“But as Socrates had warned his students, once we learn how to read we may forget how to remember.” — Kim Stafford

I think Socrates was on to something. It assists me in my own loss of words and thoughts that seem to disappear on a daily basis. However, reading in school was not an attraction in my classes unless I was reading something that wasn’t appropriate that was being passed around by my classmates.

Currently I am closest in reading to “Just Kids” by Patti Smith. On the back of the book, a New York bestseller, Johnny Depp says, “Patti Smith has graced us with a poetic masterpiece, a rare and privileged invitation to unlatch a treasure chest never before breached.” I would have to agree with Mr. Depp’s summary. I’m 67 pages into the book. It is a national book award winner.

Last Monday Mongo headed back to the airport after spending some time with us that included a stop at the Bohemian Cemetery where many relatives. Rest in peace.

From there we headed south, stopping to see the marker that signified the Wooden Hall site. It was along there, I believe, that my father was told to leave the first day of school for throwing a pine cone at a girl who had thrown it at him first, hitting him. The return throw missed the girl and hit the teacher, who in return sent him on his way, much to my father’s relief. I’m not sure how his relatives took it.

Mongo, my nephew, also goes by Eric. He flew up to Minnesota from Florida and spent in Cloquet hanging out with Jana, his sister and former Herald writer, who runs the paper there.

From there Eric came down this way and spent some time with brother Darryl before coming to Austin where Mello barked almost nonstop from the moment he was here. Eric is the chief official of the library in his community. He reads like his mother Carol did. I think I’ve mentioned she, too, devoured books when I was in school.

Mongo is back safely.