I love to read.
I love to read books that transport me to another time and place, that captivate me with daring plots and dashing characters.
I know I have found such a book when I am sorry to see end. I tend to drag out the last few chapters of my favorite books- willing them to last longer. There is a fierce tension between my need to see what happens and my desire for the story to never end. Last night, I stayed up past midnight reading, “City of Thieves” by David Benioff. Yes, it was vulgar and crude at parts but it was historically fascinating and it made me laugh out loud. The marriage of funny and fascinating is a unique phenomenon that makes for addictive reading.
I also love to read blogs and letters.
I was just over at Deborah’s blog the Temptation of Words and I read her post, "On Happiness”- fabulous. I loved it. It reminded me of a letter I received at college from my sister. Inside the envelope was simply a list (and a long list at that) of things that she loved. She asked that I write her back with my own list.
What an exercise in gratitude. It is all too easy to focus on the things we dislike about our lives but when we sit down to make a list of the good, it grows quite long. The key is to be specific, to notice the details. Here is a sampling ( in no particular order) of my own list:
-The creases next to my husband’s eyes when he smiles.
-The light coming through the newly emerging leaves on a sapling.
-Hot tea with cream and sugar in a fine china teacup.
-Cupcakes (of course).
-The hilarious comments my students unwittingly utter on any given day.
What do you love? What do you love to read?
I thought about writting you another list...but that might people might be scrolling down for quite a long time. This is a great exercise and somthing that I need to do more of, being greatful, and enjoying the little things in life. As for reading, I have not been motivated lately, mostly because I feel like there are so many things to do that I want to be entertained while I do them so I usually go with a tv show. I should go with a book on tape, can't go wrong with that, I almost always pick a mystery in that case. And I do love a good mystery read in a british accent...
ReplyDeleteKate!! I've been tardy coming over here this week as I've been busy with a family visitor. Just tonight the title of your post caught my eye, and you can imagine my surprise when I read the rest. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI love your sister's idea (and I can safely assume that's who Anne is?) and your own 'loves'.
I love surprises!!
great post...the idea of being specific is what makes for good writers. It is sad that so much of the teaching in school requires generalization rather than specific representative detail. so here are a few of my loves
ReplyDeleteI love...
...the smell of mint when I'm mowing the lawn and accidentally roll over the garden edge. I just turn off the mower and grab a few sprigs and I'm back in Morocco.
...finding a bill in the pocket of my jeans, especially if it is a ten or twenty.
...the sound of the cork flying off a champagne bottle neck.
...reading a new post every week on my daughter's blog.
Anne- Mystery read in a British Accent is definitely something I love! Thank you for your comment and your kindness, I am grateful for you.
ReplyDeleteDeborah- I am so very glad that you were pleasantly surprised this week! I can't tell you how many times your writing has provided that unexpected joy for me:)
JRD- What a lovely list. It made my day to read it! Thank you so very much for your comments. I hope your week is full of joy and love:)