http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Rose_Kasmir
Several years ago, I had the honor of meeting Jan Rose Kasmir face to face. She is a soft spoken, yet powerful woman. Born during a time of political unrest in America, she bounced from one foster home to another. She was only 17 in 1967, when a city transit bus took her to the Nation's capital to join in a protest against America's involvement in Vietnam. Military troupes in full battle uniforms, with rifles raised, surrounded the Pentagon. It began as a peaceful protest but unfortunately ended in violence. Some of those at the rally wished only to speak to the soldiers, and convince them to throw down their guns. Eventually Jan found herself face to face with a line of guns and bayonets. She was holding only a large flower close to her face.
What made this event famous was that it was captured on film by a famous French photographer Marc Riboud. The image became a memorable symbol of non-violent resistance. Marc Riboud did not identify this young woman, and he would not be able to name her until 30 years later!
Here is a further article about it from the Smithsonian Magazine.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Flower_Child.html
Below is a link to the actual picture on the web-site of the Human Flower Project. The look on Jan's face is so shy and perhaps a little terrified (and yet peaceful). This picture is proof that a picture NOT ONLY speaks a thousand words, but sometimes it changes peoples hearts and minds. For those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's, this picture is part of the general landscape. I know it effected my thinking about the nature of the world. I imagine it touched many more people.
http://www.humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/them/
I remember thinking about the saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword." I was wondering if perhaps during the 60's it might be more appropriately altered to, "The flower is mightier than the gun." There is so much more to be said about this time in our history, and about Jan Rose Kasmir. But I hope this brief introduction gets you started.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Great Backyard Bird Count is Coming!!
Every spring, Cornell University Lab of Ornithology sponsors something called the Great Backyard Bird Count. It is very easy to participate and loads of fun. I have been a bird watcher since I could see out of my eyes. >=< When I was a wee bairn, our family was traveling down a country road. I pointed up at a big bird circling above a field and shouted, "Look, a CORK, A CORK!" Someone corrected me, and said it was a Hawk, not a cork. Then I remember feeling very silly, but also a little mad that noone had corrected me sooner. Maybe folks around me had not been using proper diction or not listen to me...Harumph!!! I was then determined to get to know the proper names of birds and I have been paying close attention ever since.
But back to the Bird Count. Here is the link to the site that will give you all the information.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1624&srctid=1&erid=2126882
When you go there, you can register and type in your zip-code. It will print out a list of the birds you will most likely see in your area. For most unfamiliar birds, you will find that the names are highlighted. This indicates that they are links to detailed information about the bird, its song, nesting and mating habits, food preferences, etc.
The count only requires that twice during the day you take 15 minutes and count birds in a particular location. Count all the birds of each variety (careful not to count the same bird twice). I found that doing my bird counts while walking my dog, a perfect solution. I know where all the birds hang out on my regular dog walking loop. Last year the "GBBC" happened to fall on the weekend when the Robins returned to North Carolina. I have never seen so many Robins. First I saw a small group hunting for worms, and so started counting. I just kept counting and counting as I went, peeking behind me to be sure they had not jumped ahead. Indeed, they had not. I think on my15 minute walk I spotted over 55 Robins, plus several varieties of Woodpeckers, Mockingbirds, Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Brown-capped Nut-hatches, Black-capped Nut-hatches, several Eastern Bluebirds and a flock of American Goldfinches (still greenish-brown from winter's chill). On my second walk of the day I saw a Carolina Wren, Song Sparrows, Cardinals, House Finches, Canadian Geese and many more.
Over the course of the year I have spotted some new birds and also others just traveling through on migration; an Egret, a small Kingfisher, a Cormorant, Swans and a Pelican. Which reminds me of one of my favorite poems by Edward Lear. "A curious bird is a Pelican. His beak can hold more than his Belly can."
As regular friends we have a family of glorious Red-tailed Hawks that nest and hunt in the area, as well as several families of Killdeer. When I first met the Killdeer I felt like I was in an episode of National Geographic. If they are nesting, one parent will stay with the eggs while the other parent will fly in front of the intruder pretending to be injured. The bird will flop on the ground and look as if it's wing is broken, struggling to escape. Thus the enemy (me) is lured farther and farther away from the nest. When the bird feels you are sufficiently lost and distracted, suddenly they will recover and fly away. It is brilliant. Not an acting lesson in their lives, and yet they know how to put on a marvelous show.
