Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, we have entered that time of the year when yellow blossoms are coming to life on the forsythia and daffodils, and the dead limbs of trees are falling to the ground on the wind. It is one of the rites of spring that the flowers catch your eye, and the dead branches catch your feet.
Lovely. As counterpoint, or perhaps more rightly an example of the shallowness of the opposite of your piece, there was the bumper sticker I saw on a Jeep: Taxation is theft.
The windows of the Jeep were covered with stickers from our national parks.
"The dead tree limbs littering the streets and sidewalks in the spring are why we have mayors and town councils and county boards of supervisors," indeed.
"...there was the bumper sticker I saw on a Jeep: Taxation is theft. The windows of the Jeep were covered with stickers from our national parks."
The owner is one reason the IRS needs to audit more and enforce even more. The owner's lack of self-awareness (the conflict and contradiction of Taxation is Theft w/NPs window dressing) is one reason am here on Substack.
I've been on deadline this week, but yesterday morning I went down to town hall to help my town clerk with the mailing of vote-by-mail ballots for mid-April's town election. This morning, as my dog and I headed home from our morning walk, my very favorite police officer was doing slow-down duty across the street from the elementary school. He got out of his cruiser to hug me and we spent a few minutes catching up. Passing vehicles tend to ignore the flashing "school zone" light but they slow down when they see the cruiser. Then my dog and I continued on our way. I spent the rest of the day finishing that job and sent it off just under the wire. A pretty good day in the neighborhood.
I want to live in a place - a village, town, county, state, country , world- where we look out for one another. So, thank you, Lucian, for this lovely meditation on communal existence
Mar 30·edited Mar 30Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
Interesting. I had a similar epiphany on Tuesday, March 5th, at the town hall in Woodstock, Vermont as I stood in a long line of people, all waiting patiently to vote. This was about local issues and a big question about floating a bond for a new high school, an “interim” election when numbers are usually down, but this one broke all records, said the newspaper. Voters seem to be energized. When I reached the table where two women (local people, poll workers who work every election) sat checking off names —- I was at the “L -Z” table—- I was handed a ballot and given a marker to mark the ballot. The little table-booths were temporarily full, but one opened up, I voted, and handed my ballot to the man (same guy always) who would not touch or look at my ballot unless I asked for assistance putting it into the machine. I got a bit choked up as I walked out. For all the noise and ignorance and shouting and threats out there, it struck me that here was a little piece of our amazing democracy at work… one in which I was able to participate. I used to vote without much thought. My first was in 1964 (I voted for LBJ). Now, at 82, I take nothing for granted and savor my privilege at being allowed to take part in this noble, generous, inclusive process.
We should communicate. In 1964 I was running the LBJ campaign in Cajun South Louisiana. I suspect our experiences were quite different. There is nothing like “sitting on the ground and telling sad stories about the death of kings.”
Bishop Emeritus Stephen Charleston wrote this week about collateral renewal, the opposite of collateral damage. Thank you Lucian for your essay explains the concept further than the good Bishop. And be careful….
Stephen Charleston: “You have heard of collateral damage. Now hear of collateral renewal. Every time we act in kindness, in mercy, in love: the impact of our actions radiates out to touch many more lives than the ones in our immediate vicinity. Others we do not know will be affected. The reverberations of our compassion will circle the world. Collateral renewal – healing rippling out, never ending. “
I recommend Stephen Charleston to everyone. He is a Cherokee/choctaw elder and retired Episcopalian Bishop. His daily posts are necessary spiritual connections.
It won'tn fit on the scrabble board. I play every morning and beat the shit out of it. I got heavily into the scrabble world around the turn of the century I went to two American championship conventions. 1st one in Providence did well. 2nd one 2 years later in San Diego. Got my ass handed to me severely. Then I picked it up recently and I play every morning. Boy, do I got some funny stories about that adventure.
Thank you. I needed that today living in Alabama where they work everyday to outlaw DEI, birth control, unions and more. Having grown up in Chicago & gone to NYU graduating in 1971 it sure was different. I really enjoy your reminiscing about your days at the Village Voice etc. Thanks again.
You make me look at things in a novel way. And lead me to see issues in a different light. You give me hope. We need to work at this, all of us. I'm just not sure politics is the road that will lead us to convergence. The divide is long standing, bitter and wide. Politicians see power and wealth in pitting us against each other. We must find a way to transcend the status quo. E pluribus unum...
