- A morning view from my back porch on the fourth of July. The air was almost mountain cool and a squirrel (almost captured digitally) sat on a nearby branch watching for a moment before he was startled and scurried away.- A tiny white haired women sits in a rocking chair on a large porch, her legs drawn up in front of her like a young girl. With a wave of her hand, she points at the blue sky, almost cloudless except for a wisp of cloud that disappears as we watch.
- It is the 50th anniversary of the publication of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Someone asked not long ago what my favorite book is. I automatically answered with this book because it was probably the first adult book I read at the age of 13. It left a lingering impression. A couple of years ago I attended a live version of the play, based on the book, in Monroeville, Alabama, home of Harper Lee. The play began outdoors in front of the old courthouse and ends inside in the courtroom. The courtroom was recreated in a set for the film. It was surreal to walk into that courtroom with its balconies and arched windows and watch the ending. I asked about Harper Lee (she is called Nelle there) and if they ever see her. She is fiercely private and still lives in Monroeville. They let her be.
16 comments:
I feel sad for anyone who has not had the privilege of having their childhood shaped by TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
Great pic of the trees. Reminds me of the mountain across the street.
Interestingly enough, I have never read To Kill A Mockingbird nor seen the movie.
However, I did read a great bio on Harper Lee a few years ago, so I guess that can be considered the next best thing.
I love the image of the tiny white-haired woman pointing to the one cloud. :)
Great photo! Love your nature shots.
Harper Lee is one of those remarkable authors who produced one magnificent novel, and no more after that. That intrigues me.
A white haired lady waved
the clouds away
with a motion of her hand
A squirrel did scurried
from it's stately matter
after a cool view that was grand
and the mockingbird turned out not a bird
but a book by Harper Lee
who prefers not to be in demand
The three you do,
you run so smooth
As if, they are just one
It takes ones soul and soothe
Really, sometimes a person
should not try to rhyme
I really do like reading your post tho
The power of the written word never fails to amaze me.
That image of the woman is beautiful, Lynn. Like she had the heavens at her commmand.
Granny Annie -
It's a wonderful book - my life is the better for having read it.
G -
There is an article about Ms. Lee and the anniversary in this month's Southern Living magazine. The town of Maycomb was based on her town of Monroeville. The bookseller on the town square doesn't carry the biography because Ms. Lee didn't like it. I read it, too, though and loved reading more about her.
Ily -
Thank you. And that is my mother's friend Inez - a lovely optimistic lady. I always love encountering her.
Fireblossom -
In the article in Southern Living, she says she "never could finish another book. I started two or three more." She concedes that if she had written another book it might have diminished "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Ellis -
I'm glad I could provide some soul soothing this morning. I hope you are off today and having a nice extended weekend.
Talon -
Amazingly - the clouds did disperse with her wave. She said, "See that?" And I was glad I was there to share the moment.
I just read a story about her - I'll send it to you.
I've never read To Kill A Mockingbird either. I had an abusive upbringing, so books were never part of my survival technique.
I love the white haired woman looking at the sky. :)
I read somewhere that Harper Lee once tossed the entire manuscript out of a window. Can you imagine?
I know that they may be unrelated musings, Lynn, but for some reason my mind immediately put Harper Lee and the tiny white-haired woman together. It seems almost as if she was pointing at the vanishing cloud as if to say, "See? No more books. Ever."
Strange. I like it. :P
I love that they let her be in that little Southern town. That is awesome.
Your view was so lovely, and isn't it wonderful to get a bit of cooler, fresh air coming through these parts? It's like a benediction on the skin. Hope it sticks around for as long as possible!
Oh, and I like the way Tony's mind works. Cleverly mixing up your three good things. :)
Riot Kitty -
Thank you for sending the article, RK - I enjoyed reading it very much.
Joe -
A lovely book - I wish you would read it and tell me what you think. Harper Lee had something of an abusive mother - you and she would relate to each other.
Mama Zen -
And I heard another story of a manuscript that was stolen. Strange goings on.
Tony -
I like it, too, and I hadn't thought of that. The lady on the porch lives in the assisted living apartments that my mom lives in. Riot Kitty sent an article that talks about Harper Lee's life now in a similar home. I can imagine she and Inez talking about the sky and the crazy food.
Meredith -
When I got up early this morning and opened the door, I wanted to kiss the weather. I got out and watered plants and then settled in on the back porch for a cup of tea and some reading. A little breeze and the birds were singing their hearts out. Love it.
Okay, I think maybe I have never read To Kill A Mockingbird. But how can that be?
I'd like to be that tiny white-haired woman with my knees up like a young girl. If I ever stopvdying my roots I might jsut find I am a white-haired woman. :)
xo
Jannie -
Maybe you could read it this summer! And Inez would like know you would like to be like her. :)
xo
Woops don't believe I missed this one!
Nice view- I'd like some cool air back about now!
To still find wonder at the sky despite old age is a true gift-
I know I read that for school- n don't really remember it- should reread.
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