Dru, Steinbeck and the Book of Deer

Dear Juliet I had a big literary thought (or rather remembrance) earlier. The blog post I've written about it is only just about done. I want to recheck it but have to go out to work now so I don't have the time. So if it's okay, I'll look it over later tonight or tomorrow morning and it'll be ready for you then? I hope that's all right. Are you okay today? Love, James

Dear Juliet Time and tide... I thought it best to be nostalgic today. Just show you another part of the world, very far away. Glenfinnan. It's famous for several things, but not me. I'm sandwiched obscurely in between Bonnie Prince Charlie and J. K. Rowling, but that's not such a bad place to be. I stayed with cousins in Corpach, by Fort William, West Highlands ca. 1974, got my first Star Trek novelisation at the local Co-op (I've still got it) and saw the bedroom Bonnie Prince Charlie slept in at a country house called Fassfern the night he arrived on the shores of Loch Shiel in 1745. He'd raised the Standard there that day (19th August) and was apparently made Charles VIII and III (this is based on the Union of the Crowns in 1603 which predated the Acts of Union in 1707) although accounts vary. The Jacobite Rising ended in terrible failure and slaughter at Culloden, but was more a conflict between the House of Stuart and the House of Hanover than between the Engl...

Dear Juliet " ' Let me help,' he said. 'A hundred years or so from now, I think it was, a famous novelist will write a classic using that theme. He recommends those three words even over 'I love you.' " ( The City On the Edge Of Forever ) Someone even put it to music ... You and  Buffy  have taken too many stompings. I've even enumerated them , and gingerly predicted the continuation's sudden demise . It's been like quietly begging people to at least consider following the Yellow Brick Road. To avoid the Green, Blue or Purple ones at all costs and don't even think about dipping their big toes in the molten lava at the rim of the dark ravine I don't want them to go within a mile of. But on you all go, dipping your toes in and wondering why your feet get burnt off... I don't want you stomped, and I don't want you hurt. So please, take a break at Point Lobos and climb the steps to the monastery. Let me help, if need be. But I thin...

Dear Juliet I think that's it. It's not a perfect cure or solution, of course (that is the province of film and fantasy), but I think taking a few days at Point Lobos, walking up the path to the Carmelite monastery there and spending some time in the grounds and chapel should be of help. I think the nuns do tours . They aren't Vulcan high priestesses, of course, but sometimes fantasy has a basis in reality. Nor is there a timetable for this. Go when and if you feel ready, but I think I'd recommend climbing the steps to your Mount Seleya . I think that if there is Somebody Up There, He does like you . But if there is, the one thing He can't do is override your free will . However, He can make some pretty firm recommendations and if you don't follow them, well, you get stomped. Seen that happen a few times ... So, might be an idea? In the meantime, I've got the ticket for the Globe, with a stop-off at the Golden Hinde , which is a bit like an early Enterprise...

Dear Juliet I'd wanted mildly to move on and not stick too deep in the sands of Drusilla's beach, mention that I'm going to go to Shakespeare's Globe post-Southwark (15th-19th June) to try and get some pictures for you there. I'll enjoy that, too. Many years ago, I used to wind up an ex-girlfriend at work with Shakespearean quotes. I think she came close to hitting me on several occasions... I also don't want my blogs to get too introspective, remembering that the point is to reassure you of your worth, build up your self-esteem, give you the occasional metaphorical hug 🤗 and get you addicted to Ben & Jerry's! And I remembered an old quote from Dear Miss Landau (where else?) about "pilgrims on the mountain road to Calvary."  There's also America's progress towards the shining city on the hill . I know there've been a few bumps in that road... However, it always seems an upwards path must be walked. With sweat, with strain, with a...

Dear Juliet I don't think you've ever been to Gibson beach, but it looks like it's nevertheless become your sanctuary. My memories of it are seventeen years deep and so profound the only way I can deal with them is through humour. I was coming off a near nervous breakdown at the time, and did indeed get off the Number 5 bus like a pilgrim looking for his Calvary. I think I had the same straw hat both first and last times. The Chevron filling station south of Carmel is a pretty unlikely shrine, but I orientated myself by it and went on down to the Point. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. For sure. I'm probably going to get shouted at for this, but a Mack truck did get a bit close while I was getting my bearings. Mind you, I didn't think I was going to run out of luck just then. It was just the faintest of reminders that one day my road would be run. I asked directions at the ranger station, found Gibson beach on the map and renamed it Drusilla's beach when I go...