LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Saturday, February 16, 2013

What's 10 Degrees and Snow All Over?

The place where I was born and grew up.

It looks today just like it looked on my birthday in those days: a blizzard just passed through, a blizzard in the offing or a blizzard in progress.

I think it was on my 5th birthday that a blizzard was in progress, which meant no grandparents, no aunts and uncles, and worst of all no cousins, could make it to our farm place to have birthda cake, ice cream, pop, bar-b-que sandwiches and potato chips -- and bring presents.  I cried in terrible disappointment. So I got a spanking -- not a birthday spanking either! to teach me that you cannot cry about such things, which made me cry more.  It's horrible being a child.  At least it was horrible being a child when I was a child.  My siblings don't treat their children that way when dreadfully disappointed.  Thank goodness!


1 comment:

T. said...

What a marvelous photo!