I like that song. I have it on an old album of Pete Seeger's from the 50's that belonged to my parents. I heard him perform it at a town fair when I lived in the adjoining town in NY to where he lived.
Oh what a thrill to see your name among the regulars on Lucian’s love-cast!
Years ago you delivered a keynote address at a woman’s conference in NYC! It was like listening to Moses - l was awestruck by your honesty and integrity! Don’t disappear again. You are beloved by those whose lives you touched!
What a wonderful reminder of who we are, or should be. Of course, more than a whiff of a reminder of an American "President" who stood among the graves of fallen American soldiers in France and wondered out loud, to a retired General, no less, why the dead had chosen to be in a place at a time where their lives ended -- it was the on behalf of the rest of us part which he cannot comprehend. One of the meanings of life as it should be is empathy. We'll be able to vote for that empathy in November. In gratitude for your reminder to keep an eye open, here in Southern California, for palm fronds, which often fall from sheer exhaustion.
No, that wasn't a northern light just now (it's 10:24 pm in L.A.). It was the glow of my blushing. Poetic? Famous image of Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver," saying to his mirror, "You talkin' to *me*?" Gosh. Thank you.
“ Empathy is the way we understand each other”.Yes and government is the way we instill a sense of security that fuels this feeling of empathy. I work(ed) and had money taken from my wages to go to government to help me with the roads I drove, the school to which my daughter attended, the safety of the air and water that I and others utilized and more.The wealthy are trying to sidestep this all the while benefiting from a lot of what government is providing to them and theirs.
Lovely. As counterpoint, or perhaps more rightly an example of the shallowness of the opposite of your piece, there was the bumper sticker I saw on a Jeep: Taxation is theft.
The windows of the Jeep were covered with stickers from our national parks.
"The dead tree limbs littering the streets and sidewalks in the spring are why we have mayors and town councils and county boards of supervisors," indeed.
Thanks.
"...there was the bumper sticker I saw on a Jeep: Taxation is theft. The windows of the Jeep were covered with stickers from our national parks."
The owner is one reason the IRS needs to audit more and enforce even more. The owner's lack of self-awareness (the conflict and contradiction of Taxation is Theft w/NPs window dressing) is one reason am here on Substack.
I love you Lucian! And we can come together to fix a bridge, can't we??
I've been on deadline this week, but yesterday morning I went down to town hall to help my town clerk with the mailing of vote-by-mail ballots for mid-April's town election. This morning, as my dog and I headed home from our morning walk, my very favorite police officer was doing slow-down duty across the street from the elementary school. He got out of his cruiser to hug me and we spent a few minutes catching up. Passing vehicles tend to ignore the flashing "school zone" light but they slow down when they see the cruiser. Then my dog and I continued on our way. I spent the rest of the day finishing that job and sent it off just under the wire. A pretty good day in the neighborhood.
Service of any stripe is the summit of hoomankind's mountain although not as high as the summit reached by doggos.
My doggo agrees 100%.
I want to live in a place - a village, town, county, state, country , world- where we look out for one another. So, thank you, Lucian, for this lovely meditation on communal existence
Interesting. I had a similar epiphany on Tuesday, March 5th, at the town hall in Woodstock, Vermont as I stood in a long line of people, all waiting patiently to vote. This was about local issues and a big question about floating a bond for a new high school, an “interim” election when numbers are usually down, but this one broke all records, said the newspaper. Voters seem to be energized. When I reached the table where two women (local people, poll workers who work every election) sat checking off names —- I was at the “L -Z” table—- I was handed a ballot and given a marker to mark the ballot. The little table-booths were temporarily full, but one opened up, I voted, and handed my ballot to the man (same guy always) who would not touch or look at my ballot unless I asked for assistance putting it into the machine. I got a bit choked up as I walked out. For all the noise and ignorance and shouting and threats out there, it struck me that here was a little piece of our amazing democracy at work… one in which I was able to participate. I used to vote without much thought. My first was in 1964 (I voted for LBJ). Now, at 82, I take nothing for granted and savor my privilege at being allowed to take part in this noble, generous, inclusive process.
~wet eyes~
Awww..
thank you.
Me too.
yes my eyes were leaking also.
