tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384668884698410192024-03-05T11:15:13.952-05:00In Pursuit Of MaineThere is still magic in the forest.Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comBlogger1002125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-22972562259331918212021-12-07T08:15:00.000-05:002021-12-07T08:15:44.160-05:00December 7, 2021 - A New Home <p>In Pursuit of Maine now has a new home on <a href="https://inpursuitofmaine.substack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Substack</a>! It's a wonderful platform that makes everything a bit easier. The text and layout is much nicer on the eyes. The email subscriptions have so many more features for subscribing, receiving, sharing articles, etc. <b>AND</b> there's a podcast section!! I have already recorded a few podcasts and will be uploading them soon.</p><p>Thanks to all who have followed <a href="https://inpursuitofmaine.substack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In Pursuit of Maine</a> throughout the years! You can always come back here and visit anytime you'd like. All new material is going on <a href="https://inpursuitofmaine.substack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Substack</a>. I look forward to seeing you there!</p><p>~ Melanie <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbZhIs5HzluQ8e1QvIyl1FM4OzkqCgotYlc2QYohztTkN51VIRkxwu6SfX2Ge23JCYX9ngLjXe8MH-ZIZftBGceYh9AKebXzMdDt9YUMkMHeJ-2gIZW9eXbM7u26VBHJZl4wjp51wzfzT4Hcqpgu8jf7f-qByE3tSzsIWS3BgC8z9G14hQhxxd4J3t=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbZhIs5HzluQ8e1QvIyl1FM4OzkqCgotYlc2QYohztTkN51VIRkxwu6SfX2Ge23JCYX9ngLjXe8MH-ZIZftBGceYh9AKebXzMdDt9YUMkMHeJ-2gIZW9eXbM7u26VBHJZl4wjp51wzfzT4Hcqpgu8jf7f-qByE3tSzsIWS3BgC8z9G14hQhxxd4J3t=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-39473171265779309002021-08-30T19:05:00.000-04:002021-08-30T19:05:02.244-04:00August 30, 2021 - All the King's Horses<p>I have an old history book, bound in ancient scratched leather with gold gilt covering the rough deckle pages. I keep it upstairs in one of the rooms along the hallway I do not often visit. But today I find myself in the hallway . . . treading softly. I am not sure how I got here, but then I never am. I stop before the room that holds the history book. The door has an unusual red crystal handle on it. Somewhere in my mind there is a warning about doors with red crystal handles, but just now I cannot remember what that warning is about. So I turn the pretty red handle and walk in.<br /><br />The book is open and laying on a small table with a lamp, near an easy chair. It is all just as I left it the last time I was here. Of course, now I remember. I walk to the book and gently blow off the dust that has settled on the pages since my last visit. It is a large and heavy book, and it is getting heavier as the days go by. The newer gilt pages are added to the end, and they knit into the spine beautifully, as if they were always there. Which, of course, they always were. Time is just an illusion, after all.<br /><br />But just now I am reading from the older pages, still handsome and gilt but not as brilliant and crisp as the new pages. The further back I go, the stranger the maps become. And it is not just because countries change their names or civilizations rise and fall, it is because the world which the maps represent has itself changed. The world in my history book does not look like the physical world of the new maps of today. Then it occurs to me that the world is the same as it has always been, but the maps are only as good as the men who make them.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J2ZnQjfVquSgygstvHkNH9aP8XcAuZGHVp0NgAhunuYRin7uNL5_3pDxpiyf4kjcgp2u3f9A0EliLQMnt7Ab7aUcqYHXKPcCpo0_rsmvpyH2WZ_Le6Bhv5sikuMMCq9pabkFXwXGt7w/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J2ZnQjfVquSgygstvHkNH9aP8XcAuZGHVp0NgAhunuYRin7uNL5_3pDxpiyf4kjcgp2u3f9A0EliLQMnt7Ab7aUcqYHXKPcCpo0_rsmvpyH2WZ_Le6Bhv5sikuMMCq9pabkFXwXGt7w/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The cynical part of me says that the learned men from long ago did not have the type of surveying equipment we have today. They had no aviation, no radar, no satellites or GPS. At least we must assume so since these devices have not been mentioned. They are not mentioned on the new maps either, though, I tell my cynical self as I gaze across the vast country of Tartaria, now “disappeared” altogether.<br /><br />I flip forward a bit through the old history book. The year is 1891 and three men are sitting in a closed room in London—William, Reginald, and Cecil. They are in the midst of forming a secret organization based on an old Jesuit model, the purpose of which is to extend British rule throughout the world, recovering the United States in the process. The organization has two circles. The inner circle is called The Society of the Elect, and the outer circle is called The Association of Helpers. The outer circle will never know of the existence of the inner circle.<br /><br />The pages go on to say that the secret society’s goal was to gradually absorb the wealth of the world—for peaceful purposes, they said. They plunged Britain into the Boer War of 1899-1902, bringing the separate sections of South Africa under British control. But in their plans of world domination, they soon realized they had a problem, a big problem: Germany. It had gotten organized and very strong. So they took control of the press and created an alliance with Russia and France—no small feat since those countries were traditional rivals of Britain. But desperate times called for desperate measures . . .<br /><br />When their friend, Edward, became Foreign Secretary, the alliance was sealed with France to the west of Germany and Russia to the east. The vice grip began to tighten, but they needed a kickoff to the Great War. Germany was blamed for the war between Russia and Japan (although it was the secret society that funded Japan) as well as many other skirmishes. Then the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in a conspiracy that even today’s modern world admits to, and the secret society got its war in June of 1914: World War I, the “war to end all wars.”<br /><br />My eyes begin to glaze over. The Lusitania, an innocent passenger ocean liner, was sunk by a German torpedo. But not really. It was actually an auxiliary warship carrying weapons and ammunition, but the society managed to keep that a secret and it stayed a secret until 2014. The propaganda flew madly around the world, and suddenly (and in a very planned fashion) the United States joined the war in 1917.<br /><br />I skip through the horrors of the war, unable to read about the atrocities, reading instead about how, after all that tremendous bloodshed, they carved up the world into new places with new borders in the name of peace. But the resultant economic depression for the “losers” caused by the war (among other secret influences) plunged the world into World War II, contrived by the same secret players and their heirs. And it did not stop there, for a new world was being planned. A new order, the inheritors of the secret society said.<br /><br />I do not want to read anymore. The pages flip backward on their own, as always, because really I am not reading but being read to. A nursery rhyme from long before World War I appears on an old gilt page that has grown brown with time. “All the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again . . .” Somehow I hear the music from my childhood as I read the words.<br /><br />I take hold of the book and turn the pages of my own volition to the most recent, brilliant gilt pages. But oddly enough, I am faced with the same nursery rhyme. “All the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put him back together again . . .” I sigh. Entering a room with a door that has a red crystal handle always carries risks. It is time to leave.<br /><br />I walk back down the hallway with heavy feet, glad to be going downstairs again. Outside the strong old oak trees stare at the frivolous maples across the lane, still gaily bright green and not yet wearing their orange and red Fall frocks, caring little for time and what might happen. The bristly pines stand behind them and hedge them in. Soon Fall will come and the last great party of the year will be had. Everyone will be wearing their finest colors—reds and oranges, yellows and browns. But eventually they will all grow threadbare. Even the old oaks with their burgundy, leather-like leaves will succumb and grow ghost-like.<br /><br />The pines will be left then, bristly and full of sharp needles as always, secretly plotting mastery of the forest. But the storms will come, as they always do, and the weak pines will crack and break in half. The maples will follow because they planned for beauty only and not strength. Only the old oaks, stubborn and hard and filled with scars, will remain to tell the story of the Winter. The spring will come and we will start again with the newcomers knowing nothing of the Old Order of Oaks, who stand guard to tell the tale of all the King’s horses and all the King’s men.<p></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-63477863003607719242021-08-05T18:32:00.000-04:002021-08-05T18:32:24.170-04:00August 5, 2021 - The Trojan Horse<p>It started, we are told, when Eris was left out of the invitation list to the great party being thrown for the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Everyone was invited except for her, and she seethed in anger and rage and hatred and jealousy. She wandered around, trying to think of a way that she could ruin the banquet. She would have done anything—destroy the Earth, release the Titans, burn everything to cinders—anything. But she feared the Keeper of Fire and especially Ares, the iron warrior god, so she stayed her hand and became craftier.<br /><br />She took a beautiful golden apple and wrote upon it, “To the fairest of all,” and she tossed it into the wedding proceedings. Immediately, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all craved this beautiful golden apple that had appeared as if by magic. Each imagined she was the fairest, she was the best. So they began to fight bitterly amongst themselves as to who should have the apple and be deemed the fairest.<br /><br />Zeus knew he had a problem on his hands, so he decided that Paris, the “splendid youth” who tended his herds on the hills Troy, would be the judge of who was fairest. Each of the goddesses offered Paris gifts if he would choose her. Athena offered him wisdom and skill in battle. Hera offered him political power and control of Asia. But Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world—Helen—if he would give the apple to her. He could not resist. He gave Aphrodite the golden apple, and with Aphrodite’s help, he seduced Helen and abducted her away from her husband, Menelaus (King of Sparta), back to Troy.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi002g7DkyHxPDjsnJA73x92Axbl7AxGfC4utLCe1acUvFxTICgIF-PT7wmjp2WGOTQ_-tiEYdDbHT0JNasIvTLaMfVKVk-rdeGGhK55_xXknxzyg9FcwhPdetwy8DTrmhq0g5Rlu7j9Qo/s2048/in+pursut+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="2048" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi002g7DkyHxPDjsnJA73x92Axbl7AxGfC4utLCe1acUvFxTICgIF-PT7wmjp2WGOTQ_-tiEYdDbHT0JNasIvTLaMfVKVk-rdeGGhK55_xXknxzyg9FcwhPdetwy8DTrmhq0g5Rlu7j9Qo/w400-h297/in+pursut+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Menelaus’s brother, Agamemnon (King of Mycenae), then waged war against Troy for 10 years for “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Many heroes died on all sides in brutal battles, including Paris. The city finally fell to the trick of the gift of the Trojan Horse, which contained hidden warriors. The Trojans welcomed the horse into their city, thinking it was a gift and a peace offering. The warriors then came out of the horse and the Trojans were slaughtered, except for some women and children. In addition, the temples to the gods were destroyed and they became furious. We are told that blood ran in torrents and drenched the Earth.<br /><br />Few of the victorious warriors ever made it back home. Many died trying. Many settled on lonely and distant shores and formed new societies. Those who did make it home with their captured women found that the wives they had abandoned to go to war had plotted against them, and they met with a terrible fate.<br /><br />But there was a shadowy figure behind it all. You see, Zeus, the king of the gods, had planned the whole thing. He felt that the Earth was overpopulated. He wanted Momus, the god of satire and mockery, to use the Trojan War as a way to help depopulate the Earth, and so mockery and rudeness began. Most especially, Zeus wanted his demi-god children destroyed (as he was not known to be faithful to his wife, Hera). He feared he would be overthrown by one of his sons since he, himself, had overthrown his own father.<br /><br />So Zeus saw to it that Eris was not allowed to attend the wedding, and thus the above argument between the goddesses ensued. He knew that Eris, the goddess of strife and discord, would be furious. He knew all along the world would be thrown into turmoil, but he did not plan on how tumultuous things would get. Many battles occurred well beyond Troy in the aftermath from the great war. And through it all, Eris delighted in the death and destruction. As the sister of the murderous war god Ares, she walked through the battlefields, making the pain of the fallen heroes even worse whenever she could.<br /><br />Or . . . you could say that the City of Troy was in a key position along the entrance to the Black Sea, and they controlled the commercial routes leading there, harassing the Greeks, who were desperate for the rich minerals from foreign shores that Greece so lacked. Finally, the conflicts grew into a bitter war that completely disrupted all of the trade routes. But once that happened, all of the surrounding civilizations that depended on the trade routes were also thrown into turmoil and economic stress. Many of the civilizations utterly collapsed. Egypt survived and new empires rose up to fill in the gap. And thus ended the Bronze Age.<br /><br />Ages, they come and go, don’t they? And the more things change, the more they stay the same. I hear the wild rumors today . . . can you hear them? Listen. Listen carefully. I hear them on the wind . . . whispers of overpopulation . . .whispers of greed and embargos and sanctions . . . whispers of spoils of war, the helpless women and children . . . whispers of the Trojan Horse, a seemingly benevolent remedy, a gift for the current sickness that grips the mind, but which hides the killers within . . . <br /><br />And I see even now the golden apple. “To the fairest of all . . .” And I see the people fighting bitterly over that poisoned fruit, designed by the hidden Evil One, who remains in the shadows as always. I hear the screams, “I am right! You are wrong!” caused by Momus, the god of satire and mockery. “I will destroy you for disrupting the narrow trade routes of information and education that I have so cleverly set up. I am better than . . .”<br /></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-22309771703854410932021-07-26T12:08:00.001-04:002021-07-26T12:08:55.977-04:00July 26, 2021 - First Letter to the Outside World<p>My Darlings,<br /><br />It has come to my attention that far too many people are living in a great deal of fear, much more than is normal. In fact, many people are absolutely terrified, and it is beginning to affect the physical and mental health of our nation as a whole. It is normal to have a bit of reservation toward something very unusual or something that has proven itself in the past to be dangerous. It is not normal to walk around in fear 24 hours a day. This is what I am seeing and it has to stop.<br /><br />We’ve all heard the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” and this is a wise saying. It helps people to step back and wonder why someone might offer so much to them for “free,” so I think it’s a good thing. But when we reject everything that is kind because we are so filled with fear, that is not a good thing.<br /><br />When someone offers you a smile, you can take that smile and give one back. It’s okay. You can take a hand up if you need one, and you don’t have to be afraid of a gesture of kindness. With all the nastiness that is going on in this world (most especially on “social” media), it’s hard to believe that anyone is kind anymore. But there are kind people out there, and they’re not trying to fleece you over. They’re just trying to light another candle in the darkness.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIxswRibUvhVasuQ66MW8aMVf8_PiNPk2mt-iwmHhjrYJZyLqvjhoZ1UXefFljvC8NPHCPayv_zHit7AfWd-XogSCYHbs-4PjDipSGDUa_gOkvLRg5Ar9CIH1t0fnYq7WvJ6UBef1afo/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIxswRibUvhVasuQ66MW8aMVf8_PiNPk2mt-iwmHhjrYJZyLqvjhoZ1UXefFljvC8NPHCPayv_zHit7AfWd-XogSCYHbs-4PjDipSGDUa_gOkvLRg5Ar9CIH1t0fnYq7WvJ6UBef1afo/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>But how did our society get so frightened in the first place? Why are so many of us full of fear? When it happens to almost the entire population, you can rest assured it is not accidental. It is fear by design. But how? And why?<br /><br />First and foremost, we are literally bombarded with “news” 24 hours a day in 2021, and often that “news” is yellow journalism at best and outright lies at worst. There’s no break from this bombardment, and most of us are too busy and exhausted to track down every piece to see if it is “real.” We also don’t trust the fact-checkers anymore because they have been known to lie as well. Past generations were not continually assailed with “news,” and they were much better for it in terms of their mental condition.