{essential truths} Rules

First learn the rules,

but never be afraid to break them.

Medicine For The Soul

"I cannot live without books" Thomas Jefferson wrote to John Adams in early June, 1815. There is more but you are less likely to have seen the rest of the quote: "I cannot live without books; but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object." I'm not certain, but I believe this followed the sale of the bulk of his library to Congress as a replacement for the collection destroyed during the War of 1812.

By 1814 when the British burned the Capitol and the Library of Congress, Jefferson had the largest personal collection of books in our young country. Congress purchased much of his library in 1815 although another fire decades later destroyed two thirds of those 6,487 volumes. It seems logical that Jefferson's June comment to Adams reflected his feelings following the May shipment of the books to Washington. His library was now much smaller.

I understand how he felt. Isn't there something magical about a book? Just as many of you, I have trouble not buying them - even when I have dozens lying about and awaiting their turns to etch themselves into my mind. They are Medicine for the soul - as it said over the door of the Library at Thebes.

There really is something comforting about a book, both the physicality of the book as well as its content. I also have an iPad with dozens of digital books stored, but that's not a book. No heft, no sound for a page turned, no worn edges from multiple readings, no marginalia (not encouraged), no signs whatsoever of age, no shelves lined with reminders of places been or journeys yet to come. No comfort. And nothing you can share with another.

I tend to keep my books forever - which is why I'm thinking about them. Eighteen months ago I gave away many, some that I had not touched in any meaningful way for four decades, and recently I parted with a few more. In my office there were perhaps 400 volumes, and there were twice that many at home. The office books mostly supported my teaching and research but not entirely. Those at home were mostly, but not entirely, for "amusement" to use Jefferson's description. There was, of course, considerable cross-fertilization of function.

At home, however, I can splash them across many rooms. At work, I was well past the point of running out of space, and as a working library it was becoming quite inefficient. So I gave at the office and placed at least 150 volumes for adoption. When I thought a volume would be of special interest to a colleague, I gave it to them. I sent quite a few to the college library to fill gaps I knew to exist in the collection. The remainder I just put on shelves in the hallway with a sign encouraging students and others to help themselves. They have, but after a couple of weeks, I donated what was left to the Wounded Warrior Project which converts them into cash to support their programs.

Now ... I have room to acquire more. It seems, dear reader, that I cannot live without books.

TGB   

{this moment} 87

A Monday ritual. A single image - no words - capturing a moment from the past. A simple moment along my life's Journey - but one over which I wish to linger and savor each treasured aspect of the memories it evokes. If you are moved or intrigued by my {this moment}, please leave a comment. On Thursday in a companion ritual called {this memory}, I'll share the story of this moment.

{this moment}

{this moment} is a ritual copied and adapted from cath's wonderful blog ~just my thoughts. She, in turn, borrowed it from Pamanner's Blog. Check out their blogs, and if you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your {this moment} in the comments for each of us to find and see.

TGB

The Tidal Wave

A Jewish grandma and her grandson were at the beach.

He was playing in the water, and she was standing on the shore not wanting to get her feet wet when all of the sudden, a huge wave appeared from nowhere and crashed directly onto the spot where her grandson was wading.

The water receded, and the boy was no longer there. He had been swept away.

The grandma held her hands to the sky, screamed, and cried: Lord, my GOD, how could you? Haven't I been a wonderful grandmother? Haven't I been a wonderful mother? Haven't I kept a kosher home? Haven't I given to charity? Haven't I lit candles every Friday night? Haven't I tried my very best to live a life that you would be proud of?

A voice boomed from the sky, "All right already!" A moment later another huge wave appeared out of nowhere and crashed on the beach. As the water receded, the boy was standing there. He was smiling and splashing around as if nothing had ever happened.

The voice boomed again, "I have returned your grandson. Are you satisfied?" She responded, "He had a hat."

