Category: Books

My notes on books I’ve read.

The Hobbit quote

One of my favorite Hobbit quotes: ‘I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air. I am he that walks unseen. I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number. I am he that buries his…… Continue reading The Hobbit quote

the Tao of Pooh

the vinegar tasters

I just finished reading the Tao of Pooh and I enjoyed it very much.  I know nothing of Taoism but through the book the basic principles were easily explained.  Without acting like the ‘desiccated scholar’ and going point by point and referencing this and that I think I’d like to summarize the points I think…… Continue reading the Tao of Pooh

Balls, Banquets and soirées throughout history

Reading my history books the thought occurred to me that I would very much like to time travel and visit a number of festive occasions throughout history. The first time this thought occurred I was watching The Tudors and thought how amusing attending a court ball or feast in the reign of King Henry VIII…… Continue reading Balls, Banquets and soirées throughout history

Quote from Walden

“Men come tamely home at night only from the next field or street, where their household echoes haunt, and their life pines because it breathes its own breath over again; their shadows, morning and evening, reach farther than their daily steps.  We should come home from far, from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day,…… Continue reading Quote from Walden

The Wee Hours

If you could choose an hour of wakefulness out of the whole night, it would be this…You have found an intermediate space, where the business of life does not intrude; where the passing moment lingers, and becomes truly the present; a spot where Father Time, when he thinks nobody is watching him, sits down by…… Continue reading The Wee Hours