Night Reading

On my way back from the duck pond this morning, after putting away "Wolf Hall", I started thinking about how I have been unable to sleep for the first hours of the night, but yet too tired to read the novel. And I am enjoying the book. The problem is that it commands closer attention. It is more 'literature than 'pop-fiction'.

And I started wondering if I need to further complicate my reading life, by introducing yet another fictional stream, feeding it with the trash-fiction that was originally intended for my nightly reading. Remember, I have gotten more ambitious, but maybe that was a mistake.

Maybe I should always have a book of easy fiction ready for these tough hours of the night. A book like "Wolf Hall" would still be set for the nightly reading, but only when I am not quite so deadbeaten. In so far, as the serious novel tends to get left aside at night, I could make up for it on my walks.

But I don't know. It is bad enough to have three books going.

1787 Federalists vs. Anti-federalists

For all the high-toned language of “The Federalist”, Hamilton knew that the New York convention would come down to bare-knuckled politics. A prominent antifederalist had already warned him that “rather than to adopt the Constitution, I would risk a government of Jew, Turk, or infidel.” Hamilton knew that such zealotry would not be amenable to persuasion, especially with George Clinton at the delegation’s head. “As Clinton is truly the leader of his party and inflexibly obstinate, I count little on overcoming opposition by reason,” Hamilton confided to Madison. “Our only chances will be the previous ratification by nine states, which may shake the firmness of his followers.”

-- Ron Chernow, “Alexander Hamilton”

A Dream of Love

Lover's Quarrel

I wouldn't mind such a tiff now and again.

The Carpets

"Are you going to want your room cleaned, too?" Pop asks.

"No, no."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

I'm glad he asked and isn't going to be pushy. This isn't about laziness. Or it isn't all about my laziness. I seriously think the carpets are going to be in a worse condition after they are done. It's going to sticky with soapy junk. These carpets haven't been cleaned in at least twenty years; surely another ten years won't matter. And I seriously doubt that we are going to need them for much longer.

Schopenhauer

“The cheerfulness and vivacity of youth are partly due to the fact that, when we are ascending the hill of life, death is not visible: it lies down at the bottom of the other side. But once we have crossed the top of the hill, death comes in view - death - which until then was known to us only by hearsay. This makes our spirits droop, for at the same time we begin to feel that our vital powers are on the ebb. A grave seriousness now takes the place of that early extravagance of spirit; and the change is noticeable even in the expression of a man’s face. As long as we are young, people may tell us what they please! we look upon life as endless and use our time recklessly; but the older we become, the more we practice economy. For towards the close of life, every day we live gives us the same kind of sensation as the criminal experiences at every step on his way to be tried.”

-- Arthur Schopenhauer, “Counsels and Maxims”

This quote alone is worth the price of the book and the trouble of skimming and ransacking the text for gems, for this is a brilliant diamond indeed.

Jack and Jill and Ronny

Wow, when Pop said 5:30, he wasn't lying. Jack and Jill and Ronny are here on the dot. I thought Pop was underplaying me, so that I would move out of the way early. But no. And I had to rush to collect all my things, including the laptop, and scram to my little, crowded room, where I'll have to make myself comfortable for the rest of the day.

The cats are outside. The weather is great. Perfect spring. I even thought to move the cat plate and their water to the other side of the patio, so that they cat eat and drink in some peace, at a greater remove from the hustle and bustle, as they put up Pop's new TV.

Jack's Family

It's done; they're gone. No blood, no lost limbs. Just a lot of awkwardness, and that being mostly on me, especially since I had to make my dinner while the whole crowd was there trying to get the TV to work.

Is there any chance that Pop will be satisfied and settle down for a while? Or will he now feel this urgent need to paint the house, or maybe put in a swimming pool?

Jack continues to enjoy a very affectionate relationship with Jill. Indeed, I think they seem more in love than ever, that there relationship has indeed grown. Becky was also here and seemed rather pouty, and Jack was nicely affectionate with her, putting his arms around her at one point and whispering something in her ear.

The most startling thing?

It is most striking, perhaps even a bit deflating, to see that Ronny is at least as tall as I am. I remember very clearly his baby days, back when Mother was still here. I particularly remember him being shy and frightened of Bo. I don't think he was over five at the time. But then a decade comes and goes, yet I remain the same, but older, much older.

It is doubtful that I have another whole decade left. Just about done. And nothing.

"Do you really need to keep beating that drum. It does get tiresome, you know."

I got to feel the pain sometimes and sort of cry it out. Get it out of my system. And then go on with my little irrelevant affairs.

Daily Fun

Random Pictures

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