Stone soup is culture commentary, from the folk tale by the same name.
I’m in Squaw Valley, California at the Rigpa (my Buddhist group) fall retreat. We’re staying in luxury at the Squaw Creek Resort. When I arrived, I felt overwhelmed. It was just too big. Just too fancy. When I came into my room, I immediately set to work. All six pillows were immediately tossed to the…
For this year’s Blog Action Day’s topic on Climate Change, I asked Riehlife readers to share their observations and village wisdom. Here’s a sampling. –JGR _____________________ Xian Yeagan (Lake County, N. California…gonzo artist) sent this poem: Climactic Chains All Summer in California it was dangerously hot and dry. Until last week. Today it is cold…
I’ve been reading an interesting book, Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life, by Winifred Gallaher. I’ve run across a great definition of reality: Reality is an intentional, first-person experience that you construct from the material of attention. I’m having a hard time contradicting this definition. Though reality, I know, has been defined in many other…
Just As The Sun Went Down by Edna Florence (1899) 1. After the din of the battle’s roar, Just at the close of day, Wounded and bleeding upon the battle field, Two wounded soldiers lay. One held a ringlet of thin, gray hair, One held a lock of brown, Bidding each other a fond farewell,…
Tanner, my 5-year-old-upstairs-neighbor, spotted me as I left of Freida Wheaton’s latest Salon 53 soiree. JGR: “I’m going to a party!” and swirled to show off my coral silk dress. Tanner: “What kind of party is it?” JGR: “The kind where you enjoy good hugs, good talk, and good food.” And, wiggling my fingers, off…
Video of Francis Miles Finch reading “The Blue & the Gray” The Blue and the Gray by Francis Miles Finch By the flow of an inland river, When the fleets of iron have fled Where the blades of the grave grass quiver, Asleep are the ranks of the dead. Under the sod and the dew…
We have all heard the haunting song, “Taps.” It’s the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about it’s humble beginnings. I too, have felt the…
Today, August 16th marks the 5th anniversary of my sister’s death in a nasty car accident. In many countries…includking Ghana and Tibet, it’s common to mark and honor the anniversaries of deaths. not that these are needed to keep memories alive. And not that they need to be solemn or sad times. My sister’s grave…
[The Confederate battle flag, called the “Southern Cross” or the cross of St. Andrew] My father’s been typing up Civil War material he’s found in old magazines. This is quite a feat as Pop types with a 4 finger hunt and peck style. I’ll be posting these in a series so you can follow. –JGR…
Round tomato with a tough skin. Sharp knife. Ouch. My skin not as tough as the tomato Blood and tomatoes are both red. Thus began my afternoon adventure. Not at all what I’d planned. The index finger on my left hand bled like a stuck pig soaking through cotton ball after cotton ball. For 1…