I keep a list of bird sightings in the front cover of my bird identification book. If it is a particularly unusual bird I list specific times, places and dates and often the sex of the bird in question. As a habit I do not used binoculars to do my bird watching, just my wonderful eyes. But I will admit that the few times I have taken a pair of binoculars with me I have gotten some spectacular views. It is totally a personal thing. They really come in handy when I hear a call or song and cannot identify the bird (and for the life of me, I cannot see where it is coming from). This has driven me mad with curiosity and I'm sure several passers-by also wonder what the heck has me staring intently into the woods. By this method, I discovered the Flicker, a large and striking Woodpecker
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/id
and the teeny. illusive Yellow-rumped Warbler (I know, a very silly name).
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/id
I keep a simple feeding station in my back yard to attract as big a variety of birds as possible. I have one feeder with just a mix of cheap birdseed (which is mostly millet), with a scoop of "Not so cheap" birdseed, plus a scoop of plain black sunflower seed. This feeder is hooked onto a great product called a "Twirl a Squirrel". When big birds try to hog the feeder, or squirrels hang off of it, it begins to spin. Then it spins faster and faster. It is quite hilarious. Mostly the squirrels leave me alone now. If they start coming back, I know it's time to change the batteries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIp7V7VcCX8
Besides this feeder, I keep a special feeder just for finches and other very small birds, filled with black thistle seed (or niger seed).
I also have one suet feeder. Here is the trick to using a suet feeder. NEVER hang it on the flimsy little chain they sell it with. The squirrels will have it down in an hour and carry it off into the woods (as I have discovered!). Get a heavy gauge wire, or even better a metal hanger from an old bird feeder. I also do NOT use suet. It is way too expensive. I get cheap bread (or use old bread from around my house). Get a big jar of generic crunchy peanut butter and spread it on both pieces. Now make a birdseed sandwich. Yum Yum. I also spread peanut butter on the outside and lay it on a paper plate of seed and press it down. So now it is totally covered inside and out with peanut butter and seeds. The woodpeckers of all varieties love this concoction. So do all the birds. Plus it is super cheap, costing mere cents rather that dollars for each suet cake. And don't forget you can also stick other things in the suet feeder. If we have left over apples and oranges that will go uneaten, I cut them in half and put them in the suet feeder. Many birds are especially attracted to fruit.
So please join me for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Hope to see you out in your backyard (or backwoods) this weekend counting birds and generally enjoying yourself. (those of you who can get out your back doors, that is- I do realize that a good deal of the US has been snowed in!)
But back to the Bird Count. Here is the link to the site that will give you all the information.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1624&srctid=1&erid=2126882
When you go there, you can register and type in your zip-code. It will print out a list of the birds you will most likely see in your area. For most unfamiliar birds, you will find that the names are highlighted. This indicates that they are links to detailed information about the bird, its song, nesting and mating habits, food preferences, etc.
The count only requires that twice during the day you take 15 minutes and count birds in a particular location. Count all the birds of each variety (careful not to count the same bird twice). I found that doing my bird counts while walking my dog, a perfect solution. I know where all the birds hang out on my regular dog walking loop. Last year the "GBBC" happened to fall on the weekend when the Robins returned to North Carolina. I have never seen so many Robins. First I saw a small group hunting for worms, and so started counting. I just kept counting and counting as I went, peeking behind me to be sure they had not jumped ahead. Indeed, they had not. I think on my15 minute walk I spotted over 55 Robins, plus several varieties of Woodpeckers, Mockingbirds, Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Brown-capped Nut-hatches, Black-capped Nut-hatches, several Eastern Bluebirds and a flock of American Goldfinches (still greenish-brown from winter's chill). On my second walk of the day I saw a Carolina Wren, Song Sparrows, Cardinals, House Finches, Canadian Geese and many more.
Over the course of the year I have spotted some new birds and also others just traveling through on migration; an Egret, a small Kingfisher, a Cormorant, Swans and a Pelican. Which reminds me of one of my favorite poems by Edward Lear. "A curious bird is a Pelican. His beak can hold more than his Belly can."
As regular friends we have a family of glorious Red-tailed Hawks that nest and hunt in the area, as well as several families of Killdeer. When I first met the Killdeer I felt like I was in an episode of National Geographic. If they are nesting, one parent will stay with the eggs while the other parent will fly in front of the intruder pretending to be injured. The bird will flop on the ground and look as if it's wing is broken, struggling to escape. Thus the enemy (me) is lured farther and farther away from the nest. When the bird feels you are sufficiently lost and distracted, suddenly they will recover and fly away. It is brilliant. Not an acting lesson in their lives, and yet they know how to put on a marvelous show.
I keep a list of bird sightings in the front cover of my bird identification book. If it is a particularly unusual bird I list specific times, places and dates and often the sex of the bird in question. As a habit I do not used binoculars to do my bird watching, just my wonderful eyes. But I will admit that the few times I have taken a pair of binoculars with me I have gotten some spectacular views. It is totally a personal thing. They really come in handy when I hear a call or song and cannot identify the bird (and for the life of me, I cannot see where it is coming from). This has driven me mad with curiosity and I'm sure several passers-by also wonder what the heck has me staring intently into the woods. By this method, I discovered the Flicker, a large and striking Woodpecker
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/id
and the teeny. illusive Yellow-rumped Warbler (I know, a very silly name).
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/id
I keep a simple feeding station in my back yard to attract as big a variety of birds as possible. I have one feeder with just a mix of cheap birdseed (which is mostly millet), with a scoop of "Not so cheap" birdseed, plus a scoop of plain black sunflower seed. This feeder is hooked onto a great product called a "Twirl a Squirrel". When big birds try to hog the feeder, or squirrels hang off of it, it begins to spin. Then it spins faster and faster. It is quite hilarious. Mostly the squirrels leave me alone now. If they start coming back, I know it's time to change the batteries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIp7V7VcCX8
Besides this feeder, I keep a special feeder just for finches and other very small birds, filled with black thistle seed (or niger seed).
I also have one suet feeder. Here is the trick to using a suet feeder. NEVER hang it on the flimsy little chain they sell it with. The squirrels will have it down in an hour and carry it off into the woods (as I have discovered!). Get a heavy gauge wire, or even better a metal hanger from an old bird feeder. I also do NOT use suet. It is way too expensive. I get cheap bread (or use old bread from around my house). Get a big jar of generic crunchy peanut butter and spread it on both pieces. Now make a birdseed sandwich. Yum Yum. I also spread peanut butter on the outside and lay it on a paper plate of seed and press it down. So now it is totally covered inside and out with peanut butter and seeds. The woodpeckers of all varieties love this concoction. So do all the birds. Plus it is super cheap, costing mere cents rather that dollars for each suet cake. And don't forget you can also stick other things in the suet feeder. If we have left over apples and oranges that will go uneaten, I cut them in half and put them in the suet feeder. Many birds are especially attracted to fruit.
So please join me for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Hope to see you out in your backyard (or backwoods) this weekend counting birds and generally enjoying yourself. (those of you who can get out your back doors, that is- I do realize that a good deal of the US has been snowed in!)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Welcome to my first Blog members!
I am thrilled that you came by. This is new for me, so both scary and exciting. Throughout the day, words and phrases jumped through my head, begging to be written. But here I am, a bit tired. Rats! However, there are some things that need to be said.
As I mentioned in my profile, I am interested in Religion, Philosophy and Spiritual journeys. This has led me to begin reading literature related to Eastern Philosophy, specifically The Tao. I began by reading the mind-blowing book, The Art of War, by Sun Tzu (or Master Sun)translated by Thomas Cleary. I recommend this man's translations. If you read the comments about them on Amazon, or if you read his own EXTENSIVE introductions to his books, you will see why he is a fantastic choice for an English reader (like myself).
http://www.amazon.com/Art-War-Sun-Tzu/dp/1590302257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265591914&sr=1-1
The Art of War was left around the house by one of my children. I picked it up, never dreaming it would contain wisdom that could be relevant to me in this modern, high-tech society. To say I was was stunned would be an understatement. Page by page- one page a day, I ate up the thoughts. Often I re-read a page for several days. With note paper and a pen nearby I copied out the passages that blew my mind. Here a just a few of my favorites. I put them here, hoping they encourage you to pick up a copy of this unusual book.
