This week’s book: United by Cory Booker

I decided this week’s book for my one book a week goal is: United.

Since seeing Cory Booker last week in Manchester I really want him to win the primary in New Hampshire. While I support his position on health care, reproductive rights, gun violence and more, I don’t really know a lot about him.

So I’m reading his book and will review it Sunday night, here on my blog.

Note, I think I will be choosing more outdoor related books to read this year. But first: United.

Paulo Coelho The Hippie, a Book Review

I bought The Hippie from the airport bookstore to read during the flight to Colorado. I was dating a hippie at the time and I like Coelho so I thought it would pass the time in a good way. It was July when I started and November when I finished; I got distracted along the way. 

As he writes about the Magic Bus and the people he meets I find that I’m drawn into all their stories. I was reading it more for the people and learning about them, and not so much about finding a life philosophy. As I read I’m constantly referring to maps to figure out where they are and understand the physical journey. 

The main take-away from this book is learning about the character’s urgings to see the world. I enjoyed reading the stories of men and women who want to take every opportunity to see the world. They are full of hope and want to change the world while having amazing experiences. They start their journey in Amsterdam, stopping in Istanbul as they make their way to Kathmandu. 

Paulo learns from everyone and finally he meets a white-haired man while taking a risk walking into a building. Paulo is in search of knowledge and wisdom. And my favorite quote from the book: 

“A man in search of spirituality knows little, because he reads of it and tries to fill his intellect with what he judges wise. Trade your books for madness and wonder—then you will be a bit closer to what you seek. Books bring us opinions and studies, analyses and comparisons, while the sacred flame of madness brings us to the truth.”

Other quotes I like:
“Salute the sun. Allow it to fill your soul – knowledge is an illusion, ecstacy is the true reality.”

Paulo is in search of dancing and learning the ways of the Sufi. It’s not until I re-read sections to really understand what he is looking for. I like this quote so much.

“Then seek the Truth. Seek always to be on its side, even when it brings you pain. There are times when the Truth goes quiet for long stretches, or when it doesn’t tell you what you want to hear. That’s Sufism.”

“‘The Truth is what makes us free. You will know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free,’ Jesus said.”

“He had entered a state of complete emptiness, and this emptiness, though its inherent contradiction, filled everything.”

West of 98, What Are You Reading

The best mornings start out with reading and then writing.

I’m re-reading West of 98, Living and Writing the New American West.

The best part of reading this book again is that it reminds of all the amazing places I’ve lived and explored in Colorado and Arizona. It gives me fodder for all the stories I want to write.

Truly belonging to this place would mean embracing it as vastly layered and infinitely complex. Wilderness as primal blessing, forever being born and forever dying.” – Gary Ferguson, from the essay in West of 98: Wolf and Coyote and Kumbaya

Yes by William Stafford


It could happen any time, tornado,
earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen.
Or sunshine, love, salvation.

It could you know. That’s why we wake
and look out–no guarantees
in this life.

But some bonuses, like morning,
like right now, like noon,
like evening.

Swim, Bike, Run, Read Weekend

Horseshoe Pond, Concord NH

What a great weekend! Swim – Bike – Run – Read.

Saturday:
Swim – I started Saturday with a 3,100 yard swim.

Bike – Then immediately went for a bike ride and decided to take a more scenic, never-been-on-this-road route. Hopkinton is just the next town over but I rode past an Army Corp of Engineer damRowell's Bridge Hopkinton NH and a covered bridge.

Run – Then once back at HQ I immediately ran; in pretty decent temperatures and cloud cover.

Then I finished reading Desperate Steps as part of my recovery.

Sunday:
I woke up sore! Sore! I knew I needed to run but I was completely enthralled reading Critical Hours.

It’s such a great book about recent Search and Rescues in the White Mountains. The author, Sandy Stott will be in Concord this week for an event. I can’t wait to see his talk.

Critical Hours

But eventually I knew I need to run, so I ran. This weekend was about new routes so I ran towards NHTI and took a few pictures along the way so I could rest from fatigue, sweat and just overall tiredness; it was hot and muggy as well.
Here is Horseshoe Pond. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a lily pad.

Horseshoe Pond, Concord NH

And a random tree with interesting things growing on them near the Heritage Trail by the NHTI boat launch. (no clue what the tree or thing was, I’m no botanist that’s for sure).

Foliage in Concord NH

Now as evening approaches on Sunday evening I chill out and read more Critical Hours.

And hang out with this pup:

Winnie Dog