Kafka

On 22 January 1922 Kafka wrote in his journal - Nocturnal resolve.

I understand this all too well. In the middle of the night I can compose wonderful passages in my journal. I can see the broad strokes of green ink on a page of cream parchment. and hear the scritch-scratch of the nib as I record my innermost thoughts. But, in the morning, search though I may, the ink has vaporated and I have lost those pieces of wisdom. I plod through days knowing this journal is neglected. So it has my attention now. I hope it holds me fast.

This past Monday Mama and I went to Owensboro for various meanderings. We ended up on the bank of the Ohio River. We had our sandwiches from Lic's, Mama eating chicken salad and me with my favorite Gourmet Sub, minus the corned beef (shudder, shudder). The day was just right, the river intriguing, reminding me of Bohannan Cartwright, although he navigated the Green River. Mama's stories of her trips to the river bank when she was a child delighted me and made me frantic to get these stories on paper. She related their trip from Fordsville, some 25 miles. It was the rare trip that failed to see flat tires or a steaming radiator. A cloudburst could nearly hide the tires in mud. My mother and each of her three brothers received a quarter for spending money. Mama always spent her money in the first store. Once they stopped at the grocery first and Mama spent her quarter on 2 peaches and a canteloupe. Then she was sad so her Poppa slipped her a dime, since she was the only girl. When they went to the dime store her brothers would play with the toy cars, rolling them all over the floor making motor sounds. Pole, as she called her father, would take a nap on a park bench, covering his face with his hat. Now there is a wrought iron fence that keeps visitors from toppling over the edge into the river. Mama says there was no such protection then and wonders how they all kept from drowning. We left the river bank to make the dreaded walmart trip. The experiences were strikingly different. Down by the river my mother took me into her world during a time that she remembers with such clarity. On our way home we tried to forget walmart!!

What I'm Reading: A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham

What I'm Thinking: I wish all my granddaughters were here with me.

What I'm Neglecting: My Bible Reading (but I'm working on it!!)

Mama just called so we are going to the dollar store. One more in our series of treks.

Shalom