I was bribed to go to the high school reunion. Bribed with the promise of apple pie and homemade ice cream at the Mountain Creamery in Woodstock, Vermont. Bribed by covered bridges in Cornwall and pumpkin stands all along route 7. Bribed by classic Salt box homes in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and white picket fences surrounding snazzy estates in Litchfield and Lenox.
Yes, we knew we were too early for leaf peeping (except for the Sumacs—small in stature and mighty in color!), but that was okay. This trip was for family and for Patrick’s fiftieth high school reunion.
Dear Reader, have you ever attended a high school reunion? What on this wide green earth drew you there? (Were you were bribed as well?…)
But with deference to some lofty feeling, we packed our finest for the Saturday evening shindig and followed our heart. I’m so glad we did.
Getting out of our comfort zone once again proved to be magic. With the passing of time and the losses that life brings, we knew doing something neither of us had ever done before would be another way to keep us feeling young and alive. Also, Patrick put it simply: “Wouldn’t it be nice if we made a new friend there?”
And guess what? We did. We spotted some folks across the room and went over to introduce ourselves. It led to a wonderful evening of talk and laughter and shared interests. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them again, maybe on another barge trip in France, maybe here in Portland if they come to visit. We made sure they knew they were welcome.
After visiting with family (including a wonderful cousin I had never met) and attending the reunion, we headed out for parts north in New England and our favorite small towns.
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A friend of mine has a mantra: He claims he is driven by Love, Beauty and Spirituality. The second I heard it, I knew it was true for me too. As simple as that. Everything I want out of life comes out of those forces. So although you might not always see the connection on these blog pages, everything is part of the warp and weft of those threads: love, beauty, and the search for what is most real in myself and others.
Some of you may remember that I promised to write about the retreat in Provence in June of this past year. (When my sister passed away in early July, all momentum was lost.)
But finally, over the past few weeks, I’ve returned to the subjects on the reading list provided. I’d like to summarize the readings in a few paragraphs; not more than that. It is pretty dense scholastic material and may not be right for this blog, mainly because I don’t write about religion on these pages. However, I write about Life, so if you find that you are interested in this subject, leave a comment. (Bloggers LOVE comments.) If enough of you vote for this subject, maybe I’ll be able to put something together.
Here is the essence of what we studied, along with side trips to beautiful Gordes, Cotignac, and the magnificent Abbey of Sénanque. Do I have pictures? Oh, ye of little faith!
Here goes:
Very few people today are familiar with the Gospel of Mary which is part of the Gnostic Gospels discovered in the Egyptian desert in 1945. This extraordinary finding goes by the name of the Nag Hammadi codices. It is nothing short of remarkable that these texts were uncovered, verified by scholars (there is controversy, yes, but not about the dates), and recognized as new gospels buried and previously unknown for nearly 2,000 years! Of course, parts are unreadable, lost entirely or untranslatable, but there is enough there to make an indelible mark on early Christian scholarship. The significance is shattering for the traditional hierarchical Christian church. It means that politics and power influenced the very early Christian church more than we would like to think. It means that controversy, petty jealousies and power plays were alive and well in Jesus’ time. Why should we be surprised?
Here is the essence of what was discovered:
In both the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas an entirely new version of Mary’s role as a disciple is made clear. Both of these gospels demonstrate that Mary Magdalene was a powerful leader in the very early church; that she was, in fact, the first disciple; the one most likely to interpret the teachings of Christ after he was gone in the way he would have wanted.
Here is what Karen L. King, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard University, says: “This astonishing narrative presents a radical interpretation of Jesus’ teachings as a path to inner spiritual knowledge; it rejects his suffering and death as the path to eternal life; it exposes the erroneous view that Mary of Magdalene was a prostitute for what it is—a piece of theological fiction; and it presents the most straightforward and convincing argument in any early Christian writing for the legitimacy of women’s leadership.”
Now this blows my mind. Think of what it would mean if these gospels were fully accepted into the canon of church scholarship. This is the kind of finding that makes me wish I had studied comparative religion in college. The good news is that I can study it NOW and I will.
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So, from New England back to Provence and back again to welcome Autumn, my favorite season. This week summer comes to a close. Probably all across the country, you can find small family stands like this one we saw in a tiny town in Vermont.
Whoever Natalie is, I hope she had a good harvest.
Bye for now and Happy Autumn everyone!
