I had hoped to launch this little exercise on my birthday, which this year would have been: 11-11-11. I saw this, as did others, as some kind of cosmic event of mystic and unknown import. Good vibe to start with, I thought. Sadly, computer issues (mine) prevented this. So, in my book, the next best day close to this would be 11/30, the birthday of S.L. Clemens, known to all as Mark Twain. Still a good vibe.
Why Twain? Early in my career, I had a job that required travel. Luckily, this travel was confined to mostly New York state and some New England destinations. So virtually all of it was made by car, and a lot of it involved overnight stays.
I was never one for finishing my work day by heading to the hotel bar for an extended happy hour. That simply never appealed to me as a good way to spend time. Instead, I usually sought out any local historical sites, or “tourist” attractions, or cultural venues. I often brought my bike with me on these trips so I could explore wherever it was that my suitcase landed.
One of the places I traveled to was the Elmira – Corning area. One such trip, I had my bike with me, and in looking for things to see, I learned that Mark Twain was buried in Elmira’s Woodlawn Cemetery, and his “study” was on display at Elmira College. So, off I went, and after seeing both, an interest in knowing more about Mr. Clemens was born.
That simple first exposure turned into quite the fascination about the man, his life, and his works. I’ve probably read more about Mark Twain than I have read works by Mark Twain. In his prime years, he was arguably the most recognized American on the planet. As he used to remark, “I am not an American. I am the American.” Meek, he was not!
His life was one of amazing variety, astounding success, colossal failure, and indescribable tragedy. The endearing magic and staying power of Clemens is that he joined humor with deep philosophical insight, and crafted those two together with words that resonate even to present day. Indeed, they shall travel over time to last forever, for they address the very nature of us all, and at once make us laugh, and then, ponder. We humans will never lose capacity for either.
A friend of mine reads works by authors such as Jane Austen, Tolstoy, and the like. She chuckles with raised eyebrow at my association with Twain. I remind her of Twain’s self analysis of his popularity: “My works are like water. The works of the great masters are like wine. But everyone drinks water.” Good enough for me.
So, these blogs will carry with them a quote with every post, and all quotes will be from the pen of Mark Twain. I do not expect I will ever run short.
For a neat tribute to Twain, go to your Google search page today!
Today’s Twain quote:
“When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction.”
