I woke up with much to be thankful for. My sleep apnea mask and I are getting along well; seven hours of sleep last night, a miracle that will prolong my life and enrich it.

I am fully recovered from the bug that took me down on Friday and Saturday, hungry for oatmeal and some dry wheat toast and a small cup of blueberries.

I feel strong and recovered, and Maria is taking me out to breakfast. I have some things to write about that seem essential to me.

I started reading Elaine Pagels’s excellent book Why Religion which she wrote after the death of her husband and her son.

The book is powerful, she is asking a timely question.

I’ve felt for a while that the decline of religious belief – who doesn’t have trouble with organized religion –  has left a big moral hole in the country filled with people who lie, are cruel, hollow, and selfish.

Empty souls without moral guidelines look for trouble and can’t find peace or solace in their lives.

Our world sometimes seems dominated by the Hollow Men and women T.S. Eliot wrote about. They don’t speak for all of us.

I also want to write about my conversation with Ian, our incredible young and somewhat lost sheep shearer, and our discussion about choice and life, and creativity.

First, I guess I need to eat. More later. I took this photo yesterday of our pansies hanging on the back porch. Sometimes, black and white can be as evocative as color.