E-Postcard from Scotland

Hello fellow book clubbers, I write to you from across the Atlantic and, technically, from the future. I have now been more than a week in Edinburgh, Scotland.
It was a rough start as I did not anticipate that a 7-hour flight, crammed between people and plastic could be so hellishly uncomfortable. And then, as it turned out my hostel doesn't allow people to lodge until after 2 pm so as not to disturb those that are, presumably, still asleep, though I only wanted to join them. But that was merely the beginning. In a week's time I feel I have done enough for two vacations. I have entered two castles, one of which required me to take a bus out of the city, and will hopefully add two more to my collection today. I have visited numerous museums, of fine art, history of the country, the city, and the people, even one concerned only with the most notable Scottish writers, Burns, Scott, and Stevenson. I have strolled up, down, and across the streets and alleys (or gates and closes) of the oldest and slightly newer areas of the city, sitting in the pristine parks and reading over some Scottish cuisine (haggis is actually good, I can report). I have climbed the miniature mountain nestled in a corner of the city, encountered some true Scottish sheep (much louder in person), and spent a day at the Edinburgh Zoo. And I still have more to do.
Another aspect that I did not have the proper foresight to predict is how lonely it can be, isolating yourself from the entire social sphere that you know and moving to where no one at all knows you, let alone to a place where half the people are not fluent in your language or are already part of a well-established social group. I think in the future I will not travel alone. However, especially for this initial trip, there is a manner of experience that can only be had in solitude. I have found that it may very well be because I am a solitary traveler that I have encountered true moments of serenity and an unrivaled recognition of the wonder about me. I hope that the rest of my time here will suit me in this way. I am more than glad to have made it here.
By our next meeting I will have plenty to show you, as I am stocking up quite a gallery of pictures. Until then, I hope all of you take care of yourselves and happy reading.

Michael

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

Some time back I read On the Road and remember enjoying it although its not like your typical novel. There is no clear cut story-line just episodes that more or less follow a linear pattern. The consistency is that the narrator is the same throughout. And this is the case for The Dharma Bums which gets more into the world of Buddhism. If you want to enter the world of the Beats than this is a fun read.

Bonus quote:

"I felt great compassion for the trees because we were the same thing; I petted the dogs who didn't argue with me ever. All dogs love God. They're wiser than their masters. I told that to the dogs, too, they listened to me perking up their ears and licking my face. They didn't care one way or the other as long as I was there. St. Raymond of the Dogs is who I was that year, if no one or nothing else."

A little something...

Rooted

She stands next to him holding lightly to a pinch of jacket. His face blank, glazed over. She moves her hand to his jacket pocket to find the warmth of his balled fist. The knotted knuckles unravel and welcome her touch as a slight smile alights on his face. She leans into him, wavering met by steadiness. He retreats to a different day, memory skipping through time's vast waters and finding a gray island of recollection.

Blue eyelashes.

They brush on his face--butterfly kisses--and complement honeyed breath, soft cheek-to-cheek caresses. Tracing a circle in his hair his mother retreats and twirls in her dotted summer dress.

"Hey baby boy, it's time to wake up." She draws out the words, a continuation of her physical touch.

His eyes find her flowing shape and the knowingness of love floods through him. She pushes aside the curtains allowing rays of sunlight to fall on the bed, the sheets, his face. He arches his body upward stretching to the end of the bed feeling the coldness in the untouched places of the night. He remembers the significance of this day: his brother is coming home from traveling in Other Countries.
Mother leaves the room and he languidly slides his feet to the ground.

His eyes involuntarily close and he is back beside her cupping the soft hand in his jacket pocket and looking out onto a field of maroon and burnt orange. Points of candlelight sparkle in the growing dusk and someone starts to sing Amazing Grace. They lean into each other and support saltwater flowing from their eyes.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I think I was telling you all about this delightful young adult book I read recently called Stargirl. Well I just heard that the author, Jerry Spinelli, is about to publish a sequel to the book. So now is your chance to read the first and get well acquainted with this memorable character. She plays the ukulele, remembers everyone's birthday (and sings to them!), and travels with a pet rat. The ultimate nonconformist. For those with a spare hour or two you are in for a fun ride!

Thoughts and Prayers

What a world we seem to live in these days. Of all the things I had to worry about when I was 18 years old and sitting in a college classroom, being gunned down certainly was not one of them. My thoughts and prayers go out to those unfortunate young people in the prime of their lives, their friends and families, the staff at Virginia Tech who will have much to deal with in the aftermath, and the many responders to this crisis, 911 dispatchers, police, medical personnel and others, all who have had to deal with what must be overwhelming emotion at this senseless tragedy.

Welcome!

Hello fellow book lovers! This is the place for you to share whatever you like whenever you would like. The bonus is if you've never posted to a blog before you will now have something else to add to the resume! Please don't feel limited to posting about books, we want to see pictures of your vegetable garden, hear about the cool movie you saw, comment on something that irks you or inspires you. My hope is that our book club experience can be a little fuller in our time away from the group. Enjoy!