WALT’S OPINIONS
WALT’S OPINION
ON
MICHAEL DIRDA
If you love to read as much as I do, and have missed books that ‘you should have read’ there is still hope. By any means possible, purchase the book, Bound to Please, by a phenomenal author and critic, Michael Dirda.
Dirda reviews books for the Washington Post, and every review not only profiles the book, but borrows from his extensive readings. When it comes to literature, he is more like a machine remembering apparently everything he has read. Just as an aside, his other books are most enjoyable giving a glimpse of the life of a true reader.
Bound to Please begins with is a review of books written about great books, beginning with Herodotus: The Histories, on to Writers of the Times. I cannot begin to mention all the information contained in this work. The book also delves into science fiction and horror, my favorite genres.
The book, at first, can appear to be an intimidating read, but if you enjoy literature and want it fill in the holes in your reading, once started, you will be unable to put it aside. At first, I intended to read a page or two but found myself devouring the work, taking notes and marking pages.
If you want to read a comprehensive survey of world literature, please treat yourself to this book. It is a work you will keep for the rest of your life and reference often.
WALT’S OBSERVATIONS
WALT’S OBSERVATIONS
ON
RETIREMENT
This piece is meant for those poor souls that are compelled to write.
As reported recently on my blog, my wife, Joni, and I went on a cruise last January. The experience, much to my surprise, was most enjoyable. At my age, it is wonderful to have all your needs met, even some you didn’t know existed (all legal of course). However, this reflection is more about the people I encountered and my thoughts, contrasting my mindset and that of those wonderful people at a similar stage in our lives.
Joni and I joined a large group while taking the cruise, including my sister, Shirley and her husband Matt. They now live in South Carolina in an over 55 retirement community and were joined by about eight or nine other couples from the same community. I had the opportunity to talk to most of them and those feelings generated are the source of this article.
All retired, the exuded the joy of life. They had all worked hard and now it was time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In the many conversations I shared with them, I came to appreciate the image of retirement, having time to relish the simple things that life now offered whether it be gardening, walking or spending time with grandchildren.
As I listened to them I reflected on my life. I have always been one to pursue a goal and that drive offers no peace. I envy those who, in retirement, can put aside their past efforts and enjoy their twilight years.
I am reminded of the legend of Sisyphus, doomed to role a stone up a hill only to have it fall down the opposite side where he must again begin his effort. There is no end to his toil.
Those retirees I encountered have defied Sisyphus, for the most part. Some still work part-time, victims of the current economy. But for the most part, they have rolled the stone of their careers to the summit and now enjoy the gentle coast downward in retirement. They have reached the point where the repetition of failure no longer exists. They are at peace with their life and the world.
But for us writers, the scenario is different. I am one of your legions and share the Sisyphus of the written word with you. You and I will never retire. For to retire to us would mean we have ceased to think, to imagine. We roll the rock of our creation up a slippery slope only to have, for many of us, have it roll down in rejection and lack of appreciation. We are compelled to continue this effort to the end.
Fellow writers, these are my observations. God help us all.
WALT’S OBSERVATIONS
WALT’S OBSERVATIONS
ON THE WEATHER
TORNADOES
I cannot comprehend the destruction tornadoes have brought to this country the last few days.
I have spent years in the Midwest, attending college in Oklahoma and stationed, during my air force experience, in Wichita. While in Wichita I was once close to a tornado but never witnessed it. It was on a spring afternoon and the sky filled with storm clouds. They grew denser and the bottom edges were edged in green. While out looking at the sky, the wind howled and then stopped. The temperature dropped, the wind returned, this time accompanied by huge hailstones. Miles away a tornado was reported.
The only place I witnessed a tornado, and I saw a few, was while living in Miami, Florida. From the lab window where I worked, I had a clear view of the ocean and twice observed water spouts. And then one Saturday afternoon I was fishing with friends in the Everglades when a line of storms approached from the north. We decided to return to Miami, and as we were driving, I could see a delicate black finger, in the distance, descend from the clouds. That was the only land tornado I witnessed and never did reach the ground before dissolving back into the clouds.
But in the last few days communities in the west and south have witnessed the destruction of this force first-hand, and many did not live to tell the tale. We have all seen the images, but I feel that unless you see the massive amount of destruction first-hand, you have no appreciation of the force of a tornado, and are truly unable to comprehend to impact on the communities involved.
How do you prepare for the destructive force of a tornado?