Author Unknown   

Tree

Almost every day I photograph this tree near my office window - always from the same angle and about the same time of day. This is my favorite image from the past week.

TGB   

Copyright © 2013 Thomas G. Brown

To view a video set to music that contains 135 images taken over 12 months, click here.

For the 2010 collection of images, click here.
For the 2011 collection of images, click here.
For the 2012 collection of images, click here.
For the 2013 collection of images, click here.

Mighty Finn - Update #17

I have lots to show you - so get comfortable, fans.

Mommy had some new special photographs made. Isn't she beautiful?

We went to the zoo. I don't want to go all zen on you,

but I'm not sure if the bars are for me or the animals

I'm getting pretty good at using utensils.

This is at mommy's favorite restaurant.

It's close to our apartment, and we go every week or so. Yum. 

I have a new puzzle. It's still something of a challenge for me,

but that's why they call it a puzzle, I guess.

I'm back in New York. Here I am on my grandpa's lap.

I'm not sure he knows how thin his hair is in back.

Two of my cousins were kind enough to

keep me busy the while others cooked.

My cousin Gavin. He's just a few months older than I.

That's his mommy beside him, and we were swinging on the porch.

On the swing with my auntie. I love her lots.

My grandparents bought me my own chair for the porch.

Not too big. Not too small. Just right.

Inside, for some reason they had put this gate up.

I picked it up and moved it though. Problem solved,

but it sure got their attention anyway.

Out on the porch they were blowing bubbles.

You can't see them here, but I'm about to catch a few.

Now you can see them.

Grandpa said bubbles were invented by a man named Welk.

My nonna says sometimes grandpa just cracks himself up.

That's about all for now. See you next month.

{this memory} 86

This is the story behind last Monday's {this moment}.

They had never met, these four cousins. When my grandmother passed away in Virginia Beach in 1991, there was a gathering of the clan. I saw again cousins I had not seen in decades.

One of those Texas cousins was my age and was the one with whom I had been closest. In the years since we played together, we both graduated from college, we both married, and we both fathered two daughters.

Cue eerie music. His younger daughter Megan is the same age as my younger daughter Megan. His older daughter Amy is the same age as my older daughter Amy. This amazing coincidence somehow happened without our knowing about each others' lives. In this photo, left to right, we see Cousin Megan, Cousin Amy, Daughter Megan, and Daughter Amy.

You can see me with my cousins and grandparents in in {this moment 1} and {this memory} 1 and grandmother in {this moment} 84 and {this memory} 84.

I am a fortunate man. Life is good.

TGB

Snap Out Of It!

What follows refers to a conversation with a good friend a while ago in which I was discussing my Neglected Left as I sometimes call it. If you are unclear about my meaning, that would be my left arm and hand which, for the most part, dangle uselessly at my side.

I was describing the appearance of my left arm and hand. When I paused for a moment, she filled in the blank. “Pronated.” Actually, I knew the terminology. It’s just sometimes I so want it not to be my word.

Those of us with disabilities can be a schizophrenic bunch at times. Not literally - we're very much in touch with reality. I just mean it is easy to be of two minds regarding our status. By and large we are quite content with our world. We have made our way and adjusted, and few of us waste time wishing things were otherwise. There is simply too much good and worthwhile ever to wish it away.

But ... there are always occasions - however infrequent - when you wonder what it would be like if ... yada, yada, yada. They don't last long, and we soon return to our optimistic senses.

I would rather spend my energy exploring and understanding that optimism and searching for ways that I might share it, ways that I might infect others with it. The research is extensive, and it is abundantly clear that positive attitudes lead to longer and healthier lives. I intend to take full advantage of that bounty. If you ever see me acting otherwise, you have my permission to slap me and in your best Cher imitation say, "Snap out of it!"

I'd be happy to do the same for you.

