Tag Archives: Litany Against Fear

Litany Against Fear

Weather in the Tries:  Oh, WOWSER! Only two nights below 40, and two days above 70, the rest in the upper 60s. Must be why I can’t breathe—those excited little plants are dancing and tossing their pollen with great and gleeful abandon and cheer.             

Litany Against Fear

If you’ve read Dune, or seen any of the movies, you will undoubtedly understand how the Litany Against Fear plays such a pivotal role on paper and in film. I think it’s one of Frank Herberts most famous writings.

“I must not fear. 

Fear is the mind-killer. 

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. 

I will face my fear. 

I will permit it to pass over me and through me. 

And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. 

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

I tried to memorize it when I read Dune the first time. I failed. But I remembered the gist of it. A few books later, Reverend Mother Odrade said she didn’t have time for all that folderal and changed it to “Face your fears or they will ride your back.” That may not be the exact phrase she used, but close enough, and by golly, I can remember it. And I use it. 

I’m still packing and must be done before bedtime Wednesday. The movers come Thursday, and I must be ready for them. I’m mostly done. Down to dribs n drabs of stuff that didn’t fit in that box or this one. And my office. The books are mostly packed, but….

My storage locker, affectionately known as “the shed” is nearly full, but neatly so. 

And a Nice to report. I totally spaced on calling my insurance to change my renters and auto address. I hate trying to talk to a computer who can only understand 3, possibly 4 words. Saturday, I remembered I needed to take care of that, and get a copy of the renter’s insurance to the new apartment complex. The conversation went sorta like this: the Computer Lady said, “Thank you for calling USAA, how may I help you?” Me (trying not to grind my teeth: “Change of address.” Computer Lady,” Oh, you’d like to change your address. One moment please and I’ll connect you to a representative.” Me (trying not to faint): “Thank you.” And then the representative came on. Young. Chipper. Happy. And very professional. She got everything she needed to do quickly, professionally, and pleasantly. Then she transferred me to somebody in Automotive. He asked for the new address, I gave it, he said, “Oh, it’s already in the system.” I could hear keys clicking. Then, “Well, I have some good news for you. Your monthly cost will go down $32.00.” I truly believe I’m with the best Insurance company around. If you’re a veteran, check them out!

Photo of the Week:

One of the sights I will miss–dawn on the river. Now that we’re apparently going full-time DST, I may never again be up early enough to see the dawn. But I’ll have a lake. Okay, a pond. A man-made pond. It, too, has birds–ducks, geeses, and a heron. And I’m sure I saw alligator and giraffe tracks on the island. Sammy has his chores. When I leave he must keep the humfalumpuses off the furniture, the hippopotamuses out of the parking slots, and the giraffes and alligators over on the island. The people here will miss him when we move. There hasn’t been a sighting of giraffes, alligators, or hippos since we moved in. Yayyy for the Brave Dog.

Books: Remember, if I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads

Oh, surely I jest! I’ve had time to read? Bwahahahahaha! I have Anne Bishop’s last “Other” book waiting, Crowbones, but I must, Must, MUST be packed before I dive in, because it’s a marvelous universe and I love it and don’t want to leave it to do something as mundane as more packing!

Earworm of the week: Not really an earworm, but if you like desert inspired music, this is hard to beat. And the photography is superb. Dune | Epic Music & Ambience

Quotes of the week: From Goodreads.com

“The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.” —Frank Herbert, Dune

“What do you despise? By this are you truly known.” ―Frank Herbert, Dune

“It is impossible to live in the past, difficult to live in the present and a waste to live in the future.” ―Frank Herbert, Dune

Next week, Auntie Lenora will be writing from her new abode. She should have a few pix to share. And hopefully some empty boxes.