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Sitting in silence, solitude, and simplicity

5/28/2019

I am sitting with my 96 year old friend. It is quiet here; she is not speaking and neither am I. We are together in a deep holy place, each in our own solitude. Everything is simple; the only thing to do is be. The window flowers offer hope.
Those of us who long for silence, solitude, and simplicity can always find meaning in our lives. Just accompany someone who also longs for the same thing.

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Rediscovering travel with Seth Kugel

5/23/2019

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The other evening at the library I heard a delightful talk by Seth Kugel, the New York Times’s “Frugal Traveler” from 2010 to 2016 , and author of the recently published Rediscovering Travel: A Guide for the Globally Curious.
Seth writes as he talks, telling engaging stories, offering useful tips, and blurting out an array of valuable insights that whirl around in his hyperactive mind. Whatever our age, and however and wherever we travel, he suggests that we go off the well-beaten track and try something new.
Like me, Seth usually travels solo. Although I am a somewhat adventuress traveler, which of course one has to be when traveling alone, I’m inspired anew to wander off the tourist’s physical and psychological trampled-down path and rediscover the new and curious of Edinburgh (June 12-20). I’m ready and very grateful to be going.

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Silence and solitude at Fenway Park?

5/20/2019

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I’ve had my computer back for three days. Lending it was not as disruptive as I had anticipated. The programs my husband downloaded didn’t mess things up very much, which reminded me that the first and best remedy for a computer problems is: ‘Shut Down’ and ‘Restart’. In all fairness, that little computer-lending experience remains in the simplicity department.
Silence and solitude often walk in tandem, as they did yesterday with the Red Sox win at Fenway Park. We went with our son and daughter-in-law, and what could be better than that? NO silence or solitude. And yet, I could attend the game all by myself and had a wonderful time. Even to consider such a thing shows how content I am alone.
In fact, I have plans to spend seven nights in Edinburgh June 12-20. Traveling alone? Of course.

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Sharing a computer

5/14/2019

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My husband’s computer crashed. He’s ordered a new one which should arrive at the house tomorrow. Meanwhile, he has borrowed mine for the work day. I understand that he really needs it, but handing it over is a challenge—all the stuff he’s had to put on, the pop-ups, the computer heating up, no access for me during the day.
How we handle any of life’s situations is up to us. My first response was that indeed Jim needs my computer. That altruistic thought, however, was immediately followed by, “I really want MY computer.” I must admit that he order in which those two valid thoughts came to me, pleased me.
Letting go is one of life’s major challenges. I have friends in their 90s who have had to let go of their driver’s license, and now are letting go of life. A friend is struggling to let go of his job. Another is letting go of the hope of being a mother. Clearly, it should be easy for me to let go of my computer for a couple of days!

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The silence, solitude, and simplicity of music

5/12/2019

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Yesterday I attended the Spring Concert at my church, Memorial Congregational Church, just up the street from where I live. Obviously, music is not silent, nor performed in solitude, and certainly not simple. And yet, as I sat in the sanctuary I felt those three longing being fulfilled. Silence, solitude and simplicity are a states of being, not a states of doing.
Our choir was joined by singers from the community. They were exquisite, allowing me to close my eyes and sit in that very silence, solitude, and simplicity that I long for. Clearly, silence is not lack of sound; solitude is not being alone; simplicity is not without complexity.

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Reading and silence

5/6/2019

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I’m still reading, but not with the fevered pitch of a few years ago. I’m up to 23 books on my 2019 Goodreads Challenge, just 57 to read my birthday goal of 80. I’ll get there, and if I don’t, who cares? I don’t, Goodreads doesn’t, and certain you don’t!
At the moment I have four books going:
• The Overstory, by Richard Powers (502 pages of deep reading)
• Power and Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, by Stephen R. Hawkins (reading slowly, chapter by chapter)
• The Book of Dreams, by Nina George (good read at the end of the day)
• Kushner, Inc.: Greed, Ambition, Corruption, by Vicky Ward (the news speaks for itself).

Some books (the last two) I can ready while watching Boston sports teams. Tonight the Sox, Bruins, and Celtics are all paying at the same time, so flipping the channels may slow down my reading. ‘Mute’ will be my setting of choice, which is my little way of staying in solitude.

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Remembering May Day~

5/1/2019

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May Day. I have school day memories.
   During my early school days we celebrated The Merry Month of May with maypole dances, students reciting their own poems, and singing by the school chorus. Although we gathered around the flagpole, I don’t recall any dancing. Then one May 1st there is no school assembly; instead we sat at our desks (in rows) practicing our handwriting.
    Air raid drills began accompanying this program change (probably when I was in fifth grade). I have a visceral memory of my math teacher (male) leading the drill, letting us know how serious this was by telling us, “I have permission to hit any of you over the head to knock you out if you do not follow the rules.”
     Russian had usurped May Day; communism was a fearful word: the Cold War had begun.

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Sitting in silence, solitude, and simplicity

Rediscovering travel with Seth Kugel

Silence and solitude at Fenway Park?

Sharing a computer

The silence, solitude, and simplicity of music

Reading and silence

Remembering May Day~

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