The World of Durer by Francis Russell

The World of Durer by Francis Russell

I read this as part of my Art History project.  I really liked this book because it did such a good job of placing Durer in his time and place. Durer was a prolific artist whose home was Nuremberg although he traveled both to Italy and to the Netherlands.  Russell gives a good description of life in Durer's time. He also show the work of other artists before, during, and after Durer. The book does not go into great detail but is a good overview of Durer and his times.

Painted Lady

Joe took these pictures about a month ago and I am just now getting around to identifying them.  They are Vanessa cardui better known as the Painted Lady butterfly.  It is the most widely distributed butterfly in the world and is found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia.  It was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 and takes its name from carduus, thistle which is one of their favorite larval foods.  (The picture of the caterpillar was taken from the internet, the others Joe took.)

Chief Seattle

"What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected." 

Wondering about water

72/82 nice slow rain!! What a beautiful smell and sound. Rain and the water cycle are so amazing. To think that the water molecules we have today are the same water molecules that were here in Ancient Greece and Rome, for that matter of fact, they are the same molecules that the dinosaurs drank and peed. They have been in plants and animals, have been in the sky, the earth, and the oceans. I wonder how they were originally formed?? Joe says the original water molecules were formed in interstellar space.  Surely someone has given this some thought.

Black Diamond by Martin Walker

This is the third book in the Bruno Chief of Police series by Martin Walker.  The usually quiet village of St. Denis is disrupted by attacks on the Vietnamese stall holders in the village market, by the substitution of inferior Chinese truffles in shipments going out of the market, and by a fire at a local Asian restaurant.  Events take a truly sinister turn when Bruno's long time friend and hunting partner is brutally murdered.   French history in Vietnam and Algeria is woven into the intrigue as the murder is solved.  Also woven into the tapestry is the love of good food and wine and being Bruno, women.  A good read. 

Goals for the week ending Saturday, Septmeber 29, 2012

1.  Follow ReadThe Bible In A Year Chronologically Plan--done

2. Exercise 5 days--4 days

3. Weight Watchers 26 PointsPlus per day--done

4. Finish quilt block #5--done

5. Cook 4 dinners--done

8. Reading

     Black Diamond by Martin Walker--finished

     The World of Durer by Francis Russell

     Love Does by Bob Goff

     52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal

 9. Appointment with Sleep Doctor--done. Will have to have an overnight sleep study done.

10.  Trim and spray roses--done 

11.  Go to bed on time and get up at 7am to get enough sleep--done

12. Make & and freeze casserole for CARE--not done.

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

I have been trying to get photos of the Tiger Swallowtails in my garden gor quite some time but they just won't stay in one place long enough for a good picture!! Finally, I was able to get a couple on the pentas.  The last picture is of the Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar.  We are having more butterflies this year than I can remember.  I hope to get some photos of the Monarchs in the garden.

 

 

 

Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

I didn't finish this book. I thought it gratuitously disgusting. YMMV. 

Wednesday Weight Watchers Report

I lost 1.2 lb. last week. Total lost 23.2 lb. Weight 151.4 lb. It seems to be taking forever to get through the 150s!!

An honest moment with Mitt

Shock, shock, Gordon Gecko doesn't care. No duh...

What was he thinking? What are we thinking?

Several years ago I read Collapse by Jared Diamond. It traces the history and reasons why various civilizations collapse. One that he describes was the civilization that was on Easter Island. It's collapse was in large part due to cutting down every single tree on the island which had numerous consequences.  Diamond poses the question: While someone was cutting down the final tree on the island, what was he thinking?  Was he thinking that one less tree wouldn't make that much difference?  Was he just glad to get it before someone else did? Did he think that more trees would just somehow grow?

Today, as we are continuing to pump more and more carbon into the atmosphere, what are we thinking? We know the consequences but we continue anyway.  Maybe one more ton won't make a difference or if we don't burn the coal, China will. Maybe the atmosphere will somehow clean itself?

What are we thinking??

Gulf fritillary butterflies

This beautiful butterfly is common along the Texas Gulf Coast. 

The larvae or caterpillar is not so pretty and is quite toxic so that the birds give it a pass.  It typically feeds on passion flowers.

Quiet. What are you hearing?

While I am sitting here quilting, I have the back door open and I am listening to the sounds outside. It is overcast with some intermittent rain. There is occasional rolling thunder in addition to the quiet rain drops.   This is hummingbird migration season here on the Texas gulf Coast and we have two hummingbird feeders hanging on the porch near the open back door.  I can hear the buzzing whizzing sound of hummingbird wings as they drive each other away from the feeders.  Up near the top of the big live oak tree, I can hear a mockingbird making his presence known. 

I am so fortunate to live where I do and can savor the quiet sounds. 

Goals for week ending Saturday, September 15, 2012

1. Follow ReadThe Bible In A Year Chronologically Plan

2. Exercise 5 days

3. Weight Watchers 26 PointsPlus per day

4. Begin quilt block #4

5. Cook 4 dinners

8. Reading

     The Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker

     The World of Durer by Francis Russell

     Stiff: the Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

9. Make appointment for annual mammogram

10.  Trim and spray roses

11.  Go to bed on time and get up at 7am to get enough sleep

12. Make & freeze casserole for CARE

Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker

Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker

This book is really two books in one. There is the murder of great-grandfather Hamid al Bakr and the tangled web of war time crime and revenge. But there is also the loving story of the village life in the French countryside, the rhythms of life among the villagers, the food and customs.  It is a wonderful book in both realms.  I can't wait to read the next on in the series.

Goals for Week Ending Saturday, September 8, 2012

1. Follow ReadThe Bible In A Year Chronologically Plan  --  done

2. Exercise 5 days. --  Ha!  Not even close

3. Weight Watchers 26 PointsPlus per day.  Done. Lost 0.4 lb. 

4. Finish quilting Block #3.  --  done. 

5. Cook 4 dinners.   --  done. 

8. Reading. -- in progress. All are good. 

     The Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker

     The World of Durer by Francis Russell

     Stiff: the Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

9. Have annual physical exam.  --  done.. All is well. 

10.  Trim and spray roses.  In progress   

11.  Go to bed on time and get up at 7am to get enough sleep.  This seems to be helping.