Artist Unknown
It must be my age but I am feeling nostalgic about the arrival of fall. In my life, I feel certain that I have reached September. I might as well have left the Christmas decorations out because the calendar pages have turned faster than ever before. Willie Nelson is singing on my interior boom box, September Song, that reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the precious days with those we love. Have a listen –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIdbsL7Oxb0
Growing up, we went back to school the day after Labor Day. In grade school we were usually asked to write about what we had done during the summer. And so I write…….I spent the summer 2024 reading Henry Kissinger, Vol 1 of his memoir, The White House Years. (Simon & Schuster, 2011. Length 1,991 pages) I will admit to scanning some pages on Cambodia and Laos assuming no one will ever ask me to explain what happened. After reading two other books on the subject of Vietnam, I think I’m done with that exploration. You grow old reading about Vietnam because year after year, negotiating peace was unreachable, because of one damn thing or another. You can quote me on that! This does not negate the highlight of this Kissinger memoir. I kept company with fascinating people as only Kissinger had known them. His brilliance and writing make the length of the read ‘a no never mind.’
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” The teacher can take many forms – an actual person, a book, an occasional intuitive insight. When the statue of General Lee came tumbling down in Richmond, VA. my reading life changed. I became fascinated with the people who have influenced the world, for good and ill, which, ultimately has led me around to Henry Kissinger. He has the most generous spirit when taking the measure of a man. There are many examples of this generosity that over the summer caused me to examine my own when I think, write, or understand the why? of things.
As the days dwindle down to a precious few, as another September is upon us, remain with me as a student ready for that teacher to appear so we keep growing and changing…..trusting in the Lord’s manifold and great mercies. (a line from a favorite Episcopal prayer)
I end with an example of Kissinger’s generosity when writing about others.
“A word is in order here about Eisaku Sato. Like all Japanese leaders, he operated anonymously; he never pretended that he had a power of decision beyond the national consensus.Yet his moral force was so great as to leave little doubt that it helped to shape that consensus. He was, it goes without saying, Japanese to the core; he was also a sincere friend of the United States, seeing in the partnership of the erstwhile foes the best guarantee for peace and progress in East Asia and the entire Pacific region. His fundamental commitment was to Japan; his foreign policy commitment was to the alliance with America; his passion was peace. He handled difficult negotiations with extraordinary delicacy and wisdom.”
Main Street Rocky Mount 
I began following you early on because of architectural interest. I was born and raised in Rocky Mount. My father, Harry Harles, practiced architecture there for all my my childhood and beyond. I enjoyed your writing for a time, but when you turned so biased politically, in both local and national issues, I rarely revisit your column. Stick to architecture, please.
LikeLike
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. The preservation, restoration, and repurposing of our historic architecture remain the core reasons for writing this blog. While I am a political junkie, it wasn’t until I found myself regularly washed up on the city council’s doorstep that I began addressing the actions of local leadership, particularly those with a “My Will Be Done” agenda. My perspective has always been that if you want the credit, you must also take responsibility—and that won’t change.
I understand that some readers, including yourself, have expressed concerns about the blog touching on national politics. I can relate; as a book lover, when an author I enjoy expresses a political opinion I don’t agree with, I often gripe, and here and there have stopped reading their work or watching their films. It’s a challenge for me to remember that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
As a writer with a platform, I sometimes ask myself: am I being complacent to what concerns me if I avoid writing about it?
That said, I understand your objection to discussing politics on Main Street. When you’re in the mood, I hope you’ll still join me on my Main Street bench for a conversation about “kings and cabbages.”
LikeLike