63. Picaresque.

[Ellen]

You and I have many "crossroads". My parents lived in Skyland for a few years, when I was in college. My dearest friend from childhood, is a retired 3rd grade teacher at Fairview Elementary school. I spent many summers, as a child, at conferences in Montreat. Going to AVL is a trip back in time for me. As such, I haven't been able to go since the storm, too afraid. But time will come. In the meantime, I donate to local charities and pray. Thank you for the visuals.

[Jodi Rhoden]

Thank you Ellen. It was an honor to be there and get to bear witness.

[Keia C Mastrianni]

Always so poignant and beautiful. I hold onto the idea of viewing life as a picaresque.

Also, the morbid hilarity of dying laughing. I snorted. Love you.

[Jodi Rhoden]

I love you! That scene with Lucy always reminds me of this Kerouac poem (different vibe tho 😂):

Hymn

By Jack Kerouac

And when you showed me the Brooklyn Bridge

in the morning,

Ah God,

And the people slipping on ice in the street,

twice,

twice,

two different people

came over, goin to work,

so earnest and tryful,

clutching their pitiful

morning Daily News

slip on the ice & fall

both inside 5 minutes

and I cried I cried

That’s when you taught me tears, Ah

God in the morning,

Ah Thee

And me leaning on the lampost wiping

eyes,

eyes,

nobody’s know I’d cried

or woulda cared anyway

but O I saw my father

and my grandfather’s mother

and the long lines of chairs

and tear-sitters and dead,

Ah me, I knew God You

had better plans than that

So whatever plan you have for me

Splitter of majesty

Make it short

brief

Make it snappy

bring me home to the Eternal Mother

today

At your service anyway,

(and until)

[Jodi Rhoden]

But also not so different?

[Keia C Mastrianni]

thank you for sharing that poem with me. <3

[Lena Garzarelli]

Thank you for creating beauty out of the heartache. I think I'll make picaresque my new mantra. <3