TGB   

The Elusive Cheerio

The Elusive Cheerio. No, I'm not talking about an Englishmen who doesn't want to say good-bye. Nor is it the name of the latest gastropub - although, now that I think about it, it would be a great name for a pub. Nope. I'm talking about the cereal - whole grain oats, formed into a tasty tempting torus before getting puffed and toasted.

I love Cheerios. I loved them as a child, and I still have a bowl on most days for breakfast. After all, it's the most important meal of the day! But ... there's a phenomenon I noticed as a child and still see today: the fewer the number of Cheerios, the harder it is to get them into the spoon.

At first it very easy to fill one's spoon. As the number falls below a couple dozen though, it becomes increasingly difficult to corral them into the spoon. Until you finally arrive at those last one or two which your spoon repels as if they were two magnets with like poles, repelling each other in a slippery teasing dance. Sooner or later, of course, that last Cheerio succumbs to your deft spoon skills - skills honed over decades of cereal scooping.

I asked why this happens on Facebook, and no one responded. On a serious note, I imagine it has something to do with surface tension. Any other ideas?

And any naming suggestions for this effect?

TGB   

{this moment} 86

A Monday ritual. A single image - no words - capturing a moment from the past. A simple moment along my life's Journey - but one over which I wish to linger and savor each treasured aspect of the memories it evokes. If you are moved or intrigued by my {this moment}, please leave a comment. On Thursday in a companion ritual called {this memory}, I'll share the story of this moment.

{this moment}

{this moment} is a ritual copied and adapted from cath's wonderful blog ~just my thoughts. She, in turn, borrowed it from Pamanner's Blog. Check out their blogs, and if you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your {this moment} in the comments for each of us to find and see.

TGB

Jesus Called To Peter

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, he looked out into the crowd and saw the future Saint Peter. He called out, "Peter. Peter. Come here."

Peter tried to reach Jesus, but the Roman soldiers around the foot of the cross pushed him back. He looked up, and Jesus repeated, "Peter. Come here."

So Peter tried again to reach the cross. This time the Roman soldiers knocked him down and kicked him a few times. Picking himself up, Peter heard Jesus calling to him again, so he dashed between two Roman soldiers and went right up to the foot of the cross, saying "Yes, Lord ... "

And Jesus said, "Peter ... I can see your house from here."

Author Unknown   

Tree

Almost every day I photograph this tree near my office window - always from the same angle and about the same time of day. This is my favorite image from the past week.

TGB   

Copyright © 2013 Thomas G. Brown

To view a video set to music that contains 135 images taken over 12 months, click here.

For the 2010 collection of images, click here.
For the 2011 collection of images, click here.
For the 2012 collection of images, click here.
For the 2013 collection of images, click here.

{essential truths} Tests

Sometimes you have to take the test

before you’ve finished studying.

{poetically plagiarized} Blake

A fellow blogger recently petted a lion! I was reminded of Blake's poem which so wonderfully describes the tiger as beautiful but terrifying. Runs deep does this poem.

    The Tyger

      Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
      In the forests of the night,
      What immortal hand or eye
      Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

      In what distant deeps or skies
      Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
      On what wings dare he aspire?
      What the hand dare sieze the fire?

      And what shoulder, & what art.
      Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
      And when thy heart began to beat,
      What dread hand?; what dread feet?

      What the hammer? what the chain?
      In what furnace was thy brain?
      What the anvil? & what dread grasp
      Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

      When the stars threw down their spears,
      And watered heaven with their tears,
      Did he smile his work to see?
      Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

      Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
      In the forests of the night,
      What immortal hand or eye
      Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

by William Blake, 1794   

The Fellowship Of The Wing

Holy Tippi Hedren!

Seventy-two hours have passed.
Three days.

That was when I sat as I am currently - checking email, reading the New York Times online, completely ignoring whatever is on the television. That was when a small bird, obviously lost and hopelessly bewildered, flew into this room, heading for the large window to my left. Closed, of course.

