random posts of pretty

JD Salinger turned 90 today, and I'd like to celebrate by posting a short passage from Franny and Zooey, a book that is one of the most influential, beloved and calming forces in my life.  Happy New Year's, and I hope this finds you well:

"Somewhere along the line - in one damn incarnation or another, if you like - you not only had a hankering to be an actor or an actress but to be a good one. You're stuck with it now. You can't just walk out on the results of your own hankerings. Cause and effect, buddy, cause and effect. The only thing you can do now, the only religious thing you can do, is act. Act for God, if you want to - be God's actress, if you want to. What could be prettier? You can at least try to, if you want to - there's nothing wrong in trying."  There was a slight pause. "You'd better get busy, though, buddy. The goddam sands run out on you every time you turn around."