There are days which occur in this climate, at almost any season of the year, wherein the world reaches its perfection; when the air, the heavenly bodies and the earth, make harmony, as if nature would indulge her offspring; when, in these bleak upper sides of the planet, nothing is to desire that we have hear of the happiest latitudes, and we bask in the shining hours of Florida and Cuba; when everything that has life gives sign of satisfaction, and the cattle that lie on the ground seem to have great and tranquil thoughts. These halcyons may be looked for with a little more assurance in that pure October weather which we distinguish by the name of Indian summer. The day, immeasurably long, sleeps over the broad hills and warm wide fields. To have lived through all its sunny hours, seems longevity enough.
So begins Emerson's essay, "Nature." And so has the day been here, making it very hard to sit still and read. I therefore have only half understood the essay and have to read it again. I will post on it tomorrow.
In the mean time, I am enjoying the warm fall weather as much as I can before the cold of winter works its way into my bones. A windy bike ride around the lake and to the library to pick up
The New Book of Lists by David Wallenchinsky and Amy Wallace. This book is going to be fun to browse through. I have already found one list I am trying to figure out how to make a little contest out of. Until then, I will leave you with a few selections from the list "42 Very Odd Jobs"
- Ant Catcher. Digs up live ants for use in plastic ant farms. (I always wondered where they got the ants for those things!)
- Chick Sexer. Inserts a light to examine the sex organs of chicks, then separates the males from the females. A university degree in chick sexing is offered in Japan.
- Debubblizer. Tends high-pressure heating equipment that removes internal solvent bubbles from nitrocellulose rod stock in the plastic industry.
- Egg Breaker. Separates yolks and whites of eggs for use in food products by striking eggs against a bar. Pours contents of broken eggs into an egg-separating device.
- Kiss Mixer. Mixer. Mixes the ingredients used in processing Candy Kisses.
- Pillowcase Turner. Tends machine that turns pillowcases right side out and stretches material to remove wrinkles.
- Queen Producer. Raises queen bees.
- Reefer Engineer. Operates refrigeration or air-condition equipment aboard ships. (I bet you thought it was something else, didn't you?)
- Weed Farmer. Grows weeds for sale to universities and chemical companies to be used in herbicide research. (I had no idea my backyard was a gold mine. I've got weeds the likes of which the university has never seen!)
I hope the weather where you are is as nice as it is here. Must get back to enjoying it.
