I remember listening to The Fall, Sisters of Mercy and March Violets. There was more joy in that than my first attempt at sobriety (they weren't the soundtrack to, but the respite from)
Super cool to read your experience with bells. Church bells are super important in the Catholic Church: Church bells are blessed or baptized with water before being hung and used in the tower/belfry. There is an entire ritual for this in the Roman rite. The ringing of the bells also drives away demons and evil spirits.
Have you been to a monastery and seen a monk actually ringing a huge bell? Highly recommend!
One of the wonderful things I like about reading your your Substack is how you're not afraid to go out and explore so many things. And you're so honest about what you do when you're out there living life and exploring. You're love of learning is awesome. Never change! ❤️👍
I love your post. Always such amazing reads! Your writing is uplifting and insipiring as always! As usual, I find connection. I am back from my univerisity studies in Spain and getting ready for the next school year, starting more studies at New Jersey City University and deciding what to write as a master's thesis.
I did some climbing in cathedreals in Avila - no bells towers but same winding stairs. LOL
I found some of my "poetry" from 1988 in an old notebook. I wrote it when I was 18 during my first year in college. I have been friends with the guitar player of my all time favorite artist's (no name needed) for a while now who offers to write original songs for a fee. I sent in my lyrics but got back a sort of "spoken word" format with a synthesizer in the background. I was disppointed. My mom could have done it better. Another reminder about expectations. Nonetheless, it has sparked something and ignited the writing process giving new light to old muses. The best is that it took me right back to that era. I relived the inspiration behind my writing and the way I felt when I wrote it. I came across others, including one I wrote down on a brown paper bag in 1987, called "The Blue Bed" depicting losing your virginity on a mattress in a park. For me fiction is harder than writing from facts - I have diaries dating back to my teen years! I try to put focus to rhyme and meter, to counting syllables, flow and symbolism in objects. However infantile the material was, it was written from the heart. Sobriety is amazing. The things your mind can do - taking you back to places long forgotten or blurred out by the fog.
Hi Günther, that was an interesting read, thank you! that friend who put your lyrics to a synth backing sounds like they did you no favors--hope you didn't pay too much! xxk
MANY THANKS TO THE HOLY AND NOBLE SCATTERBRAIN. this is a juicy and great post.
There’s an interesting account of a a guy who envisioned an imaginary workplace called the “Eudaimonia Machine” in Cal Newport’s book Deep Work. (page 95). Maybe worth checking out…
That's great, Kathy. The scatter graph had some clear images and ideas in it. Particularly liked your 'Words are like the initial event in a sort of metaphysical chain of causation'. With my songs, some words coalesce around say 3 notes or a phrase wants to invade some notes. Keep on keepin' on. xD
Oh! And what a beautiful town. I still harbor dreams of retiring and living out my life overseas in Europe. I'm bored with the US. It's just too new and tacky, taking on an unappetizing aura of being one giant strip mall linked by cheaply built townhouses. You know, a brick front to mislead you into thinking they're solidly constructed yet with siding everywhere else. Other than a different climate and topography, the US is starting to feel all the same to me. What intrigues me about Europe is the history and the architecture and the languages and the food. Instead of going to a different state an hour away, you get an entirely different country. Proud of you for embarking on such an adventure.
yes exactly. US malls and towns being exactly the same is a sad development (pun intended) but sadly, the UK isn't immune to that. I think the villages are intact but most towns have the same stuff; Gails, Tesco, M&S, Pret, etc et al.
OMGoddess! I LOVE the word 'Flibbertigibbet!' A friend of mine who is much smarter than me and writes much better than me taught me it. And I recently heard drag legend Lypsinka use it as well. Classic word.
Thanks for always introducing facts and nuggets of knowledge in your posts...bells and Greek words notwithstanding!
I also appreciate your video of climbing up the cathedral tower. I just returned from a European trip myself and did a lot of walking and climbing, including some notable cathedrals. A lot of these structures really challenge one's stamina!
Since my particular focus during my graduate studies encompasses the history of ideas, I think we will always share those parallel interests of history and philosophy. Just beware of those intellectual rabbit holes...
Good luck with the fiction writing. Considering your varied background, the results should be idiosyncratic in addition to interesting.
Okay now that's another great read. The bird that never lands? What? Until it dies? 😳 Loved the video also of you climbing the tower. You look really great reading your posts, it's like I'm right there with you!! Sending love ❤️ from Texas!
