Dear Helven, Very interesting, your observation of the “monstrous” disproportion of traveling hours across a desert for an inexpensive object like sunglasses (although the mention of gold rims could indicate a very expensive, even prescription, pair). It is very sad to think someone might feel the need to do this in order to feel of worth; yet we have nothing in the poem to indicate there is an exchange of this sort going on—service in order to be valued. It is simply a statement of fact. To do this is a choice of the narrator. To this end, a nice modern exposition of the idea of choice in life is the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which I am just now reading on a friend’s recommendation. (I thought I could use it to do the opposite and become less and less effective until finally I am totally ineffective and consequently probably quite peaceful. Many people who know me will say I have been in this enviable state for years already. ) At any rate, this book uses a P/PC model, where P equals production or desired results and PC equals production capability or the ability to achieve the desired results. The poem’s PC is the luck of being old and still able to serve and the P would be the service you can offer others. According to this book, you must nurture PC or you will not be able to achieve P. I’m finding it interesting to apply this idea to unlikely circumstances so I hope this will be something all of you can play with.
You also mention Christ in connection with an ordeal in the desert. To be quite honest, I think this is stretchng a bit (only my opinion). The desert in itself is a symbol of danger and suffering for anyone. Still, the whole poem reeks of Isaiah’s concept of the suffering servant, which is the inescapable essence of Christianity (again, only my opinion). I think it’s rather typical of LC to express this idea in the context of being eager to go to great pains to look for someone’s sunglasses. Flannery O’Connor once said, “”To the hard of hearing, you shout, and for the almost-blind, you have to draw large and startling figures.” This poem uses, rather than shouting and drawing startling figures, humor. The work of the Russian writer and linguist Victor Shlovsky (spelling?) picks up on this—the necessity to say the same old same old in new and startling ways to make people pay attention.
Lovely insights, Helven, and thank you for the emoticons. I am having great fun with them.
Let's talk about A Life of Errands
Really excellent commentary, Helven and Sohbet! [True, what Sohbet says about the potential value of the sunglasses, yet still true the "monstrous" disproportion that you are soooo effective at isolating and pointing out, Helven!] I agree with your Jesus-in-the-desert take on the desert issue. I liked that extra layer of meaning, that seems quite natural to come to mind when you're dealing with Leonard as the writer. Even though, deserts are quite easily perceived as potentially treacherous for all concerned [we're not the nomads who have adapted so well ~ and our cars aren't camels 
, they break down and overheat!], the humbling and sacrifices that Jesus has made seems to fit well with the humbling and the sacrifices that the writer is making. I haven't really seen [yet] where the errands are something that suggests that he is not appreciated or is being "used." That's all I have to say right now, but I've enjoyed, immensely, reading the last two postings~!!! I like watching your thought processes, Tanya!
Love,
Elizabeth
, they break down and overheat!], the humbling and sacrifices that Jesus has made seems to fit well with the humbling and the sacrifices that the writer is making. I haven't really seen [yet] where the errands are something that suggests that he is not appreciated or is being "used." That's all I have to say right now, but I've enjoyed, immensely, reading the last two postings~!!! I like watching your thought processes, Tanya!Love,
Elizabeth
Dear Sohbet,
Thank you for the response.
Yes, exactly, I tried to say in the end of my posting just about the way to see that disproportion in the light of humour. And by the way, there’s one more interesting moment regarding that. Of course, when the author resort to the humour writing about the things that are somehow “sad” (i.e. connected with suffering or something like that) he uses this technique in order to bring the attention to the things that are very important but lost their meaning being spoken about with the stock, usual forms. But there is one more aspect connected with the perception of a piece of literature by the readers. I think perception here is based on the co-experience first of all. And as far as humour is still also a way to accept some “sad” things reader has a good chance to “use” such a poem as his way to acceptance. [Probably for the author it is “cheerfulness” resulting from acceptance, and acceptance resulting from “cheerfulness” – for the reader.
