Random thoughts.

So anyways.

I've been reading these books A Death in the Family by James Agee and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- Time by Mark Haddon and really thinking about them. They're not heavey reading, but they're fascinating and layered and deep. Sort of mind-altering in that sense.

I stumbled on them because Ellen ordered them for a class, and then the class was canceled so she was stuck with the books. I decided to read them so they weren't wasted. These books of course led my wife and I to talk about family, since the class was about the family in literature. Her mom and dad, my mom and dad, grandparents, our kids, our siblings. The type fo conversations we have anyways, and she probably didn't even notice that family is on my mind more than usual.

The other night Emily saw the Dog one, and she perused it, Im' sure she'll read it when her headache goes away. When she saw what it was about we had a really interesting conversation about my niece Nikki who is also autistic, but not anywhere near as much as the boy in the book. She's very very mildly so, it's called Aspbergers.

Ellen had to switch classes to "Heroines in Modern Lit" which of course means she has to write about her heroines, real or fictional. We talked about it, and of course her mom and my daughter popped up.

They're both heroic in their own ways. My mother-in-law with her faith, my daughter with her incredible strength of character. They're both so amazing. My wife and i marvel about them all the time.

Now, unrelated, I was talking to Julie about upcoming poetry month and some projects she and I have mulling. (Mostly she, as she's a mover and a shaker and i'm more of a jiggler and wiggler) But the thinking of it always makes me think how Julie reminds me of Ellen sometimes a bit. They're both highly focused and brilliant.

Which of course, Tracey and I always talk about when we talk because we both marvel about all the other editors.

I wish everyone could get to chat and know and understand everyone on the eboard like I do. These people astound me. Their passion for words, for beauty, for doing something meaningful and special and significant with me -- it inspires me daily. The squabbles and exasperation, the waspishness, the laughter, the silliness, the angst, and the total dedication are so beautiful to their very core. Because it all stems from this family that has been created in this ether of internet.

It is a daily miracle.

Comments

1- Tracey on Jan. 31 2008

Lawd, you was born a ramblin' man! And I understand each word and every sentiment, so I guess I'm a rambler, too.

I read the "Curious Incident" book and I was really captivated by it. Tthough it's fiction, it got me inside the heads of a couple of kids I know who inhabit this world in a "different" way. Really well done and original, and a fast read to boot.

Healing wishes to Emily...

I've been thinking about family heroines and heroes because I've been looking at people in my family differently as I get older with more context, understanding and life experiences under my belt. For example, take my grandmother who was robbed the other day in broad daylight, while she was in the house. One guy cornered her and the other went through her home.

I called her to find out if she was ok, expecting her to be shaken. Instead, oh, how we laughed! She told me how the one guy had a fake mustache, and how the other, who had her cornered, had dropped his cell phone and she wished she'd had the nerve to hit him on the head with her cane! As they were leaving, one of them held the money he took from her and said, "I have more money in my own pocket than this!" We laughed some more.

Without getting into a whole lotta detail, I think she's laughed her way though a LOT of hard times, and I admire that resilience. I also appreciate the gift, because my family is pretty awesome that way.

Julie does move, shake and rock. I hope to hear more about what WE are doing HERE this April! And, yes, she and the rest of the Revue Board members here -- Leanne, Derma, Alcuin, Laurie -- well, Stephan and I really do ramble on and on about their intelligence, their commitment to and passion for words and the craft of writing, their wit and abilities and graciousness for VOLUNTEERING so much of their time to make Shakespeare's Monkey Revue a kick-ass literary publication and this site a generative, positive, powerful writing community and resource.

When you have a minute send them thanks. When you've got a question pick their brains. They're pretty candid; if they're busy they'll tell you lovingly to piss off - not unlike your family would. Is it too corny to end by saying they are some of my heroes? The wind beneath my wings? (Ducking as I know Leanne is about to throw something at me.)