Done For The Time Being

My rearrangement of "the library" hasn't been as thoroughgoing as I'd have liked but at least all the Chestertons are together and all the de la Mares and all the Kiplings. Also I found the Collected Poems of Sidney Keyes- the absence of which got me going in the first place. It will continue to be a work in progress, because- unless its one of those petrified collections you find in National Trust houses- a library is a living thing.

Cold But Sunny

The temperature fell below freezing last night and it's been cold all day. On the other hand the sun has been shining. I was out this morning sweeping leaves- a job I've been putting off- which must mean I'd rather be out on cold bright days than on mild, damp, cloudy ones.

There's something to be said too for the ground being frozen- and one's footfalls crunching rather than squelching.

Zen Story

The old abbot was handing over control of the monastery to his successor. "Take this book," he said. "Generations of masters have written in it."

"Keep it," said his pupil. "You taught me without words, so what do I want with a book?"

"Take it as a symbol of all you have learned," said the master and pressed it into his hands.

His pupil threw it straight into the fire.

The abbot lost his temper for the first time anyone could remember."What are you doing?" he yelled.

And the new abbot replied calmly, "What are you saying?"