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An informal chat or talk: a friendly discussion, typically on a literary subject.

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The Most Basic of Acquired Astuteness

2/26/2014

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PictureA chameleon getting ready to blend.
The Most Basic of Acquired Astuteness

We spend the first part of our life
Learning what we can do. 
We spend the last part of our life
Learning what we can’t do. 

The real difficulty,
Like discerning
The chameleon
From the tree,
Lies in knowing
The difference. 

Susan Patterson
April 2012



Audio:  The Most Basic of Acquired Astuteness


Discussion:  The Most Basic of Acquired Astuteness

This little piece is fairly simple.  Occasionally it is difficult in life to determine what is exactly what.  Sometimes the chameleon is obvious,  sometimes it is not.

I think that one is not born being astute.  But it is a capability that is quickly learned.  How good one becomes at being astute may take time, sometimes years.  But in life it is important to know what works, what one is capable of, and what one should not even try.   Further, that which we can do at a certain time in our lives, we may not be able to do at times.  Knowing our capabilities is an integral part of a fulfilling, sometimes exciting and sometimes peaceful life. 


A Recommendation for Tomato Soup, of All Things

I know, I know, but hear me out.  Nordstrom has the best Roma Tomato Basil soup that you can get.  Yep.  It comes in a glass jar.  You thought Nordstrom just offered nice clothes.  No, it is soup that I want to tell you about.  A few months back, I tried a sample given to me by a very cute young man who told me I would like it.  It is so hard to turn a cute guy down, but he was right.  It was fantastic and I bought two jars right away. 

Now the directions  call for adding  three quarters of a cup of heavy cream while you heat the soup in a pan.  I do this.  But, if you are watching calories, then you might try almond milk or another lighter milk product.   When I was young and very thin, my mother used to add canned milk and butter to Campbell's tomato soup.  It thought it was fabulous.  Well, of course it doesn't hold a candle to the really great Nordstrom tomato soup.  I urge you to give it a try.   If you are not around a Nordstrom store, I am so sorry to have teased you. 


PictureOne of the several racoons enjoying the Patterson dining establishment.


Wildlife Comes to Dinner


The racoons climbing a tree just few feet from our dining room window don't even try to blend in.  They just help themselves to whatever food they might find. 

Our night time guests generally make a mess of things, but we are happy to leave them be...as long as they don't come into the house through the kitty door! 


Failure is not reality.  Things may not work out as we planned.  But failure?  Hardly.     Earlene Grey 

Picture
Mt. Hood in Oregon in the summer time. Yes, summer will come again.

Till next time!  skp
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    Susan Patterson is a published author of three books of poetry and a book of memoirs.  She is heard regularly on RKWP podcast-radio. She also speaks at private and public events. Find out more at the website below.

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