Thought for the Day - July 24,00

Subject: Thought for the Day - July 24,00
From: Peter T.
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 09:17 AM

a few excerpts from Richard Jefferies (19th century writer) essay, "the July Grasses":

The July grasses must be looked for in corners and out-of-the-way places, and not in the broad acres -- the scythe has taken them there. At the back of ponds, just insdie the enclosure of woods, angles of cornfields, old quarries....I will sit here on the turf and the scarlet-dotted flies shall pass over....A July fly went sideways over the long grass. His wings made a burr about him like a net, beating so fast they wrapped him round with a cloud. He knows nothing of the names of the grasses that grow here where the sward nears the sea, and I have decided not to willfully seek to learn any more of their names either. I will not think, I will be unconscious, I will live.

Here by me is a praying rug, one of the richest gold, inwoven with crimson. All the Sultans of the East never had such beauty to kneel on. It is indeed, too beautiful to kneel on, for the life in these golden flowers must not be broken down even for that purpose: this carpet prays itself. I wish I could do something more than gaze at all this scarlet and gold and crimson and green, something more than see it, not exactly to drink it or inhale it, but in some way to make it part of me that I might live it.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - July 24,00
From: Rex
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:00 AM

I've had a couple of things to mention here but didn't. Now Peter touches on both in the same thread, fast beating wings and gold. So I must get on with it.

The Rufous hummingbird showed up here about a week ago. A bit late. The other hummingbirds, mostly Broadtails, show up in April and freeze and barely survive to somehow manage to get their territories worked out and the pecking orders and what feeder is in whos territory. Meanwhile the Rufous has gone all the way up to Alaska to breed. Once its business there is done, it takes its time heading South. It shows up here around the 4th of July. Appropriate for its personality. It's quite aggressive and turns the whole hummingbird society on its ear and takes over for awhile claiming all the feeders and running off all others and doing spectacular dive bombing maneuvers. It will only be here a few weeks and then it leaves early to its winter home in Mexico. The other hummingbirds breath a collective sigh of relief and carry on.

Alright, gold. This is a rant. Through most of recorded history folks have felt a desire to make coinage out of something that will endure. Gold is a good choice, it maintains its luster and does not react or tarnish with everything in circulation. Well now we have a "gold" coin again. I am pleased with the image on the coin. A young woman that did something significant in the wilderness while raising a baby. Not only that, the image is not a profile for the first time in a century at least. A very fine appealing image on a beautiful material. But the alloy that gives this coin such a golden glow is manganese which is rather reactive. So even a new coin handled once is tarnished. If the powers that be had just made it with a combination of brass and copper perhaps it would have been as durable as our shiny pennies. But they wanted the gold color however fleeting. I can't help but consider how this reflects upon our values today. Alright, I'll go scuttle off now.

Rex

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - July 24,00
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 11:22 AM

well, dang! Beautiful thoughts, both of you. Made me go hunt up some pix of a Rufus. Cute little buggers. My aunt and uncles used to have literally hundreds of the emerald ones at their places in Colorado; they were so used to one of my uncles they would land on his fingers.

I dind't know that about the new "gold" coin. Does make ya wonder...thanks..

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - July 24,00
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 06:20 PM

I bet they didn't even think about whether it would tarnish. I don't think they have brains.

I find that after reading one of Peter's Thoughts, I am much more aware of the variety of colors in flora; usually, it takes fauna to catch my atttention. Zoophilistine that I am...

And thanks for the rufi, katbirdwatching!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - July 24,00
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 06:30 PM

Ya' know Mrrzy, I find that after reading one of Peter's thoughts, I have gas. Then again, I always have gas. Beautiful as they are, they are not a cure for gas. So when I say that his thoughts ain't worth a shit, that's what I mean.

(Loved it Peter)

BBBRRRRRRRRRAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWMMMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPPP ....ahhh......... HEY!!!! Better than average!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - July 24,00
From: Peter T.
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 06:40 PM

Spaw do you think you could do that over in the Kenny G thread? There is a real need for it... Blessings.

yours, Peter T.