“Up to the highest heights…”
…and steer clear of the trees.
UNLESS
Today, being Dr. Seuss’ 108th Birthday and all, is perhaps the most perfect and auspicious timing for the release of Universal Picture’s animated interpretation of Seuss’ classic children’s book, The Lorax.
The Man bought me this book as a Valentine’s Day gift and, upon reacquainting myself with the story I once thought I knew, I was dumbfounded. The man (Dr. Seuss, that is) was BRILLIANT. To think that this book was published in 1971, “in the days when the grass was still green and the pond was still wet and the clouds were still clean,” amazes me. How did he know that we would chop down the forests to build the houses and other such “thneeds” that we somehow felt were more important that preserving the homes of the animals that lived there.
Okay, maybe I am getting too preachy here. After all, I too live in a 4 bedroom home in the ‘burbs. But I do wonder if we’ve gone too far. I mean, just look around. How many buildings in your surrounding area are vacant, be it office, home, or other business? How many grocery stores or coffee shops do you have within a 5 mile radius of your home? Do we need all that? Really?
All that aside, what about the open space preserves, national parks, or other beautiful places which we have somehow managed to save from development? How many times have you seen a seemly-perfect tree such as this manzanita tree out in the middle of these paradises? Look closely: more than one person has carved their name into the tree trunk. It’s sad.
One look at this makes me wish that there was really and truly a Lorax to speak for the poor defenseless trees, for the birds, the bears, the fish… and for us. If there is anything we need, it is glorious places such as these. In my humble opinion, these are the “thneeds” that-all-people-need.
breaking for lunch
Apparently, more than a third of the working class spends their lunch hour eating at the desk. I too have sometimes felt the need to work through lunch to either hit a deadline or make up for time lost at an appointment or in traffic.
But I also know from experience that getting away from my desk serves to make me more productive and focused when I return. If you don’t believe me, try it.
This is especially true when I break for lunch and use the time to exercise: run, cycle, walk, or yoga.
Perhaps this is why these two opted not to sit at their desks today. I wonder how much more focused they were upon their return to the office. Or how envious others were that they too did not take the time out to get away and clear their mind.
California poppy
Eschsholtzia californica: Wild, yet delicate.
Seeing 60:60
Weeks ago, I laughed when she included in the rules that no more than 2 classes per day would be allowed for the 60-day Challenge. Yes. I laughed because, at the time, getting to the yoga studio every day seemed nearly impossible. But I signed up for the challenge anyhow.
She explained that taking more than 2 classes in one day would be “obsessive.” That was the word she used, and I laughed out loud at the absurdity of it. But now, as I carefully examine the schedule trying to find the fastest possible way to finish off my 60 classes, I don’t think it is obsessive at all.
*SIGH*