I've been away

Sorry to all you faithful readers (all 3 of you)- I have been away. Mostly I have been mentally away, although I was also away physically a couple of times since my last post here in July (hard to believe it was that long ago!).

I was focused elsewhere. Not on reading, not on writing, not on ideas but on just getting through "stuff" - mostly other people's "stuff". I just haven't felt I had much to say in this forum. My reading has been minimal and hasn't inspired me to much thought. I have also left my book circle so I have been less pressed to keep up my reading or to think seriously about what I do read.

But I don't want this blog to just die so I came back - to read a few past posts, and to say I am still here.

I have finished a few books since my last entry. The most recent was Wanderings: The History of the Jews by Chaim Potok. This was a repeat read. I read the book many years ago and wanted to refresh my memory. Of especial interest to me was the early history of the Middle East, full of bloody, tribal jealousies, bitterness and long memories. Since it was published in 1990 I wondered what he might have written as an additional chapter if he had revised it before he died in 2002. I have read, also many years ago, several of his novels - The Chosen, My Name is Asher Lev, The Book of Lights. Great novels they are too, full of insights into not only the Jewish soul but humanity.