My daughter lent me her 8 cd set of the recent tapes released from Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1964 interviews with Arthur Schlesinger: Jacqueline Kennedy; Historic Conversations on Life with JFK. I listened to them on a long road trip to southern California recently and was pleasantly surprised at how interesting they were.
I mean, she consented to and started the process of being interviewd just 3 months after JFK was assasinated. You can hear the ice clinking in her drink during some of the summer interviews, her puffing on and/or exhaling from cigarettes, a very young John-John interrupting a few times and throughout – this kitten voice of hers. Was that, like, the 60′s female voice of choice?
Here are 4 things I took away from all those CDs that I’d like to share with you.
1. Everyone should have an “away from care place.”
She said Jack’s (President Kennedy’s) was on his boat. He loved being out on a boat, she said, because there was fresh air, water and no phones. Can you even imagine a president today being anywhere away from phones? There were no cell phones in the 1960′s, remember.
Jacqueline said her “away from care place” was when she was riding horses. This is my daughter in Los Angeles riding last month. I know from the smile that was on her face the whole time she was far, far away from care.
Can you define or pinpoint where your “away from care place” would be if asked? Because, seriously? I’m asking.
2. The value of learning another language. Jacqueline spoke French. She said she wanted to be sure her children learned a 2nd language and I loved her reason why:
“Knowing another language,” she said, “doubled my life.” What a nice way to look at it. What a great motivation to learn one.
3. Always leave a way open for reconciliation. This is the explanation President Kennedy gave her when she asked how he could be civil to some of the people he had to deal with. You never know, he said, when you’ll need this week’s enemies to be next week’s friends.
This is good advice within families when there’s conflict. Don’t ever shut the door completely on a relationship. There should always be a way, even if just a glimmer of promise, for reconciliation.
4. This last one I just liked because I like Thomas Jefferson so much.
I’ve visited Monticello (Jefferson’s home in Virginia) and was so impressed with Jefferson’s inventive mind and beautiful gardens. So I honed in on Jacqueline sharing that President Kennedy really wanted a letter Jefferson had written requesting 4 more gardeners who were also violin players so that he could have chamber music every evening (Help Wanted: gardener/violin player). You know, I’d like to run an ad that reads, “Help Wanted: 4 Housecleaners/chamber musicians - to clean my home and play me to sleep at night – preferably out in the garden.” But, I digress. That’s not likely to happen. So – getting back to this letter Jacqueline wanted for Jack. Unfortunately it had an asking price of 6 thousand dollars, so she passed on it for his Christmas present. It was his last Christmas.
If you haven’t heard these tapes – I think they’re worth your time – especially, like, for a road trip. It’s a peek into a time gone-by and a woman who remained an enigma for the rest of her life. They can be purchased in a boxed set with the book at this link.
Mine would be in a dance hall, dancing the night away.
Blond Duck recently posted..Magical Monday: 4 years old
I can see you swirling now
I have an upcoming business trip that will have me on the road for 12 hours round trip so I love this recommendation. Such a fascinating woman she was.
Lina recently posted..Storm Watch 2012
I think so too. And the 60s? Wow – what a tumultuous yet fantastic decade that must have been – especially to have been in the center of so many events and people like she was.
Would love to hear these tapes, though as you mention there is that “kitten voice” issue. I am not sure if that is supposed to be feminine, sexy or sophisticated.
On my to-do list….get an away from care place.
May recently posted..Winter Survival List
hahaha – when the whole idea of an away from care place is no care. I’m wishing you a location soon and one less thing on your list.
She certainly was a fascinating lady. I just stopped by from SITS to say hello; hope you find time to do the same.
Eva Gallant recently posted..A Fellow Blogger On Kindle
I’ll head your way today. Thanks for stopping by.
This was a very thought-provoking post. For me, my “away-from-care” place is probably between the pages of a good book. Beautiful post! – Maureen
What a great place to get lost!
I love how you stimulate our minds in so many directions,it gets me thinking in areas I might not have been for a while. My get away place is the outdoors,in particular, the water. Deep sea fishing, water skiing, laying out on the boat,scuba diving or collecting shells. I love it all. I would love to listen to these tapes. I saw a short interview of Caroline a few months back and they played some of the tapes. Jacqueline seamed to be so honest. I love real people. I big time suck at foreign lanuage (my worst subject in school) so that is not for me and I agree with you on President Jefferson. He was an amazing man and leader.
I didn’t know you did so many things on the water but I can tell by what you wrote you love it. It’s so nice that we all have places that bring us peace and joy.
That is a real cute pic of your daughter. She must love horses to find a place in LA. And she does look happy on that horse!! So fun to have neat kids!
An away from care place — I love that idea. I have places like that pinned up on Pinterest, but I shall have to find on in rel life. Great post!
Vinobaby (aka Kerry Ann) recently posted..It’s My SITS Day & the Origin of Vinobaby
Ditto to the statement that we all have to find one in real life. Thanks for stopping by.