Happy autumn, Susie! We have a couple of family members who were comparative religion majors. We have some pretty interesting discussions. I try to keep an open mind, and definitely agree that women–especially now–should have a larger role in the church. Glad you had two great vacations. Peace.
Happy Autumn to you too Beth! I would love to be listening in on some of your family conversations, especially if people are coming from varying points of view and/or practicing different religions. One of the reasons this retreat in Provence was so fascinating was exploring the difference between a feminine approach to worship vs a more paternalistic one. There is a growing movement in many parts of Europe now called Taize’ worship which focuses primarily on song and meditation–no sermon. Young people are flocking to it by the thousands. I agree with you on women’s roles in the church–how is it possible we are not there yet?
Wonderful post and I always welcome you to Nature Notes. Lovely early fall photos… I am skipping my 40th high school reunion next month as I don’t feel connected to the high school experience having to be home to care for two younger siblings and my part time job…. Michelle
Thank you Michelle–I appreciate being linked in to Nature Notes. On the subject of high school reunions, all I can say is that this was a first for both of us! It occurs to me that as we get older our reasons for doing things can be entirely different from the obvious. For us it was doing something radically different from our norm. Who could have predicted some of the challenges you’ve had recently? We just never know what life will dish out. I know how hard you work dear Michelle.
Ps..you are linked in to NN this week
Wonderful post, happy Autumn. Your photos are lovely, I love the pretty New England scenes. I have been to a few of my earlier school reunions..that was enough for me.. Thanks for sharing, have a happy new week.
I’m pleased that you enjoyed the New England scenes. Of course, I would have loved to see those deciduous hillsides turn their Persian carpet of burnt orange, gold, celedon, and burgundy…but it was not to be this time. Your sentiment of having attending enough reunions is probably what I feel too–although I really miss seeing the all girl jug band I had in high school. I would go to my next one just to play some music with those gals. They were a hoot. We busked our way towards college playing tunes.
I have read and seen some in print of the gospel of Mary. Now, after reading your post, I MUST find it and read up on it. So very interesting. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Love the Autumn flair you have in your photos today.
Anni, here is a great start for you: THE premier book for getting started with this stuff is a book entitled “The Gnostic Gospels” by Elaine Pagels who was last at Princeton. Pagels writes with the confidence of a scholar in her field, but with the instincts of a novelist. Very accessible. The other one is called “The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the first woman apostle” by Karen L. King. King is at Harvard. These books will get you on your way. Good luck!
You are linked in Susie with Seasonal Celebrations. I absolutely loved this post as you wove it all together…I have a 40th reunion coming…maybe I will go of course I haven’t moved away and stayed a bit in touch but it might be fun to go. I have to visit Vermont…can you believe I have never been there. And yes please post more on the trip to France and the Gospels of Mary. I have been following it on some TV specials and news but would love to know more as this is a particular interest of mine, women and the church. I have strong opinions and feelings about how women have been kept out and how we need to finally be included as was the way it should have been.
Such picturesque views. Love covered bridges.
Thank you Karen and thanks for stopping by. I’ve visited your site and will again today. You are somebody who knows your way around a camera-:))
Hi Donna, again many thinks for linking me in with your Seasonal Celebrations. Please check out my note to Hootin’Anni for very accessible reading that will blow your mind about women and the church. I tend to follow Buddhist practices more, but I’m very interested in these subjects as you are. Women have been kept out of the church in leadership roles for centuries and the prejudices still stand today in Rome and the Vatican. It may be the last prejudice to fall, which is pretty unbelievable when you think about it. And about Vermont—yes, you must go! But, you lucky girl, you are already so close. Have some homemade apple pie in Woodstock for me.
Keep the info coming about the true historical role of Mary Magdalene in the early church. Having been raised Catholic in the midwest I am still trying to exorcise some of the early conditioning 🙂
I love the idea that Christ’s teachings were actually more focused on the inner spiritual life vs. His suffering and death by crucifixion.