Oh, dear. Unlike Tippi, I'm in no danger, but please don't let my daughter's 130 pound dog see it. Damn, too late. I can't get up fast enough because I know Maddox (a yellow Lab) will lunge after the bird demolishing the window and anything in his path. The problem is I need a solution. And quickly. First, I have to keep yelling at the dog. He will stop on command but only for a few moments, and each time the bird flits, Maddox starts anew. So I must keep yelling.

Next I run into the kitchen and grab a cloth napkin. Still yelling. Back into the bird room - where my new feathered friend continues to try to go out the closed window. I throw the napkin over the bird and scoop him up. Piece of cake.

Then I walk him out the porch door through which he undoubtedly came - with Maddox close behind, of course. I wave the napkin like a magician revealing the rabbit he's about to pull out of his hat and Presto! The bird emerges and immediately takes wing. Last seen heading southeast. No apparent damage.

Is there a moral to this story? I don't think so.

TGB

Ten Rules

My admiration (appropriately tempered) for Thomas Jefferson is no secret, and I have published at least a dozen posts that reference him (for example, see: Medicine For The Soul or The Age Of Intelligence). In another blog I recently came across a reference to the 10 rules. With a little research, I found a more complete picture.

Mr. Jefferson often advised folks on issues of personal conduct, and he developed a list of axioms for personal behavior. Some were his own creation; others derived from earlier sources.

A Decalogue of Canons for Observation in Practical Life

1. Never put off to tomorrow what you can do to-day.
2. Never trouble another with what you can do yourself.
3. Never spend your money before you have it.
4. Never buy a thing you do not want, because it is cheap, it will be dear to you.
5. Take care of your cents: Dollars will take care of themselves.
6. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold.
7. We never repent of having eat too little.
8. Nothing is troublesome that one does willingly.
9. How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
10. Take things always by their smooth handle.
11. Think as you please, and so let others, and you will have no disputes.
12. When angry, count 10. before you speak; if very angry, 100.

Later in life, Jefferson shortened his list to ten by omitting #5 and #11. I don't know if he thought they were redundant (likely for #5) or he changed his mind (unlikely).

So, here they are - the final 10 rules to live by:

1. Never put off tomorrow what you can do today.
2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
3. Never spend your money before you have earned it.
4. Never buy what you don’t want because it is cheap.
5. Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.
6. We seldom repent of having eaten too little.
7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
8. How much pain the evils have cost us that never happened.
9. Take things always by the smooth handle.
10. When angry, count ten before you speak, if very angry, count a hundred.

Such a wise man. My admiration continues.

TGB

(picture perfect) Caerlaverock

The sky is the limit in
the ruins of Caerlaverock Castle.
Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, 2005

Copyright © 2013 Thomas G. Brown

Old Bible

A collector of rare books ran into an old friend who told him he had just thrown away an old Bible that he found in a dusty, old box, and he happened to mention that Guten-somebody-or-other had printed it.

"Not Gutenberg?" gasped the collector.

"Yes, that was it!"

"Do you know what you have done? You've thrown away one of the first books ever printed. A copy recently sold at auction for half a million dollars!"

"Oh, I don't think this book would have been worth anywhere close to that," replied his friend. "It was scribbled all over in the margins by some guy named Martin Luther."

Author Unknown   

Tree

Almost every day I photograph this tree near my office window - always from the same angle and about the same time of day. This is my favorite image from the past week.

TGB   

Copyright © 2013 Thomas G. Brown

To view a video set to music that contains 135 images taken over 12 months, click here.

For the 2010 collection of images, click here.
For the 2011 collection of images, click here.
For the 2012 collection of images, click here.
For the 2013 collection of images, click here.

Jesus Christ, That Went Far

This is the follow-up to Monday's post and contest. Nine readers ventured to offer guesses as to which of the three was the lie. Five selected Number Three, a very tempting choice, and I might have gone for that one myself. Two selected Number Two, and two selected Number One.

By the way, I think this would be a better game if you didn't know how many lies there were - one, two, or three. Or none.

