I'm vacationing in Florida this month and giving little time to the blog, but I hate to let more than a week go by without touching base. So here are the few thoughts that have occurred.
"If we're all just pieces in a game of chess, then what does it matter if I'm a pawn and youre the king?"
"Why was I born? I don't know -- beyond it being a rather obvious attempt to distract my attention."
"What you discover about life's shell game is that it's hardest to follow the pea when you're the pea."
"I don't know if I'm the unwitting agent of a master conspiracy, but I'm sure the unwitting agent of something."
A reflection on marriage. "It is sad when someone from whom you could never part without one last kiss becomes someone from whom you could never part -- and so never kiss."
"To trade a childhood wonder for a plausible explanation -- is there a worst trade one makes in life?"
"If you would give up a breath-taking wonder, insist upon a breath-taking explanation."
~~ Robert Brault
21 comments:
These are so whimsical-I love them. A kind of light-hearted pessimism.
"What you discover about life's shell game is that it's hardest to follow the pea when you're the pea."
Boy, ain't that the truth?!
=)
Heavy Man....REALLY Heavy!! ;}
"If we're all just pieces in a game of chess, then what does it matter if I'm a pawn and youre the king?"
- It does matter the because the pawn can checkmate the King but King cannot checkmate the pawn :) Enjoy your vacation !
The first and last are my two favorites if I had to pick... Thanks for these! Enjoy your vacation and be safe =)
Whether "I'm a pawn and youre the king?" or it's just " childhood wonder" - you continue to touch so many so gently Robert. Beautiful
"If we're all just pieces in a game of chess, then what does it matter if I'm a pawn and youre the king?"
~enjoy~ your vacation robert.. I need a vacation like that...lol
Hi Robert
A reflection on marriage cracked my face. Childhood wonders and explanations is an interesting thought. To get back to the wonder and feeling of seeing or doing things for the very first time is something I've been chasing after for as many years as I don't care to dwell on.
Next time take me to Florida with you...or will it likely shatter my perception of the place? Enjoy the break as if it was the first for many years and the last for many years to come.
The wonder of your quotes...! And I can only wonder at the wonder of Florida, have a wonderful holiday :)
You are in Florida!Great...and I am leaving...I would have loved to have treated you and your inspiration(wife) to Dinner...maybe next time!Enjoy!!!!!
nothingprofound,
I generally alternate between "whimsical" and "fraught with meaning."
Sue,
I won't even get into the subject of pea soup.
Becky,
Heavy! That usually means "whimsical."
Anon,
Yes, that's a difference you sometimes forget about in drawing chess analogies.
Valerie,
Glad you like. So far it's been as safe a vacation as you can possibly imagine.
Raj,
One can only hope that the touch is gentle.
Karen,
Thanks. We'll hope there's a vacation in your not-too-distant future.
Ken,
That really it is the trick -- to look on every vacation as your first and last. Sometimes, in retirement, it's hard to think of what it is your vacationing from.
khushi,
Wonder aside, I'd be happy if there was as much sunshine in my quotes as there is in Florida.
Ariana,
Thanks, but you have the best of me in this blog. A first-hand view of my table manners would have added little to the mix. I do hope you had a safe trip home.
smiling* We arrived home a day late.Thanks to US Air ...and missed our connector flight from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. The good news? We had a magnificent overnight stay in the Renaissance and a buffet breakfast...and now?Home sweet cold home.Enjoy the Florida sun...look forward to reading your next offering.
May I be the first to say "Happy 1,200 Followers Day"...I think this calls for an emergency Florida Quote...don't you?
Have a Grand Monday !
One last post...I took a little liberty with one of the above quotes.:O)
Check out my Blog...
Ariana
Ariana,
I did check out your blog, and I'm delighted with your imaginative use of my quote. Thanks. Thanks also for good wishes and encouragement, but, alas, I won't be posting for a while. Life intervenes.
smiles,
rb
"If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit." -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)
I just discovered your work today. I'm VERY pleased to make your acquaintance. I read the above quote on the 'A Word A Day' website.
I immediately made a copy and pasted it into a new file that I titled: The Best Quote EVER.
I didn't know your name so I Googled it and found this delightful website. I'm delighted to find you--just sorry I hadn't 'known you' until now.
The Rabbit quote is something I've tried to express for years but have never been able to put into words. I have tried (always in vain) to tell my more philosophical friends about this point of view...but nobody ever 'got it'. You put it so clearly that anybody can grasp the meaning. Thank you forever.
Linda,
Thanks so much for the appreciative words. I am VERY pleased to make your acquaintance, as well.
smiles,
rb
"Childhood wonder" ~ you're right, it's a keeper!
I continue to enjoy your quotes regarding pets and especially dogs... I used several of your quotes this weekend on a post I wrote about my sister-in-law's wonderful dog, Savannah {a retired therapy dog}. Thank you, Robert, for being a constant source of inspiration ~
~Maria
ps. Are we really getting more snow?
Dear Robert
First of all, I hope you have a great time in Florida.
I just want to let you know that I quoted one of your verses on my blog, you are more than welcome to come around! (Blog entry: "La vie en Rose - Little crocheted treasure" - at the end).
Best wishes from cold Germany
Anita
Dear Robert, about the weather on the East Coast this morning? Aren't you glad...you're not on the East Coast today.
Hope you have sunshine warming your soul today!
Maria,
Checked out your post -- love it! Thanks so much. Joan and I got back to Connecticut (from Florida) last night, driving straight through from South Carolina. Safe and snug today, assuming the roof doesn't collapse.
Anita,
Love your blog and much appreciate your use of my quote. A beautiful setting for the words. Thank you.
Ariana,
At home in Connecticut today, driving 13 hours yesterday to beat the latest storm. But friends like you do bring sunshine to the soul.
smiles all,
rb
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