<br /><br />We don’t need to know every single tiny tragedy that happens in every corner of the Earth on a daily basis. There is always something “horrible” happening somewhere. You’ve got no way to prove it’s real for sure, but you can bet the powers that be are going to make sure you know about it . . . so that you will accept their offer of more complete protection. More and more and more protection. “After all, it’s for your own good,” they say.<br /><br />Then there are the unconscious things that happen, and we are not even aware of the damage they are causing. Here’s one teeny-tiny example: You buy a bottle of over-the-counter medicine, and when you get home, you have to fumble with thick shrink-wrapped plastic on the outside that often requires scissors and a cut on the hand before finally removing it. Then you have to push down hard and turn to open it, but when you finally get it open after the tenth try, there’s a welded piece of foil on the opening that again requires the scissors. Most of us do all of this without even thinking about it. “After all, it’s for your own good.”<br /><br />But what happens is we have just been utterly bombarded with a subconscious message that everything is full of danger and we must constantly be afraid—and, of course, those who “know better” than us are just protecting us. After all, if we didn’t have all of these “safety” measures, an evil person could come along and taint all the product in the bottle . . . and it would be horrible . . . and we would all die . . . *sigh*<br /><br />Okay, let me just say here and now that, yes, there are some mean people in the world who might do evil things to you. Those people do exist and they have always existed. Also, sometimes safety measures can be a good thing, and if someone is truly thinking about my safety only, then I do appreciate it. It’s smart to be well informed and to make conscious selections in your day-to-day life.<br /><br />But let me also say that I am old enough to have lived in a time when there was no welded foil on the bottle opening, when there was no push down with 50 pounds of pressure while turning the cap, when there was no thick shrink-wrap on the entire product . . . and no one died. No one got hurt. We all survived, and we survived well. In fact, we thrived.<br /><br />“Well, times have changed,” you might say, “Stop living in the past or you’re going to end up dead! You’re playing Russian roulette with a one-shot pistol!” Yes, I know times have changed. I also know that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I know that I can look up a “crime” on the internet and find 500 different sites with countless “facts” supporting countless agendas about the so-called crime. I know that I can often leave an internet search more confused than when I started it with no hope of clarity at a later date because everyone has their own “spin” on it for their own selfish reasons. And the truth is, we’ll never get the truth from them.<br /><br />Where does that leave you and me? Here’s the good part: It actually leaves us where we always were. It leaves us relying on our own common sense, on our own ability to reason, on our own trust in our local society and family groups and friends. It leaves us with the ability to choose what we need to be “saved” from and how to go about ensuring our safety. It leaves us with the knowledge that while there are bad people out there trying to harm others, there are also people who pretend to be concerned about our safety, and they are wreaking just as much havoc on our mental condition for their own secret agenda.<br /><br />We can consciously think about what makes sense and what doesn’t, and we can act accordingly. We can realize that while a crime may have occurred on the other side of the world, we can’t change it and internalizing the details serves no purpose but to hurt us. We also can’t change the thousand safety wraps on a product, but we can laugh at them. We can reasonably store some food and water in our basement for emergency purposes—it’s only common sense—and then laugh at the weatherman-turned-drama-king as he spins each tiny storm into a devastating hurricane that has a 99% chance of being a gust of wind and a raindrop.<br /><br />We can stop taking the comments of internet trolls and bots seriously—whether they’re on our “side” or not. We can recognize that a good 75% of the so-called comments we read are paid for by someone else who wants to steer us in a certain direction—even if that’s the direction in which we think we want to go. And what better a way to steer us than with fear? “I’m just trying to help you,” is the message we’re given. Ah, but the price we pay for our “safety” . . .<br /><br />So I say to you, don’t let these parasites who prey on the mind hurt you. Turn them off. Tune them out. Ignore them. Laugh at them. Be reasonably aware of your surroundings, of course, and take charge of your own care and safety. Pay attention to subliminal fear mongering and order it right out of your life this instant!<br /><br />And don’t be afraid of a smile or a kind gesture or a helping hand. Don’t be afraid of love and decency. Know that kindness is everywhere, especially in your own heart. And if you get rebuffed when you offer a smile or a hand, don’t walk away hurt and sad. Walk away with the knowledge that you planted a seed of love, and somewhere, somehow, someday that seed is going to grow and blossom. Seeds of love are much better than seeds of fear. They’re stronger, too.<br /><p></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-47714498574401062952021-07-22T18:43:00.000-04:002021-07-22T18:43:05.993-04:00July 22, 2021 - The World Wreckers<p>When I got back home, everything was still the same. Except that it wasn’t. There were tiny differences that might easily have gone unnoticed, but after spending 13 months asleep in the woods, upon awakening I became very aware, even more than usual. I found that if I looked at anything in a staring, slightly unfocused way without moving or blinking, it would either remain stable or it would jump around a bit, sort of quiver. That’s how I began to sniff out the two different worlds.<br /><br />I recall what I was told upon awakening in the woods: “A dark force came and split the world in two, but not two halves. It split the world into two wholes. Where there was one world, there are now two, but they appear as one and are superimposed upon one another.” And when I questioned what I must do about it, the reader may recall this response:<br /><br />“You know what is right and you know what is wrong. You know what is up and what is down, what is warm and what is cold, what is day and what is night. You know how the natural world works. You know the seasons of the world and their correspondences in the body. You know what is health and what is illness. You know what is kindness and what is cruelty. So you will hold each path you encounter up to these truths, and whichever path rings true to the natural world, that is the path you will take. Beware of the merchant who will try to take your possessions. He is not from the natural world.”<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qhg3eabjQqDPXbnXQ42Eg_Xj4quqXYsRJgE2fRa8gsKdIYP-B1t8v_LB7MgI3n1I3ESBO77iWQqrzYOKdt3fcQpdXXJRLVSAQAnpmZ-UvaITD2yL7ikM_IAfjjF9moqfQLD9PX6yJHc/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qhg3eabjQqDPXbnXQ42Eg_Xj4quqXYsRJgE2fRa8gsKdIYP-B1t8v_LB7MgI3n1I3ESBO77iWQqrzYOKdt3fcQpdXXJRLVSAQAnpmZ-UvaITD2yL7ikM_IAfjjF9moqfQLD9PX6yJHc/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Yes, I know right from wrong. I know the difference between opposites—the middle ground, and the pendulum that swings between the two. I know how the natural world works and the seasons of the year and the human body. I know what is truly health and what is contrived illness, and how belief of either affects the believer. I know when someone is kind and when they are pretending to be kind—it is all in the eyes. And now I hold everything up to these standards and make a judgment. <br /><br />That’s right. I openly judge now. Before it was a hidden judgment in my mind that I didn’t dare speak outright or even admit to because someone told me long ago that judgment was wrong. And somehow I believed them. More simply put: It is discrimination. Somewhere, somehow, someone said that “discrimination” was a bad thing. They lumped it in together with judgmentalism (quite different from judgement), bias, unfairness, and provincial injustice. So I used to attempt to discuss my ideas in a tiptoeing kind of way, in the hopes of not offending.<br /><br />But discrimination is not those things at all. It is simply the ability to discern. “A discriminating palate,” for example. It is having a good amount of life experience and then being able to learn from that and make good choices in life. AND THERE IT WAS! That was the answer. You see, when the one world split into two worlds superimposed upon one another, like a thief in the night, the World Wreckers stole a good portion of language—of words—and gave them new definitions, and usually those definitions were terrible and cruel and specifically designed to serve their evil purposes.<br /><br />Suddenly, it seemed that experiencing life, learning from it, discerning different paths, and choosing wisely among them (that is—discriminating) became a bad thing because of the new definition. And the people became afraid because they did not want to be looked at through the new eyes of the World Wreckers, who brought swift punishment with them.<br /><br />How perfectly diabolical. Take the very first skill, the very first gift, if you will, that a child is granted—discrimination—and turn it into something terrible instead. A little child learns to judge and discriminate and make choices. Through experience he knows the stove is hot and he chooses something cooler and safer. He knows the cookie tastes better than the broccoli. He knows the loud sound might mean danger, etc. And he begins to learn how to make intelligent, albeit simple, choices—how to judge, how to discriminate, how to know right from wrong (with guidance, of course, from his parents, who have even more life experience to bring to the table.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEavcmh2gAnf5bzuKroxIP0t6Sl3mJEliZ27ER76k_JFTxOQWpJIcJey2W0b0A7CZx7ocOkMjExP2qHCdaOAuk_jdTcvSQcBiSMgXR3-2G_NjrRJQxbtxzinexRJANg7bHFO-OOnLFWs/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEavcmh2gAnf5bzuKroxIP0t6Sl3mJEliZ27ER76k_JFTxOQWpJIcJey2W0b0A7CZx7ocOkMjExP2qHCdaOAuk_jdTcvSQcBiSMgXR3-2G_NjrRJQxbtxzinexRJANg7bHFO-OOnLFWs/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The World Wreckers cleverly stole the word “discriminate” (along with “judgment” and many, many others) and gave it a new and awful meaning. Now the adults in the stolen world, who learned good discrimination a long time ago, were afraid to make the simplest of choices for themselves. They were afraid to even think about differences or that differences existed at all. When a discriminating thought would enter their minds, they would turn sharply away. “No . . . I mustn’t . . .”<br /><br />I mustn’t what? I mustn’t make intelligent decisions for myself? I mustn’t make choices that will benefit me? I mustn’t prefer one thing over another? I mustn’t remember that I have an innate ability to discern right from wrong? How ridiculous this would once have seemed. I realized yet again that I had so much work to do, so many people to help . . .<br /><br />And that is how the World Wreckers began their evil quest—even before the one world had split into two. It starts with language. It always starts with language. Because in the beginning was the Word, and we mortals use this to sit upon the throne of faith. He with ears, let him hear.<br /><br /></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-63249730505609072232021-03-04T18:26:00.001-05:002021-03-04T18:31:22.459-05:00March 4, 2021 - The Spell<p>“She’s under a powerful spell,” I heard one of them whisper, but it hurt to think and wonder what that might be about. The light kept intruding on my eyes, no matter how hard I tried to go back to sleep. It was like fingers pressing and digging at my eyelids, worming their way under, forcing my eyes open, and with me battling to keep them closed tightly.<br /><br />“A powerful spell, indeed,” whispered another voice. And this time I wondered. What spell? Who is under a spell? But the light continued his assault. When I pressed my eyes tightly together, I could see a thousand golden stars exploding like fireworks in the inner world. They seemed to be calling me back inside to an inner dimension. How easy it would be . . . and yet the light continued his assault until I thought I must fight him for once and for all.<br /><br />And I opened my eyes. I saw no one, just the forest creatures. Whoever had been talking about the powerful spell had vanished, if they were ever there at all. But this was odd. I didn’t remember going out into the woods. The last thing I remember was getting ready for bed and blowing out an oil lamp. ‘Maybe I’m still dreaming . . .’ I shook my head. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc9KXFNQ6zZ7RruNHJzGJ2I2E3M5IfKS1lOjQcBcoalA7uLvdyK8-FbchZxq1_KlgRrc6bizdDznr8QOOZXSF2RyZPig-3gLbY4_-IUS1SN83DeEcCIVfPC-_t80MTrPKBCwblwQ8Isk/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc9KXFNQ6zZ7RruNHJzGJ2I2E3M5IfKS1lOjQcBcoalA7uLvdyK8-FbchZxq1_KlgRrc6bizdDznr8QOOZXSF2RyZPig-3gLbY4_-IUS1SN83DeEcCIVfPC-_t80MTrPKBCwblwQ8Isk/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>“No, you are not dreaming. At last you are finally awake!” Oh, I knew that voice. Suddenly I remembered who I was. I stopped myself in the nick of time from turning around to see him, as I knew there would be nothing there and I would miss out on an opportunity to get some badly needed answers.<br /><br />“What has happened?” I asked.<br />“Did you not hear that you were under a powerful spell?” he returned.<br />“Well, yes. I didn’t realize it was me they were talking about, that’s all.”<br /><br />I looked around a bit, being careful not to turn completely around. Judging by the slant of the sun, the temperature, and the sheets of ice in the woods, I deduced it must be late winter or very early spring. But that couldn’t be. It would have meant that I had been asleep or under a spell for a whole month!<br /><br />“How long have I been here?!” I yelled.<br />“You slept for quite some time.”<br />“But I fear it may have been a whole month!”<br />“A month?” he asked and then laughed heartily. “My dear, you have been asleep for a year and a month. Thirteen months to be exact.”<br /><br />I couldn’t believe it. I wouldn’t believe it! Asleep in the woods for a year and a month? It was preposterous! But I had this terrible, nagging feeling. I had strange, half-finished thoughts and images in my head, fading in and out like clouds. Every time I tried to grab a hold of one, it slipped through my fingers like smoke. A year and a month. Could it be true?<br /><br />“Are you certain?” I swallowed hard.<br />“Oh, yes, quite.”<br />“I would ask how I survived, but I suppose I owe you a debt.”<br />“Your debts do add up,” he said matter-of-factly. <br />“So what happened to me? Can you at least tell me that?”<br /><br />“It wasn’t just you,” he said. “There was a powerful spell that seemed to hit the entire world, well, at least the world of humans. Certainly not me, and certainly not the forest creatures.”<br /><br />“No, of course not.” I tried not to sound bitter, but I think I failed miserably. I could just feel his eyebrows lifting and that sardonic smile of his.<br /><br />“Yes, I’m afraid it hit the weaker beings. Again. A great trance fell upon the people, and they darted about in fear and anger. They hid themselves in houses. They hid themselves in offices. They hid themselves behind their own clothing, masking their appearance. They hid in basements. They hid in churches. They hid in automobiles,” he said.<br /><br />“But why? What did the spell do to them?”<br /><br />“Well,” he went on, “It made them doubt their own knowledge. It made them doubt their own perceptions. It made the ground appear to waver before their eyes. What was solid suddenly seemed to shift. It was just a mirage, of course, but they doubted their ability to care for themselves. They doubted their own logic. Mostly, though, they doubted one another. They lost their trust. They lost their faith. They became paralyzed with fear of each other.”<br /><br />“Fear of their fellow man?!” I was exasperated. What could possibly be so horrible? “And did I do the same thing, then?”<br /><br />“No, you did not because I taught you how to read the hearts of men. But you eventually became crushed by their sorrow, and so you fell asleep to avoid insanity. And even I could not awaken you.” <br /><br />I could hear the surprise and anger in his voice. It must have been a powerful spell, indeed.<br /><br />“But now I am awake,” I said.<br />“Yes, at long last,” he breathed a sigh of relief.<br />“So where do I go from here? Where does the situation stand?”<br /><br />“A dark force came and split the world in two, but not two halves. It split the world into two wholes. Where there was one world, there are now two, but they appear as one and are superimposed upon one another.”<br /><br />“Like two sides of a coin?” I asked.<br />“Somewhat, but that would be misleading. There are two three-dimensional images occupying the same space.”