A New Nook

     This morning I received an email from Barnes and Noble that encouraged me to “be the first to own nook”—“the world’s most advanced eBook Reader.”  I have to say that having access to “over one million books, newspapers, and magazines. Downloaded wirelessly in seconds” is tantalizing.  And, of course, the environmental implications are nothing to sneeze at.  Yet, when the ad went on to exhort me to “save money, time, and space” I balked.  I’m all for saving money (as long as an appropriate amount still goes to the author) and saving time is important (although, I think, sometimes overrated.  In my opinion, it’s much more useful to savor time than to save it.)  But the saving space?  Are you kidding me?  These books surrounding me are my family, my guardians.  I am not being cute, romantic, or jokey when I say that having books around makes me feel safe.  Can an electric gizmo lend me the weight and solidity of a beautiful tome like The Passion of Mary Magdalen by Elizabeth Cunningham?  (Shameless plug alert: for more on Mary Magdalen aka Maeve and shamelessness go here http://elizabethandmaeve.blogspot.com/2009/10/maeve-on-shame-and-shamelessness.html).  When I snuggle up with a good book, I feel comfort and companionship.  I’m not ready to give that one on one time up for the opportunity to canoodle with a million publications at once.  

    So, I guess no nook-y for me.  (I’m sorry, I really couldn’t resist.)

    What I had really intended to say when I started writing this posting was that, due to many varied reasons, I am going to take a hiatus from blog writing.  It may be a very short one (since, as evidenced above, I have an opinion about nearly everything and can’t keep my mouth shut for long).  And it may simply be that my posting will be more sporadic from now on, but I’m giving myself permission to take a cue from the change of seasons and huddle down into an earthy hole, move a little slower, and expect a little less. 

    Thanks to all of you for reading so faithfully and supportively.  Read and/or write on!