3/18/08

It is such a relief to not to think I have to be profound, only to report, respond and ruminate.

I got an emnail yesterday from a pastor in the reigion talking about the sin of spending on books--so many books they clutter the shelves and most go unread or, having been read, hang about. I think it has to do with wanting to impress and a form of conspicuous consumption. Anyway, he packed up about half his library and the books are going to a church in Africa. Who wants to join him?

The email came late in the afternoon. While I had dinner in the convection oven, 20 minutes, I had one shelf examined and a box of books. It is a liberating experience. Thousands of pages either read or never to be read as well as pages read for class. My rule has been been: don't get rid of anything you really want. Let me tell you, there isn't a whole lot I want to hang onto when it comes down to it. I'd rather someone else use it.

Now we're trying to figure out how to get the books from Jamestown to Syracuse. Perhaps the Episcopalians can get them as far as Buffalo.