Where I am calling from - by - Raymond Carver

I have read some great books since starting this blog and have not written about them. So I thought I would begin with the book I finished yesterday, Raymond Carver's selection of stories compiled into Where I am calling from. I had never read Carver before and found at times I was reading an autobiography, the writing was so personal. After getting about half way through the book I asked John whether Carver had had alcohol problems and more than one wife, as well as moving around a bit, John responded "yes, how did you know?" I told him it is all in his stories. His stories seem to mostly be about relationship problems, people are always smoking, drinking (there is also some pot in there), but basically about the American guy next door in the 60's. He opens up doorways into private lives and marriages, and I find his relaxed style comfortable and easy to read. I really got a feel of that time period in America through his personal experiences. He passes no judgement on his characters in true Christopher Isherwood style. The last story in the book throws you, because as I have said his other stories are all fictional but personal, whereas the last story is a true account of the death of Chekhov. Although it felt like it was a little out of place with the rest of the American drama stories, finding yourself watching Chekhov die actually makes you feel like going right out and getting another Carver book.... kind of a taste of what else he can write.

wrong turn

Have a go John!

One of the things I greatly admire about my husband John is his have a go attitude. Since I have known him he has had a go successfully at languages, D.I.Y, art, poetry and literature, education, musical instruments, the list is endless. I at first thought he had done all these things before but started to realize that he just didn't fear failure the same way I did and would just "have a go" succeeding and proving to me that actually that is what life is about. Those who dare are at least in the running for success, as those who take a step back have no chance. I see that he has inherited this from the Burtons, his father and brother are very similar and I see in all of them "if they can do it so can I" attitude. I have been very grateful for this example in my life and hope it rubs off on the kids too!! :) In this photo John is having a go for the first time on a bass, his Dad giving him tips and playing along on the guitar. I walked in and started to sing along (I don't have a great voice), but I had a go and was very proud of my self that I managed to keep the tune and enjoyed the moment. Too often in life I think I have walked past an opportunity to just have a go!

Growing up

A year ago Caitlin and Devon would have never jumped into a river just for the fun of it. So what has happened in a year that has brought about this change? Well boys, they notice boys and want them to notice them - that always brings on a little courage that might have been lacking. But also I see them enjoying life more and have a little less fear they had last year. I see them already grasping that if you don't seize that moment and run and jump, you are actually missing out on feeling something you will never feel again - that moment is completely unlivagainable. I love that they have already caught on to this and are enjoying their youth. In these photos we had just been canoing and had escaped with minor wetness... yet they chose to jump in regardless and have some fun. You go girls!!

Summer Job by Richard Hoffman

Summer Job by Richard Hoffman

"The trouble with intellectuals," Manny, my boss,
once told me, "is that they don't know nothing
till they can explain it to themselves. A guy like that,"
he said, "he gets to middle age--and by the way,
he gets there late; he's trying to be a boy until
he's forty, forty-five, and then you give him five
more years until that craziness peters out, and now
he's almost fifty--a guy like that at last explains
to himself that life is made of time, that time
is what it's all about. Aha! he says. And then
he either blows his brains out, gets religion,
or settles down to some major-league depression.
Make yourself useful. Hand me that three-eights
torque wrench--no, you moron, the other one."

These could be the good old days