Serious Silliness

Today I'm 25,052 days old.  That makes this a very special diaversary because 25,052 is a numerical palindrome. 
Okay, so I'm writing about trivial, nonsensical stuff that doesn't mean anything to anyone but me.    But it doesn't mean I don't know or care about the upheaval and chaos that's happening around the world.
Humanity is experiencing a triple threat to living in a healthy, safe and peaceful planet.  We are undergoing 1.) climate catastrophe, 2.) a global pandemic, and 3.) a righteous and necessary rebellion against systemic racial inequality.  The first two factors fomented the perfect conditions for the last. 
The current crisis has been a long time coming.  A lot has to be toppled and destroyed -  and not just statues and monuments commemorating racist history - before we can start clearing up the mess we've made. 
We can't move forward without first dismantling centuries of bigotry and injustice. It will require sacrifice and constant awareness of how we think and behave.  It's a difficult and sometimes dangerous undertaking, and probably will be for a long while to come.  And the world that eventually emerges out of all this will be a sadder but wiser place.  At least I hope so.  But sadder for sure. 
Which brings me back to my palindromic diaversary.  Sure, my obsession with these personal details in my life may seem flaky, but the attention I pay to them isn't flaky at all.  When I focus on the minutiae of my daily life, I am more aware of the day and even the moment I inhabit.  The result is I'm more present and balanced. 
Writing this inconsequential blurb won't change anything out there, but it won't harm anyone, either.  And please know that my gratitude for being able to indulge in frivolous pastimes is tempered with guilt.  For the brief time it's taken me to write this down, I'm fully aware of my white privilege for being able to do so, and in that awareness I find balance and equanimity.  To paraphrase one of my heroes, Mahatma Gandhi, I'm doing my best to be the change I want for the world.
- g.p.
p.s.  The Universe gave me an awesome diaversary gift today.  There were two bunnies hanging around my birdfeeder this morning.  Rabbits are active around dawn and dusk and therefore associated with shadow worlds, which is why they're also known to be guides into the fairy realm.  So at least the Universe takes me seriously.

Time Away with the Fay

There's a columbine growing just outside my door, which happens to be a very fairy-friendly flower.  The Fay like hanging around columbines.  They're a kind of fairy pit-stop.  If you don't believe me, you can google it. 

Anyway - the other day I took a picture of one of the blossoms, and noticed after I'd taken the photo that there was a little dandelion seed on it.  It had escaped my attention while I was taking the picture.  That's because it's a fairy in disguise.  They do that sort of thing.  Fairies can be a tricky lot.
It's nice to know there's still mischief and magic in this world.  It's not all crap out there, even though you wouldn't know it when you check in on the news. 
I'm well aware that writing this piece of fluff about a little bit of fluff doesn't help the grief and pain the whole world is feeling these days.  But this little web of mine isn't called The Magical Musings of Gossamer Penwyche for nothing.  It was never intended to offer solutions to the world's problems.  It's meant as an escape from them - for just a little while. 
Sure, sometimes I address serious issues.  But not today.  Today I'm indulging in some beauty and magic.  It doesn't cause any harm, and it makes me feel better.  And when I feel good, I'm a better person. 
So mote it be.
- g.p.