Quickie

So, I type in reincarnation and this picture of Mark Twain appears in Google Images. So I say, okay someone or something wants me to talk about Mark Twain not reincarnation so I will. (Now I want to read through Mark Twain's writings to see what he had to say about reincarnation - I say again, I adore Google Images.)

So Mr. Twain, aka Samuel Clemens, was well known for any number of writings and his general wit but I chose to share just a few here. First and foremost, you have your Tom Sawyer and your Huck Finn. Do kids even read these stories anymore? Probably not since they don't come in a video game format. I don't even want to think about it.

Of course, Tom and Huck spent the majority, if not all their time on or around a very famous river that I have actually seen from its banks in New Orleans (before it got so royally messed up). It is one huge, rolling river as the song lyrics say (or something like that) and it's easy to stand in front of some of the old plantation properties and imagine what it was like when that river was a major source of transportation and entertainment. It certainly played a major role in this country's history simply by its existence and strategic location.

The Mississippi River, what a great watery stage for Twain's many tales.

Just one of many interesting sights we can see without even leaving the country. I believe the casino riverboats still travel back and forth on the Mississippi although I'm certain the poker disagreements resulting in shootouts have significantly decreased over time.

But this wasn't the only body of water Twain featured in his writings.
The Stanislaus River and valley in northern California was home to the famous...
that's right, the Jumping Frog Contest of Calaveras County; gold mining country, very beautiful and very rugged. He definitely felt most inspired to create his fabulous stories in picturesque areas but also areas that differ greatly from each other.

I'm not sure where he was when he wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court but that's probably one of my favorites. He is definitely someone I would love to be able to sit down to talk to for a day. Who would you choose?