Luigi’s Wine Cellar June 30, 2013
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An energetic charming 80-something sold me his Chevy Astro van in impeccable shape. While I was in his house looking over the paperwork I looked out the back door of the kitchen and into a vineyard…in downtown Concord, CA. This fellow had been making his own wine for thirty-something years and had amassed a little bit of a collection as shown above. Click on the picture to see the panorama properly.
Balclutha Panorama June 30, 2013
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Made with Autostitch. Click the picture to embiggen.
Point of Honor, by Madeleine E. Robins June 30, 2013
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Point of Honour
I liked it and read it through in an evening enjoying the mystery portion thoroughly, and thinking as I read how like Hammett and Chandler the plot began to turn; I began anticipating betrayal at several places and was not disappointed. although one betrayal was not what I expected at all (good job, Madeleine!).
Full disclosure: the author is an acquaintance through Girl Scouts and gave me the copy I read. Madeleine E. Robins
Although this book is outside of my usual admittedly eclectic sphere of interest I will read a few of her others. All but two of her books are available as Kindle books, except the Daredevil book and the latest Sarah Tolerance mystery. The ebook versions are almost all available at sfpl.org and of course, amazon.com.
Two-headed Cooter June 28, 2013
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That rarest of North American river turtles, the Two-headed Cooter, was born at the San Antonio zoo.
I may have blogged about this before.
Vi Hart is a Genius June 27, 2013
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God, I love to hear her think out loud. She sounds like the inside of my head, although much more cogent, inventive and rational.
Also, she doodles really well, and sings very well. Watch the whole thing and see if you don’t agree.
Another Perfect Father’s Day Gift June 18, 2013
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from my youngest step-daughter. She’s very smart and creative, and knows most of my weaknesses (as shown above).
EXCITING UPDATE:
The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons June 13, 2013
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The Fall of Hyperion
Yeah, it’s confusing to hear me tell it; that’s why you need to get the audiobooks (both of them) and set aside your commute for three weeks to listen to it, driving slowly and carefully. Seriously. You really don’t want to miss any of this, or your exit (like me).2
The story of pilgrims on a quasi-religious trek to meet the Lord of Pain includes a female private detective carrying her late client’s baby, an exceptionally (and egregiously) foul-mouthed poet, a time-travelling military hero, an academician father whose daughter is aging backwards (and is now near birth),a treeship captain (I am not going to explain that; read the book), a pain-wracked Catholic priest and a traitorous diplomat telling their incredibly strange stories to each other (I reviewed Hyperion earlier) is, amazingly, fully assembled into a coherent story which is moving, human, funny, charming, gut-wrenching and tragic by turns.3
I understand there are more books in this series
_____
1. I doubt I will ever forgive Dan Simmons for injecting meaningful poetry into what should be “ordinary” science fiction. Shame it works so well—but I digress.
2. No, really. I might have ended up in Santa Rosa.
3. Curious as to how he does it? Get the books. Listen to and/or read them.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse Weekend June 9, 2013
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My wife persuaded my mother sainted, white-haired mother and my sister to spend the night at Pigeon Point Lighthouse’s hostel. It’s really just a cheap trick to hang out with Mom more in a way that’s comfortable for everyone and it worked really well, as Spring cooperated fully:
Scenes of natural beauty such as this naturally attracted better photographers (or at least better equipment):
This guy was getting aerial footage of a flight around the lighthouse. I got his card but lost it, mores the pity.
Exciting update:
Besides the view, we met a collective of Mills College graduates down for a weekend of writing for their magazine project:
Don’t let your babies go off to liberal arts colleges. They’ll come back tattooed.
The Importance of Symbolism in The Ritual June 9, 2013
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This is the podium just prior to the opening of the Wednesday night meeting.
Urgent Reminder That It’s Spring June 9, 2013
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In the San Francisco Arboretum. Right damn now, people—you think these blossoms will stay awaiting your convenience? Get here and enjoy yourselves.
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