When I’m depressed, nothing interests me. At other times I enjoy many things, as I reminded myself in a 1985 Journal Entry:

Image by katiemiafrederick.com
Among these are drawing, doodling. cutting and pasting (collaging), writing, browsing in the library or second hand book stores, singing, looking for Indian artifacts in a plowed field after it rains, brainstorming or discussing ideas with a friend, smelling the earth after it rains, looking at rainbows, feeling the warmth of a purring cat, exchanging soul gazes with my pet dog, sharing food with friends, lying out under the stars, reading aloud with an intimate, snuggling under the covers while the rain patters on the roof, singing Christmas carols, the lit Christmas tree, walking along the beach collecting gifts from the sea, attending a Quaker meeting, viewing a sunset, picking and enjoying flowers, speculating on strange encounters, watching a heart-warming movie… Now I would add reading on evolution and consciousness.

I also think of the things I’m grateful for…Family; friends; curiosity; creativity; sleep; the ability to faint when physical pain gets too great; the lessening of fear of death with age; prolonged infancy developing into love; the “cooperative” gene; the “religious” gene serving to draw people together beyond family lines; mathematics, which leads us to believe that this is a rational world; the aesthetic experience associated with this world and its characteristics; the cherishing of nostalgic memories; the sense of peace associated with clinical near or after death experiences; the survival instinct which permits life on this planet to evolve; “emergence” –which unfolds what is and affects what is to be; the ability to read and write; consciousness–so that we can reflectively experience; and humor–the saving grace…
A surprising way to lessen depression–for me at least–is to go to Google and look at all the different species of birds. I accidentally discovered this method.
I also want to announce that I don’t intend to post any more until my helper arrives so I know how to control the site. Hats off to those still sufficiently nimble of wit to understand it.
THIS AND THAT…
The Climate Crisis NOVEL by Sweden’s Jens Liljestrand, translated and published this year, does two things well: dares to envision the arrival of climate change and furthers the resilience of the family. It’s Even if Everything Ends, translated by Alice Menzies _________________ I WISH I’D WRITTEN THIS: I’m lanky, I’m tall With little fur at all…
Who What How…Why??
Yeah, I know about evolution and believe in it, but…this is pretty hard for me to comprehend. Tell me this: When the “camouflage” matches the background, how does that come to pass? Does the critter select a background to match its plumage or does the baxkground change to match> And how does the…
Poem – Winning a War With Time
NAN 87 And time’s short She might not remember Today, tomorrow, or a minute from now Something important for the next generation A central tremor waves the lines of each written letter But she’ll never surrender Just hold down the fort condo 1004A Stockpile the ammo! Half a dozen pens and pencils Between…