tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post3915707452003927918..comments2024-03-19T02:18:18.399-07:00Comments on First Known When Lost: ArrivalStephen Pentzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-73285087856967742842018-06-17T21:03:04.042-07:002018-06-17T21:03:04.042-07:00John: I agree with your thought that the World do...John: I agree with your thought that the World does not "withhold" (although it may be reticent with respect to its deepest secrets). "Reticent" may not have been a good word choice by me, for I do agree that the World is quite voluble (in its own way), if we pay attention and remain receptive. Your experience in Norfolk is a fine instance of that. (Your stays in Norfolk always seem to bring these lovely moments and revelations, don't they?) Yes, some may say "nothing especial," but, as you note, these moments do "settle" (and accumulate) within us. They are bound to influence how we live, even though they may seem fleeting.<br /><br />I hope you have a wonderful vacation in Greece. As always, it is a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by, and for sharing your thoughts.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-19267065758898752622018-06-13T01:45:21.658-07:002018-06-13T01:45:21.658-07:00Stephen,
The world maybe reticent, though I don’t...Stephen, <br />The world maybe reticent, though I don’t think it withholds. Perhaps we should be thankful that it is, glimpses when they come are so precious. We were in Norfolk a few weeks ago, walking one evening after a day of showery rain, following a footpath between fields, suddenly a flock of lapwings took off very noisily and in that same moment we glimpsed two hares at the edge of a field of ploughed earth and the far edge beginning to be lit by the setting sun. Nothing especial some might say, and yet such moments settle, bright, jewel like, deep, deep in the mind.<br /> <br />It’s been very busy at the university for some months now, but exams are finally over for another year and my wife and I are going to one of the Greek islands at the weekend for two weeks of much anticipated peace and tranquilty. Thank you for continuing with your always interesting and delightful posts.<br />John Ashtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-86157766867890424282018-06-12T22:51:09.156-07:002018-06-12T22:51:09.156-07:00Jane: Thank you for sharing those thoughts. The ...Jane: Thank you for sharing those thoughts. The "perfect" moments of which you speak are in the nature of what I had in mind, and your anecdote of the robin and Fauré's Requiem is lovely. The distinction you make between moments when "everything is perfect and as it should be" and "see[ing] that all is perfect" is excellent.<br /><br />As for "finding the right words": I have no experience with Quaker worship, and have only read about it, but the emphasis on silence is, as you know, one that can be found in many traditions (Buddhism and Taoism, for instance). I'm always in favor of silence.<br /><br />As always, thank you very much for visiting. It's good to hear from you.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-77872567745094160292018-06-12T22:28:59.109-07:002018-06-12T22:28:59.109-07:00Joy: Thank you very much. I'm pleased you li...Joy: Thank you very much. I'm pleased you liked the post. As ever, thank you for visiting. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.Stephen Pentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14882220887712092005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-79400994168666739072018-06-10T01:37:49.641-07:002018-06-10T01:37:49.641-07:00Hello again Stephen,
Thank you for this post to po...Hello again Stephen,<br />Thank you for this post to ponder on. It has made me think on those few moments in life when, for a moment, everything is perfect and as it should be. Or perhaps, more to the point, I can see that all is perfect. I remember a robin singing along with Faure's Requiem, one sunny Easter Sunday in Devon. Nothing has ever surpassed that moment.<br />It is interesting about the difficulty of finding the right words. Perhaps that is why I find Quaker Worship so comforting.<br />With best wishes, JaneJane the Bookladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01674464753702292288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5010170380967519230.post-36902499778783504252018-06-10T00:08:17.421-07:002018-06-10T00:08:17.421-07:00I am saying YES! to every word of this - thank you...I am saying YES! to every word of this - thank you so much. JoyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com