I learned this week…
…that looking for the perfect pumpkin is serious business in my house. Last weekend we went to our favorite pumpkin patch. In a dusty, weed filled field, we searched – row upon neatly constructed row. There were big ones and small ones, fat ones and skinny ones. Some that where lopsided, some with twisted and gnarled stems. The search was exhausting, but finally we spied him – our perfect pumpkin. His color lovely, his skin roughly textured. He had character. We quickly deemed him worthy of the noble position of front porch sentry. He would guard our door faithfully when the hordes of trick-or-treaters come knocking. And there he will stay – until he rots or is stolen and murdered by the evil neighborhood teenagers.
…that I still loath Beowulf with every fiber of my being. While I can appreciate the artistry of the piece, a tale of a heroic warrior’s adventures of dragon slaying just isn’t my thing. Giovanni Boccaccio, I’ve discovered, is my thing. It has everything I love in a story – jealousy, betrayal, and murder with a slightly sick twist. In The Decameron, Boccaccio tells us of a knight whose wife is in love with his best friend. The knight plots the murder of his friend, cuts his heart out and then instructs his cook to make an elaborate dish out of it. As his cheating wife cleans her plate and licks her lips, he says:
“What did you think of that, madam?”
“In good faith, my lord,”…”I liked it very much.”
“So help me God,”…”I do believe you did. But I am not surprised to find that you liked it dead, because when it was alive you liked it better than anything else in the whole world.”
—From “The Ninth Story of the Fourth Day” The Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio.
Yes. Sick and twisted. Definitely my thing.
…that I have broken my pledge to avoid the State Fair of Texas at all costs, two years in a row. Last year my BFF Amy talked me into going. I was powerless to refuse the only thing she asked to do while she was visiting from Florida. This year, my resolve was crumbled by the most beautiful pair of blue eyes.
…that (in reference to the above) the Fair is still overpriced and crowded with rude, obnoxious people. However, I did eat a Fletcher’s corny dog and a fried pumpkin pie. Both pretty darn good. Still, I don’t understand why anyone would coat their corn dog with mustard, then walk around trying to eat it. Totally disgusting.
…that the discovery of the private study rooms at my campus library was a wonderful thing. Sure, I don’t get to people watch and play my beloved “What if?” game. I am saddened by that, but it is a small price to pay in order to avoid inconsiderate, germ-invested young people. Plus, lack of distractions leads to increased productivity. I was able to get an entire blog finished on Tuesday and about 1000 words written in Retribution on Thursday. Not too shabby.
…that technology is not always my friend. This is the second time I’ve written this particular blog entry. Very frustrating, but I am trying to look on the bright side – at least I didn’t accidentally delete the 21,000+ words I have managed to eek out for Retribution thus far.
…that I don’t get this whole Occupy Wall Street thing. I saw an interview with one protester here in Dallas who boasted of quitting her job at Neiman’s so that she could protest. Really? What kind of message does that send? Look, I’m all for exercising one’s constitutional right to assemble. I understand that the country is angry, and rightfully so, but these folks need to consolidate their message if they want anyone with any power to incite change to take them serious. Right now, they look like a bunch of campers making a mess at the local city park. I feel sorry for the park employees who will have to clean up their mess once they are finally evicted.
…and finally…this week’s awww moment is brought to you by a crazy little squirrel who looks a bit like Einstein to me – well, if Einstein were a Russian squirrel with hairy ears.
Of Bears and Boating 