tao1776

.. all gathering is followed by dispersion.  Therefore the superior man begins to distribute while he is accumulating.  In the same way, in developing his character he takes care not to become hardened in obstinacy but to remain receptive to impressions by help of strict and continuous self-examination. After a seven years of estrangement I met my brother over a pizza and beer. Neither of us have carried a grudge or anger in our pocket for these seven years. As he put it, we have just ignored each other. It's curious that we never bumped into one another in our travels seeing that he only lives the next town over and less than a fifteen minute drive away. I like the  Nietzsche quote which says, "There are no facts; only interpretations".  Yeah, we had a falling out after my Mother had died. The "whys" are no longer important. I just wanted to hear his view of things: if only to gain a better understanding of myself. Shortly after we met I sent him an...

I had less than a month to build a suitable coop and chicken run. I had very little money to work with. Having seen many coops and out buildings that people have assembled using scrap pallets, I thought that I would give it a try. Starting with two 4 x 8 pallets as the floor, I assembled all the available pallets that I could find. This is the frame of the coop. It will measure approximately 8ft x 8ft. Saltbox style roof will be 9 feet at the front and will taper down to 8 1/4 feet in the back. My inspiration is drawn from the bottom photo   seen here. I varied the plans to accommodate the unevenness of available pallet size. In a perfect world a 4' x 4' pallet would make pallet building as easy as playing with Lego's. Unfortunately downsizing has effected everything. Most pallets now measure 48" x 40" and the solid 4' by 4' pallets are usually reclaimed by their owners. Oh, they're out there, but I am looking to build for as...

  While the autumn moon is pouring full On a thousand night-levels among towns and villages, There meet by chance, south of the river, Dreaming doubters of a dream.... In the trees a wind has startled the birds, And insects cower from cold in the grass; But wayfarers at least have wine And nothing to fear – till the morning bell. TaoSpring is the name being given to the renasaince of our little peice of The Patch. The chicks are in, the coop and run are going up. Every room of the house is undergoing a renovation and the property around the house is seeing the rebuilding of gardens along with the planting of herbs, flowers and vegetables. Coop building will commence this weekend if the weather allows. Pictures will follow. Tell me what think. Enjoy.

HOLDING TOGETHER brings good fortune. Inquire of the oracle once again Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance; Then there is no blame. Those who are uncertain gradually join. Whoever come too late Meets with misfortune. The old "Sullivan House" located in "The Patch". The girls are in. This is where the coop n' run will be. I will show you our progress as it unfurls. Welcome to TaoSpring.

  Doc Holliday : And you must be Ringo. Look, darling, Johnny Ringo. The deadliest pistoleer since Wild Bill, they say. What do you think, darling? Should I hate him? Kate : You don’t even know him. Doc Holliday : Yes, but there’s just something about him. Something around the eyes, I don’t know, reminds me of… me. No. I’m sure of it, I hate him. Wyatt Earp : [to Ringo] He’s drunk. Doc Holliday : In vino veritas. ["In wine is truth" meaning: "When I'm drinking, I speak my mind"] Johnny Ringo : Age quod agis. ["Do what you do" meaning: "Do what you do best"] Doc Holliday : Credat Judaeus apella, non ego. ["The Jew Apella may believe it, not I" meaning: "I don't believe drinking is what I do best."] Johnny Ringo : [pats his gun] Eventus stultorum magister. ["Events are the teachers of fools" meaning: "Fools have to learn by experience"] Doc Holliday : [gives a Cheshire cat smile] In pace ...

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."  I often read several books all at the same time. And while I have long suspected that this is not the most practical way to read, for me, it seems to fit. While I have noticed on more than one occasion that a hint of synchronicity may guide many of the books that come my way, as I may one day find myself pondering on the migration of geese and the degree to which geese have played a role in early American life (Yes, seriously!) and few weeks later I'll find Michener's Chesapeake tucked firmly in my lap.  Recently I have been struggling with how Machiavellian   everyday life seems to be. It appears to be the natural/anthropological way of being for much of the human race. Be...