Wintertime Slowdown

I have been recovering from a upper respiratory illness: bronchitis.  Problematic for a 74 year old man who has had bronchitis three times, and pneumonia twice.  A common cold in the cool winter days was hard on me.  Three weeks of recovering at home.  Two trips to visit doctor.  Getting better as of March 6th.

Not much energy during this period of time.   

Started walking 45 minutes each day on March 9, 2020.

I have had the flu three times (1955, 1975, 2002) in my lifetime.  Scary, painful, weakening. 

My wife and I have gotten a flu shot each year for the past twenty years.



I wish everyone good health and best wishes and luck in avoiding the flu season and the new virus strains like Covid-19.  


Every year, the flu season brings serious illness and death to a staggering number of people.  The evidence is shocking.

"Flu season is hitting its stride right now in the US. So far, the CDC has estimated (based on weekly influenza surveillance data) that at least 12,000 people have died from influenza between Oct. 1, 2019 through Feb. 1, 2020, and the number of deaths may be as high as 30,000. 

The CDC also estimates that up to 31 million Americans have caught the flu this season, with 210,000 to 370,000 flu sufferers hospitalized because of the virus."

So how do these numbers compare to flu deaths in previous years? So far, it looks like the 2019-2020 death toll won’t be as high as it was in the 2017-2018 season, when 61,000 deaths were linked to the virus. However, it could equal or surpass the 2018-2019 season's 34,200 flu-related deaths. 

Overall, the CDC estimates that 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010 can be blamed on the flu. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the flu kills 290,000 to 650,000 people per year."

Optimal Aging

Twenty Rules for Optimal Living in the 21st Century

1.  Face Reality
2.  Take Action
3.  Create Yourself
4.  Accept Responsibility
5.  Do It Now
6.  You Can't Change the Past
7.  Act Like a Scientist
8.  Work, Work, Work and Practice, Practice, Practice
9.  Push Yourself
10.  Do and Feel
11.  There's No Gain Without Pain
12.  Accept and Forgive Yourself Unconditionally
13.  Live for Now and for the Future
14.  Commit Yourself
15.  Take Risks
16.  Be Interested in Yourself and in Others
17.  Remain Flexible
18.  Use It Or Lose It
19.  Accept Uncertainty
20.  Don't Expect Heaven on Earth 

Albert Ellis, Ph.D., and Emmett Verlten, Ph.D.  Optimal Aging: Get Over Getting Older  1998

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Aging Well: Quotes, Notes, Bibliography

[A repost from February 6, 2016 in the Cloud Hands Blog.]

Dao De Jing, Chapter 10

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 10


"By husbanding the animal and spiritual souls
and embracing unity, it is possible to prevent their separation.
By undivided attention to the passion-nature,
and increasing tenderness, it is possible to be a little child.
By putting away impurity from the hidden eye of the heart,
it is possible to be without spot.
By loving the people, and so governing the nation,
it is possible to be unknown.
In opening and shutting the heavenly doors (mouth, nostrils, etc.)
it is possible to have no creaking.
One may be bright and transparent on all sides, and yet be unknown.
To produce and to nourish, to produce and have not,
to act and expect not, to enlarge and cut not off, —
this is called sublime virtue."
-  Translated by John Chalmers, 1968, Chapter 10 


"By patience the animal spirits can be disciplined.
By self-control one can unify the character.
By close attention to the will, compelling gentleness, one can become like a little child.
By purifying the subconscious desires one may be without fault.
In ruling his country, if the wise magistrate loves his people, he can avoid compulsion.
In measuring out rewards, the wise magistrate will act like a mother bird.
While sharply penetrating into every corner, he may appear to be unsuspecting.
While quickening and feeding his people, he will be producing but without pride of ownership.
He will benefit but without claim of reward.
He will persuade, but not compel by force.
This is De, the profoundest virtue."
-  Translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel, 1919, Chapter 10 


