I’ve never been one of those people who can grab a magazine or book and camp out in the bathroom. I’ve always used the bathroom in the way I’ve thought it was intended to be used….and I came from a family who felt the same way. To me reading was much more enjoyable in a nice cushy chair or lying on a soft bed.
Imagine my surprise when I married a man who not only read books and magazines in the bathroom, but volumes….literally.
My husband, Joel, was a voracious reader all his life. When he was a child he made it a habit of grabbing a volume from his family’s encyclopedia set every time he went into the bathroom. He wouldn’t be heard from for hours. From what I’m told, he read every volume of that set….more than once. We use to laugh in wonder when he would be able to recall and quote the text verbatim, as well as the page number, of something he had read that just happened to come up in question or conversation. Even late in his life he’d have those profound moments of recall and clarity at something he had read forty or fifty years before. I guess that’s the benefit of having a photographic memory; and I have little doubt that he passed that particular talent on to at least a couple of my children….maybe more.
Joel read so many books and articles in the bathroom alone….I lost count. If he decided to read a book while taking a nice leisurely bath….forget it; and forget about anyone using that bathroom for a long time. Sometimes he’d read a couple of books while in there. He’d often fall asleep in the tub and come out with his hands and feet looking like prunes. I was sure that one day I’d find him completely submerged with his beloved book floating over him. I was dreading THAT 911 call.
In all our years of married life, somehow I managed to use the bathroom for very different purposes….silly me. I will say that the times I actually read in the bathroom, they were all associated with those glorious, long and soothing baths. I did have my share of wonderful Calgon moments involving bath salts and a good book. These days I’m more of a shower person...and even though I have all the time in the world to enjoy those long, luxurious bathtub soaks…..I rarely do it. I’d much rather shower, shampoo…and shoo. More time to spend on my computer for Godsake.
Joel loved being on his computer as much as I loved being on mine. It became another avenue for his insatiable appetite; to learn as much as he could. We all know how you can get lost in the linking world of the internet….and Joel loved being lost there. He became a regular reader of our daughter, Jory’s blog, Pause, and often commented on her posts. He was one of her biggest fans. And….I found out that he read my blog regularly in the three short months from its beginning to the time of his death.
There were times he was so involved in his computer world, he’d forget to eat. Even his sacred “library” time would suffer. His “heaven on earth” might very well have included one of these….
His tastes were simple. Just give him a little food, a little drink, his television, his music, his books, and his computer; and he was a happy camper.
Sounds vaguely familiar. Sometimes, the labratory is the only santuary. [Not that your husband needed santuary]. Good day!
Posted by: Troy Worman | May 23, 2007 at 06:30 AM
Wherever you can find peace and quiet! I, too, would prefer being propped up by pillows in bed. My pages always get wet if I'm in the tub!
Posted by: Travelinoma | May 23, 2007 at 09:00 AM
I do read in the tub now and then, but I prefer drier places!
I like tht photo of yours though; seems an ideal spot!
Posted by: kenju | May 23, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Ah but did you know that reading on the toilet can give you hemorrhoids? (Don't think that is spelled right!) Younger Son had a problem and the consultant told him not to read on the toilet.
Posted by: Liz | May 23, 2007 at 09:47 AM
I read in the tub all the time. I also read "on the throne" but only when I'm already reading a book when nature calls and I don't want to put it down. I sometimes keep a book within arms reach just in case. It's horrible to want something to read, and there is nothing at hand.
I should think that reading would prevent hemorrhoids. You are in less of a hurry if you're reading and therefore will strain a lot less.
Posted by: Peggy | May 23, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Look, I'll take any opportunity I can get. Bed, chair, sofa, toilet, tub. Not only reading, but crosswords and sudoku. A nurse did tell me once that reading on the toilet was a bad, bad thing. Not good for, well, whatever. Hasn't stopped me, though. Is this too much information??????
Posted by: Shorty PJs | May 23, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Let's see if I can comment from work!
The bathroom to me is just for one purpose. If I want to read I like to read in bed for a place of comfort not sitting on the toilet. It's not that comfortable.
Posted by: jen | May 23, 2007 at 07:39 PM
Hi Joy! I chuckled as I read...like photo though. I need to snuggle myself when reading...bathroom, nah.
Posted by: twilite | May 23, 2007 at 08:03 PM
Hi Joy, bathroom reading is not one of my (Many) faults, and I consider it an interruption I could well do without when nature calls and I'm at the computer.
Posted by: Peter | May 23, 2007 at 09:10 PM
Hi Joy ~~ I prefer to be more comfortable when reading, but whatever turns you on. Joel certainly didn't want to waste a
moment. Guess we are all different.
Thank you so much Joy for the Birthday Greetings, that was nice of you. I like 73 years YOUNG. Thanks for that. Stay well my friend, Love, Merle.
Posted by: Merle | May 24, 2007 at 04:08 AM
The only time I read in the bathroom is when I have to sit for 40 minutes or so, coloring my hair!
Junie
Posted by: June | May 24, 2007 at 08:22 AM
I would have liked your Joel!!
Posted by: Elsie | May 24, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Never read in the bathtub with a cat in the house, especially a cat who likes to walk along the edge of the tub to see what you are doing. Do not startle a cat on the side of the tub if you are IN the tub unless you want to see how fast a cat can get out of the tub using you for a launching pad. Guess how I know this.
Posted by: Suzz | May 24, 2007 at 08:22 PM
You once again write an excellent story - you are so good down the memory lane. Suddenly I learned to know your beloved husband. I too, use to read in the restroom, but not in the tube.... and like you, I prefer the shower. Only during wintertime, when it's really cold outside, I like to drop into the Tube, with lots of mineral salt.
I'll think I will tag you. Alexia's train of love...
Posted by: TorAa | May 25, 2007 at 04:32 AM
Growing up, my family of four lived in a 4 room apt. + a very small bathroom with tub only - no shower. Anybody that went in there for any purpose would have to put up with others banging on the door if the stay was more than a few minutes. So not a lot of reading got done there.
I am a lot like you describe Joel in the last paragraph. He and I would have gotten along just fine because we would both be so absorbed in what we were doing that we would totally ignore the other.
Hmmm... now if only I had a computer in the john...
Posted by: Winston | May 25, 2007 at 05:21 AM
Reading in the bathroom is one of the gifts of nature.
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I read some more of yours and will be back.
Posted by: Paul N. | May 26, 2007 at 04:07 PM
I'm sorry, but all talk of bowels must cease. As I noted on by blgo, May 25 was National Talk About Your Bowels Day.
Hi Joy!
Posted by: GoingLIkeSixty | May 26, 2007 at 05:07 PM
Hemorrhoids! Sitting on the toilet with book in hand. Hereadsmore. Sorta sounds alike.
Posted by: janet | May 27, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Hi Joy, I'm here to catch up...trying to get caught up on blogs now that I'm on vacation. I, too, never take baths anymore...and I never realized why...but I think you've hit the nail on the head... It would cut into my computer time...ha! ;)
Posted by: Marilyn | July 03, 2007 at 07:58 PM