<br />“But that’s impossible.”<br />“Is it?” he asked. “Apparently, it is not. It is all in one’s perception. What you believe to be there, will be there.”<br /><br />“So what must I do? How do I navigate this?”<br />“You must walk in the true world,” he said, “Aware always of the other.”<br />“How do I make sure I stay in the true world and not drift into the clone?” I asked.<br /><br />“You know what is right and you know what is wrong. You know what is up and what is down, what is warm and what is cold, what is day and what is night. You know how the natural world works. You know the seasons of the world and their correspondences in the body. You know what is health and what is illness. You know what is kindness and what is cruelty. So you will hold each path you encounter up to these truths, and whichever path rings true to the natural world, that is the path you will take. Beware of the merchant who will try to take your possessions. He is not from the natural world.”<br /><br />“Will it be difficult?” I asked.<br />“I shouldn’t think so. The spell casters were tremendously sloppy, you know. Oh, it was quite effective for a while, that’s true. But still, they were sloppy around the edges. They never planned for the passage of time and its effect.”<br />“You mean they never learned how to read the hearts of men.”<br />“No, they never did,” he said. I could feel him smiling.<br /><br />“I have my work cut out for me,” I whispered to myself, getting up. “So many things to do, people to talk to and help . . . I have a million things to do . . .”<br />“Why not stay for another season or two?”<br />“I have been here for 13 months!”<br />“Yes,” he said, “But we still have so much left to do.”<br />“I was asleep. I didn’t do anything,” I responded warily.<br />“Well . . . not the human part of you . . .”<br /><br />“You!” I spun around angrily. But there was nothing there. Nothing at all. A cool breeze blew against my face. An old crow up in a tree croaked out the semblance of a laugh. The squirrels yelled obscenities at me, as usual. It was just me in the woods.<br /><br />But it was the real woods in the real world. It was time to go home again. It was time to repair the alabaster scabbard. It was time to write a new fate. The last remnants of the spell fell from my eyes, and with the mask off I could see clearly all around me. Soon it would be spring.<br /><br /><p></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-74856530645142633862021-02-14T20:45:00.002-05:002021-02-14T20:45:34.598-05:00February 14, 2021 - Half Full<p>I was thinking of that old saying of a glass half-filled with water and the optimist seeing the glass half full and the pessimist seeing the glass half empty, but really the same contents were inside. I’m sure you’ve heard it many times yourself. Sometimes when we hear something too much, we cease to hear it anymore, even if someone is yelling it. But what if instead of a glass of water it was a body of life? <br /><br />There is a body and it’s half-filled. There are tears inside along with sorrow. There are disappointments and losses and death. But there is also laughter. There are smiles and triumphs and love and hope. It’s all mixed into one and it can’t be separated, but it can be focused upon and this is what most of us do every day.<br /><br />There’s a man standing to the side watching you as you watch your half-filled body. He wants you to focus on the negative things because when you do that, you get very busy and very tired and very quiet. So he shows you many pictures of terrible things, and with the pictures he gives you terrible sounds. There is crying and gnashing of teeth and rage and violence. And though you may try to turn your head, he puts the photos and the wailing in whichever direction you turn. Around and around you go, 360 degrees in a full circle, and yet there are the photos and the crying and the pain. So you settle in resignedly and focus on the awfulness.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqVR1v5Y7aUTPANzz3bIFyejdyZRPSGx7BktTV33pPoeyPA2DfgoAeJ9v6PY5pT9X2eb2ULtBrfd4PegqV_qF-CxMivEfwZbNQ165AhJRXn5qZu27OARoNm5nyDnrdOwCxsT2XrUNnoU/s4608/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqVR1v5Y7aUTPANzz3bIFyejdyZRPSGx7BktTV33pPoeyPA2DfgoAeJ9v6PY5pT9X2eb2ULtBrfd4PegqV_qF-CxMivEfwZbNQ165AhJRXn5qZu27OARoNm5nyDnrdOwCxsT2XrUNnoU/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>While you are busy and tired and quiet, the man sneaks around you and picks all the pretty flowers he can find—and there are so many. He takes the flowers and he takes the singing birds. He takes the growing fruit and the smiles. He pulls all the laughter and the giggles and the sighs of “I love you” out of the air and puts them into a heavy dark box so they cannot be heard. He steals the joy, steals the fun, steals the triumphs, steals the hope.<br /><br />The next day he comes back and finds you and he does the same thing all over again. And again and again.<br /><br />Your body is half-filled. It contains all the things that have happened to you in your life. The pessimist says the body is half-empty, and that means it’s draining and will soon be desolate, a crumbled shell lying on the floor, devoid of life. The optimist says the body is half-full, and that means there is still a lot more to put inside. Some of it will be sorrowful and grievous, but some of it will be joyful and loving and filled with hope and laughter. And it won’t be devoid of life. On the contrary: It will be stuffed right full of it. No crumpled shell. A tired shell, perhaps. A painful shell, at times, yes. But a shell full of possibilities.<br /><br />You have half a body left to fill up or to drain as you please. The man standing on the side doesn’t want you to fill it. He wants you to think there’s nothing to fill it with. He wants you to think the world is dark and dangerous and empty so that you won’t put any more life in your body. He wants all the wonderful things for himself. Even though there’s plenty to go around for everyone and then some—including him—he still doesn’t want you to have any of it. So he uses the pictures and the sounds and the flashing lights and the hypnotism.<br /><br />How do you stop it? You begin by not looking at the pictures anymore. Close your eyes. You don’t listen to the hideous sounds anymore. Put your hands over your ears. You tune it out, turn it off. Then comes a fog . . . Which way do you go? You walk away in the opposite direction, and you trust yourself. You might not see the field full of flowers yet, but you keep going and you trust yourself, eyes closed and ears blocked, because anything is better than the constant sorrow from the puppet master in the corner.<br /><br />You start small, with tiny things. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got any money. It doesn’t matter if you find yourself impoverished in spirit and house. You begin again with tiny things. You do the things you’ve always wanted to do . . . . someday. You learn that language, that musical instrument. You plant that garden, or maybe just start with one pot of herbs. You paint that picture and sing that song. You learn that craft. <br /><br />You start over. You make your life again from scratch. Your body is not half empty. It’s half full, and there’s a lot more to give it. It doesn’t matter if the things you give it are humble and simple. They’re your humble and simple things, and that makes them beautiful. If he comes after you again—and he will—you know what to do. Avert your eyes. Put your hands over your ears. Walk away from the lie of the half-empty body.<br /><br />This is what he did not want you to know. You start with tiny things. You build slowly. Ignore what people say you can and cannot do. And then . . . just watch what happens. Just watch.<br /><br /><p></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-34682884118159049622020-11-27T18:53:00.000-05:002020-11-27T18:53:20.054-05:00November 27, 2020 - Because it Works<p>I have touched on the idea of “tradition” before, but I am back at it again because a great willing is being heard, and my ears cannot unhear. Tradition is the way. It is the ritual. It is what we do because we have always done it. Some people question it and turn away from it, only to find that there was method to the madness after all, and they come home like the prodigal son. Some question and turn away and stay away, and then they are lost forever. Still others never question at all because it feels right and it works. Those are the lucky ones.<br /><br />There are things that are done in certain ways, and if you pay attention, you can learn those ways for yourself. Perhaps a loving relative will teach them, and you will learn them without knowing you are learning. Perhaps you will have to observe others and find out what works. These ways become habits, and these habits become rituals, and these rituals become instincts. But they all start with someone finding the best way through trial error and then sticking with that way come hell or high water.<br /><br />The squirrels find their food in the way they always have, and they make secret caches as they always have. In the winter they dig up the food and survive as they always have. And the deer make their paths in the forest along the ley lines as they always have, finding their food and especially precious winter water as they always have. The birds build their nests the same way as always, singing the same songs, flying south in the same formations. Because it works.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYup5w3vvzRWgm1SttoqYY966jCEmo_1mM-6fW14FTjDBM_z3_0HB8s6z7ryaAECNLrz-2s0HPU-nMCUTTOWWgpl0c0iUnVhpifFS6NsOmt-3TCKLJFYaI4fbBQqeCngKeEF8skOlTXU/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYup5w3vvzRWgm1SttoqYY966jCEmo_1mM-6fW14FTjDBM_z3_0HB8s6z7ryaAECNLrz-2s0HPU-nMCUTTOWWgpl0c0iUnVhpifFS6NsOmt-3TCKLJFYaI4fbBQqeCngKeEF8skOlTXU/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the house that sits atop my shoulders, there are many rooms in which I store my traditions. I often wander through these rooms and touch the old books within. Not long ago, I can remember that we really <i>did</i> go over the river and through the woods to my grandmother’s house during at least one of the holidays. We always went the same way through the snow because it worked, and there was always a turkey to eat because it was tradition and we expected it and it reinforced who we were.<br /><br />That’s the big thing, isn’t it? Who we were. Who we are. We know these things by what we do, and we do them in a certain way because that way brings comfort, stability, and a sense of belonging. It brings guidance and inheritance and tribe. <br /><br />“We have always done this.” How those words echo in our ears during the hard times of life, and we <i>all</i> have our hard times, those times that try our very souls. Sometimes things can get so bad that we feel we have nothing left. We are broken, empty, dead. But then, just as we think we might draw our last breath—just as we <i>hope</i> we will draw our last breath in order to end the sorrow—the voice says, “We have always done this.” And so we get up, we pick ourselves up, we drag ourselves across the floor. And we do what we have always done. Because it works.<br /><br />Sometimes it feels empty for a while, like we are just “going through the motions,” but if we stick with it, we find that somehow we survive. And then we thrive. What got us through it all? Our traditions. Our sense of self. That home that was there somewhere at some time. That tribe we belonged to. Those things we did, those foods we ate, those songs we sang. The comfort of doing things automatically by rote gave us the rest we needed to tap into the moral inheritance, into the hidden strength of our people. They gave us a lifeline when we needed it most.<br /><br />Be on the lookout! There are those who would attempt to take your traditions away, to make them null and void. They use many tactics: Name-calling, humiliation, guilt, rage, haughtiness, bullying, etc. They do this because they know how powerful your traditions are. They know how your traditions tie you to the past and to those ancestors who went before you. They know of the strength, the lifeline, the comfort and stability, the inheritance. And they want to take it away from you. Drop you into a field of snow five feet deep with no one around to help. No road, no light, no secret cache of food. No secret joy within your heart.<br /><br />Cut off from everything that you are and were and might be, they offer a meager pittance. Take it or leave it. Take it, and it is the end of living and the beginning of survival. Leave it, and it is death. Oh, the choices they offer. Empty prisons of ice.<br /><br />Turn away from them. Do not look at them. Do not listen to them. Do not allow them into your home, into your sphere. Do not argue with them. Do not discuss the virtues of your way. Do not engage in their intellectual folly and word games that have no winners. You do not owe them an explanation for your way of life. Do instead what works. What has always worked. You do not have to give them a reason. You do not even have to completely understand it yourself. Just trust what you know to be true.<br /><br />Because we really <i>did</i> go over the river and through the woods to my grandmother’s house. And there was turkey and stuffing and gravy and potatoes. There was squash and sweet potatoes and her own canned cranberry sauce. There was apple pie and pumpkin pie and games in the woods. Off in a faraway city, there was Macy’s parade and the kick off of the Christmas season. There was singing and dancing and laughter. And the adults always had a “cup of cheer,” usually more than one.<br /><br /><p></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-69261218810670824622020-10-11T17:48:00.000-04:002020-10-11T17:48:12.365-04:00October 11, 2020 - The North Star<p>“But why cook your food or make your tea that way, when you can just press a button or turn a knob and have it done so much faster and cleaner?” she asked.<br /><br />“Because I enjoy it,” I said, “I find it calming and clearing.”<br /><br />“Okay, I get the aesthetics, but after a while the fun is gone and it’s just extra work and it doesn’t make any sense anymore.”<br /><br />“It makes sense to me.”<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaWJmCuWydjrs3OTZ2YjpdedlWUfMMArArOtVfZeFp8zOCIWn1w66OPw4PqbmTUxL6ndooWV9LUApLXAhjL6KNAP5EiEyR0Rgq0CC-ELJLga0Tq-78eKqfMprCzUPZKIG_oKCBFIAiyo/s4213/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="4213" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaWJmCuWydjrs3OTZ2YjpdedlWUfMMArArOtVfZeFp8zOCIWn1w66OPw4PqbmTUxL6ndooWV9LUApLXAhjL6KNAP5EiEyR0Rgq0CC-ELJLga0Tq-78eKqfMprCzUPZKIG_oKCBFIAiyo/w400-h253/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>“But,” she said, “Surely it must get tiring after a while.”<br /><br />“It does sometimes, yes.”<br /><br />“Are you ever tempted to just do it the easy way?”<br /><br />“More often than I want to admit,” I laughed, in spite of myself.<br /><br />“So what do you get out of it?” she asked. “Honestly, I want to know.”<br /> <p></p><p>There is a star high up in the sky at night, a star the sailors love, a star the weary traveler at night searches for. It is the North Star, Polaris, and it is directly over the North Pole. If you can find the North Star, you can find the north, and if you know the direction of north, then by default you know which way is south, west, and east. If you can find the North Star, you are not lost. And it’s easy to find because it is directly above the top right star of the “dipper” portion of the Big Dipper, also known as Ursa Major.<br /><br />On a clear evening, you are never truly lost. But sometimes there are clouds, and sometimes the clouds last a very long time. When they do, there is no Big Dipper to be seen, no North Star to be found, no guiding and directing point of light. No beacon. No ray of hope. And this is very hard. The longer the clouds persist, the harder it gets. Sometimes the mist is so thick, you cannot find your way out of it. So you have to believe. You have to remember where you saw the North Star last, and then you have to trust yourself, trust your own intuition, trust your ability to navigate, trust your own knowledge. You have to rely upon yourself.<br /><br />Sometimes, for some people, there has never been a clear night filled with brilliant stars and brilliant possibilities—and a brilliant, guiding, beautiful hope. For some people, there has always only been clouds, and they have known nothing else. They have always done everything the same way, lived their life the same way, never tried anything else, never trusted themselves. And so they never knew there was another path.<br /><br />You can tell them about the stars, but they won’t believe you. You can tell them of Ursa Major, that Great Bear in the sky, that constant light and strength, but they will scoff at you. You can tell them of the great men of yore who used the North Star to navigate, sail, and conquer the world, but they will laugh at you. They will tell you there are no points of light in the night sky, only the paltry points of light they hold in their own hands, a sort of glitter they covet and glut themselves upon.<br /><br />They will warn you! Do not travel alone! Do not rely upon your own senses! Do not trust yourself! Do not look for a guide in the heavens! Stay here, they will say. Stay immobile. Sit where I tell you. Eat what I give you. Feel the comfort of all those around you who stay connected to one another in the thick mist. Do not wander, for you will get lost.<br /><br />I walk away. The mist is confining, and I find I cannot breathe in its depths. I cannot think clearly. The mist masks the stars I know for certain are up in the heavens, and I must remove the mask to see them. I must remove the mask to think clearly again. I leave the comfort of the crowd, the warmth of the throng, the seeming strength of the numbers. To the edge, to the edge, to the edge I go. And then I jump . . .<br /><br />And I am alone in the clear and cold and beautiful night, and high above me is the North Star, guiding me as it has always done. I am not lost after all, for I have my guide. I know where I am, and I am not afraid. I know which direction I am headed. I am confident in my abilities and my knowledge.<br /><br />Sometimes I cook my meals on an open fire or a little propane stove. I collect the rainwater and filter and drink it because it tastes so good. I do things differently, not because I want to do things the “hard way” or the “old way,” but because doing things differently on purpose forces my mind to walk in another direction. It forces me to think differently, to calculate differently. It makes me realize there are other ways of doing things. It gives me a sort of security, and that security lets me know that I am not dependent on the crowd and the current trends for my existence.<br /><br />Because I know where I’m going. I have the North Star above me, and He has never failed me. And I have the North Star within me. There is no mist to blind me, no mask to hide the world from me. I walk in the cold night alone, and I am not afraid.<br /><br /></p>Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-64209125497291546732020-09-20T19:32:00.000-04:002020-09-20T19:32:43.653-04:00September 20, 2020 - Fall From Grace<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I cannot think of a better way to herald the Fall season
