For a while I was including the books I was reading in my posts, and then (as
things so often do) the whole thing fell apart.
I've still been reading books, however, so I would like to express some opinions
on them in case anyone is interested, which I assume you are not. Makes no
difference. Here we go:
The Memory Keeper's Daughter-- This book was very well written, and had many
interesting and beautiful parts. It seems to me, though, that maybe I would
have enjoyed it as a woman of 50. I can't say for sure. It's just that family
dramas, unless they are epic, excite me only enough to get to the end of the
book-- not necessarily to recommend the book to someone else... know what I
mean? For instance, I would recommend Anna Karenina-- and feel like I should
probably read it again myself. But not so much this book. Though it was good.
Hmm.
Cannery Row-- Did I tell everyone I read this book already? Well, I absolutely
loved it. Love John Steinbeck. Cannery Row is beautiful and an easy read. I
also finished East of Eden, which I had started many years ago. It has stuck with
me in many ways. Like I said, I'm just sort of in love with Steinbeck. Yes, I
think I did a post about these books already. Makes no difference.
American Originals-- this is what I'm reading now. It's a collection of book
reviews (basically) by Geoffrey Ward (the guy who writes scripts for Ken Burns
documentaries). I love these reviews because they are really mini essays--
Ward gives you a glimpse of the subject of the book he reviews-- biographies,
mostly-- and then if you want to know more (and he gives the book a
thumbs-up), you have recommended reading right there! So far I've read John
Sullivan, Frederick Douglass, Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson, Fiorello La Guardia,
Shirley Temple, Harry Truman, Thomas Dewey-- they're only a few pages long,
but the essays give you a fantastic feel for these people and the times they lived
in. Really, bravo, Geoffrey Ward. I feel that as Americans we should know
these people. Our grandparents certainly did, and the more I read, the more I
understand. (What an obvious thing to say-- but really, how sad to know La
Guardia only as an airport!) And, yes, you could look them up on Wikipedia,
but how would you know which ones to look up? And isn't a book just more
fun?
Happy reading, everyone!
One of the coolest things about walking Margaret to school every day is going
through Washington Square park. Besides the elder Chinese ladies doing Tai-
Chi and the quiet business types with iPods and freshly pressed shirts, I love to
admire the various plaques, statues, and memorial accoutrements placed
throughout the park. The whole place, bums on benches notwithstanding,
breathes dignity.
And that's just the beginning, of course... because Margaret's school is next
door to Independence Hall. And this morning I convinced Mitchell, after saying
goodbye to Margaret, that we should go say hello to our good friend History.
The park rangers are usually getting everything cleaned up and straightened in
the morning-- polishing bronze and aligning the metal security barriers
(wouldn't want any scoundrels sneaking through!) This morning we also left our
regards to Bono outside the Constitution Center-- he's being given an award
tonight, and I've been a big fan of his for quite some time-- I looked at the
place where he will no doubt be standing tonight, and had my own little fan
moment...
In short, what a wonderful morning, and how lucky we are!
You've probably all seen the You Tube video making the rounds, but I wanted
to give my own nod to Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders of San Diego, and post
the link to the short video of his recent announcement regarding his
endorsement of gay marriage. For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, you'll find it
here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnTwrnKb61Q%20
Thanks to Mark Morford's article, I knew what Mayor Sanders was going to say
before I watched the video, and still I cried to see him struggle as he let his
heart and mind be known publicly. How many times have we each had to
declare that we had changed our minds, and then brace ourselves for the
consequences? I've done it-- too many times, in fact-- but Mr. Sanders has
made his announcement to the entire country, at a critical time, and he puts
much at stake politically.
His words are well chosen, too. Separate but equal (as in civil unions instead of
marriage), he reminds us, is a violation of civil rights. He was unwilling to
declare one individual's happiness in life less important than another's. This
man, with his wife by his side, said simply that he wants everyone to have a
chance at happiness like his. It is an idea so full of hope, inclusion, and
humanity...
Lots of people say this guy's not the best mayor. Fine. You should still watch
the video. It's not every day you see a heart grow three sizes in front of your
eyes.
Mitchie's first day back at YCCA was today, which gave Moj and I some time to
pal around. Her first day, for anyone who is curious, will be this Monday. We
will send her off with much fanfare and taking of pictures, I assure you.
In the meantime, all this ICS and YCCA stuff is making me crazy. In a good
way. I'm crazy, but I'm having fun. There are so many teacher appointments,
forms, PTA's and PTO's, and dismissal instructions... For early dismissals on
Wednesdays, you have to submit (in writing) whether you will be picking up via
walking or driving, and then stick to it-- and don't come to the door before
2:10! and don't come after 2:15! It's not that bad, actually, but that's not far
off... I think it's going to take me a little while to get the hang of it all. Dress
codes, fundraisers, required parent volunteering. Yikes.