Saturday, November 17, 2007
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I'm writing this from the Ikea parking lot outside Pittsburg PA.
I'd hoped to find some cabinets at Ikea that would serve as desk storage under the top I built. No good. Nothing here suits me. Ikea's stuff is a bare cut above Wal-Mart. The display is interesting and it was worth the stop to see how Ikea merchandises their goods. I guess I'll build my own cabinets.
From here I think I'll head down along the Ohio River toward the Mississippi. Tomorrow. I'm all driven out for today. It snowed off and on most all day yesterday. I had hoped to get under way a bit earlier in November so I could duck south of this colder weather but there was just too much to do first.
My wool curtains are working out great - I'm glad I took the time to sew them up. I'll have to see if I can get some pictures to post here one of these days.
Night camp: Wal-Mart parking lot in Washington PA
Proficiency in Knowledge of the World
There are all degrees of proficiency in knowledge of the world. It is sufficient, to our present purpose, to indicate three. One class lives to the utility of the symbol; esteeming health and wealth a final good. Another class live above this mark to the beauty of the symbol; as the poet, and artist, and the naturalist, and man of science. A third class live above the beauty of the symbol to the beauty of the thing signified; these are the wise men. The first class have common sense; the second, taste; and the third, spiritual perception. Once in a long time, a man traverses the whole scale, and sees and enjoys the symbol solidly; then also has a clear eye for its beauty, and lastly, while he pitches his tent on this sacred volcanic isle of nature, does not offer to build houses and barns thereon, reverencing the splendor of the God which he sees bursting through each chink and cranny.
Essay VII, Prudence Ralph Waldo Emerson