Oh boy Mary, you are going to win me some followers and cause me to lose some others! This is a tough one. I’ll have to give it even more thought. But my personal belief is exactly what is written in Pagels’ book (see my note to Hootin’Anni above.) And that is that the whole resurrection play was similar to that of other religions around the world–representative of the “awakening”–if you will– of one human being. Something that is available to each and every one of us. We don’t need priests, we have everything we need inside ourselves. That is what Mary taught. And that is why, today, the followers of her tradition don’t need hierarchies–they practice the inner life: meditation, song, prayer and celebration. Mary of Magdala would also have been aware of ancient Greek traditions of the use of beauty as a tool for inner awakening. Check out The Philokalia. In the very early years, right after Jesus died, the disciples all went their own way, many of them frightened that if they preached, the same fate would await them. Think of it. Twelve men, each with their own story traveling throughout the entire Holy Roman Empire and telling some version of the story. Basically there was confusion and disagreement from the start. Several of the disciples were jealous of Mary because Jesus spent so much time with her. Were they married? No one knows. Did Jesus really die on a cross? No one knows. Early Christianity was a mess. Prime opportunity for men of power to use the resurrection story for their own ends. Before anybody knew it, politics had intertwined with the life of the spirit. Mary Magdalene went into hiding, documents show her entering Marseilles in 42 AD and founding her own monastery based on the inner life.
Well I do not want to cause you to lose any followers. It is heartening to me that there is evidence of the importance of Mary Magdalene.
I did read the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes with a new transition directly from the Aramaic many years back and they were gender inclusive. That was comforting to me.
Don’t give it another thought–I’m being a little bit silly. No…this is what I believe and love, so I’m ALL IN. I found it interesting that Hollywood got on this bandwagon a few years ago and I rolled my eyes like many others. But the interesting thing is..usually there is a grain of truth in these things that become part of the mainstream cultural zeitgeist. Was Mary the “carrier” of Jesus’ real teaching? Many think she was and it is becoming recognized more and more. We saw thousands of young people attending a ceremony based on the Magdalene’s spirit of the inner meditative life. I think people are hungry for it.
Mary, are you referring to Prayers of the Cosmos by Neil Klotz? I love that book!
To be entirely honest with you I am pretty deeply immersed in my own internal spiritual experiences as I age. I am currently absolutely intrigued by the book “A Stroke of Insight”, which explains the neuroanatomy of spiritual experieces. I recommend it.
I know this book…by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. I also recommend it to anyone. It is a mind blower isn’t it???? -:))
Thanks so much Mary for this GREAT conversation. I love it.
My high school is in England so for the most part reunions are difficult. I have from time to time chanced upon old classmates and the encounters have always been affirming. Perhaps the element of surprise adds to it. The Gnostic Gospels have been on my learning list for some time but never seem to get to the top. Your post has motivated me to get a move on.
Hi Susan, that is such a terrific way to say it–that encounters with former classmates have always been affirming. I love that. I hope you can get a copy of Elaine Pagel’s book. It’s not very long in paperback. I’d love to know what else is on your “learning list.” Care to share? I bet you have some on your list that I’d like to put on mine.
I am on the bus home from DIA after attending my 45 th college reunion and a visit of favorite spots in MA and NJ. Great fun.small schools and lifetime friends make them enjoyable for me.
Very cool. Yes, I imagine smaller schools can make a big difference. And a lifetime friend is a precious thing for sure, maybe one of the best gifts this life has to offer.
What a wonderful trip with so many great sights! I guess we all have a price 🙂
Ha ha Bettyl, are you saying that I can be bought with a little apple pie and ice cream? (I guess the facts show that I can…lol)
First of all, Susie, I missed my 50th high-school reunion last year and was miserable about it (it was changed to a different month after I had already booked my flight to Atlanta). Now I’m hoping to make it to the 55th! I have become friends with many of my classmates on Facebook and would LOVE to see them again after all these years! Life is short…..
So, see, I’m very glad you made it to Patrick’s 50th, in spite of your reluctance. Good things come out of these reconnections, maybe more than we could ever fathom! And look at all that gorgeousness you saw while there!
As to your retreat in Provence, you KNOW I want to eat it all up, whether you describe it here or elsewhere. You also know that I’m enthralled about the Maeve Chronicles (by Elizabeth Cunningham), even though they’re novels. She read much scholastic material to tell the Mary Magalene story in a way that makes perfect sense. Now I want to read the Gospel of Mary and will try to find it. I know I’ll be gobsmacked!
Don’t get me started on how I believe history has been “altered” throughout the ages on almost every single thing, including the Jesus story. I think we would be appalled by it all…if only the walls could talk!
