Besides making reservations, worrying about what clothes to bring along, and planning my financial solvency, I have been making peace with bigger assignments. The Center sent along a two page single-spaced list of recommended books to prepare the mind and soul for this Fall Semester. I have no angst about getting my body back and forth from here to the Mediterranean through several seasons of outfits. It turns out I have fears about getting my mind back in shape after 40+ years away from college.
I gamely ordered most of the books that were double starred. I would show them to you, but in the world of Kindle and Nook there isn’t much of photographic interest here. Those pictured are from a world long ago and far away – Mount Holyoke circa 1970. However, much to my delight several oldies are still goodies and on the list!
What has happened to me is mind-boggling. I am getting very excited not only about the art, which was the reason for this whole expedition, but even more excited about discussions, new ideas, and pushing my boundaries of thinking. Learning is even more of my passion than art. I can feel my energy increasing.
Reading philosophy now makes much more sense than it did when I was a teenager. Now I have the experience to appreciate questioning life and its meaning. I am living the questions and searching for the answers so much more now than when I was required to read and memorize for the dreaded blue books. Those exams were easy compared to the final exam I am now facing – if only I had known!
So here is a list of the books I have downloaded in case any of you also want to get excited. Those with an “x” in front I have read this summer. Those with an “o” in front are still being read. The rest are languishing until I can get to them.
x The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller
x Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
Ionia, a quest by Freya Stark
o Art and Illusion by E. H. Gombrich
7 Greeks, Archilochus, Sappho, Alkman by Guy Davenport, translator
x Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Berniers
About Looking by John Berger
o Against the Flow by Peter Abbs
o The Passion of the Western Mind by Richard Tarnas
Lisa Oberreuter 
Fear not, Lisa! Your mind is one of the finest around any subject with which I am familiar. Go tilt with the rest of the minds out there — you will not be unhorsed!
What joy to just soak up what is around you and read in such a setting without the burdens of ordinary life impinging . Since it is not a competition you need only experience your mind thinking, reflecting, learning and generating new and broader understanding of your world and your artistic gifts.
I can imagine the pleasure of it!
Priscilla