Which is the lie?
1. I competed in a Mr. Legs contest and came in second.
2. I considered applying for a Rhodes Scholarship.
3. I have driven a golf ball over 300 yards on a golf course.

Number 1. This is true. 1965. Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach. No photos available unfortunately. The guy who won was a basketball player, and everyone had seen his crooked, incredibly spindley legs at the games. He was known for them.

Number 2. This is not true; it's the lie. The thought never crossed my mind - especially after nearly flunking out as a first year student. Plus, I wasn't well rounded - no athletics, etc. I did, however, walk by the Rhodes Scholar offices when I was on sabbatical and reading at Oxford.

Number 3. This is true - although perhaps not literally, and there was no intent to deceive. As a young and most flexible young man (who had already been golfing for ten years) I uncorked a drive on a short 323 yard Par 4 in Virginia Beach. It got a great bounce on a hard dry fairway with slope, and the ball stopped in the front fringe of the green. It wasn't measured, but with a small green that shot must have gone around 300 yards. Certainly all the old men playing with me were mumbling and grumbling about fleeting youth, fairness, and all that sort of thing. It was a singular experience in a lot of ways but mostly because you can be certain that it never happened again.

Who won? Well, we have a tie.
Since two people who offered a guess were correct, I suppose I should have had a tie breaker. Nevertheless, they both win this lovely image of a lovely first place ribbon.

TGB   

{this memory} 85

This is the story behind last Monday's {this moment}.

Ah, Gay Paree! The gang of five here - wife and I on left, wife's cousin and husband on right with Agnes is in the middle, and her name is on the door because it's her restaurant.

My wife and I first went there when we were visiting friends in Paris, just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. A few years later we were back in Paris with kith and kin, and we asked our ex-pat friends to join us there again.

Agnes's is quite small, seating maybe 20 if you tried real hard. Agnes is chef, owner, waitress, bus boy, hostess - the only employee of the restaurant. The menu is quite limited, and if you ask her what's good that day, take what she suggests. She's been to the markets and knows what's good. When in Agnes's, do as Agnes does.

Nearby was a table of Americans from Arizona, sort of a tour group led by a community college French teacher. Ugly Americans. We suggested she listen to Agnes, but noooo. She had to order from the menu and then request an array of substitutions. I guess she was trying to impress her posse. Then to add insult to injury, she asked Agnes to split the bill onto six different credit cards. That costs Agnes more money since there was a per use charge for her. We also tried to explain this to our neighbors to no avail.

Too bad for the ugly Americans. I don't think they enjoyed their dinner nearly as much as we did. Several times Agnes brought us (not them) special things to try - yum - at no charge. She knows who her good customers are and treats them well.

I am filled with wonderful memories and consider myself a fortunate man.

TGB

Too Soon

Too soon? - that would be death. I know there are occasions when we might welcome it for someone when extending life represents nothing but further torture for the individual. It's all of the other occasions where it comes far too soon. Too late? - that would be me. I waited too long, and I'm determined it won't happen again.

When I first began teaching, I was youngish (26), and there was a natural affinity with my students who, for the most part, were only a few years younger than I. There was even, of course, a small 'posse' with whom I became quite close. They were my friends as well as my students, and we were good at keeping those roles delineated.

There were five in this late 1970s posse, most of whom I hadn't seen in a while. Then a few years ago I began hearing from one in that group. He was returning to the campus for homecoming and contacted me with that news. He asked if I had seen or heard from any of the others. I indicated I had not, described when I had last had contact, and said I would see what I could find out.

First, I learned that one in that posse, one to whom I had rented part of my home and who had, in fact, been my best man, had passed away unexpected a few years earlier at the age of 51. Although he lived only 70 miles from here, we had not had contact in decades. My occasional Christmas cards went unanswered.

Then I found that another had also died. She was 49 and left a husband and two daughters. Last week I learned that a third in that posse of five had died as well - this time after a long illness, but still only 59.