]
But there’s one thing I’d like to clarify a little. As I’ve understood - maybe misunderstood - from your posting my own one is seemed to be about disproportion between actor’s desire to be valued and a lack of appreciation of his abilities and acts. [I’m sorry, but I have to clarify such things because often I can only – and hardly! – guess what my English texts turn out to be about in reality.
It’s possible that I intend to write something but because of my English I write, in fact, something absolutely different].
Of course, I didn’t mean narrator had such a wish! Those images of desert and sunglasses made me think about someone who has passed through a long and difficult way - a way of his life – and, probably, has great wisdom and experience but there’s nobody who is able to perceive him as such a person and comprehend that what he could share. But his life is going to the end and that wisdom may be lost… And it isn’t so that it disturbs him! I think it’s quite “sad” itself and also - for those who could perceive but didn’t. And even if it makes him feel “unhappy” somehow, probably, his compassion is the cause. I don’t know how to express it more precious so I’ll just give a simple example. We can imagine a situation when some man has hardly ill brother; he loves his brother and gets the cure which may help him. And the brother is rather stupid guy and asks beer instead of cure. Of course, that man will be “sad” looking at such a stupidity – but not because of the fact that his brother doesn’t appreciate his concern! - Just because he loves him and can’t help him although he could! [This example is stupid like that guy, but at least I hope it will illustrate what I mean]
Thanks for the chance to clarify my understanding you gave me!
TH
P.S. Did you mean V. Shklovsky writing about humour?
************************************************
Elizabeth, thanks for the compliments! Sorry, I still haven't read your posting with all the details. I'll do it after putting this one.
Thank you for the response.
Yes, exactly, I tried to say in the end of my posting just about the way to see that disproportion in the light of humour. And by the way, there’s one more interesting moment regarding that. Of course, when the author resort to the humour writing about the things that are somehow “sad” (i.e. connected with suffering or something like that) he uses this technique in order to bring the attention to the things that are very important but lost their meaning being spoken about with the stock, usual forms. But there is one more aspect connected with the perception of a piece of literature by the readers. I think perception here is based on the co-experience first of all. And as far as humour is still also a way to accept some “sad” things reader has a good chance to “use” such a poem as his way to acceptance. [Probably for the author it is “cheerfulness” resulting from acceptance, and acceptance resulting from “cheerfulness” – for the reader.
]But there’s one thing I’d like to clarify a little. As I’ve understood - maybe misunderstood - from your posting my own one is seemed to be about disproportion between actor’s desire to be valued and a lack of appreciation of his abilities and acts. [I’m sorry, but I have to clarify such things because often I can only – and hardly! – guess what my English texts turn out to be about in reality.
It’s possible that I intend to write something but because of my English I write, in fact, something absolutely different].Of course, I didn’t mean narrator had such a wish! Those images of desert and sunglasses made me think about someone who has passed through a long and difficult way - a way of his life – and, probably, has great wisdom and experience but there’s nobody who is able to perceive him as such a person and comprehend that what he could share. But his life is going to the end and that wisdom may be lost… And it isn’t so that it disturbs him! I think it’s quite “sad” itself and also - for those who could perceive but didn’t. And even if it makes him feel “unhappy” somehow, probably, his compassion is the cause. I don’t know how to express it more precious so I’ll just give a simple example. We can imagine a situation when some man has hardly ill brother; he loves his brother and gets the cure which may help him. And the brother is rather stupid guy and asks beer instead of cure. Of course, that man will be “sad” looking at such a stupidity – but not because of the fact that his brother doesn’t appreciate his concern! - Just because he loves him and can’t help him although he could! [This example is stupid like that guy,
but at least I hope it will illustrate what I mean]Thanks for the chance to clarify my understanding you gave me!
TH
P.S. Did you mean V. Shklovsky writing about humour?
************************************************
Elizabeth, thanks for the compliments! Sorry, I still haven't read your posting with all the details. I'll do it after putting this one.
I've finally found myself! But that turned out to be a completely different person.
