Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Looking at parts... of me.

I never cease to be amazed at Barbara Kingsolver's writing. I am a big fan and I don't read a lot of books. That's a confession that I hate to admit but it's true. I have so many things to fit into my life before I leave this wonderful gift of a world and I can't sit and read when the OWL might come back to the porch and my camera calls me from the shelf. My mind is filled with ideas that will last long beyond my time here... so reading is just another thing on my list that I need or want to do.
But, this morning I was looking at Amazon.com... for fun.
I coughed all night. Took some cough meds about 3:00 a.m. and woke up drowsy. I may be coming down with something.  Then, after two cups of coffee I felt better, so I went to Amazon books to see what I could see.
If you know what I'm talking about, when you bring up this site, Amazon gives you ideas and "recommendations" all around the edges of what you're looking at. This is to make you buy something that you really wouldn't have though of if they hadn't put the notion in your head with little "windows" of opportunity.
*More items to consider... *Related to items you've viewed... *Shop the best books of 2011 store and so on. Knitting, photography, felting, nature, animals,  Dean Koontz ( I love his twisted stories.), Michael Pollan and The Big Ass Book of Crafts by, (OMG), a guy named Mark Montano. Now that's cool. A dude that does crafts... and writes a book about it. Almost doesn't sound real.
So, I was trying to stay focused. I went back and clicked on Barbara Kingsolver-Small Wonders-essays.
They give you a "look inside" the book to tickle you interest.
I read the forward and the first essay. This first story alone told me that I must read this book. It is now winging its way to me. She wrote most of the essays right after 9/11.  for a magazine. It speaks to moving away from the "vast, unbearable pain" of any horrible tragedy in your life. How looking at the parts of a terrible thing, and the little sub stories which come of it, can help you control your pain and begin to heal on a smaller level and make the tragedy a little more manageable.
The first essay is about a family in the Lori tribe in the western province of Lerestan in Iran. They come home from working in the fields to find one of their children missing.
As I'm so easily upset by stories like this, I sometimes don't continue reading. My mind doesn't let go of things. I accumulate. But, something inside of me said, "Read it." Something saw the correlation  to 9/11 and so I continued. I also trust Barbara Kingslover to tell a story with such reason and humanity that I always know I would be less for not reading it.
I would recommend this book if the only written pages in it were the first essay. Please consider this. I sound like the "recommendations" on Amazon.com. but please take a look at the "read inside" on this book and let me know what you think.
I Googled a newspaper article on this real life story and I leave it here as a testament to how far we have pulled ourselves away from Nature and how we think that we are different... but, how very much we are the same.

Iranian toddler found safe in bear's den after 3 days

By Reuters, 10/02/01
TEHRAN, Iran -- A mother bear appears to have cared for a missing 16-month-old Iranian toddler who was found safe and sound three days later in the animal's den, the Kayhan newspaper said Tuesday.
The child's parents, from a nomadic tribe in western Lorestan province, returned to their tent after working in the fields to find him missing, Kayhan said. Three days later, a search party found the toddler, who it said had probably been breast-fed by a mother bear, in a den about 6 miles from the nomadic settlement. A medical examination showed the toddler was in good health, the daily said.
 

Happy New Year to my family and friends.

10 comments:

  1. I am a huge Kingsolver fan and thought I'd read everything, but not this. I will remedy that. What a wonderful story about the Iranian toddler. I'm so glad you told us about it. The world is such an amazing place.

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  2. I love her, but haven't read anything by her in quite some time. So, I'm off to Amazon! =)

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  3. i read that story the other day on the kid in the bears den...and will go and peruse this book...i hope that you feel better and have a happy new year!

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  4. I Had not heard about the toddler in Iran being taken care by a bear. I read at night before I go to bed mostly mystery books. Have a blessed evening and a very Happy New Year. Madeline

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  5. Great story about the bear and the toddler. Animals are amazing for sure.
    I have heard of Barbara Kingsolver but never read any of her books. Might have to remedy that.

    Happy New Year to you and The Prospecter and Cutter and Carl :o)

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  6. I LOVE Barbara Kingsolver! Poisonwood Bible, Prodigal Summer and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle are favorites.
    I know you will enjoy your new book. Happy New Year! xo, Cheryl

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  7. I haven't read Kinsolver, but I will soon remedy this problem, thanks to your glowing review! The bear story is amazing. I continue to be in awe of the 'humanity' of animals,(and sometimes frustrated by the inhumanity of some humans.)Is your little own still perched in the eaves?

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  8. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Loved reading all this you dear soul.

    Yes, I too love that Barbara Kingsolver book, which I purchased many years ago and have read and reread. It is one that should be in your library and it just might tip you into some time for a reading mode.

    All joys to you,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  9. Kindred spirits strike again! I was just about to post a book review on my blog! I have read many of B.K's books and think she is such an amazing writer. I must pick up this one you've recommended. It may help me with my own blues. Have you read 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' by her? It'll make you think about how and what you eat.
    Thanks for the thoughts.

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  10. Wow...were have I been? Well being cared for by my own loving bear, but this is Wow!

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