Thanks for the link, Squeers - a treasure trove.

Lucky you, getting to ramble around the bishop's manor - that appeals to me. 'istoric houses and manors are quite inspiring. I don't know when my proclivity turned to church and cathedral architecture...all I know is that the sight of a flying buttress does something for me, lol.

I like Clive James too - his essays - and one of the funniest books I've read is his "Falling Towards England", the follow up to "Unreliable Memoirs" (which was good also).

Dear Pynch,

Thanks for the links.
I will read, "The Power of Kindness,"
by Dacher Keltner. It sounds wonderful.

I also enjoyed Charles Lamb. He had such
a wide range of interests and even subjects
that seemed ordinary came to life through
his sympathetic point of view. "Sun, and
sky, and breeze, and solitary walks, and summer
holidays, and the greeness of fields and the
delicious juices of meats and fishes, and society,
and the cheerful glass, and candelight, and
fireside conversations."

Dear Squeers,

Thanks for your link.
I'm going to bookmark it.
As Poirot said - a treasure trove!
And you've certainly led an interesting life.
"Oh, to be in England..."

The "New Yorker," described Clive James as
"A brilliant bunch of guys." Few could argue
with that apt description. He made me laugh
with his, "Unreliable Memoirs," including
the follow-up, "May Week Was in June." He
doesn't miss a trick.

As for Primo Levi, I love his poem,

"The Girl-Child of Pompei."

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-survivor/

Dear Poirot,

How lucky you are to be able to draw as well as write.
My husband's thesis was on St. Patrick's Cathedral,
(when he completed his degree in architecture at
Melbourne Uni). He's always been interested in old
churches and historical buildings. We have a huge
collection of photographs taken of various buildings
and sites from around the world. Keep meaning to share
them with the family, but somehow haven't got around
to doing it yet. But I will, and soon.

Dear Foxy,

Buildings are fascinating - I came across an old French cookbook with exquisite black and white photographs from long ago, which I intend to try and draw (someday).
Do try and get hold of a copy of "Falling Towards England". It's the book between "Unreliable Memoirs" and "May Week was in June". It was his first time away in England and it is hilarious.

On the essay front, I have a book of them by Anita Brookner on French artists such as Ingres, Delacroix and Géricault - she is a marvellous writer and wrote the Booker winning Hotel du Lac.
Also love Thomas Mann's Death in Venice.

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for sharing books that you've
enjoyed.

I will read, Clive James's -
"Falling Towards England," as well
as Brookner's, "Hotel du Lac."
I'm sure that I'll love them both.

I have read, "Death in Venice," and I
enjoyed the film as well.

My husband was given a set of DVD's on
world architecture which I've lent to
a friend. I can't remember the title
of the set, but I'll let you know once the set is
returned. I think it might appeal to you.
It could possibly go on a Birthday/and or
Christmas - "wish-list."

Talking about interesting items... I went
through a phase of being totally enamoured
by illuminated manuscripts. Especially by
the masterpiece of medieval art, "The Book
of Kells."

http://www.snake.net/people/paul/kells/image/kell1bmp

Dear Foxy,

Speaking of architecture - have you heard of John Ruskin's "The Seven Lamps of Architecture"? I haven't read it, but intend to one day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Lamps_of_Architecture

And - going off course again slightly - have you read the short stories of Katherine Mansfield and Daphne Du Maurier?

Illuminated Manuscripts are very beautiful - the craftsmanship is astounding.

Dear Poirot,

Thank you so much for the link.
I'm not familiar with John Ruskin
and "The Seven Lamps of Architecture."
But it sounds interesting and I shall
try to get hold of a copy.

The only work of Katherine Mansfield's
that I've read was, "The Garden Party,"
which I loved. As for Daphne du Maurier,
I've read, "Rebecca," "My Cousin Rachel,"
and "The House on the Strand." Enjoyed
them all, especially - "Rebecca."

Have you read any of Somerset Maugham's
short stories? Especially, "Rain."
And there's another "golden oldie," -
Pearl Buck's - "The Good Earth."

So many classics - from the past.
And, here I am currently trying to
finish Blanche D'Alpuget's - "Hawke:
The Prime Minister." (talk about bias).
I keep putting it down and picking up
"Parky" instead, (Michael Parkinson's
autobiography). Much more interesting
and entertaining.