The opposite of “Woke” is “Asleep.”

In Freya's day's mailbox . . .

Novelist and historian Shelby Foote was born on this date in 1916 Greenville, Mississippi. His 3-volume, three thousand word history of the American Civil War remains a critical masterpiece.

Today is also Martin Scorsese's birthday. The film director was born 81 years ago on this day in 1942 New York City. His latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, seems headed for another Academy Award.

And in 1558 Elizabeth I began her 44 year reign as Queen of England.

Life’s work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into the circle wake you up rather than put you to sleep. The only way to do this is to open, be curious, and develop some sense of sympathy for everything that comes along, to get to know its nature and let it teach you what it will. It’s going to stick around until you learn your lesson, at any rate. – Pema Chödrön in The Wisdom of No Escape.

In every joy which kindness triggers, flashes a flicker of that wild joy of limitless belonging. – David Steindle-Rast.