BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow

Subject: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 01:48 PM

On life in Rhode Island, USA:

"It's a microcosm, really, like a childhood that never went away. One knows the shore of Naragansett Bay (and the sea, as Jimi says, is the biggest thing you know aboout), and therefore know life is much bigger than perception, at a very young age. Sand, ocean, sky, storms...all infinities, the inner universe biggest of all. That's summer. Then with autumn, back to Providence (known, invariably, as The City), with brick schools, asphalt streets, and winter rains and snows. Urban Christmas, summers full of horizons, and music playing in the background, and books behind them. The state's emblem is the Independent Man, and I can be right there, on that streetcorner or that rock by the surf, within the hour, between inner and outer space, full of words and tunes. As always."

"A fine, grey, drizzly, New England morning, just the thing to fill the swamps and make the leaves turn. 'And I rose in rainy autumn and walked abroad in a shower of all my days,' says Mr. Auden, in my favorite quote of his."

On the subject of holidays:

"It occurred to me this morning that the nice thing about holidays is not the isolated occasion of them, but the fact that like streetcars or links on a chain, they stand for what's past and what's to come, too. These times weren't invented to cancel the present, but to reassure us that there has been, and will be, more."

Music and casseroles:

"There is, I think, something preverbal about feeding people when there's trouble. A way of offering comfort, perhaps. There should be a Mudcat Brigade, parachuting into war zones with music and casseroles."

On language and teaching:

"Language is life, for me, always has been, and a classroom should be a place out of the wind. "

Good bye-

"Take care and squeeze assiduously. See you on the long side of next week.

...Mole."

The long side indeed. Cheers to you, Mole, wherever you are.

LR Mole
Nov. 10, 1951-Dec 28, 2001

"Lover of music, language, being Irish, and the holy potato"

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 01:53 PM

A very nice tribute and rememberance for our old friend Mole. You made my day sadder and yet happier at the same time Carol...no mean feat! I hope this thread gets some notice. Again Carol, thank you.....

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 02:02 PM

Here's a link to his Mudcat posts. Last one on 13th December 2001...

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 02:14 PM

More Mudcat posts from LR Mole (L R Mole)

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 03:57 PM

thanks Carole, I needed reminding there are people like him...even if not with us anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 05:57 PM

Yeah, but Morti, that's the neat thing.......He still is with us in some ways and we need to remember that sometimes. Carol reminds us and his own words give him immortality......I like that!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 06:08 PM

CarolC, here's one that leapt out and spoke to me: "Oh, I don't know...if music once made is infinite, bouncing about in the cosmos, then it, and therefore the people who made it, are never not together. Easier to believe in that than in computers, really. And more comforting."

Neat guy.

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 07:54 PM

Thanks, Carol. Mole was quite a good'un.
Ebbie, thanks for that quote. I'm mourning a dear musician of my own, and I'm going to copy Mole's words and ponder them in my heart.

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Dec 03 - 03:09 PM

Animaterra, I have/had a brother with whom I made music for many years. Even though he died four years ago, our music is still 'bouncing about in the cosmos' and I'm happy to feel that we are not separated.

Isn't it interesting- I just got a flash that since death frees us from physical constraints, on the other side we are free to 'go' any and everywhere. And that includes 'visits' to people we never knew in physical life. No wonder involving other people in one's grief is so comforting. If we could only 'see', we might be very surprised at the gentle nudges given all of us from beyond.

Subject: RE: BS: A (muffled) bit of cheer from the burrow
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Dec 03 - 04:44 PM

Here's a bit of what he posted to the thread I started just after my mother died, Allison. It seems like it might be appropriate for you, too:

"Remember that 'light' means less substantial, but also more illuminated. They all leave us lighter when they pass."