The policeman could easily have been the inspiration for Robert McCloskey's cop who stopped traffic for the ducks in his "Make Way for Ducklings" children's story: https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/12/22/make-way-for-ducklings
Try to imagine a recent Harvard Law graduate engaging in such wholesome unpretentious activities. I can’t. What I see today are people (many who should have never been allowed in) who have sold their souls for financial gain, and to be in a position to push an unwanted personal agenda.
Anyway, as usual, wonderful nostalgic photos by Muffy’s father. (What will future historians think of these images when they examine them 500 years from now? Something to ponder.)
I practiced law in semi-rural Minnesota, then New Hampshire after law school. It was not unusual for litigants in farming communities to appear for hearings in coveralls, missing a few digits, or for judges and their staff to wear duck boots and drive tractors in their spare time. A journalist who became a judge, that's uncommon. Great photos - Union Leader?
I had never really thought of being a newspaper editor as a dangerous job until looking at these photos. Sometimes a bowtie is the only appropriate tie.
I am a retired New England editor/lawyer. Although I trained as a journalist, my specialty was editing legal treatises. These photos brought back so many great memories of the characters I met as I spent my days prowling the town halls and village greens of northwestern Connecticut in the 1980s.
After studying this section some more I think it could be titled: “Photos of a rarity – a genuinely contented man.”
How many self-contented people does one meet? Few. Most of us continually tear ourselves up for what we don’t have, incessantly wishing for a better more-fulfilling life when happiness will finally be won. We envy others for what we believe they have, and what we lack. The Richard Cory syndrome.
The rare man in these photos has obviously transcended this destructive mind-set. He has found his place in life, has accepted it, and is rejoicing in his fate as he passes through his time on earth. He is Thoreau’s simplified man, wanting nothing more than what he has: friendship and respect in his community, health, being in harmony with nature (the land and animals), living in a small town/rustic location he loves, a worthwhile job that brings satisfaction, and meaning to himself and others.
We should all take notes on this fortunate individual’s path to contentment.
Very good. Well said. Thank you. So often the “want to haves” are worse off than the “have nots.” Maybe one secret to contentment is to commit to something that is productive and giving back to a community. This, at best perhaps, something that helps others. Once committed, no need to blow your own horn or seek accolades. You will know what you are doing. That’s all that matters.
Priceless. That policeman, gets best supporting actor award!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely....
DeleteThe policeman could easily have been the inspiration for Robert McCloskey's cop who stopped traffic for the ducks in his "Make Way for Ducklings" children's story: https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/12/22/make-way-for-ducklings
DeleteA yankee gentleman farmer par excellence.
ReplyDeleteTry to imagine a recent Harvard Law graduate engaging in such wholesome unpretentious activities. I can’t. What I see today are people (many who should have never been allowed in) who have sold their souls for financial gain, and to be in a position to push an unwanted personal agenda.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as usual, wonderful nostalgic photos by Muffy’s father. (What will future historians think of these images when they examine them 500 years from now? Something to ponder.)
I practiced law in semi-rural Minnesota, then New Hampshire after law school. It was not unusual for litigants in farming communities to appear for hearings in coveralls, missing a few digits, or for judges and their staff to wear duck boots and drive tractors in their spare time. A journalist who became a judge, that's uncommon. Great photos - Union Leader?
ReplyDeleteI had never really thought of being a newspaper editor as a dangerous job until looking at these photos. Sometimes a bowtie is the only appropriate tie.
ReplyDeleteI am a retired New England editor/lawyer. Although I trained as a journalist, my specialty was editing legal treatises. These photos brought back so many great memories of the characters I met as I spent my days prowling the town halls and village greens of northwestern Connecticut in the 1980s.
ReplyDeleteA true Yankee Gentleman!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images! Very nostalgic...
ReplyDeleteAfter studying this section some more I think it could be titled: “Photos of a rarity – a genuinely contented man.”
ReplyDeleteHow many self-contented people does one meet? Few. Most of us continually tear ourselves up for what we don’t have, incessantly wishing for a better more-fulfilling life when happiness will finally be won. We envy others for what we believe they have, and what we lack. The Richard Cory syndrome.
The rare man in these photos has obviously transcended this destructive mind-set. He has found his place in life, has accepted it, and is rejoicing in his fate as he passes through his time on earth. He is Thoreau’s simplified man, wanting nothing more than what he has: friendship and respect in his community, health, being in harmony with nature (the land and animals), living in a small town/rustic location he loves, a worthwhile job that brings satisfaction, and meaning to himself and others.
We should all take notes on this fortunate individual’s path to contentment.
Very good. Well said. Thank you. So often the “want to haves” are worse off than the “have nots.” Maybe one secret to contentment is to commit to something that is productive and giving back to a community. This, at best perhaps, something that helps others. Once committed, no need to blow your own horn or seek accolades. You will know what you are doing. That’s all that matters.
DeleteWell maybe we don’t know if he was contented. But he seems to have led a life of service and perhaps lived in a balanced way.
Delete