Closed Mouths

I'm not referring to kissing, but C. S. Lewis famously once said that a pipe closes the mouth of the foolish.  But in my case I write while smoking a pipe.  One writer, and I can't remember who, said that writing is the window to the soul.  And others say it is the eyes.  My mom could always tell whether I was lying by my eyes.  She'd say, "Look at me and say that."  I learned early not to lie to my mom and probably is the reason I don't lie to this very fay.  I have a very strong guilt complex probably because of her.

But getting back to writing, while I might be quiet verbally, I do a lot of writing.  Conversations are better because we get to see the other person.  And a pipe forces me to listen.  I've had my best conversations over pipes and coffee, because a pipe keeps my mouth shut.  I like to think about what I want to say while smoking a pipe.  And doing that engages me in conversation.  Without my pipe, I'm generally just quiet.and even with a pipe, I just listen better.

I think the problem today is that social media allows others to be too anonymous.  We don't see their eyes or body language.  All caps mean they're shouting.  But really I'd rather engage in quiet conversation, but when I do text it is one-on-one.  I'm best without an audience.  I was told I was a very good public speaker, but I never liked it.  I'm not a performer.  I am a behind-rhe-scebes kind of guy.  

It's why I enjoy writing.  I can express myself without looking at faces.  And since my wife often gives me her opinion on what I say here, I don't write just for her.  In fact, I write because I enjoy writing.  So, of course I'm thinking about what I want to say in my writings.  But in all honesty I like when my mind is quiet and I can think whatever thoughts I wish.  

But the one thing writing does is make one think in complete sentences with the correct punctuations.  Mark Twain once said of writing that in the morning he'll put in a comma and by evening it was gone.  The opposite is also true.  And sometimes I'll miss something here and there as I proofread, but my editing skills aren't as sharp as I like, and if I spent more time with it, I might catch my mistakes, but sometimes I'll catch some, but not all.  But the nice thing is my audience is small and my wife is forgiving.  

If I wanted to be perfect, I'd hire an editor and pay that person for catching mistakes.  But I'm far from there and far from perfect.  But I try.  So, if I'm not seen or am quiet, I'm probably out on the patio smoking my pipe.  Today it is my Dunhill pipe with some Old Professor and my coffee this morning is Manatee flavored blend.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave