Today, with my sore throat, chills, and aches, I walk around campus as one wading through swampland. What good can come of this day? I teach in a fog, drag my feet to the store, and then robot-like and half-asleep, put groceries in my cart.
Pineapple is on sale.
Back home, I read about the best way to cut pineapple, and I learn this from a neighboring website:
You can grow pineapples inside your house. A website shows me a step-by-step guide to cutting off the pineapple's crown, letting in root in water for several weeks, potting it in soil, and then watching it grow to a mature plant. Other sites claim that this fun project will keep children enthralled for the whole winter.
I'm doing this! I'm right this moment going to cut my pineapple, soak the crown, and let this new thing grow in my windowsill. I'll report back the progress.
Suddenly, the day shimmers with sweet pineapple warmth. Living with flair means--no matter what kind of day we're having--we discover some new and wonderful thing to try.
______________________
Have you tried this?
Momica just forwarded this passage to me. I don't know the source. I hope it is OK to reproduce here.
ReplyDeleteTHE GUEST HOUSE
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
- Rumi
I want to grow a pineapple! I'm going to have to see if I can find one this weekend...
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it goes, Juliana!
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful poem to share with students at we read the introduction to Being Human. I love that first line, "this being human.. "
ReplyDelete