April 10, 2007
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TUESDAY BIO (cont.)
(Previous chapters here)The
summer I turned 39 , Jane went to horse camp for three weeks. She was
12, the perfect age for horse love. What is it the mysterious
attraction of adolescent girls to horses? (This past year it was my
granddaughter’s turn at 10.) Camp Tamarack in the Deschutes National
Forest in central Oregon – my parents paid $100 for the experience and
for my part I wrote notes and/or sent a gift every single day she was
gone. When she returned, Josh got to visit the beach with friends for a
week to make it even.In
the notes to Jane were reports that I too was taking a week’s vacation
from work because the assistant professor had returned from sabbatical
bringing a woman with him. It’s hard to remember now, but in fairly
short order he left again, taking up employment at Gallaudet University
in Washington, D.C. where he has remained ever since. (to be continued
next post)
Deep Thought: “With every new sunrise, there is a new chance. But with every sunset, you blew it.”
Today I am grateful for: Staples
Guess the Movie: “Well, I guess you can’t break out of prison and into society in the same week.” Answer: Stagecoach, 1939.
Trash Talk Radio
by Gwen Ifill
Let’s
say a word about the girls. The young women with the musical names. Kia
and Epiphanny and Matee and Essence. Katie and Dee Dee and Rashidat and
Myia and Brittany and Heather. (Rest of article here.)
Comments (8)
I really love the Bio. And there really is something about horses and adolescent girls.
Did you write to Jane the reason for the vacation?
I had the horse thing something fierce. I was just thinking about this idea Sunday, when my cousin’s granddaughter spent the entire afternoon at a family gathering with the horses every chance she could get.
Oops, I didn’t mean for my question to be judgemental in any way. I just wasn’t sure if I was reading that into it. These were tough times for you and I admire your raw honesty. I tend to want to revise some of my history. And yet I don’t…it’s just hard.
Why are adolescent boys pulled to motors and girls to horses? One of those questions I guess. Anyway, experience has taught me well. “Romantically” I stay away from academics.
It’s remarkable that photos of Jane and Josh through your period of struggle show happy, normal kids. A testament to great protective forces. Lionne, Leo…? BTW, Jane is an incredibly beautiful woman today. Heartfelt admiration to you all.
I like horses, too. Which doesn’t seem odd to me, even though I’m not a young girl.
I read the Ifill column yesterday, and of course agreed, BUT I think she should have returned Imus’s calls. Not to avoid the nasty retribution he delivered — for not having his calls returned — but just to be polite, and not be stooping to his level. (But I think I’m on the rag today. Annoyed at certain people who are too snobbish to want anything to do with me. I think subconsciously Ifill was reminding me that she’s a little like them. Maybe. I do like Gwen Ifill. Even though she’s not a horse.)
I never had the horse thing going for me but that photo is really cute.
I was terrified of horses when I was young…my grandfather placed me in this gigantic horse and I froze with fear…it jolted a little and tears started to appear from my eyes…
…everyone had a good laugh…
…except me of course (until now lol).