Posted by John Nichols on December 08, 2005 at 16:54:27 from 165.91.198.54 user Mcneacail.
In Reply to: Re: Industrial Heritage (was Lydia Eva - was Re: Silting of the Yare)-the whole question of Ransome posted by Peter H on December 07, 2005 at 20:45:48:
I often used to think I was some kind of nutty freak, because I liked AR's books. In the end I just kept SW for years, without the cover it was the classic green hardback. I gave my SW to Charlotte two years ago as a passed on treasure. It was only when I found this group that I felt I had found a place to belong on this topic. My current wife is tolerant of AR, she has read the first book, and went to England with me and sailed on Coniston. I know she enjoyed the company of the people we met and the friends we made.
I belong to an academic discourse community. The academic discourse community can get very nasty and personal. One develops lasting friendships and enemies. It is the most serious of subjects and the most trivial of hatreds and likes.
On Monday I had spent a very long weekend and week working on really serious stuff for the University. I tried a few different books to relax, and then turned to SW. It is a relaxation technique and it worked. I could sit crossed legged and chant a mantra, but I hate yoga.
A psychologist friend recently asked what I was doing when I was in the age range of 10 to 12. I explained about St Louis and reading AR. She looked at me and said "the formative years, what you were doing then affects your attitude to life more than any other period."
So I am guilty, of liking books, all sorts of books, I am guilty of using AR to relax, I also use jethro tull music, working on my boat, and writing to Ed to relax. I also go over to Sears and stand in the tool section and work out what tool I need next. I just ordered a carving bench from Lee Valley tools and some edging tools for timber.
So compared to most of the groups I communicate with, this is the bastion of politeness. There is a small annoyance, but I just do not read those emails.
JMN