from friend to friends

Desiderata - Words for Life by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

pUt ThE fUn B-tWeEn Ur LeGz

This month is National Bike to Work Month. Though I frequently ride downtown, I haven't been riding to work for a couple of reasons. However, I am using this month to find permanent and practical ways to replace car-driving with bicycle riding.

The laundromat is super close to my house. It's barely over a mile away! I finally invested in a rack for my bicycle. (Thanks Trinity!) I found a few of these crates abandoned in a parking lot a while back, commandeered them and attached one to the rack with bungee cords.

I opted for bungee cords against the hose clamps because (though I'm not sure) I thought the hose clamps may be more permanent. I have a cube milk crate that I would like to switch out with this flatter crate for carrying groceries. Though the bungee cords are good because they are easily removable, take care the crate is extremely secure. I was told that zip ties would be not only be a temporary way to attach the crate, but also a waste of plastic. Agreed!

The ride was very comfortable carrying the two loads of laundry on the crate along with my backpack with books, laundry soap, and repair tools. I think carrying more loads at one time would be trailer-worthy, but I should probably do my laundry often enough that this works beautifully.

I also took all neighborhood streets and only had to cross 8th, so the route itself is easy peas-y. No excuses now, ride a bike!



•Side note: The last time I posted it was after going to the same laundromat that I'm posting about today. I feel something, overdramatic and/or guilty for having portrayed that old lady as so disconnected with the world. She seems to have a system of some sort. I'm still learning this place.