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Year Four, Day 117: Faulkner, Mississippi, and Black Coffee


 Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself. ~ William Faulkner.


I've got William Faulkner on the brain.And Mississippi.

It started with two novels ago. The Reckoning by John Grisham.  His novel was set in Mississippi. In a fictional town of Clanton. Apparently it was the home of A Time to Kill, which I read ages ago and three other novels. 

I remember clearly one of my favorite scenes, where Joel Banning, the son of Pete Banning, the main character gets William Faulkner's autograph at a restaurant in Oxford, MI. 

I am again recommending The Reckoning. It seems I am not alone in my stellar review of this book! (See link below)

 https://www.heraldnet.com/life/john-grishams-new-novel-wades-into-mississippis-racist-past/

William Faulkner, it turns out was from Oxford.

I am ashamed to admit I have never read any Faulkner. That is about to change. Very soon. I have several of his books on hold at the library.

You can imagine my delight (and goosebumps!) when I read the following in Dispatches From Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta by Richard Grant.

"The music was the first thing I knew of Mississippi. As a teenager in London, working back through American popular music, I found my way to Jimmie Rodgers, the pioneer of country western, from Meridian, Mississippi; Elvis Presley from Tupelo; Ike Turner from Clarksdale; and able all, the Delta blues and the electrified version that Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and other Mississippians developed in Chicago. Around the same time, I discovered the novels of William Faulkner, which deepened the mystery of Mississippi in my young mind." ~ Dispatches From Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta by Richard Grant, p 6.

When Richard Grant informed his friends in New York City that he planned on buying an "old plantation house in the Mississippi Delta", he got much grief.  Some of his friends even accused him of being racist.  A female friend told him, "All Southerners are racists, and Mississippi is the worst of all" (even though she had never been there).  Dispatches From Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta by Richard Grant, p. 2.

I have just begun this fascinating memoir/travelogue. I really resonate with Richard Grant's writing.

And obviously I am on the right path with my reading.  Honestly, I feel like I am being divinely led!  All of my readings seem to be intertwined lately.  

 I will give a review on my current book as soon as I finish it.  Which should be in the next few days.

In the meantime, I have piano students to teach and three church services to practice for.  I played one yesterday. At a small Presbyterian church in SE Portland. My children were partially raised in this church. Small, sweet humble congregation. Many of them remember me from over 20 years ago.

In fact, the pastor allowed me to hold one of the fundraisers I gave to spring my son from the joint back in December. They even gave me a check.  It was to pay my piano services in advance.  Yesterday I repayed them one service. One to go!  

It felt good to repay their kindness.  

On a total shift of subject, I am hooked on black coffee. I realized this morning, that I crave the hot bitter fluid. It seems to go straight to my brain and wake me up with a jolt. It makes me feel like a weakling for adding all that cream, sugar and flavorings over the years.  I am convinced that sugar is a big part of my recent health decline.  

So I am hereby removing sugar from my diet. Along with wheat and soy.  I will also limit dairy.
I know I am now part of a annoying group of people that likes to proclaim on a regular basis what food group I am giving up. So be it. I am coming to terms with the fact that I can be annoying.  I'm o.k. with it.  

As long as I reach the epitomy of health!

This morning I began my day with Qi Gong breathing exercises and hooping as usual.  My adorable granddaughter walked past me and mimicked my hand motions. My granddaughter was born with an excess of personality.  And I adore every bit of her!

On that note, I do need to run. I wish you a happy Monday. Will report back tomorrow.

Love,

Zita





P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 37!




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