Leaving you with some Johnny Cash and an Organist

A few days ago I mentioned that an opportunity had presented itself which involved me getting away for two weeks – ten days, really – to do things like get back to nature, go fishing, chant psalmody and otherwise amuse myself with my family, and we’ve decided we all need the break, we all need the getaway, so away we go.

After considering it, I’ve decided that this is a great opportunity to take a real break – to leave behind politics, blogging, the sniping that goes along with it, etc, etc, and spend some time reassessing what really matters. I can’t speak for other bloggers, but for me I’ve found that taking a few steps away from the keyboard (and out of the echo chamber) tends to broaden my perspective and allow my own instincts to come to the surface, and that’s a good thing.

Accordingly, in order to make the break a really clean (and therefore, hopefully fruitful) one, I am foregoing having a “guest blogger” cover for me. I’m going to detach as much as I am able from the world of hits, site-meters etc, and I hope when I come back I have a healthier view of…well…of everything. I hope I can write you a better blog to come visit.

I’ll be shutting down comments, too. Part of “detaching.” I’ve also turned off news subscriptions and email groups, so as to keep myself from being overwhelmed the minute I do come back and switch on the ‘puter.

Today we had to leave the dog with the sitter – I hate doing that, every time I leave her there (the sitter is very loving) she gives me the sad-eyes and I feel like Fr. Damien, in The Exorcist looking at the devil in the image of his poor, failing, mother, “Dimmy, why you do dis to me?”

“I’m detaching! I’m detached,” I answered her. “Stop looking at me like that and go play.”

I’m detaching! Every step I take away from the daily grind prompts me to declare it. “I’m detached!” I declare.

“You’re deranged,” my husband laughs. “You remind me of Mr. Costanza, in Seinfeld. ‘Serenity now! Serenity now!'”

He’ll get his. I will out-fish him. I even have an official fishing hat with SPF 30 and a bit of netting!

I leave you with John W. McMullen’s really excellent essay (courtesy of my Li’l Bro Thom, without whom I would see nothing) on Johnny Cash, and how his songs affect this Catholic listener. A really excellent read – I hope you enjoy it. Also, thanks to Pianogirl, you might enjoy this really phenomenal young musician on the organ!

And I hope the next ten days are so are good for everyone!