It snows because the wind wants
to be water, because water
wants to be powder and powder wants
to seduce the eye. Because once in his life
the philosopher has to admit
to the poverty of thought.
Because the rich man cannot buy snow
and the poor man has to wear it on his eyebrows.
~Pablo Medina~
“Most so-called innovations are now anti-progress by any honest definition.”
Kitchen Chalk Talk • I think this is a pretty damn good epigraph for this year
Finished reading: The Character of Virtue by Stanley Hauerwas 📚
If I have any advice, it is simply this. Many generous people have made your life possible. Don’t be afraid of imitating them.
A brief New Year’s in-lieu-of-newsletter newsletter — nothing, nothing, nothing will ever be the same…🙂
Tyrannus T. Twostroke • A simple job for a simple engine
Matthew B. Crawford:
Superficially, litter and the rusting carcasses of salvaged cars are both an affront to the eye. But while litter exemplifies that lack of stewardship that is the ethical core of a throwaway society, the visible presence of old [things] represents quite the opposite. Yet these are easily conflated under the environmentalist aesthetic, and the result has been to impart a heightened moral status to Americans’ prejudice against the old, now dignified as an expression of civic responsibility.
In keeping with the year of anti-inflation, we decided at the end of the year not to buy a new snowblower. The original plan was to buy one that used the same batteries as the mower, but for several reasons we decided against it. Instead, we’re rocking this tiny old beast for the winter. Recently dug out of my grandfather’s garage by my dad, and affectionately named Tyrannus T. Twostroke, I believe this Yard Machine hails from the year 1995, but I’m not sure. In fact, this is the only two-stroke snowblower I’ve ever seen. After a new drive belt, it’s basically running like new — for now… 🤞
While I know that the “environmentally conscious” among us cringe/melt at the sound of two-strokes engines, I’m still convinced that caring for old things is more effective responsibility — environmental or otherwise. And since two-stroke snowmobiles were a staple growing up in Maine in the 80s and 90s, ol’ Tyrannus gives me the added benefit of a good olfactory dose of nostalgia every time it fires up.
Snow day activities
“Gotta stretch for these snow zooms.”
If our public witness votes and lobbies but doesn’t testify, if it debates and protests but doesn’t forgive, if it bargains and barters but doesn’t administer justice, if it threatens and punishes but doesn’t restore, then we politick in vain.