JOURNAL ENTRIES

Oct. 7, 2003

Quotes:

"Man's chief end id to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."

"...it is an art that is performed on a four-count rhythm between ten and two o'clock."

   I didn't really connect with anything that I read today. Paul and Norman's family and way of life are extremely different than mine. I don't like to fish and I don't like mountain life. Let's hope the story gets better as I read more.

Oct. 8, 2003

"At Hot Springs they don't play any  child games like fist fighting."

"Paul was the Scottish equivalent of "Black Irish."

The way I connected with the reading today was the thing with the brother-in-law. I know what it feels like to not want to have your relatives tag alone with you. It could be because they are to prissy or too mean, but I know how it feels.

Oct. 9, 2003

"Although the Scots invented whiskey, they try not to acknowledge the existence of hangovers, especially within the family circle."

"Many of us probably would be better fishermen if we did not spend so much time watching and waiting for the world to becomes perfect."

I know how Norman feels in the story. Both he and I try to live up to the standards of other people, and just when we think they are doing the right thing...the people we are trying to please go and do something complete different and new.

Oct. 10, 2003

"To women who do not fish, men who come home without their limit are failures in life."

"The brain gives up a lot less easily than the body"

I don't like how Neil always has to tag along with Norman and Paul. And if Neil is going to come fishing then he should as least bring a rod and gear, and leave his girlfriend at home. Neil is getting in the way with Paul and Norman's relationship, and I don't like him being around. It reminds me of my brothers always wanting to do everything that I do.

Oct. 13, 2003

"You have never really seen an ass until you have seen two sunburned asses on a sandbar in the middle of a river."

"I had long ago learned, sometimes to my sorrow, the Scottish piety is accompanied by a complete foreknowledge of sin."

The way that I related in this section was when the people got sun burnt. I've done stupid things like them before, laying out at the lake all day, and getting sun burnt from head to toe. I thought that part of the book was really funny. 

Oct. 14, 2003

"When I was young, a teacher had forbidden me to say the word "more perfect" because she said if a thing is perfect it can't be more so."

"Help, is giving part of yourself to somebody who comes to accept it willingly and needs it badly."

I didn't like this part of the book. It's kind of sad and you can tell that something bad is going to happen. I didn't relate to this part at all. It doesn't have anything to do with anything I've ever been through.

Oct. 15, 2003

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it."

"I am haunted by waters."

The ending of the book was expected because of all the foreshadowing. It was an okay ending, considering the fact that I didn't like the story at all. I didn't relate at all to the end of the book.