than to make an apple pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blueberries
are Maine’s number one crop, but potatoes and apples are right behind them—both good
keepers for storage and nourishment throughout the winter months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be making pies as well as dehydrating
hundreds of apple slices to bring along with me on my winter jaunts through the
woods.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It is like bringing a little bit of stored summer along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dried slice of apple plumps up in the mouth
and delivers sweet sunshine every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It laughs in the face of even the coldest and snowiest days, saying, “Catch
me if you can!”
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvDQ5_p0h7fjV3-BVzqSoSHsuvIBTlHgMp1EOH4haAHjDjhBM0f-HG6khPPupMOQzbuSxADDS89XZLWYntv2axFnd2zukMMiWzmNKIQSTFm9-rSQ7bUhoBAilnCucuKM8gVUxDDF68B8/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvDQ5_p0h7fjV3-BVzqSoSHsuvIBTlHgMp1EOH4haAHjDjhBM0f-HG6khPPupMOQzbuSxADDS89XZLWYntv2axFnd2zukMMiWzmNKIQSTFm9-rSQ7bUhoBAilnCucuKM8gVUxDDF68B8/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And so we plunge into Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But exactly what it is we are falling from, I am hard
pressed to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we falling
from the pinnacle of sweltering summer days?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I welcome the calm and quiet coolness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we falling from growth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I glow with pride at the fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we falling from days of ease and
slumber?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And surely summer is anything
but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> if you live in the
country.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I welcome the silence and
sleep of the coming winter.
<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Perhaps we are falling from grace, from a time when the
Earth trusted us to make good use of the growing season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we did not do so, then perhaps we are
falling into chagrin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps a fall
from grace is a fall from the endowment of life to the gift of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps we fall from the land of the living
into the land of the spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Catch me if you can!” the innocent child says and laughs
as she runs in the summer sunshine in a field full of flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, indeed, she shall be caught and pressed
into the grueling servitude of life until she falls wearily and gratefully from
grace and beauty into peace and plenty and quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come, you Angels of Transfiguration, receive
her into your arms and use the fruit of her labor in your work of renewal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of life has its exact price—and death an
incalculable reward, worth a King’s ransom. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-77699387762059817992020-08-29T20:38:00.000-04:002020-08-29T20:38:27.141-04:00August 29, 2020 - Road of Truth<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The bird was clearly dying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not a matter of if, but when, and it
would be sooner rather than later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would not have stopped for so long had it not been for the commotion that
brought me there in the first place.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I had been walking along my usual road and took a left
turn along a path I seldom travel, and for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when I heard a woman’s voice in
distress and a man talking soothingly to her in lower tones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came out into a larger part of the path,
and the woman looked at me imploringly and pointed down at the bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was crying hysterically, telling me that
something was wrong with the bird, and that was certainly true.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">These two were not from around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their expensive clothes and equipment made
that evident, although I do not think they realized it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dramatic scene was also a dead
giveaway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept telling me that we
had to help the bird, that his wing was broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went closer and looked at the bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wing was definitely not broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was walking about slowly and confusedly, and he was absolutely dying.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAplzubfJxGd7KW1natebjegcaj3Hq0mzPc3-PnZ0i-AUtEBClttSCRWrzxwJ-OJ1JCq8lN_S8hjFg_3cvvs8N6XYVzPJjEozJiao6fF0DzdeJhapzsuvkJDdaU-3Vp40vLDhGI3zcGl0/s1200/in+pursuit+of+amine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAplzubfJxGd7KW1natebjegcaj3Hq0mzPc3-PnZ0i-AUtEBClttSCRWrzxwJ-OJ1JCq8lN_S8hjFg_3cvvs8N6XYVzPJjEozJiao6fF0DzdeJhapzsuvkJDdaU-3Vp40vLDhGI3zcGl0/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+amine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Because I know that look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is one I see often enough while I am out and about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the two people before me were not
used to it at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed frustrated
with me.
<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Don’t you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i>
to help??” she asked over loudly.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">“This bird cannot be helped,” I said.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">“WHY??”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Because it’s dying.”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Can’t we fix his wing?!” she shrieked.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“There’s nothing wrong with his wing.”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Then what’s the problem??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get it!”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“He’s dying,” I said simply.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">They both drew back quickly, as if I had struck them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up until that point, they thought perhaps
there was something they could do (or better yet, get someone else to do).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I know when things have gone too far, and
this was definitely one of those times.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">They eyed me warily, as if I had caused the problem to
begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had never seen
something like this up close and raw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
deduced in a moment that their world was a world of representation but not
authenticity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the kind of
people who received all of their information through a filter, whose lives were
carefully planned out, who followed the formula given to them early in life by
their keeper.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">But I am not that person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as strange as they found me, I found them to be just as peculiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sized one another up quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt sorry for her because I believed her
anguish was genuine, and they both seemed as if they truly wanted to help in
some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem was that they
could <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> help, and they could not
accept that.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Their world is a world of symbols, of representations,
but not of reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their days are lived
like scenes in a play, each year a new act, each decade a new part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are actors and actresses on a stage,
complete with an audience that cheers or hisses at their success or failure in
pretending to be who they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
mastered the art of how to seem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When confronted
with this problem, they fell into their typical roles because reality is too
harsh and has no stagehands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No props.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No curtains or costumes or adoring fans.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I tried to smile, to let them know that this was normal
and natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They smiled back nervously
and then left quickly, whispering to each other down the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bird hopped under a small bush, and I knew
he would not come out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the
way of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a price for
everything in this world, and the price of life is death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arrangements are made at birth, and there
is no way to opt out of the contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attempting
to do so merely brings the contract to an end quicker, and the debt is still collected
anyway.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">My own contract looms before me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My greatest weakness in life has been my
honesty, slinging the truth arrows of the Sagittarian, tipped with bitter drink
at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But everything that I have
done after my eyes were opened, I have done of my own accord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no stagehands and no props.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no applause.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">There is just me, weapon clearly showing at my hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No surprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No false moves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No dishonesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in return, I am given the freedom of the
road, to live my life cleanly, to experience it fully, to face it with both
eyes open.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">When we shed our body at the end, will we realize
belatedly that we loved it after all, with all of its imperfections?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will that realization be our final,
gut-wrenching heartbreak?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or will we be
like the bird on the path today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living
honestly on the road, every moment experienced authentically and directly
without props or symbols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now he no
longer needs his wings, for he has become flight itself.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">To think that his whole life he was practicing to
die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps things are simpler than
they appear.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-54103291357081421472020-08-18T17:58:00.001-04:002020-08-18T21:56:44.517-04:00August 18, 2020 - A Shift<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
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</xml><![endif]-->The blackberries are ripe again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a good time of year to be alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such sweetness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pull them off the bushes one by one and eat
them, still warm from the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Organic
before we were told what “organic” was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good for you before we were “educated” about them being an “antioxidant
superfood.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just plain old berries that
grow along the side of the road every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or out in the meadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or down by
the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or wherever a bird happened
to drop a seed the year before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kissed
by the sun, so they must be special.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">They’re free but there’s still a price to pay, of course,
as there always is for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
blackberries, it’s the confounded thorns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The large ones gash your skin, and you can avoid most of them if you pay
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the small ones you can
barely see are like fine little razors that tear tiny imperceptible cuts on
your hands and forearms and legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
don’t notice it until you get into water later on and each tiny cut comes alive
like an exquisitely tiny fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, the
price, you laugh to yourself, yes, the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the fire is worth it.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzzRiAuiRoox2KNWmJD5WZAxJ2rfaTJg8I7I4CUBTMiklEvLxkSknJ_L3ri98Ume1xmhnfkeyrOJ_q0lyloWvWPfroHLgA18LSwWODF3owlEgkszTjVBFNWcRZCHlplIEKuVogYDhMk8/s1200/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzzRiAuiRoox2KNWmJD5WZAxJ2rfaTJg8I7I4CUBTMiklEvLxkSknJ_L3ri98Ume1xmhnfkeyrOJ_q0lyloWvWPfroHLgA18LSwWODF3owlEgkszTjVBFNWcRZCHlplIEKuVogYDhMk8/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There is no internet down by the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laugh and joke with other berry pickers who
bring small bowls and baskets with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We carry on about staking a claim on the best patch, but we end up
calling one another over to partake when we find a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know who they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just people who like berries, I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no internet.
<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">At one point I stop and look up at the top of the
trees as the wind is rustling the leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am instantly transported in my mind to a moment when I was a child
riding in the back seat of a car with my siblings, my parents in the front seat
now and then telling us to keep it down to a dull roar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were always loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something about the sunshine then looks the
same as today, the Light catching in just that certain way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be home soon, I thought, as I drank in
every detail of my surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will
mother make for supper?
