L'Autre Pied hosted a wine tasting evening last night, celebrating the Burgundy wines of Vallet Freres. I am rather taken with beef short rib, having my own secret slow cooking recipe. Imagine my pleasure in having it on last night's menu, complimented by the Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru 'Les Gazetiers' 2005. Get a bottle or indeed a crate.
Friday, 26 July 2013
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Rawlinson Necromantic Manuscript
JohnJ
Monday, 22 July 2013
Alan Garner
I am half way through "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" . Strictly research for my grand children you understand! My mind on eerie creatures across Alderley Edge, I didn't see a dawn thunderstorm sneaking up behind me and Patch. A fiery flash followed by Thor's hammer focussed my mind. Primeval forces are alive and well in rural Oxfordshire. Magicae, regit!
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Magical Books
The Bodleian has an exhibition highlighting the work of four of her famous sons and one daughter. Literary geniuses who have stamped their marks on Magical Tales for children. Their work inspirational, their names as legendary as some of their stories. Worth a visit just to see some of Tolkien's illustrations. I paused a while in the Lamb and Flag to reaquaint myself with Alan Garner's "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen"
Empathic accuracy
Mine has been working overtime. I received the anticipated communication! That was the easy part. I have often pondered whom barriers protect, the donor or recipient. No matter, Oxford is where the real and unreal jostle in the streets, according to Peter Pullman. I like his ambition, "to tell stories in a way that makes them seem as if they have never been told" . Perhaps it never happened, just a figment, with the ability to engender powerful passions! Self protection would seem appropriate!
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Supper at Emmaus
There's a subliminal message in the painting. Jesus sits at supper with those who believe in Him, while it is of no matter to those who don't. But, my addition is that since they also serve who only stand and wait, God will take care of the atheists, too!
JohnJ
Saturday, 13 July 2013
C S Lewis
Everyone of my generation knows where they were when Jack died. Except it was another Jack. One JFK. I was in the aptly named Hope Street in Liverpool, the road that links the two cathedrals.
The Bodleian in Oxford has an Inkling exhibition this summer. Well worth a visit, then pause a while for reflection in the "baby" pub!
Friday, 12 July 2013
L'Autre Pied
Thursday, 11 July 2013
David Miliband
Had a chat with David Miliband tonight. Powerful intellect, very supportive of his brother. I hope he has a successful tenure as CEO of the International Rescue Committee. Somebody said she thought he might subsequently be part of Hilary Clinton's future campaign for President. Interesting thought!
Eureka
Complex bit of coding has been eluding me for a month. I want to improve the viewing experience of the taster for my book Twins Secret. I think I have just sorted it out!
July Taster
To compliment it I will write something here regularly.
I hope you enjoy it.