/contemporary saying/
/contemporary saying/
Dear Helven, Thank you for further explaining your idea. It was clear the first time and only my hurried answer made it seem that your writing was unclear; however, further elucidation is always interesting to read.
I'm sorry about my spelling. Yes, Shklovsky, a hard name for my English-speaking lips to get around. I wasn't referring to his writing about humor; so far as I recall, he didn't write about humor. He wrote about the fact that sometimes we have to have an idea expressed in shocking imagery in order to see it clearly. I think this goes along with some things I have read about modern neurolinguistic research-- that, for example, we remember something better when it is accompanied by strong emotion. However, although I don't think Shklovsky used humor as an example, I think the same logic would work. I have always liked Shklovsky's phrase (I think it's his) that writers try to use language that "makes the stone stonier." Good?
I'm sorry about my spelling. Yes, Shklovsky, a hard name for my English-speaking lips to get around. I wasn't referring to his writing about humor; so far as I recall, he didn't write about humor. He wrote about the fact that sometimes we have to have an idea expressed in shocking imagery in order to see it clearly. I think this goes along with some things I have read about modern neurolinguistic research-- that, for example, we remember something better when it is accompanied by strong emotion. However, although I don't think Shklovsky used humor as an example, I think the same logic would work. I have always liked Shklovsky's phrase (I think it's his) that writers try to use language that "makes the stone stonier." Good?
"I didn't go to the funeral of poetry. I stayed home and watched it on television." Karl Shapiro
Hi Helven ~
I also like what Sohbet has pointed out regarding the use of humour in this poem, and how the unexpectedness that comes with it, brings your attention to it, and with an openness that humour affords. I was listening on [guess where ~ yep, you got it! ~ NPR], as humour was discussed. It is the one situation where people are on "even ground," and is very bonding as a result, as in the midst of laughter, you are quite literally in a state of "helplessness" and "vulnerability," emotionally. You meet on that middle ground when you share laughter with another person. Points made with humour tend to be taken [accepted] with more ease, as the person is already "open," rather than in a defensive [closed] stance that comes as a result of being lectured to. When you hear about teachers that students love, so often one of the things that's mentioned is their sense of humour and how they made class fun. The fact that learning of the material itself is not an uncommon side result is not merely coincidence, I believe.
Sohbet ~ The "Highly Effective People" formulas are very interesting. It's very intrigueing to see how that works. Thanks for putting that here
!
Yes, aren't Helven's emoticons fun! Maybe someday I'll figure out how to get them to make the voyage safely onto my postings
.
Love,
Lizzy
I also like what Sohbet has pointed out regarding the use of humour in this poem, and how the unexpectedness that comes with it, brings your attention to it, and with an openness that humour affords. I was listening on [guess where
~ yep, you got it! ~ NPR], as humour was discussed. It is the one situation where people are on "even ground," and is very bonding as a result, as in the midst of laughter, you are quite literally in a state of "helplessness" and "vulnerability," emotionally. You meet on that middle ground when you share laughter with another person. Points made with humour tend to be taken [accepted] with more ease, as the person is already "open," rather than in a defensive [closed] stance that comes as a result of being lectured to. When you hear about teachers that students love, so often one of the things that's mentioned is their sense of humour and how they made class fun. The fact that learning of the material itself is not an uncommon side result is not merely coincidence, I believe.Sohbet ~ The "Highly Effective People" formulas are very interesting. It's very intrigueing to see how that works. Thanks for putting that here
!Yes, aren't Helven's emoticons fun! Maybe someday I'll figure out how to get them to make the voyage safely onto my postings
.Love,
Lizzy
Yes, Helven ~ I also understood what you meant with your example. Forgot to mention it in my last posting, but since you express yourself so effectively in English, I felt it merited a posting of its own to let you know you did fine, and not to think that you didn't! Likewise, it's great to read the additional elucidation [what a great word, eh?]!
Love,
Lizzy
Love,
Lizzy
Oh, no, my dear friends, My English is not too effective yet!
