What we carry on our back

I carry a backpack to work. It’s a nice large LL Bean backpack with two large cargo pockets, two small front pockets and a large cargo pocket on the bottom.

I carry my lunch in the largest of the pockets. In the second largest pocket, I carry all of my books. I rotate several magazines and papers in and out of that pocket depending on my reading choices for that week. Mixed in with the papers, are three books that remain in that pocket.

The first is the latest edition of the “Best American Short Stories” anthology that I am reading for my other journal.

The second is a physical journal. A little black notebook…you know the brand.

The third is the book pictured below.

A feature of this journal will be irregular postings of some of the thoughts by Tolstoy that I come across in this little book.

In other Russian reading news, I am a good 40 pages in “Resurrection” by Tolstoy.

Why did I choose this book as the first to read and report on in this journal?

I have a tough time knowing why. I think it will be one of those decisions that exposes itself through time.

I just finished a book (ARC) “Travels in Siberia” by Ian Frazier (I may review the book for the paper).

This book was a major part of me getting back into my “Russian” phase of reading, and it turn, I suppose a major part of the creation of this journal.

This photo – by Repin has captivated me since I purchased this novel.

As far as I can remember, the book was purchased just after me leaving Norwich. I think I was intending to purchase as many of Tolstoy’s novels as I could. I am pretty sure that I purchased my first copy of “War and Peace” right around the same time…I’d say it was 1994. There were several major book purchases during this turbulent period of my life. And I sought comfort in the Russians.

That would be 16 years ago. So, 16 years after the purchase…I am finally reading it.

I’ll have plenty to say about this book over the next few weeks, and my goal is to have this book completed by the time you are born.

So, let’s end today’s writing with a few words from ‘Wise Thoughts for Everyday” – or WTFED.

Aug 23^rd –

‘The majority of our actions are guided by the force of other people’s opinions and teachings.”

True – but it’s important to take those opinions and teachings with a certain amount of your own judgment.