Here‘s a definition of “modern” from the modern Merriam-Webster website:
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past : CONTEMPORARY the modern American family b : of, relating to, or characteristic of a period extending from a relevant remote past to the present time modern history 2 : involving recent techniques, methods, or ideas : UP-TO-DATE modern methods of communication 3 capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the present or most recent period of development of a language Modern English 4 : of or relating to modernism : MODERNIST Modern art has abandoned the representation of recognizable objects.
Speaking of recognizable objects, do you see anything that represents “modern” in these modern images, as I try to stay sane during these modern times?
Because I am the model of a very modern group therapist, I used that magic wand in my Coping and Healing group yesterday, so we could make modern wishes for our modern times.
It’s debatable whether I and the USA could possible survive another four years of the guy who “debated” Joe Biden last night.
It’s debatable whether there’s anything debatable about the images I captured yesterday.
Michael’s meals are never debatable.
It’s debatable
how many animals are in those photos and
whether anybody will find the octopus.
If you vote for the person who debated Joe Biden last night, it’s debatable whether you’ve been paying attention to what he’s actually been saying and doing to this country.
It’s debatable how you might fill in the blank:
Jill or the beanstalk?
It’s debatable whether it’s a smooth segue from that to Jack from Sondheim’s Into theWoods singing this …
In case those lyrics are debatable, here they are:
Those smug little men with their smug little schemes They forgot one thing: The play isn’t over by a long shot yet! There are heroes in the world, Princes and heroes in the world, And one of them will save us. Wait and see! Wait and see!
There won’t be trumpets or bolts of fire To say he’s coming. No Roman candles, no angels’ choir, No sound of distant drumming. He may not be the cavalier, Tall and graceful, fair and strong. Doesn’t matter, just as long as he comes along!
But not with trumpets or lightning flashing Or shining armor. He may be daring, he may be dashing, Or maybe he’s a farmer. We can wait, what’s another day? He has lots of hills to climb. And a hero Doesn’t come till the nick of time!
Don’t look for trumpets or whistles tooting To guarantee him! There won’t be trumpets, but sure as shooting You’ll know him when you see him! Don’t know when, don’t know where, And I can’t even say that I care! All I know is, the minute you turn And he’s suddenly there, There won’t be trumpets! There are no trumpets! Who needs trumpets?
It’s debatable whether I’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep until enough of those smug little men with their smug little schemes are defeated. There won’t be trumpets but there’ll be celebrating in many houses, including this one, when that finally happens.
If you want to debate anything in this debatable post, please leave a comment below.
My gratitude is not debatable, so thanks to everyone, including YOU.
1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
As I’m looking at that definition, I’m thinking how important difference and diversity are (not just things shared in common) for enriching a community.
I’m planning on asking people questions during the online community meeting, like
Five hundred and forty-two little days ago (but who’s counting these little things?), little ol’ me wrote a little blog post, Day 1790: Thankful for the little things.Yesterday, I was a little perturbed by many little things when I was writing yesterday’s little post, so I sent Michael this little email:
Hello my darling,
I would say we have an infestation of ants . This is based on many of them crawling on me this morning while I was blogging, which is a new experience for me here at Squanticello. Let us research kind ways to invite them to leave.
Much love,
Ann
When I got home from work, Michael was more than a little freaked out at the not-so-little size of the invaders, which turned out to be carpenter ants. He said, “Usually I don’t think of insects as animals, but these enormous winged things are definitely animals.” Michael spent many little moments yesterday identifying the big ants’ little points of entry and applying spray that is kind to little things like children and pets.
I didn’t take any pictures of those little things, but I invite you to spot the little things in today’s little photos.
I don’t see any little or large ants as I’m creating this little post, so I’d say that Michael’s efforts paid off, in a big way.
Here‘s “The Little Things You Do Together” from a little musical called Company:
Here are the great lyrics to “The Little Things You Do Together” by that musical giant, Stephen Sondheim:
It’s the little things you do together
Do together
Do together
That make perfect relationships.
The hobbies you pursue together
Savings you accrue together
Looks you misconstrue together
That make marriage a joy.
It’s the little things you share together
Swear together
Wear together
That make perfect relationships.
The concerts you enjoy together
Neighbors you annoy together
Children you destroy together
That keep marriage intact.
It’s not so hard to be married
When two maneuver as one
It’s not so hard to be married
And Jesus Christ, is it fun.
It’s sharing little winks together
Drinks together
Kinks together
That make marriage a joy.
The bargains that you shop together
Cigarettes you stop together
Clothing that you swap together
That make perfect relationships.
It’s not talk of God and the decade ahead that
Allows you to get through the worst.
It’s “I do,” and, “You don’t,” and, “Nobody said that,”
And, “Who brought the subject up first?”
It’s the little things…
The little things, the little things, the little things
The little ways you try together
Cry together
Lie together
That make perfect relationships.
Becoming a cliche together
Growing old and gray together
Withering away together
That make marriage a joy.
It’s not so hard to be married,
It’s much the simplest of crimes.
It’s not so hard to be married,
I’ve done it three or four times.
It’s people that you hate together
Bait together
Date together
That make marriage a joy.
It’s things like using force together
Shouting till you’re hoarse together
Getting a divorce together
That make perfect relationships.
Uh uh
Kiss kiss
Mmmm mmmmm.
I’m greatly looking forward to all your little comments, below.
Gratitude for the little things helps me deal with all the little and big things every day, so big thanks to those who help me create this little blog and — of course! — to YOU.
Soon after publishing this post, I made up some new little lyrics for that song, more relevant for tall Michael and little me:
It’s battling ants together
Making sure you dance together
Keeping the romance together
That make perfect relationships.
The other day, I thought somebody gave me a dirty look. When I perceive somebody giving me a dirty look, I can feel dirty. That’s why I wrote these lyrics for my latest original song, What are Other People Thinking About You?
I hope that I don’t get a lot of dirty looks from the audience when I debut that song in two days at an Open Mic.
Do you see any dirty looks in my photos from yesterday?
Do you see any dirty looks in these other recent photos?
While dirty looks can feel like laser beams, we can protect ourselves with mindfulness mantras like “It’s safer than it feels” and playfulness, as explained on this mindfulness card:
I playfully gave a look at this sign on my way home from work last night:
I looked for the 1965 UK TV debut of the Who on YouTube. I couldn’t find it, but look at what is there!
What are your thoughts about dirty looks and the other looks in this pos? I will give a non-dirty look at all your comments, later.
I look at the world with gratitude, every day, so thanks to all who helped me create this “dirty looks” post and — of course! — to YOU, for looking at it.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 