[But I must confess it’s veeeeeeeeeery pleasant to read compliments!
]
Dear Sohbet, I tried to say “when you wrote about humour you mentioned Shklovsky”. [So it’s still me who should apologize!] I didn’t remember, too, that he wrote about it. But I didn’t read too much of him. I even didn’t remember the words you’ve put here! And they are really cool!
Thanks! I should read more.
[And the English spelling of our last names is something terrible sometimes!
]
Dear Elizabeth, yes, openness and being-on-the-middle-ground are those beautiful things that arise when we share our laughter. And very important things!
And I’d like to think now, regarding this poem, about P and PC Sohbet spoke about. If I’ll be able to “make up” something interesting I’ll put it here.
Yours,
TH
[But I must confess it’s veeeeeeeeeery pleasant to read compliments!
]Dear Sohbet, I tried to say “when you wrote about humour you mentioned Shklovsky”. [So it’s still me who should apologize!] I didn’t remember, too, that he wrote about it. But I didn’t read too much of him. I even didn’t remember the words you’ve put here! And they are really cool!
Thanks! I should read more. [And the English spelling of our last names is something terrible sometimes!
]Dear Elizabeth, yes, openness and being-on-the-middle-ground are those beautiful things that arise when we share our laughter. And very important things!
And I’d like to think now, regarding this poem, about P and PC Sohbet spoke about. If I’ll be able to “make up” something interesting I’ll put it here.
Yours,
TH
I've finally found myself! But that turned out to be a completely different person.
/contemporary saying/
/contemporary saying/
To all of you:
I am so enjoying this discussion; thank you so much for your contributions. I first have to apologize as I promised to post something about the musical aspects of the poem (or, at least, the challenges that one might have in setting it to music), I still plan to comment on this but I haven't had the time to examine it enough.
I do, though, wish to make a few additional observations that I hope might help to recognise other aspects that lead to the enjoyment of this splendid work.
I think that the initial sentence structure which Tom, I think, originally noted as taking place in the future, also contains a "conditional" word-namely, 'if'.
To have the poem start out with a sentence, "If you are lucky" initially engages the mind with questions about the nature of luck (as some others have also pointed out). For me, it brought back images of some of Leonard's previous work which dwells on the "odd or the even." Think back, to his many references to "the dealers" and to his images of "storming the old casino, for the money and the flesh." Or most recently to the images of the "ponies" and the odds there to beat.
As the poem moves forward, it engages the mind to think of the nature of our day to day life, the life that we spend trying to imagine that we have some purpose, some larger issues that are "weighty." I think back to many of Leonard's early themes-where he says, "I came so far for beauty" and admits that he left "much behind" including his patience and his family. Now, his efforts seem to be directed to these simple tasks of
driving across a desert to seach through a "plastic" tray at a dollar slot machine for a pair of glasses which help block out the light for some unnamed acquaintance. He doesn't seem to be storming this particular casino. And we are left finally, with the narrator, who in other works has admitted that he "cheats and he lies" declaring that he is not lying in this case. I wonder if he would die for this truth. I suspect he would.
There is, of course, much self-deprecation in this poem, as if what he is doing now is not important at all. He is performing errands-not the "important" work that one would expect of a poet. Another poem by Yeats came to mind as I read this. One in which "luck" also plays a large role, and in which the narrator considers how one spends one's life.
"The Choice"
The intellect of man is forced to choose
Perfection of the life, or of the work,
And if it take the second must refuse
A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark.
When all that story’s finished, what’s the news?
In luck or out the toil has left its mark:
That old perplexity an empty purse,
Or the day’s vanity, the night’s remorse.
