Tales and Soul

January 12, 2010

“Fairy tales present images of soul. For this reason it is recommended that when reading a fairy tale you not give yourself over to immediate critical reflection. Do not allow yourself to be irritated by seemingly “impossible” absurdities – for example, the transformation of a frog into a prince in “The Frog King.”. [...]

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Ripeness Is All

January 9, 2010

Image via Wikipedia

I had my first Shakespearean moment back as a junior in high school when I was struggling my way through King Lear and came upon the words of Edgar:
“Men must endure / Their going hence, even as their coming hither; / Ripeness is all.”
These lines have been interpreted in a stoic way, emphasizing [...]

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Oatmeal and Berries

January 4, 2010

One of my greatest pleasures while visiting the city each week is the bowl of oatmeal with berries I get at La Pain Quotidien. The cappichino is exquisite as well.
The sense of the communal table which defines the cafe recaptures all that the “McStarbuckization” over the past decade lost in the American cafe culture.
How [...]

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The Cards

January 2, 2010

Image by DG Jones via Flickr

We are prone to anxiety.  Perhaps we have a weak immune system.  Or maybe it’s some other weak link in the chain of our being…self esteem, cancer, shame, manipulation, fear.
Regardless of who we are, the weak links exist.  While our lived responses might have contributed to making those links even [...]

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I Spy…

January 1, 2010

…A Happy New Year!

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Ends and Beginnings

December 30, 2009

Image by Mr. Usaji via Flickr

“well, my window
looked out on the Squero where Ogni Santi
meets San Trovaso
things have ends and beginnings”
Ezra Pound, Canto 76
As we turn the page on the aughts and plunge headlong into the next decade I find myself taking the measure of the emerging Self.
What were your most pressing concerns at [...]

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Tidings of Comfort and Joy…

December 25, 2009

Image by SCholewiak via Flickr

Wishing you the spark of the Spirit today and throughout the upcoming year.

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Blogging Gratitude

December 24, 2009

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Two seasonal shout outs to the biggest supporters of Catskill Cottage Seed over the past 18 months.
On the public side of things, Liz Strauss, doing what she alone seems to have the knack for, continues to link to this blog and share the relevant posts for her audience through her Friday cafe. [...]

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The Gift of the Shared Item

December 22, 2009

Image by curiouslee via Flickr

I recall an awkward theater games exercise back in my college days: one prop, a book; and one line, “I give you this book.” Then in randomly generated pairs this micro-play would get recast dozens of times.
In many ways the “shared item” practice of the social media space reminds me of [...]

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Many Moves

December 22, 2009

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Lately I’ve been learning how to play, in a metaphorical sort of manner, speed chess. Let me explain.  As my training progresses one of the main challenges for me has been to open up to the multiple options in any given situation.  My tendency has been to lean heavily on one type of [...]

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