Not your strong suit

I am reading "Falling through space" again. In one of her entries, Ellen Gilchrist writes about spending a day taking care of her two young grandchildren. She only manages half a day before enlisting her mother into battle. 

It is a very light, self-depreciating piece. At the end she ponders on the day and asks her mother how she (Ellen) managed to keep care of her kids day-in-day-out. Her mother dryly answers that she (Ellen) was never good at it. It was not her strong suit.

I wonder if any of us feel that mothering was our strong suit. Probably not. Not if we are honest with ourselves. 

Delighting in summer

Cannot stop myself
Beautiful taste to my tongue
Caramel ice cream. 

My cabin in the woods (2/2)

Daylight does not trumpet in with the sharp blues of passing clouds. It is the shades and shadows dancing across green leaves and moss that catch my attention. It is the changing browns of branches and tree trunks holding all the weight of pouring rains. There is no silence, yet there comes a pure stillness of mind and body.

Jetlag

Middle in the night
2 am and I'm awake
To rewire my brain. 

#booksIlove: Falling through space

Title: Falling through space, Ellen Gilchrist

When I first read it: when it first came out in 1987

Another author Pat gifted me. Pat always said she loved Gilchrist because she epitomized all that was wonderful about writers from the South (southern States). Gilchrist is a master in exploring the niceties and complexities of southern etiquette, all the while injecting moments of earthy vulgar brilliant humor. 

Falling through space is a journal. It is a stunning and insightful work. Yet, everything she wrote is worth reading.

Past love

A dream so vivid
One leaf in my memory
Sadly, it is gone.

Animals we saw

Reflecting on the various animals we saw over the last two weeks or so: 3 deer, 2 loons, 3 bald eagles, numerous turkey vultures and great blue herons, slew of seagulls and smaller birds (sorry no names), dragonflies, and the most beautiful hummingbirds, 2 dead snakes, and one swimming snake.

We almost saw bear and elk; only because we saw their poop.

#booksIlove: Teaching a stone to talk

Title: Teaching a stone to talk, Annie Dillard

When I read the book for the first time: 1982

This is a collection of ideas from Annie Dillard. On the back cover it says, this book "explores the world of natural facts and human meanings". The entries are nothing other the the meanderings of a creative Geist.

Annie Dillard is one of the many marvelous authors that Pat introduced me to. She "discovered" Dillard early on in her writing career and shared with me all of her works. You can read anything and everything she's written and you will find delight.

My cabin in the woods (1/2)

 

I wake with the dawn

The soft greens are murmuring

Psalm to joyful day.

#booksIlove: the Millennium trilogy

The whole original series by Stieg Larsson was shrouded in mystery. He appeared out of the blue with all three books more or less complete and then disappeared, unfortunately dying before the books were published.

The stories are dark and often violent, which is not something I normally enjoy, yet they are riveting. It is mainly the Lisbeth Salander character that I am enthralled with. I read the series (but skip over the worst parts) every year or two and feel that they have travelled well in time.

Then there is the story of Stieg Larsson's partner, Eva Gabrielsson, who insists she is a co-writer of the series and goes into a court battle with Larsson's family. Was she, was she not, what will happen? All very mysterious. 

    

#booksIlove: Mycroft Holms and Sherlock (series)

Title: Mycroft Holmes and Sherlock (series), by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse
When I read the book for the first time: 2018 and reread the series about one or two times since, last month as well

I like that the series focuses primarily on Mycroft but still leaves room for a young Sherlock as a teenager on the cusp of discovering his life purpose. The stories flow, and the characters are very much alive. The authors make claims about the characters without becoming obsessive about them.

Suspense and excitement

Wedding is today
The sun is playing such games
Umbrella ready.

Waiting for my taxi to arrive

Such peace and quiet
Streetcleaner brumming away
Packed luggage at door.

Hamburg airport

What is he thinking...
Wearing old "free hugs" t-shirt
So been-there-done-that! 

A gift and privilege

Adopted daughter
Ask me to attend her son's birth
Boy, am I nervous.

#booksIlove: Precious Bane

Title: Precious Bane, Mary Webb
When I read the book: for the first time in 1980, and numerous times after because I was a helpless romantic

When Virago Modern Classics came into being, Pat sent me many of their books, and she opened my world to women authors. Precious Bane was one of many works I read and reread. Prue Sarn, the main character, abounds in strength and sensitivity. 

Taking a break from day-to-day stress

Man sits under tree

Face to the sun, phone in hand

End of his workday. 

At departure gate C16

I love to travel
Trains more than planes, both fun
So much to look at.

#booksIlove: The Book of Night Women

Title: The Book of Night Women, by Marlon James
When did I read this: last year after Caroline recommended it, and again last month as well

The characters Lilith in this book and Lisbeth of the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo inspire me with their intensely disturbing strength. Also, the 18th-century setting and the depictions of slavery make witness to horrors inflicted upon humankind.

I always thought coming from "poor Irish" excused me from a part of the history of slavery. I cannot explain why, but this book made me realize that no matter where they came from, my forebears were culpable, and therefore I am as well.

Opening my bedroom window

Summer festival
Lots of colour and music

Someone is singing.