Just savoring my first cup of coffee since Tuesday I guess. That must mean something. Man, that was a seriously bad side effects session that I am coming out of.
One good thing, I got some reading in. Just finished up Finding Mercy In This World by our very own Catherine Johnson. This is available on Amazon and etc. I really want to get together with her with the few questions that I have. She is such a good writer, I can learn a lot from her.
Now I am on to Cancer: Exploring Your Path by Teresa Matthews. Annie stayed with Teresa on one of her junkets with our film and I got a signed copy out of the deal. This is an up beat sort of a reference book. It has sections that the reader can delve into if it applies. It is setup to cut down on information overload which is one of the problems that a new patient faces. Thank you Teresa, hope that we get to converse one of these days soon.
As I am writing to you and simultaneously looking at the covers of these two books and am struck by the similarity between them. Caterine’s is a pic of the Camino with the trail going off through the foreground, middle distance and to the horizon appearing and disappearing. The sky over head is unsettled and clouds are scudding across the landscape suggesting a less than ideal day for the weather. Teresa’s cover looks to be a painting with a similar look but there is a fork in the road and the main road heads off to the shadows on the right. The y to the left heads up a hill lit up by luminous clouds on the horizon. The scene suggests that this side trip (your cancer) has maybe side benefits that aren’t apparent to the travelers on the main road.
Maybe I buy books for their covers. But these were both given to me by their authors. Sort of suggests some link there anyway. The link being that we are all on a journey?
So maybe next on my reading list is an old classic that I just haven’t gotten to as of yet, The Camino by Shirley MacLaine, from the year 2000. Jessika came in with this copy for me the other day. Thank you. This book and the film by Martin Scheen, The Way, are two works that have fueled the current popularity of the Camino de Santiago. Maybe that and the fact that the world was ready for it. That is all kind of a chicken and egg thing trying to figure which came first.
OK, time to try and get moving here. A slow steady start would be good. Thanks for being here with me. Love, Felipe.
Great insights, Phil. . . and thanks for the reference to Catherine Johnson’s book — I’m ordering a copy from Amazon today!
In my opinion, you can skip Shirley MacLaine’s book. Or at least skip massive portions of it! I anxiously bought a copy and was sorely disappointed. . . in my opinion, it does a DISservice to Camino literature. I even read it a second time, thinking perhaps I had been too harsh a critic the first time. NOPE! Just as disappointed the second time around. There are so many other truly memorable Camino recollections to choose from. . . use your time more productively. Buen Camino. . . Seamus (aka, Jim)
Jim ~ thanks for the comment on Shirley’s book. I need to check it out just because of it’s place in the history of Camino artifacts. Maybe it’s old news now but star power counts with us and it was an influence on folks in it’s time. If I don’t read it someone for sure will ask me about it, right? Oh, and I know there have been a lot of good Camino books. Keep in touch, Felipe.
Hola Felipe,
I went to mass today and say a few lines for you… hope they reach you soon with a wave of energies 🙂
We have to catch up one of these days, I miss all of you in the Island! What can I do for help? I read yesterday’s post and felt that I have to be able to collaborate someway… Could I take over the blog with some random thoughts when you need a day out? If so, we have to figure out how to send the “Alert” 🙂
Within the random thoughts I had, I thought: What if we translate Phil’s Camino into Spanish and conquer the Spanish speaking population???!!!!
Anyway, today is not so much of a random day, but I am happy to be around here.
Love to you and to Rebecca,
Cris
Cris ~ thank you amiga for your prayers. I really did need them as I was in a hard place for four days. But I am coming out of it. I have a service for the Day of tha Sick tomorrow with the local Archbishop. The folks from the Order of Malta will be there to work on our trip to Lourdes. A big day.
Your idea about translating Caminoheads into Spanish is intriguing. Let’s think that over. We need another phone chat. I have been so busy lately it’s crazy. Just watching the Olympic opening ceremony right now. How beautiful and poignant with the drama of North and South Korea present.
Thanks for being here, Felipe.x
<3 <3 <3 Do not worry about not being in touch, I have been busy myself too, but we are "around" anyway, as you said! The Lourdes thing is sooooo exciting!!! I am sure you will share more with us as you know more too! Enjoy your day and the blessings in the service.
South to North American love,
Cris