18 April 2008

ButterLESS days & poem of wisdom : The Guesthouse



Can you believe it, butter has been unavailable in Japan for more than 2 weeks; countrywide!

Reason lies in the ever-rising price of petroleum, that has impacted much operations since more than half a year ago. In fact, there has been a price elevation in almost all food merchandize, causing other chain effects, and now butter is hit.

So I'm forced to lay back for a while and give my oven a break. I wonder what can I do to kill this time of doldrums. =(

Anyway, I've been ' blog-hopping ' about and admiring peoples' work. Came across this blogger , and found a meaningful poem that got me reflecting for quite a while...


The Guesthouse


This being human is a guesthouse
Every morning a new arrival
A joy, a depression, a meanness
Some momentary awareness
Comes as an unexpected visitor


Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows
Who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture
Still treat each guest honorably
He may be cleaning you out
For some new delight!


The dark thought, the shame, the malice
Meet them at the door laughing
And invite them in
Be grateful for whoever comes
Because each has been sent
As a guide from the beyond

Composed by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a13th century Persian poet.

Translated by Coleman Barks

What a special person the poet was, I truly admire his gentle wisdom much.

I hope that your guesthouse is brimming with laughter today. Have a great weekend. =) God bless...

7 comments:

bp said...

O boy, no butter... hope it'll be back in the stores soon, and your oven brimming over with yummy homebaked goods again! =)

Enjoy your weekend now!

Silvia - Magnolia Wedding Planner said...

this situation of the butter is really incredible! i can't believe it ..I can suggest the use of oil insteda but I don't know if you like it the same!
I've still got shivers on my back reading that poem! Stunning and soooo right. thanks for sharing it.
Can you believe? Today I really needed something like this.
A enormous kiss dear
Silvia

Michele said...

Wow, if I could, I'd mail you out some butter by the boxfulls.
I understand using butter as opposed to other products and I hope the butter situation gets fixed soon. Doesn't sound good at all.
(Hug)
Michele


Did you get my email I sent yesterday?

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Oh dear! I was told that the butter in Japan was lovely and creamy, too, because of the grass the cows eat, high up on the hills.

I'm sorry you can't enjoy anything buttery at the moment. Do you have any honey?

:@}

Ladybird said...

Hello there,
the prices of food have also increased a lot here in Germany. But the shortage of butter is really unbelievable. I think people will strike here in Germany if there is no butter :) .
Have a nice weekend!

~Ling~ said...

Stardust,

I am back! My network was down and I missed alot of your posts...was itching to go on the net for the past week...darn! Everything is increasing =.= rice, oil, etc. Hope you get your butter soon! Miss dropping by here. =)

Stardust said...

Hi bp,
Yeah, I certainly hope so! Thanks for dropping by. =)

Hey Silvia,
What an idea! And I'm looking thru recipes that use vegetable oil rather than butter.

Hi Michele,
Oh but your thought is so kind. Thank you! Yep, the mail thing, you got it right?

Hullo Bob!
I hafe no idea hao good Japen's buter is, but it's certenly sad not havin it. Yes, dere's plenti ov hunny et home.

Hello Ladybird,
Really?!?! Oh, maybe butter is not an essential in Jap food, so, people are quite cool here. Is it used often in German's?

Hi Jade,
I heard about it from mom. I guess this is hitting everybody worldwide. Really nice to see you back. =D