Yesterday, Jo and I treated ourselves to a late breakfast out at Atlas, one of our favourite restaurants in the Valley. They did not disappoint; it was excellent. We just had the Classic, scrambled eggs, bacon for Jo (perfectly crispy as she likes it) and chipotle sausages for me, with yummy fried potatoes, toasted focaccia and slices of fruit to cleanse the palate at the end. It was great. Then we went to Home Depot and bought some new hanging baskets to replace the ones by the front door and also a nice rose tree; the flowers smelled great.
Just Finished
"The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle is one of those classic mysteries that should be on everybody's 'must-read' list. It's been made into many TV and movies, all of which have kept the story alive and fresh.
I don't know that I've read it previously; it's one of those books that I think I probably have, but maybe it's just that I've seen one or two of the adaptations. However, with all of that preamble, I'm pleased to say that I have now read and enjoyed immensely.
The story is familiar to so many people that I won't go into it in detail. Suffice it to say a family legend draws Holmes and Watson to the Dartmoor moors to try and help the heir to a family estate, one that might have been cursed by a supernatural hound. They work diligently to keep the heir alive as they try to solve the murder of the previous heir.
The nice thing about this particular Holmes' mystery is that the focus is Watson for a nice change. Holmes sends Watson ahead with Henry Baskerville, both to keep him safe and to investigate the neighbours and to try and find out more about the death / murder of Sir Charles Baskerville, Henry's uncle. Holmes stays behind to work on other cases.
It's a different way of telling a Holmes mystery, relying on Watson's correspondence to Holmes and also Watson's diary entries. But don't let that mean that there isn't lots of action because for a Holmes' mystery, there is a fair bit and the story moves along nicely and tensely. It's an interesting mystery with nice twists and turns and the ending is exciting and satisfying. One of the best Holmes' mysteries I've read so far. (5 stars)"
Currently Reading
"Fresh from his triumphs in Flying Colours, Hornblower leads a powerful squadron into northern waters in a desperate mission to hamper the onslaughts of Napoleon's armies. 'Fog and ice and snow in the Baltic; the Russian navy and the Swedish navy and the French privateers; the Baltic trade and the Russian alliance and the attitude of Prussia; high politics and vital commerce; during the next few months the fate of Europe, the history of the world, would be balanced on a knife edge, and the responsibility would be his."
The Missus's Music Challenge
The first 45's that I purchased were in Lahr, Germany when my Dad was stationed there. I used to buy them in a German department store in the town center; Kaufhaus Kraus (I think that is the spelling). It's center left in the picture to the right. Anyway, the song I chose was one of the first I bought, I'm sure, Ode to Joy by Miguel Rios. This would have been in 1970 or so. Click on the title if you want to hear the song.
Jo picked Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Other choices included Let 'Em In by Wings, Needles and Pins by The Searchers, Sugar Sugar by The Archies, Downtown by Petulia Clark, etc. One of the nice things about the challenge is the fond memories they bring back along with great music.
Today's category is a Song by your Singing Crush. Another interesting one that you'll find some of the results in my next entry. (I do have to give you something to look forward to, don't I.)
Great Historical Events
"1780. Treason of Arnold.
Sept. 23. - Treason of Benedict Arnold, and arrest of Major André.
Maj.-General Benedict Arnold was an officer of high rank and had been greatly admired for his bravery and uncomplaining fortitude and endurance during the first years of the war. He had been promoted from the office of Captain to that of Maj.-General, but, being of a proud and haughty nature, and exceedingly ambitious, his envy at seeing others rank above him, laid the foundation of his treachery and treason, which finally culminated in the betrayal of his country to its enemies. He had been stationed in Philadelphia while unfitted for service from wounds received in a battle near Stillwater, and while there his reckless extravagance caused his censure by Congress, and a trial by court-martial and reprimand from the Commander-in-chief of the army, which was approved by Congress. This disgrace was more than his proud, imperative nature could brook, and he immediately began plotting to betray his country. His correspondence with the British commander, Sir Henry Clinton, was conducted through Maj. André, an officer, of great distinction and merit, in the British army. He was captured upon his return from an interview with Arnold, within the American lines, by three privates, John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wert, who searched his person an discovered the treasonable documents in his boots. Arnold learned of the capture of André, and succeeded in making his escape but a short time before the arrival of Gen. Washington, who had appointed to breakfast with him."
(Ed. Notes - I'm surprised that the current resident of the White House hasn't mentioned this possible link between Sir Henry Clinton and his adversary during the 2016 presidential campaign. It's right up his alley. Anyway, I dissemble. Fascinating story which will continue with the next entry, dealing with the hanging of Maj. André)
Science of Common Things (From Prof. L.G. Gorton)
I'll be providing you with a couple of visual aids in today's excerpt about clouds.
What produces the various shapes of clouds? The state of the atmosphere, the electrical condition of the clouds, and the winds.
What do cirrus clouds foretell? When they are high, thin and light, fair weather; when they form fleecy lines across the sky, light rains or a gale of wind.
What do cumulus cloud foretell? Fine weather when they are well defined and advance with the wind. Rain, when they are thin and dull and float in a direction opposite the surface wind. A thunder storm, when they increase in size and become dull and gray at sunset.
Next entry, there'll be more visual aids and I'll excerpt the good professor's explanation of stratus and nimbus clouds.
The Birth Date Thing 10 November 1998
US Billboard #1 Single 10 November 1998
UK #1 Single 10 November 1998
New York Times #1 Fiction Best Seller 10 November 1998
Pulitzer Prize Winner 1998
American Pastoral was adapted for film in 2016, starring Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning.
Nobel Prize Laureate 1998
Hugo Award Winner 1998
Edgar Award Winner 1998
"Texas attorney and former Texas Ranger Billy Bob Holland has many secrets in his dark past. Among them is Vernon Smothers' son Lucas, a teenaged boy about whom only Vernon and Billy Bob know the truth. Lucas is really Billy Bob's illegitimate son, and when Lucas is arrested for murder, Billy Bob knows that he has no choice but to confront the past and serve as the boy's criminal attorney. During Lucas's trial, Billy Bob realizes that he will have to bring injury upon Lucas as well as himself in order to save his son. And as a result, Billy Bob creates enemies that are far more dangerous than any he had faced as a Texas Ranger. "
Man Booker Prize Winner 1998
Giller Prize Winner 1998
Well, there you go. Another entry for you to peruse and maybe get some ideas for a good read or just some general information. Enjoy!
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