lectio eclectica

i've always loved the fact that most monks read the daily newspaper right alongside their prayer books. right now, i have several materials spread out around me: farm guide, Bible, novel, financial index, children's story, recipe clippings, travel book, and city magazine. i think it makes for interesting living because of new connections and spunky ideas. (did you know that may 14-18 is national ride your bike to work day? or that there is a free architectural tour of historic homes on may 20? those kind of things.) while reading the local "oregon's bounty" farm stand guide tonight for example, i learned that the word asparagus actually comes from the Greek for "sprout" or "shoot". (i didn't know that, but any child would i think if they've watched veggie tales, see also asparagus junior who spouts, "asparagoso, from the Greek!") at any rate, this was timely because when i opened portland monthly and it contained a recipe for asparagus orzo, i already knew that april-june heralds this spring vegetable. as my posts will attest to from this time last year, i love knowing the growing seasons and have been thinking alot about how we measure them. not-so-side-rant: in 2012 the bee in my bonnet is the euro-american schedule that dictates 5 days of work and 2 of rest. *might there be other ways? (*see also the french-lanette way of 3 on and 4 off) and january first is ok i guess, but what if we measured time in light calendars? that way on december 21st we would have june 21st and longer days to look forward to. let's add a children's book into the reading material here from my shelf. "i'm in charge of celebrations" by byrd baylor (illustrated by peter parnall) says it this way: "friend, i've saved my new year celebration to tell you about last. it's a little different from the one most people have. it comes in spring. to tell the truth, i never did feel like my new year started january first. to me, that's just another winter day. i let my year begin when winter ends and morning light comes earlier, the way it should. that's when i feel like starting new. i wait until the white-winged doves are back from mexico, and wildflowers cover the hills, and my favorite cactus blooms. it always makes me think i ought to bloom myself." end of rant. so, here's to shoots and blooms of all kinds in their own due season. from my reading corner to yours, what does your eclectic printed pile look like and where is it leading you?