Today it snowed in Pennsylvania. Outside, it looked like this:
I got a lot done, including reading a good bit of the Bhagavad-Gita. I’m reading it as research for the novel I’m working on and also just for me because it is, well, life-changingly profound ancient scripture. A holy gospel of the Hindu tradition. This is the edition I’m reading now, but I have just ordered another translation and can’t wait to read it as well.
I cleaned my office some; I dusted and filed and recycled. I looked closely at my semi-neglected plants and discovered that the daisy I bought last summer and brought inside a couple of months ago is, in spite of the snow, being miraculous:
Then I found on a shelf something I’d tucked away and completely forgotten about; a little book I bought at an antique store last spring in New Hope because I loved the beautiful cover.
I don’t remember giving the inside of the book more than a glance when I bought it. Today I opened it and gently turned the pages, and I found a message hidden inside:
I thought first of the religious and musical connotations of gospel (with a capital G), but I wanted to know the origin of the word. In Webster’s I found:
First Known Use: before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English gōdspel (translation of Late Latin evangelium), from gōd good + spell tale
I am, indeed, trying to write a gospel. A good tale.
Let it be so.
What a beautiful words and what a beautiful book cover! Thanks for sharing Shelle. They’ve certainly perked up my day.
Thank you, Chanpreet. 🙂
PA was definitely beautiful today, and I don’t even really care for snow. Maybe it was because I had the day scheduled off from work so the snow didn’t cause a problem for me with my commute. I enjoyed the message you found in your forgotten book purchase. I’m sure you have another good tale forthcoming!
I’m glad you had a good snow day, Lori!
The snow looks beautiful! The weather here is nasty cold :/
I love books with beautiful covers 🙂
Beautiful books are my weakness, Megan.
Everything you write is a Good Tale! I love opening my email to see you have a new blog post. The photos are beautiful, especially the snow. It was cold here in Austin last week, and by cold I mean below freezing for a couple hours with a little rain. The kids and I sit by the fire and watch everyone else get snow and dream…but I am thankful I don’t have to scrape my windshield or drive in the snow:)
I know your next book will be worth the wait.
Stacy
I would love to be in Austin right now, Stacy! Because I know how awesome it is (I spent some growing-up years there) and because this morning I wiped out on ice going out my front door. I have a delightful bruise on my knee.
Thank you for those warm new-book vibes. 🙂
I love this short story. It really gave me a picture of you and your day. Be authentic — then your gospel words will be true.