Yes, Exactly
Film critic David Denby, writing of his experience revisiting, in his forties, the Great Books
I was reading seriously, reading Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, all the Greeks. But I needed more time. Life got in the way—a good life, but in the way. I had always known it would, but I was determined not to rope off my school adventure, not to become a hermit, anything medieval or cloistered, but to remain a modern middle-class man, living my life as normally as possible. As if I had any choice! There were days when I wanted to be free just to study, to eat at any hour and sleep whenever I wanted to, unshaven and raw as an eighteen-year-old—and then the little one, Thomas, would take my hand and lead me into his room to show me something he had drawn, pulling me away from Plato, and I was exasperated but grateful, because a child’s hand is like nothing else on earth.
Alice Gunther says:
Wow, absolutely fabulous final quote.
On January 11, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Mrs. Happy Housewife says:
If it were not for my children and my education through homeschooling them, I would never have been introduced to the Great Books.
On January 12, 2009 at 5:29 am
steve says:
you know what would make an interesting blog/podcast/book would be going through the old eliot five foot shelf with that approach
On January 12, 2009 at 6:21 am
steve says:
never mind
http://thewholefivefeet.typepad.com/the_whole_five_feet/
On January 12, 2009 at 6:33 am
Penny in VT says:
LOL Hey Lissa , over on your twitter you wrote about a snuggly boy and then clarified yourself to mean a 5 year old boy. I didn’t think you might have meant baby, I thought you meant Scott!
On January 12, 2009 at 10:49 am
JoVE says:
But of course most of the 18 year olds taking that Great Books course do not at all appreciate the luxury of studying Plato (or whatever) all day in their pyjamas. I bet he didn’t either. Which might be why he wants to revisit that course 🙂
I’m like the Happy Housewife (though possibly only in this respect, since no one would ever call me that) in that homeschooling is what is bringing me to the classics. We are currently reading Dickens which I have never done before homeschooling.
On January 12, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Beth says:
Saw the tweet — sending prayers, deep breaths, and full dilation thoughts your way!
{{hugs}}
On January 13, 2009 at 8:18 am
Penny in VT says:
HOORAY!!!! Everyone go check out Lissa’s Twitter!!!!
YAY!!!
oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!
On January 13, 2009 at 1:58 pm
WendyinVA says:
Saw the Twitter — what a big boy!!! Congratulations to all of you!! Can’t wait for pictures (hint, hint). :o)
On January 13, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Beth says:
Congratulations! I am so happy for you! What a blessing! (okay, will stop using exclamation marks now)
🙂 🙂 🙂
On January 13, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Anne V. says:
Yahooooooo!!!! Congrats everyone! Can’t wait for pic’s….enjoy the babymoon…
On January 13, 2009 at 2:36 pm
mamacrow says:
Oh congrats congrats congrats! 9lb12 – wow!!! Yay, what wonderful wonderful news 🙂
And you were totally right – tuesday – spooky!
On January 13, 2009 at 2:41 pm
mamas_arms says:
Best news all day! Brings tears to my eyes – what a blessing! Congratulations!
On January 13, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Celeste says:
Congrats to you and family, Lissa!
On January 13, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Beth says:
Just saw the photo on twitter … oh, those cheeks! Have you already kissed them a thousand times?? 🙂
On January 13, 2009 at 4:25 pm
KimN says:
Congratulations….you gave birth to a healthy two month old!!!! Enjoy this marvelous time!
On January 13, 2009 at 5:14 pm
emily says:
Congratulations on the new little boy! Enjoy the bliss of the next few days.
On January 13, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Beth says:
Congratulations! What wonderful news. Blessings to all of you, and welcome to that precious new little one.
On January 14, 2009 at 6:58 am
Elizabeth H. says:
Congratulations! What a bouncing baby!
On January 14, 2009 at 8:51 am
Jeanne says:
Thinking of you and yours, Lissa. Enjoy a “babymoon!”
On January 14, 2009 at 3:13 pm