I learned three new words from your post tonight. May save bell ringing for another evening - love their sound though! Thank you for keeping in touch. 🕊💙📚🎶
Well, I do know what a “headstock” is, or at least I thought I did.
Today’s Word (from Facebook … sorry…) is “Lethologica,” a term used to “describe the phenomenon of experiencing the temporary inability to recall a specific word or phrase from your memory even though you know the word and can describe its meaning.”
That happens more often at the age of sixty-three than it used to.
In the headstock department, I have a Rickenbacker 12-string, which you’re familiar with, and occasionally I’m forced to “tune the Beast.” A friend came over once and said “can I play it?” at which point he began trying to tune it, and I involuntarily blurted out “Please don’t do that…” The Beast and I have an uneasy relationship … mostly Beast gathers dust, and we glare at each other from across the room. I think the Beast resents me and feels neglected, so perhaps I should pick her up once in a while so that we can get reacquainted. Maybe I should give her a different name … like “Nancy” or “Patricia?”
I noticed that you too have a Rickenbacker (620?). Odd guitars, but some of us from a particular generation are mysteriously drawn to them…
Hi Joe, the only Rick I have is the 12 string but it's actually my ex husb's guitar and I'm just kind of in charge of it for awhile. For good or bad, really the only guitars I enjoy playing are my Stratocasters. Creature of habit. And that word, lethologica, well, the condition strikes me a few times a week. It's disconcerting, I get a mild panic of "oh no, dementia" then I just calm down and refuse to look it up. Most times it comes to me later.
Keep writing!
I remember listening to The Fall, Sisters of Mercy and March Violets. There was more joy in that than my first attempt at sobriety (they weren't the soundtrack to, but the respite from)
Please tell Brix Hi and Thanks!
Super cool to read your experience with bells. Church bells are super important in the Catholic Church: Church bells are blessed or baptized with water before being hung and used in the tower/belfry. There is an entire ritual for this in the Roman rite. The ringing of the bells also drives away demons and evil spirits.
Have you been to a monastery and seen a monk actually ringing a huge bell? Highly recommend!
Great article in the Boston Gobe about bells:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/08/26/opinion/bells-old-north-church-leeds/
what a wonderful story! thank you Andy, really enjoyed this. And loved her description of "clangorous symphony"
One of the wonderful things I like about reading your your Substack is how you're not afraid to go out and explore so many things. And you're so honest about what you do when you're out there living life and exploring. You're love of learning is awesome. Never change! ❤️👍
thank you Karen, I'm happy to hear this!
Hi Kathy!
I love your post. Always such amazing reads! Your writing is uplifting and insipiring as always! As usual, I find connection. I am back from my univerisity studies in Spain and getting ready for the next school year, starting more studies at New Jersey City University and deciding what to write as a master's thesis.
I did some climbing in cathedreals in Avila - no bells towers but same winding stairs. LOL
I found some of my "poetry" from 1988 in an old notebook. I wrote it when I was 18 during my first year in college. I have been friends with the guitar player of my all time favorite artist's (no name needed) for a while now who offers to write original songs for a fee. I sent in my lyrics but got back a sort of "spoken word" format with a synthesizer in the background. I was disppointed. My mom could have done it better. Another reminder about expectations. Nonetheless, it has sparked something and ignited the writing process giving new light to old muses. The best is that it took me right back to that era. I relived the inspiration behind my writing and the way I felt when I wrote it. I came across others, including one I wrote down on a brown paper bag in 1987, called "The Blue Bed" depicting losing your virginity on a mattress in a park. For me fiction is harder than writing from facts - I have diaries dating back to my teen years! I try to put focus to rhyme and meter, to counting syllables, flow and symbolism in objects. However infantile the material was, it was written from the heart. Sobriety is amazing. The things your mind can do - taking you back to places long forgotten or blurred out by the fog.
Thank you for sharing! Thank you for inspiring.
Oh! Rock out with your friends!
XX
Günther
Hi Günther, that was an interesting read, thank you! that friend who put your lyrics to a synth backing sounds like they did you no favors--hope you didn't pay too much! xxk
MANY THANKS TO THE HOLY AND NOBLE SCATTERBRAIN. this is a juicy and great post.
