A series of strange coincidences

[altivo]

Most libraries in the US no longer have card catalogs. We use computer databases instead, and mine is no exception. We do, however, still maintain what is called a shelf list, a series of catalog drawers that contain one 3x5 card for each book we own, arranged in the same order in which the books would be on the shelf if they were all here. Various incidental bits of information may be recorded on those cards, such as the date a book was sent to be rebound (yes, we still do that occasionally) or the name of a donor, etc. We no longer type those cards up manually, but instead have them generated by our computerized cataloging system as we catalog each new book. The cards are actually printed in Dublin, Ohio on a specialized printer that does only catalog cards, and are mailed to us daily.

I do check to make sure all of them arrive. As it happens, the shipments for December 21 and December 23 have been missing, and I'm on the point of ordering them to be reprinted. I figured they got lost somewhere in the holiday mail, because they are just small envelopes. Today the December 23 packet arrived. We didn't notice the cancellation on the envelope (they are mailed using a postage meter, so typically have no cancellation.)

When I took the cards from the envelope, a small handwritten note fell out:

1/8/06
Hello, Harvard Diggins Library,
Just thought you would like to know that these cards arrived in Juneau, Alaska on Jan. 7, in a package of gifts from Norway. The Norway package had been damaged & repaired, & somehow your envelope ended up included--imagine our puzzlement when opening our Norwegian treasures!
Best Wishes for 2006;
Your friends in Juneau

On re-examining the envelope, sure enough, it was cancelled on the back in Juneau, Alaska, on January 8. I wonder where the other packet from December 21 got to...

Comments

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Hee!

Well, I've always enjoyed being on either end of eating, so why not be prey and predator? (And no, not vore! ;)

Actually I have a squirrel fascination because my coven is named Ratatosk. We're not your average Gardnerians ;D

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote

[altivo.livejournal.com]

And no, not vore!

Thank goodness for that. Few things really squick me but that one still does.

Having always been a solitary, I suppose I should some time find out exactly what distinguishes Gardnerians beyond having a label. ;)

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Heh... I only specifically denied it because you wondered if I was referring to it some time ago in one of our early exchanges, so I didn't want you to jump to consumptive conclusions (plus it was funny!).

Here's an encapsulation of the stereotypical Gardnerian: how many Gardnerians does it take to change a light bulb?
Shhh! That's a 3rd degree secret.

Now granted, our little group is still tight-lipped about those portions of the tradition that are foci of the mysteries, but we also giggle during ritual, call on other deities than the primary Gard ones, use other traditions' methods sometimes, and basically enjoy gathering. All of these have at one time or another been described as things Gards don't generally do. In fact, I suspect some hard-core trad-whore Gards (who I hope for their sake never see this) wouldn't consider us "worthy" Gardnerians at all... and they can kiss my furry brush-tailed behind!

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the elucidation, which makes excellent sense, even the joke.

Oh, and I'm not surprised to hear that you are a bit unorthodox. In fact, I'd expect it. :)

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Unorthodox? Nah. I'm an orthodox Coyote through and through.

And I just can't help thinking how luscious that icon is, every time I see it! In spite of the fact that generally horse-types haven't been my "thing" in furry-types, it makes me want smooches :)

Life = Change!

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Orthodox coyote perhaps. Orthodox pagan, I doubt.

I give smooches pretty freely and you've earned a few.

xxoxxoxx

I don't even have mud all over my mouth, the way my mare often does. ;)

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Hee! "Orthodox Coyote" is something of an oxymoron, anyway :)

And in a way it is unfortunate that there are, indeed, orthodox Pagans. In the words of the Hierophant from the first few Oracles From the Living Tarot shows we did:

"You look at me, and you see... orthodoxy.
That which you resist. That which you rebel against.
Brave pagan rebels: look more closely
For as you create lineage, and doctrine, and heretics
You don my robes, and your face becomes my own."

I love that show - and now I'm directing it!

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Hmm. LJ is once again spitting out long-delayed notifications.

Yes, that's a good description of the Hierophant, but I'm not sure "orthodox coyote" is oxymoronic. It's just that when you try to define coyote in dogmatic terms, you fail. Coyote himself is being orthodox when he remains the unpredictable trickster, if you get my drift.

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Ah well - what can one do about notifications? Exercise patience.

I understand that "unpredictable trickster" is "orthodox" for Coyote in a way... and yes, defining "dog"ma for Coyote is rather ridiculous :)

Fun is good. Teaching is good. Fire good, tree pretty!

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote

[songcoyote.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and mudless smooches are, I must admit, preferable :)

Glad to know at least something of what I have in store! 'Cause I certainly intend to collect :)

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote