Thursday, January 17, 2008

Nostalgia

I've been avoiding my blog lately because there is too much to write about. Someday, I'd like to write about blogging. Maybe in an academic way. I'd like to distill the major themes I see people writing about and try and make some connections between those themes and the way our brains work. It might be interesting to try and draw some correlations between world events and the blogosphere. I don't know. Maybe someday.

Right now, I'm thinking a lot about the American South as a third-world environment. Now, of course I realize that in the non-literary world, the South is not a third-world environment, but it is interesting to see how much some literature coming from post-colonial environments resembles Southern literature. A good example is Anita Desai's Clear Light of Day. It has a lot in common with Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. What I'm the most interested in is the use of a character as a vehicle for nostalgia, be it for pre-partition India or the myth of the unified American South. Don't be impressed, not that you would be, by this musing. I have outlined the complete breath and depth of my thought process in the above paragraph. I haven't thought ahead any farther.

Nostalgia is something I've been thinking about. I've been thinking about my Shelby County childhood and how I spent it. It's amazing how many things I remember about what we ate and how I played. I drive very near many of the places I spent my childhood as I drive home from Montevallo. Our old house was blown away by a tornado, but the silver-leaf maple trees at the end of our driveway are still there as well as the little tree my dad transplanted from San Antonio. The creek is there, but gone are the spreading green trees and curling flower spaces that used to flank it. There's some kind of warehouse behind it now. It's a strange feeling to go back.

I think my mother has been feeling nostalgic lately, too. She's been providing me with a steady supply of home-made granola and wheat rolls. She used to make the rolls on the days my father would rob his honeybees and we would eat them on our back porch hot with butter and raw honey. This morning, I'll eat them the same way. They honey won't be from my dad's hive, but it's Shelby County raw, and it will taste the same. I like to think my mom is already reaching out to this little baby and already trying to give it some of the things she gave to me. I think, at the heart of this, is that desire to initiate this little one into our family by giving it what we love.

When I sit in church or class, I wonder of he (she?) can hear what is being said and if, in some way, he will be shaped by discussions of William Faulkner and the liturgy and the taste of raw Shelby County honey. I hope so.

7 comments:

Carla Jean said...

Every other day or so I stop and think, "SUSAN! BABY!" And I get SO excited. I've actually been thinking about your baby in all those classes, too, and also hoping that s/he absorbs some of it. I know that might be wishful thinking... but isn't it fun to hope for?

The Shulls said...

Hey Susan!!! I've just made it to your blog. Sorry it took me too long... what a blessing to get to talk/write to you!! at least if I can't hang out with you as I would, I'll take whatever I can to know more about this sweet lady!

I'm sorry, but I read your post and Carla Jean's and tell me if I am mistaken... are you pregnant?!?!?!?!?! If it yes... Oh, my gosh!!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly stand it!!!, if not... we'll keep praying for that little one to come soon!

We love you guys and hope to keep the contact through this ciber space!

Love,
Mohana

Elisa said...

Susan, I am so happy! Baby. yippee! This clearly means that we have not been together in way too long. I miss you

susan said...

Hey Mohana! I am, indeed! Still at the beginning, but past the bad part. Thank you for being happy. It means so much to me!

Elisa, it has been too long and I really hope to see you soon! Thanks for being happy for us!

Susan

Elisa M said...

Su-I had phone issues that is why I never responded to your text. Raincheck-of course!! Let me know when you are free...I am keeping things pretty open these days...

Anonymous said...

Raw honey is so good for you. It contains lots of amylase, the enzyme that helps you digest carbohydrates. Heating honey just kills all the amylase. Yum. It was so, so very good to see you Sunday!

susan said...

Really? I had no idea it was THAT good for you.