Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Bertie and Elizabeth

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

















This is a tin box Mom had, that she kept sewing supplies in.
And that is that for that. I am off to bed now, in the wee hours.

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11:46a.m.

I finished two books (see them on the right till I get a chance to change the images a little later, and click on the book covers for more information), Shakespeare's Wife and How To Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Easy Question and Twenty Answers (or something like that; I'm sure I never get it right).

I wouldn't recommend the first, which I was so excited to pick up at the library and then was quickly bored to tears. Although the author's research into the lives of everyday women in Shakespeare's time is diligent and from it she deduces what the real story of Ann Hathaway's life, and relationship with Shakespeare, quite likely was ... as opposed to what the historians have made of it, lacking evidence or historical knowledge ... it is still guesswork. Next to nothing is known about Ann Hathaway, and that's that for that. I skimmed through quite a bit of this one, I'm afraid.

As for Montaigne, he was new to me and I am thrilled to have discovered him. He sounds like my kind of guy in many ways— someone who understands that what we know for sure is dick-all and in the long run doesn't really matter anyway. This book about his philosophy of life, his famous collection of essays, and what the centuries have done with them, was not only well worth the read; it will make me search out his work and read it for myself. Also, he thinks like I do when it comes to letters, diaries and journals:

“I set forth a humble and inglorious life; that does not matter. You can tie up all moral philosophy with a common and private life just as well as with a life of richer stuff.”         



✿⊱╮ Don't forget to have a look at today's card and interpretation on my tarot page (see link in column on left, or click here).

4 comments:

  1. And a wonderful tin it is. I have some great royal stuff in my collection. This is a gem.

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  2. a humble and inglorious life is just what I'm aiming for. Or a life of richer stuff. Not picky.

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  3. I agree that the Shakespeare's Wife book is a bust. I read it on Kindle so made quick work of it. Nothing but conjecture. You must read Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is also very good. Since getting a Kindle have been reading like a fiend!

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  4. I read Book of Negroes when it was a contender for Canada Reads, but didn't "buy" the main character so didn't think much of it, though the historical aspects of racism and slavery in Canada were interesting.

    Will check out your other recommendation ... right after I get through the armload I brought home from the library yesterday.

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