Rumi the poet and his life

 How Rumi became one of the world's most popular writers. Here.

Open Culture newsletter posted this about the poet...

The Middle East is hardly the world’s most harmonious region, and it only gets more fractious if you add in South Asia and the Mediterranean. But there’s one thing on which many residents of that wide geographical span can agree: Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī. One might at first imagine that a thirteenth-century poet and mystical philosopher who wrote in Persian, with occasional forays into Turkish, Arabic, and Greek, would be a niche figure today, if known at all. In fact, Rumi, as he’s commonly known, is now one of the most popular writers in not just the Middle East but the world; English reinterpretations of his verse have even made him the best-selling poet in the United States.

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Today's quote:

Lyndon Johnson said when signing Civil Rights Law: “We believe all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of those blessings … because of the color of their skin. The reasons are deeply imbedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. We can understand — without rancor or hatred — how this happened, but it cannot continue. … Our constitution … forbids it. The principles of our freedom forbid it. Morality forbids it. And [now] the law … forbids it.”

I'm crazy for iris...in someone else's yard

 

Sun hitting the velvet petals was captivating. 

My first walk up the hill had these beauties as my reward.

Soon there will be peonies also.

The pale blues pale (ahem, sorry about that) in comparison to the dark oranges.

And here's the first Peony which opened a week later.

Today's quote:

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

Rumi

In the 'hood

 

I see this plant out my living and bedroom windows...close to another apartment building. A few days ago I walked right up to it and took photos. I think it's a very big azalea.

The last pretty azalea of the bright pink variety, and a hanging planter with an unknown plant.

Some apartments have ramps rather than stairs to the porches and entrances...probably designed for disabled residents. I like the plants this apartment always displays.

As I walked near Walker St, I saw these yellow flowers growing wild in the shade.

Another flower I don't know.

My big event on Sunday was taking my empty 10 gallon aquarium and all its paraphernalia over to the give-away table in the laundry room. I had thrown the pump away earlier, to insure that I didn't start another tank full of fish, which would require frequent tending. I'm determined to reduce the amount of things I have to care for. That's because this old person keeps having more demands to take care of myself! I've forgotten to take my vitamins now for 3 days! Oh dear...

Today's quote:

“Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.”

Rumi

The mountain disappearing

 For the next 6 months, my views out the windows of my apartment (facing south) will be of the leaves and branches of maple trees. Not complaining. Well, not much. I will miss seeing the mountains across the valley.

April 30, 2021

May 5, 2021

May 5, 2021

So to see more mountain views, I shall just have to go walking around them!

Due to the gas shortage today, I don't dare do sight-seeing trips at this point. Maybe soon.

And the other problem I hope to not cope with for much longer, all my blog sites are being labeled as "Dangerous" by Chrome! What a bummer, as I would have said in the 70s. How invasive I say in the 2020s.

Today's quote:

“You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?”

Rumi

Springs of yesterday

 Happy Ostara...the day the earth stands on it's poles directly vertical to it's orbit, and  equal days of sunshine and dark.

The Brandford Pear in the bank parking lot.

These Lenten Roses bloomed throughout wintertime.

Another blog published this lovely video of streets of yesteryear, with beautiful music, and then just to make a threefold presentation, a Rumi poem being recited over it all. I had to watch it twice in a row, it was such an enjoyable experience.

Sharing this with Sepia Saturday this week...the video is definitely sepia!

Sunday in sunshine, with the goose whisperer

 

This guy (seated) has been around for years (I've lived here 14 years, and I don't know when I first saw him, at least 8 years ago). He is somewhat mentally handicapped, but loves the geese, who come to him. He obviously tries feeding them various things. Today he had no luck with spinach or ramen noodles. He knows corn will be better, and never bread. 

Mr. Goose wanted to see what I had to eat too...but he's smart enough to know a phone camera when he sees one.  Oh how we've changed wildlife with our new technology!

