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A R C H I V E D...S U N D A Y...M O N T H L Y S
WHAT
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M O R E
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SAY?
A T T E N T I O N F E L L O W B O O K W O R M S
As soon as I learned of this APP, I thought of you and couldn't wait to share. "Libby" provides FREE online access to one or more public libraries. Once downloaded on your phone, Kindle, iPad, or computer, your first step is to search for a library to join. Start with your hometown library and see if it shows up as a participant. (If not, try another town/city.) For example, "Sausalito Public Library." Once you select a library, you'll be given a code (like a library card number.) Enter it when prompted and then you're set to jet. You can search through 100s of 1000s of available books - or, set up filters to narrow it down. Filters include 153 genres, authors, titles, and language as well as what is new, coming soon, available now, or most popular.
Did I say Libby is FREE? Yes, I did but... you only have two weeks to read.
However, you can renew. You may ask, "Am I dreaming?" No, you're not. While I'm old
school and like to hold physical books in my hand, I do like to listen to them while I walk
or do boring chores. Libby is wonderful!
But wait... there's more.... another book service: BookBub.
BookBub does not sell books but notifies you of discounts, new releases, and preorders from your favorite authors (after you tell BookBub who they are.)
This (free) service can also handpick deals and suggest titles based on your preferences. You end up spending less time searching for good books and more time reading them.
A.. S W E E T.. I D E A
I had house guests last month who, along with their years-long, cherished friendship, brought a beautiful, chocolatey hostess gift. We might think of bringing a scented candle, luxurious soap, or flowers. But what about Anette's Chocolates? If you haven't been to their store on First Street in Napa, you must go! The interior design is as exquisite as its unique and creative candy. If you're not in Napa, you can order from their website, www.anettes.com.
Anette's gift presentation is stellar, too. Gold and white decorative tissue and the "vanilla and chocolate" color bag and box promise epicurean delights inside!
My friends also brought a half case of wine from someone I've known since I was 5 years old - or maybe longer... at this age, who can really remember?
What I do know is that Frankie Altamura of Altamura Winery (about 10 miles east of Silverado Country Club) produces smooth and dreamy wine.
If you're on the other side of the Valley, you can enjoy it at his restaurant, Ciccio's in Yountville. I hope he won't mind me telling you that "Ciccio" is a nickname for "Francesco" (Frank). I believe a name his grandfather called him but if you go to Ciccio's, you can ask him to confirm. He'll be the friendly proprietor checking in with his guests, table by table.
H I S T O R Y.. O F.. A R C H I T E C T U R E .. P A R T.. 2..~.. G R E E C E
Heading northwest from Egypt to Greece, let’s stop on the island of Crete, the birthplace of Classical Antiquity and the home of the Minoans. The Minoans were a highly and technically advanced civilization that built elaborate structures such as the Palace of Knossos. Their buildings included drainage and sewage systems, irrigation, aqueducts, and deep wells that provided fresh water.
Multi-storied palaces were laced with impressive interior and exterior staircases, light wells, storage, and gathering outdoor places -- a precursor to ancient theaters. The Minoans also ran successful trade throughout the Mediterranean. They combined copper from Cypress with tin from modern-day Afghanistan to produce bronze – and the Bronze Age of Greece.
They acquired amber from the Baltic, ebony and ivory from Africa, and glass ingots from Egypt. What did this little island have to offer in return? Olive oil. Like today, oil (crude, rather than olive) was the basis of the known world’s economy.
This great civilization was gravely weakened by an earthquake around 1400 BC followed by an invasion of the Mycenaeans from mainland Greece (broadly think of them as Athenians). The Mycenaeans could not help but be impressed by Minoan skill and culture and wisely absorbed all that they could. They then reinforced the stability of their growing empire with a united written and spoken language, that is, modern-day Greek.
It’s true. I’ve skipped crucial wars with Persia and Sparta, Alexander the Great, and the beginnings of democracy itself. Let’s just say that if Greece had not been surrounded by the sea, its existence might have been a mere footnote. Greece was mountainous and rock-laden, lacking any fertile rivers that would allow farming. They had no choice but to look to the sea to survive and become expert shipbuilders, seafarers, and traders.
Greece's Classical period, 510 BC – 323 BC, produced great mathematicians, philosophers, and historians like Pythagoras, Thales, Socrates, Herodotus, and Thucydides who bolstered the strength and intelligence of a golden age. Like the Egyptians, the Greeks used post and lintel construction. As such, the buildings were rectangular with a perimeter of columns. Roofs were made of timber beams and terracotta tiles. Pediments and lintels were filled with decorative friezes. In addition to pediments and friezes, buildings were adorned with free-standing sculptures, bas reliefs (slightly raised sculptures still attached to their backgrounds), and figurative statues depicting mythological heroes, history, and culture. Because marble was scarce, it was reserved for decoration, except in the grandest of buildings.
Doric: Parthenon Ionic: U. S. Capitol Corinthian: U.S. Supreme Court
You may know the three main styles, or “orders”, of Greek columns – Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Doric is the oldest, simplest, stoutest, and the most used. Named after the Dorians of northern Greece, shafts are fluted and capitals are smooth, round, and plain. Doric columns rest directly on their platforms although the Romans later added a base. The Parthenon is surrounded by Doric columns. The Ionic order gets its name from Ionia, Anatolia (Turkey). These columns are the smallest and thinnest and have a graceful proportion. They are easily identified by their volute capitals (think of scrolled ram’s horns) and have pedestal bases. Our Capitol in D.C. has Ionic columns. The Corinthian column, associated with the city-state of Corinth, is the latest and most elaborate. Its capital is bell-shaped with rows of acanthus leaves and a highly decorative cornice -as seen in front of our Supreme Court.
Greek wine jars, or “Amphoras” told stories of Greek mythology or of Greek culture and events.
Guess where we're going in the next Sunday Monthly... stay tuned.
F O O D.. F O R.. T H O U G H T
Lately, I've been meeting fellow retirees who are having a challenging time transitioning to
their new way of life. I've been unsuccessful in verbalizing my philosophy about retirement to them.
And then I came across a long poem. Too long for me to read (not a poetry fan) but the ending
did catch my eye. It describes what I'd been trying to put into words. I hope it helps
anyone who needs a little boost.
"We have two lives.
The second begins when you realize you only have one."
.................................................................Thank you, Mario de Andrade. You nailed it!
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