Tuesday, June 26, 2012

book worm

Yesterday I stopped by The Frog Annex to pick up a take away ham sandwich.

I was packing my de-worming regimen and I wanted to get to it.  No time for a leisurely lunch when there was intestinal mayhem to commit.

While I was waiting for my sandwich, I talked to the owner who was resting in a hammock watching television.  He was astounded to hear that I do not have a television.  That I have not been a television watcher for over twenty years.

When his daughter handed me my sandwich, he asked where I was headed.  Back to the house I said.  "To do what?"  Probably, read, said I.

He looked at me with the look fathers have when they figure out their eldest son cannot do math in his head.  "No television.  Alone.  Reading.  You Americans."  The last phrase punctuated with a sad shake of the head.

It is true.  Mexico is not a reading country. A Mexican friend once told me a Mexican sitting alone reading a book is committing an anti-social act.  I would not be surprised to discover it is listed as a specific example in the anti-loitering statute.

Of course, I know a lot of Americans who are as book-adverse as my neighbors.

But not me.  I am a reader.  As long as I can remember, it has been my favorite hobby.  In high school, I would read while walking up the street to classes.  A girl friend's mother was convinced that I would one day absent-mindedly walk right into the ditch.  That bit of vaudeville never occurred.

At the moment, my electronic reading table is chock-a-bloc.  Looking in someone's wallet will usually give you a good feel of who the person is.  Along those lines, let me share with you what I have been reading and what remains unread on the Kindle.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel --a bittersweet novel of British retirees in India.  You already know all about it from the best exotic mexico hotel.

James Madison -- a small character study of the Father of the Constitution by Richard Brookhiser.  As with all of Brookhiser's "biographies," the book attempts to give us a feel of who the man was.  Not as intriguing as his treatments of Washington and Hamilton, but just as informative.  The Early Republic has long been one of my favorite areas of study.

The Christmas Carol Murders: Being the First Dickens Junction Mystery -- a pre-release murder mystery novel that the author has asked me to review.  I have finished reading it, and my review will be posted -- soon.

A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent -- obviously, a biography of President Polk.  Personally, an unfavored president.  I would usually not have put the book on my read list.  But the author is Robert W. Merry.  I read a review of one of his more recent books, and decided to give the Polk biography a try.  One of the wonders of the Kindle is the ability to download a free sample of the book.  We will see if it makes the cut.

Horoscopes for the Dead: Poems -- Billy Collins's most recent collection of poems.  I saw it in Portland in hard copy at Barnes and Noble in January.  And I just got around to buying an electronic version.  The Kindle is not a good format for poetry.  Because of its screen size, I do not get an overall feel for the construction of the poem -- something a reader can see on the pages of a book.  But I like his works.

Personal Reflections of Joan of Arc: Volume 1 -- of course, by Mark Twain. It is one of those Twain works I have been putting off for years.  I now intend to dig in.  The publication of his autobiography was undoubtedly an impetus to add this book to the list.

The Innocents Abroad
-- another Twain work too long left unread.  This one undoubtedly is on my list as a result of this year's "semi-world tour."

Orely Farm -- the Anthony Trollope novel I usually recommend when someone shows interest in the author.  Over the years I have written pieces on legal ethics based on the book.  Truly a moral tale without any convenient conclusions.  It is about time to read it anew.

Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions -- a book about the creative process of art.  Music, in this case.  I have read the book.  But I am, now going back through it and playing the portions of music discussed in the book.  It is now more than a read.  It is a project.  And one I will probably not complete this year -- or next.

By my reckoning, if I were to do nothing but tackle this list, I would be in my garden alone until my eligibilty for Medicare kicks in.  And because I (rightfully) cannot exercise my Medicare benefits in Mexico, the day would go by unnoticed.

At least, I will have a bit more energy.  I hope.

I dosed my worms yesterday and last night with Vermox Plus.  The pills did something.  The pain in my intestines was as close to labor pains that I hope to get.

But, I feel fine this afternoon.  I am hungry.  I don't feel fatigued.  And that annoying ache I have had just under my diaphragm for two weeks is gone.

It is time to read on.

27 comments:

Tancho said...

You remind me of the old Twilight Zone program of the 60's where Mr. Bemis played by Burgess Meridith was caught in a bank vault during his lunch, reading during a bomb blast. Upon exiting the bank,everyone else was gone, but he found a library, with all kinds of classics. Finally he had the time to read them, only he bent over and his only pair of spectacles broke.......
I think I have more reading material than years on this planet, the eysight and stamina without falling asleep, to envy you!
Read on!

John Calypso said...

I do have television - almost solely to feed films from my computer.  Then the occasional soccer match (there is a semi-final tomorrow) or golf tournament. Other than a Bible I have yet to see any books in any Mexican friend's casa - none.  Even the children coming home from school - 'seldom see a book in their arms. Quite sad. 

My Kindle is loaded with books, my computer is loaded with music and films - life is good! Relaxing here letting the Bruzol kick in ;-0

Steve Cotton said...

One of the great virtues of my Mexican schedule is having the time to read.  Fr now, I have put the travel bug to bed.  But undoubtedly the time will come when I need to get him out of bed to look for new places to enjoy.

Steve Cotton said...

My local pharmacy had no Bruzol.

I should clarify that I have always had television monitors in my house to watch movies.  As you know, movies are one of my favorite discussion topics. 

Andean said...

