I woke up this morning, which is always a good thing.
My memory tells me that Friday night, January 1, I didn’t sleep. At all. Maybe I dropped off for a few minutes to an hour, but even then I didn’t get nearly enough sleep.
Three weekends and most of a week after my all-nighter, I’m starting my eighth day of one-a-day ‘journal’ posting.
I’ve had insomnia a few times, so Saturday’s mental fog wasn’t surprising.
Neither was Sunday’s. I’m nearly 70, and don’t bounce back the way I did in my youth.
I’ve also been coming down with what may be a cold, making progress with my ‘Marlowe’s Faustus’ and ‘strange new worlds, life, etc.’ series: and noticing that America’s presidential inauguration hasn’t made the sky catch fire.
Not that I expected it would.
Politics and Melodrama, Heroes and Villains: or Making Sense
My social media connections being what they are, denouncements of fascists and heathens have been clogging my feeds.
I suppose that’s inevitable.
My interests are varied. Or unfocused, from another viewpoint. Folks who share my interests but not my lack of political zeal may feel strongly about the depravity of ‘those people’ and demi-divinity of some hero.
Who ‘those people’ are varies. So does the current he-who-can-do-no-wrong. But I see precious little difference in the emotional tone expressed by viciously-virtuous partizans on both/all sides.
I’m not entirely happy about the November election’s outcome. But I’m not overwhelmed by despair. I’d better not be. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 844, 1501, 2091)
One of these days I’ll probably talk about priorities, hope and all that. But not today.
Maybe I could get more attention — maybe even become an influencer — by picking a side in the current political brouhaha and writing like a caffeinated melodrama hero.
That options strikes me as a bad idea on several levels.
Instead, I’ll keep doing what I have been doing. That includes praying.
Prayer: It Couldn’t Hurt
Which brings me to a prayer that I added to my daily routine last year. It’s written for groups, so I changed pronouns like “we” and “our” to “I” and “my” where appropriate.
“Prayer for Our Country
“Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present our country to You. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage.
“Grant us peace, and may all citizens respect one another. May the Holy Spirit give our President wisdom to lead our country in ways that are pleasing to You.
“Enlighten our Congress and civic leaders and instill in them knowledge and understanding to enact laws that protect the sanctity of life — from the unborn to the elderly;and promote the good of all people.
“Make all of us aware of our responsibility as citizens to uphold the principles of life, liberty justice and equality.
“Send Your Holy Spirit upon our beloved country. Make us people of faith in time of uncertainty. Make us people of hope in times of trouble. Make us people of compassion with those who are less fortunate. Make us people of peace in our homes, our communities, our country and our world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(From a handout at Parishes on the Prairie Area Catholic Community; Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre, Minnesota. (2020))
Responsibility, Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality and All That
A few more points about that prayer.
First: no pressure.
Second: yes, it’s on the long side.
Third, principles — including life, liberty justice and equality — matter.
Fourth, and this one’s important: I’ve been praying for my country’s President, Congress and other civic leaders. And all of us non-bigwigs, too.
I don’t recall ever thinking that calling down a dyspeptic god’s wrath on ‘those sinners over there’ was a good idea. That’s no great virtue. It’s probably due to my having a smidgen of self-awareness, and that’s another topic.
Tuesday, Thursday and Two Turkeys
Political sound and fury aside, this has been a pretty good week for me.
I slept something like 10 hours Tuesday night, and still felt tired Wednesday.
Feeling tired isn’t in my “pretty good” category, getting around 10 hours sleep is.
I did pretty much the same last night, and don’t feel nearly as fogbound today. Experience suggests that I’m getting caught up from the January 1 thing.
Now, about that dragon playing a video game and the two troubled turkeys. I’ve enjoyed making pictures, have been trying to restart that activity — and that’s yet another topic, for another day.
My next “Faustus” post won’t write itself. Which, if that happened, would be disturbing. And yet again another topic.
“Gallimaufry” can mean jumble or medley, has an interesting history —
ENOUGH! Here’s the usual link list, and I’m taking a coffee break:
- “Death at the Capitol: ‘Something Isn’t Working’”
(January 18, 2021) - “Taking to the (Digital) Streets: Advent and Social Media”
(December 9, 2020) - “Thanksgiving 2020: Pandemic Peril and Perspectives”
(November 25, 2020) - “November 3: The End of Civilization as We Know It (Again)”
(November 2, 2020) - “Art, Evolution and Aquinas”
(March 2, 2018)
Missing letter: “I’ve had insomnia a few ties,”
Used a comma instead of a colon: “Third, principles — including life, liberty justice and equality — matter.”
The Friendly Neighborhood Proofreader
P.S. Interesting about “gallimaufry,” and here I thought it was just the name of The Doctor’s home planet.
Fixed, and thanks!
About “gallimaufry,” that was a word before the Doctor Who series aired. And – indeed. The two words sound very much alike. 🙂 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallifrey
And, being the recovering English teacher I am – an etymology. 🙂 https://www.etymonline.com/word/gallimaufry