Weather in the Tries: Looks like our really cold cold will be gone by the time you read this and daytime highs will be in the 50s with a certain amount of god’s tears. Nighttime lows will still be playing footsie with freezing. But it’s better than what some of the early pioneers up with met—and died.
“In the time of your life, Live—”
When I was in high school, I was both filled with teen angst, and a drama queen. I aspired to become the modern (of the day) Sara Bernhardt. I wanted to act on stage, not the silver screen. My heroes of the day (since I had finally realized I would not grow up to be Hugh Glass, Mountain man, reincarnated) were playwrights. Especially Tennessee Williams and William Saroyan. Oh, yeah. I’d still like to write a play as good as one of theirs. sigh.
My favorite Saroyan play was “In the Time of Your Life.” I loved the play, especially the preface. I think it is worth sharing since Putin, with pupkisses from his GOPuppies, has opened at least three Portals to Hell this past week. I guess you can figure out what I think of Putin and the news. I just hope there is still a Ukraine next week. I think if Putin’s Kill List is realized it will be, if not the end of Putin, the beginning of his end. I am surprised and delighted at how the rest of the world is reacting to the situation. Even some of his ‘friends’ are saying “no”—China and Kazakhstan to name a couple. The play, In The Time of Your Life, was written in 1939, before we entered WWII. Quote below is from Goodreads Quotes. Emphasis is mine.
William Saroyan > Quotes > Quotable Quote
“In the time of your life, live—so that in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life your life touches. Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and unashamed.
Place in matter and in flesh the least of the values, for these are the things that hold death and must pass away. Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption. Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world. Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye and the kindly heart.
Be the inferior of no man, or of any men be superior. Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man’s guilt is not yours, nor is any man’s innocence a thing apart. Despise evil and ungodliness, but not men of ungodliness or evil. These, understand. Have no shame in being kindly and gentle but if the time comes in the time of your life to kill, kill and have no regret.
In the time of your life, live—so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.”
― William Saroyan, The Time Of Your Life
Read more quotes from William Saroyan “
May Ukraine be strong, survive, and remain free.
Plant Sunflowers. Keep some seeds in your pocket so when you die, and are buried, they will grow.
Nicholas Kristof has an interesting substack article that is, I think, free. (At least I got it and subscribed. They didn’t ask for money.) I’ve liked Mr. Kristof’s writing for years, and am glad to have found his substack site. You might like this one: How Do We Make Putin Fail? You’ll love the conversation between the Ukraine woman and the Russian soldier. Honest. Trust me. If you are paywalled, a judicious email to moi can possibly handle the problem.
Quotes of the week from: Inspiring Quotes
“High school isn’t necessarily the best time of your life.” —Jenna Ushkowitz
“Sure things are going to get sketchy, but when your (sic) having the time of your life (sic) whats (sic) sketch?” —Rob Dyrdek
“Live, for this is the time of your life.” —William Saroyan
Come back next week when I ask, and answer, the age-old and burning question: where does the 27-pound kitty sleep?