“Three Pomegranates in Bowl,” Nasser Ovissi
Some people say it’s too late, that people are breaking the rules, that the whole thing is just political. But I believe the experts, having been one myself who was not believed 😁. So, for example, I won’t touch anyone.
I also believe the United States of America is on a serious time-out. “You just sit there for awhile and think about whether you want to leave your kids this mess you’ve made. Do you think all they care about is buying stuff when the whole world is turning into a giant cesspool? Well? Do you?”
Another great one by Allie Brosh
For the fortunate, toilet paper shortages may be our new muse. During this crisis, we should do the best we can for those who are vulnerable — physically, emotionally and financially–and consider that maybe it’s a good thing that we are being forced to sit here for awhile and think about it.
Maybe good things will happen. Maybe it’s not fruitless. So many other things are not fruitless.
FRUIT ART
Caravaggio (not his real name) painted fruit. He is among the best of the Italian Renaissance painters and also the most tragic. At six, most of his family died from the Bubonic Plague. He was a fighter and murdered at least one man before he died of lead poisoning at the age of 39. Caravaggio was married, but apparently not very loyal. The young man in this painting was Caravaggio’s lover, as his expression seems to tell us.
Boy With a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio
My good friend Janet Econome is the opposite of Caravaggio. After a happy Greek childhood, adult Janet has promoted peace and understanding. Unlike Caravaggio’s stark realism, Janet’s style is impressionistic and playful. She adores her husband, Dave. She is 67 and doesn’t use lead based paints.
Fruit bowl by Janet Econome
FRUIT POETRY
Rainier Maria Rilke is my favorite poet, although maybe that is not saying much since he is one of the few poets I have read since sophomore English. Rilke’s work was not well-known by the general public during his lifetime, but today he is recognized as a major poet. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/rainer-maria-rilke.
Rilke’s poetry is mystical and lyrical, searching for something behind the surface, and transcendent resolutions. “The Apple Orchard” seems to speak to our moment, as we strive to silently give ourselves and grow.
The Apple Orchard
and walk in twilight through the orchard’s green.
Does it not seem as if we had for long
collected, saved and harbored within us
old memories?
new hopes, remembering half-forgotten joys,
mingled with darkness coming from within,
as we randomly voice our thoughts aloud
wandering beneath these harvest-laden trees
reminiscent of Durer woodcuts, branches
which, bent under the fully ripened fruit,
wait patiently, trying to outlast, to
serve another season’s hundred days of toil,
straining, uncomplaining, by not breaking
but succeeding, even though the burden
should at times seem almost past endurance.
Not to falter! Not to be found wanting!
throughout a long and uncomplaining life,
committed to one goal: to give yourself!
And silently to grow and to bear fruit.
Street apple in Buenos Aires
FRUIT HUMOR
I have loved grapes since the first time I ate one. I don’t regret that I ate a bag of them in Mongolia even though they made me sick for two days — or the price of the ones I drink. My views on grapefruit are more complicated.
I don’t know where I first heard this riff but I have made a point to listen to it regularly for the past 20 years, and it makes me laugh every time.
FRUIT LITERATURE
Leave it to Dr. Seuss to get to the deeper meanings with the vocabulary of a three-year-old. In this Dr. Seuss classic, three carnivores try to outdo each other using apples. Sinister forces conspire to ruin their fun but our heroes are ultimately triumphant. Find out how by listening to the video. (It’s shorter than 4 minutes and I know you have time.)
So it’s not fruitless. You just have to spend some time looking for the fruit.
“Pomegranate Seller With Cactus,” Laila Shawa
Camino Milagro 
Oh Kim, thank you for declaring it’s not fruitless, for believing in the experts, for sharing fruit art and humor, and even Rilke’s poem. What I love most of all here, of course, is Janet’s painting. Thank you for showing it to all your readers.
I am having fun with these blogs. Sort of just downloading whatever suits me in the moment. Revisiting old friends, like Seuss and Rilke! xoxoxo
OMG, this one was Klassic Kim from beginning to end. Thank you for making my day!
It’s been fun going off-road for these little explorations! xoxoxo
Hi Kim, Thank you! While I’ve sat in my home thinking about what’s going on for several days now, this is what my thinking has led me to: We know the science; we know what we’re doing to out planet. Yet so few people want to get out of their comfort zone to take action. Then the fires came…two years of devastating fires in California; months of burning through Austrailia. Hurricanes and unprecedented storms flooding people out of their homes. Did we get it? No. Well now this little tiny virus has appeared in our world to let us know that it is more powerful than all the money and power (of humans) in the world. This little tiny virus has forced us to get out of our cars, slow down our consumption, find new ways to work and to connect with others, etc. I fear what the damage will be when all is said and done. I do hope we finally learn some big lessons about caring for the only planet we have to live on, as well as caring for all our brothers and sisters on this planet. No (wo)man is an island!
Wise words. We have a lot to learn. And it seems we are not learning fast enough.
I’m grateful to you for having revealed the truth about grapefruit; but I’m more grateful for your sharing Janet’s painting. I had no idea.
Yes. Janet is very talented!
Thank you Kim! I am behind on your blogs! I loved this one and all it contains. I love grapes AND grapefruit but enjoyed the humor. Thanks for sharing the Rilke poem. Glen and I too have been talking about how the world is on pause and the lessons we need to learn and changes to be put in place. I am…hopeful. I have to be too for my kids’ sake. Thanks for being….you. 🙂
Miss you Barb. 🙂