WB Yeats
I doubt if Leonard had this poem in mind when he wrote "A Life of Errands" but many of the issues have concerned him throughout his career. I have had the opportunity to study a course (probably similar to Tony Robbins's effective people seminar) that utilizes psychological principles. Several of the aspects of this course, remind me of principles that this poem seem to advocate. For one thing, the instructor, mentioned that to his knowledge, the "key" element to a happy life was a sense of gratitude and to banish negative self talk. I certainly don't have enough background to make any true observations about the psychological background of an insightful, experienced poet, but I think we have all wondered about what has lifted a lifelong depression. I think this poem gives us some clues. I think it is important to remember also, that no matter how self-deprecating this poem seems, it is still a wonderful poem and reinforces our image of Leonard as a poet. It is just that the subject matter is no longer the traditional subject of poetry.
There is, of course, much more there to discuss. I haven't even mentioned the significance of a symbolically, blind seer, whose gender is ambiguous, recovering glasses that limit sight!
Joe
I am so enjoying this discussion; thank you so much for your contributions. I first have to apologize as I promised to post something about the musical aspects of the poem (or, at least, the challenges that one might have in setting it to music), I still plan to comment on this but I haven't had the time to examine it enough.
I do, though, wish to make a few additional observations that I hope might help to recognise other aspects that lead to the enjoyment of this splendid work.
I think that the initial sentence structure which Tom, I think, originally noted as taking place in the future, also contains a "conditional" word-namely, 'if'.
To have the poem start out with a sentence, "If you are lucky" initially engages the mind with questions about the nature of luck (as some others have also pointed out). For me, it brought back images of some of Leonard's previous work which dwells on the "odd or the even." Think back, to his many references to "the dealers" and to his images of "storming the old casino, for the money and the flesh." Or most recently to the images of the "ponies" and the odds there to beat.
As the poem moves forward, it engages the mind to think of the nature of our day to day life, the life that we spend trying to imagine that we have some purpose, some larger issues that are "weighty." I think back to many of Leonard's early themes-where he says, "I came so far for beauty" and admits that he left "much behind" including his patience and his family. Now, his efforts seem to be directed to these simple tasks of
driving across a desert to seach through a "plastic" tray at a dollar slot machine for a pair of glasses which help block out the light for some unnamed acquaintance. He doesn't seem to be storming this particular casino. And we are left finally, with the narrator, who in other works has admitted that he "cheats and he lies" declaring that he is not lying in this case. I wonder if he would die for this truth. I suspect he would.
There is, of course, much self-deprecation in this poem, as if what he is doing now is not important at all. He is performing errands-not the "important" work that one would expect of a poet. Another poem by Yeats came to mind as I read this. One in which "luck" also plays a large role, and in which the narrator considers how one spends one's life.
"The Choice"
The intellect of man is forced to choose
Perfection of the life, or of the work,
And if it take the second must refuse
A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark.
When all that story’s finished, what’s the news?
In luck or out the toil has left its mark:
That old perplexity an empty purse,
Or the day’s vanity, the night’s remorse.
WB Yeats
I doubt if Leonard had this poem in mind when he wrote "A Life of Errands" but many of the issues have concerned him throughout his career. I have had the opportunity to study a course (probably similar to Tony Robbins's effective people seminar) that utilizes psychological principles. Several of the aspects of this course, remind me of principles that this poem seem to advocate. For one thing, the instructor, mentioned that to his knowledge, the "key" element to a happy life was a sense of gratitude and to banish negative self talk. I certainly don't have enough background to make any true observations about the psychological background of an insightful, experienced poet, but I think we have all wondered about what has lifted a lifelong depression. I think this poem gives us some clues. I think it is important to remember also, that no matter how self-deprecating this poem seems, it is still a wonderful poem and reinforces our image of Leonard as a poet. It is just that the subject matter is no longer the traditional subject of poetry.
There is, of course, much more there to discuss. I haven't even mentioned the significance of a symbolically, blind seer, whose gender is ambiguous, recovering glasses that limit sight!
Joe
"Say a prayer for the cowboy..."
Joe, Thanks for a very interesting ramble around some of the connections this poem has with Leonard's other work. I'm not familiar enough with the rest of the poems to be able to do this for myself, and am very grateful to have the possibility of these extra layers of meaning provided for me.
