Thursday, September 24, 2020

Tragedy

     I am a regular reader of the The Writer's Almanac by Garrison Keillor.  A few days ago I learned about Euripides.   His philosophy is summed up in part as follows.  "Tragedy isn't getting something or failing to get it, but it's losing something you already have."   This revelation resonated with me in many ways.  

    In the physical realm I am no longer in the mode of achieving great success in my piano playing or clarinet playing or becoming a competent tree skier,  or even raising my tennis to another level.  I accept that these are not tragedies, but I do see a tragedy down the road when I will likely reach a time when I will be unable to ski with the confidence I once had.   I don't want to play down the incentive to try new things in life, but I am truly ready to accept my limitations and attempt to hold onto things that are dear to me.

    In the larger world of the state of our United State of America I am deeply troubled by what we seem to be losing in our society.   We tragically have lost the sense of mutual care and respect.   Our nation has been taken down the path of divisiveness by our leadership.  Respectful norms of behavior have been trashed.   Leadership has chosen name calling and denigration over grace and charity.   Democracy as we have known it is perilously in danger of being destroyed.  If Euripides was around he would say, "You fools, why have you allowed this to happen?"   Meanwhile I struggle to maintain hope for a new day where the tragic sacrifice of 200,000 lives to incompetence and cruelty will be replaced by compassion and care.   Contrary to what Euripides said, unless we do get democracy restored in our nation it will be an enormous tragedy.



Monday, September 7, 2020

The View From My Exercise Bike


       I have a recumbent exercise bike in my sun room situated so I can see the nearby neighborhood street.  A great view through several windows.  Each day I spend an hour or so spinning with relatively light resistance.  During the exercise I typically read the Syracuse Post-Standard and The New York Times.   The reading is a diversion.   During the hour  I enjoy as well watching what it happening in the street.   We live in a quiet neighborhood with no through streets so the the auto traffic is minimal.   Therefore the streets are hospitable to pedestrians, bicyclers, and runners.   

    Each day I noice the regulars.  There is the usual couple leisurely walking in side by side.   Another is regular is the lady with the large brown dog on a leash always pulling to the length of the leash.  He  sniffs at my grass and of course occasionally makes a deposit.  We have good neighbors who do pick up after their dogs.

    Other than regulars are the visiting families with their strollers and perhaps another child or two.  They tend to be dawdlers taking in likely unfamiliar sights.  Recently I have watched a young male runner whipping by at a good pace.  We have waved recently when I have been out on my e-bike.    We do have a number of young bicyclers and scooter riders.   They remind me of the days when I was a young bicycler with my new Schwin bike obtained shortly after the end of WWII.  In today's world I worry about the youngsters that go by without helmets!  I groan and moan to my wife about this and also wonder why their parents are not concerned.  Ah well, the life of the curmudgeon geezer.

    I conclude if you open your eyes, you can always find ways to amuse yourself and engage the world.   Life is good!