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[… Auden] was blessed with that rare self-confidence which does not need admiration and the good opinion of others, and can even withstand self-criticism and self-examination without falling into the trap of self-doubt. This has nothing to do with arrogance but is easily mistaken for it. Auden was never arrogant except when he was provoked by some vulgarity; then he protected himself with the rather abrupt rudeness characteristic of English intellectual life.
(Hannah Arendt, “Remembering W. H. Auden,” The New Yorker, Jan. 20, 1975)
EthicalDative 
Rhinovirus
A winter rhinovirus has bivouacked among the family like the Russian army this week. This blogger’s immune system has declared chest-cold war on it. Nights of bronchial bull-riding ensue, making for flat days. The only projects I can limp with at the moment are a little reading and guitar work. Misery leaches the inspiration right out of a person, which is scant news to the miserable. Maria Elena, who helps maintain the house, has picked a batch of lemons and taught me to boil a sprig of thyme to make a hot infusion of lemon juice and honey. Three times a day, she commands.
(c) 2018 JMN.