Thanks Kate. I have a beautiful patch of daffodils in my yard that catch my attention each day. My thoughts often meander into pondering the wider world as I watch my flowers and the bees around them.
How lovely! I wrote this a couple months ago when daffodils were all over Basel (quite early due to a mild winter). I also like to watch the nature on my balcony as I write. :)
Hi Kate. I'm a big Galeano fan but haven't read The Book of Embraces, so thanks for the recommendation! It seems it's available in Kindle in Spanish; good holiday reading for me!
I enjoyed the way the daffodil sketch suddenly reveals a story: "All she does is laugh, swaying on the long stem from side to side, like I’ve come to do since my son was born. First to calm him, then myself."
Wow there is so much beautiful prose intros essay! “Art is connection of some elements of consciousness we cannot explain in rational contexts. It takes us deeper than that into the world’s secrets and her desires.” perfect
Bellissimo, Kate! I really enjoyed this reflection. You gave me food for thought for a while, here. "Is death an end or a full merge with the multiverse, no more barriers? Is consciousness a gift or some sick joke the daffodil has placed upon me?" -- I'm in awe of these simple yet hard-to-articulate questions. They represent the nodes at which we ought to stop and ponder and eventually choose a thought direction. Also, Galeano! One of those names I've always wanted to check out but never did. I love Latin American literature. Now I will have to read him. Thank you!
Thank you, Silvio. That's great that it made you think. I like to write about things that I don't yet have an answer for either. It's important to sit with that ambiguity, I think.
And happy to have nudged you with Galeano! I've got to check out more of his work myself.
"It is the only time the tiny movements of the clock reach my ears." Yes, so much so! Beautiful about the daffodil, Kate, and thanks for the rec of the book. Not aware of Galeano, so appreciate the info.
“In this exquisite metronomic space, the tree branches out the window reach into my brain. They vacate their roots and trunk to bring me a little piece of stardust and alien songs intertwined in the bark.” What an exquisite expression of interconnectedness, past, present and future.
As for what I’m reading? I had read a review a long time ago on Allie Brosch’s Hyperbole and a Half, and saved it un my notes. Hunting for something new the other day I bought it on a whim and it’s a RIOT! Deceptively simple, witty stories and illustrations that tackle complex emotions. I’ve bought three in the last two days to give to friends.:)
Oh wow, sounds like an amazing rec! I’m reading and rereading tons of tragedy to prepare for my next job. Think death upon death. I love it but I could use a laugh!!!
Haha yeah. It’s head of an English department. I’m used to a bit more flexibility at international schools. As we’re in the U.K., some of the tragic classics are necessary but I also love them.
"Swaying with a daffodil to ease our tensions, let go of our armors, and be one with the movements of that second hand in the other room that represents all second hands everywhere."
Love this call to shed our calcified human exteriors and and move through life with the ease that nature beckons us to achieve. Such a great point of connection here, too, between your words and Galeano's idea of the "human rainbow."
Thank you for providing this beautiful moment of meditative reading, Kate! 💙
It's so wonderful when I can find incredible writing in the comments: "shed our calcified human exteriors and and move through life with the ease that nature beckons us to achieve." Yes! Thanks so much, Michael 💙💙
Thanks for linking his rainbow to Pride Month as well!
Beautiful, Kate. Thanks for the Galeano recommendation. Sounds delightful. I’m reading a book compiled by Dahr Jamail and Stan Rushworth called “We Are the Middle of Forever.” It’s a collection of interviews with Natice American elders and leaders about climate action. One example: President Fawn Sharp of the Quinalt Indian Nation’s teenage son is relearning the old songs directly from the land and water. They’ve been waiting there patiently until someone came to listen.
Interesting author. Not too distant from the worldview of Borges and Casares. Putting aside Borges and Casares' work at uplifting the popular - and it's a pity they don't get more acclaim for this - I'm 50/50 about Galdeano's comments on hierarchy. We have it for a reason. And to blindly criticize it solely based on the merits of inclusion ignores exactly why we have a high regard for great literature in the first place. That perspective usually assumes we elevate that literature for pernicious, socio-political reasons. When, in fact, the best literature is different precisely because it transcends the day-to-day affairs of journalism; I can't think of a single way that any journalist can improve upon, say, Raskolnikov's story with a journalistic take without shackling Crime & Punishment unnecessarily to its own time.
That being said, there have been some journalists who have been similarly transcendent and would be welcome company among the greats. I have Ryszard Kapuscinski in mind; he, unfortunately, was sidelined from winning the Nobel Prize until his death. I suspect Svetlana Alexievich's Nobel was, in part, a way of compensating for that. Though she, too, belongs among the greats.
I think the capability of journalism ascending the hierarchy also depends on a culture's traditions. Part of the reason Polish reportage is increasingly acclaimed nowadays is in large part because of Kapuscinski (who has paved the way for other translations into English) but also because the Poles had a legendary (if forgotten elsewhere) explorer/journalist in the form of Ferdinand Ossendowski. Who set a precedent for journalism that - to roughly quote Sam Kahn's recent piece with E.M. Forster in mind - "breaks free of the story." The US, in contrast, seems to venerate the topic and relevance of journalism's content rather than its literary style per se, unless - interestingly - it is used by an American author of fiction. In a way, American literature already functions as "high art journalism." We consciously made it a part of the national character of American literature.
Will definitely check out Galleanos, thank you for the recommendation! You had me at: “It’s as unexplainable as it is beautiful.”
Your meditation on the daffodil was really lovely.
Thanks so much, Stephanie. 💜
Thanks Kate. I have a beautiful patch of daffodils in my yard that catch my attention each day. My thoughts often meander into pondering the wider world as I watch my flowers and the bees around them.
How lovely! I wrote this a couple months ago when daffodils were all over Basel (quite early due to a mild winter). I also like to watch the nature on my balcony as I write. :)
Thanks.
Hi Kate. I'm a big Galeano fan but haven't read The Book of Embraces, so thanks for the recommendation! It seems it's available in Kindle in Spanish; good holiday reading for me!
I enjoyed the way the daffodil sketch suddenly reveals a story: "All she does is laugh, swaying on the long stem from side to side, like I’ve come to do since my son was born. First to calm him, then myself."
Great, Jeffrey, what else do you recommend?
Thank you.
His most famous book is The Open Veins of Latin America, but I’d suggest reading the Memory of Fire Trilogy.
Wow there is so much beautiful prose intros essay! “Art is connection of some elements of consciousness we cannot explain in rational contexts. It takes us deeper than that into the world’s secrets and her desires.” perfect
Thank you, Brian!
Bellissimo, Kate! I really enjoyed this reflection. You gave me food for thought for a while, here. "Is death an end or a full merge with the multiverse, no more barriers? Is consciousness a gift or some sick joke the daffodil has placed upon me?" -- I'm in awe of these simple yet hard-to-articulate questions. They represent the nodes at which we ought to stop and ponder and eventually choose a thought direction. Also, Galeano! One of those names I've always wanted to check out but never did. I love Latin American literature. Now I will have to read him. Thank you!
Thank you, Silvio. That's great that it made you think. I like to write about things that I don't yet have an answer for either. It's important to sit with that ambiguity, I think.
And happy to have nudged you with Galeano! I've got to check out more of his work myself.
Really loved the scene with the daffodil! I can't wait to check out Galleanos and recover my memory of the human rainbow
Thanks Will! Hope you enjoy your rainbow-writing ☺️
"It is the only time the tiny movements of the clock reach my ears." Yes, so much so! Beautiful about the daffodil, Kate, and thanks for the rec of the book. Not aware of Galeano, so appreciate the info.
Thanks a lot, Nathan ☺️
“In this exquisite metronomic space, the tree branches out the window reach into my brain. They vacate their roots and trunk to bring me a little piece of stardust and alien songs intertwined in the bark.” What an exquisite expression of interconnectedness, past, present and future.
As for what I’m reading? I had read a review a long time ago on Allie Brosch’s Hyperbole and a Half, and saved it un my notes. Hunting for something new the other day I bought it on a whim and it’s a RIOT! Deceptively simple, witty stories and illustrations that tackle complex emotions. I’ve bought three in the last two days to give to friends.:)
Oh wow, sounds like an amazing rec! I’m reading and rereading tons of tragedy to prepare for my next job. Think death upon death. I love it but I could use a laugh!!!
