This is book three in the three part series starting with Cider with Rosie followed by As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning. This book is a memoir of the authors experiences during the Spanish Civil War, something I knew of, but not much about. There where the Fascists lead by Franco who supported traditionalism…… Continue reading A Moment of War: A Memoir
As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning: A Memoir
This is the second book in a three part memoir. There is a link to my notes on the first book, “Cider with Rosie” at the bottom of this post. That book dealt with growing up in a small village in England. The area is the Cotswolds and has ceased to be a poor, rural…… Continue reading As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning: A Memoir
Cider with Rosie: A Memoir
I really enjoy reading about that past, especially first person experiences about daily life. I’ve read plenty of history books but I want to know what life was like for the average person. These types of books are not easy to find because the average person was most likely a farmer, didn’t have time to…… Continue reading Cider with Rosie: A Memoir
Memories of Silk and Straw (田舎町の肖像)
I am fascinated with time and am acutely aware of how quickly it passes. I enjoy reading about the past and try to imagine myself in that time. History books are limiting in that most only tell you what happened. I want to know how people felt, and what their thoughts were from their first…… Continue reading Memories of Silk and Straw (田舎町の肖像)
Lapham’s Quarterly – Migration
In general I’m all for the free movement of people as a guiding principle. However, I understand the need for secure borders and that it should be done legally. As it has been for the past couple hundred years, migration is a political issue that is hotly debated today. Secure borders should be a given.…… Continue reading Lapham’s Quarterly – Migration
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite novels. It had been a very long time since I’d read it and unlike Don Quixote, I’d only read it once and had forgotten much. With this in mind, I purchased a hard cover some years ago and it had been sitting on my bookshelf…… Continue reading The Count of Monte Cristo
Words and Phrases I Dislike
English has always been a mess of a language with a mix of Old Norse, French and Latin. As a language learner I pay special attention to how English changes over time. I tried reading the Canterbury Tales but the English was too old to understand. If we jump to the 1920s with the first…… Continue reading Words and Phrases I Dislike
Journal Entry – 12.30.23
It is 5:03 AM on December 30th, 2023. This is typically one of my favorite times of the year due to the long break from work for Christmas and New Years. I never take off the few days between those two holidays as it is very slow. Only a few customers will send e-mails and…… Continue reading Journal Entry – 12.30.23