This bench no longer has any place to put your  feet, as the ducks and geese have made a nice ramp right in front of it.

I really would have liked to sit there...but not until there is ground in front of it again. There was a female duck ready to mate, and she's underneath at least two males at the time I took this...no shame in wildlife!  Poor female finally got a chance to breathe.

A nice sunny day meant some people were also fishing. the lake has been stocked with trout. I still don't think I'd eat anything from it. Since probably a hundred dogs are walked around it daily...and when it rains the results of their pee then drains into the lake. Fortunately little bags are provided for their solid waste. And then there are the geese and ducks...no thanks!

And here's another Tiny Library!

This is a good placement. I need to donate some books I guess!

Quote for today:

Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.

~ Rumi

On Broadway in Black Mountain

 

The blue awnings are well known as the biggest retailer in town, Tyson's furniture. I waited for my lunch in Cousins Cuban Cafe, and looking out the window saw someone lucky enough to get that parking spot.

Also across the street are a couple of tiny little stores.

I went to Cousins Cuban Cafe, and was surprised to see a couple of friends eating in the cafe. I was among many who wanted to take my food to-go.

It's always the right time for espresso. I take mine decaf after 12 thank you!

People were spaced maybe 6 feet apart...but not from the people who were at the table with them!

I let a couple of friends go ahead of me, then waited quite a while for my lunch...and by 12:15 pm there were enough people in line that they were telling folks it would be a 30 min. wait to get their orders filled.  A few of them left.

Across the street is Berliner Kendl German Restaurant. Then down the street you can see the mural of our native-born singer, Roberta Flack on the wall of Black Mountain Brewing...a micro brewery.

Today's Quote:

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. - Rumi

In Black Mountain

 Rainy day wandering around town...supposedly less tourists...you'd think, wouldn't you?

There I am holding the phone camera until I can see the name of this pretty store, full of pretties which I didn't need!

I remembered my walking around after lunch many months ago with Margaret...we stopped in this shop. Today I found something to take home with me!

It's one of those scarf things that you wear kind of over other clothes. I don't know what you'd call it, but pretty!

Another little shop on Cherry St, which I skipped on this wander...

I turned left, and headed west (left) on State Street...skipping all those stores to the right!

I avoid Kilwins like the plague...wait, we're all avoiding the plague, does that mean ice cream and fudge should be ok? I don't think so.

Before COVID-19 the Methodist Church would have a free lunch on Wed. (for donations). They've had to stop doing that.

Today's quote:

Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion. Rumi

Texan in a different view

Revised version of the available one posted below.

Sam Houston (1792-1863) in 1826, when he was 33 years old. (This elegant photo is new to me. See below.)

He led the Texan Army to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in Texas's war for independence against Mexico. After the war, Houston won election in the 1836 Texas presidential election. He left office due to term limits in 1838 but won election to another term in the 1841 Texas presidential election. Houston played a key role in the annexation of Texasby the United States in 1845, and in 1846, he was elected to represent Texas in the United States Senate. (Wikipedia)

He is buried in Huntsville TX, in the same cemetery as many of my Rogers ancestors.

A more familiar view of Sam Houston, about 1850.

Here's a bit more of Texas lore, though it's a modern production of a movie, which included someone playing Sam Houston, of course.

John Wayne and the rest of the cast and crew on the set of "The Alamo"  on Happy Shahan's ranch near Brackettville, Texas, 1960.  The film cost 12 million dollars to make and required 1.25 million adobe bricks. The set took close to two years to build.  John Wayne was to have portrayed Sam Houston, a bit part that would have let him focus on his first major directing effort, but investors insisted he play a leading character. So he took on the role of Davy Crockett, handing the part of Houston to Richard Boone.

Thanks again to Facebook's Traces of Texas. Isn't it neat that he counted the adobe bricks in the same sentence as the dollars?

Sepia Saturday's meme has a violinist, posing in an ornate setting.

Today's quote:

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” RUMI