I would just like to point out a possible different interpretation for the sunglasses image. I believe that so far, everyone who has mentioned them has seen them as a limiting factor. However, for someone whose eyes are too weak to take the full brightness of the light, they are not limiting at all, but liberating - allowing a person to view in comfort things that they would otherwise have had difficulty / discomfort in seeing at all. The narrator could then be seen as going to great lengths to provide someone with a means of viewing the world (poetry?) that they would not otherwise have had. Of course, there are many other pairs of sunglasses (poets) that could do the job too, so it is important that he put great effort into ensuring that exactly the right sunglasses are found.
I would just like to point out a possible different interpretation for the sunglasses image. I believe that so far, everyone who has mentioned them has seen them as a limiting factor. However, for someone whose eyes are too weak to take the full brightness of the light, they are not limiting at all, but liberating - allowing a person to view in comfort things that they would otherwise have had difficulty / discomfort in seeing at all. The narrator could then be seen as going to great lengths to provide someone with a means of viewing the world (poetry?) that they would not otherwise have had. Of course, there are many other pairs of sunglasses (poets) that could do the job too, so it is important that he put great effort into ensuring that exactly the right sunglasses are found.
Linda
1972: Leeds, 2008: Manchester, Lyon, London O2, 2009: Wet Weybridge, 2012: Hop Farm/Wembley Arena
1972: Leeds, 2008: Manchester, Lyon, London O2, 2009: Wet Weybridge, 2012: Hop Farm/Wembley Arena
-
Byron
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2002 3:01 pm
- Location: Mad House, Eating Tablets, Cereals, Jam, Marmalade and HONEY, with Albert
Linmag, you have struck a resounding chord with your description of the benefits of sunglasses. My youngest son has to wear them because he is registered partially sighted, and they give him the freedom to enjoy the world, which we often take for granted. Thank you for bringing it 'into the light' so to speak.
Byron.
Byron.
"Bipolar is a roller-coaster ride without a seat belt. One day you're flying with the fireworks; for the next month you're being scraped off the trolley" I said that.
You're welcome, Byron 
My comment was based on personal experience. I need sunglasses even in Winter when the sun is bright, otherwise I squint and get headaches. This may be because I could not go outside without them in Summer because of the pollen, until I found another way of dealing with my hay fever. Whatever the reason, the result is that I have always seen sunglasses as a positive item. It was quite a novel idea to me that others might consider them as limiting.
My comment was based on personal experience. I need sunglasses even in Winter when the sun is bright, otherwise I squint and get headaches. This may be because I could not go outside without them in Summer because of the pollen, until I found another way of dealing with my hay fever. Whatever the reason, the result is that I have always seen sunglasses as a positive item. It was quite a novel idea to me that others might consider them as limiting.Linda
1972: Leeds, 2008: Manchester, Lyon, London O2, 2009: Wet Weybridge, 2012: Hop Farm/Wembley Arena
1972: Leeds, 2008: Manchester, Lyon, London O2, 2009: Wet Weybridge, 2012: Hop Farm/Wembley Arena
Dear Joe ~
Thanks for all the continuing connections you have made that weave this poem with the other work [poetry/song] of Leonard's. I like the "If...." connection that you've made with the other references you've quoted. It seems to really underscore the fact that life itself is a gamble, and he makes a visit two hours across a desert to a casino [the quintessential "gambling" reference].
This really resonates with me with regard to Leonard's life:
" 'The Choice'
The intellect of man is forced to choose
Perfection of the life, or of the work,"
This concept appears to be the crux of many of the "driven" choices it seems he has made. Not really adding to what you've said, but more underscoring and concurring with it!
I thoroughly enjoyed everything you wrote here. This poem nowhere near is as "simple" as it appears at first glance.
