A Little About Reading and Another Digression

Some comments on Elizabeth of the German Garden, the biography of Elizabeth Von Arnim:

Although there are periods in her life that are sad, Elizabeth has a remarkable resiliency, and when things are going well, her appreciation of life and of nature reveal an optimistic personality. The description of her days as noted in her journals or her letters may appear to be commonplace, but her view is much more uplifting and appreciative of sun, warmth, birds, and other aspects of nature. When I read her journal comments taking such delight in some of the most everyday events--a pleasant walk, the scent of flowers, a conversation with friends, reading Keats' letters or one of her favorite poets--I'm aware of how much I take for granted and feel that acknowledging the pleasure and beauty of little things must be a constant bolster to the happiness equation.

An especially lovely time in her life was spent with friends at the Castello, a medieval castle on the Italian Riviera, that she managed to rent in April of 1921. "Heard the Castello is mine for April. Much joy," reads a March entry in her journal. It was here at the Castello that she began writing Enchanted April.

Also in 1921, Elizabeth meets her second cousin Katherine Mansfield for the first time and forms a special friendship. They see each other frequently, and the Murry's (Katherine's husband was John Middleton Murry) take a cottage near Elizabeth's chalet in Switzerland. The two women are very different in their outlook on life, and Katherine is gravely ill by this time, but they muddle through their difficulties and establish a strong bond.

John Middleton Murry, Katherine's husband, made the following comment to Elizabeth when her novel Vera received some negative reviews: "Of course, my dear, when the critics are faced with a Wuthering Heights written by Jane Austen, they don't know what to say." It was a remark she treasured, and I can certainly see why. (Note to myself- Can I locate a copy of Vera? Semi-autobiographical story of E.'s unhappy marriage to her second husband, Francis Russell)

De Charms includes a number of excerpts from letters that Katherine Mansfield wrote to Elizabeth, and I'm making another note to myself to look for these letters because they are so charming in their phrasing and so very human.

Here is a portion of one of Katherine's letters to Dorothy Brett in October of 1921: "...I am sitting writing to you in the balcony among teacups, grapes, a brown loaf shaped like a bean, a plaited cake with almond paste inside and nuts out. M. has forsaken it to join our Cousin Elizabeth. She appeared today with a bouquet--never smaller woman carried bigger bouquets. She looked like a garden walking, of asters, late sweet peas, stocks, and always petunias.
She herself wore a frock like a spider web, a hat like a berry--and gloves that reminded me of thistles in seed."

And a comment in one of her letters to Elizabeth about reading James Joyce: "I wonder if you will like Ulysses. It might have been a wonderful book. But although there are pearls[,] the size and blackness of the swine makes it hard to gather them. I shrink from Joyce's mind. He makes me remember all I choose to forget, and he seems to consider as important things that have no existence in a work of art."

Later, Elizabeth writes to John Murry, asking them to come stay with her for a while and gives her opinion of Ulysses: "...Hugh Walpole lent me Ulysses--I didn't get far. I see it is a wonderful thing, but nothing will induce me to read a thing--anything--even God's first novel, if it bores me. Ulysses made me feel as if I were shut up with a lunatic who was doing what the courts call 'exposing himself'. I got as far as the detailed account of the man's morning (?) visit to the lavatory and then boredom so profound fell upon me that I went to sleep."

Digression

While in Houston, I bought two pairs of bamboo socks, and they really are the most comfortable socks I've ever experienced. These socks are great for anyone, but especially for athletic purposes and for diabetics. Made of spun bamboo fibers, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to cotton: “Bamboo is the new cotton...it has all the properties that you physically want out of cotton, plus some. Bamboo is more antibacterial than [other fabrics like] cotton or wool, which are very absorbent and hold moisture in. Because Bamboo wicks moisture away, it’s great for your circulation and skin.” LAtimes.com, September 25, 2005.

I'm thinking about ordering a few other articles, like this crew neck tee, when I order more socks. If the socks do such a great job keeping my feet dry and cool, the tees should also be a great addition to my wardrobe. They also make yarn for knitting, and although the colors are limited, I like them.

Here is another source that mixes bamboo fibers with cotton. For those of you in Canada, yet another source.

This line of bamboo clothing was completely unknown to me, but obviously, I'm behind the times. Must catch up.