"State of Mind"

"Someone once described Garrison as a 'state of mind.' I think this quote is very fitting when describing Garrison, NY, and the security it provides Wendy in a post-9/11 world. She was living in the fast pace, information driven world that is New York City, and that world suddely changes for her on September 11, 2001. The interesting aspect of he story, however, are her actions after the attacks. She leaves New York City and moves to Garrison, NY to find refuge and to ultimately get back in touch with herself and her roots. She comment that, "In late 2001, Garrison still has no mayor, no town water and actually isn't big enough to qualify for official town status." I think that it is very interesting that in the face of the worst attack in U.S. history, Wendy decides to move away from the bllod and carnage in NYC and out to Garrison which is located on the Hudson. The mystery and beauty of this river town provide her with a sense of security, and it seems as though time has stopped in its tracks in Garrison. She feels as though she can integrate herself into the community, and she even says that, "I had never really belonged to anything, except maybe my job." Although it is hard to imagine this for anyone, itt seems as though 9/11 may have been a blessing in disguise for Wendy because she is able to reinvent herself and get into touch with who she really is. There is a passage that talks about her ability to waste time while sitting alone and waiting for a dinner companion, and I think that her move to Garrison has taught her to value certain things and experiences in her life that she had fallen out of touch with. I find the writing style of this book to be better than the last, mostly because there are not as many characters. I think it is fitting that we read this book for this class, because it gives us a real example of someone who had a life changing experience moving away from the modern world and back to the rustic world along the Hudson River.