Must have been nice

Christmas haul this year was very agreeable, in our family's understated way (my own personal splurge comes after April 15 when I go out and spend the big bucks on ME). To wit:

The QPB Companion to Shakespeare, which includes a glossary of Shakespeare sexual slang, and a Shakespeare MadLib.

Two bathrobes, both equally fine, one from SGH and one from an understanding female relative.  Special bonus moment: the look of horror on SGH's face when the first bathrobe (not his) was opened.  He need not have worried.  Both (bathrobes, not givers) are equally indulgent and necessary....one is bulky and blue and fuzzy, great on cold mornings, the second is smooth lightweight flannel, perfect for when that cold morning becomes suddenly, unseasonably warm for about 90 seconds).

Two separate sets of socks (so 2 * 2 *3 socks), in entertaining packaging.  (To wit, a helpful note encouraging me to look in the microwave, and a sticky note there saying, "Really??")

Chowder mix, and choc chip cookie mix, both from Stowe Mercantile, love that store.  Chowder mix has been consumed and was delightfully tasty.  Cookie mix has been set aside until I become completely fed up with the post-Christmas austerity regimen, which I estimate will be, oh, around 7 o'clock tonight.

An array of cheeses, pates and sausages.  This was for the whole family, but I certainly ate my share.  Much enjoyed.  We plan to cook up the last bit of it with kale this evening.

Two separate, very enjoyable celebrations, one en famille, one with a slightly larger group of relatives.  After the past few hectic months, several days of downtime with loved ones was just the ticket.  Hope others experienced the same.

More from Putzger

 

Here are four more pages from the atlas.  This page is a map of the empire of Alexander the Great, showing his campaigns and those of his generals.  The smaller maps on the same page show how Alexander’s empire was divided after his death.

The second page shows details from battles of the Seven-Years War.

This page shows the expansion of Prussia over the course of the 19th century:

This page contains three items: at the top is a rendition of a page from the medieval Peutinger map, which was based on classical sources and was in effect a road map of the Roman empire.  (The lower blue strip is the Mediterranean and the upper blue is the Adriatic; since the mapmaker wasn’t interested in maritime travel the map doesn’t waste space on water.)   

The middle plate shows the spread of the Celts through Europe (dark blue is older; light blue is more recent). 

The bottom map shows north Africa in the 3^rd century BC. You can see Carthage and its territories stretched up the Spanish coast.

I can’t think of anything profound to say about these maps, but the visuals are cool. B1 did a great job of scanning them up and adjusting the alignment so that the page break is minimally disruptive.

Blast from the Past....

SGH's latest find from the library book sale is "Putzgers historischer Schul-Atlas", 26th edition (1902). The book is in pretty bad shape but the plates are pristine. If you were ever unclear just how Hannibal made it over the Alps, this map will clear that up for you (lower plate is the battle of Actium).

The poetry just writes itself....

I looked up the definition of "Eurobond" on the internet.  Merriam Webster online gave me a definition (which I am not sure is completely accurate), and a list of rhyming words:

Eurobond

Eurobond,
Allemande
Bottle Blonde,
Correspond,
Demimonde,
Income bond,
Savings bond,
Solar pond,
Trebizond,
Trobriand,
Vagabond.

It even has a certain narrative structure to it.

Stuck in the Middle With You

This article from Niall Ferguson hits home.  I'm just not sure whether in my stage of life I am the screw-er or the screw-ee.

Estate Sale finds, 1940s edition:

1) Ellery Queen Novels (2)
2) Gregg Shorthand Reader
3) Calculating Machine

Harrumph

I think Greg Smith formerly of Goldman Sachs, wants to quit and turn into a writer a la Michael Lewis. Good luck with that.  He doesn't say anything Lewis didn't say 20 years ago.  And he doesn't say it with nearly the same style.

You can't get there from here

My new workplace is charming, but hard to locate.  I created a map for our clients using this graphic.  My colleagues are not convinced I am really trying to be helpful.

Back from the dead

Resurrecting this, if only privately, because there is just too much weird stuff out there.  We spent quality time this weekend at the Kaiser  hospital in East Sac, which has a steampunk vibe.  Also helpful signs reminding us that the hospital has gone 62 days without neglecting to remove a foreign object.