As a snow storm approaches, as we are accustomed to here in the east, you have days to prepare. There is the traditional raid on grocery stores for eggs, bread and milk. (Perhaps in some future piece I will discuss why I think we do this.) Then there are the camera crews stalking the hardware stores as people rush to buy snow shovels and salt. Just as an aside, one newscaster comment, “How many shovels do people need?” For with the approach of every snow storm, snow shovels sell out.
We have the same advanced warning in the case of hurricanes. The vastness of the impact cannot be fully predicted, as with Katrina, you know for days that a storm is approaching. Sometimes, however, human error adds to the magnitude of the loss, take Katrina for example. With the approach of a hurricane, the news is full of people boarding up window and leaving town, at least those that can.
But what do you do when a tornado outbreak is predicted? With today’s technology, we have warning, perhaps a day in advance, that tornados my appear over a vast area. Not until these vast machines of destruction are truly set into motion does one truly know where the danger exits. There is no way to protect your house and belongings. It is useless for the destructive forces are so haphazard.
Do you run?
You may be leaving a safe haven only to enter death’s door. You can only wait, take what cover you can, while this traveling fiend does its devil’s dance across the landscape, sparing one home and destroying the house next door.
I know all our hearts go out to those having experienced the recent mayhem. Wish them well in their recovery. Time will heal the landscape and erase the physical carnage. Hopefully, time will eventually soften the loss and experience of those affected.
WALT’S OPINION’S
WALT’S OPINION ON MUSIC
THE NATIONAL
If you are acquainted with my blog, you should know by now that I’m old enough to shave – even though I don’t. I mention this because you may find the type of music I appreciate strange. In fact, there is a group that I love, Rilo Kiley, of whom I will write an article in the future. Some time ago they were playing at a venue which my wife and daughters felt I should not attend. Something about the audience lifting me up and passing me around.
But now let’s get to the subject of this piece.
This first entry to this portion of my blog, Walt’s Opinions, concerns a CD my daughter, Lynn, gave me more than a year ago. I forget the occasion, it was holiday or birthday. The CD was, High Violet, by The National. At first I listened to it as background music, but there was something about the voices that caught my attention. Finally, when time allowed, I sat down undisturbed and gave it a close listen. I have come to appreciate that your undivided attention is the only way to really enjoy this music.
The voices on the CD are deep, haunting and resonate with feeling. They are not polished but genuine and necessary for the eerie compositions they present.
The lyrics of the songs are poetic. Unfortunately, they are not included but the voices are distinctive enough for understanding. I hope in future work they include the lyrics. The words speak of an individual not content or fitting into the world around him. He exists on the edge and exists by his own rules.
Then there is the music. The instrumentation I awesome and thoroughly complements the lyrics to make a complete package.
I hope you give this CD a listen. After that, I would enjoy hearing your comments. If you do give it a listen, you’re in for one hell of a ride.
UPDATE CHAPBOOK
My consistent readers,
I have many projects currently in progress. I am writing another novella with Elmo as a reappearing character. The first time I’ve used a character twice, but I really like him. I’m also rewriting some old short stories and see if I can find them a home. Also, there is The Beast Awaits, my second novel which I hope to publish, someday.
But I figured ‘what the hell’ I’ll start something else, something where, for the most part the work is already done. I’m thinking of publishing a chapbook of poetry. A chapbook is more of a pamphlet than a book. The reason I am discussing this with you is that in the past some of the busiest days on my blog was when I was sharing my poetry. So for any that enjoyed these poems, could you please go to both of my poem areas, Published Poems and Unpublished Poems, and select the poems that you enjoyed or said something to you. I know this will take time but I would really appreciate the effort. I’ll get back to you with the poems that made the cut.
Thanks for your time,
Walt
UPDATE TRAVEL
My consistent readers and new-found friends,
My wife, Joni, and I recently returned from a cruise on the Allure of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International ship which is the largest cruise ship in the world. This was our first cruise; nothing like starting at the top. We visited Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Martin. St. Martin was our favorite and the island we would like to revisit. While on St. Martin, we caught a glimpse of an island (I forget its name) that served as Skull Island in the filming of King Kong. If only we could have visited and sought out those huge footprints.
We were accompanied on this adventure by my sister, Shirley and her husband Matt, along with many couples from their retirement community. If any of those that we met read this blog, I want to say we had a fantastic time in your company and you made the cruise experience all the more pleasant.
Now, back to writing.
Take care my friends,
Walt
REVIEW OF SPELLBOUND
The anthology, Spellbound, published by Melange Books just received a very good review.
My story, The Mansion of Nightmares, appears in this anthology.
http://boookup.blogspot.com/2012/01/jenny-m-twist-spellbound.html?zx=4326fd2e9d2035ec
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