QUOTE NOTES
4.1.09
“There is no way of writing well and writing easily.” Anthony Trollope
When I write letters home from prison it takes me at least six rewrites. I wish I could write better so that I could write easier–and do it in half the rewrites. Butt then it would only be half as good.
4.2.09
“Education makes a people easy to lead but difficult to drive, easy to govern but impossible to enslave.”
My mother was a Dr. Spock mom who believed in education and communication with us kids. It was pretty easy to lead us with reason, but when she’d try to drive us to do something, I think we tended to drive her a little nuts. Oh sure, we wanted to do the right thing, and we were a pretty good bunch of kids by and large. But there was no way to keep us from sneaking out of the window on a warm summer’s night.
4.6.09
“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it for themselves.” James Barrie
I find when I’m cheerful around others, pretty soon I convince myself that I’m also feeling rather pleasant myself. Then for some reason the whole world seems to be smiling and I find I am, too!
4.7.09
“If a man does his best, then what else is there?” General George Patton
I was raised in a highly religious home and, I must say, I was rather offended that we were so easily condemned to eternal hell for some personal failure. When I told my mom I’m on this earth to try to do by best–and not to be condemned for it–she said that I’d forgotten just one thing: her opinion.
Should anyone out there perchance read this–note in a bottle, to me as it were–I pray one’s time ought be better spent listening to such extravagance, as from within myself, from what remains of this, an rather “ancient mariner of life!” Be this as it may–should I be so indulged–I should then begin our journey grateful for any companionship gained, prithee not to become too great the distraction upon thy own life’s feast, yet with the intent to wed one to my story using such aplomb–nay, guile–as is necessary to properly engage what modest conversation may be divorced at any convenience; I humbly beg forgiveness for any failings toward my endeavor, and I thank all most gratefully for any generous indulgence for this most inconvenient creature as myself. Now, as my intent has ernestly been established, therefore, let us proceed from our sacred beginnings unto yon galleon…!
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