Man's Best Friend

Impact

Had a interesting moment today while while reading Xenophon's "The Persian Expedition". It occurred as I was reading Xenophon's speech to the remainder of the 10,000 after suffering
a demoralizing setback . In the middle of his impassioned speech I suddenly sneezed. As it was only one time I continued reading . To my amazement the next paragraph said this.


"Just as he was saying this. someone sneezed ,and, when the soldiers heard it they all with one accord fell on their knees and worshiped the god who had given them this sign.
Xenophon went on: I think ,soldiers ,that, since an omen from Zeus the Saviour appeared just when we were speaking about safety ,we ought to make a vow that we will give thank-offerings to the god for our safety in the place where we first reach friendly soil, and we should also vow to offer sacrifices to the other gods to the best of our ability".Never knew a reader could have such impact ".

Progress

Proof that we are making progress! These small Ohia trees (some we transplanted and some volunteers) are really growing. It is most gratifying to see our reforesting efforts actually working.

somehow this relates to President Obama

Man this is beautiful !

From A. Wainwright's "A North Wales Sketchbook"

A Hawaii Moment

Walking this evening it occurred

imperceptible at first

then a sound on the edge of consciousness

relentlessly approaching like Xenophon's 10,000

A trade wind shower

pouring for a few seconds

and departing just as it had arrived

A Hawaii moment

The classics

I have returned to my classic book reading kick. As a student in high school I did not have much interest in reading. I failed to realize how much enjoyment comes from a good book. Of course in college I had to read but not much for pleasure. It was not until I happened to watch a TV series named In search of the Trojan wars that things began to change. In This interesting show, narrated by Michael Woods there were many references to Homer's Iliad. Before the series was finished I just had to get a copy and attempt to read it. Although it was a struggle I finished it and was hooked on penguin classics. Reading the odyssey followed ,and the whole world of these books opened up. Realizing I had not much knowledge of the classics I got a book titled "The life time reading plan" by Clifford Fadiman. It gave me direction and coupled with" How to read a book "written by Mortimer J Adler and Charles Van Doren I was rolling . Since then I have read more than a few of the classics and currently am reading "Main Street" written by Sinclair Lewis. Reading has become one of my interests which I do manage to get something accomplished. That and drinking!