The Virtue of Standing

It is your standing that gives you
Credibility in the community. 

It is standing up, that gives you capacity.   

Standing tall, transforms the energy.      

Standing with, merits a friend. 

Standing for, ensures civility. 

Standing in, maintains integrity. 

Standing in the gap,
Becomes the recovery.    


Susan Patterson

This is a poem about the various ways we, as humans, stand.  No, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.  It is about how we relate to our neighbors and our selves.  And, no, the last two lines do not refer to standing in a Gap clothing store.  Those lines refer to standing in the gap of good and evil; to standing in where someone else cannot; to standing in the gap and filling in that gap with needed strength.  Then a universal recovery can begin. 

May I recommend Pilates?  Oh, my God, you say, "No!"  Not exercise.  Anything but that. Give me a break!   Well, I'm going to say it anyway.  Give Pilates a try.  The exercise is not always for the faint of heart, but there are now so many forms of it, that I am sure you can find a style that is compatible with your ability and needs. 

About three years or so ago, I was in so much back pain that I resorted to wearing a brace all the time.  My doctor took out his prescription pad and wrote "yoga and Pilates" on it and handed the prescription to me.  I was desperate.  So I tried yoga first, then Pilates.  Life changing, it was.  I've always been pretty physically fit, but this was different.  It is total body strengthening and we all need that.  So, if you are in back pain or most any other type of pain, this core strengthening exercise will help.  My instructor says it keeps you fit so that you can do what you like to do.  Before surgery, before addicting pain medication, before giving up, try Pilates. Or yoga.  I just like Pilates better.  Thanks for reading my friendly little nag.  skp

As you know, I'm new at this blog thing.  I was going to post once a month, then  I thought maybe every other week.  Now, I am thinking that I will post every week.   But there has been such a positive and significant response to this blog, that I thought I should ask you, the readers.  What would you like?  How often?  Please comment or email me and let me know.  Thanks for your help.  skp

Hello there! 

I was not planning to write again so soon, but in response to requests and in an effort to generally be friendly, here we are.  First, thanks to all who contacted me, either through comments, phone calls or emails, about the Causerie and your appreciation of its content.  The response has been quite gratifying.  I will make every attempt to keep you interested and informed...and of course share some writings. 

Below is a very new poem.  I am curious to know your opinion.  Please read it and then listen to the recording.  What you hear, is what I intended in the writing.   

The Lament of the New Butterfly

There is yellow
Coming out of
Things in the yard.
There is a lighter
Shade of green
Out there as well.

It must be Spring.
When did that happen?

I was quite liking my
Brown and grey cocoon,
So safe and quiet.
Now,  I will have to unfold my wings.

I liked being wrapped up in my self.
I liked not seeing anything else but
The inside of me.

And now with my wings unfolded,
(But oh, my Lord, aren't they gorgeous!)
With them ready to go,
I am expected to flit and fly
Visiting other creatures, that
I can only tolerate for a moment or two.

Oh, Spring, what had'st thou done to me! 


Susan Patterson 

Now that you've read the poem, here is the recording.  

What do you think?  Did it change the meaning for you?  Was the recording over the top?  I thought it was a tad so, but James, my very good husband and producer, did not.  In fact, it was at his request that I list this poem on my second posting.   I hope that you enjoy the humor.  Of course, those who know me very well, will recognize a little of me in the butterfly.  I very much like staying home and not flitting around from this place to that.  ;-) 

If you haven't discovered Margery Sharp, the British author of the early to middle of the last century, I highly recommend her.  She was an intelligent and prolific writer.  She wrote The Rescuers, if that might help you place her.  Now, I did not read her books about mice, but I have read many of her books about people.  And they are witty and sharp (no pun intended) and interesting.  She is particularly good in capturing the local dialects and the cultures of the people that she writes about.  In addition, her women characters are all very strong, and often in interesting ways.  My friend and illustrator extraordinaire, Susan Laird, first shared them with me.  Here are my favorites thus far:

• The Foolish Gentlewoman (1948)
  
• The Gypsy in the Parlour (1954)
• Something Light (1960)
  
• And the Martha Series, three books in all.  

Some of the books are quite expensive, most are not.  If you are tired of mysteries, murders and gore, then look for Margery Sharp.  You won't be disappointed.  skp

It is frightfully clear that
I don’t get what life is all about.
But there are threads of understanding
That I sometimes see in the
Tapestry that is my existence.   

Now and again, a thread is gold colored, and the
Clarity of my comprehension is shining bright. 
Every so often one shows up as purple, for healing,
Mine, or someone else’s. 
But in truth, most of the time I don’t see
Any specific strand at all.

Generally, these lines of insight
Are woven so tightly
With the multi-colored fibers of what I think and
What other people tell me, that
There is no real distinct
Definition in the weaving. 

And just when I do get gossamer
Of understanding,
It goes away. The line that I follow with my
Mind’s eye gets lost in the warp and the woof
Of the weaving that is me.    

Ephemeral threads of understanding.  Extraordinary,
When I see exquisite patterns,
Frustrating, when I see complicated tangles.

Susan Patterson

This poem, of course, is a commentary about how little we humans know, even though we want total knowledge of our purpose and path for our life.  We long to see a reason for everything.  When we do, or think we do, it is so very satisfying.  When we do not, there is such a sense of confusion.  Do you agree?  skp

I know many beautiful and intelligent women.  By the time you get to be my age, most women have figured out how to be smart and/or beautiful, in at least one or more capacities.  That ability should come with age.  I’m glad it does.  There are two such friends of mine, a little younger than I, blond, beautiful, smart and, of course, very competent.  Both are outstanding cooks.  Men drool just talking about the meals they prepare.  And, men talk about their cooking a lot.  Isn't that special?  I have been to dinner at both of their homes.  And on separate occasions, while their guests were gorging on perfect home made pies, each of them looked off into the air and sighed,  “I can bake.”  It was analogous to a teenage girl sighing, “I’m in love.”  I could only stare in agreement… with my mouth full. 

Now comes me.  I can bake… some.  It’s in my genes, but not in practice at my home.  I’m not dedicated.  But I have my ways.  One is Brown Bread in a can.  Do you know about it?  I had forgotten about it until I was at tea at another friend’s house.  (She too is one of those fabulous cooks.)  She served these great little sandwiches made with Brown Bread in a can.  They were absolutely delicious.  So, here is a little something… try Brown Bread in a can, made by B & M baked Bean Company since 1867 or there abouts.  You will find it in the grocery store, next to their baked beans. 

The bread is baked right in the can.  It is made with all natural ingredients, cholesterol free, low in fat and sugar, and tastes wonderful. You just open both ends of the can, push the bread out, slice and eat.  You can, of course, put on toppings such as whipped cream cheese, but plain is great as well.  Brown Bread in a can, yes ladies, it will make you beautiful and smart all at the same time.   skp