Everyone on this ranch is a reader. The four of us who live here full time read lots of books. Most of us read more than one at a time. We read a very wide variety of things ranging from cookbooks and history to biographies and economics, from poetry, novels and coffee table books on lots of subjects, to classics, drama and mythology. We read fiction and non-fiction, newspapers and magazines, even the User’s Guides for the machinery and vehicles.
We listen to the radio more than we watch television; we text less frequently than we talk on the phone, and most of us write, some more prodigiously than others. We all love books; we use today’s technology with varying degrees of skill and disdain. We love books: the heft and feel, the quality of paper and type of binding, the typeface and font.
We read and savor books and words and style. Maybe that is “old school,” but in many ways that is what we are, and we don’t apologize for it. We dread the possible eventuality of a virtual world in which there are no real, new books. In some ways you might say we hoard our books, but we also use them. They are reference tools and reminders; they are our collections and our clutter. We struggle against that world which would eliminate the print form book in a manner similar to our struggles against that which almost eliminated the American Bison.
We strive to conserve the efficacy of the buffalo, and we regret the earlier attempts: first to annihilate and second to crossbreed it, just as we strive to maintain the efficacy of the book and regret the loss of actual print to the photocopy page. Both the animal and the photocopy page look like they are supposed to look; they both act appropriately; but human selective breeding of buffalo threatens to altered some of the buffalo and the photocopy page has lost its typological fingerprint. Those losses may be of little significance to most of us; they are nevertheless significant.
In the days of imprint print, when the broadsheet was being used, the individual pages of type were arranged so that when the broadsheet was folded, the pages would all be in their proper order. This “gathering”
was then stitched along the spine and brought together with other gatherings for binding. Of course the outside folding between the pages then had to be cut by the reader as the reader progressed through the book. The book became a physical entity and an emotional investment beyond its cost to the reader.
In some ways a herd of buffalo becomes an investment of the owner’s self beyond the monetary cost of the animal. The social structure of the herd follows an orderly pattern when it moves as a unit, when it grazes, goes to water, or rests. The social imperative of the herd-bonding instinct stitches and binds it together.
One of the greatest advancements made in all paper print areas has been the introduction of acid free paper, which greatly extends the life of the book or work of art, giving generations of readers access to works that may no longer be “in print.” Grass fed, anti-biotic and hormone free buffalo tends toward extending the life of the consumer. Of course there is no guarantee that the acid free book will not burn in tomorrow’s fire or that a consumer of grass fed, buffalo will not throw him or herself beneath the wheels of a runaway economic crisis.
Books and buffalo!! What a surprise, even to me, to make this stretch of a metaphor that, if pushed, or cajoled to its conclusion may well bite the dust of non-acid free paper; but the buffalo: grass fed, anti-biotic and hormone free is returning to the Great Plains in large numbers damaged a little perhaps but not destroyed—not by a long shot.
Comments 9
Gervase,
Well said. I’ve heard people like us referred to as “book junkies’ or “print-oriented bastards,” and I’ll accept either epithet as praise. I’m not sure why I learned to read as well or as quickly as I did – I think I met the alphabet the first week of first grade, was bewildered for about a week, and could read – repeat, read – by Thanksgiving. In a two-room schoolhouse, I had lots of time to practice my new skill – other kids colored – and by year’s end, I had read all the school readers through eighth grade. I’ve never stopped and like you, read more than one book at a time; I do a lot of binge learning and am given to checking out six or more books at a time when I become interested in a topic – evolution, the monastic movement, sailing; easier for me with many good libraries in easy driving distance. But I think you manage and I’ll bet many of your trips away from the ranch include a visit to a bookstore or library. Hope all is well.
Very nicely written. Thank-you.
I treasure books, and agree about the aspect of physical touch – sensory connection – that simply cannot be replaced digitally. Think about it – can you really hug up with digits? It don’t take much to figure this out.
Give me analog any day of the week even with its “noise” and seeming imperfection… I don’t think I’m alone in this sentiment. Still – digital does have some advantages from a storage standpoint, but if you can’t smell it or at least feel it, then tell me how good can it really be?
Once I worked with folks at a factory where X-ray film was produced on a thin film polyester web substrate (polyethylene terepthalate if you must know) using a silver solution as well as other important ingredients. That place was special – the process was run in the dark – all lights off. Clean water and clean air were essential for achieving high quality film. This plant used to be in Brevard, NC, but now it has been shutdown and dismantled. The property has been transformed into a state forest area, which is something of value, but still, what a shame that all that manufacturing equipment that was running nicely and efficiently nonetheless was turned into a shadow of its former self all in the name of “global competition”…..those jobs are gone.
And furthermore, if you can smell it and hear it and taste it and see it and touch it all at the same time….well then, tell me this: what could be better?
Thanks again for this diary entry.
Ken Hausle
Gervase – I just sent you a private message.
Thanks.
Ken
ps – the chickens are out in the coop now and all seems well. It is a fairly nice sunny day here in Charlotte today. Probably around 65 degrees just now, but I’m not sure. Nonetheless, the little baby chickies have growns so fast and have such fluffy feathers, that I was fairly confident they could remain outside for several hours without incident.