"Can you hold the door of your tent
Wide to the firmament?
Can you, with the simple stature
Of a child, breathing nature,
Become, notwithstanding,
A man?
Can you continue befriending
With no prejudice, no ban?
Can you, mating with heaven,
Serve as the female part?
Can your learned head take leaven
From the wisdom of your heart?
If you can bear issue and nourish its growing,
If you can guide without claim or strife,
If you can stay in the lead of men without their knowing,
You are at the core of life."
-  Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 10 


"Can you keep the soul always concentrated from straying?
Can you regulate the breath and become soft and pliant like an infant?
Can you clear and get rid of the unforeseen and be free from fault?
Can you love the people and govern the state by non-action?
Can you open and shut the gates of nature like a female?
Can you become enlightened and penetrate everywhere without knowledge?"
-  Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 10


"When 'carrying your soul,' embracing the One Thing, can you be undivided?
When 'concentrating ch'i', bringing about Softness, can you be like an infant?
When 'cleansing and purifying the mysterious mirror,' can you be without blemish?
When 'loving the people and caring for the kingdom,' can you be without knowledge?
When 'the Doors of Heaven open and shut,' can you remain Feminine?
When 'Clarity and bareness penetrate everywhere,' can you remain not doing?
Produce and nourish. Produce but don't possess work but don't rely on this preside but don't rule.
This is mysterious Te."
-  Translated by Michael LaFargue, 1992, Chapter 10  


載營魄, 抱一能無離乎?
專氣致柔, 能嬰兒乎?
滌除玄覽, 能無疵乎?
愛民治國, 能無知乎?
天門開闔, 能為雌乎?
明白四達, 能無知乎?
生之畜之.
生而不有.
為而不恃.
長而不宰.
是謂玄德.
-  Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 10



"Having received, in the birth-process, a living soul, one is able, by preserving its individuality pure and uncorrupted, to prevent disunion with the pure original.
By controlling the vital force, and bringing it to the utmost degree of pliancy, one is able to become as a little child again and revert to one’s pristine state of innocence.
By washing and cleansing oneself of that which Heaven alone can see, one may become without one blemish.
By governing the Empire by love towards the people, one is able to keep them from knowing evil; and, they will live in an atmosphere of contentment and trust.
When the Door of Heaven is now open, now closed, then the Female Principle will disappear; and, all will be pure Yang.
If one’s understanding reaches in every direction, he can disregard knowledge.
What he produces, he nourishes.
Producing, he does not claim the possession of virtue.
Acting, he does not presume upon his ability.
Though he be a veteran among his fellows, he assumes no seniority over them.
This may be called Sublime Virtue, the highest development of Tao." 
-  Translated by Frederic Henry Balfour, 1884, Chapter 10 

"¿Se puede mantener el espíritu y abrazar al Uno sin apartarse de ellos?
¿Se puede concentrar su fuerza vital y lograr el más alto grado de debilidad como un niño?
¿Se puede limpiar y purificar su visión profunda por lo que será sin mancha?
¿Se puede amar al pueblo y gobernar el Estado sin la astucia?
¿Se puede jugar el papel de la mujer en la apertura y cierre de las puertas del cielo?
¿Se puede entender todo y penetrar en todos ellos sin hacer nada?
Para producir las cosas y les trasera,
Para producir, pero no para tomar posesión de ellos,
Para actuar, pero no confiar en la propia capacidad,
Para guiarlos, pero no para dominarlos.
Esto se llama la virtud profunda y secreta ".
- Traducido al Inglés por Chan Wing-Tsit, 1953, Capítulo 10 

"Bring soul and spirit into unity, they will become welded in the Inner Life.
Conquer vital force until it yields to you, you will become as a new-born child.
Purify the channels of deep perception, you will dwell safely in the Inner Life.
Govern a kingdom by loving the people, they will learn to act from the Inner Life.
Open and shut the doors of heaven, you will have repose of mind in active life.
Let your purity shine forth in all directions, men will see that you have an Inner Life.
Give it birth, nourish it,
Give it birth, but do not seek to possess.
Act but do not appropriate.
Endure but do not rule.
That is called profound Teh."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 10




