On The Road

I'm reading 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, the original scroll version which was published a few years ago in book form finally, where real names are used and the manuscript is not yet edited.  I read the edited version many years ago in high school and it's totally butchered by editors, lawyers etc compared to the scroll.  I feel sorry Jack Kerouac had to go through such a lengthy process with publishers to get his book in print - it was years after he wrote the legendary 3 week scroll.  In retrospect he surely could have taken his sweet time writing if he wanted, he was trying to hurry - but that's publishers for you, dissecting, taking out originality -...and I'm finding this out for myself but I won't let them wreck my book.  On the Road has helped my writing - my second book.  His work is really beautiful - the imagery, the flow, honesty, and humor, style. What he sees reminds me of what Shakespeare or Mark Twain could see - the higher soul of life, the lightness of being when we shake off our perceptions of what we are and just live for the moment with purity and love.  I can't describe the humor, you have to read it.

I'm wondering what the movie will be like - I've seen trailers and the first impression is it's beautiful, with scenery and colors.  This is becoming important to me in movies if they are in color - why not make the most of it?  The actors seem to be right on - Kristen, Kirsten, Viggo of course - he's without equal imo...I'm counting the days until Idaho!

Grief is phases I'm finding.  It constantly changes, morphs, and surfaces at times unexpected...brought on by a scent, a memory, a scene, a song.  It's been over 9 weeks since my sister died.  Some city noises are almost intolerable at times.  I need to get away, so I'm really happy about Idaho, and happy to bring along a lady companion who has been grieving too.  The beach today helped me.

Speaking of on the road, here's a house in the background photo which was actually moved to the rural location by truck trailer on the highway.  I've been there for a party.  The owner is rather eccentric, he's not the hippie friend I mentioned in the last blog but...it was worth moving the house, it stayed together well and very antiquey actually.  It's across the road from the flower place I went to again a couple of weeks ago for more plants and the cell phone camera didn't capture it exactly.  Bye now!

May, fragrant and lovely

The air is scented with lilacs and blossoming ornamental plum trees...many fragrances as I go for my run in the neighborhood.  Running is strengthening me although I've not built up my stamina yet.  I started in January when it was still snowing and slippery...my own idea to help my heart, feeling weak and stressed last several months.  This is really helping, to jog.  I had almost forgotten how to run after just walking for a long time.  I've inherited my sister's bike, too.  She didn't use it for many years.  I miss her every day...but time is healing as the weeks go by...

I'm looking forward to a little excursion in early June.  Going with a companion to a certain lakeside town to see a screening of a movie, hosted by Viggo.  Wishing everything will happen in harmony with my vision of this holiday, especially hoping my companion, a lady doesn't bail for health reasons or something cuz I really want to do this!!  I feel happier just thinking about my own private Idaho lol!  See my mood elevate as I write.  This will be great.  I'm thankful...to him, and for the chance to do something new, to be inspired.

Here's a pic of the flower nursery near home almost 3 weeks ago, patches of pansies.  My old hippie friend met me there and we walked around talking about the plants and stuff in the universe...we trip off on tangents, me without smoking...er...you know lol!   It was a good day.  I bought bedding plants and he bought a catnip plant for his little calico feline.