Music and Reading

Here are some book ideas for the holidays. Anything by Lionel Davidson if you like high adventure such as Kolymsky Heights, The Sun Chemist and The Night of Wenceslas. For music lovers I found a handy Musician's Guide to Reading and Writing Music by Dave Stewart, a writer and rock muscian. For those that are feeling the cold try reading Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford. If you have an interest in Clocks and Watches, Eric Bruton has written an interesting History; well illustrated and most informative. For the artists out there try the book called Colour by Victoria Finlay; everything you want to know about paint and pigments.

Keep on reading...

Views from the Alfred Bog

We are proud supporters of anything to do with wetlands. We are honorary owners of a part of the Alfred bog. It is one of the most peaceful parts of Ontario. The pictures might help in appreciating what a precious resource our protected lands are. Become involved in saving the landscape from endless exploitation at the expense of the environment. We are one of the few owners of land in Eastern Ontario that is still forested and wetland protected. Agri-business is intent on cutting down every tree and hedgerow and polluting all our water with fertilizers and pesticides. So sad... carbon dioxide in the world needs to be reduced to save the planet.

Glenn Gould's perfect piano obsession

Enjoyed reading a book about Glenn Gould entitled A romance on three legs; Glenn's search for the perfect concert grand. The author is Hafner; sorry can't remember her first name but I know she is a writer for the New York Times. The book was a great read and I couldn't wait to buy some of Glenn's recordings. I hope to learn to enjoy music by Arnold Schoenberg.

50th Anniversary of RMC Grauduation 2009

This puppy is in the limelight and enjoying all the attention. My sister couldn't resist the charm of this pleaser. I paid a flying visit to RMC Kingston, my old college, last Wednesday and enjoyed a walkabout the grounds. It was an opportunity to see the place without thousands of others competing for photo opportunities. I am proudly wearing my teeshirt, a memento of our visit.

Sun shines on Glengarry, Ontario

We attended a moving memorial service earlier this month. It was the first time we had sat up in the balcony seats, a bird's eye view for a change. Of course there was a piper who played a lament and the singing of Glengarry My Home. The sun shone brightly on a cemetery that was a blaze of colour with all the flowers at the gravestones.

Just finished reading an article entitled 'The origin of Jarndyce and Jarndyce' by Gary Watt. Professor Watt is a popular law lecturer at the University of Warwick in the UK. The author compares the plot of Bleak House by Charles Dickens to the Grimms' fairy tale of 'Jorinda and Jorindel'. Guess which story has the happy ending? Professor Watt quotes Aristotle who spoke out for the virtue of resisting our personal rights and entitilements. In modern English it is called equity, the true end of justice.

Sunshine Girl and small French Carriage Clock

I am still collecting timepieces and figurines plus other odds and ends at local auctions. The long weekend in Ontario kept me busy. I now have a small Persian rug for the bare floor where I sleep and an oilpainting of an idyllic mountain scene; what Dorothy would describe as chocolate box style. Dinky Doo was the only figurine that came my way. The Abbey is a great place to visit and enjoy a concert or art exhibit at Glen Nevis. The last week has been hot and sunny and thunderstorm free. Bye bye...

Dorothy has been busy painting and sketching...

Dorothy has discovered an art supply shop in Vankleek Hill and is very happy with her purchases. She said, 'They were good value and made in Canada'. For a change it didn't rain and the sunroom is now an art studio. Subjects include an Indian Temple and hollyhocks growing by our patio.

Art Show at Glen Nevis

Gerry Swift invited me to The Abbey for the Arts this afternoon. Here are a couple of his artworks above. I bought two small paintings, one by Gerry and and another by Cristian of Reuben's Muse. Both works of women at the Beauy and Beast exhibit. We try to keep busy. Bye bye

Hi Ho Silver and away...

I am back in the Toyota camp. I like the look of the vehicle and its retro pretensions. It's fun to drive straight ahead, but it's not so easy to back-up and turn around in close country. The colour of our FJ Cruiser is royal blue with a white top; this should make it easier for you to avoid me on the roads and byways of Glengarry.

glengarry welcome

We just caught sight of two white-tail deer grazing in our front field. A nice welcome home as the wanderers return to the farm on a dry sunny evening. There is no place like home.... Bye bye

Harlequin too..

We have just returned from a drive into strawberry country; the sad thing was the strawberries weren't ripe. I remember Saudi princes paid top dollar for Irish strawberries. I hope they were ripe. The scenery along the King's Road is a delight when looking south towards the Adirondacks. We had another major thunderstorm last night. the gods in their heaven are upset.

Wren takes up residence on our porch

On St. Jean Baptiste Day in Quebec, our good neighbours to the North and East, we have chosen to show the national flag of Canada. A wren is taking care of her family on our porch; she is like the red hen and keeps extremely busy caring for her young. The Baltics Corners sign has gone missing. I wonder who has it?

Donna Marsh is a contemporary artist with her own style

Donna Marsh is an artist with great colour sense coupled with a sense of humour. We recently acquired these two paintings at the Skelly Gallery in St. Eugene. The second painting hangs at the top of the stairs and you can't miss it. The other is front and centre in our family room and is titled 'Zurich is Stained. The second painting is called 'Black Cars on Hot Parking Lots.

Pierette enchants...

