From reflections on the mystical journeys of Merton to more immediate and down-to-earth concerns (isn’t that the way it always is?). Funding cuts announced without warning, so out here projects and workshops will have to be cancelled, writing projects abandoned — ugh, ugh, ugh. So stressed that I threw up twice this morning and the housemate is grey with worry and grief. Living from hand to mouth, and it gets tougher each year.
But somehow we will carry on, find a way to keep things going. There are blue and white butterflies dancing in the cold sunlight, the dog is digging a hole in what used to be the front garden, a small squirrel in climbing the old oak tree in search of a hidden cache of acorns.
Immanence. Just to stay here now and breathe deeply.
What We Need Is Here
By Wendell Berry
Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.
I’m sorry to hear this. It’s worrisome when blog friends are having a hard time.
It’ll be fine Lou — at the worst I might have to cancel the home Internet and just use the library computer once a week
So sorry to hear this. I’m in the San Francisco area where there is a lot of activiity in the digital sector. There might be some content opportunities.
Allyson I’ll email you about that, thanks so much
This is terrible. I am so sorry. When it gets down to “hand to mouth,” it is so difficult. And the lessons learned in our first experiences get to be tired and worn out by the time we have been living this way for years.
You’re so right Mary Christine, the wearing down of energies is the worst — I have done this for so many years now and I live in a community with very few resources
I am so sorry that this is happening to you. But so glad that you have such excellent inner resources. These sudden unexpected downturns and announcements always have a sickeningly familiar ‘here we go again’ feel to them for me, touching on old trauma and in effect re-traumatizing me.
I am sending you an email.
Yes, that ‘here we go again’ feeling. Got your email and I will write back — thank you so much
so sorry to hear. Wish I could offer you more than my best wishes that it gets better soon. Cleo xx
Thanks so much Cleo, I also hope it gets better soon –
Government cuts to services we once depended on are going fast. Not to mention environmental safeguards and the ongoing corruption in Business and Government. Here in stodgy and conservative Canada these are more of an annoyance than anything, at least in my world.
I can only imagine what you and the Housemate are going through. All the very best to you and yours MLA.
Thanks Andrew –
Writing and the arts seem to be on the chopping block here a lot. And yet, they are so crucial to fostering enlightenment. I think how much could be funded from one drone. It would be enough to sustain endowments for writing and the arts for a long time. Thinking of you both and hoping that the anxiety will ease.