Food for Thought: Life

Now that I've properly given Death some attention, let's talk about Life:

"Take a moment from time to time to remember that you are alive. I know this sounds a trifle obvious, but it is amazing how little time we take to remark upon this singular and gratifying fact. By the most astounding stroke of luck an infinitesimal portion of all the matter in the universe came together to create you and for the tiniest moment in the great span of eternity you have the incomparable privilege to exist."- Bill Bryson

"It is easy to overlook this thought that life just is. As humans we are inclined to feel that life must have a point. We have plans and aspirations and desires. We want to take constant advantage of the intoxicating existence we've been endowed with.


But what's life to a lichen? Yet its impulse to exist, to be, is every bit as strong as ours - arguably even stronger. If I were told that I had to spend decades being a furry growth on a rock in the woods, I believe I would lose the will to go on. Lichens don't. Like virtually all living things, they will suffer any hardship, endure any insult, for a moment's additions existence. Life, in short just wants to be."
- Bill Bryson
A Short History of Nearly Everything

I haven't read A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, but I loved his A Walk in the Woods.  I saw a young woman reading Short History in the airport a couple of weeks ago.  I may have to download it to my Kindle.

We had a dinner party last Saturday night for the members of the Executive Board of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors.  This was the menu:

Fig & Blue Cheese-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Sweet Potato Souffle
Hearts of Romaine Salad
Triple Citrus Cheesecake

The meal was good and we had a great time getting to know these folks better.  Walter will be working with all of them this year on the Board.