The heat-hammer pounds the blues

It's Tew's day …

Just a week ago, it seems, a new America began.

When President Joe Biden announced just a week ago that he would not accept the Democratic nomination for president, he did not pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris. He passed it to us. It is up to us to decide whether we want a country based on fear or on facts, on reaction or on reality, on hatred or on hope. It is up to us whether it will be fascism or democracy that, in the end, moves swiftly, and up to us whether we will choose to follow in the footsteps of those Americans who came before us in our noblest moments, and launch a brand new era in American history. – Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American.

Speaking of moments and eras: Blues guitarist Buddy Guy turns 88 today. Still on tour, he was born in 1936 Lettsworth, Louisiana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Guy

Buddy Guy 2012 Kennedy Center Honors with Morgan Freeman, Jimmie Vaughan, Tracy Chapman, Jeff Beck, Beth Hart and Bonnie Raitt. “I'd rather be blind” with Beth Hart will bring tears if you have ears.

“Funny thing about the blues. The more you sing 'em, the more they go away.” – Buddy Guy

Will it rain on Christmas?

It's the Moon's day . . . waning toward a New one August 4th with all its transformations twixt now and then . . .

Yesterday was Maria Popova's 40th birthday. The creator/producer of The Marginalian was born in 1984 Bulgaria.

It's also the birth date of poet/author Richard Brautigan. He was a master of the poetic short form as well as novellas – Trout Fishing in America, Willard and His Bowling Trophies, The Hawkline Monster among several. Principle among my significant other poet influencers, he was born in 1908 Tacoma, Washington.

And Ken Burns turns 71 today. The film producer/director was born in 1953, Brooklyn, New York

Another fave influencer, Mirabai Starr has extended an invitation for seekers to join in a free virtual spiritual scavenger hunt. Might not be your “cuppa” but 'tis mine … so … check it out if you're curious.

I don't know the full dimensions of forever,

but I know it is longer

than waiting for Christmas to come.

….

I’ll affect you slowly as if you were having a picnic in a dream.

There will be no ants.

It won’t rain.

– Richard Brautigan

On the inside edge of the outside . . .

Another Satyr's day . . .

Sit still for a moment. This universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself. – Rumi

I'm still recovering from Celine Dion's solo return at last night's finale to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Sadly, no recording has yet been posted. Maybe that's for the good, as it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Garrison Keillor has been a very happy Democrat for the past week and he is not used to this … – Garrison Keillor

“Human history began when men created gods. It will end when men become gods...What will happen to society, politics and daily life when non-conscious but highly intelligent algorithms know us better than we know ourselves?" – Yuval Noah Harari in his book Homo Deus (Harper Perennial, 2018). That day may not be as far away as one might imagine, to the extent that we are equal only to the spirit we can comprehend.

Our vision will become clear only when we can look into our own hearts. Who looks outside, dreams;

who looks inside, awakes. – Carl Jung