Having finished 'a Table in the Mist' I have concluded a few things:
1. I'm not quite finished with Ecclesiates and I'm going to read the book again - next...
2. contrary to popular (Evangelical) opinion, I don't agree that Ecclesiates is the collected ravings of a (temporarily) deranged king who was too rich (in money and women) for his own good.
3. Meyers' translation of the word we read as 'vanity', as 'vapour' or 'mist', is much more consistent with the way the Jews have worked it out in real life.
4. In other words, the Jews (unlike too many Evangelicals) were never, nor still are, 'grinning and bearing it' and waiting for the end of life. They know how to enjoy the good things in life and (more significantly, perhaps) they know WHY!!
5. against the context of 4., when we are REALLY wise we will appreciate the everlasting value of opportunities we have, here in this vaporous life, to suffer and to serve, for Christ. These things are particularly 'of time' : neither choosing to serve, selflessly, or (evidently) suffer in any way, will be part of our priviledge beyond the grave.
6. Meanwhile, we can still look forward to being much better at 'other things' when we DO enter into our reward.

apologies if this seems a bit 'pooh-bear'ish' (it reminded me of the plan put in place when one of rabbits-friends-and-relations (Small, by name) was lost...).

After an arduous day of delivering plants and buying lots of shopping yesterday, we're looking forward to a trip to Birdworld today. Lucy and I count as the adults and Joanna and James as the two children - Victoria is free of course and I'm only paying for Simon. We DO intend to make a (paid) educational trip in the Autumn but meanwhile we have the free ticket. We also intend to buy some eggs to put in Philip's incubator.

Oh, and that picture? It is of Lucy and Becky, being suitably philosophical, back in the New Year.