Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Camping weekend...READING edition

On Friday - I believe, but don't know as space and time is irrelevant while camping - a dream I've had was realized.

It was morning. We were sitting around the fire pit.

Everyone.

Was.

Reading.

It made my heart sing. And then I stealthily got up and captured the moment.


@#&%$@#* Have you ever seen anything so wonderful? I didn't even have to make them pose.


Now. What did I read? I was supposed to start with Paradise General (memoir of a doctor who goes to Iraq), and then if there was time start Just Kids (Patti Smith's memoir of her time with Robert Mapplethorpe), and then for fun the Runaways comics (plus a couple others that I won't mention because why did I bring so many books?).

Yes. I brought six books for a four day camping trip. Don't judge.

I've never read so much nonfiction in one stint. It was...refreshing...and strange...but enjoyable. Just Kids will get it's own post because that is how much it moved me. See the last post for my RAPTOR filled enjoyment of the Runaways. And I am almost finished with Paradise General which I have been happily surprised by.

Sigh. It was a literary dream come true.


"Books are delightful society."
William Ewart Gladstone

4 comments:

  1. Okay, seriously? That is AWESOME. Obviously you went with the perfect like-minded people.

    Let me ask you - do you read in the tent at night before you fall asleep? Do you use a flashlight? How do you get in a comfy position with the light? Brad has a head lamp....I should hijack it for this purpose next time we go.

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  2. Jabba - You bring up a serious issue. And yes I read in the tent. I have tried many methods. Face and Ams both go the headlamp route and it seems to work for them.

    Many times I awkwardly perch a flashlight on my shoulder to get close to the book but not too close, you know? This trip, I used my new tiny lantern. It is LED and gives good light. It has a tiny hook system thing at the top and so I put it through a loop in the top of my tent above my head. It worked and was hands free.

    Oh, and it also dims: http://www.rei.com/product/777554 Please note, it is literally the size of the picture. SO baby.

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  3. Aw - that picture warms my heart too. And I totally won't judge you for taking six books ;)

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  4. That photo definitely brings me joy, too! I wish my friends like to read. Or would pretend to like to read long enough for me to take a photo of us around a campfire.

    Speaking of which, I think I need a campfire in my life!

    I'm going on a four-day trip this weekend to visit my boyfriend's family, and I'm most definitely packing at least four books. And it's only an hour flight there and back.

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