Insomnia

It's All Temporary

fra Giovanni, 1513 A.D. Letter to a Friend

There is nothing I can give you 

      which you have not

But there is much, very much, that

while I cannot give it, you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts

     find rest in today.  Take heaven!

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden

in this present instant.  Take peace!

The gloom of the world is but a shadow.

Beyond it, yet within reach, is joy.

There is radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see,

and to see, we have only to look.

Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by

their covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy, or hard.

Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it

a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom, with power.

fra Giovanni, 1513 A.D.

It's All Temporary

I'd Rather Be Morose

It's All Temporary

Kind, Calm, Clear

All you need to know in 30 seconds:

The Kreutzer Sonata, A Movie Review

The Kreutzer Sonata is a tale of obsession which ends badly. I knew it would, I had read Tolstoy’s novella, a beautifully written story about a man who is driven insane by jealousy. This is a very modern version of the saga, set in Los Angeles, with all the glimmer and glitz of the Beverly Hills lifestyle. “Edgar, a wealthy philanthropist, and Abby, a concert pianist, have a tumultuous affair.They marry, and  predictably,  the bloom falls off the rose. Abby (Elizabeth Rohm of Law and Order fame) is perfect, she could have driven any male to distraction, and Edgar, played by Danny Huston is most convincing as a male on the brink.

 Abby becomes increasingly unhappy. Realizing too late that she gave up a promising career for motherhood, she misses her piano, her music and the companionship of fellow musicians. At the same time Edgar’s jealousy grows more and more out  of control.  Knowing that he is losing her, Edgar arranges a concert of Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata for her. Emma was to play the piano and a young, talented violinist would accompany her. Beautiful, almost hypnotic music seeps through every nook and cranny of their large home as they rehearse, and Edgar becomes convinced that the two musicians are practicing more than their sonata.

Although I knew how it would end, I was riveted. There is enough tension, both sexual and emotional to keep all but the faint  of heart watching ‘til the bitter end.T

It's All Temporary

A Plethora of Hits

It's All Temporary

Taking the Pledge

Minimalism, non-consumerism, zen - the trend towards less commercialism is all over the internet. Or maybe, just maybe I seek it, and the rest of the world is happily spending, buying tons of stuff, maxing out their credit cards.  From the look of our local Target's parking lot yesterday, there appeared to be no lack of hungry customers.

I am taking the pledge that several of my friends have already taken: "buy nothing new for a year." I'm not a purist, if something I dearly love and rely on breaks, I will replace it. It's the accumulated turtlenecks, shoes, workout clothes, etc. that have got to stop.  I don't need a thing.

Yesterday I bought a packet of Renaissance Post Cards and a wicker basket to use as a prop for my puppets. I love them both and am glad I have them, but that's it for me.  Thankfully I have a wonderful Goodwill Shop down the street, and anything is fair play in there.  One  more thing, if I go to Germany this summer I shall undoubtedly buy myself something new, but there are far worse sins.

I will keep you posted and promise I will confess when and if I stumble.





It's All Temporary