The two that remain from those early days are a presence in my life. Thank goodness. One teaches as an adjunct for us, and I see him all the time. The other is the author of that wonderful quote I shared in Feeling Passionate. He continues to call every so often.

I don't mean to share a tale of woe; what I want to share is that life is short. If there are those who have been important to you at some point in your life, find them - before it's too late. I wish I had. There were things of importance to say, and I don't like the feeling that surfaces from wishing 'if only I had ... '

TGB   

A Few Good Lies

Can you handle the truth? Can you lie about yourself? It's not as easy as one might think. I came across a "game" in which participants are asked write down two truths about themselves and a lie. Next they are to share these three "facts" with the others present who then try to guess which one is a lie - after, of course, a period of everyone talking to everyone, asking strategic questions, etc.

When I first posted this a couple of years ago, only two readers ventured guesses. Perhaps now that I have more readers, we can have a real contest, and if you remember the previous post, you are disqualified from this round. Please give me your choice in time for me to reveal all in Friday's post.

It’s intended to be an "ice breaker" and to help everyone get to know each other. It seems to me, however, that it also works well as a way to get to know yourself - mostly via the process one goes through trying to decide what to reveal, hide, or embellish. This isn’t as easy as it first appears. What would you say and why? What truth are you willing to reveal that might seem a lie, and what lie are you willing to offer that folks might assume to be true?

There is a winner, by the way. You get a point for each mistake the others make in guessing which are your truths and which is the lie. So your strategy would involve knowing what others think of you, what they don't know about you, and what they might be willing to believe about you. You want believable lies and unlikely truths - at least in light of what others think they know about you.

What would I say? Hmmm.

1. I competed in a Mr. Legs contest and came in second.
2. I considered applying for a Rhodes Scholarship.
3. I have driven a golf ball about 300 yards on a golf course.

At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. If you know me well, it's easy. If not, you may have more difficulty. Take your best shot. I'll post the answer on Friday and will award a virtual prize to the winner.

If you do guess, you might want to keep your rationale to yourself - unless you want to help the others.

TGB   

{this moment} 85

A Monday ritual. A single image - no words - capturing a moment from the past. A simple moment along my life's Journey - but one over which I wish to linger and savor each treasured aspect of the memories it evokes. If you are moved or intrigued by my {this moment}, please leave a comment. On Thursday in a companion ritual called {this memory}, I'll share the story of this moment.

{this moment}

{this moment} is a ritual copied and adapted from cath's wonderful blog ~just my thoughts. She, in turn, borrowed it from Pamanner's Blog. Check out their blogs, and if you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your {this moment} in the comments for each of us to find and see.

TGB

Two Beggars

Two beggars were sitting on a park bench in Ireland. One was holding a cross and the other a Star of David, but both were holding hats to collect contributions.

As people walked by, they lifted their noses at the man with the Star of David and dropped money into the hat of the man with the cross. Soon the hat of the man with the cross was filled while the hat of the man with the Star of David remained empty.

A priest watched for a while and then approached the men. He said to the man with the Star of David, "Don't you realize that this is a Catholic country? You'll never get any contributions holding a Star of David."

The man turned to the one with the cross and said, "Moishe, can you imagine? This goy is trying to tell us how to run our business?"

Author Unknown   

Tree

Almost every day I photograph this tree near my office window - always from the same angle and about the same time of day. This is my favorite image from the past week.

TGB   

Copyright © 2013 Thomas G. Brown

To view a video set to music that contains 135 images taken over 12 months, click here.

For the 2010 collection of images, click here.
For the 2011 collection of images, click here.
For the 2012 collection of images, click here.
For the 2013 collection of images, click here.

{this memory} 84

This is the story behind last Monday's {this moment}.

This photo of my maternal grandmother, Amy Galloway Rorie, was taken around 1990. We see her here doing what we southerners do a lot, shelling pecans. After all, there are pies to be made. Much of what follows was written by a cousin shortly after our grandmother's death at the age of 98.

