Monday, October 22, 2012

My Favorite Thoreau Moments

First let me say it has been rather hectic at my house for the last few weeks! My daughte and my 4 year old grandson have been staying with us and I have really enjoyed getting to know Gaberiel better! He is a very active little boy, always wanting Grandma's attention, so reading has been a little tougher recently!
     I have read most of Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" and so far I love it!

This is just a little ramble of Thoreau uotes that I particularly like and some are rather humorous.

"You must live within yourself, and depend upon yourself..." (Thoreau, Resistance to Civil Government)

" There will never be a really free and enlightened State, until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly." (Thoreau,  Resistance to Civil Government)

"...my sight has been whetted by experience..."

"We worship not the Graces, nor the Parcae, but Fashion. She spins, and weaves, and cuts with full authority. The head monkey at Paris puts on a traveller's cap, and all the monkeys in America do the same." (Thoreau, Walden)

These are some very true words. I find them to be as true today as they were in Thoreau's day.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

History vs. American Literature?

      Let me be the first to say that I loathe history. It was never my favorite subject, but American Literature has changed that opinion somewhat. So far, most everything I have read has been interesting and has kept my attention, which is hard for me with my Bipolar Type 1 and ADHD. Some of the stories and excerpts have that really caught my attention, I did a little more background reading on the subject. History, though, has never been fastinating to me, but how better to learn history than to read actual accounts and writings of the period? This is much more interesting to me than is someone else's version.
     I had never actually read our Constitution or Lincoln's Gettysburg Address-now, I can appreciate these writings. In high school, 20+ years ago, I had to memorize and recite a portion of the Gettysburg Address, I did it perfectly, but I did not care to understand what it meant nor what it was saying. Wow, how things change!
     I plan on keeping my American Literature textbook set and I plan on reading both volumes in their entirety as soon as I get the time. I also imagine that these volumes will be of use to my grandbabies when they get older. I remember looking at my Aunt Joan's American Literature textbooks before I could actually read, but rather pretending to read and looking at the pictures. The very first thing I learned to read out of that book was a drama by Emily Dickinson. I was probably in 3rd grade at the time. I had read the book "Helter Skelter" about the Charles Manson murders, by the time I finished 6th grade. I have always been an avid reader and this class has broadened my knowledge of history. I guess times change but history remains the same.
     As of this writing my two favorite stories so far have been two of my all-time favorites: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving and "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar A. Poe. The most memorable person that I have so far read about and did some research on was Sojourner Truth. She is such an inspiration!   

Ode to Dead Love

 
 
Ode to Dead Love
 
Midnight, violet, indigo sea of melancholy
of a love no longer found.
Not in azure eyes,
reflection of adoration-
two no longer bound.
Pink and peach, fair color skin-
touch no longer lingers,
all that’s left is a yearning.
Crimson passion-gone-
in her wake-sanguine,
ink, the color of burning.
Now faded to ash.
Affection once there evermore,
turned to mauve and lime like death.
Dead love-once blossomed
with rose and lemon dreams,
once before, the other’s breath.
This cherry love now past,
hurts like black and blue;
magenta, tangerine sky aglow,
remember times shared,
when all was not lost
to a dead love of not so long ago.
 
 
 
 
This is just a random photo I had found and thought it fitting for this poem I have written. I just threw this into the mix because all the colors in the poem remind me of a beautiful, vivid fall day.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

My Thoughts on Reading

     I love to read. I read about everything, yes, even the back of cereal boxes! I have a large collection of books, which I love. They are all based on my likes, so I have a very broad assortment, I never realized until now how many I have and how different they are. Too bad the majority of them are still stored in the basement. Hmm, I guess I need to go get them out now that I have some room for them. My favorite books are my Bible, an old copy of  Jane Eyre, an old herbal book, and a copy of Memoirs of a Geisha. I have never seen the movie, but the book is wonderful! I love books of all sorts, from the Classics to modern horror/psychological thrillers.
     To be honest, I do not even own a television, nor do I really ever watch movies (they put me to sleep). The stupid box called t.v. doesn't really entertain me at all.  When it comes down to it, I would rather read the book. They are always better than the movies anyhow.
     I was just glancing around on Pinterest this morning and I found this quote: "There's more to life than books, you know but not much more." I do not know who wrote it to give proper credit. In my life this is a fairly true quote, but I admit I like writing just a little better. Currently I have 5 very different journals that I am keeping and none of those include my poetry journals.
     American Literature is my all-time favorite subject. This is my fifth semester at Ivy Tech and I can honestly say that this is my favorite class. I am taking a second course next semester and I look very forward to it. I have enjoyed all my English classes, and they have been very helpful to me. The value of these classes will show, when I decide to have my poetry published. I also dream of writing my book about what Bipolar Type 1 feels like, along with the feelings of the deep depression that sometimes occurs. I guess I have put that dream on the back burner for now, in favor of my poetry.
     I think the best gift that a child can receive in material things, is an age-appropriate book. My young grandchildren love books. I love to have one of the little ones come and say, "Mamaw read me a story." or now that two of my grandbabies are in school: "Mamaw can I read you a story?" Reading books helps unlock the imagination and is a key to learning.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Autumn Day



Autumn Day
 
 
Before this day is done,
I yearn to walk
along the path
of burning embers
of the trees.
 
Before this day is done,
I yearn to trek
along the banks
of whispering brooks
clad in autumn's splendor.
 
Before this day is done,
I yearn to hear
the last
of the songbirds
before their yearly flight.
 
Before this day is done,
I want to laugh
with the joy
of autumn
before it's gone!