L'Shanna Tova Tikateivu - Happy New Year! May all living things and all creation be written in the Book of Life for another year of life, health, happiness and prosperity!
Okay, I have to admit that my fingers slowed on the keys as I typed the foregoing. I hesitated because I had in mind the Republican presidential candidates and other equally scurrilous forms of existence. Do I really want to wish another year of life, health, etc. for Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, et al? I guess I do. How often we tend to forget that we do not sit in judgment over who will live and who will die. Or we should not and should not seek to do so. This week a 41 year old husband and father, nephew of someone in my synagogue, died on Rosh Hashanna of complications of diabetes. Perhaps while I was chanting the words, "who will live and who will die," he was dying. We will never know why, will we, who will live and who will die. So the only thing to do is to fervently wish, pray and hope that all of creation should thrive ... and that we, creation's sleepers, may soon wake up.
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| Morning walk with Ella this week |
I spent a lovely Rosh HaShanna with Helen. I missed being in my little synagogue here, but it was good to hear the familiar melodies and see old friends. And it has been good to be home, taking Ella for our morning walks, cleaning up the garden - only a couple of tomato plants remaining and very tired basil; the carrots still thriving though. I moved my rosemary from the raised bed to a pot in preparation for bringing it inside this winter. It smells heavenly:
Looking ahead, I am upset that the Rockland Library has scheduled the Maine Poet Laureate, Wesley McNair (who happens to be MY favorite poet) to speak on Tuesday night next, which is Erev Yom Kippur. That means that I, and just about every Jewish soul in Midcoast Maine will be in synagogue for Kol Nidre, probably the most widely attended service of the year.
I understand that we Jews have A LOT of holidays, but Yom Kippur, and even more so the evening before Yom Kippur, are to Jews - even to pretty secular Jews - at least what Christmas is to Christians - even to pretty secular Christians. The Library would never schedule an event on Christmas morning, why on the eve of Yom Kippur?
I went to the Library to see the programming director. She was out. I left my name and phone number with a request to be called. She has not called. I'll go back tomorrow. I will also write to Wesley McNair directly. And possibly a letter to our local paper. I love Wesley McNair. I have all of his books. David and I have driven to nearby towns to hear him speak. Even so, I will be in shul on Tuesday evening. Shame on the Rockland Public Library!
On a happier note, beginning next Friday is the Common Ground Country Fair, organized I believe by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. We have not been able to attend previously but plan to go this year. Despite my leftist and hippy-ish past and tendencies, respectively, the Common Ground Fair may be too much even for me. Here is a list of the events offered between 9:00 am and 11:00 am on just 1 of 3 days:
9:00 am
- Easy Tyre Repair
- Common Ground Zero Waste 2016
- Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardner
- Vegetable Companion Planting with Herbs
- Developing Safe Havens with Horses
- The Pros and Cons of Disbudding and De-horning
- Q&A: Organic Certification - Drop by & Ask the Experts
- Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk
- Felting Demo
- Oxen Demonstration
- Cart Demo
- Donkey & Mule Show
- Highland Mary Morris
- Women’s Sacred Music
- Blacksmithing Demonstrations
- Farm Activities with Kids: Grind Grain, Make Butter, Cider and Bread; Play Chess Too!
- Spinning
- Art Hunt
- Antique Windlass
- Earth Loom Weaving
- Fiber Demonstrations
- Fleece Sale
- Highland Cattle Farming
- Stoneworking Demonstrations
9:30 am
- Sock Poi Make and Take with Zoe Cat & Bridget
- Choosing Livestock for Your Needs
- Directional Tree Felling with a Chainsaw
- Tree Identification & the Maine Woods
- Maine Energy Education
- Paper Bull Puppet Company Touch Table
- Music and Magic Maine: Instrument and Craft Activites
- The Spark Artists’ Collective
10:00 am
- Ecological & Food Systems Skits and Songs
- Canning and Freezing Basics
- Mowing with and Sharpening the European Scythe
- Gardening Astrologically
- Advanced Seed Saving
- Home Orchard Spraying for Beginners
- Wet & Dry Seed Saving
- Spinning with Support Spindles
- The Native American Wool Project
- Home Firewood Production
- Harry S. Truman Manure Pitch - Basket Fill Toss
- Sahaja Yoga Mediation
- Herbs to Enhance Vitality
- Raising Guinea Hens for Food and Fun
- Raising Heritage Pigs for Meat
- Sheep Dog Demo
- Teach your Riding Horse to Drive
- Sorcha Cribben-Merril
- Women’s Sacred Music
- Restorative Justice in our Communities
- 100% Maine-Made Renewable Energy
- Biodiesel 101: Heat and Transportation
- Processing Acorns into Flour Demonstration
- Nia
- Poetry Slam
- Weave Like it’s 1699 Class
- Bread on a Stick Workshop
- Various Bicycle Demos
- Arts, Crafts, Canned Goods & Dried Foods Juding
- Fleece Show Judging
- Horse Drawn Rides
- Powing and Manure Spreading Demonstrations
- People Powered Bike Parade: Celebration of Wheeled Mobility
What do you think? The Pros and Cons of Disbudding and De-horning? I would say that depends on whom will be disbudded and/or de-horned. Personally I'd like to see horses taught to drive. What car or truck is big enough for a student horse driver? How do they modify the seat to fit the horse? Steering wheel for use by hooves? Hmmm...
May we all be written and sealed in the Book of Life.
Peace.
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