Today is World Sleep Day. While sleep is awesome, to me, March 15 will always be the Ides of March, the day Julius Caesar was assassinated by the Roman Senate. I fixate on that because I have always been a fan of the Bard, William Shakespeare. I still have my hardcover book of all his plays: The Illustrated Stratford Shakespeare. I recall the line by Augustus Caesar upon arrival at the scene: “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him“. Immediately thereafter, he spoke of the horrendous action by the Senate. That speech was one of the Bard’s finest. That actual events thereafter were pivotal in Rome’s change from Senate rule to Empire.
If I may opine on a similar subject, my favorite Shakespeare play is Hamlet. “To die, to sleep no more. Perchance to dream.” Many years later, I worked for a personal protection equipment company. We had a factory just outside of Helsingborg, Sweden. One time, I had to take the ferry from Denmark to Sweden. It left Denmark at Helsingor (Elsinore in the play) and landed in Helsingborg. Coincidences like that always amaze me. The hotel I stayed at was in the center city. Through my window, I could see a church that dated from 1366. I knew Sweden has been around a lot longer than the USA, but to American eyes, it was astonishing.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love sleeping. As I have mentioned, I have never taken naps. My mind is always buzzing with trifles and real issues (like what to say on this page). If everyone on the planet could just sleep for a day or two, perhaps some of our problems would disappear. Unfortunately, too many people believe they are responsible for saving the rest of us. Those folks really need to relax. As I have mentioned before, in Lao Tzu’s Tao de Ching, he said the best government is one you never hear from. Our political classes have the mistaken opinion that we hang on their every word. Ninety-nine percent of us could not care less. No Taoists in our governments, federal, state, or local, and that’s a shame.
I thank all of you who loved the picture of my dog, Akiva. Here’s a picture of Aida’s dog, our beloved Zelda. She is fourteen and still as sweet as ever.
Please check out the blog posts from the other wonderful Rave Reviews Book Club authors participating in this challenge. Just click the link below. Thanks, and I wish you all the best!
I’m sorry Karl, but not grasping everything you are saying here. Is it me or is it you just rambling? I don’t know. Maybe I’m rambling now. 😝😝
Shirley, of course I tend to ramble on and on. My point is that March 15 is etched in my brain as the day Caesar was murdered. That story, as told by Shakespeare led to my love of the Bard and all plays. To me, that is more important than World Sleep Day. I’m not sure what World Sleep Day means. I assume that everybody sleeps at some point each day. That is why I launched into my thoughts on Shakespeare. I know many may never have read or seen any of his plays. But they were important to me.
Please continue to call me out. I don’t mind at all. Frankly, I’m used to it.
Hi, Karl,
Both of the dogs are cute. Do they get along with each other?
I too like Shakespeare and have read all of his plays.
Have a lovely day and take care.
Shalom shalom
Hi Karl, you see to be quite expert on the Bard. His works have effected so many lives. I love puppy dog pictures. Zelda is so sweet.
Karl, I read many of Shakespear’s plays during high school and acted in our rendition of Hamlet during my senior year. There is a place nearby in Canada, Stratford, Ontario, where they have an outdoor enclosed theater that features Shakespeare plays all summer long. There are no speakers, but the arena is set up in such a way that acoustics are not an issue, and visitors can hear well in any seat. In Zelda’s photo, the grey mask hints of her age. Nice looking pup!
Karl, I thought of the Ides of March as well! Our dog, Oscar, is also fourteen. We rescued him when he was ten, five days before lockdown began, on March 5, 2020. No one wanted him, so we took him. He’s still pretty spry. He’s a dachshund. When we got him, he was still obsessed with squeaky toys. Now he plays with them a little bit. Our dachshunds usually live to 16-17. I hope the same goes for him, and for your Zelda.
Zelda is beautiful as well, Karl! I wish we had more Taoists in our government. I also wish the elected officials worked more behind the scenes instead of always being on social media causing chaos. They should let their voting record speak for them instead of being wrapped up in political drama.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yvette, thank you for your comment on Zelda. She is a little angel. As far as politicians are involved, most are definitely not angels.The constant blather about this or that is how they drum up supporters and donors, whether or not their policies help anyone. Just perhaps, someday sanity will prevail, but I’m not counting on it.
Hi, Karl,
I’ve always loved Shakespeare’s turns of phrase. He was a master of satire and humor. Zelda has such a sweet face. I’m sure she brings your ex much joy.
Blessings!