She "was a truly remarkable person in ways that best became apparent to those who took the time to know her well. As the wife of a minister called upon to move often, and with little notice, she exemplified the best qualities of loyalty and devotion to duty in what were often difficult circumstances. Through it all, in a quiet, patient, loving and graceful manner she lived a life that was an inspiration and an example.

This is not to say that Amy Rorie was not an active participant in life or in the world around her; to the contrary, her inquiring mind and her thirst for knowledge, her interest in her family, her many friends, her church, and the world in which she lived were with her to the end. When one considers her experiences as a young woman and then as a wife and mother in very different times, and the changes that occurred in her lifetime, her ability to be a part of life about her in the fullest sense even in the 90s and her 90s was a constant source of amazement to us all.

The time spent in her garden, where she daily brought about miracles, was a special joy to her [in spite of the fact that she was legally blind]. Her storytelling ability, which she shared with her family and friends, brought special joy to them as well as a better understanding of family and of different times. While it is possible that someone in this generation will be able to pass to the next generation the same facts that she left with us, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for any of us to carry out that task with the remarkable recall, sense of place and time, wit, and humor as did our beloved “Nanny”. She [is] missed."

She was also in my very first {this memory} 1.

I am filled with wonderful memories and consider myself a fortunate man.

TGB

Independence Day

The Wizard In Thom

I don't think there is much wizard in me. Nor do I think I would make a very good wizard, but the test assigned me to a house anyway.

I generally avoid these Facebook-based tests. They circulate almost every day, but I take very few. This one - What Hogwarts House are you? (Realistic) - sucked me in though. I don't know if it was the "realistic" descriptor or the fact that I thoroughly enjoy Harry Potter, but I took the test. I guess I can see the relationship between the questions and the characteristics of the typical house member. After all, it said I was intelligent and clever. Of course. But I'm not sure that makes it realistic.

I was sorted into Ravenclaw - one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and founded by Rowena Ravenclaw.

     "Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
     If you've a ready mind,
     Where those of wit and learning,
     Will always find their kind."       -- The Sorting Hat

I have to admit I was disappointed; I wanted Gryffindor. Who doesn't, but in a moment of boredom I read further. My colors are blue and bronze and are represented by the element of Air. I had found my way into the house of wit (as in wits rather than witty) and intelligence! As a wizard I was destined to be an expert in any field of my choosing, and as a Ravenclaw it would be my duty to seek out the truth and not take any knowledge for granted. Sounds about right.

With further research, I read - again - that members of this house are characterized by their intelligence and cleverness, that the house symbol is the eagle, and that the house ghost is the Grey Lady who in life was the daughter of house founder Rowena Ravenclaw.

I read that many great wizards and witches have come from Ravenclaw, including Filius Flitwick who became Professor of Charms and Head of Ravenclaw House. Another member was Myrtle who was killed by Salazar Slytherin's basilisk and is now the ghost haunting the second-floor girls' lavatory. My house also counts the prolific Gilderoy Lockhart among its alumni - unfortunately.

My favorite, however, has to be Luna Lovegood. She's quirky, and I like quirky - although I have to admit whenever I see or hear her name it reminds me of Linda Lovelace who was also quirky - at least for her time but in a very different way.

I was getting happier with my sorting. It was revealed in Order of the Phoenix that the Sorting Hat had originally considered putting Hermione Granger in Ravenclaw due to her intelligence but ultimately decided on Gryffindor. Ravenclaw was definitely looking better.

Was it a realistic test? I don't know. It certainly discerned that I was clever and intelligent - although everyone I know who took it ended up either in Ravenclaw or in Gryffindor. If they were sorted into Gryffindor, it was for their leadership ability, enthusiasm, and idealism.

