tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post8133971433107940478..comments2023-05-10T10:36:38.392-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Tom & Atticus: Walking with Jack RyanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-56449777785525214182014-08-18T22:18:15.190-04:002014-08-18T22:18:15.190-04:00I would never have taken you for a "late"...I would never have taken you for a "late" reader. Your command of words and your turn of phrase just seems to naturally assume you've read all your life, from a very early age. <br /><br />As a teacher it may be ironic that I am so against "assigned" reading, book reports, analysis and all that. I think to encourage reading it should all be for pleasure and should all be valued, whether it be a pulp bodice ripper or something some PhD has deemed high literature. Let the reader decide, not the teacher.<br /><br />I commend you for reading Moby Dick. I am shocked you chose it as your first book and weren't deterred to continue reading. It speaks highly of your strong character and determination. <br /><br />I totally get the murder of crows thing. My Mother said a group of crows came down in the loquat tree and an hour later there were not more loquats. They had murdered all of the fruit by consumption. Yeah, murder is what a lot of farmers probably want to do to crows. <br /><br />I think pack is a lovely word. I am so glad dogs are a pack. I love being part of mine. <br /><br />You have 20 years head start on your reading compared to your Dad's. You'll have time yet, even if it's for Robert Parker. <br /><br />(I'm reading Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie Mystery Paw and Order right now and enjoying it. I like to lighten up during the summer when the weather gets hot and oppressive.)mlaiuppahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13792165896828163411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-52774523877772647472014-08-14T18:24:20.546-04:002014-08-14T18:24:20.546-04:00Tom, you really touched my heart with your adventu...Tom, you really touched my heart with your adventures with Atticus. I - we listened to your story ever so often. The largest difficulty was arriving at our destination when we had to stop the disc. You two are so heartwarming. What a pleasure!<br />Thank you for documenting such a wonderful life. <br /><br />Best regards, Scotty and Phillis Watterworth and our dog "Andus" <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09484939257732282860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-42991163797330202382014-08-14T13:24:17.192-04:002014-08-14T13:24:17.192-04:00Very nice article Tom. I didn't know my fathe...Very nice article Tom. I didn't know my father well enough to do the same but it is a wonderful way to both understand others, and one's self.<br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-55548930658287843002014-08-14T09:51:16.639-04:002014-08-14T09:51:16.639-04:00So inspiring Tom, as always you bring it all home ...So inspiring Tom, as always you bring it all home in the most personal and generous way.<br />Thanks for reminding us to pay attention to what's here and now! I realized just this a.m. that I dream of my father ( who has passed 17 years now) almost every night - and he is just always there ....I guess I carry him with me too. Annie Criscitiellonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-71224811871210112222014-08-14T09:07:22.557-04:002014-08-14T09:07:22.557-04:00I loved loved loved this. Thank you from someone ...I loved loved loved this. Thank you from someone who loves dogs (I have a miniature schnauzer) and someone who also does not miss her Italian father...I carry him everywhere I go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-11064032401993927422014-08-13T21:14:57.914-04:002014-08-13T21:14:57.914-04:00I love so much about this blog I do not know where...I love so much about this blog I do not know where to start.....your writing is so vivid, like I am walking there with you on the trails or sitting there watching your father studying Atticus.<br /><br />As someone who loves to connect with others through words, I hope someday my readers will think highly of me as I do of you.<br /><br />Lastly, I also struggle with goodbyes..... as simple as it sounds it cripples me. I am glad to know someone who has succeeded...... <br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09408099917070004643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-47461192074200886142014-08-13T14:16:17.014-04:002014-08-13T14:16:17.014-04:00To, you have such a beautiful heart. This post ha...To, you have such a beautiful heart. This post has special meaning to me as I have struggled with my father, his death and who he was. He could be a mean spirited person and his treatment of me through the years has had a negative impact on me. However, I feel that I need to let some of the negative part of my father go and make peace with it. You have inspired me. Thank you.Adairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16057077333370931539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-33328981771052234692014-08-13T14:00:42.809-04:002014-08-13T14:00:42.809-04:00Its true we do take them with us, my father died w...Its true we do take them with us, my father died when I was only 33, but still after all these years I think of him, he was a blunt kind honest man who hated cruelty of any kind, I have had 2 rescue whippet greyhounds during my life and I really took to them, found out only recently he had them when he was a young man, and he loved them to, sorry I am waffling on, it seems you are living the life your Father would have loved.