Life is a Carnival

I have been having problems posting every day. Sometimes my morning is absorbed by Alanna, and honestly, by the end of the day, I am wiped and too tired or uninspired to write. It is a reminder of how much parents give up for their children/grandchildren....

I have however, been reading, flying though at least a book a week. One of my recent reads have been Water for Elephants, a mesmerizing well researched novel about life in the circus during the Depression.

I have never been to a circus, but do visit it's sister sidekick, the Carnival, which comes to our city every year. A friend of mine told me she won't take her grand kids to a place where people that put your kids/grand kids on ride are the very people you would avoid on the street.

I beg to differ.

Yeah, the carnies are an odd bunch of people. Many rough, toothless, struggling folks, weathered by cigarettes, booze, and a life of constantly moving. They are survivors. It might not be the life we choose, but they are people still the same, and deserve respect, love, and kindness as does the person who sports a Cartier watch and drives a Jaguar. Larry has been photographing the carnies over the years, and gets topmost respect when one of them recognizes him. He has given them a few fab photographs, which have pleased them immensely, one guy saying "this is the best photo that was ever taken of me".

The Glass Castle, an autobiography written by Jeanette Walls, is about poverty, alcoholism, the epitome of a dysfunctional family, survival, and acceptance/love. The book was intense, and is a true story, and the irony is that it opens with the author who is well off, riding in a taxi, and at a stoplight sees her mother digging in a dumpster in NYC. Ashamed, guilty, and overwhelmed, she heads back to her apartment to calm herself down. She calls her mother, meets with her, and it is through that turn of events, that she writes the book, which frees her.

It is a difficult read, but instead of being depressed, I was uplifted, as the author found a way to come to terms with her past, still love her family, and claim a joyful life of her own. I realized that we can either be victims or be strong. After years of being a victim of my past, I have found to focus on and embrace the strengths that came out of the struggles, and live life with joy, rather than anger and sorrow.

I am currently reading some historic fluff, not very well written. If it doesn't get better, I will abandon it for something more worthy of my time. I would LOVE some book suggestions from my readers......!!!! On my list are two books written by local writers who are friends of mine, one of which takes place right here in the Hudson River Valley. Just waiting for that extra 15% off coupon from Barnes and Noble to grace my inbox or mailbox.

Patti O Reader