The Stodgy Pleasures of the
Unvaried Particulars of Life


They say we are boring.
Those people of a younger age.
It might be so.  

But who can imagine the
Interest one can develop over the
Insignificant and trivial.  

It is the minute details of life,
The tiny spots and dots of this
And that which entertain us.

Watching to see how the rain
Splatters on the window,
We imagine a universe of microbes
On the glass.  

We marvel at how the spider rebuilds
Her web every day and
How it becomes a doily in the sky.  

We talk about the neighbors,
And watch them from our windows,
Come and go like creatures
In a reversed zoo.

We laugh at the same inside jokes,
Not because we forget, but
Because there are subtle and
Silent changes in the humor
That only we notice.  

We marvel at how it is that we are
Fortunate enough to sit and discuss
Nothing and everything over,
And yet over again, without tedium.    

No sir, we are not dull.  
It is quite obvious we are more
Clever than before, because we have
Found intelligence and
Enrichment in the uneventful of
Our lives.  


Susan Patterson
11-2013

I am defending the stodgy, which seems to be more the adopted lifestyle  as I grow older.  Some people grow old without being stodgy.  How they do that, I am not sure.  However, I say, revel in what you are, not what you are not.  Be proud of your abilities to be satisfied with the mundane, the trivial and the ordinary.  'Nuff said.  skp

For those who ask, this is Nahla on her first birthday.  Nahla was born on December 21st, 2012, the day that the world was supposed to have ended.  How marvelous to have life in the form of a beautiful and happy little girl instead of the death and destruction of our earth. 

Happy 2014 to you!   skp

Emmanuel

Christmas is Christ time.
God is with us.
Emmanuel.

That the Spirit is here
To guide and to help
Is clear to me and to you.

Since this is so, let us not be troubled.
Nor be anxious, nor be fretful.
Ever.

Let go of worry. Have Christmas Tea.
Remember that God is with us.
Gloria.

Gloria.
Hallelujah.
And Hallelujah again.


Susan Patterson
12-2003

This is an older poem of mine, but hopefully still one that speaks to you.  Christmas is a little bit of everything in our modern world.  It is part fantasy, part history, part religion, part wishing.  We say Emmanuel has come at Christmas.  God with us.  That is what Emmanuel means, God with us.  God was with Jesus, the Christ, and so on.  I am extrapolating that God is with each of us as well.  And if this is the case, we need not be fearful.  It is all so very difficult to understand and yet it is probably pretty darn simple when you get right down to it.  Regardless of your belief or understanding, let go of worry if you can.  Find joy.  Work towards a peaceful world.   Enjoy the season in whatever way gives you hope and peace.  skp

Merry Christmas.   skp

Delight for the
Seemingly Unimportant


Most people don’t know it,
But the little joys are enough.
An extra under shirt to
Keep you warm at night.

Shoes that fit,
Tea that is hot,
A peaceful view,
A clean table.
A good lunch,
Flowers to notice,
A hand that is near,
A glance that reassures.  

There is so very much
In this world that will not
Be fixed by our hand.
Then, it is
The small things
We will manage.  The
Appreciated unimportant,
Is what we will
Celebrate first.  


Susan Patterson
11-2013

I think this poem is self explanatory, but permit me to expound just a little.  By our nature or nurture, we humans seem to continually want more.  That is why we have expanded to inhabit all of earth and why we go to the moon.  It is why technology grows so quickly.  Yet wanting more has not met our most basic needs of safety,  food, shelter and water.  There is so much that needs to be 'fixed' in our humanity.  Most of us cannot take care of it all and we get overwhelmed.  But we can appreciate the small things that we do have.  Celebrate the unimportant little in your life.  skp

The is the one, my favorite.  There are several versions of The Messiah that have been sung by a flash mob or presented by choirs at busy shopping centers.  But this is one of the firsts and still the best in my mind.  It brings tears to my eyes.  And I figure, even though some people are sick of it, that we should all sing and appreciate The Messiah as much as is humanly possible.   I hope that you like it. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

Merry Christmas.    skp

The Enough of Christmas

It’s Christmas time and everyone is a wreck.
We’ve gifts to make and friends to greet,
Food to serve, wine to store.
And maybe, even snow to sweep.

Christmas cannot wait.  It must be done.
It must be made.  Its importance not passed up.
Oh, my Lord. So much.
So very much. Too much.
What is one to do?

Find a kind Soul.
There are some that you know.
Make a cup of tea, nothing more.
Then enjoy Christmas,
With a gift of appreciation
And not a garish show.


August 2006
Susan Patterson

Hello there!  I'm back after too long of an absence.  It is the winter holiday season as you know.  And even though I proclaim in the poem that we are not to get caught up in the hoop-la of the season, I was very busy.  I tended to family and friends like all of us do and did not produce A Causerie for a few weeks.  I am so glad to be back, and God willing, I will be with you for another good while.  

In this poem our biggest holiday is discussed.  It seems that after all of the preaching and teaching that we still want to fight at Walmart and push and shove to get yet more things.  Even at Christmas.  Wouldn't it be great if one of the people who were involved in those holiday greed matches just stopped everything and said, "Here friend, let's not fight.  I will buy the present for you.  My treat."   The world would certainly be shocked.   But we humans tend to fight over just about everything.  If we, ourselves, don't fight, we get dogs or chickens to do it.  Or we send our bright young adults to do battle in war after war. 

More and more it's becoming up to each one of us to find our own meaning in the holy days we celebrate.  And if each of us did go deeper into our souls, and discovered better ways for humanity to live, and then if we shared our understanding, wouldn't it be grand!   skp

Merry Christmas!  skp