Just Around the Corner

This weekend they're playing what used to be called the Bob Hope Desert Golf Classic out at Pebble Beach in California. Even though I don't even know what it's offically called these days, it remains for me one of the harbingers of spring. Coincidentally, it's the only tournament that has retained the full status of the celebrity pro/am portion of the event. That means that it's decidedly less serious than all of the other PGA events.

So while VJ and Phil and are battling it out on Sunday afternoon, you're just a likely to see Bill Murray (Caddyshack) donning a woman's bonnet, skipping across a green after a putt, or throwing a woman into a sand trap (yes, he did that one year). At this time of the year, not having swung a golf club for ages, I enjoy both the competition AND the clowning. Both lighten the winter in my soul.

Are you also starting to feel "spring fever?" Maybe spring makes you recall Emily Dickinson?

A LIGHT exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

Share your own thoughts on spring. Right here.

Contemporary Thoreaus

I'm sure you have read pp. 264-265 in your literature text, the section entitled Contemporary Thoreaus. Annie Dillard and Edward Abbey are great examples of modern Thoreau disciples. Your journal assignment is to provide another example. I'd enjoy reading about someone who is NOT famous, maybe a favorite aunt or uncle, a friend's father or mother, or perhaps a friend of your own. Tell me what makes that person like Thoreau, either in his or her lifestyle or life philosophy. If you can't provide a personal example, then do some research and write about a historical figure. If you'd like, tell me about a character in a book or movie that is "So-Thoreau."

One of my favorites is Jeremiah Johnson, a character portrayed by Robert Redford in a 1972 film. If you're a lover of the Western wilderness and don't mind movies that move at a slower pace, then give this movie a try. Check out this link at the International Movie Database for more information on Jeremiah Johnson.