imagination v. sensibility

As children, our imaginations take us anywhere. Possibilities are endless. We are told we can go, or do, anything. If we can dream it, we can be it. Despite being a perspective of an upper-middle class, we buy in. And why not? We are invincible.

And then, life has a way of structuring us. Of forcing us to chose between being an astronaut and a zoo keeper. Of living in Iowa or New Zealand. Or, maybe we just force those choices upon ourselves. We become bound by our own expectations of what our life should be like. We fill our lives with responsiblities (children, bills, civic obligations) for which we do our best to stay afloat. It is no longer “sensible” to spill milk, to take a month vacation, to buy a designer handbag. We have sensible jobs, a sensible home, a sensible way of life–which puts our parents at ease. We play it safe. We scoff at those rare few who throw caution to the wind (though at times we are secretly jealous of their carefree spirit.) We like our 401Ks and the “assurance” of the future which, in reality, has very little security. We are weighted by the burden of our own sensibility.

I wonder what this teaches the next generation, how it forms their own expectations of life. Why must we “grow up” and become sensible? What is it about life which restricts our ability to imagine as we age? What are we afraid of? How might we change our lives–even ever so slightly–to allow room for a little more imagination and impracticality?

Book review: Plain Truth by Jodie Picoult

Picoult’s Plain Truth is based on the discovery of a dead newborn in an Amish community reads quickly. The characters on this novel are endearing and their story-lines are well-developed. I was pleased with Picoult’s sensitivity to the Amish culture, generally misunderstood by the mainstream public. The contrast of Amish and “English” cultures is a regular source of friction for the eighteen-year-old Plain teen on trial and her Sod lawyer from Philadelphia.

One thing from the book that struck a cord with me is how Amish forgive unconditionally and without judgment–a contrast to our own society which weighs heavily motive and sincerity in everything from consumer advertisements to business dealings. The Amish life of peace and simplicity is one which many people seek, though few people achieve. The desire of Amish members to blend in as a group is a stark contrast to our culture of individualism. As Picoult notes repeatedly: being Amish is something you are, not something you do.

This book was chosen by a member of my book club. I would consider it a typical summer “beach book”–an engaging “feel good” book.

Book review: The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin

The Children’s Blizzard (P.S.), about the blizzard of January 12, 1888 which stunned the newly settled prairie of Nebraska, Minnesota and the Dakota Territory, was an interesting read. The writing is fairly raw about the naivete of early settlers who believed the rain would “follow the plow”, and the scientific explanations of weather forecasting and hypothermia.

As a resident of the the area described by this book (formerly of south central Nebraska, currently living in northwest Iowa) these little prairie towns are familiar to me. This is a story of my place, of the history of ancestors just like mine who settled the Great Plains.

At times the book read quickly about the people, where they originated, their journeys to the new world at the promise of free land, and their experience of this day in 1888. Other times, the book drags through the details of changes in barometric pressure. As a historical record of the event, it’s informative and interesting. I read the book during a very long, very cold winter (something I don’t recommend as this can be a depressing endeavor.)

Why I blog

I’m starting a blog today…something I never thought I’d do.

I’ve journaled from time to time, though nothing which lasted a sustainable period of time. When I was in the 4th grade, my class hovered around the television brought to our classroom (quite a rare event in those days) to watch the launch of the Challenger space shuttle. The rest, as they say, is history. When the shuttle exploded soon after launch, while the country watched in horror, I was stunned beyond belief. I poured my heart out on paper that night, confused by what I had seen, by my belief in a God who would permit such a shocking event. I showed my paper to my 4th grade teacher, hoping for some kind of reassurance or support. Instead I was admonished for being so transparent, for writing openly for public view. I was crushed. At the next recess, I shredded my paper and never showed it to anyone else.

That event had a long-lasting impact on my courage to openly share my opinions and thoughts. I hope that blogging will give me a place to begin with small steps as I put my thoughts and ideas among others posting in the blog world. While I don’t expect this blog to have wide readership, that it’s available in the public domain is one release of that which I hold so closely.