1+1+1 for 365 day 4: Rustic and classic

TODAY'S QUOTE:
"When you re-read a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there was before." - Cliff Fadiman



TODAY'S BOOK:

A year in Provence by Peter Mayle

I think of this as a modern classic of a autobiographical travel journal, but also a book on food, life and above all a celebration of the Provence - or at least those parts of it that have not been overrun by too many tourists.  This bestseller about the adventures of Mayle and his wife when they first bought a house and settled in the Provence is rich with atmosphere, keen observations and down-to-earth wisdoms.  Even if you had never been to the Provence (I'm lucky, I have been), reading his books on the subject makes you feel that you can smell the earth (and the truffles) and taste the wine, cheese and olives.

1+1+1 for 365 day 3: Galileo

TODAY'S QUOTE

"I render infinite thanks to God for being so kind as to make me alone the first observer of marvels kept hidden in obscurity for all previous centuries." - Galileo Galilei


TODAY'S BOOK

Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel.

Some of Dava Sobel's other books are sure to feature later in the 1+1+1 for 365 project, but I mention this one first because it was the first of her books I read and also it ties in well with today's quote.

Einstein said of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) that he was "the father of modern physics - indeed of modern science altogether."  Galileo revolutionised observational astronomy - and man's view of our place in the universe - by being the first to make scientific observations of the heavens through a telescope.  How remarkable his work was, becomes clear when you look at pictures of his telescopes: they were tiny and indeed less powerful than the smallest amateur telescopes available today. 

1+1+1 for 365 day 2: Reflections

TODAY'S QUOTE:

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."  - Oscar Wilde

I've loved this quote for many years. Astronomy is one of my enduring interests - but even if it weren't, I would have found the words inspirational.

TODAY'S BOOK:

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Wilde's only novel and one that could be summarised in the phrase "Vanity, thy name is... man?" (I know this might get me in trouble with some of my friends, but could not resist.)

There is no particular reason why I chose this as thefirst "classic"book to feature in this challenge other than the fact that I wanted something to tie in with the quote. Choosing between those many books that are standard works in so many libraries is not easy. I'll feature many more in days to come - not only because it was my field of study at varsity, but also because I feel naturally drawn to the elegance of books from the 17th to early 20th century.

Those novels made me fall in love with literature even as a young girl, and before I started my studies. I carried arms full of books home from our local library - often using my mom's library card because that meant I could

1 plus 1 plus 1 for 365 days

 

Let me start with the thank you: I have to thank Suki Lock, who is a fellow astronomy enthusiast, young mom and freelancer doing tons of different, interesting things, for the idea to do this 1+1+1 for 365 thing.

Or rather, I have to thank her for the picture part of this concept.  She has a 365-pictures project going and I suggested casually the other day that "maybe, I should copy your idea in my blog."  She did not mind - so there you go.

My overall concept goes a bit further, though and it starts today:  One picture, one book and one quote per day for a year.  I've been thinking for a while about adapting my blog to something that has a theme that will inspire me to keep going regularly. Well, this is it and let's see how long I can make it work.

From the author of "the Little Prince"

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction. " Antoine de Saint-Exupery (one of his most beautiful quotes on the day he would have turned 110)

"I know but one freedom, and that is the freedom of the mind. " - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Google appropriately commemorated him with their Google Doodle today.

There's more in this article from The Guardian

The restaurant at the end of the Universe does not close in 2012...

25 May is a special day in the lives of fans of the work of Douglas Adams (1952-2001). Since I am one of those fans, I’m indulging in ponderings about his writings which, as I have discovered over the years, are close to the hearts of many of my friends and acquaintances  as well.

I am not aware of many other authors who have a special commemorative day that is celebrated all over the world. But on Towel Day, the annual celebration on 25 May, Adams fans around the world – and presumably the rest of the universe - proudly carry a towel in his honour. If you forgot to do so this year, then there are about 360 days left to plan your outfit (plaid dressing gown and slippers are strongly advised) and get your towel laundered.