A Room of One's Own

Sometimes, I like to read groups of books by one author-- one after another. There was my Jane Austen period, my Faulkner period, my E. B. White period, my George Elliot period. . . In college, my German professor taught a magical class just on Thomas Mann. This instructor was also a magical person who taught freedom and responsibility through every German conjugation and pronunciation. Through my teaching, I constantly strive to be like him--teaching freedom and responsibility.

After college, I had a Virginia Wolf period. I read Mrs. Dalloway in one sitting-- absolutely couldn't put it down because the day in the story could not be carried over into another day of "real" life.

I thought of Virginia Wolf when I was reflecting on this photograph. Periodically, I walk over these bricks with the single purpose of removing bits of green just like this, but I took this photo because I thought this little bit of green was beautiful.

So, a few Virginia Wolf quotes. . . to create your own room of the mind. . .

"I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in. "

"Language is wine upon the lips."

"A good essay must have this permanent quality about it; it must draw its curtain round us, but it must be a curtain that shuts us in not out."

"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."

"Arrange whatever pieces come your way."

This little bit of green found its own room and arranged itself just fine.