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Then back to the river and now, and it occurs to me
that I have glimpsed a bit of reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow
it has leaked again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
realness I felt when I was younger that I don’t always feel now, but I search for it
continually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Longingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I know something is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes tear over a bit, but I don’t want
anyone to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I keep picking
berries, focusing intently on one bush away from the others so they won’t see
the leak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fissure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crack in my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The distant reality still glazing my eyes.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Something has changed in the world, and I know that you
know this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know your eyes glaze over with tears and
you try to hide them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there’s a
sunny day in your memory, when the leaves were blowing in the wind and rustling
together and talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the birds
were singing and the insects were humming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And life was slower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you were
almost home, where the sheets were hanging on the clothesline, dry and ready to
be taken in, the beds made and infused with the sweet scent of the
outdoors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To which you would fall asleep
later on and wake up and do it all again the next day.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have said it before and I will say it again:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend too much time looking at the black
mirror, abounding with hypnotic pixels, and you will lose sight of the unpixelated
real world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dots on a screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words typed to someone who may not even be
there, who may never have been there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How beautiful you are and how pleasant, my
love, with such delights!” said Solomon the wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What song might he have sung for the black
mirror?
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">There is a knowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a great willing that can be heard if you listen closely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those of you who are awake know of what I speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the difference between the outdoors
and face-to-face contact with people as compared to the pixels in the black
mirror, however hypnotic they may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
see people fighting about things that don’t exist, about situations that are
not real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see the created
un-world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Misshapen like a
patched-together being in a Tolkien novel, groveling to the all-seeing eye in
the mountain.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I would say just simply turn it off, simply go
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I think this is a
good first step, I don’t think it is enough anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ties that bind are like the old Chinese
finger traps we played with as children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The more you pull, the tighter the snare becomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something more is needed.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">A shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A shift
in consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two worlds
now, and they are superimposed upon one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But slowly, ever so slowly, they are drifting
apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It used to be easy to travel from
one world to the other and back again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not so easy now because they are drifting further and further
apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday it will be impossible to
travel between them, and I fear that day is coming soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we will be stuck in whatever world we
were in when the parting became final, and never the twain shall meet.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">There is a patch of berries down by the river, where the
thorns mercilessly cut your hands and arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the berries….they carry the Sun within them, who enters you as you
consume them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon which a thousand tiny
points of Light stream out of you from every wound you have ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pain of reality is a good thing, and the price is definitely worth
it.
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-40584003061182667702020-08-13T18:46:00.002-04:002020-08-19T21:10:51.681-04:00August 13, 2020 - Cold Seeds<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The seeds are the key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All around us now, the Earth works furiously and tirelessly to create
the seeds that will become next year, without which there would be no next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have pointed out many times that unlike man
who plants in the springtime, Nature always plants in the Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year finds her doing the same thing she
always does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bow in gratitude and
thankfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">But there is something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are new seeds, and they do not come
from the Holy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are ugly seeds,
misshapen and swollen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crippled and
putrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bearing a terrible secret, a
storage of unnatural and chaotic energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forged in a sterile environment by a gloved hand and a masked face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pored over by greedy eyes and blackened hearts
bent on disturbing the sublime balance, on plunging the world from order and beauty
back into chaos and corruption.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The grotesque new seeds pulse with perverse energy that rips
and tears and gnashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snakes in the
grass carry them and deposit them one by one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lady instantly recognizes their foul nature, and all the seeds she
creates also know the imposters for what they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the people . . . the people do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have become lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cannot tell what is a bad seed and what
is a good seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those of reptilian
nature who serve chaos, they count on this and, as Blake said, they “sunn<span class="hgkelc"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">è</span></span>d it with
smiles and with soft deceitful wiles.”
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpaIyVUOE8qfi4XVrBEbr3M2WdRYg2OqYSRBu6byzpi-CJigNnNcizL0rav-KGxFaZpAzabDHMJqmdhmk5f5mYFHKb9bwUDtX8syZxZy_VhoVHyWP2wpeg02bauxSsjdCcfpUtgxkzhs/s4608/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpaIyVUOE8qfi4XVrBEbr3M2WdRYg2OqYSRBu6byzpi-CJigNnNcizL0rav-KGxFaZpAzabDHMJqmdhmk5f5mYFHKb9bwUDtX8syZxZy_VhoVHyWP2wpeg02bauxSsjdCcfpUtgxkzhs/w400-h300/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Earth writhes and hacks the ugly seeds from her soil,
but the reptiles replant them as quickly as they are expelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pat the ground in a soothing lie,
whispering promises of riches to the Earth, saying, “There, there my
lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nourish and nurture and grow my grotesqueness,
and you will be rewarded with wealth and ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is just one seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just one seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What harm can there be in just one seed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In just one compromise?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the snakes lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have always lied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To no avail, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is not fooled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the people . . . the people can be
fooled.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Have a care, then, as you plow the furrows of your mind
and the fields of your heart, readying as it were your soul-soil for new growth
in this important season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be watchful
for the reptile as he attempts constantly to deposit his ugly seed in your
soul, which will suck out your very existence as it grows and consumes
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nightly as you intoxicate yourself
against the blaring and jagged lies being hurled at you continually during the
day, as you fall into a semi-trance to escape the pain of having to be
constantly vigilant, watch for the snake as he whispers his own soft deceitful
wiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is just one compromise . . .”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">And expel him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regurgitate
his ugly seeds filled with lies and hatred waiting to grow within you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heave out the constrictive snake, the wealthy
boa, who would squelch your freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spit
out the vile and twisted growth of imprisonment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them no quarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chase them to the far ends of the Earth and
hack them to pieces.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Protect your mind from those who would enslave you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protect your heart from those who would
siphon your goodness and kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protect
your personality from the reptiles who would force you to conform and
obey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not accept their cold and twisted
seeds of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even one seed—just one—will
eventually gnaw a hole through your innards, its twisted fruit slithering away
after having consumed all you have to give.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Hang on to what you know is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look to the natural world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look to the seasons as they roll on in
perfect harmony and timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fall in with
their cadence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accept the goodness of
abundance when it is here and the scarcity of the season of peaceful death when
it comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Force nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All brilliance and beauty and life will come
back in its time to the Earth, to your heart, to your mind, and to your soul as
it has always done from the beginning of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">And stand guard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should you find something, however
infinitesimally small, that does not hold up to the Truth of the natural world—to
the forest and the streams and the ocean and the animals—cut it out from you
and burn it to oblivion.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-54048275235642280432020-07-25T20:05:00.000-04:002020-07-25T20:05:18.222-04:00July 25, 2020 - The Master's Hand<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I told you before about the old painter, the one who
hides his works of art in a closet, never to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that does not stop him from painting,
because that is what he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as I
also told you, when he dies, the house will burn down and all the paintings
with it, and it will be as if the paintings had never been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I tell you about him and about
them, so you will know and you will remember when he is gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He brings his canvas and paints and a stool with him on
this early morning, slung over his back in an old familiar pack, the weight of
which is chronic and causes pain but is sorely missed when not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our burdens we remember most fondly, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fleeting joys are just that—fleeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the burdens, oh how we endure them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A life well lived is filled with pain, this I
believe.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Where shall he place his stool?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cannot decide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now here and now there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he is tired and sits down to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the inspiration will come to him,
like an angel settling on his conscience, reminding him of his duties,
whispering of responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He runs
his old calloused hand across the canvas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His old eyes do not see much of it anymore,
but the feel is always the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The linen
begs for touch, for hue.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I watch him secretly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes it begins with a sketch, flowers and trees on a wispy
landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or bold mountains and a
crashing sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or a woman’s face,
saddened and looking down at her dirty hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the palette comes out and the colors are mixed, but not all of them
are used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The linen cries in pain if he
should place the wrong color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see
the happy colors in a corner of the palette, but he does not reach for them yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finds the darkened hues instead, the
colors so like those I hide within my own soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How does he know?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is a dusky red against a tired green, the kind of
green that Summer gives when she cannot give anymore and longs to place her
seeds within a cool earthly grave, no casket to adorn them, just hardened spiky
pods of hidden life buried in a cold and bony embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she longs for it because the giving has
become too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And somehow the
painter, he also knows this giving of too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knows the sorrow that abundance will bring, has no choice but to
bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jagged lines on his face
deepen in recognition of what is to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Then unexpectedly, he quickly reaches down and pulls up a
thorny hawthorn branch, raking it through his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wince with the pain I know he must feel
from the thorns, but the lines relax on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reaches out and a few drops of blood fall
upon the holy linen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has gone too
far, I think to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cannot put
his own blood on the linen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he
know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he realize what he has
done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or has age finally taken his mind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lines in his wizened face deepen again in
pain, yet the blue of his eyes against the red of his hands is striking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who am I to judge?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Then the master’s hand begins again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brilliant flowers dance upon a perfect linen
landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A perfect sky with perfect
clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a couple in the distance,
holding hands and walking through a field of ripening grain, the darker edges
of the forest in the background not yet whispering of the pain of the years to
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tired green and brilliant blood
berries in the foreground are unknown to the youths who walk happily in the
field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how could they know?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sets
it aside haphazardly, as if he is pushing away an empty plate from a meal
enjoyed long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he reaches into
his pack and pulls out a weathered old sketch and places it on the easel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the sketch of the woman who looks down
at her dirty hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recognize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The master does not paint her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He removes a scant meal from his pack, a bit
of bread and dried apple and a flask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
he sits in silence and eats, staring at the woman who stares at her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tips his flask to her and then drinks.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The day has worn on and the shadows are growing
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been here too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should not have followed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should not have looked at the blood
berries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should not have noticed her
dirty hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But hindsight alone is
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are always so many things
we should not have done.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I turn to leave, freeing my skirt from a thorny
bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks quickly in my
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely, he cannot see
me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those old eyes can focus only on the
past now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still he looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I back up slowly and disappear within the
tree line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I head for home, for the
safety of four walls where there are no berries to be seen.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And the master, he packs up as well and begins the
journey back to his own home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabs
the perfect landscape painting almost as an afterthought, swinging it uselessly
from his lined hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another perfect day
to place in the old closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My, how the
days add up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them so perfect.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-49688404162238374342020-07-12T19:17:00.000-04:002020-07-12T19:17:30.818-04:00July 12, 2020 - Two Suns<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“What I am saying, you silly girl, is that the part is
the same as the whole, only lesser in quantity, quality, and aspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the same thing, but on a lower level,”
he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I pretended to understand because I did not want to make
him angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he gets angry, he leaves
all too soon, and there was a great deal more I wanted to know, or be reminded
of, as the case may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking to me on
this plane at this time of year, however—especially this time of year—is not
something he often does.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Perhaps I should go back and explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, you caught me in the thick of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, like a moth drawn to the
flame, I headed back to the deep woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot seem to keep away, and he knows this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is how he catches me every year and brings
me back to the deep sleep, in which I remember who I am again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until I forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJZtUjab_mifkIuk5irs8mUG1Ji5WPxUH8rcptjnRF1HLY3U7M0l9pZUFM67lE3RH1wzdR-6Nw49LcxU3gQ9mEKJhrERiaNsr7DusoiF73T-7UVVFhaXmBupbPPFE1rW_ctDvqf30kvI/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJZtUjab_mifkIuk5irs8mUG1Ji5WPxUH8rcptjnRF1HLY3U7M0l9pZUFM67lE3RH1wzdR-6Nw49LcxU3gQ9mEKJhrERiaNsr7DusoiF73T-7UVVFhaXmBupbPPFE1rW_ctDvqf30kvI/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And so it was today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I headed off to the shade because I cannot bear the sun, the light being
too bright, the rays being too hot and burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is deep in the woods under the thick canopy of trees, where I can finally
breathe a sigh of relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said nothing
as I walked along, which is not ordinary for me, because I usually talk out
loud to no one as I go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a habit of
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not today.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Today there was a kind of angst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not just today, but for quite some
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, that happens to be a
general feeling for everyone I meet these days, although admittedly, I do not
encounter many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a feeling
of being on edge, of things being not quite right, of being on the brink of
something but never seeming to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And foreboding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A feeling of
foreboding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of something being terribly wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I brought it with me as I headed into the deep woods,
this shadow hanging over me, this all-pervasive lie I see in everyone’s eyes
these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come with me into the sanctuary,”
I said to myself, “and we will see who has stolen the light.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because, you see, someone has stolen it, or
at least has tried to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun we see
today is not the same sun we used to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This blazing, burning, painful thing is not the same as it was.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And there I was in the deep woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set my pack down because I was tired and
hot, even in the coolness of the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that is when he came upon me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew better than to turn around, because if I had, there would have
been no one there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes cannot always
see what is before me, and today was one of those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, the wretched summer, always masking what
is right in front of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But I am not as brave as I would like to imagine I am,
and what I really did was sit and weep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
do not even know why I was weeping, but once I started I could not seem to
stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at some point in my pitiful
sobbing that he appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped
crying then in a desperate show of pathetic bravado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, the feeble ego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What price we pay to seem as if we are other
than we are.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We made our usual greetings—me telling him he had
frightened me out of my wits and him telling me I am still a coward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the familiar salutation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I got right to it because I was not sure
how much time I had, him being in enemy territory this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him about the burning sun, the
different sun, the one I did not like anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think at any other time, this would have been music to his ears, but this
time I could tell he hesitated.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So you feel it too, then?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Can you tell me what is going on?” I asked again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Something is happening in the world, and I
do not understand it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“There is nothing new under the sun,” he began.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“This feels new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
do not remember this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You will remember it,” he said, “And then you will
re-member it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This was not going to be easy, but with him, it never
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided just to get straight to
the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always appreciates
directness.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sVPzr1B0DoQT-vM6w4exSjovv1JkUKkNUYuyXFgeALySGO0DqvKQLDEe_MHYXY7QWGaB5x2cyCJGsGjDXhLxC5Ye1HmVhdmjR096Ar-tFIbwG0jOsyRP_IGCK5eno9FX0yh99wmIxos/s1600/IMG_4988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sVPzr1B0DoQT-vM6w4exSjovv1JkUKkNUYuyXFgeALySGO0DqvKQLDEe_MHYXY7QWGaB5x2cyCJGsGjDXhLxC5Ye1HmVhdmjR096Ar-tFIbwG0jOsyRP_IGCK5eno9FX0yh99wmIxos/s320/IMG_4988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“It is the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is like a burning cauldron, hotter and worse than he has ever been before,” I
began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And it feels different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He</i>
feels different.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel him wince
from that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And the light looks
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the people look
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not talk as much as
they used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their eyes are glazed, as
if they are in some sort of trance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their words are masked and difficult to understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And everywhere the burning continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a strange summer.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I started to weep again but tried to hide it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not like weakness, and for that
matter, neither do I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
hesitant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited quietly and knew
better than to interrupt him.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“There is an imposter,” he began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As you well know, the Sun and I have always
been good enemies and always will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But there is an imposter, an old adversary, one who thinks he might shine
as brightly as the Sun but only delivers lies and perversion.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Is he the one who is burning me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is burning us all?” I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Aye.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“What can we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How can we get past his lies, back to the natural world we all knew and
loved?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He winced again at the world ‘love.’</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You must find your own ‘Sun,’ and let it shine,” he
said, “And be guided by it alone.”<br />
“My own sun?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you saying??”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“What I am saying, you silly girl, is that the part is
the same as the whole, only lesser in quantity, quality, and aspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the same thing, but on a lower level,”
he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I pretended to understand because I did not want to make
him angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he gets angry, he leaves
all too soon, and there was a great deal more I wanted to know, or be reminded
of, as the case may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking to me on
this plane at this time of year, however—especially this time of year—is not
something he often does.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You have heard the phrase, ‘as above, so below’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This always applies,” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So there is a sun in the sky and there is a sun in me?”