Pierette is enchanting and it's no wonder she was loved by more than one man. I continue to attend local auctions but have never been able to bid on such an exquisite object. Excellent design with a timeless quality. I must be happy with a Royal Dux figurine of Harlequin and Pierette at a masked ball. bye bye

Adventures of Don Quixote

I have been reading the Adventures of Don Quixote and include some scenes of interest. It has been said of this book which was published in the 17th century that it heralded the classic novel form as we know it today. The language and style are unusual but well worth the effort to persevere with the reading of it.

For my favourite buckaroos

Close your sleepy eyes my little Buckaroo While
the light of western skies is shining down on you
Don't you know it's time for bed another day is
through So go to sleep my little Buckaroo Soon
you're gonna ride the range like grown up cowboys
do Now it's time that you were roundin' up a
dream or two So go to sleep my little Buckaroo mhm
Goodnight sleep tight don't you realize my little
Buckaroo It was from my little acorn that the oak
tree grew And remember Buffalo Bill was once a kid
like you So go to sleep my little Buckaroo mhm
goodnight sleep tight

Im Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter

I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter

http://www.kovideo.net/con

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you
I'm gonna write words, oh, so sweet
They're gonna knock me off my feet
Kisses on the bottom
I'll be glad I've got 'em

I'm gonna smile and say "I hope you're feelin' better"
And sign "with love" the way you do
I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you
I'm gonna write words, oh, so sweet
They're gonna knock me off my feet
Kisses on the bottom
I'll be glad I've got 'em

I'm gonna smile and say "I hope you're feelin' better"
And sign "with love" the way you do
I'm gonna sit right down, write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you
And make believe it came from you

Double Decker Bus

Not everyone keeps a double decker bus on the mantelpiece of the fireplace in their livingroom. I must confess it is an image that brings back distant memories of my childhood in London, England. I was quite young at the time, but I was often a bus passenger in the 1940s and 1950s. Short trousers were the order of the day winter or summer. Of course we paid half fare and were able to travel a fair distance for a few pennies. Sitting on the upperdeck was great fun and gave one a birds eye view while travelling the streets of London.

Books of Interest

'Wires and Shadows' Painting by Donna Marsh

I am keeping my local librarian busy searching for Graham Greene books. The latest one is a little different. Mr Greene worked for MGM under contract for a couple of years as a screenwriter. The Tenth Man was a story idea that he wrote for MGM; it wasn't made into a film but in the 1980s the story was published with some additions and background by Greene himself. I don't think he enjoyed the arrangement but he needed the money in the 1940s. I've allways liked the films that Greene was involved with like The Third Man and Our Man of Havana.

Another book that I enjoyed re-reading is 'Staying On' by Paul Scott. He won the Booker prize for his efforts in 1977. Philip Larkin gave it high praise and recommended it highly, especially for those who have served in the military and their partners. I am even buying used books by Larkin for my own bookcase.

For late night reading we have collection of mysteries, some by PD James who is still writing books in her late eighties. Her books are rich in background and characters. I have always had trouble solving any of the murder cases. I have requested a DVD set from the library that features Adam Dalgleish, the intrepid detective who keeps on working for New Scotland Yard.

The Power and glory by Graham Greene

Dog portrait above in memory of our favourite terrier, Jason.

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene


I just finished reading this book with an introduction by John Updike in large print. Both Greene and Updike are great writers in my book. At the same time I was reading The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley; quite a different kettle of fish. The first book written in 1940 and the second in 1953. I recommend them both highly. John Updike who recently died caught the atmosphere of the Greene book in just a few pages.

The books are morality tales; the Greene book presenting a world in Mexico at its worst and the Hartley book set in most comfortable surroundings in a large house in Norfolk. However, both books end in death for the priest before a firing squad and the tenant farmer by his own hand.

If you enjoy good writing these two books will perk your interest despite some of the events that unfold. Some characters you won't easily forget like the whisky priest, Mr Tench the dentist, the banana plantation manager, the police chief and the lieutenant, and in the other book the schoolboy Leo, Marian, Lord Trimingham and Ted Burgess.

Good reading to you all...

Sunday Reflections

Our home was bathed in sunshine today with a cooling wind after rain and snow overnight. I was inspired to try my new camera outside and try to capture views of birds and pets in the wild.

See above for four examples.

Now for three images from inside the house. (For some reason the pictures were loaded at the top of the page; given time I will figure out the right sequence of entry).

Enjoy the great outdoors thanks to a great camera...

After a dull start to the day we are bathed in sunlight and watching a beautiful sunset over a sea of snow. It has even warmed up as well. I have kept reading Kurt Vonnegut's books. I have finished Bluebeard about the Abstract Expressionism art movement in New York. This is a book that isn't as black as some of his other efforts. I am struggling with Welcome to the Monkey House which are collection of stories he wrote for magazines in the 1950s and 60s. Some don't hit the mark but others make you smile. He is very good about social interactions and how they can go awry. Dorothy went to Kingston and collected her Mom yesterday and brought her to the farm for a change of scene. I hope the weather stays mild and sunny.

I have been reading and even re-reading books by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The trigger for seeking out his books was the movie Slaughterhouse Five; a strange and surreal tale with a strong message spiced with lots of humour. The author's writing style is direct and fun to read but with a serious message. From one of the books Graham Greene spoke highly of his writings. I have a high regard for Greene's books and his opinions.