There’s an interesting account of a a guy who envisioned an imaginary workplace called the “Eudaimonia Machine” in Cal Newport’s book Deep Work. (page 95). Maybe worth checking out…
hi! thanks for pointing me thataway. I put it in my notes of things to check out!
That's great, Kathy. The scatter graph had some clear images and ideas in it. Particularly liked your 'Words are like the initial event in a sort of metaphysical chain of causation'. With my songs, some words coalesce around say 3 notes or a phrase wants to invade some notes. Keep on keepin' on. xD
scatter graph! I like that, sounds intentional. thanks for reading Danny and commenting. xk
It's ALL about the Marlet Bird. Color me obsessed.
I hope I was clear that it's not a real bird, but a mythological one! thanks for reading Frank xk
Even better! My entire life, at least in what transpires between my left and right ears, is all mythology.
I had no idea that bells were so complicated! Is your hair getting lighter or is that the video? Great view from the top of the tower.
my hair is probably getting more silver and gray as I haven't dyed it in over a year
Oh! And what a beautiful town. I still harbor dreams of retiring and living out my life overseas in Europe. I'm bored with the US. It's just too new and tacky, taking on an unappetizing aura of being one giant strip mall linked by cheaply built townhouses. You know, a brick front to mislead you into thinking they're solidly constructed yet with siding everywhere else. Other than a different climate and topography, the US is starting to feel all the same to me. What intrigues me about Europe is the history and the architecture and the languages and the food. Instead of going to a different state an hour away, you get an entirely different country. Proud of you for embarking on such an adventure.
yes exactly. US malls and towns being exactly the same is a sad development (pun intended) but sadly, the UK isn't immune to that. I think the villages are intact but most towns have the same stuff; Gails, Tesco, M&S, Pret, etc et al.
OMGoddess! I LOVE the word 'Flibbertigibbet!' A friend of mine who is much smarter than me and writes much better than me taught me it. And I recently heard drag legend Lypsinka use it as well. Classic word.
Thanks for always introducing facts and nuggets of knowledge in your posts...bells and Greek words notwithstanding!
I also appreciate your video of climbing up the cathedral tower. I just returned from a European trip myself and did a lot of walking and climbing, including some notable cathedrals. A lot of these structures really challenge one's stamina!
Since my particular focus during my graduate studies encompasses the history of ideas, I think we will always share those parallel interests of history and philosophy. Just beware of those intellectual rabbit holes...
Good luck with the fiction writing. Considering your varied background, the results should be idiosyncratic in addition to interesting.
thank you Bradford! always enjoy your thoughtful responses.
Okay now that's another great read. The bird that never lands? What? Until it dies? 😳 Loved the video also of you climbing the tower. You look really great reading your posts, it's like I'm right there with you!! Sending love ❤️ from Texas!
Hi Renel, thank you! I still remember so clearly seeing you at the HOH musical in Austin. About a year ago I think
I learned three new words from your post tonight. May save bell ringing for another evening - love their sound though! Thank you for keeping in touch. 🕊💙📚🎶
Well, I do know what a “headstock” is, or at least I thought I did.
Today’s Word (from Facebook … sorry…) is “Lethologica,” a term used to “describe the phenomenon of experiencing the temporary inability to recall a specific word or phrase from your memory even though you know the word and can describe its meaning.”
That happens more often at the age of sixty-three than it used to.
In the headstock department, I have a Rickenbacker 12-string, which you’re familiar with, and occasionally I’m forced to “tune the Beast.” A friend came over once and said “can I play it?” at which point he began trying to tune it, and I involuntarily blurted out “Please don’t do that…” The Beast and I have an uneasy relationship … mostly Beast gathers dust, and we glare at each other from across the room. I think the Beast resents me and feels neglected, so perhaps I should pick her up once in a while so that we can get reacquainted. Maybe I should give her a different name … like “Nancy” or “Patricia?”
I noticed that you too have a Rickenbacker (620?). Odd guitars, but some of us from a particular generation are mysteriously drawn to them…
Hi Joe, the only Rick I have is the 12 string but it's actually my ex husb's guitar and I'm just kind of in charge of it for awhile. For good or bad, really the only guitars I enjoy playing are my Stratocasters. Creature of habit. And that word, lethologica, well, the condition strikes me a few times a week. It's disconcerting, I get a mild panic of "oh no, dementia" then I just calm down and refuse to look it up. Most times it comes to me later.