The Art of War by Master Sun (Sun Tsu)
It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and the moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear a thunder clap (Master Sun) What everyone knows , is not called wisdom. Victory over others by forced battle is not considered good. (Wang Xi)
Advantages and disadvantages are interdependent-first know the disadvantages, then you know the advantages. (Li Quan) Therefore it is said that victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. (Yhang Yu)
Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage and sternness. (Master Sun) The ancient documents say, “The one who treats me well is my leader, the one who treats me cruelly is my enemy,” The question is, which side has a humane government, and which side has a cruel government. (Ho Yanxi) When it comes to establishing rules and regulations, high and low, should be treated alike. (Du Mu) Make everyone equal under the law. (Mei Yaochen)
When the speed of rushing water reaches the point where it can move boulders, this is the force of momentum. When the speed of the hawk is such that it can strike and kill, this is precision. So it is with skillful warriors-their force is swift like drawing a catapult, their precision is like releasing the trigger. (SunTzu)
Some may be clumsy in attack but they get the upper hand through extraordinary swiftness, because they are not subject to the problems of wearing out their forces and using up their resources. (Du Mu) As it is said, be swift as the thunder that peals before you have a chance to cover your ears, fast as the lightening that flashes before you can blink your eyes.( Chen Hao)
The lowest [means of victory] is to attack a city. Siege of a city is only done as a last resort. If the general cannot overcome his anger and his army swarms over the citadel, killing a third of his soldiers, and yet the citadel is not taken, this is a disastrous attack. Therefore one who is good at martial arts overcomes other’s forces without battle, conquers other’s cities without siege, destroys other’s nations without taking a long time. (Master Sun)
It is never beneficial to a nation to have military operations continue for a long time. (Master Sun) A Government should not mobilize an army out of anger, military leaders should not provoke war out of wrath. Act when it is beneficial, desist if it is not. Anger can revert to joy, wrath can revert to delight but a nation destroyed cannot be restored to life. Therefore an enlightened government is careful about this; a good military leadership is alert to this. This is the way to secure a nation and keep the armed forces whole. (Sun Tzu)
Taoist philosophy, one can accomplish the most by doing the least. One can win without fighting. Therefore truly skilled warriors won each battle easily and thus were not known for cunning or bravery.
Hence the old legend: A lord of ancient China asked his physician, a member of a family of healers, which one of them was the most skilled in the art. The Physician, whose reputation was such that his name became synonymous with medical science in China replied, “My eldest brother sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, so his name does not get out of the house. My elder brother cures sickness when it is still extremely minute, so his name does not get out of the neighborhood. As for me, I puncture veins, prescribe potions and massage skin, so from time to time my name gets out and is heard among the lords.”
As I mentioned in my profile, I am interested in Religion, Philosophy and Spiritual journeys. This has led me to begin reading literature related to Eastern Philosophy, specifically The Tao. I began by reading the mind-blowing book, The Art of War, by Sun Tzu (or Master Sun)translated by Thomas Cleary. I recommend this man's translations. If you read the comments about them on Amazon, or if you read his own EXTENSIVE introductions to his books, you will see why he is a fantastic choice for an English reader (like myself).
http://www.amazon.com/Art-War-Sun-Tzu/dp/1590302257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265591914&sr=1-1
The Art of War was left around the house by one of my children. I picked it up, never dreaming it would contain wisdom that could be relevant to me in this modern, high-tech society. To say I was was stunned would be an understatement. Page by page- one page a day, I ate up the thoughts. Often I re-read a page for several days. With note paper and a pen nearby I copied out the passages that blew my mind. Here a just a few of my favorites. I put them here, hoping they encourage you to pick up a copy of this unusual book.
