I had several books on volcanology -- it fascinated me when I was in my twenties -- as well as the encyclopedia (Britannica).I had several books on volcanology -- it fascinated me when I was in my twenties -- as well as the encyclopedia (Britannica). In truth, I was delighted that I had stuff that could help a good, bright kid get a solid grade. Really. That was it. I mean -- sure, the baby fat was melting away and a very pretty girl was emerging, but she was still very much A Kid, so nothing else occurred to me. This is, I was later to learn, a sign of encroaching senility. Saturday afternoon, 12:10 p.m., there's a knock at the door. I'm mostly awake. I've had two cups of The Elixir of Life (a.k.a., "coffee") and a bowl-and-a-half of Borkum Riff. This is as awake as I should ever *have* to be at ten after noon on a Saturday. |