Blog – Page 15 – Tranquility Policy Institute

When you were four
That bump on your head
At the bottom of basement steps
Must have been the kiss that unlocked
The old soul stirring within.
They found you giggling and grinning,
According to family lore.

Your serenity and smile have illuminated
The lives of those that share
Your eventful timeline
And the wider world, as well.

Your singular calling began in early youth
As you evolved into a seeker of wisdom’s truth.
You have continued your course in life,
Exploring worlds, both internal
And beyond normal horizons.

In the realm of academe, student multitudes
Entered your classes as tabula rasas
And departed marveling at your awesome acumen
And the power of their own reflections.

You are a partner at home and in health,
A nurturer, researching a wealth of healing;
Apostle of wellness in home and community.
Aficionado of the arts, you have performed
Many roles on the largest stage of many curtain calls.
For all this and more, it is my notion
That you fully deserve a standing ovation.

Harris Gardner

73 is best number

Nonsense numerology.
This is birthday 73 for me.
According to the internet, and Sheldon Cooper, 73 is the best number.
73 is the 21st prime number.
Its mirror, 37, is the 12th.
The mirror of 12 is 21.
21 is the product of multiplying 7 and 3
In binary 73 is a palindrome, 1001001.

Poetry

My family’s poet laureate, Harris Gardner, presented the following at the 50th birthday party held in honor of my nephew, Jason Scolnick.

Sword of a Troubadour

To Jason Scolnick on his 50^th Birthday

From your realm of Self,
Your mystical music beguiles
Murmured harmonies of the spheres.

May your desires and dreams
Exceed those of Don Quixote;
May your songs soar to the frontier
Of the firmament and stun

A chorus of angels into mute wonder.
May your lyrics purify the ocean
To sustain the life that flows below.
Ranks of waves will render thanks.

May your strain be your weapon’s
Honed edge to lead the advance
Against any qualms that may
Rein in resolve, Raise your guidon!

Lift your music’s sabre;
Let its vibrant voice be heard.
As you set sail to further explore
Your mind’s hope-filled horizon,
Know that inspired labor will prevail.

Harris Gardner

Larry Gillis Says:

I prefer
suits-on-shoulders over
boots-on-heads.

Jacob Horberger – Vermin Supreme – James Gray

Party Bridge Scoring

Stroop Test

Try to say out loud the color of each word without reading the word.

Did you stop trying before you got to the last word?

Thought for the day

Is it foolish to think that anyone, especially Congress using a political process, can wisely determine where and how much economic aid should be provided to businesses or individuals?

The intended and unintended consequences may be worse than if Congress does nothing.

I prefer suits-on-shoulders over boots-on-heads.

I prefer
suits-on-shoulders over
boots-on-heads.