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Tolkien’s table, Merton College
Tolkien’s table, Merton College Originally uploaded by betsythedevine Is this the table where JRR Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings? Is it the setting he had in mind for Elrond’s conference where 4...
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This blog is not dead…
Great Tew churchyard Originally uploaded by betsythedevine … though it has been slightly buried by packing, then travel, then jet lag, and now the unpacking. It has been wonderful spending a...
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In NYC with Henry James, Jack London, Mark Twain, and Frank Wilczek
Elizabeth Jordan (1865 – 1947) Originally uploaded by betsythedevine Frank is on book tour for The Lightness of Being, but oh boy — he is much better off than poor Jack London! How do I know? I’ve...
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Henry James on book tour: “My profane lucubration”
Henry James Originally uploaded by jadc01 I’ve been spending some time in the NYPL, reading old letters written to my godmother and namesake, author/editor/suffragist/ball-of-fire Elizabeth Garver...
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Happiness, Hilbert space, and an Edge.org New Year
Happy New Year Originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs Pop, bam, fizz! Another New Year arrives, with fresh round of wild ideas from EDGE.org. “What will change everything?” was John Brockman’s...
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NYC-loving author Donald Westlake will write no more
Snow-covered lion on Columbia campus Originally uploaded by betsythedevine Kind, cynical funny mystery writer Donald Westlake died on New Year’s Eve. If you don’t know the prolific Westlake or his...
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John Brockman, founder of the feast
John Brockman, founder of the feast Originally uploaded by betsythedevine John Brockman and Katinka Matson were in Cambridge this weekend, throwing (as usual) an enjoyable party… ..at which none of my...
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Then longen folk to goon on pilgrimages
Lakeland view, a photo by eleda 1 on Flickr. William Wordsworth, 1810, says the Lake District is beautiful this time of year. Sitting in Logan Airport, hoping that’s so …. Yet, as most travellers are...
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Wordsworth strongly deprecates one shade of green
Day 3 offtrack: Shades of green, a photo by betsythedevine on Flickr. William Wordsworth (7 April 1770 – 23 April 1850, as we say in Wikipedia) has strong opinions on the moral value of scenery. His...
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Technology and progress: Past and present
My mother could remember when an electric iron and central heating were huge tech novelties. I can remember my first pocket calculator (which cost a fortune!), and I remember how long I kept using my...
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