The song and dance of the earth.

In today's mailbox:

Sadly, the great Zen teacher Thich-Nhat-Hanh died yesterday.

Also… Lead Belly was born on or near this day in Mooringsport, Louisiana (1889 or 1888). He wasn't sure, either.

A special note : Joanne Shenandoah passed in 2021. She said: "Every word we speak; every song we sing; the songs which we subject ourselves to, whether in the womb, or as an elder, these songs affect us in very powerful and meaning ways. They can actually help to destroy us or they can help to heal us. In iroqouis way, music is an integral part of who we are. So there are songs that celebrate all elements of the earth. There are songs that will quicken your death. There are songs to sing to the plants and the medicines so that they will fulfill their responsibility. So walking upon this earth is pretty amazing. If you believe that you have a special gift, (which you do), if you use that in a good way, with a good mind, that gift actually helps to transform our entire being and it actually has a great effect on the earth.”

And… Friday was the 126th anniversary of the birth of George Burns (1896, in New York City). “It's nice to be here,” he always said at the beginning of his late-life performances, “when you're 100 years old, its nice to be anywhere.”

I would say the same. It’s nice sharing these glimpses of the flotsam and jetsam from each flowing moment-by-present-moment of The Watercourse. Glad you’re here, and thank you for your time.