It's kind of hard to complain. No matter where you end up, you're either clever and intelligent or an idealistic leader. As a psychologist, I can't help but think about the Barnum Effect which notes that individuals tend to give high accuracy ratings to personality descriptions that are supposedly tailored specifically for them but are in fact vague and general enough to apply to just about anyone. We see this a lot in astrology and fortune telling, and something similar is surely operating here. Except for me, of course.

Nevertheless, that doesn't mean it isn't fun. Now - whether you're clever and wise or an idealistic leader, it's time to read Harry Potter. Again.

Or listen to the audio CDs - perhaps in parseltongue for a challenge.

TGB   

High School Reunions

It's been 47 years since I was graduated from high school - June 3, 1966. I attended reunions in 1976, 1986, and 1996. Since then I keep hearing about reunions, but none of them seem to be the officially sanctioned one - although there was one a year or so that came close.

I started at my high school as an 8th grader. It was a brand new school, and all we had was 8th and 9th grade. The next year we had 8th, 9th, and 10th - and so forth until all five years were attending. In a sense I was a junior for four years and a senior for one year. It was wonderful as we were the ones who established all of the traditions. After about a decade, the high school was moved to a larger state-of-the-art facility, and our building became a middle school. So we are/were the "Old Schoolers," but sadly our building has since been torn down.

There was another reunion about a week ago for us Old Schoolers. I wanted to go. There are people I want to see, but it is an investment. I live 600 miles away and didn't want to go unless the people I want to see are there. Only a few were scheduled to attend - so here I sat.

A blogging friend, however, recently explored some of the questions she was being asked by her reunion planners. I liked the result and thought I would give some of hers a whirl too.

1. How far will you travel one way to attend the reunion? Well, that's easy - 600 miles. They always give an award to the person who traveled the farthest. It's a rip off. I didn't expect to get it at my first reunion. They gave it to someone who traveled from the Philippines or South Africa or the southern tip of Chile. Somewhere - except they didn't really. Yeah - they had lived there but moved back to Virginia Beach the previous week. They didn't travel thousands of miles for the reunion, only a few blocks. As Rachel said, "Once a cheater, always a cheater."

2. How long have you been married? Not specific enough for a lot of my classmates. Are we talking cumulative here or longest marriage or most recent marriage? And what about civil unions - do they count for this? Is there an award? Should there be an award? Maybe it should be how many times have you been married? Or what percentage of your married years were happy?

3. Spouse, Boyfriend, Girlfriend (circle one) What ? Do you mean:  Preference? Ever? Tonight? I'm confused.

4. How many children do you have? Two, that I know of.

5. What is your occupation/employer? Professor of Psychology at Utica College with lots of former titles, but why not ask what you really want to know: How much do you make?

6. What are your hobbies and/or how do you spend your spare time? I spend a lot of time thinking of smart ass answers to stupid questionnaires.

7. Fondest High School Memory I'll pass on this one just in case the statute of limitations has yet to expire.

8. Worst High School Memory Ditto.

9. List 5 of your favorite musical groups (for DJ use). Today or then? I'll go with today since no one remembers any music of importance from the 60s. This one's easy. Zamfir, The Freecreditreport.com Band, Miley Cyrus, Insane Clown Posse, and a toss-up between the Bieber and the Jonas Brothers.

10. To plan for the amounts of beverages needed at the reunion, please tell us what you would like to drink and how much. Am I on Candid Camera?

TGB

{this moment} 84

A Monday ritual. A single image - no words - capturing a moment from the past. A simple moment along my life's Journey - but one over which I wish to linger and savor each treasured aspect of the memories it evokes. If you are moved or intrigued by my {this moment}, please leave a comment. On Thursday in a companion ritual called {this memory}, I'll share the story of this moment.

{this moment}

{this moment} is a ritual copied and adapted from cath's wonderful blog ~just my thoughts. She, in turn, borrowed it from Pamanner's Blog. Check out their blogs, and if you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your {this moment} in the comments for each of us to find and see.

TGB