sweet butter and waterworks

Dear Rae,

After reading your letter, I got up from my desk and went over to the two double-shelf bookcases that are under the large window next to my bed. I reached for The Element of Lavishness, sat down on the bed and began thumbing through its pages looking for something nourishing.

Suddenly, as I am walking along the street, a phrase from your letters rises to the surface and a sort of transubstantiation occurs. I mean I feel like sweet butter. (Maxwell to Warner, May 9, 1961. Page 104.)

Sweet butter. Sweet butter and waterworks… Our dear Maxwell is such a loveable person.

I wouldn’t worry too much about all those ideas that never make it out of your head. Good thoughts (or good characters, if we’re speaking of imaginative thoughts) come with time. At least, that’s what I tell myself and it works to keep me focused on fleshing out one idea at a time.

Amritvēla is considered the “ambrosial hour,” or the time before sunrise; it’s a favored time for prayer and meditation. As a child, which means long before I began the journey of Sikhi, I was an early riser. These days I try to steer away from as many unecessary labels, shoulds/oughts, and enslaving expectations as I can. As the cliché goes, life is short. Some people may be wired to function at their best in the morning and other peoples’ sails may catch wind at midday or later; neither time is quote “better.” Whatever’s good for you—1am and up at 10am—is best. I salute you, my friend.

I know you can give me many reasons why it’s good that you are no longer in Tallahassee, but since you mention hating going out in the rain, I thought you should know that Tallahassee has been listed as the 9th rainiest city in America. I question this ranking, especially after stepping into my garage this morning and inhaling the bitter smoke that has drifted into the city from nearby forest fires and those in South Georgia. I mean we’re in the midst of an awful drought and we’re a rainy city. I’m currently having to go against one of my deepest ecological and conservation convictions and (use one of earth’s precious resources) water the St. Augustine grass in the yard before it dies and the homeowner association’s Yard Nazi comes after me (more about this guy some other day). But we’re the 9th rainiest city in America.

Le Spouse’s comment and your picture have me eager to try your fennel and blue cheese with penne.

Yours affectionately,
Toni

P.S. Here’s the picture of Angel walking on a leash that you requested.