Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disenfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourses of my book friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness.
Helen Keller
Helen Keller
~~~~~~
Every time I find the time to go back to these books I am amazed at the wisdom and insight into life I gain from them. As a child they were merely a fun, fast read. As a teenager they were just a good story, well told. As an adult they continue to teach me more about myself than I would have thought possible from a book written long ago, to another generation, with no real punch-them-in-the-face morality. The premise of most of them is the same: a heroin in trouble, a gentleman of upstanding character, a bad guy or spy or criminal of some kind, a lovely New England or eastern setting well described. Yet although this would seem to grow stale eventually, the author had the ability to make it new and fresh with each book she wrote.
The love of nature comes out with the stunningly real and vivid descriptions of the land in which she lived.
The morals of her creed are touted by each hero and heroin that comes alive on the pages.
The sincerity of her faith comes through the little bits of references she makes to an event and a person that she feels the world needs to know and emulate.
As I re-read these favorites and rediscover old friends, I am shaken by the amazing ability she was blessed with to make her writings say vastly different things to different readers. And by the longevity of these books that were written in the mid 1900's, yet are so coveted today that they sale for phenomenal prices anywhere you can find them. Which isn't very many places. We are fortunate to own many, though not all, of her fifty some-odd books.
Over this break I have read or re-read about six of them and each time I come across something so deep it rocks me off my feet, I am convinced again that reading is, to quote Miss Keller, My Utopia. And I need to make time in my schedule for the relaxation of virtually complete and utter oblivion. My escapism...
My reading.
(Chica, This one's for you. So stop whining.)
LadyAnne
she finally seated us at a two person, (wide-ish) window table. Placing leather covered, (though somewhat dirty,) menus and an extensive wine list on the table, 
she left us to enjoy the view. And what a view. Night, right across the river from downtown Cincy, with all the lights ablaze and post rush hour traffic making a picturesque blur across the bridges.
Reflection on the water, with a low, light cloud covering bouncing back the light pollution to create a "day lit" night. Slow revolutions bring to view the traditional Cincinnati skyline, the new groundbreaking and unusual buildings Ky has chosen to allow in its own unique style, the shimmering lights of houses on the seven hills surrounding the Cincy valley, the obnoxious glare of sports bars and gambling spots, the seldom appreciated order of cars on a freeway. 
After a few minutes of examining and discussing the interesting menu options, we told the waitress, (who was somewhat disgusted) that we merely wanted dessert. Our thought process was to split the cost and dish, and in this way not send ourselves to the poorhouse. We spent way too long laughing and mocking the odd, fancy treats available for, get this, seven dollars each. We finally decided the only thing we could bring ourselves to spend that much on was the Creme Brulee, the other options being merely fancy kinds of cake. Plus we had neither one of us had it and wanted to be able to say we had. A LONG time later it came to the table, suitably impressive. 
We were satisfied. I would pronounce it a very successful dessert. After ingesting that much sugar and reasonably sure the coffee would be complementary at a high price restaurant, we decided to get a couple of cups to extend our sitting time and bring us back from the carbohydrate induced coma we were exhibiting. "Sure, I'll just add it to this check." Oh, man. 
Cut to- a considerable time later and two fancy(if tiny) porcelain cups placed on our table. Cool, sure, fine, whatever...What do you mean two fifty a cup? OK, it's alright, I won't say anything. "Sure cream and sugar would be great, thank you." 
then we went out side to get pics from the bottom. But it was too dark. Ignoring the suggestions to take a picture of the bellboys and valets standing around the door, I attempted but they didn't come out very good at all....
Too dark. (I think I said that)
So then in the midst of leaving there, my driver became shockingly appalled that I had never been to Newport on the Levee and insisted we make a trip. I am such a nice person, I agreed...to make sure she didn't cry......
This is from the riverfront. I am very proud of this picture. 
Beautiful!...
The Christmas decor was already all up in the square...
Then into Barnes and Noble...
to fritter a few hours on silly stuff like this...
And this...
A tree...
