"The ancient Greeks believed that the oldest wines, between 60 and 90 years of age, produced so few clusters that the ones remaining were the most flavorful of any wines. The plants invested all the remaining resources in the last clusters of their lives."
Trent Prezler, LITTLE AND OFTEN
Yes, I'd almost finished composing a post that reflected the unexpected richness of aging for humans as well as grape vines, but when I looked at the collection of unfinished drafts (19, to be exact; the earliest from 2017) I realized that each signified an elegant harvest during these 'last clusters' of my life. It is time that they are shared.
This was drafted January 19th, 2023:
It's been ten days since completing and uploading the video Being Alive to YouTube:
Now, rereading the blog post I made the next day, I can easily see how benumbed I was from the seemingly Herculean effort needed to reach closure. This post will probably be equally rough for the same reason: further "closure" pressure for this edited copy of Being Alive_#2 for cellphones to be uploaded to YouTube:
Why? Because the beautiful Zapfino font in the first version received feedback that it wasn't readable on cell phones. Ugh. All 26 slides of text had to be changed. (can you see the difference between the two photos?)
When I'd finished the first video, I had no expectations of receiving much feedback. The whole world has been in rough shape and still struggles to regain lost equilibrium these past two/three years--not just me. My own ability to respond and connect with others has been, sadly, almost nil.
But things change, and the new year wafts a sweet scent of rejuvenation; good tidings have arrived for the video! The first came from my family:
Tue, Jan 10
Your video is so touching. I love the prose
(I love Maria’s weekly work- she’s one of the most incredible writers I’ve ever read)--and the music!
The people in your life are beautiful.—Keri
Wed, Jan 11
It was nice to see your video on Facebook as I could not get it to work on email. It’s lovely!
I am wondering if you’re going to do more, and is it the start of a new direction
for you, documenting what you have done? —Vicki
...not just arrived but they've MULTIPLIED beyond belief simply because Todd Walton graciously allowed me to use his music for the video and then generously shared it with his friends, as well:
Todd Walton
To: Diane Pool
Thur, Jan12
Diane, a few of the responses I’ve gotten from friends I sent the link to. You have a hit on your hands!
wow, that is beautiful, and how far-reaching your art has become.
I wanted the photos to last longer, I'll have to watch again and again,
sometimes for photos, sometimes for words. —Deb Kvaka
How wonderful of her to do this. Lovely prose
(got inspiration for a title or two) and your piano...perfect. ?Hope that was a picture of her with the young boy near the beginning. Just think how many lives your words and music have touched. I'm envious. Bravo.—Nolan Winkler
Thanks for sharing! This video moved me deeply. The photos are poignant and the poetry is truth (at least mine!). Your music takes those aspects to a much deeper and richer level than they would otherwise be. Lovely!! —Barbara Birchard?
Thu, Jan 12
D - Here’s another from Elias Steinbuck, our dear friend and neighbor who helps everybody around here all the time.
I did watch this little video you forwarded along and found it to be just beautiful
and super moving...once I got over my own ego trip of
'what the hell am I really doing to make the world a better place'
I had a good cry and maybe that was the point.
A good cry! You made something that helped Elias have a good cry. Hurray! By the way, a couple of people I sent the link to say they are followers of Maria’s blog
Fri, Jan 13 at 3:33 AM? - this just in:
Thank you so much for sending me this beautiful video. Everything about it is inspiring,
and your music fits perfectly. I started to imagine what miracles our country could accomplish
if we could only replace grievance with gratitude. Just knowing that there are people in this world
like your friend Diane is a ray of hope. —Jim Shaw
...and now a blog post from Todd, too: 
please follow the link and further explore his Writing, Music, Films, & Photography. Todd's blog post for today is a lovely example of his belief in practicing kindness to heal our social alienations.
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