Chester, my “Chocolate Cocker Spaniel” has been keeping watch, and if you want my opinion, I would not mess with that dog. I have the bite marks to prove this sentiment, but that is a whole nether story, just like the one I could tell you regarding the 5th page at one of my websites. Now I consciously decided to end that sentance, but I could have gone on. But this is important, so some pause was of benefit – at least it was for me.
Anyhow, it is the 5th page of a long term central site of mine, and I deleted a poem there, but now the whole page won’t publish.
What a pain in the ass, if you don’t mind me saying.
I got so much better service from Lowes when we just recently purchased a new fridge on the account that the old one finally died on us. We knew this was coming, but for it to happen at the same time as my vehicle was requiring some new tires and other work. Well this was a bit much from an expense standpoint, and being that I ain’t practically making anything (fiat dollar wise) these days. The really set me back.
Know what I’m saying.
If not, then I know more about you that you do about me. That is not a mean statement, but rather, just a statement of fact from me to you.
Peace and I’ll truly try to make this my last post here because I care not to overextend my welcome.
———–
ps – if there just was a tape of all the things I uttered today, it might be most informative, but sensory things really work best when they are close. Real close if you know what I mean……speaks to ….ah forget it.
Doesn’t matter….
Its actually 64 degrees so I wasn’t far off.
If anybody later on wants to discuss some math ideas that I have especially regarding the flaws associated with the most beautiful math of Calculus, then I am all ears. It has to do with squaring something so small the Newton (or was it “Liebnitz”…?) figured it might as well be zero.
But please, we ought know by now in this computer age that some circuits and such can get really itty bitty tinny….square those and what do you get? It ain’t zero.
Such speaks to the basic flaw of calculus, but please calculus is of the mind. It is math for heaven’s sake, so of course it is disconnected in a way from the senses. As is the mind.
That is why it is better to get lost in the wilderness such that you can find your way out. For if you get lost in your mind, then sometimes the maze goes on forever.
And finally, lastly and no more from me: This speaks to why the senses – the five of them, just like the five toes on each foot and the appendages on the hand – are what keeps us connected.
Still, good imagination in humble estimation from an economic perspect can and most likely will resonate. Resonance is to be treasured just as books are to be studied.
Peace,
Ken
Gervase,
Hi. Still recall with fond memories my family’s visit to the River Ranch years ago with Dan’s mother. To bring you up to date, I am now publishing my work on Amazon’s Kindle. E-books are coming of age! You and your friends would enjoy my grandfather’s poetry, written mostly during the 1920’s, which I am publishing on Kindle under the title, “Understanding Granddad through his Poetry.” You can also read it on a regular home computer.
Best wishes,
Howard Ray White
Howard Ray White, I will check out your publication because I always (almsot always) appreciate what the grandparents have to teach.
So this is what I think……oh wait, I can’t say. I told my daughter and my wife when we were driving home from Topsail Island a few years back – it has to do with topography of the land. I told them my vision for the future, but it was just a vision……I have no idea about the future beyond that which I am fixing to do just now. Literally.
I’m growing a bunch of peppers and I have Tomato as well in Vinca coming back “on its own” from compost that I nurtured, and I can say is this is what I am living for….this is what I dreamed might be the case. But, it is only now and time moves on. I have no idea about tomorrow. Do you?
So that is why good history is worth studying and remember this even though that book “History as Mystery” was so enlightening, history is really not mystery, but it is a bit of a story. It can be incrementally improved over time and that I think is evolution.
I don’t care for fluff…..what bout you? Bullys drive me up the wall until I finally I decide what to do. Fishies get caught in the net. Birds are probably the smartest and we humans have much to learn from them.
That is what these three hens have taught me.
Peace,
Ken
Oh boy, Gervase please don’t get mad at me, but today I placed an order with Wild Idea Buffalo.
I got the Grill selection. I have a Weber small-scale grill and this is gonna be a good combination.
Despite the big oil leak (for which I have publically declared my plans for remedy – has to do with capping “slowly”), and despite the floods in Tennessee (a great state if there ever was one) and despite the Greek tragedy (no money for GS is what I think), and even despite Sarah whats here name, I am hopeful. I am full of it. Full of hope.
That is what three young pullets will do to you if you are sentimental.
ha, ha.
Oh boy as my grandma used to say……oh boy!
Whats “HER” name is what I meant to say…
And now in the theatrical representation of reality, I bid you a fair adu – adiu?
No way. No way I say. You French folks sometimes are so comical that it just makes me want to put up a toast.
Here is for all the French folks out there. And for the French ladies something special for you is coming soon! I say this with nothing but good intent!
Poetry. A poem in the heart. Poems. Don’t you just love them when you give them a chance? I do. I bid you a flag from the top of the stairs. A flag of peace to all the lovely French ladies out there, but you must know my heart resides in North Carolina and a North Carolina lady is better than the best! That is what I think.
So even if the Buffalo Sabers got beat by the Bruins, what do you expect out of New England toughness? The Bruins are tough, and they, just like the Russians, are not to be messed with. That is what in my own rambling way I think.
Oh, so glad that we have made it to May…..
I loved your metaphor…..Books and Buffalo. It is intelligent to return the buffalo as it is intelligent to return to the use of acid free paper. The buffalo roamed free for centuries. I think paper WAS acid free until the late 1800’s. When where the buffalo slaughtered to near extinction? Hmm.
I enjoy the writings…please continue.