One has to remember the good times: " He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: leadeth me beside the still waters..."

It will not answer the question why, he said,but may tell us what the psalmist experienced in the dark valley that may help us in our valley of sorrow. " ...though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil: for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me... thy annointest my head with oil... surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

We are not forsaken. The Lord will comfort us.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Hike in Spooner Lake


Last Friday, Cheri and I hiked the North Canyon Rd. trail from Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake ( Lake Tahoe).We did halfway only and did not reach Marlette Lake. It was a sunny day with a cool breeze. The aspens were all yellowing with leaves scattered along the trail. The upward climb was gentle and less in physical burden. There arranged cut timber along the trail and looked a sculptured fence. The meadow was golden and surrounded by pines. We heard the conversation of birds.


We sipped cold water and ate dry magoes while sitting on the picnic bench when we finished our hike.


" Dream, dream, dream and put it into words."


I thought of the meadow and the upward climb. They refreshed my body and soul.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

hiking


Cheri & I were spending a little more than a week at Lake Tahoe, resting, reading and hiking and visiting with friends. I hiked with Bill Saturday, by myself on Sunday and with Bob & Gloria and Cheri on Monday. Yesterday was rest day.


I was still short of breath climbing the trail even after 3 days of acclimitization. Or I was still out of shape. The air was clean except for the remnants of the controlled burn nearby on Friday.


Physical activity really enhances the mind. Currently I am reading The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. I seem to understand what the author was saying.


The weather was cool with a cool breeze and sunny.


I will post some pictures when we get home.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Walking


I took a stroll along the river this time from the Kennedy Park 2 days ago about 10 in the morning with my camera and staff. It was a comfortable walk. There were benches along the way where now then sopped to adjust my shoe laces or simply rest. The paved walkway was dotted with young tree saplings that in years to come will provide shades.

It was a sunny day, a little cooler and there was a mild breeze. There a few walkers with dogs and a mother with her 2 children who were enjoying the splendid morning strolling. The solar panels installed by the college were all facing the sun. The panels have sensors and are mobile that allow the panels to follow and face the sun.One then two then three hawks circle the sky. They flew near then far from each other. They did not fight but only seemed to acknowledge the presence of each other. I took several photos.


Thomas Merton in his Search for Solitude wrote about his need for solitude. He looks for it in the fields, in the hills and his small hermit dwelling in the abbey. I thought that walking can be a form of solitude. Walking and not particularly thinking of what I see though I sensed their presence passed through my mind. I’m trying to learn the awareness of the present moment, glimpses of detachment. I try to learn how to let time pass without craving for anything, to walk without really thinking. Carrying a camera perhaps negates my purpose. I learned somewhere that forsaking attachment does not prohibit us from experience.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Good habits





It will be comforting to have a well developed habit and a relaxed atmosphere and feel the unconscious effort of creativity. In Susan L's blog ...an autumn early morning routine... she described how she starts her morning which I found inspiring and may help me start a good habit.




This might be my first step against procrastination, against the seduction of idling in another path.

In the past, I read the book in my reading list first before I settle down to write in my notebook. But then my mind wanders which leads me to read another book that is not in my list. This is my distraction.


It is seducing because it seems to bring new ideas which are completely separate from what I intend to do but it is another thread to follow leaving behind a previous pattern unfinished. There lies my procrastination.