The Art of War by Master Sun (Sun Tsu)
It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and the moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear a thunder clap (Master Sun) What everyone knows , is not called wisdom. Victory over others by forced battle is not considered good. (Wang Xi)
Advantages and disadvantages are interdependent-first know the disadvantages, then you know the advantages. (Li Quan) Therefore it is said that victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. (Yhang Yu)
Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage and sternness. (Master Sun) The ancient documents say, “The one who treats me well is my leader, the one who treats me cruelly is my enemy,” The question is, which side has a humane government, and which side has a cruel government. (Ho Yanxi) When it comes to establishing rules and regulations, high and low, should be treated alike. (Du Mu) Make everyone equal under the law. (Mei Yaochen)
When the speed of rushing water reaches the point where it can move boulders, this is the force of momentum. When the speed of the hawk is such that it can strike and kill, this is precision. So it is with skillful warriors-their force is swift like drawing a catapult, their precision is like releasing the trigger. (SunTzu)
Some may be clumsy in attack but they get the upper hand through extraordinary swiftness, because they are not subject to the problems of wearing out their forces and using up their resources. (Du Mu) As it is said, be swift as the thunder that peals before you have a chance to cover your ears, fast as the lightening that flashes before you can blink your eyes.( Chen Hao)
The lowest [means of victory] is to attack a city. Siege of a city is only done as a last resort. If the general cannot overcome his anger and his army swarms over the citadel, killing a third of his soldiers, and yet the citadel is not taken, this is a disastrous attack. Therefore one who is good at martial arts overcomes other’s forces without battle, conquers other’s cities without siege, destroys other’s nations without taking a long time. (Master Sun)
It is never beneficial to a nation to have military operations continue for a long time. (Master Sun) A Government should not mobilize an army out of anger, military leaders should not provoke war out of wrath. Act when it is beneficial, desist if it is not. Anger can revert to joy, wrath can revert to delight but a nation destroyed cannot be restored to life. Therefore an enlightened government is careful about this; a good military leadership is alert to this. This is the way to secure a nation and keep the armed forces whole. (Sun Tzu)
Taoist philosophy, one can accomplish the most by doing the least. One can win without fighting. Therefore truly skilled warriors won each battle easily and thus were not known for cunning or bravery.
Hence the old legend: A lord of ancient China asked his physician, a member of a family of healers, which one of them was the most skilled in the art. The Physician, whose reputation was such that his name became synonymous with medical science in China replied, “My eldest brother sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, so his name does not get out of the house. My elder brother cures sickness when it is still extremely minute, so his name does not get out of the neighborhood. As for me, I puncture veins, prescribe potions and massage skin, so from time to time my name gets out and is heard among the lords.”
Saturday, February 6, 2010
My first post...hhhmmm what to do what to do....
Welcome to gcmossraves.blogspot.com. If you are my first visitor, I wish I could throw confetti or blow whistles or something. But unfortunately, I don't know how to do things like that on the computer...just type.
Today I shall think on J.D. Salinger. Amidst my top shelf, filled to the brim with DH Lawrence (yet another reclusive author, who only used his initials), sits two very well worn paper backs. My original copies of Franny and Zooey, and The Catcher in the Rye, both not doubt, stolen from my high school, are pulled down at least once a month when I feel the need to quote some amazingly strange phrase that sticks in my head. JD had a way of saying things that noone else could, or ever dared to. I think that is why he resonated with the adolescent crowd, of which I was one in 1972-76 (when I was in High School). You might notice that sometimes I capitalize High school and sometimes I don't. That is because, I have never read anything, or spoken to anyone, who could definitively explain to me exactly how high school should be spelled (or why). Is it different when you are talking about your High School. Like "Hey! Didn't you graduate from Rydell High (School)?"... or when you say, "Yes! I graduated from high school, you weasel!"
Anyway, back to JD Salinger. If you have not read either of the books I previously mentioned, you must stop reading this blog immediately and go read them. I would hate to be the one to ruin the virgin Salinger experience for you.
I will now be discussing Franny and Zooey. I read this book like a starving man, okay, a starving girl, eating her first meal after 16 years of starvation rations. I can still feel my eyes bugging out of my head, as if I could not believe the words and phrases I was seeing on the page. How could something like this exist? How could the world keep it a secret? Why wasn't everyone walking around with a book holder attached to their heads so they could be reading this always, everywhere they went? I felt like I had to hide it in my (gigantic) purse like thing that I carried everywhere I went. I read it in class, I read it at lunch, I read it outside...okay, you get the picture. And if you have read it, you will understand, why I read it in the bathtub.
SPOILER ALERT************************I DID WARN YOU***************************
Zooey is sitting in the bathtub re-re-re-etc-reading a letter from his Eldest brother Buddy. [Who lives, shockingly, like a recluse] Buddy begins to discuss, in his letter, the death of their brother Seymour. This passage has meant more to me during the course of my very stressful life that a hundred other more "likely" quotes. You know, like the kind of pithy things written in condolence cards. I do send condolence cards, but rarely do I send one that already has printing on the inside. I'd rather write in it myself, or find a quote of my own liking. It is pointless to leave it to Hallmark, when you are in love with JD Salinger and DH Lawrence.
