I'm hunting this weekend and an praying I score, I really want to make elk pot pie

Pray for his hunt to go well, fellow poors.

Don't get many of dese around here, eh

Ooo shiny*

*Poor people like rocks

I think I'll pass on this one

In the latest gathering of The Daily Poor's Book Club, we delved into the first book of Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy. This section of the text offers profound insight into the human condition, particularly resonating with our exploration of living a life that values simplicity, purpose, and inner wealth over material abundance.

Boethius begins with a poignant reflection, “I used to write cheerful poems, happy and life-affirming, but my eyes are wet with tears and the poems are those that only grieving Muses would prompt me to compose.” This lamentation captures the essence of a soul in turmoil – a stark departure from the life of contentment and philosophical inquiry Boethius once knew. His words resonate with us, as they mirror the emotional landscapes we traverse in our lives. Just like Boethius, we often find ourselves in the grips of sorrow, our joyous songs replaced by melancholic verses, whether it be due to personal tragedy or the domination of our nations' political lives by dark forces. Like Boethius, we can learn to manage these sorrows through philosophical investigation and a recognition of divine providence and a submission to His will.

As Boethius mourns, he is visited by the embodiment of Philosophy, a figure that symbolizes a return to reason and higher understanding. In a striking rebuke to the muses surrounding Boethius, she declares, "Who let these chorus girls in here to approach a sick man's bedside? They have no cures for what ails him. Indeed, what they offer will only make his condition worse." This statement is a powerful reminder of the limitations of mere emotional indulgence and the necessity of turning to wisdom, reason, and God in times of distress. Philosophy’s presence serves as a catalyst for healing, not through the palliation of symptoms but by addressing the root causes of Boethius' despair.

This moment is reminiscent of the experiences of Christian saints, who, in the face of their trials, witnessed divine visitations. Boethius’ encounter with Philosophy represents a spiritual intervention. This parallel illuminates the concept of divine providence in human suffering and the significance of faith and virtue. It is a reminder that our true essence, our spiritual resilience, transcends our worldly trials.

In their dialogue, Philosophy questions Boethius' understanding of fortune, happiness, and human identity. This perspective is crucial in our journey towards a simpler, more purposeful life. It suggests that embracing our sufferings as part of a larger divine plan allows us to transcend the limitations imposed by a victim mentality. A victim mentality binds us to our sufferings, defining our identity through our adversities. In contrast, Boethius’ enlightenment under Philosophy’s guidance leads to a deeper understanding of our intrinsic worth, independent of worldly fortunes and based on our relationship with the divine.

As we delve deeper into Boethius' dialogue with Philosophy, we are reminded of the power of embracing life's simplicities. Boethius, in his cell, stripped of all worldly possessions, is guided back to a realization of what truly matters – wisdom, virtue, the pursuit of truth, and loving and submitting to God and His plan. This journey of rediscovery aligns with our club's ethos of living a life focused less on material accumulation and more on personal and spiritual growth.

Boethius' story, while a tale of personal tragedy, is also a narrative of resilience and rediscovery. His engagement with Philosophy serves as a beacon for us, illuminating the path towards a life enriched by simplicity, knowledge, virtue, and alignment with God's will. His shift from lamenting his fate to engaging with philosophical truths exemplifies the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the importance of aligning our lives with divine purpose.

As we continue our journey through The Consolation of Philosophy, let us carry with us the enduring wisdom of Boethius – a wisdom that encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and find strength in our innate capacity for reason, virtue, understanding, and our connection with the divine. In anticipation of our next discussion, we reflect on the profound insights gleaned from this section, insights that guide us towards a richer, more meaningful existence, transcending the ephemeral allure of material wealth.

Current price at a middle of nowhere UP gas station (town population: 184, located in middle of woods) is less than half of that. Crazy.

They're hiring, by the way. And they don't do online applications. To talk to the manager.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to @TheDailyPoor on this thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/20230613-messaggio-vii-giornatamondiale-poveri-2023.html

CODE OF THE NORTH
An open letter to prospective immigrants
[By Lon L. Emerick, from Paradise North: Seasons in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan]

A long time resident of the Upper Peninsula, disgruntled by the behavior of some summer visitors, composed a protest song. It is pretty blunt and a bit rude but you can judge for yourself. Here is the first verse:

We see you've reached the U.P., feast your eyes and ears,
You just departed troll-land and aren't you surprised.
You crossed the Mighty Mac and now you're over here,
But this is not your playground, Let's get that very clear.

In the spirit of more civic discourse, I was moved to prepare the following Code of the North so that visitors and would-be new immigrants to the Upper Peninsula would have a "user manual" to guide them.

Code of the North

The Upper Peninsula requires prospective immigrants to struggle and endure its riggers before the land will accept them and bestow its blessings.

- Samuel Satterly, Copper Miner Central Mine, 1875

It was one of those glorious evenings in August and the Upper Peninsula was putting on quite a show for a friend and prospective new resident.

We had taken our guest out to Little Presque Isle, a showplace of this area, for an evening stroll. The waves of the Superior Lake and the wind in the pines combined to create a wondrous natural symphony.

When we paused to admire the white-capped lake and the shadows and the slanting sun, a loan hermit thrush added his flute-like coda.

Even after all the years of enjoying this signature spot north of Marquette, Lynn and I were awestruck. Then our companion said, "Now, if only we could hear Bach playing in the background, this would be perfect."

We were astonished by his remark: Why were the natural sounds and visual beauty not enough?

As time goes on, more and more people will be coming north to seek the quality of life we enjoy—open space, opportunities for solitude, incredible beauty, availability of outdoor activities, a strong sense of heritage, lack of crowds, locally owned businesses, two-track roads, places where phones can't reach us—the list goes on.

Some new residents, however, maybe hooked on romantic myths about the North, much more so than long time residents. Far more alarming, they have false expectations about bringing their urban/suburban lifestyles into the great outdoors.

There is an unwritten code of conduct, usually respected by people living in the Upper Peninsula. To be sure, the wild of the north has been tamed. Consider the oxymoronic slogan developed by an out-of-date consulting firm and adopted a few years ago by an area tourist association to lure people here: "Discover how civilized our wilderness can be."

Fortunately, for those of us addicted to wild places and natural settings, there still are large tracks of forest to tramp, undeveloped rivers to fish and a myriad of sparkling clean lakes to swim or lunch a boat.

However, before seeking admission to this Superior Peninsula, a newcomer will want to be aware of the realities of living in the isolated north country; it presents very different challenges than urban or suburban life.

That is why we like it, and we harbor some anxiety that new residents or visitors will arrive with certain expectations of comfort that lead them to try to alter what we love.