It's pretty ominous over there, sitting on the table. I have no immediate plans to start it anytime soon, not for a couple of weeks anyway. I'm kind of nervous about it, as though it might swallow me up & spit me out.
I'm talking about the book War & Peace that Christie bought me for Christmas. I've always wanted to read it ever since I read The Death of Ivan Illyich, also by Tolstoy. The problem is, War & Peace is literally about 10 times longer than The Death of Ivan Illyich. Maybe I'll have to read that one as a warm-up. That one is everything I'd like to teach somebody about life but don't have the time to.
I haven't done too well with books lately, maybe it's the internet or television that keeps me from sinking into a good book & not coming out until it's done. I hope my attention span isn't waning.
No Time
In a rush this weekday morning,
I tap the horn as I speed past the cemetery
where my parents are buried
side by side under a smooth slab of granite.
Then, all day long, I think of him rising up
to give me that look
of knowing disapproval
while my mother calmly tells him to lie back down.
Billy Collins, 2002
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
No Place to Fall-Townes Van Zandt
Nightswimming-REM, Automatic for the People
Oh Sister-Bob Dylan, Desire
Epistrophy-Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall
For the Sake of the Song-Townes Van Zandt
Happy Wednesday, friends...
andrew
5 comments:
Good luck starting on that book, it is pretty intimidating. Once we're done watching Northern Exposure, you should have plenty of time on your hands :)
I've been trying to get through Pillars of the Earth, and it's not an easy thing. I've never tackled War and Peace, but if you do, I may be inspired.
Dig in I have read them both - wll worth it!
Hint for Andy: Don't save "War and Peace" for your honeymoon. ;)
andrew, I have been considering the same feat lately! good luck! maybe we can compare in chitown.
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