I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a care,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distinguish between a ‘sun’ and
a ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sun</i>.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be guided by your inner light, not by the
rusted tinsel of the merchant.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You are a piece, a fragment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not like broken glass,” he went on, “More
like a holograph. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When broken, each tiny
piece contains the entirety of the image but in a smaller, less profound size
with less effect, but effect nonetheless.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My mind was swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I had to be brave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What else
do we have in the end but courage?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So the piece is the same as the whole?” I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Indeed, but it is smaller and on a different level.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“And does it have the same energy and power as the whole?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Your intellect is boring,” he said, “Of course it is the
same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The piece is made in the image of
the whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on a lower level.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I felt shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Judge in my mind demanded to know who I thought I was entertaining such highfalutin
ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Judge’s words kept echoing…..
‘You are nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is too late for you.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Judge was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He echoed only the words of the imposter,
masked and darkened.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I must take my leave in the Shadows,” he said simply and
abruptly, his voice strained and tired.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“But wait!” I blurted, “How do I contact the energy of
the Sun?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please…..”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You are like an outlet in the wall of your home, always
ready with energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But unlike the one in
your home, the energy flows both ways.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So I can plug in?” I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes, and you can be plugged into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because you cannot create without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And without you, nothing can be created.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There was no point in asking anything else because he was
gone, back to the Underworld, the Lord of Winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could I have forgotten?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was time to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I avoided the scorching sun in the sky and left the deep woods straight
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sought the comfort and solace of
my home, my own space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my room, I shut
the door and drew the curtains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laid
down comfortably and peacefully without moving, my eyes closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listened to the rhythm of my own
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And presently, in my center,
there shown a bright and loving Sun, which radiated to my whole being, which
confirmed what I had known all along, which could only speak truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unmasked, He kissed me and said, “I am.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He with ears, let him hear.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-51880152503093924012020-06-30T18:19:00.000-04:002020-06-30T18:19:58.371-04:00June 30, 2020 - Fly Away<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is all right, little bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see you and I have given you leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have absolved your debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have poured out your heart and emptied it
of the ties that would bind, and the green tendrils from the Earth have
released their hold, snapping back to solidity, snapping back to the swelling
of growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You owe no one anything now,
and no one owes you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Kingdom of
invisibility has been dearly bought and paid for in full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your castle of air awaits.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kt_5uf5Fng78iz6-lVf7EsdoRgCHsEtpomC5GzxY_t4q7yOZ7D1kv6y2yYQQsgK3qcbendYyjsI9udn6QGS24qfTcT9S4Yh3UZxjLvs4QWLyYdVr4a6P_k5PB8mjhA_w9fYYwRKkZbQ/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kt_5uf5Fng78iz6-lVf7EsdoRgCHsEtpomC5GzxY_t4q7yOZ7D1kv6y2yYQQsgK3qcbendYyjsI9udn6QGS24qfTcT9S4Yh3UZxjLvs4QWLyYdVr4a6P_k5PB8mjhA_w9fYYwRKkZbQ/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Fly on your wings, then, your precious little wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go up to the sky where the Light lives, where
His radiant smile chases away even the tiniest corner of darkness, where no foe
can stand against His strength, and where you may at last breathe a sigh of relief
and let go of your fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then dance in
the clouds, floating downward on wind currents, bathing in the breath of the
Beginning, and then soaring back up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Up where you are free, where you belong now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up where there is no Earth, and there is no
sorrow, and there is nothing to pull you back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your weight having been dispersed, the Law no longer applies to your
being, so there is none who can claim you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There is none who can say, "You are mine and you
belong to me, because you are a part of me and you are the flesh of my
flesh."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is none who would
dare now to say, "I have made my claim of your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I place my stake in your flesh, and its roots
will grow a tree that will span all lifetimes into eternity."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not one soul who might say of you,
"I know him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember him from
the beginning of time when our hearts were forged by the Holy smith."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thy will be done, then, you have no
ties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is none who could pull you
back and none to whom you might return.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Freedom is the power to have nothing, the bravery to
unbecome.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-24487310200591822822020-06-18T19:08:00.000-04:002020-06-18T19:08:45.418-04:00June 18, 2020 - Many Lamps<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I stayed in the shade and hid myself, because I was
afraid the sunlight would expose the darkness in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not sure how much there was, but I knew
there was some, probably more than I counted on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is always some darkness, some sort of
un-light reaching its tendrils out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe it was some poison I ate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like a mushroom, a toadstool, one of those odd things that grow that are
neither plant nor animal, with a vast and secret underground network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biologists call it mycelium, but I know
what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the poison of the
world.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
That is why the mushrooms require the solace of the
shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not dare to look at the
Sun or have the Sun look at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on
the occasion He finds them, they wither and dissolve almost instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that is why I hid among the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it was a difficult winter, and I was
not ready for the Sun to come back, but He never listens to me anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed more time to heal, but that did not
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was afraid if I went into the Sun,
I would dissolve as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like a
toadstool.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynA2YlnpRZj5onPlEd7fX6XpcrZrpz05b4yFWRjd4Me0k10G5tzhuv14mt3ViVu6gQIZ_yG2i2arvphAevs35VWn106jKKDtb4yeGWNCz23Ef9ddSudfmnDmYBCjFx10y_32Jn0NsW0s/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynA2YlnpRZj5onPlEd7fX6XpcrZrpz05b4yFWRjd4Me0k10G5tzhuv14mt3ViVu6gQIZ_yG2i2arvphAevs35VWn106jKKDtb4yeGWNCz23Ef9ddSudfmnDmYBCjFx10y_32Jn0NsW0s/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
But He caught me unaware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I turned around for a moment to listen to some long-forgotten birdsong,
and He came upon me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was illumined and
it hurt like bloody hell.
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Have you been hiding from me again?” He asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I don’t know what you mean,” I lied, and He just
laughed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You look uncomfortable.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You would too if you were just burnt.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I don’t know what you mean,” He lied, and I just
laughed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I laughed because of myself and in spite of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured I might as well just get it over
with, because I knew He was not going to let me go without an explanation.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You see,” I began, “I make so many mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do lots of wrong things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t mean to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, sometimes maybe I do mean to, and I
don’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do care….”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there I was rambling again, being
completely incoherent as usual.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But I continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Might as well go for broke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
have high ideals, but I get caught up in being human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get caught up in a slow and lumbering human
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get caught up in my own world,
in my own selfishness, in my own pain, in my own anger at the meanness of
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> mean, and they deserve to know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That might not be something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> would think, but I’m not you!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was coming out all wrong, but at this point I had
sprung a bad leak and I could not stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For a moment I remembered the old story of the little Dutch boy who put
his finger in a hole in the dam and saved the town from drowning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too late for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hole was too big, and I was not as brave
as the little Dutch boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Hindsight is 20/20, but I can’t skip to the end,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m stuck in me, and this tunnel seems to be
going on forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the light hurts
and I’m sick of it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was not very
nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True things rarely are.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So,” He said, “You hid from me because you were afraid
that I would see the Darkness in your soul?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes, and I’m not sure I want to completely let go of it,
either.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You’ve always been stubborn.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes,” I said, “That is one thing we can agree upon.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Now what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Retribution?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Punishment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Avoidance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would I just dissolve like a mushroom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I figured maybe it did not matter anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hit me with your best shot. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I’ll tell you something you’ve overlooked,” He said,
kinder than I wanted Him to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted
Him to be mean so I could feel justified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Self-righteousness is addicting, after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“What is light without darkness?” He went on, “If
everything were light, everything would be known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be nothing hidden and nothing new
to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be nothing to find
and illumine and love again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would
be nothing to compare light to, nothing to strive for, no boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little darkness makes life interesting and
creates the concept of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light
never needs to be redeemed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But darkness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It creates longing, and longing creates
love.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So light needs darkness?” I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Light doesn’t need it, but it is always welcome.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So you’re not mad at me, then?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“For what?” He asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“For being a toadstool.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Oh, that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
this world is built on the laws of cause and effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You reap what you sow,” He said, “And I can’t
save you from that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t if I
could.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I know,” I said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Well, as long as you’re okay with that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Do I have a choice?” I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“No.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Didn’t think so.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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The bird flew away and the song ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started walking again and felt that I had
more room in my heart than I had before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Light is expansive, darkness contractive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darkness creates room for more light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was grateful for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time to leave the woods and go home
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a meal to be cooked,
chores to be done, and many lamps to be lit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many lamps, indeed.</div>
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-55585989233646586662020-05-21T18:31:00.000-04:002020-05-21T18:31:53.966-04:00May 21, 2020 - Gratitude<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What is gratitude?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it mere thankfulness or appreciation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it the realization that something has been shared or given?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How ordinarily and
unexceptionally human.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Do you not know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
you not know what it is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah….yes, you
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the feeling of going along every day in
every way in the silence, in the drudgery, in the unending workload, in the
confounded sorrow of being forgotten . . . and suddenly something happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows what it is?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who cares?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can argue about it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for
now it is enough to know that something happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you stop in your tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You look up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see the ceiling, but the ceiling is not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you look out the window, but it is not
enough either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you open the d o o r,
and you look to the heavens.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UdK0xdyBSxpyubRrpKdE9SYt5mR3Jr9yvx6z81IS7puN3T4TO692Zp0nJhL_tGE7BX5wah469VCFufpNkVmQKO16TBGBfPWQE9ekCvZVMax4ifI89kCZimgQhqIsOxG7H-caQ07XjL4/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UdK0xdyBSxpyubRrpKdE9SYt5mR3Jr9yvx6z81IS7puN3T4TO692Zp0nJhL_tGE7BX5wah469VCFufpNkVmQKO16TBGBfPWQE9ekCvZVMax4ifI89kCZimgQhqIsOxG7H-caQ07XjL4/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And you are struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suddenly it all makes sense, it all fits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You smile at the simplicity of it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could you not have seen it before?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even children could figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they often do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But….it lasts at best for a few minutes and
often only a moment or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it is
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like an Earthquake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a dam bursting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like that moment before you fall when you
forget there is one more step on the stairs you are descending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unmistakable.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
with your eyes—so unreliable, those human eyes—but with your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With your soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, you say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I finally see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my God, thank you….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all makes sense now….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could I have been such a fool?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I knew you would not abandon me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew somehow the light would shine
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes in strange colors
through the tears of my eyes, the water prisms catching the one source and
turning it into all the colors of the spectrum and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shimmering and sparkling into eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have been a great fool for not
believing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For forgetting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For wallowing in self-pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my childish anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my sullenness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here, now, see me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am whole again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The wood floor in my house, its boards are not hard
enough for my knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will go down to
the ocean and fall upon my knees on the hard and jagged rocks, and they will
speak to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will know that it is
good.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This is gratitude.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-58273188086696288652020-05-19T18:13:00.000-04:002020-05-19T18:13:32.408-04:00May 19, 2020 - Sweet Afton<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Flow gently, sweet Afton, amang thy green braes.</div>
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Flow gently, I’ll sing thee a song in thy praise . . .”</div>
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<br /></div>
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So said Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1791, only 229
years ago, but it seems as though he wrote it yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could swear he was visiting me on my walk
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely more than two centuries
ago, he must have seen the same things I saw today, else how could he have
written so lovely a verse?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if so,
did he hear my conversation with the young Sun King (whose coronation is not
yet official)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps he knew Him well; that is my suspicion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am full of suspicions.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV48mBnjV7t9bEBfCY6CqszJJPP3uUyipoguvTZkGeI-hASphcLEwZNs7IMdkFE-VKlYV4H0H70mBaZuGNR2chokPPgOY7LrY_eqX2xQjunR4IGLWeqYIjDgtgcmG-nsU5xIdd19Q_lNM/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV48mBnjV7t9bEBfCY6CqszJJPP3uUyipoguvTZkGeI-hASphcLEwZNs7IMdkFE-VKlYV4H0H70mBaZuGNR2chokPPgOY7LrY_eqX2xQjunR4IGLWeqYIjDgtgcmG-nsU5xIdd19Q_lNM/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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“You did it again, did you not?” He asked.</div>
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“Yes.”</div>
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“Again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly?” more
exasperated.</div>
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“Yes, again.”</div>
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“But why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why??”</div>
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“I don’t know,” I said, “I was afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything happened so quickly, and the world
turned to ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept trying to catch your eye, but you were
looking elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.”</div>
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“Yes, I was,” He said, “Yet again.”</div>
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“The world froze,” I went on, “And though I tried to hold
on, at some point I left the land of the living—once more—and walked in the
Underworld.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Did you not love me?” He asked, pained.</div>
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“Of course I did—and do!”</div>
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“Then why could you not you believe me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why could you not wait for me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you I would come back!”</div>
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“I know,” I faltered.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(You will re-member that it was Nathaniel Hawthorne who said, “We must not always
talk in the marketplace of what happens to us in the forest.” – 1850.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we will not speak of that here.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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So now the King returns to us and life is renewed, and
what am I to do about the forest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
