Jane Poses a Thoughful Question
Jane Jacobs posted a very intriguing question on Facebook last week, “What book do you wish you could read again for the first time?" I immediately answered “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood. For me, it’s the perfect blend of a tale of a futuristic society that appeals to my nerdy side coupled with a female main character who tirelessly struggles to survive that appeals to my feminist side. I have probably read this book about three times and saw something new in it each time. I would love the experience of discovering it all over again.
What’s your answer to Jane’s question?
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The House of the Cards
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I grew up in North Tarrytown, NY, which changed its' name to Sleepy Hollow in 1996. All the places in the story exist, including the bridge, cemetery, church etc. Fellow Gothamite, Liz Saldana also comes from there, and she brought a guest to a recent meeting who turned out to be the younger sister of my classmate, Pepi Blanco.
The author of the story, Washington Irving (who is always spoken of as "Mr. Irving"), lived at the southernmost extreme of Tarrytown, and his house, "Sunnyside" is a national monument. The next village down the train line is Irvington-- named for him. He died in 1858, his funeral took place at the Episcopal Church in Tarrytown, and he is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Mr. Irving, when he was living in England, brought home some ivy from some ancient building, planted it and it grows vigorously on the church today. I wanted some of it for my house, and I asked Reverend Eddy (whose daughter, Mariah, went to school with me) if I might take a cutting, and he said, "Take as much as you want. It's nothing but a pest." When I told an elderly neighbor of mine (who ran the Historical Society for many years) what I had, she demanded a cutting for her garden, and I of course gave it to her.
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