"In harmonizing your hun and p'o to embrace the One,
Can you concentrate without deviating?
In attuning your breath to induce tenderness,
Can you become like a new-born babe?
In cleansing and purifying your Mystic Mirror,
Can you make it free from all stain?
In loving the people and ruling the state,
Can you practice non-interference?
When the Heavenly Gate opens and closes,
Can you play the part of the Female?
When your light shines forth in all directions,
Can you ignore it with perfect equanimity?
To produce things and nourish them,
To produce but not to claim ownership,
To act but not to presume on the result,
To lead but not to manipulate, -
This is called Mystic Virtue."
-  Translated by Henry Wei, 1982, Chapter 10 
 

Daodejing 81 Website 

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes 25 or more different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 or more Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.

Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization. 

An electronic Concordance for all 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching is provided.

Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter. 


Chapter 10, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Concordance for the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Daodejing 81 Website

English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Taijiquan Cane Practices and Lore

[Here is a Cloud Hands Blog repost from May 14, 2014.  Six years ago I lived in a rural area south of Red Bluff, California.  

a foggy morning,
cows watching -
practicing taijiquan cane


2014:

The only martial arts weapon that I practice with is a cane.  I practice all the Taijiquan sword and broadsword forms that I know with a cane. 

Every time I take a walk I carry my cane with me.  Using various cane strikes and stretches while walking is an excellent way to exercise the upper torso.
I use an Instructor's Walking Cane, 40" (103 cm) long and 1" (2.54 cm) in diameter, from Cane Masters.  This cane weights 1lb, 2 oz (510 gm).  This beautiful martial arts combat cane is made of pure hickory heartwood, has multiple notches at three key gripping points, has a rounded hooked horn, and has a rubber covered tip.  I also own the same Instructor's Walking Cane made of oak - a gift from my children.
 

Way of the Short Staff.  By Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.  A comprehensive guide to the practice of the short staff, cane, jo, walking stick, gun, zhang, whip staff, 13 Hands Staff, and related wood short staff weapons.  A detailed and annotated guide, bibliographies, lists of links, resources, instructional media, online videos, and lessons.   Includes use of the short staff and cane in martial arts, self-defense, walking and hiking.  Separate sections on Aikido Jo, Cane, Taijiquan cane and staff, Jodo, exercises with a short staff, selected quotations, techniques, selecting and purchasing a short staff, tips and suggestions, and a long section on the lore, legends, and magick of the short staff.  Includes "Shifu Miao Zhang Points the Way."  Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California.  Updated on a regular basis since October, 2008.  Filesize: 265Kb.  Related to Mike's popular webpage on the Staff.

"The correct use of the bo (sai, tonfa, kama, naginata, sword) can produce a stimulating and practical means of "extension" training. It offers a means of martial arts training and discipline. Weapons training teaches the meaning of control, timing, distance, and flexibility as one unit. The practitioner is required to possess speed, coordination, strength, and endurance in utilizing the respective weapons."
-  History of the Bo Staff

"The jo can be used to strike like a sword, sweep like a naginata, thrust like a spear (yari). Its two ends can be used, unlike the single point of a sword, and its ma-ai (fighting distance) can be varied according to the hand grip you take. Because of its speed and changeable ma-ai, it is a formidable weapon."
-  Muso Shindo-Ryu Jodo   

"In Chinese shamanism, a staff represents the power of the universe. With a staff, a shaman had the power to pass on the universal knowledge to others. Later, when teachers took over part of the shaman's job, they always taught with a small staff in their hands like a shaman."
- Master Zhongxian Wu, Vital Breath of the Dao, p. 106

 

Zen Master Hakuin (1686-1768) painted a Dragon Staff with a horsehair whisk attached.  He gave the above painting to a lay student who passed the Zen koan, "What is the sound of one hand clapping."

