Words that Work in Postcards 4

I’ve been trying to broaden the scope of my thinking a little every day. I can understand the “Essential Dali Lama.” Merton and “Gift from the Sea” aren’t processed so easily by my learning disabled brain, but I plod on.

I failed philosophy clearly not understanding Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, or any other of those first-college-year philosophers. I obviously still don’t understand them, but perhaps I felt the time was right to try a gentler way of thinking. Kant or Nietzsche still don’t work, but the Dali Lama’s quiet reflections remind me of acceptance. I understand acceptance.

My grandma Maudie told me once that she had Buddhist leanings. Now all these years later, I understand.

• Himself:Balanced the budget and tightened the purse strings. No more people pleasing until the savings account gets way up there again. No big vacation this year.
• Me: Had a wonderful time putting out books, talking books with regular book shoppers, pleading for more books. Slowly they trickle in and shelves begin to fill again. All I can do is pray Margot finds a job in her field by June when we stop sending her money.
• Reading: Several new to me authors. So far, one is a keeper.
• Balance: Talking with other book folks puts everything in balance.