time I thought I was done for, but once again, spring has returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can I never believe completely?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forget-me-nots bloom yet again,
spectacular as always, and never where I expect them to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plain dandelion barges in among their
frailty and carries a strength they will never suspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is room for all today.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Here this now,” He said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I will always come back for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You need never worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
never forget you, not in a thousand years, not in a million years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each bloom is the most precious bloom in
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each bloom is the only
bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each life is the One life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you are more precious to me than a
thousand rubies.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“I know,” I said, “Now I remember.”</div>
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“But you will forget again?”</div>
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“Yes.”</div>
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“Take my gentle reminder, then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Splurge it in the sunset.”</div>
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“Already done,” I said.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I continued on my walk for a while, meandering down the
river and following where it led.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sun
began to slant lower in the sky, already sailing away on His cosmic trip,
sailing into the Underworld.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
hurry, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shall all be there
presently.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qQ59l9WqukSuQpJ_IgSoysPa4IG4SZ1LBcaBbiny_xqTWwneSvs6PqIdye9Nf7msR6U6vl5SdSkAcZ1g7gmjF9LpsLS2adcFMm9OCJ1_m79WWVYcxNL3pNG76FjluiJxFCC_vYcHsUE/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qQ59l9WqukSuQpJ_IgSoysPa4IG4SZ1LBcaBbiny_xqTWwneSvs6PqIdye9Nf7msR6U6vl5SdSkAcZ1g7gmjF9LpsLS2adcFMm9OCJ1_m79WWVYcxNL3pNG76FjluiJxFCC_vYcHsUE/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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“My Mary’s asleep by thy murmuring stream.</div>
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Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.</div>
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Thou stockdove whose echo resounds thro’ the glen,</div>
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Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den,</div>
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Thou green-crested lapwing, thy screaming forbear.</div>
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I charge thee, disturb not my slumbering Fair.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~ Robert Burns,
1791</div>
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<br /></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-57680631306488206012020-05-14T19:18:00.000-04:002020-05-14T19:18:59.851-04:00May 14, 2020 - Wind-Kissed<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This invisible sea all around us, that which we call “air,”
must be the holiest thing on Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can live three weeks without any food, three days without any water, but only
three minutes without any air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walk
in it, sleep in it, laugh and cry in it, and love in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In everything we do, we are constantly
exchanging the air around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
never not a part of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the
very foundation of our existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
yet, we don’t think of it at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Is it because we can’t see it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it something as trivial as that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, it does not exist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a narrow way of looking at the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all around us, the evidence
exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take, for example, the
dandelions in this patch of grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are not random.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each one is placed
precisely where it ought to be, blown in a pattern by a wind we cannot and will
not ever see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you see here is
evidence of a kiss from a gust of wind late last fall, and only now can you see
the fruit of His hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_NGJKpdNTHh57l38Y5kAXJm2jWJ64SBayJVGqc4081NFIfygvQ655eVroaj8cbopXvrjOX7E-B1wx2Nxl0XFGSh7cP0vaoL2Gz6JXNqZs3Ik2JBhtO56o0EcxWw7quVQfRe77umfOu0/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_NGJKpdNTHh57l38Y5kAXJm2jWJ64SBayJVGqc4081NFIfygvQ655eVroaj8cbopXvrjOX7E-B1wx2Nxl0XFGSh7cP0vaoL2Gz6JXNqZs3Ik2JBhtO56o0EcxWw7quVQfRe77umfOu0/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I am hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need to eat.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I am thirsty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need to drink.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I am lifeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need
to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, that is much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And more still.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It’s a constant thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We don’t inhale and then stop . . . and then exhale and then stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no interim time in between an inhale
and an exhale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just a continual
motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have always wondered, when I
breathe in, am I breathing in this thing called “God”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I breathe out, is He breathing me
in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simultaneously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I breathe/He exhales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I exhale/He breathes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back and forth, ceaselessly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I cannot remember a time when I was not alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am told such time existed, but I cannot be
certain that is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just
something someone told me, and I’m not sure if I believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I cannot remember a time when I did
not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not what you’re told about time and life and
the world—but reaching as far back in your mind as possible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you find a time when you weren’t there?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-31453803956806154822020-04-30T18:31:00.000-04:002020-04-30T18:31:14.375-04:00April 30, 2020 - SpringIt is no different than the old guitarist, who sits on
his porch in the late setting sun, playing a melody he has forgotten the words
to but which is as rhythmic as his own pulse, deep and calloused grooves worn
permanently into his fingertips from the guitar strings, musical notes escaping
down the porch stairs into the darkness beyond, searching.
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Or the painter, whose brushes are old and hardened from
use, like his grey unshaven beard, hard and coarse and rough, dipped into the
paints from his memory, his eyesight long since clouded over, but still a masterpiece
escapes his blood-red heart once again and splashes in a burgundy streak across
the raw canvas, calling.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU0ZIrdzHmOSXiXMZBv7qHFsv8g3JPEMnltyVWKbBJa3y_UTS8OvsU0Opsug2GFdBjhaWtvjNe9dtjOMRwUw7cdZxK8bHWZKoRGZEaZPdZdOIQkarvYXu76BUx1Fz8Gw3sGzM3ubF3MQ/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU0ZIrdzHmOSXiXMZBv7qHFsv8g3JPEMnltyVWKbBJa3y_UTS8OvsU0Opsug2GFdBjhaWtvjNe9dtjOMRwUw7cdZxK8bHWZKoRGZEaZPdZdOIQkarvYXu76BUx1Fz8Gw3sGzM3ubF3MQ/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Or the baker, whose hands are covered in flour, muscular
from years of kneading bread, his knuckles swollen and arthritic but with a
cadence as continual as the ocean’s tides, pressing out the gift of
transformation from seed dust to staff of life, the fresh scent enveloping all
who wander too close, inviting.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Or the old alchemist, whose back is bent from having
labored ceaselessly over his vials and potions, his life devoted to the Magnum
Opus, at last gazing out the window at the setting sun, the Philosophers’ Stone
finally burning into his consciousness, enlightened by the baseness of the Earth,
conjuring.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is no different:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The peeping frogs out in the cold temporary ponds in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crimson cardinal singing out his
passionate song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bright yellow
dandelions pushing up through the rich and muddy soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wolf baying at the crisp moon, haunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intoxicated bee flying in his bee-line,
revealing the heady pollen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree
buds bursting in a green riot at the warm sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The flowers gushing their colors across the landscape.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But it is all the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fecundity of the season leaves its mark
indelibly upon creation, regardless of age or time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It becomes an ingrained holy mantra memorized
by rote with each being wrapped up in the joy of becoming, betrothing, and begetting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pouring out the heart and mind and body completely
in a secret love affair we often label simply as “spring,” because the sublime
truth of it all would burn us to cinders if we could somehow grasp it.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-18263940023225666642020-04-22T19:02:00.000-04:002020-04-22T19:02:45.341-04:00April 22, 2020 - No GuaranteeYou can’t hold life back forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will always find a way through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will burst, ooze, and drip through the
cracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will breach the hull of Death’s
ship and gain an entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, indeed,
this is what I am seeing on my walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tiny green shoots begin to find their way through the half-frozen
crust of the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would think I would
be used to it by now, but every time I see it, I am a little surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not at life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Life is a given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is pushy and
aggressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That does not surprise
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What surprises me is its origin.
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I think back to late last fall when the Witch of November
was terrorizing the neighborhood, and everything fell down quickly and died as
if on command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, that is exactly
what it was:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then there was nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could have looked for tiny green shoots
from sunup to sundown, and you would not have found even one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything obeys the command in its season.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There was no guarantee that anything would ever live
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No guarantee of sun—stories,
hopes, and dreams, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no certainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet that did not stop Her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember I told you that Nature does not plant
in the springtime like mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
always plants in the fall, when all is lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Throwing seeds down when subzero temperatures and sheets of ice are on
their way might not seem like sound reasoning, but that is what She does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She plants on Faith alone, and how fortunate
we are that She has belief even as we curl up in despair.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Faith is the substance of things as yet unseen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All things have their origin in the spirit
world, in the unseen, in the as-yet shapeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as a beautiful building exists first as a thought only, so it is
with the entire world around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we
could go back even further:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before
thought comes desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The architect has
a desire to create a building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
desire becomes a bit more solid and turns into thought, a tiny electrical
current in the brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there it
solidifies into a drawing on paper, which gives it existence in the material
world, and now it can be transferred to the minds of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the paper it becomes a small working model
on a table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it has dimension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the table, it goes to the field, where
many bodies and minds work upon it until the desire comes to fruition:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beautiful building stands upon the field.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But it first had to stand in the heart and mind of the
architect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it is no different with
anything we see—anything at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
single thing you can point to at one time existed in the unseen only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From your furnished surroundings to your pets
to your children to the woods . . . Everything was once just a tiny flash in
the heart and mind of its creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the only thing required to make it all work is faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There is an old man who roams the woods, grey beard,
heavy pack on his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stops to
drink at a stream that is running again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is always running lively in this spot this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on in the summer it will dry up, but
for now it gushes forth, clean and strong and cold, just as it did last year
and the year before that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a good
place to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not stop to think
where the water comes from, but it too has its origin in the unseen, following
a familiar pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not have to
understand the whys and wherefores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is enough that he believed it would be there, and so it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did his experience over the years form his
belief, or did his belief over the years form his experience?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-27260986851291682162020-04-14T18:19:00.000-04:002020-04-14T18:19:07.774-04:00April 14, 2020 - Remember Me<div style="text-align: center;">
REMEMBER ME</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surely, you remember me?<br />I am the One<br />who died<br />spiraling downward<br />devoured<br />whispering in your mind<br />remember me<br />don't forget me<br />don't let go<br />please<br />you are all I have.<br />Plunged, then, into the darkness<br />alone<br />I was dead<br />and I wanted to be dead<br />but still the sun rose<br />coaxing.<br />"Do not be dead too long," he said<br />"For I am."<br />Again.<br />He re-members me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yet again.<br />I am the One.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-3795358565562132272020-03-31T19:13:00.001-04:002020-03-31T19:13:39.934-04:00March 31, 2020 - Broken Mirror, Broken LinkIt was very early when I went out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew no one else would be there because no
one ever is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people are asleep, and
even in their dreams, they wouldn’t dare to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited by an old decaying tree stump, one
that was only half in this world, if that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There I sat
leaning against it, feeling the wood crumbling against my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presently, my eyes grew heavy.
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Of course, you know that nothing he tells you is true,
right?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
He had arrived on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was always on time because, like me, he was very precise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a man interested in formulas and
organization and Divine Law.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“But you’re going anyway, aren’t you?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“You could come with me,” he said bitterly.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I know, and someday I will, but there is still work for
me to do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Work?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people
are lost.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“The people are always lost!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he was angry, but I am used to that.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It’s a funny thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The game masters try to plan for everything, but somehow there’s always
a weak link in the system, a spot that has been overlooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never thought the mirror would
crack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time the people had looked
into the mirror and inquired, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest
one of all,” the mirror had always responded, “You are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it would pull them in further and fill
their minds with fear, terrorizing them in their stupor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of illness, fear of death, fear of life,
fear of others . . . constant fear paralyzing them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now the mirror had unexpectedly cracked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Of course, most people would remain oblivious:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet mirror, pretty mirror, pet the mirror,
kiss the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whisper to the mirror, “I
love you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the cracked mirror
whispers back, “You are, you are, you are,” like a broken record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over, a broken response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A weak link in the system, a glitch in the
programming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We now return you to your regularly scheduled program</i> . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But there are some who have awoken from a deep and
drugged slumber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are shaking their
heads and rubbing their eyes, confused at the cracked black mirror before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wonder to themselves, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how long have I been here?</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing looks familiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put the mirror down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are looking beyond it now, and like the
woman in the house in our previous story, they balk at the crumbling foundation
of their existence.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hollywood is dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tinsel is all rusted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its
clowns have lost their makeup and shown their ugly faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still their broken record repeats, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Step right up to the greatest show on Earth,
folks!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the moths fly to the
flame because that is their nature, to burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They fight in line for their chance to burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who is
the fairest one of all?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So you would throw all of my gifts away?” he asked,
bitter again.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Not throw away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just delay.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Pah!” he spat.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“The sun grows stronger,” I said, “It’s time to try
again.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were murderous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had agreed never to speak of the Sun King,
but some things cannot be helped.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“The people need him now more than ever,” I said.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Go and help then,” he said with stone cold eyes, “But
remember our agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will see you
back here when your Sun King fails and the world turns to ice again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I will be here when the Shadow of Death returns,” I said
simply.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I stood up and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did not turn around, but I could feel his eyes boring a hole through
me as I walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The season of light
returns with a new shadowy player, courtesy of the game masters.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The mirror has been cracked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The secrets have poured out into broad
daylight, into the sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
foundations of our homes, of our nations have crumbled but are not yet in
complete ruin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can pick up the plow,
the hoe, the seed, and the scythe, and we can start again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the thing about living outside of the
black mirror with its shiny distracting lights and dark poison, we can always start again
because hope truly does spring eternal.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Now we say goodbye to March and warily welcome in a most
uncertain April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Revolution is
afoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is always a weak spot in
the force field.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-738466888469841019.post-81259700816403787352020-03-22T19:32:00.000-04:002020-03-23T15:05:07.912-04:00March 22, 2020 - On My Honor<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It could all be a
dream</i>, she thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could just
be wandering from room to room in a dream . . . in an old house with a
crumbling foundation, so crumbling and old, in fact, that it seemed the whole
house might come crashing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What a shame that would be</i>, she thought,
because it really was a nice old house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If only she could remember which portion of the house she was in and how
she got from there to here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she kept
wandering from room to room, hoping something would jar her memory and she
would know where she was again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she
would know who she was again, too.
