So I had a successful consumer expedition. I found a hand vac that will use the same battery pack as my Ryobi drill, which is fantastic. I bought a meat thermometer, some new cutting boards (I came across the idea recently of having a separate one for onions and garlic, which is outstanding), and most happily a book of poetry by Mary Oliver. I was happy to see a bookstore at all
It was womaned by an overweight cat lady with a cane. We talked about how everyone is in a hurry—needlessly and compulsively, and not infrequently dangerously, when it comes to driving. She is as close to being “my people” as anyone.
The book had a poem which made me tear up instantly. I’ll post it later when this present outward journey is done.
But it led to this thought: Faith is calm with knowledge. It is calm DESPITE all that. You know what. It will no doubt differ slightly for you, but you have s referent as well as me.
Calm is the effect. The means may be faith in God, or humanity, or your own strength, or just a congenital optimism. But faith is peace, and we all want peace, at least as a base, everyday state.