Picture of the Week
The Week Ahead: Weather First
It sure feels more like Spring than Winter- so I think Punxsutawny Phil is either getting too long in the tooth or he needs to stick his head out again.
(I am not the Lone Ranger in this opinion:)
I also spent yesterday afternoon outside in shirtsleeves, gardening and watching A LOT of robins at the fountain. Just say'in...
So What's With "The Age of an Aquarian"?
For many of us who are Aquarians, our birthdays fall in February and before we turn our attention to Valentine's Day, I thought I'd run this up the flagpole for myself and fellow water carriers out there. Long gone are the days of following my horoscope in the daily newspaper, but I did look up some Aquarian personality traits and while many seemed spot on, others that I would aspire to are like distant relatives I need to visit. I also stumbled on a Quaker saying: "Be open to truth, from whatever source it comes." Good reminder, for anyone attempting to stay current on what's happening in Washington these days.
It occurred to me as I was driving to work this morning and listening to news about Russian bots, that my mother, who would have been 100 years old on Wednesday, would have absolutely no idea what a "bot" is (defined as "software apps that run simple, repetitive scripts which each carry out a specific task"). Unfortunately, not all bots are created equal. So along with "Don't believe everything you think," my advice is also not to believe everything you read, as some of it is the brainchild of the not-so-nice bots that retweet and post fake news stories with utter abandon and might be trolling you.
And while we're here: What is The Age of Aquarius exactly?
Good question, and not much agreement when it comes to answering it.
- The Belgian writer, painter and inventor August Vandekerhove had in mind it would begin around March 21st, 1890.
- Astrologers see it as that time when humanity takes control of the Earth and its own destiny as its rightful heritage, with the destiny of humanity being the revelation of truth and the expansion of consciousness. Not sure we're quite there yet, based on where we seem to be in reaching those lofty heights
- Or maybe,as Rudolf Steiner believed, the Age of Aquarius will arrive in 3573 - and the creators of Jesus Christ Super Star were just doing too much Mary Jane.
And the Age of an Aquarian?
From my perspective, someone who knows the words to every song in that fabled above-mentioned play/movie, it's seventy and aside from some of the indignities of aging that come with it, it's pretty great.
Yes - there have been such terrible events to live through: human tragedy and natural disaster - but there have been considerably more moments of spectacular beauty, joy and gratitude. A famous Buddhist, in an effort to watch his mind, tallied the day's virtuous and non-virtuous thoughts with white and black pebbles. We all need to be aware of that type of balance. I take heart at the idea that Wisdom is the result of experience paired with knowledge - a definite plus in the years ahead.
But sometimes, sources of joy just sneak up on you and just blow your skirt up:
iEAT
Venture further afield for lunch, and stay close (or Uber) for dinner
LUNCH: ELOISA in Santa Fe
This is the recommendation of a friend, who has followed Chef John Rivera Sedlar for years and whose judgment I trust enough to choose ELoISA for a birthday lunch. Nonetheless, we went on a reconnaissance mission last weekend, which included Rancho Encantado, and restaurant martin. All great choices, but Sedlar's lunch choices appear to be the most innovative and the interior is so attractive.
DINNER: CAMPO in the North Valley
I am never disappointed by the Los Poblanos experience - such a wonderful setting, great attention to detail, excellent service and yummy food choices. This is the perfect choice for a special occasion and if you're lucky, you might still snag a table for Valentine's Day.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
iREAD
"There's no kind of anguished desperation that feels quite like the desire to communicate with loved ones who we've lost."
The author apparently approaches this desire in a quirky, richly imaginative manner, in his enchanting debut novel, if this morning's NPR interviewer's opinion is on the mark.
"I saw nothing. No lights, no tunnels, no angels. I was just gone. I don't remember anything." - The main character, on his death-near death experience
(I had to ask myself, "Which is more disappointing?" :his lackluster exit or my "bright lights, a feeling of euphoria, the fleeting sense of Enlightenment"...only to be dashed as my eyes focused and I found myself not on the threshhold of the Pure Land, but on my back, staring at OR ceiling tiles)
That's what I mean: don't believe everything you think or see.
For something less subjective? Vanity Fair's take:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
iWATCH
“I was loved for a minute, then I was hated, then I was just a punchline.” - Tonya Harding
The story of the rise and fall of Tonya Harding, who was The Talk of the Ice in 1994, part of a real life Dumb and Dumber duo - when her ex-husband orchestrated an attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and Harding hindered the prosecution. She was eventually stripped of her ill-gotten U.S. Champion title, and banned from figure skating for life.
If you read the reviews, you might talk yourself out of going - DON'T. Those who have seen it, swear by it - and the amazing performance by Allison Janney, who plays the mother.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
