Fire in The Sky and A Book

This photo stopped me in my tracks this morning. Can you imagine waking up to a sunrise like this? It would be like being on top of the world, wouldn't it? via

I had a very interesting weekend. On Saturday morning I woke up to a very cold house with no heat. I immediately called the emergency hotline at the gas company and arranged an appointment for service by or before noon. Later, I was notified he would be much later. Then I called my plumber as a backup. The gas company guy came around 1:30 and it took him a while but he finally located the problem. I was thrilled. The pilot light was out and he needed to replace a defective thermocouple, whatever that is. The bill was very reasonable too. I called and canceled the plumber.

I started a roaring fire in my living room fireplace in the morning and kept it going until I went to bed. It was so nice. The pets liked it too. All is well this morning with a freezing rain. I'm on the last 100 pages of a great book so that's what I'll be doing until I finish it today. 

"A fast-moving tale about the world of rare books. A wonderful story with absolutely superb casting." read more here. It's a nice fat book too -- 466 pages. I really don't want it to end. See you later.

Rally in Paris

I am watching the live coverage of the march on BBC World News and it's like being there with no commercial breaks. I got this AP photo from their online website. Watch if you can.

View the New York Times coverage of the Anti-terror Rally here.

Great Reading Area Under the Stairs

Isn't this a clever use for an entrance hall. I love the bookshelves going up the twisting stairs and on the landing. More interior photos of this 18th century farmhouse here.

Have a great weekend. See you later. xo

J.R.R. Tolkien Quote

Middle-earth looks very beautiful, doesn't it? via

Biography of Alan Turing -- 1996 BBC Film: Watch Online

A biography of the English mathematician Alan Turing, who was one of the inventors of the digital computer and one of the key figures in the breaking of the Enigma code, used by the Germans to send secret orders to their U-boats in World War II. 

If you cannot see the YouTube Video below, click here.

I found this film that I shall watch today after reading this article from The LA Times. I'm so glad I read it because the 2004 film HAWKING that I have already shared here is being repeated on Thursday on the Discovery channel in celebration of Stephen Hawking's 73rd birthday. I might watch it again on the big screen. 

Heartbreak in Paris

The French satirical magazine was named after Charlie Brown. My heart is broken too by the dreadful terrorist acts. The flag in my town is flying at half mast. 

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Henry David Thoreau Quote about Minimalism

This quote is new to me and I love it. I learned this lesson at a rather early age. I used to want "things" badly and didn't get them. Later, I found I really didn't want them after all so it was a good thing I didn't get them. I can vividly remember thinking I would die if I didn't get kissing ram gold earrings. They were expensive and I never got a pair and later on I was glad. From that time on, as a young adult, I wasn't that tempted to follow fads because I knew they were fleeting.

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Garden Pavilion at Monticello

There are those windows again that go all the way to the floor. I love the caption on this photo I found for you this evening: "FOR THE LOVE OF MONTICELLO Thank you, Thomas Jefferson, for understanding that contrary to modern American sentiment - size does NOT matter, and that a single room garden pavilion can bring you to your knees." Well said. 

Found here.