When I was in Mexico, I didn't have time nor missed watching TV, and when I got back home, I didn't remember I had a television.  But I do like the movie channels here in the States.
Also a bookworm, the library being a favorite place growing up, now the Kindle...

brenda said...

My goodness, neither Roy or I have ever felt anything when we have remembered to take the Vermox Plus.  Not even a twinge.  

brenda said...

My father taught me to read before I started school and I have been reading avidly ever since.  When I was a kid I used a flashlight under the covers to read when I was supposed to be sleeping.  I can't count the number of times I have burnt dinner because I went to read while it was cooking.  A good book is a blessing.

Felipe Zapata said...

You dosed your worms. Well, there's a mental picture.

Thanks for the heads-up on President Polk. I have sent myself a sample. I like unknown presidents.

Steve Cotton said...

Similar to your father, my mother and grandmother taught me to read before I went to school.  Probably to get me to stop asking questions.  They taught me there was a world of information in books.  And it was a joy to discover it.  I look back on my list and realize there are very few books for mere amusement.  I was taught to learn from from my reading.  And that, in itself, is amusement enough.

Steve Cotton said...

What I have seen of Mexican television convinces me I am missing nothing by not having a connection.

Steve Cotton said...

Either I am a bit sensitive to the drug (not likely since I am not sensitive about anything else) or I had a bad case of parasites or my problem has nothing to do with what Vermox Plus can touch.  I am going with the "tough case" scenario for the moment.

Steve Cotton said...

I am reading the sample now.  I suspect, of the American presidents, he s the one disliked by most Mexicans.  Of course, I doubt they know his name any better than most Americans.

Andean said...

PS After reading about the crabs and the worms, it might be a turning point to start watching more television. 

Steve Cotton said...

One week of Mexican television and I would not need to worry about dying of parasites.  My brain would be oozing out of my ears.

Mommy with Commuter Husband said...

As you know Oldest Son is very much like you. Bookworm extraordinaire. 

Reading in Mexico ... 
During the year we lived in MX, our kids were in 3rd grade and Kinder Tres. Oldest Son only brought home a book once. And it was Captain Underpants in Spanish - OMG!!

We actually brought down over 100 books to donate to the school before school started (decent local private school with hard working Mexican families) and we never saw the books again!

Obviously, we had our own min-library for the kids in our MX home.(http://movingkidstomexico.blogspot.com/2009/07/compulsion-addiction-you-be-judge.html)

brenda said...

I have a terrible time with allergies to almost everything and this stuff never bothers me.You either had a bad case or you have another problem. Take care.


Subject: [mexpatriate] Re: mexpatriate — in the key of steve

brenda said...

Ah, never thought about my dad teaching me to give himself some quiet, question free time lol. Quite possible as I am still full of questions about everything which is why I enjoy the computer so much, it is so easy to look things up. Years ago as soon as I could afford it I bought a set of Encyclopedias as I hated having to wait to look things up at the library.

Subject: [mexpatriate] Re: mexpatriate — in the key of steve

Babsofsanmiguel said...

Have always been an avid reader.  Would drive my mother crazy cause the world could have ended but if I was in the middle of a book, I wouldn't have known or cared.  Still that way.  Gave back the Kindle someone lent to me - guess I'm an old fashioned girl who likes the tactile feel of paper and book covers etc.
I bring back books from Texas for the primary school across from my house.  They are so proud they now have a room set aside for their "bibliotecha".  There are book fairs here in Plaza Civica three or four times a year.......someone must be reading.........

Irene said...

Life would not be the same without books. I still remember the day I got my very own library card. At the time we had to be able to write our name (about age six). When I was ready my parents took me to our local branch. It is one of the few times I remember being shorter than the counter. Getting that library card was like getting the keys to the kingdom.

Francisco said...

 I discovered how much I loved reading when I was around 11 years old.  It  defies definition how much you can entertain yourself about any subject you find interesting.  Books, movies, and music are such a big part of my life.  If you're lucky enough to enjoy what you do, life's a beach! 

Steve Cotton said...

 For now, I am satisfied with good books.  But I know, before long, the travel urge will return.

Steve Cotton said...

We lived in Powers -- then, a community of 1500 -- when I got access to my first library.  I must have been 5.  Books about snakes, spiders, and tales with lots of blood.  It was a boy's dream come true.  Now I live in a community of 10,000.  With no library and no book stores.

Steve Cotton said...

Without my Kindle, I would be in book trouble.  They are too heavy to bring back on my infrequent airplane trips north.  I actually read more now because of the immediate access to electronic libraries.

The fact that the leading candidate for President of Mexico could not answer a question on what three books had the greatest impact on his life (while visiting a book fair) is a rather good barometer on how highly reading is regarded.  At least, it is in my community where books are less common than illegal firearms.

Steve Cotton said...

Funny.  I thought of your family while I was drafting the post.

Steve Cotton said...

It turns out I may have an additional problem that showed up last night.  But more on that later.

Joanne Dueck said...

We are both avid readers.  When our kids were small I was hoping and praying that they would be readers too - and they are. 

Our Spanish teacher here, who is also a high school English teacher, said to us that "he read a book once".  We were astounded, but quickly learned that Mexicans don't read.  Our town has a public library but books must be read on site, and patrons are not permitted to take them home.  I don't understand it.

Steve Cotton said...

The fact that the young man who will most likely be Mexico's next president could not name three books that had influenced his life -- at a book fair, no less -- may not be an anomaly.  But I have some professional friends (friends in the professions, that is) up north who do not read books.