"Like the study of science and art, accounts of historical events can be intrinsically fascinating. But they have a wider significance. I believe that people are better able to chart their life course and make life decisions when they know how others have dealt with pressures and dilemmas---historically, contemporaneously, and in works of art. And only equipped with such understanding can we participate knowledgeably in contemporary discussions (and decisions) about the culpability of various individuals and countries in the Second World War. Only with such understanding can we ponder the responsibilty of human beings everywhere to counter current efforts at genocide in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia to bring the perpetrators to justice."
"...we humans are the kinds of animals who learn chiefly by observing others---what they value, what they spurn, how they conduct themselves from day to day, and especially, what they do when they believe that no one is looking."
----Howard Gardner, from The Disciplined Mind, published in 1999

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Insomnia Becomes Her; or Yearly Reunion

I know I'm late, dear reader, lagging behind, with schoolwork and insomnia, but for those of you who still have time, the Perseids meteor showers are coming to a peak.
Please read about it here .
Tonight I will be most glad to be an insomniac.
How many of us haven't wished upon a star at some point in our lives? I mean, Jiminy Cricket knows what he's singing about, yes?
(Side note: how wonderful is it that I loved Jiminy Cricket as a child, and now have the pleasure of working with the students that I do, and am able to laugh again and again with them at the Jiminy Knock-Knock joke that they created? Believe it, my friends: life is often beautifully strange and ofttimes strangely wonderful; expressing the wishes of your heart in ways so much more eloquent than your own, in ways that you had not foreseen.)
Make as many wishes as you want, dear reader: I will be awake, and watching, and will send them along for you.
It would be the least that I could do. I'm glad for your kindness: something I had not foreseen, and so much more than I could ever have wished for.
Clear skies to you, dear reader.
I'll talk to you soon.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Twinkle, Twinkle little...oops!"
I came over for those delectable-sounding sammies...we called them sanfins at our house.
You must share the "recipe" for those sometime. Have wonderful week.

neroli said...

I think I'll work on that this week to celebrate the end of the summer session!
You have a great week yourself, dear Swampy---it's so good that you're feeling better!

captain corky said...

I wish I could have watched it. Thanks for the wishes. I truly appreciate them.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how lovely!!

*singing*
Makes NO dif-'rence who you aaaarrre!
Aaa-nyyy-thiing you heart deee-sires can coooome tooooo yooouuuu!!!!

neroli said...

Stephanie, what a *lovely* singing voice you have!
Glad to see you!

neroli said...

Oh, Captain, you're welcome---I know you'll do the same for me next time you're in hyperspace.

AfKaP said...

I saw a few falling stars, but not as many as in prior years. We had a beautiful clear night but not much was falling when I was looking. Of course - from now on there is usually quite a bit of action until Aurora season starts in winter. Every night is full of possibility! (I remember each year because my husband who ironically goes to bed early) has his birthday on the main day fro falling stars. Lucky fellow!!

Anonymous said...

Last night, Purple worms and I were on the phone together watching the stars. She is a country mouse and I am a city mouse. She kept seeing them all over the place, but all I saw were clouds.

neroli said...

Artist, lucky fellow indeed---he gets to see you every day! Thanks for the reminder that this is a time of possibility for all manner of magical action---I'll be more mindful to look for possibility with open eyes and hopeful heart :)

Min, your view and mine were the same---but it was still beautiful to be out and listen to the night, and think about all the good (and some not so good, I guess ;-)people that I know, and then have a great night's sleep.

neroli said...

Oh dear---I think I might have been ambiguous---when I wrote about thinking about some people not-so-good, I definitely wasn't thinking about anyone here!