 

Text Art: Exhibit 10

Night of Power

Vintage, Industrial Design

Graffiti Scapes at Penn College

Tamara Jankovic,  Sixth Dimension 16, 1970

Ian Hamilton Finlay

Frank Singleton

Fractals Green B8, By Michael Garofalo, 2020

TeXTArt

Concrete Poetry and TextArt Directory and Guide

Exhibits at the Cyber Garden Gazebo

Graphic Arts: Shape Poems: Lettrisme

Sunday TextArt Exhibits

Dao De Jing, Laozi, Chapter 9

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 9


"It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full.
If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.
When wealth and honors lead to arrogance, this brings its evil on itself.
When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished,
To withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 9 



"Holding to fullness
Is not as good as stopping in time.
Sharpness that probes
Cannot protect for long.
A house filled with riches
Cannot be defended.
Pride in wealth and position
Is overlooking one's collapse.
Withdrawing when success is achieved
Is the Tao in Nature."
-  Translated by R. L. Wing, 1986, Chapter 9  
 

 
"You hold to fullness, and it is better to stop in time!
You keep on beating and sharpening a sword, and the edge cannot be preserved for long.
You fill your house with gold and jade, and it can no longer be guarded.
You put on airs by your riches and honor, and you will only reap a crop of calamities.
Here is the Way of Heaven: When you have done your work, retire."
-  Translated by Tran Tien Cong, Chapter 9 
 

 

  "Do not concentrate one's wealth in abundance.
It is far better for one to know where to stop.
Do not beat one's sword sharp, one can never keep its edge for ever.
If their houses are full of gold and jade, they have no way to keep them forever.
If they are proud of having great riches and honors, they just make more troubles for themselves.
When merits have been achieved, fame has been completed - one may withdraw himself.
That is to follow the law of Nature."
-  Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 9



"It is advisable to refrain from continual reaching after wealth.
Continual handling and sharpening wears away the most durable thing.
If the house be full of jewels, who shall protect it?
Wealth and glory bring care along with pride.
To stop when good work is done and honour advancing is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 9  



"Continuing to fill a pail after it is full the water will be wasted.
Continuing to grind an axe after it is sharp will soon wear it away.
Who can protect a public hall crowded with gold and jewels?
The pride of wealth and position brings about their own misfortune.
To win true merit, to preserve just fame, the personality must be retiring.
This is the heavenly Dao."
-  Translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel, 1919, Chapter 9 
  

持而盈之, 不如其已.
揣而銳之, 不可長保.
金玉滿堂莫之能守富貴而驕, 自遺其咎.
功遂身退天之道.
-  Chinese characters, Chapter 9, Tao Te Ching



"Let Heavenly Love fill you and overflow in you,
Not according to your measure of fullness.
Prove it, probe deeply into it,
It shall not long withstand you.
You may fill a place with gold and precious stones,
You will not be able to guard them.
You may be weighted with honors and become proud.
Misfortune then will come to your Self.
You may accomplish great deeds and acquire fame,
Retire yourself;
This is Heavenly Tao."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 9 


"Stretch a bow to the very full,
And you will wish you had stopped in time;
Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest,
And you will find it soon grows dull.
When bronze and jade fill your hall.
It can no longer be guarded.
Wealth and place breed insolence.
That brings ruin in its train.
When your work is done, then withdraw!
Such is Heaven's Way."
-  Translated by Arthur Waley, 1934, Chapter 9  


"Asir fuertemente y colmar
 Vale menos que dejar de hacerlo.
 Calcular y afilar las armas
 No significa que se prolongue su cuidado.
 Atiborrar la gran sala de oro y jade
 Y no habrá quien pueda custodiarlos.
 Ser rico y orgulloso.
 Quizás perderse a sí mismo sea la desgracia.
 Cuando la obra se completa y la persona se retira,
 Ése es el Tao del Cielo."
 -  Translated by Álex Ferrara, 2003, Capítulo 9


"Going to extremes is never best.
For if you make a blade too sharp, it will become dull too quickly
And if you hoard all the wealth, you are bound to be attacked.
If you become proud and arrogant regarding your good fortune, you will naturally beget enemies who jealously despise you.
The way to success is this: having achieved your goal, be satisfied not to go further. For this is the way Nature operates."
-  Translated by Archie J. Balm, 1958, Chapter 9 

Daodejing 81 Website 

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes 25 or more different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 or more Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.

Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization. 

An electronic Concordance for all 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching is provided.

Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter. 


Chapter 9, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Concordance for the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Daodejing 81 Website

English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Of Dim and Solitary Lovliness

"I linger yet with nature, for the night
Hath been to me a more familiar face
than that of man; and in her starry shade
Of dim and solitary loveliness
I learned the language of another world"
– Byron from 'Manfred,' 1817

Here is a recent photograph by Mary Morgan, a friend of Karen.  Her home is on the west bank of the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, California.  

My best wishes and good luck to Mary Morgan, who is having a serious surgery this week.  

Nehalem Bay State Park, Oregon

Today, I plan to drive by myself 103 miles west to Nehalem Bay State Park in Oregon.  I will stay in a yurt shelter ($55) because the temperature will be at a high of 44 and low of 34.  Surf is reported to be from 8-11 feet.  I will return on Tuesday afternoon.

The large Nehalem Bay SP campground is on a spit of land where the Nehalem River empties into the Pacific.  I will eat and browse in the nearby small town of  "Manzanita."  The mountain that forms the north side of the beachhead in this area is Neahkahnie Mountain.  In nearby Oswald West State Park there are hiking trails that lead to the top of Neahkahnie (1,680 feet).  The beaches at Manzanita and along the spit are wide and white/grey.  There are sand dunes, grasses, shrubs and trails along the spit.

Highway 101 is THE Road around here (Map); and, Necaninum Highway (53) goes northeast to meet Sunset Highway (26) and east into Portland, Oregon.

There are many wide pullouts, spectacular viewpoints, on Highway 101 about 5 miles north of Manzanita.  The Highway 101 view north from the west side Neahkahnie Mountain, when not cloudy, is eye popping. 

Retired from the County of Los Angeles Public Library System on February 1, 1998

I worked for the City of Commerce Public Library (1962-1969.); and, worked for two years as the Head of Technical Services, Librarian II.  From 1969-1973 I was a Personnel Specialist E-5 in the United States Air Force.  I began my career with the Los Angeles County Public Libraries in 1974 as a Reference Librarian at the Compton Public Library.  I was the branch manager of the ELA Library for many years, and regional and systemwide audio-visual services coordinator.   I retired as the Regional Administator for East Region of LACOPL on February 1, 1998.  I worked part-time for the Corning Union Elementary School District (K-8) as the Technology and Media Services Supervisor or District Librarian from 1998 until June of 2016, and retired at the age of 70.  And, during the same period, I worked part-time for the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, California, as a Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and fitness instructor.

From 1985 to 1998 I worked as a Library Administrator, assigned to lead as the Regional Administator for East Region (21 libraries, 2 bookmobiles).  22 years have passed since I retired on February 1st from the Los Angeles County Public Library and moved to Red Bluff, California in 1998.

So, February 1st is a very important date in my life.  Karen and I, and our son Mick, all moved in 1998 from Hacienda Heights, San Gabriel Valley, East Los Angeles County, California, about 550 miles north to Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, California.  From huge metropolitan Los Angeles, we moved to rural Tehama County, with a population of 50,000.  Red Bluff City had around 15,000 residents.  From a small suburban lot, to a five acre parcel with a spacious home.  The Spirit of Gardening was born in 1998.

During the 1980's and 1990's period, here are some pictures of the people I had the good fortune to work with:

East Region Library Managers and Regional Coordinators

circa 1994

Administrative Council (AdCon)  COLAPL circa 1993

Margaret Wong, Mike Garofalo, Lilly Loo

How I looked back then in 1980-1990:

1999-2016 Corning Elementary School District

Technology and Media Services Supervisor

or District Librarian

Part-time 24 hours per week school year

Library Services Team CUESD
2014

Karen and I would take an unpaid week off work each February, from 1999-2014.
The deserts east of the Sierra and Cascades are great in February.

So, February 1st reminds me of past good times.