So here is Zooey in the bathtub reading this very long letter. Eventually Buddy tries to dissuade Zooey yet again from going into the Theater. But he admits, "Granted I am off today.I keep a good neurotic's calendar, and it's three years, to the day, since Seymour killed himself. Did I ever tell you what happened when I went down to Florida to bring back the body? I wept like a slob on the plane for five solid hours...About five minutes before the plane landed, I became aware of people talking in the seat behind me. A woman was saying, with all of Back Bay Boston and most of Harvard Square in her voice, '...and the next morning, mind you, they took a pint of pus out of that lovely young body of hers.' That's all I remember hearing, but when I got off the plane and the Bereaved Widow came toward me all in Berdorf Goodman black, I had the Wrong Expression on my face. I was grinning. Which is exactly the way I feel today for no good reason. Against my better judgment, I feel certain that somewhere very near here-the first house down the road, maybe-there's a good poet dying, but also somewhere very near here somebody's having a hilarious pint of pus taken from her lovely young body, and I can't be running back and forth forever between grief and high delight."
Today I shall think on J.D. Salinger. Amidst my top shelf, filled to the brim with DH Lawrence (yet another reclusive author, who only used his initials), sits two very well worn paper backs. My original copies of Franny and Zooey, and The Catcher in the Rye, both not doubt, stolen from my high school, are pulled down at least once a month when I feel the need to quote some amazingly strange phrase that sticks in my head. JD had a way of saying things that noone else could, or ever dared to. I think that is why he resonated with the adolescent crowd, of which I was one in 1972-76 (when I was in High School). You might notice that sometimes I capitalize High school and sometimes I don't. That is because, I have never read anything, or spoken to anyone, who could definitively explain to me exactly how high school should be spelled (or why). Is it different when you are talking about your High School. Like "Hey! Didn't you graduate from Rydell High (School)?"... or when you say, "Yes! I graduated from high school, you weasel!"
Anyway, back to JD Salinger. If you have not read either of the books I previously mentioned, you must stop reading this blog immediately and go read them. I would hate to be the one to ruin the virgin Salinger experience for you.
I will now be discussing Franny and Zooey. I read this book like a starving man, okay, a starving girl, eating her first meal after 16 years of starvation rations. I can still feel my eyes bugging out of my head, as if I could not believe the words and phrases I was seeing on the page. How could something like this exist? How could the world keep it a secret? Why wasn't everyone walking around with a book holder attached to their heads so they could be reading this always, everywhere they went? I felt like I had to hide it in my (gigantic) purse like thing that I carried everywhere I went. I read it in class, I read it at lunch, I read it outside...okay, you get the picture. And if you have read it, you will understand, why I read it in the bathtub.
SPOILER ALERT************************I DID WARN YOU***************************
Zooey is sitting in the bathtub re-re-re-etc-reading a letter from his Eldest brother Buddy. [Who lives, shockingly, like a recluse] Buddy begins to discuss, in his letter, the death of their brother Seymour. This passage has meant more to me during the course of my very stressful life that a hundred other more "likely" quotes. You know, like the kind of pithy things written in condolence cards. I do send condolence cards, but rarely do I send one that already has printing on the inside. I'd rather write in it myself, or find a quote of my own liking. It is pointless to leave it to Hallmark, when you are in love with JD Salinger and DH Lawrence.
So here is Zooey in the bathtub reading this very long letter. Eventually Buddy tries to dissuade Zooey yet again from going into the Theater. But he admits, "Granted I am off today.I keep a good neurotic's calendar, and it's three years, to the day, since Seymour killed himself. Did I ever tell you what happened when I went down to Florida to bring back the body? I wept like a slob on the plane for five solid hours...About five minutes before the plane landed, I became aware of people talking in the seat behind me. A woman was saying, with all of Back Bay Boston and most of Harvard Square in her voice, '...and the next morning, mind you, they took a pint of pus out of that lovely young body of hers.' That's all I remember hearing, but when I got off the plane and the Bereaved Widow came toward me all in Berdorf Goodman black, I had the Wrong Expression on my face. I was grinning. Which is exactly the way I feel today for no good reason. Against my better judgment, I feel certain that somewhere very near here-the first house down the road, maybe-there's a good poet dying, but also somewhere very near here somebody's having a hilarious pint of pus taken from her lovely young body, and I can't be running back and forth forever between grief and high delight."
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