We should communicate. In 1964 I was running the LBJ campaign in Cajun South Louisiana. I suspect our experiences were quite different. There is nothing like “sitting on the ground and telling sad stories about the death of kings.”
Glad to do that.
“We are not finished yet”. I like that. The journey continues and we must never give up.
Bishop Emeritus Stephen Charleston wrote this week about collateral renewal, the opposite of collateral damage. Thank you Lucian for your essay explains the concept further than the good Bishop. And be careful….
Stephen Charleston: “You have heard of collateral damage. Now hear of collateral renewal. Every time we act in kindness, in mercy, in love: the impact of our actions radiates out to touch many more lives than the ones in our immediate vicinity. Others we do not know will be affected. The reverberations of our compassion will circle the world. Collateral renewal – healing rippling out, never ending. “
A beautiful image for the spread of action and compassion. A "positive" collateral. I like that. We need more of it.
I recommend Stephen Charleston to everyone. He is a Cherokee/choctaw elder and retired Episcopalian Bishop. His daily posts are necessary spiritual connections.
"Collateral renewal" -- I like that a lot.
What a profoundly thoughtful exegesis of community, Lucien, and more - for myself - because it’s both true and deeply heartfelt.
Exigigesis!!!!!
a perfect word. Explanation, example, argument for (typically).
It won'tn fit on the scrabble board. I play every morning and beat the shit out of it. I got heavily into the scrabble world around the turn of the century I went to two American championship conventions. 1st one in Providence did well. 2nd one 2 years later in San Diego. Got my ass handed to me severely. Then I picked it up recently and I play every morning. Boy, do I got some funny stories about that adventure.
My family’s so competitive I will not play any game but go fish with the kids.
Yeah I get that. It's actually spelling warfare.
But you enjoy it? That’s kind of awesome
Thank you. I needed that today living in Alabama where they work everyday to outlaw DEI, birth control, unions and more. Having grown up in Chicago & gone to NYU graduating in 1971 it sure was different. I really enjoy your reminiscing about your days at the Village Voice etc. Thanks again.
So heartening. Onward and upward.
You make me look at things in a novel way. And lead me to see issues in a different light. You give me hope. We need to work at this, all of us. I'm just not sure politics is the road that will lead us to convergence. The divide is long standing, bitter and wide. Politicians see power and wealth in pitting us against each other. We must find a way to transcend the status quo. E pluribus unum...
Check out the song The Water Is Wide covered by many artists.
I like that song. I have it on an old album of Pete Seeger's from the 50's that belonged to my parents. I heard him perform it at a town fair when I lived in the adjoining town in NY to where he lived.
Yeah so is Karla Bonoff, James Taylor, and Jazzman Charles Lloyd.Joan Baez Barbra Streisand and still many others. It's an old Scottish folk tune.
Brilliant, Lucian. And, oh, how I needed this one.
Oh what a thrill to see your name among the regulars on Lucian’s love-cast!
Years ago you delivered a keynote address at a woman’s conference in NYC! It was like listening to Moses - l was awestruck by your honesty and integrity! Don’t disappear again. You are beloved by those whose lives you touched!
A lovely and comforting meditation, Lucian. Thank you.
A ray of optimism!
What a wonderful reminder of who we are, or should be. Of course, more than a whiff of a reminder of an American "President" who stood among the graves of fallen American soldiers in France and wondered out loud, to a retired General, no less, why the dead had chosen to be in a place at a time where their lives ended -- it was the on behalf of the rest of us part which he cannot comprehend. One of the meanings of life as it should be is empathy. We'll be able to vote for that empathy in November. In gratitude for your reminder to keep an eye open, here in Southern California, for palm fronds, which often fall from sheer exhaustion.
Poetic replies are always appreciated!
No, that wasn't a northern light just now (it's 10:24 pm in L.A.). It was the glow of my blushing. Poetic? Famous image of Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver," saying to his mirror, "You talkin' to *me*?" Gosh. Thank you.
“ Empathy is the way we understand each other”.Yes and government is the way we instill a sense of security that fuels this feeling of empathy. I work(ed) and had money taken from my wages to go to government to help me with the roads I drove, the school to which my daughter attended, the safety of the air and water that I and others utilized and more.The wealthy are trying to sidestep this all the while benefiting from a lot of what government is providing to them and theirs.