Thanks for the kind words, Kimberly ☺️
Wow, can I ask what your next position will be? Sounds heavy!
Haha yeah. It’s head of an English department. I’m used to a bit more flexibility at international schools. As we’re in the U.K., some of the tragic classics are necessary but I also love them.
Seriously going to order that book! 🤗
Haha! I was half expecting to hear you landed a new job as an undertaker!
Can't wait to hear how you like Hyperbole and a Half.
That made me lol.
Wonderful prose, Kate. Love it.
Thanks so much, Alexander.
"Swaying with a daffodil to ease our tensions, let go of our armors, and be one with the movements of that second hand in the other room that represents all second hands everywhere."
Love this call to shed our calcified human exteriors and and move through life with the ease that nature beckons us to achieve. Such a great point of connection here, too, between your words and Galeano's idea of the "human rainbow."
Thank you for providing this beautiful moment of meditative reading, Kate! 💙
It's so wonderful when I can find incredible writing in the comments: "shed our calcified human exteriors and and move through life with the ease that nature beckons us to achieve." Yes! Thanks so much, Michael 💙💙
Thanks for linking his rainbow to Pride Month as well!
Mindful, meaningful, and moving, Kate.
Thank you, Mike. :)
Beautiful, Kate. Thanks for the Galeano recommendation. Sounds delightful. I’m reading a book compiled by Dahr Jamail and Stan Rushworth called “We Are the Middle of Forever.” It’s a collection of interviews with Natice American elders and leaders about climate action. One example: President Fawn Sharp of the Quinalt Indian Nation’s teenage son is relearning the old songs directly from the land and water. They’ve been waiting there patiently until someone came to listen.
Sounds fascinating! Thanks so much for the recommendations and kind words, Julie.
Interesting author. Not too distant from the worldview of Borges and Casares. Putting aside Borges and Casares' work at uplifting the popular - and it's a pity they don't get more acclaim for this - I'm 50/50 about Galdeano's comments on hierarchy. We have it for a reason. And to blindly criticize it solely based on the merits of inclusion ignores exactly why we have a high regard for great literature in the first place. That perspective usually assumes we elevate that literature for pernicious, socio-political reasons. When, in fact, the best literature is different precisely because it transcends the day-to-day affairs of journalism; I can't think of a single way that any journalist can improve upon, say, Raskolnikov's story with a journalistic take without shackling Crime & Punishment unnecessarily to its own time.
That being said, there have been some journalists who have been similarly transcendent and would be welcome company among the greats. I have Ryszard Kapuscinski in mind; he, unfortunately, was sidelined from winning the Nobel Prize until his death. I suspect Svetlana Alexievich's Nobel was, in part, a way of compensating for that. Though she, too, belongs among the greats.
I think the capability of journalism ascending the hierarchy also depends on a culture's traditions. Part of the reason Polish reportage is increasingly acclaimed nowadays is in large part because of Kapuscinski (who has paved the way for other translations into English) but also because the Poles had a legendary (if forgotten elsewhere) explorer/journalist in the form of Ferdinand Ossendowski. Who set a precedent for journalism that - to roughly quote Sam Kahn's recent piece with E.M. Forster in mind - "breaks free of the story." The US, in contrast, seems to venerate the topic and relevance of journalism's content rather than its literary style per se, unless - interestingly - it is used by an American author of fiction. In a way, American literature already functions as "high art journalism." We consciously made it a part of the national character of American literature.
I'm just going to leave this here ❤️🌷🌼
Little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips
And the sun is like a toy balloon
There are get up in the morning glories
In the golden afternoon
There are dizzy daffodils on the hillside
Strings of violets are all in tune
Tiger lilies love the dandy lions
In the golden afternoon
(The golden afternoon)
There are dog and caterpillars and the copper centipede
Where the lazy daisies love the very peaceful life
They lead...
You can learn a lot of things from the flowers
For especially in the month of June
There's a wealth of happiness and romance
All in the golden afternoon...