Today I have to comment on my alert readers and the stuff I get sent from out of left field, although, just as often, delivered right over the plate directly from the pitcher’s mound.
Other than the cathartic endorphins I receive from journaling for all the world to see, the other value I get from doing this are the fascinating, whimsical, thoughtful, poignant, entertaining links that show up on my inbox doorstep like surprise packages from the mail carrier. Rarely do they disappoint.
And that is because my alert readers are exceptional curators.
Normally, I would just link them at the end with flippant or casual commentary but the ones that have come to my attention recently merit - in my mind - a lengthier response. Not that any of the previous links sent by other alert readers were not highly appreciated, I think it was the eclectic nature over a brief period which struck me as remarkable this time around.
It felt like Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe of selections.
The first one came from Shan Perera who hales from Sri Lanka, went to high school in Mississippi and, if you ever meet him and he suggests you play some sport or any activity, respectfully decline. He’s likely a shark, whether it’s tiddly winks or taekwondo. If there’s no money on it, you’ll be fine.
I could write an entire column about Shan, and one day I will but, for now, I want to introduce you to Andrew J. Duffer who completely encapsulates almost everything I’ve been steaming over for the last four months in just over four minutes.
He is the more dramatic version of the liberal redneck Trae Crowder and the less produced version of Randy Rainbow.
When Shan emailed this video to me, he wanted to make sure I caught these colorful expressions and I want to make certain y’all caught them as well:
"Never kick a cow turd on a hot day..."
"Some of you are so dumb you could throw yourself on the ground and miss..."
"Busier than a one-legged cat in a litter box..."
Meanwhile, Amanda Grove, alert Bellingham reader, gummy bear source on a Cataract Canyon trip and woman whose beatific smile is a bewildering cross between the Cheshire Cat, the cat who got the canary and the Mona Lisa, wanted to make sure I did not miss these wacky short vignettes featuring Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of the actress Ingrid Bergman, best known for the movies Blue Velvet and Death Becomes Her.
The series title is “Green Porno”, the original insect episodes are about a minute and a half long and it is Isabella - in her late fifties when these were filmed - donned in insect costumes. . . and, well, you just have to experience a couple of them for yourself to decide whether they are your cup of tea, or tincture of CBD.
I found them to be curious, clever and creative. You might even learn something! They have been around for more than a decade, so I am kind of shocked I haven’t come across them before.
The last alert reader link I’ll mention came from my sister-in-law, Kathe, who apparently has time to read some of my drivel even though her days have to be filled with herding cats (both human and feline), teaching herself multiple musical instruments, cleaning up after said ‘real’ cats, exercising and baking the tastiest chocolate chip cookies on the West Coast. A friend of hers in Olympia is a medical doctor, fellow musician and a Substack writer and Kathe shared one of her latest columns which introduced me to the Japanese concept of ikigai.
The basic translation is: reason for being.
Young people often say “My life has no ikigai”. This is obvious. People who isolate themselves can’t have ikigai – meaning or purpose. Ikigai is only found in interpersonal relationships.
– Ishikawa Tatsuzō
There is nothing truly ground breaking about it but it’s always good to revisit these grass roots “wisdoms” in order to keep them in the forefront of your mind and not allow yourself to become too isolated. Or too jaded. Or too despondent.
It is also useful to remember it is not necessary to do grand sweeping gestures, or big projects or newsworthy deeds to be a productive member of society, or to feel you have value to society. That may be part of your path to ikigai, but you may also choose a much more humble and simple path.
As Kathe’s acquaintance, Betsy Brown, points out, these days of imposed social isolation (which continues to be the prudent response to the ongoing pandemic) can make the maintenance of interpersonal relationships significantly more difficult. (I am grateful my family took the opportunity to resurrect our Thanksgiving gathering tradition last November because - who knows when the next opportunity will be?) The timeline remains indefinite as to how long we will have to rely on remote substitutions for ‘family reunions’ or birthday parties or what have you.
Which means it’s all the more important to cling to community.
Tend your garden.
And dance, ala Isabella Rossellini, like nobody’s watching.
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Some of you might enjoy this site: The Nocturnists. It’s an audio compilation from people all over the country talking about various aspects of COVID19. I listened to the short audio journal of the subject from Seattle whose plasma is being utilized for antibodies.
Also, thanks to alert reader, island homesteader and emergency room doc extraordinaire, James Li for this endearing story about one woman’s desire to be the best animal advocate she can be, and her ‘city slicker’ husband, learning animal husbandry as he goes. Definitely a cockle-warmer, for me, and I do not say that with the least bit of facetiousness.
I just want to say “Thank you” to all who take a few moments out of their lives to check out what I might be rambling about on any given day. I especially appreciate those who reach out via email - or one of the dozen other internet means of communication - to say hello, or offer a little of their own insight to a topic, or suggest subject matter, or chat about the ‘glory days’ or “complain about the gummint”.
I would really, really appreciate it if you shared or encouraged others to sign up for a subscription. The more subscribers, the merrier!
One of these days you’ll see a button that looks like this:
Because, throughout my life, I was a grasshopper and not an ant and now I need to monetize my grey matter while it lasts. But, fear not, because I am also a socialist by nature, it will always be by donation only.
Also, the button above is a dummy. Meaning it is just for show. If you can’t wait for me to go Live with that feature - I know, I know, pins and needles and all that - you can send something to my Venmo account: @riverraftingwa.
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