Linmag ~
I embrace what you've said with regard to the sunglasses, as Sohbet pointed out with the "gold-rimmed" being suggestive of their being prescription. The glare of the light in Florida can block your seeing many things ~ including the road and oncoming traffic . Depending on where the woman lives [the glare in the desert could be quite intrusive], the sunglasses could be crucial to her. Even though, one might pause to wonder, "Well, if they were so crucial, why would she have left them behind?" Well , let me tell ya' ~ it happens . Other thoughts to support her having left something of such importance behind include, was she perhaps drinking at the casino? Not the one doing the driving? Already dark when they left? They still seem to me to be something that is valued by the woman, and not just because they're gold-rimmed. We can't tell for sure, of course. Maybe their importance does lie in their being expensive, the cost of real gold, et al. Particularly in light of these being errands of seemingly "minimal" importance, they may not relate to anything more than their cost, perhaps their style, whatever. Byron ~ your son's situation adds to the idea of importance, as well.
It still seems to me that they are truly important to her, though not necessarily him, and the lengths he's willing to go [regardless of their "true" importance] are testimony to his high regard for her, and his willingness to be of service.
Well, I'll let it go with that for now. I, too, Joe am SO enjoying everyone's input here!
~ Elizabeth
Thanks for all the continuing connections you have made that weave this poem with the other work [poetry/song] of Leonard's. I like the "If...." connection that you've made with the other references you've quoted. It seems to really underscore the fact that life itself is a gamble, and he makes a visit two hours across a desert to a casino [the quintessential "gambling" reference].
This really resonates with me with regard to Leonard's life:
" 'The Choice'
The intellect of man is forced to choose
Perfection of the life, or of the work,"
This concept appears to be the crux of many of the "driven" choices it seems he has made. Not really adding to what you've said, but more underscoring and concurring with it!
I thoroughly enjoyed everything you wrote here. This poem nowhere near is as "simple" as it appears at first glance.
Linmag ~
I embrace what you've said with regard to the sunglasses, as Sohbet pointed out with the "gold-rimmed" being suggestive of their being prescription. The glare of the light in Florida can block your seeing many things ~ including the road and oncoming traffic
. Depending on where the woman lives [the glare in the desert could be quite intrusive], the sunglasses could be crucial to her. Even though, one might pause to wonder, "Well, if they were so crucial, why would she have left them behind?" Well , let me tell ya' ~ it happens . Other thoughts to support her having left something of such importance behind include, was she perhaps drinking at the casino? Not the one doing the driving? Already dark when they left? They still seem to me to be something that is valued by the woman, and not just because they're gold-rimmed. We can't tell for sure, of course. Maybe their importance does lie in their being expensive, the cost of real gold, et al. Particularly in light of these being errands of seemingly "minimal" importance, they may not relate to anything more than their cost, perhaps their style, whatever. Byron ~ your son's situation adds to the idea of importance, as well. It still seems to me that they are truly important to her, though not necessarily him, and the lengths he's willing to go [regardless of their "true" importance] are testimony to his high regard for her, and his willingness to be of service.
Well, I'll let it go with that for now. I, too, Joe am SO enjoying everyone's input here!
~ Elizabeth
Dear Linmag and Byron,
Yes, of course, you are right, the glasses certainly do not have to represent "limiting" sight as I said, they must certainly also be considened as an aid to vision. I think that I was pressing a bit and trying to squeeze in my rather lame comparison to his line, "there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." Also, the image of Tiresias as a blind man made me think more in this direction.
I would also like to add here how much I enjoyed reading your report and seeing the pictures of your get together in Gloucester. It is wonderful when we can put faces and finally the sound of a voice together across the many miles (not that I know the sound of your voices yet, but I hope to someday!)
Warm regards,
Joe
Yes, of course, you are right, the glasses certainly do not have to represent "limiting" sight as I said, they must certainly also be considened as an aid to vision. I think that I was pressing a bit and trying to squeeze in my rather lame comparison to his line, "there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." Also, the image of Tiresias as a blind man made me think more in this direction.
I would also like to add here how much I enjoyed reading your report and seeing the pictures of your get together in Gloucester. It is wonderful when we can put faces and finally the sound of a voice together across the many miles (not that I know the sound of your voices yet, but I hope to someday!)
Warm regards,
Joe