I’m so glad you reminded me about the Maeve Chronicles, now I’m going to get them for sure. There are some long nights for reading ahead. Since you have had VERY practical experience being a woman in the church, you will not have any trouble tackling The Gospel of Mary. Of course, this is written in Coptic and much is lost–much has been destroyed. But thanks to the techniques of modern science much has been saved as well. I’d be interested on your take. I think the part that blows my mind is that disagreement that Mary and Peter seemed to have over Jesus’ teaching. In that is the very core of the problem, if you will. “If the walls could talk” Ain’t it the truth. So often I will be in some remarkable historic building and I’ll just sit and listen and still my heart wondering about all the things that took place inn that (now) tourist destination. History fascinates me no end. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a wonderful note Ginnie.
I’ve never attended a high school reunion. But my high school isn’t in surroundings as beautiful as those you photographed. But how uplifting to have had such a fun time. As for the new Biblical works uncovered about Mary, very interesting. I’m completely areligious but do believe strongly in spirituality. No surprise that a strong woman was fictionalized by men to be a prostitute. I’m so glad you took a trip and had a wonderful time. Happiness is so healing. 🙂
Hi Tammy, I always love your perspective. It WAS very good to get away for a bit and not think about my Sis. This high school reunion was my husband’s and I went along “for support-:)) It was held in Southbury, Connecticut which was a very nice place, but it was only when we headed out for parts north, that we really took in all the scenery. I LOVE New England. If it wasn’t for the short growing season, the weather in general….
Hi Susie, I’m glad you and your hubby had a great time at the reunion. It’s always fun to get away together. My high school experience was not pleasant enough for me to venture a trip back in time. My hubby has attended a few of his though. … From my research, I was under the impression that Mary WAS a prostitute but that Jesus reformed her and she went on to do great things. Back in Bible times, some women were born in to slavery (including sexual slavery) and didn’t have a choice. But it will be interesting to read your post. So I vote, go for it! Gorgeous photos too! And aren’t we grateful for this rain. 🙂
Thank you for writing in Grace. I appreciate your thoughts about Mary Magdalene. I will try to do more research about those thoughts you pose–I certainly do believe that women were often born into slavery in that period of history (and many epochs later as well.) The bits I have read suggest that Jesus valued MM greatly, that their relationship may not have been sexual at all, just that of a disciple and master. Other people wonder if they married. What IS known is that the other disciples were jealous of her close relationship with Jesus–that he gave her “special” knowledge and that Peter in particular was angry about that. I don’t know if we’ll ever know the details–as Ginnie said–“If the walls could talk…” The RAIN? I was SO ready for this rain–it’s like a sweet balm for the ground. I’m glad to live somewhere that has an abundance of water. (I have family in California and worry a lot about the drought there.) Thanks for staying in touch Gracie! Happy Autumn my friend.
Hi again Grace, I emailed a friend of mine in the Netherlands who studied this in Seminary and she wrote back the following: “I was remembering the I Tim. 2:5 verse: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” In my studies I learned that men would have sex with the temple prostitutes/priestesses in order to have union with God. She was the “mediator.” This verse was Paul’s argument to Timothy against that practice.”
I’m passing this on to you because it speaks to your comment. It could very well be that Mary Magdalene was one of these prostitutes/mediators at the time of Jesus.
Thank you for visiting my blog, Susie, and for providing me an opportunity to connect to yours. I was urged to attend my 40th HS reunion by both an organizer (whose name carried no connections), as well as an old friend, but it wasn’t a part of my life that I felt any need or compulsion to reconnect with. My graduating class was comprised of well over 1000 students and, while I had a close group of friends while I was there, I felt no connection to the student body as a whole – it was a way station, not a home base. However, if my HS had been part of a beautiful landscape like yours, I might have made a different choice!
Welcome Kris! So nice to have you visit, I have seen your name on many comments; I had to stop by and visit you. Regarding the high school reunion…yes, it would be a very different thing to have a graduating class of 1,000 I think. Although this reunion described in my post was my husband’s, I think about my own high school with great memories. But then again, it was a small high school and had fabulous music and drama programs. People went on to become famous from my little high school and it’s pretty interesting to follow them in the media. We had great times–I earned money for college in an all girl jug band….at least the money that would fit in an open guitar case on the sidewalk! I’ve never attended a reunion of my own and now I want to. I’d like to see some of those good folks again and maybe unite the Jug Band for one last round.
Hi Susie: “Everything is part of the warp and weft of those threads: love, beauty, and the search for what is most real in myself and others….” that really does say it all doesn’t it? You have woven this site with so much loveliness, just as you have most everything around you.