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16744584879874061911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-9438752822305284352014-08-13T13:53:54.235-04:002014-08-13T13:53:54.235-04:00Another beautiful, touching story. Thank you so mu...Another beautiful, touching story. Thank you so much for sharing. Like you, I carry my father with me -- in my heart. I am able to overlook his cruelty, bitterness on life, along with the dreams he had but never lived. Thank you for sharing another wonderful adventure.Barbie Perkins-Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665224022963329838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-3802166606511437132014-08-13T13:44:30.430-04:002014-08-13T13:44:30.430-04:00Lovely afternoon reading for me on this rainy day ...Lovely afternoon reading for me on this rainy day - I too lost my father 8 years ago, but have not yet gotten to the peaceful place where you are - "I don’t miss him. How can I when I carry the best parts with me." - your words are pointing to a quiet evening of good long reflection on that process for me. Thank you.Sandy Zerbinopoulosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-90153090462410788512014-08-13T12:59:18.333-04:002014-08-13T12:59:18.333-04:00Some time back I said that we carry our parents wi...Some time back I said that we carry our parents with us in life and it was a bit of an emotional risk in sharing .. I am glad that you chose to share with us today .. What a great affirmation of your father spirit and life.. He too was a survivor and even more he gave his all to his family A choice gift by any standard Thanks so much as always for letting us see the dynamics of your life It continues to be this wonderful island in a very difficult world Thank you from us Carter W Raenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-66555400154477190602014-08-13T12:58:13.410-04:002014-08-13T12:58:13.410-04:00"You don't miss him, you carry him with y..."You don't miss him, you carry him with you." Like that a lot.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14364430951695372897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-49721319658176347382014-08-13T12:54:18.025-04:002014-08-13T12:54:18.025-04:00funny the moments we carry our parents with us…and...funny the moments we carry our parents with us…and yes…it is up to us which parts we choose to embrace in our memories. I was blessed for longer with mine, but my Dad is gone now for almost 20 years and my Mom for 2 next week. I was blessed to walk both of their final weeks with them in their home…and so much was shared…an amazing time of grace.My father too, loved words, both reading and writing, and I think of him often when I read or hear a well turned phrase. he too had his more challenging bits, especially after serving inVietnam, but they made the rest even more acute. My Mother was truly a blessing to the very large "family" she continued to acquire, right up to her hospice nurse in her final days. During the celebration of her life she was repeatedly described as a lighthouse….beautifully accurate <3 I am glad you had a walk with your Dad, and that you found your words and reading. I am also deeply grateful for the thoughts you share that provoke me to dwell on things I love that I might otherwise forget to notice in the bustle of my days. Thank you. Best regards, CCW Leavittnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-73038193057445852672014-08-13T12:49:59.969-04:002014-08-13T12:49:59.969-04:00Your father was right. Your love of reading, your...Your father was right. Your love of reading, your expressiveness, your sentimentality have influenced many people. I don"t want to start my day until I read a blog or post from you. Your spirituality infuses my state of being. By camiocamthe way, Moby Dick is one of my favorite books. I spent 3 months discussing its symbolism.with a book group. But I will have my contemporary lit class read Following Atticus this fall. My previous class loved it. One question: there is a flock of cardinals outside my bedroom window. Would they be called a convocation?Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06114801404757819618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-56307538762364180492014-08-13T12:49:50.217-04:002014-08-13T12:49:50.217-04:00This is lovely beyond words.This is lovely beyond words.Patrice Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-4269021357732078192014-08-13T12:20:30.772-04:002014-08-13T12:20:30.772-04:00Tom... you are a kind and loving son who keeps you...Tom... you are a kind and loving son who keeps your father alive in your heart... your most generous and giving heart that chooses to focus on the good and the blessings... and for all of that, we, your followers and friends are grateful. Yes, Jack Ryan would be humbled (maybe even a little ticked off...), but very proud.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02972756976372944107noreply@blogger.com