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Where are you headed?” came a tiny voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman whipped her head around quickly,
but no one was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grew
frightened.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Down here!” it said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And there on the floor, not far from her, was a tiny mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman blinked several times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
dreaming</i>, she thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I must be
dreaming</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Where are you headed?” he asked again, a bit louder.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWu9UJPW1OIvjx35Cxm92y9euneGdE6StbVh3nsI6Yam6ePHHEh8aXh-2k-VUf-QbMP3S3wv_u7bfGGUhGDeEysQe79qwzZ67kWDZTczgPXW_ojH_LDXq8k_hiurv3H8Uh0UHFdFlJ8o/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWu9UJPW1OIvjx35Cxm92y9euneGdE6StbVh3nsI6Yam6ePHHEh8aXh-2k-VUf-QbMP3S3wv_u7bfGGUhGDeEysQe79qwzZ67kWDZTczgPXW_ojH_LDXq8k_hiurv3H8Uh0UHFdFlJ8o/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I don’t know,” she said, “I’m quite lost, I’m
afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I knew the way, but at
some point I became confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I
became confused, I became fearful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
when I became fearful, I began to forget who I was.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“And <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> you
forgotten who you are?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“No.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“What made you remember?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Well, when I stopped to answer you,” she said, “I
stopped being afraid for a moment, and when I stopped being afraid, I started
to remember who I was again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Well, what are you going to do, just wander from room to
room forever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know,” he said, “You’ve
been wandering from room to room for a long time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been watching you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Have I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d quite
forgotten.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Oh, yes, a very long time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“I would like to know where I am,” she said</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Why, you are in your house, where you live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you remember it?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, no, not completely. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere along the way I became lost.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Hmmm….” he mused, “And what have you done to try to
become found?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Well, I’ve been wandering from room to room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Without a purpose?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Well,” she said a bit embarrassed, “I didn’t know what
else to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I became distracted
by a shiny object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t remember what
it was, but it was pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I kept
following it, and I guess I stopped paying attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I finally looked up because I had a
terrible sense of doom, I found that I was completely lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shiny, pretty thing, whatever it was, is
gone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“So you were led astray by a shiny object that seemed
pretty and perhaps fun?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Yes, I guess so.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“And you couldn’t say no to it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had to just follow it wherever it led?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Well,” she said embarrassed again, “I could have said
no, but it was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And distracting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was busy and tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I guess I just gave up and let my common
sense go out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you help
me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you help me find the entrance or
the exit?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CN8GdEnHD8ix2I3KzfwQHXfVJTuT4klRaHWr-_7qgTTp5WH9IVxerQs1LM0Einc8RKfVFtmy1_G79Jecfp3owePAmjYKGtQgjCLs-b5aiOZ2RsuTwUNq4o8ydEOyiAk8A0Wduwn6rJk/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CN8GdEnHD8ix2I3KzfwQHXfVJTuT4klRaHWr-_7qgTTp5WH9IVxerQs1LM0Einc8RKfVFtmy1_G79Jecfp3owePAmjYKGtQgjCLs-b5aiOZ2RsuTwUNq4o8ydEOyiAk8A0Wduwn6rJk/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“My world is very different from yours,” he said, “I live
in this one little room over here, and this one room is my entire world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have the luxury of an entire house as
you do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he pointed to a small door
in the wall that she hadn’t noticed before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or maybe it was because it was so small and unadorned, she had passed it
by in her wanderings.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“May I go in?” she asked, not waiting for an answer as
she turned the door knob, bent down, and slipped into the old room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something about the room seemed very familiar,
but she could not place where she had seen it before.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
“Are you coming” she asked, but when she turned around,
the little mouse was not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She poked
her head outside the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not
there either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She decided she would look
for him later after she had a look around the room.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-M0mTMxXIP3sWAHpb1i0PNCz9UPDmqLN2cKCsV9JVDAIzaKbTPlGJf8SBe8FHDId1cq9tQZTQV9ptBgBoEWuA3pQVE59mPkPfu-gXo1y_Nx1cYFPgce4E3P1jwGRn2eRRE8-rUdxLYU/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-M0mTMxXIP3sWAHpb1i0PNCz9UPDmqLN2cKCsV9JVDAIzaKbTPlGJf8SBe8FHDId1cq9tQZTQV9ptBgBoEWuA3pQVE59mPkPfu-gXo1y_Nx1cYFPgce4E3P1jwGRn2eRRE8-rUdxLYU/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There was not much to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few old paintings hung on the walls, and they
looked familiar, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a small
table with chairs set for tea a long time ago, and it seemed the tea had never
taken place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an old lamp on a
corner table with a soft chair next to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beyond that, there really wasn’t much else in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was about to leave when she noticed an
old bookcase in the corner opposite the chair and lamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Might
as well have a look at it before I leave,</i> she thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The bookcase was old and dusty and so were all the books
that were on the shelves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached
out for a small book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cover said, “Handbook
for Boys,” and at the bottom it said “Boy Scouts of America.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flipped it open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Copyright 1948, Fifth Edition, Fourth
Printing, January 1951, 525,000 copies, Total Printing since 1910:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12,348,723.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She took the book to the chair on the opposite side of the room, sat
down, and turned on the old lamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
cast a soft yellow light.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboIN0nkB53NM2E_Zej3uk_e9HvP3TmVslM_YOLJWh0R8S8ufcuZeegqDMP6-8ukTM3fgsqeB0iQt2TFhqc-AxQiOhFVZrbIHIpLs8VqIWLREzv9tlrcD6D-JBQDhpHauFZ3rg62jHUMg/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboIN0nkB53NM2E_Zej3uk_e9HvP3TmVslM_YOLJWh0R8S8ufcuZeegqDMP6-8ukTM3fgsqeB0iQt2TFhqc-AxQiOhFVZrbIHIpLs8VqIWLREzv9tlrcD6D-JBQDhpHauFZ3rg62jHUMg/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She began to read . . . “Have you ever dreamed of hiking
the wilderness trails?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you stopped
to think of the pioneer wagons whose great wheels cut the tracks for our
present roads?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can follow those
trails, the streams, and tracks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
have your share of that adventure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What kind of book is this?</i> she wondered.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She read many things . . . “Be prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the Scout Motto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the day you become a Scout, you set
about preparing yourself to help other people . . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Helping
other people?</i> she mused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
she read about laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Scout
Law:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) A Scout is trustworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2) A Scout is loyal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3) A Scout is helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4) A Scout is friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5) A Scout is courteous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6) A Scout is kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7) A Scout is obedient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8) A Scout is cheerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9) A Scout is thrifty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10) A Scout is brave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11) A Scout is clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12) A Scout is reverent.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyI7k9xInZ8BegyD1D8PNif0GpcXsLO3ygW_475fwI2eysREbduPOYMR6egpjrhy08c0T0XzELPWVu2VvFhXOi6SDdNsAjDr0DHxeio7v0hXAwP4wV92RPYQjR3lgYDp4JMQRxD-JPYM/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyI7k9xInZ8BegyD1D8PNif0GpcXsLO3ygW_475fwI2eysREbduPOYMR6egpjrhy08c0T0XzELPWVu2VvFhXOi6SDdNsAjDr0DHxeio7v0hXAwP4wV92RPYQjR3lgYDp4JMQRxD-JPYM/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And not only that, there was an oath these “Scouts” took
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“On my honor I will do my
best:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do my duty to God and my
country and to obey the Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep
myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is
a tall order,</i> she thought, but it felt good to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing she had thought about for . .
. how long was it now? . . . months? . . . years? . . . the only thing was the
shiny object, and then the fear of losing the object and later, the fear of
losing herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
FEAR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She realized
it had constantly been on her mind for untold years now, weighing her down,
crippling her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of being lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of being found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of the unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of events beyond her control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of events within her control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fear of hardship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life had become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">constant</i> fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when did
that happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And why did she let it
happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked back in the book.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdCO8Sx6RWNiK_plM0SLSaQvt1y-aqrel_kw7QNzipwlFQzuhs4xUyRBrkJSID9r7Cbg0xZDvvD6YtEIrd0NBxjKlBnLoVTBxmkWrg1PCz1zIlMhmaxPHMoDboqkaKEXul1Nx7fX4CEY/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdCO8Sx6RWNiK_plM0SLSaQvt1y-aqrel_kw7QNzipwlFQzuhs4xUyRBrkJSID9r7Cbg0xZDvvD6YtEIrd0NBxjKlBnLoVTBxmkWrg1PCz1zIlMhmaxPHMoDboqkaKEXul1Nx7fX4CEY/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There were so many things she could learn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wildlife and woodlore, tracking and stalking,
finding one’s way, the woodsman’s tools, fire building, camp cooking, making
shelters, handicraft, first aid, signaling, swimming, physical fitness,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was friendship in this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe there would be friendship outside of
the book, too?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She went back to the bookcase and pulled down the next
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cover said, “Scout Field Book.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flipped it open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Copyright 1948, Twelfth Printing, 1957.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought it back to the chair and sat
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here was a complete companion
manual that described in great detail and elaboration how to do and enhance
many of the things she had read about in the first book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It covered ways of life many people had
forgotten about, such as how to wrap food in oiled or waxed cloth before plastic
wrap was in use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much to
learn, or rather relearn.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
These books were old compared to many newer books she had
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They smelled different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The language used was different, a bit
old-fashioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They assumed an
intelligence in the reader she hadn’t seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They felt different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They felt good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The authors didn’t seem to be tripping over
themselves to skirt around delicate issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, they boldly spoke their minds without apology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What a
novel concept,</i> she thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih69dC3yvSfRxN_fiF4mwqg2rm5jf_waFtvHy54i50pAxRUkWqosyaANkizjA7WOVUO2IqPXqp9GXBmeudp2_xq-BDnJIn7qPKD-QfRQkxKA39lpmW4Sec6z0TcTr2YWf9GX1hF-yzvmM/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih69dC3yvSfRxN_fiF4mwqg2rm5jf_waFtvHy54i50pAxRUkWqosyaANkizjA7WOVUO2IqPXqp9GXBmeudp2_xq-BDnJIn7qPKD-QfRQkxKA39lpmW4Sec6z0TcTr2YWf9GX1hF-yzvmM/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She went back to the bookcase and pulled down a third
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a larger book, a heavy
tome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cover said, “A History of the
Civil War.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flipped it open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Copyright 1912, New York, The War Memorial
Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a chronological summary
and record of every single engagement between union and confederate soldiers,
including war maps and original photos, compiled from the official records of
the War Department [now known as the Department of Defense].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the real thing, written still from the
so-called victors’ point of view, but the real thing nevertheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was written before the shiny distraction
had come along and mired her understanding.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
She closed the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It would take a long time to read this book, but she was determined that
she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">would</i> read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time she would read it without the shiny
object confusing her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would read it
without fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would read it without preconceived
ideas because she couldn’t remember what her preconceived ideas had been
anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had been so much confusion
these past many years . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was
good that she had been lost for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But now she was not lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she
was found.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHFe8FO7QRCQg4BfdDv6RsVmf-rRnhsohpsBe7UphPPGpxHohqqi50XfHz8ctR5zVS5O5pQ-cHtw-GbAL96CelNfDTU5wVxaBekgHKgI8vBD0Tecz22Ycn_AVq-MnL5LgO-XxC5d97oM/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHFe8FO7QRCQg4BfdDv6RsVmf-rRnhsohpsBe7UphPPGpxHohqqi50XfHz8ctR5zVS5O5pQ-cHtw-GbAL96CelNfDTU5wVxaBekgHKgI8vBD0Tecz22Ycn_AVq-MnL5LgO-XxC5d97oM/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I like old books,</i>
she thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and old ways of doing
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m tired of flashing lights and
shiny objects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And mostly, I’m tired of
being afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a timid
mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a match for anything.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got up, turned off the lamp, and brought
the three books with her out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She walked determinedly to the exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was not very far away after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She went outside of the old house.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The sun was shining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She looked at the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
in disrepair, but all things considered, it was not too bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst part was the foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will
call someone tomorrow and get that fixed right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A house is only as good as its foundation, </i>she
thought<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s time to fix things from the bottom up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On my honor, I will do my best.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2tzm9dbvlHLQgrHVpHp-EQZFs0CrxHMgEA6gCxFdEajRa65l1APh7FIZbSmDOTzL_cpy597jW3gNN6rkUir4ksiDPh7Lw3wiesWKV97k_kE-NFsmkg9mw7SZE36Q9WL7pOHNj4l5yYw/s1600/in+pursuit+of+maine+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2tzm9dbvlHLQgrHVpHp-EQZFs0CrxHMgEA6gCxFdEajRa65l1APh7FIZbSmDOTzL_cpy597jW3gNN6rkUir4ksiDPh7Lw3wiesWKV97k_kE-NFsmkg9mw7SZE36Q9WL7pOHNj4l5yYw/s320/in+pursuit+of+maine+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And from that day on, she did do her best and she thought
of her honor every step of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
life changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a gradual change,
but it added up over time as things generally do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She read every old book she could get her
hands on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She found that she didn’t like
newer books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, when she found
a new reprinting of an old book, she found that often subtle changes had been
made to the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She realized that
these subtle changes also had the ability to add up over time if she wasn’t
paying attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> paying attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now</i>
she was paying attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
[Honor:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A keen
sense of ethical conduct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One’s word
given as a guarantee of performance.]</div>
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Melanie Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02468019162207025659noreply@blogger.com