I am glad to hear you had such a wonderful trip with Kayleen and all in Provence. The ‘revised’ Mary Magdalene story is so empowering and resonates so deeply, somehow it seems it must be so. Your interested readers may enjoy “The Expected One” series (first book best), a historical novel based on many of the recent unearthed materials you mention. Also I saw the contemporary opera “Mary Magdalene” in SF last year. I just sat in my seat after the performance stunned with the poignancy of the performance.
Thank you, Sandy, for the recommendation. I don’t know this novel. However, I’ve heard of Kayleen’s performance of the contemporary opera, “Mary Magdalene.” I’m on her mailing list, so it is ever performed again, I’ll try to fly down to see it. Or if you hear of it, could you tell me? Kayleen did an impromptu bit of singing in a monastery on the trip and it was nearly the highlight of the whole thing for me. Her voice is indescribable in its delicacy AND power. She brought all the monks scurrying out of their corners to come and hear her–I doubt they had heard such grace in their tiny place of worship before. For me, I just sat on a rock and wept.
Susie, you were in my neighborhood! : ) well, east of the country anyway. Please do write more of Mary Magdalene and what you discovered about her in France; I would also like to hear more why is Autumn your favorite season, mine is Spring into Summer…
Your heart is surely led by love, beauty and spirituality, or finding what is most real in ourselves; I like the latter, your explanation of the word spirituality, it brings it down to some essential truth we are on a journey to uncover.
Always love your blog posts and photos, keep them coming, at your pace of course.
Marisol, There wasn’t a reply button in your comment to me about Prayers of the Cosmos, and there IS one after this post. Yes, the book I was referring to is Prayers of the Cosmos by Neil Klotz. It absolutely changed my thinking about the possibilities of early Christianity, and helped me lightly shed many layers of my Catholic upbringing 🙂 And I lent it to someone years ago and never got it back, so thanks to your post I can now buy another one.
My favorite seasons is spring into summer, also, so I also look forward to hearing about what our lovable Susie loves about autumn. Mary
You and Marisol are so cute. Now about why I love Fall. Well, first of all–“I am Russian, I suffer.” Famous expression. Actually I’m not Russian, I’m Ukrainian and of course now more than ever, we respect the difference. My Dad drilled it into me “You are NOT Russian, you are Ukrainian and that is very different in its fundamental nature.” We are softer, more artistic. Who knows? I used to come home from school at 7 years old, if can believe it, and put Rachmaninoff on the record player! My mother thought: oh dear, what kind of child is this? Second, I can’t get enough of the color. You should see my house now, it is full of pumpkins–small French red Heirlooms, mums, and arrangements of Autumn-toned dahlias. Then, I love the Deepening Season–I love to go inward. This is an interior time, time for baking, having a pot roast simmering on the stove, reading in front of the fire. The earth is resting and I am too. I think it’s a uniquely FEMININE time–inward and rich. And I guess finally I’d have to say that Spring in its early part anyway, drives me a little nutso. I am over the top with pressure to DO DO DO, instead of BE BE BE. Later as we move into summer, I relax, but having anxiety in my make up means that the male-centric (according to Chinese accupuncture philosophy) energy of Spring is almost too much. I have to remember to calm down in order to tackle my garden with some semblance of calm. I learned from a Chinese trained Physician that the first months of the year are male–very active (thank God or I’d never get anything done), whereas the harvest season is female. It made sense to me. I’ve felt the difference in energy in my body. So, do you think I am a nut? lol Mary, it is wonderful what you have brought to this discussion. A thoughtfulness, a questioning, the energy of the seeker. Just like me.
I am glad I could help you remember this book Mary! Now I have to find my own copy, probably still laying in a box waiting to find its place in my sort of “new” home here in Virginia; it’s definitively an old friend with incredible wisdom.
Yes, we were close in a way weren’t we? I wonder if you get the fall color that New England does or at least much of it. I know there are many deciduous trees in your neck of the woods. I’m glad to see you and Mary communicating about a book. It is a new one for me, but of course now I’ll have to check it out. A lot of my friends have heard about you. They want another Qigong class in my backyard. Your gentle teaching made a big impression. At least you know that if you come back to visit, we can set something up if we have ‘outdoor’ weather. Thank you for your encouragement Marisol. Sempre me dai auito. Baci amica mia, stai bene….Susie
Susie, I will come to Portland next year in July to study with my teachers and we can definitely plan a class in your fabulous summer giardino : )
Fall is happening here in the meantime and there will be a peak of colors. Your love for this season is inspiring me not to fear it, as I do not like colder and darker days, prelude to the long Wintertime ahead. It’s an old feeling.
