Why lie?

The NY Times has an article today about yet another "memoirist" who fabricated almost all of her book. I haven't read any of the books mentioned in the article, but the argument posed by the author in this case rings false to me: "I just felt that there was good that I could do and there was no other way that someone would listen to it." What about writing a novel - those have been known to have a large impact on people. Or doing an extended investigative journalism piece? Why fabricate an entire history that was eventually brought down by the author's sister? Did she not think anyone would ever find out?! I accept that anyone writing anything other than a purely factual, documentation based biography will have elaborations and some fabrications - who has a perfect memory? - but that is very different than making up an entire past. If it is a compelling story as memoir, it should still be a compelling story as fiction. If not, and the interest in the story was simply because it was "true," then it probably wasn't any good to begin with.

Yo yo weather

As I type it is 62 and sunny here. The mailman is wearing shorts and a short-sleeved polo shirt. Oliver took a field trip out onto the front porch to enjoy the sun (but not the remains of the snow on the lawn - that was too much). I have windows open, OPEN WINDOWS people! I took a walk without a jacket. Bliss...

Tomorrow at this time, it is supposed to be 30 and sleeting. Ditto for the rest of the week, minus the sleet. Sigh.

SUNY Brockport on NPR

Yesterday, Weekend Edition Sunday had a piece about SUNY Brockport and some e.e. cummings painting and drawings that the school owns. Didn't hear it? Here is a link to the story, and while you are there take a look at the pictures in the electronic gallery. My favorite is the painting of the vase of flowers and the view out the window.

Benjamin is off this afternoon, after classes, to Hamilton NY, and Colgate University for a day of interviews on Tuesday. Good Luck!