The Neighborly Absorption (Part 1)
Written by David J. Greenspan
Article published in Northampton Living (January 2021)
As we gratefully enjoy and look forward to the year ahead, it might be worthwhile to find a better indoor hobby than training your cat to walk on a leash.
If you have issues determining what you have to do, want to do, and should do this year, you may find direction in the universal lessons found in 20th century baseball legend Satchel Paige’s six rules for healthy living. Avoid fried meats, which angry up the blood. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move. Go very light on the vices such as carrying on in society. Avoid running at all times. Don’t look back; something might be gaining on you. For those who learn a new word every day, we salute you.
For those who learn a new word a week, keep at it. For those like me who pick up a new word every month or so, all, good luck… You will need it. My singular recent monthly word is one that is perfect for this time of year. Prospicience is the action of looking forward and this month contains offbeat food holidays, which need only a pinch of foresight to indulge.
National Hangover Day, Black Eyed Pea Day, and National Bloody Mary Day take place on the 1st. I plan to binge watch The Hangover movies while sipping away on a few tasty Bloody Marys; saving the black eyed peas in between films. Puff away on the second and enjoy National Cream Puff Day during National Buffet Day. On the 12th, permission is granted for Marzipan, Curried Chicken, and Glazed Doughnuts to occupy the same plate space.
National Granola Bar and New England Clam Chowder Day fall on the 21st, (we do not advise combining these two; or the two that follow on the 24th.) On National Peanut Butter Day & Lobster Thermidor Day, the planet Mercury is at 18.6 degrees from the sun. Low in the western sky, soon after the sun sets is the best time to witness its longest elongation.
The full moon on the 28th was called the Wolf Moon by the early Native Americans because hungry wolves caused a noisy ruckus. Our dog was so good this year that we changed his name to Samaritan. I have to admit that repeating “Good Samaritan, Good Samaritan” was drawing some strange behavior out of my neighbors, so we are back to calling him Ness as in goodness.
May you find meaning in your work, or work to find meaning. January, named after Janus, the ancient Roman numen of doors. May this be the year where we all open as many of them as possible.
