Definitely revelling in Autumn here.
Definitely wondering if I need to revel in Autumn outside our garden.
It's just that the novelty of having it all outside the door hasn't quite worn off!
It's a very good time to be here.
My baby will have been on the planet for his first decade come Wednesday, so we did lots of celebrating this weekend.
And I even read two books this week. Admittedly they were both school books borrowed from Miss H's English room!
I wonder did Morpurgo mean us to be wholly supportive of Tommo? Because I did find him ultimately unadmirable. There was a wonderful moment towards the end of his timekeeping when I wondered had he redeemed himself by taking Charlie's place. But no.
I've only before this read The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. I loved Of Mice and Men just as much. I was harrowed by As Mice and Men just as much. George I did find admirable. Heartbreakingly.
In every bit of honest writing in the world there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. There are shorter means, many of them. There is writing promoting social change, writing punishing injustice, writing in celebration of heroism, but always that base theme. Try to understand each other.
John Steinbeck in his 1938 journal entry
6 comments:
Happy 10th to your son! I find that I never tire of the natural beauty outside of my window. I gaze at it for long periods of time and listen to the wind in the trees as I fall asleep. We are blessed, aren't we? :)
I have always thought that M & M was a brilliant book. I have a Steinbeck Omnibus which I bought as a student - I must dig it out and re-read some of the stories.
Have a wonderful week of birthday celebrations. I wish it was possible to cook and eat conkers - there are so many round here right now!!
blessings xx
Verdant views as always!
Jane x
My invitation to birthday tea must have been lost in the mail!!
I adore chestnuts! Happy B'Day to your young man, may he grow into a man after God's own heart.
I like those words by Steinbeck, and as I age I find them more true. I used to be very limited in my desire to want to understand other people, people different from me. I'm still not utterly driven to do it, but I am much warmer to it, and find pleasure in learning to love the unlovable. Love your autumn views. Happy day o' birth to your boy!!
You mean you have your own conkers right there outside the door? Are the boys thrilled about that?
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