As the summer naturally concludes in the beginning of school and the cooling of the air an urge just as natural pushes to the surface, the need to look back on those happy times of blissful un-responsibility. Summarizing is not at all satisfying. One must actually wallow in the feelings that were once an everyday occurrence and daydream of that which was only recently a reality.
In short, I miss those months of June, July, and August, but only because of the half-fish and half-bookworm existence. When I wasn't being a tree-monkey (better known as working on tree crew) I was swimming with my family and filling all the little holes of free time with reading. The Library was a great friend and my goal of reading the complete Sherlock Holmes very nearly came true. Still working on finishing up the stories has been very enjoyable as school has stolen my half-fish part and I believe that before this month ends I will have read all the easily accessible Sherlock Holmes works written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is what I wish to draw the reader's attention to, especially so since Sherlock Holmes has become my new favorite book character. The stories are exceptionally entertaining when the witty and blunt Holmes comes in and reveals the seemingly magical solution to a seemingly impossible mystery. But the most enchanting part of Mr. Holmes's character is his caring nature. He is John Watson's friend to the end of the Earth and back again. Wouldn't you love to have someone compliment you so much as to invite you, and even need you, on the most dangerous and active of adventures when you know that they have the most brilliant thinking mind ever to exist? And to know that this super intelligence is wholly on your side and loyal to the highest degree is more meaningful than anything else.
Some of the best moments in reading Sherlock Holmes's cases recorded by Dr. Watson were the times that I had to burst out laughing, or keep myself from crying. Holmes's humour came out at unexpected times, but it always surprised someone, that person usually being me. And each of his witty remarks or teasing pranks, or flawless fooleries brought a smile to my face, because it brought out his human nature and, as Watson says many times in different ways, turns him into a real person and not just a thinking brain machine.
One moment of brilliance that Sherlock Holmes shares is actually inspiring, though he obviously puts the facts straight as they are in his such prideful way. Quoting him, I wish to share one of the most striking points Holmes makes:
I cannot agree with those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as they are, and to underestimate one's self is as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate one's own powers.
And so I conclude my raving on the admirable Dr. John Watson and the estimable Mr. Sherlock Holmes, both of whom have entertained me wholeheartedly and dearly and will forever live on in my mind as an example of great friendship, extreme bravery and fairness, and of those who wish for adventure for the sake of adventure. Farewell for the time, and don't forget to check out a certain book from the library sometime soon. You will never be able to put it down!
