Only in grammar can you be more than perfect. ~William Safire

I tweeted Safire's facetious quote today. At first glance, it appeared to be just a humorous quip. But, as I worked my way around the web to this blog, my mind kept returning to his words until they came to seem quite wise, indeed. What a succinct way to remind us that perfection can exist only in a paper world!

In the world where I live--the world of ponds with algae, deers that eat ornamental plants, and dinners that don't quite turn out--perfection is merely something for which to strive. And, that's not necessarily a bad thing. If we were to achieve the beau ideal, what would be left for us to work toward?

It's important to remember we will always fall short of unreachable goals. We must, therefore, either set our sights on realistic achievements or forgive ourselves when we cannot attain the impossible. As we used to say back at the Med, "Just do the best you can." It's all any of us can do. Really.