Friday, March 13, 2009

The patience of readers; winners$ & losers$

A homemade illustration just for the fun of it: I turned around, and what did I see, but these things on a bookshelf waiting to remind me that summer approaches, nothing can stop it, and only I can prevent me from making this summer forever a part of my life. Keep the sights on the target and squeeze the trigger.

Thank you, for your patience, those who read ....

A few people are being very patient with me. Sometimes what I write is overly serious, more-or-less brooding. Sometime what I write is more-or-less goofy. Long live Fram the First. Right now, I am eating crackers, salsa dip, Swiss cheese and dill pickles, drinking apple juice and trying to type. Pretty interesting material to read. Right?

What I am saying is that a few people actually are being nice and putting up with me. Fewer still, but some, actually are taking time to write comments about my stuff. It amazes me. Thank you.

When working for a newspaper, a reporter knows the circulation numbers but, most of the time, never knows how many people actually read the articles he writes. I remember an occasion when a man came up to me, said he knew the editor was out ill, and asked me who was writing the editorials. Immediately going into defensive mode, I braced myself and said, "I am." He looked at me with genuine amazement and said. "My god, I've met a philosopher. You're a philosopher. You know that, don't you?" He made my day. On another occasion, a man simply told me he enjoyed reading my book reviews; on another, a county bought some land to turn into a public park, initiated because of articles I had written about canoeing and camping there. Another time, a state agency that cost the taxpayers about a million a year was shut down due to articles I had written about waste and corruption. Sometimes you know you had an effect.

Having completed this circle, I want to return to Day 1. What I really am hoping for here is that the right person is reading what I write, or that I will drift onto a site where I encounter the right person producing her own page.

Ernest Hemingway once was my favorite writer. He probably remains among the top five on my list. Hemingway said, "Things either happen or they don't." Whatever impressions of Hemingway remain in me, those words have become an absolute part of me. It is sort of like U2, and "with or without you," and most of us learn to accept that.

I think I am growing. In the least, I know I am changing. I think I am becoming more a citizen of the world and less of a nationalist -- although I curse anyone who tries to take my guns or my books away. I believe there are principles that override daily life and comforts. I think, with the exception of some medieval cathedrals, nothing man-made surpasses the beauty of nature. The call of a wolf is majestic; the sound of a motorcycle is junk noise. I envy people who have religion, and abhor those who would try to do away with it, which is one reason I am disgusted with the current state of affairs in the U.S.

There I go, drifting again. What this amounts to is to say that I think life is an experiment, whether created by a universal god or by accident, I have never known and probably never will. I have reached a point in my life where it is more important to know rivers and ruins than it is to know mayors and their cronies. Thieves have more to fear from me than I have from them; all they have to do is to stay on their own side of the street and they will be safe from me.

Those interested, please continue reading in days to come. As I said long ago (well, a few weeks ago, anyway), I am here to learn, which requires you to be writing, whether in reaction to me or to express your own thoughts. If anything further comes of it, so much the better. If not, the essence of old Ernie and I will drift along to another time and place, maybe on to Harry's Bar, while on the road to Greece.

Some make it, some lose it ....

It is fascinating how economic times hurt some and benefit others. I might be a beneficiary. My house is a 40-year old ranch style rambler (? I was informed ?). After talking with a pair of realtors, the suggestion is to ask a somewhat premium price for it based on its location, and to put it on a 60-day, first-of-the-month-notice, rental basis until there is a sale.

The house is a block away from an elementary school, around three or four blocks from a high school, a mile away from a major mall, two miles away from a hospital and on a quiet street. Someone with a bit of money is bound to come along. And, if not, this is a house that certainly would rent to a young family. The rental income would pay the taxes, pay the insurance and provide me with a few dollars. I could play it by ear whether or not to actually sell, should the opportunity arise.

When I had to depart Sanctuary/Refuge, the housing market was booming and I was able to make money. This was a couple of years ago, before the advent of socialism in America. Even with a more-or-less split of the money from the sale of Sanctuary/Refuge, I gained enough to pay cash for this house and to have money left over for play-time or save-time or whatever. I could say more, but not right now.

This is turning into Part 1 of Plan A.

Music Note: Listening to and sort of watching the Rolling Stones ....
Specifically, "Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98" ....
The relevant lines from: "Gimme Shelter:"

I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away

11 comments:

? said...

Long live fram! I am a fan of the rolling stones too and love your writings. I'm still here.

Fram Actual said...

I am looking forward to reading you and to hearing your music, Y River, although I am certain it might take more than a while.

My hand is extended toward you.

It is nearly 4:00 a.m. for me, and time for sleep. See you this weekend.

TheChicGeek said...

Fram, Fram, Fram....I'm smiling :D
I like this post a lot! You sound well and happy. I gain a lot out of what you write and I enjoy visiting. You always give me things to think about....sometimes you hurt my brain...what is he saying?...lol.....ooops there I go again. It sounds like Part 1 of Plan A is coming along nicely :)
So true what you say about the writing, you never know how people are going to respond to what you say so I believe you just have to say what you feel and some will love you, some won't...no matter...that's what makes this world so great, we are all different and it's fascinating to hear what everyone thinks! Ramble, ramble, ramble...I'm off like a bride's nightie to perform some random acts of kindness...lol...Have a Great Weekend!

Katy said...

My mother is a primary school teacher, now retired but with a life-long commitment to and interest in young children's literacy. One of her favourite expressions about reading is: "When you read, you hear with your eyes what someone else has spoken with their pen".


That used to puzzle me when I was younger - I knew what she meant in a way but I don't think I quite had the maturity to grasp its full meaning. Or perhaps the full meaning hadn't quite grasped me? I think some of us are a hundred times more fluent in expressing ourselves in written words than we ever are in spoken ones.

I enjoy reading what you write very much Fram and I frequently continue to think about what you've said for quite some time after I've read it. I am looking forward to finding out more about how Plan A evolves.

Fram Actual said...

Well, Kelly, I am glad you enjoyed reading this entry. My aim usually is to please, and always is when young ladies are involved.

Be sure to return to the comments section of my post yesterday. There are one or two remarks there I do not think you saw. I hope you and your sister have a great time at the birthday party.

Fram Actual said...

People more often think when they write than they do when they speak (at least, most of us), which means writing is the superior form of communication (at least, in my mind).

I am glad you enjoy coming here and reading, Katy. I certainly have fun and learn many things when visiting you.

Plan A is certain to be a masterpiece.

Fram Actual said...

Whoops. I just noticed that you did see all of yesterday's comments, Kelly. You run faster than I do, it appears.

By the way, your selection of a pinup girl today was excellent, too.

Natalie said...

Good evening, Philosopher,

Sorry if my answer saddened you, Fram…
To make you feel better,
The mistakes are made
To be corrected,
And the feeling of being forgiven
Gives us second wind…

P.S. God bless Dummy’s Soul…

TheChicGeek said...

That's me, super speedy....Whoosh :)

Fram Actual said...

Howdy, Miss Natalie ....

You did not sadden me. You just woke me up to the fact that I was not seeing the entire picture, that there was more for me to consider. That is the assignment of poets, isn't it, to provide clarity of vision for others?

Yes, I miss "dummy" and hope there is some sort of peace for him. Thank you, for the prayer.

Fram Actual said...

There she goes, Kelly, the dancing runner ....

Something special ....