Those images from new England sent my imagination
into such sweet and stirring places….thanks for
taking me along:) Beautiful ponderings.
-Jennifer
Hi dear Jennifer, So glad that the images of fall in New England set your imagination stirring. I wish we could have gone a few weeks later when the color was full, but it was lovely as it was. What is it Byron Katie always says? “Loving what is.” Once i did have the experience of a leaf peeping trip from the Adirondacks to Maine and I’ll never forget it. Thanks for being part of this fun discussion, it’s been my dream for this blog, that many voices will be heard.
I visited Vermont once and it was a challenge to not buy one of those farm houses with the old carriage house beside it. And it was fall too. I look forward to going back again one day but there is no reunion to make it happen so I will have to work at it, so far away! Lovely photos of your trip Susie so I kind of feel like I’ve made a short visit…. I understand your quest about Mary– much is lost as time passes, and how amazing to find her role to have been so different. It rings true. Like Tammy maybe, I look only inward for spirit, and as you say Autumn is the time for that, such a relief after the time of growing and tending the outside world. Wonderful enjoyable post!
Boy you and me both! Then I think about digging out from under 10 feet of snow come January. But I love the beauty of Vermont and its people. I’m not a very religious person, but this retreat I went on was amazing for the beauty and the history. (And the fabulous women I met.) And I do think about how history could have been different if what we now know about the personage of Mary was allowed to be taught. I’m so glad you came by Linnie….and that we didn’t scare you off-:))
I think lure of all that good food and architecture could tempt even me to a school reunion, glad you had a good time, Iagree that we all need to push oourselves out of our comfort zone from time to time.
A comment page just isn’t the same without your bright orange flower! Yes, this expansion of my comfort zone did extend to the expansion of my waist as well-:)) (Apple pie, you know….)
Susie–
Well this may be the last of your comments- my excuse is I’ve been busy…in Vermont
enjoying the Fall. The foliage came in a big way and early- late September. I went on a hiking trip ( AMC) to Bread Loaf Mountain ( where I worked a year ago) and Camel’s Hump in weather that was….perfect. Then I went back a week later for a Fall gathering and hike to a great view even though we couldn’t see it in the rain. Temps have been up and down – I found myself sleeping outdoors the last weekend in September- a treat and without bugs. Also spent a week in Maine
near Katadhin at a lodge way off the grid. These weeks remind me of my friend’s little girl who was deemed too young to go the nearby waterfall. Finally Dad carried her down and-at three or so- she said, “I want to always be here”. The feeling is mutual. Your findings and search for the truth of Mary is new to me but remind me of “my ” play “Underneath the Lintel” which I had you read and I have now done four times. I think it has become my search for the truth of the history of mankind. At the Maine lodge when talking of the play ( as I always seem to do) someone asked me if I could do it in the living room…and I did- without script. It seems at this point the script is glued into my brain…it has become a part of me.
And one last thought: my time at Hart was so brief and yet so important that the two reunions I have gone to were quite meaningful for me- completing the experience. And…
it was where I “met” Diane/Laura ( she knew me but I can’t remember ever talking to her during that year) and thus……you! So here’s a vote for reunions!
Oh dear friend–I don’t care WHEN you write in, you always have such interesting things going on in your world. I love the story of the child who “felt” the rightness of being near the waterfall. How smart her dad was to carry her there. I’m very moved by the idea that you have absorbed “Underneath the Lintel” to the point that you can recite it and that it is your touchstone for humanity. As you say….a part of you. I think that is the purpose of Art–to become part of us, to change us, to never leave us. There is nothing that can compare with Art that has integrated into Life. I have a few paintings like that, also a few pieces of music. And some poetry. Lea told me (in Rome)…”You MUST commit this to memory, then it will always be with you.” She was right. About reunions–of course! I forgot that reunions have been vital for your career and life. And friendship of course. I will definitely go to our next one, if indeed we do have one. We were such a creative and wild bunch–all nonconformists! Well John, thank you so much for writing in, it always means a lot. And please check out my next post, which may be next week. It is a poem I wrote about Art and the significance of it. I’d like your thoughts. So happy to picture you “off the grid.” Living and doing what you do best. Wonderful. You are living your dream and your art. Love, Susie