Thursday, January 28, 2010

J.D. Salinger, 91, Is Dead

L

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/jd-salinger-91-is-dead/

Salinger’s writing had a huge impact on me, and this is sobering news for me, today.

“Franny and Zooey”, “Raise high The Roof Beam, Carpenter and Seymore: An Introduction” and, of course, “The Catcher in the Rye” were so fantastic to read – think I’ll revisit them this year.

After being mind-blown by Catcher, I went on to F&Z and then the 2 novells (“...Carpenter/Seymore:...”). You can feel Salinger getting more introspective, philosophical, and even cryptic as he writes each successive book -- more and more like a zen koan. Then the final silence he retired into...

I remember reading years ago that he still writes; it would be astounding if his will bequeaths those writings to the world.

But if it doesn’t release those supposed unpublished works -- I think I get that joke too (nice one, Salinger J)

I believe Salinger, even of his own death, would himself say something like “all things end”, (except maybe not worded so tritely).

So I’ll just say thanks to the undying spirit of his works: thanks for the light, the insight, your inward gaze, and the inspiration.

Thanks J.D.!

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The rule of thumb for Shaker creations

If it is not useful or necessary, free yourself from imagining that you need to make it.

If it is useful and necessary, free yourself from imagining that you need to enhance it by adding what is not an integral part of its usefulness or necessity.

And finally: If it is both useful and necessary and you can recognize and eliminate what is not essential, then go ahead and make it as beautifully as you can.


from ShakerBuilt by Paul Rochleau & June Sprigg

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Gérard Bertrand 2007 Montpeyroux

Wow! what a wonderful wine. We enjoyed the first half on its own, and the latterhalf with a roast beef dinner.
The wine start with refreshing, full body and subtle flavours of chocolate an blackberry, ending just as strong with very subtle smoke and more fruit.
We liked it so much that we'll be seekin out a case to see how it matures. Around $18 at the LCBO.

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Cool!

Shadow of AC402 over Québec somewhere, flying through a rainbow!

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Above the clouds, on the way to Montreal

View from Air Canada, somewhere over northern Ontario. Nice, clear winter day.

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny