That fickle finger . . .
In Monday's mailbox . . .
Emily Dickinson died 137 years ago today in 1886 Amherst, Massachusetts.
Its the 133rd anniversary of Katherine Anne Porter's birth. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author was born Callie Russell Porter in 1890 Indian Creek, Texas. She gave us Ship of Fools among others.
It's the 167th anniversary of Frank Baum's birth. The Wizard of Oz author was born on this date in 1856 Chittenango, New York
And, today in 1869 Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony formed the National Woman Suffrage Association.
Fame is a fickle food
Upon a shifting plate
Whose table once a
Guest but not
The second time is set
Whose crumbs the crows inspect
And with ironic caw
Flap past it to the
Farmer’s corn
Men eat of it and die – Emily Dickenson
Fame is an old story and the nameless are a delightful mystery. – Garrison Keillor
Journeys beyond recall . . .
In the Watercourse mailbox this Mother's Day . . .
Emptiness sends letters reminding us of interconnectedness since we can't be aware of all emanantions of emptiness all the time – Suzuki Roshi
Today is the birthday of George Lucas. The “Star Wars”and “Indiana Jones” genius was born on this day in 1944 Modesto, California.
Sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Nearby is the country called life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
– after Rilke
This is also the 219th anniversary of the day in 1804 when Lewis and Clark set out from St. Louis, Missouri, on their overland expedition to the Pacific Coast.
The story of Mother’s Day is worthy of our attention and reflection. Typical of the patriarchy, Anna Jarvis' efforts to create our modern Mother's Day was hijacked for corporate/political/capitalist ends.
Anna Jarvis lived the last years of her life . . .nearly blind, and almost penniless. On her wall was a letter with a $1.00 bill sewn to it. The letter read: “I am 6 years old and I love my mother very much. I am sending this to you because you started Mother’s Day.” – according to Garrison Keillor
Fill this Mother’s Day with gratitude for all the wonderful women who mother with or without the title.
Telling time, counting sparks . . .
It's the Satyr's day and fittingly lots o' flatsam and jetsam in the Mailbox . . .
Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. – Mary Oliver
Today is the birthday date of Kathleen Jamie. The Scottish poet and essayist was born in 1962 Renfrewshire, Scotland. In 2021 she was named Scotland's fourth Makar, the national poet laureate of Scotland.
Listen to me as one listens to the rain,
not attentive, not distracted,
light footsteps, thin drizzle,
water that is air, air that is time. . .– Octavio Paz
Love is a bet, a wild one, placed on freedom. Not my own; the freedom of the Other. – Octavio Paz
“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their future.” – F.M. Alexander
'My fingers emit sparks of fire with expectation of my future labours.' – William Blake