Three things from DAH. The There There: Where the heart is.

DAH is me, David Anthony Hance. 
This Letter is Free every Friday!
You can subscribe and browse past issues HERE

First up this week: Zany … 
"… one who makes a buffoon or laughingstock of himself to amuse others" (Merriam-Webster)
I tend to associate zany with movies, like the Marx Brothers films, or Animal House. But the word comes from the Italian "zanni," an old nickname for Giovanni (John). Zanni was a Harlequin-esque clown, as in commedia dell'arte. I love the concept of commedia. Stock characters improvising their performance. All within a plot built around standard characters and situations. I feel rather as if  I do that every day, to fit with others' expectations. Although, these days, I find myself less zany and more of a Pantaloon. 

Second up this week, Zeal …
"… obsolete : ardent desire especially to do or have something" (Merriam-Webster)
Where once there was zeal-for-real there oft now is zeal-remembered. Or just zeal-of-limited-duration? Are humans more or less distracted as we mature? I'm not sure. But I believe that my ardent desires were more focused and all consuming before I began my work-life. I appreciate zeal, still. But it's compromised by thoughts like: "Oh, I ought to be doing/feeling/thinking this other thing right now." I will strive to avoid what I notice in others, particularly public figures. Their zealotry presented as if they are stock characters in a commedia dell'arte production.

Third up this week, Zip …
"… to move or act with speed and usually with force, vigor, or enthusiasm" (Merriam-Webster) 
Just how I use a zipper, I guess. Although if I use too much force, vigor, or enthusiasm with my trousers I'm likely to curse with annoyance when the zip sticks. But I never call a zipper a zip. I use zip when I mean quick. And were I quick and bystanders called me a zipper, I might take offense. Or if they called me zippy, because I'd immediately call to mind Zippy the Pinhead. Wait. I probably wouldn't take offense (unless the bystander was referring to my wardrobe). Because I'm zany enough to enjoy free association and non-sequitors. "Are we having fun yet?"

A new favorite book ...
Portrait of a Thief, by Grace D. Li
"A heist caper...that turns on breakneck action, fast cars and a thoughtful exploration of Western colonialism and the complexities of Chinese diaspora identities." (Los Angeles Times)
Quite an interesting book. Yes, it's framed as a heist caper, but the story is really about five Chinese college students coping (or not coping) and coming to terms with their Chinese heritage. I was brought to the US as an infant, so I have a tiny sense of having one's entire family history in a country where you don't live. This book also has one of my favorite features: short chapters! A shallow favorite, I agree. But useful if I say to myself, "Time for just one more chapter."

And a bit more: 

2 short poems from Is It Far To Zanzibar?
by Nikki Grimes

"Down the Road a Bit"

Walk down the road a bit, cousin.
Walk down the road a bit.
The place you're seeking isn't hard to find.

Go past the grove of pawpaw,
Go past the field of maize, 
Go past the grasses where the young goats graze.

Go past the old men carving,
Go past the market stands,
Go past the tree with branches cupped like hands.

Now, when you hear the crickets,
You'll know you're almost there.
Take care, or you'll go too far down the road.

Walk down the road a bit, cousin.
Walk down the road a bit.
The place you're seeking, I will help you to find.

"A Taste of Zanzibar"

Go to Zanzibar to see
a nutmeg bush, a cashew tree,
cloves and ginger growing wild,
chili peppers hot and mild,
cinnamon and garlic plants
blossoming among the ants.
Traders come from near and far
for all that grows in Zanzibar.

And that's all for this week.
From Mary Oliver's "Sometimes"