Dana, you are welcome. I love your writing and your mission. Spreading the word is my way of supporting your work. I was so happy that my son wanted to learn photography together. It is a real blessing and I am excited for the weather to warm up a bit so I can get out more.
Thanks Troy. I was just thinking about you the other day when Lola and I went for a walk, realizing it had been a minute since I checked in on you. The holidays were crazy so thanks for reaching out. It is great hearing from you. Serviceberry was exceptional. I took so many notes and annotations practically the entire book was marked up! I have Braiding Sweetgrass on my shelf to read soon.
Thank you so much for this packed treasure trove of reading, Matthew! Some great articles here that I would otherwise have missed. I particularly appreciated Ruth's breaking up with the Internet piece. Strangely, I loved Wuthering Heights and preferred it to Jane Eyre!! Will be interested to read your experience of the novel. As a lifelong fan of Little Women, March had piqued my interest.
Finally, I appreciate your sentiment regarding the bonding time with your son. My youngest will leave for University in the autumn, (our eldest child already moved out after finishing uni) and life will be somewhat...strange. It's so true that we must grasp these moments when they arise.
Kate, you are not the only one I have heard say something similar about the Bronte books. From my very un-scientific polling of fellow readers it seems about evenly split. More to follow on that. Our son has one more year of college but is practically out on his own already since his school is so far away. Not sure yet what our daughter is planning but she has at least one more year here at home. My wife and I are not far behind you though in having to stare at one another and wonder what to do with our days!
Thanks Maureen. I was about halfway through the book when my son asked me how it was going. I told him, "I think it is supposed to be a love story but as far as I can tell, everyone hates each other!"
Matthew your reading interests run the gamut, indeed; of course I was drawn to the poetry. Josh's 'Catchment' sounded remarkable as the words rolled around in my reading. What remarkable images.
And the images you and your son captured--just perfect! "Art is a way of seeing," someone once said. Amazing what you notice with a camera in your hand.
edited to add: yes on the last lines--we only have one life--spending time with our children, no matter their ages is the best use of our days.
I am in awe, but overwhelmed. I am inspired, until my eyes become too tired. But the sun is shining this morning and I have no appointments/chores, so I shall plan a visit to the nearby stables, enjoy the view of our coastal hills, greet the horses, and then try to catch up on my Homer. It is good to have role models and mentors.
Thank you Mary and I hope that your day was wonderful. I was very fortunate to grow up around horses and still love to visit them when I go home to see my parents.
I'm sorry to inform you that the Dürer story is a fake. It may be touching, but there's no truth to it at all. I gently commented as much on Bothamley's website, asking where he heard such a story. Instead of replying, he put that post behind a paywall, so that I can't even read my original comment. I have nothing against the story itself as long as the person promoting it points out that it is fictional--an inspirational fable found on many Christian websites. But to pass it off as truth is a disservice to Dürer and to those who are genuinely interested in his life.
Thanks for the recommendations! Added March and the Hemmingway short stories. Already have Wuthering Heights and The Nightingale on my list for this year.
Matthew I must agree with Troy Putney wholeheartedly, I hope only that when I retire I have as much zest for sharing and living as you do! Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Thank you for sharing all these gems Matthew. I also love Paolo Fresu. My parents are big fans, and my sister and I grew up with his music always around the house. Turin, where I'm from, has big jazz and classical music festivals every year that are quite magical.
Thank you so much for the mention, Matthew. And how wonderful that you and your son both got cameras and are learning together!
Dana, you are welcome. I love your writing and your mission. Spreading the word is my way of supporting your work. I was so happy that my son wanted to learn photography together. It is a real blessing and I am excited for the weather to warm up a bit so I can get out more.
You're an inspiration, my friend. I need to get the Serviceberry. Braiding Sweetgrass was life changing. I hope you're great.
Thanks Troy. I was just thinking about you the other day when Lola and I went for a walk, realizing it had been a minute since I checked in on you. The holidays were crazy so thanks for reaching out. It is great hearing from you. Serviceberry was exceptional. I took so many notes and annotations practically the entire book was marked up! I have Braiding Sweetgrass on my shelf to read soon.
Thank you so much for this packed treasure trove of reading, Matthew! Some great articles here that I would otherwise have missed. I particularly appreciated Ruth's breaking up with the Internet piece. Strangely, I loved Wuthering Heights and preferred it to Jane Eyre!! Will be interested to read your experience of the novel. As a lifelong fan of Little Women, March had piqued my interest.
Finally, I appreciate your sentiment regarding the bonding time with your son. My youngest will leave for University in the autumn, (our eldest child already moved out after finishing uni) and life will be somewhat...strange. It's so true that we must grasp these moments when they arise.
Kate, you are not the only one I have heard say something similar about the Bronte books. From my very un-scientific polling of fellow readers it seems about evenly split. More to follow on that. Our son has one more year of college but is practically out on his own already since his school is so far away. Not sure yet what our daughter is planning but she has at least one more year here at home. My wife and I are not far behind you though in having to stare at one another and wonder what to do with our days!
We need to start a support group 😄
Such a valuable collection of titles, Matthew, and an equally valuable look at life. I’m with you on Wuthering Heights.
Thanks Maureen. I was about halfway through the book when my son asked me how it was going. I told him, "I think it is supposed to be a love story but as far as I can tell, everyone hates each other!"
Exactly!
Matthew your reading interests run the gamut, indeed; of course I was drawn to the poetry. Josh's 'Catchment' sounded remarkable as the words rolled around in my reading. What remarkable images.
And the images you and your son captured--just perfect! "Art is a way of seeing," someone once said. Amazing what you notice with a camera in your hand.
edited to add: yes on the last lines--we only have one life--spending time with our children, no matter their ages is the best use of our days.
Thanks Jody. I love that phrase, "Art is a way of seeing." That one is going in my commonplace notebook.
I am in awe, but overwhelmed. I am inspired, until my eyes become too tired. But the sun is shining this morning and I have no appointments/chores, so I shall plan a visit to the nearby stables, enjoy the view of our coastal hills, greet the horses, and then try to catch up on my Homer. It is good to have role models and mentors.
Thank you Mary and I hope that your day was wonderful. I was very fortunate to grow up around horses and still love to visit them when I go home to see my parents.
The Nightingale (and Kristin Hannah) have long been favorites. Getting ready to read The Women. Can’t wait to see the photos you both take! ❤️
I am listening to Magic Hour on audiobook right now and it is also excellent. Glad I finally started reading her work!
What a treasure you are, Matthew, and deep thanks for your gorgeous review of _Who by Fire_. xx for all you do.
Thanks Mary. I appreciate the kind words. Hope that you are well.
I'm sorry to inform you that the Dürer story is a fake. It may be touching, but there's no truth to it at all. I gently commented as much on Bothamley's website, asking where he heard such a story. Instead of replying, he put that post behind a paywall, so that I can't even read my original comment. I have nothing against the story itself as long as the person promoting it points out that it is fictional--an inspirational fable found on many Christian websites. But to pass it off as truth is a disservice to Dürer and to those who are genuinely interested in his life.
Thanks for letting us know Brooks. All the best.
Thanks for the recommendations! Added March and the Hemmingway short stories. Already have Wuthering Heights and The Nightingale on my list for this year.
Great suggestions all around!
Matthew I must agree with Troy Putney wholeheartedly, I hope only that when I retire I have as much zest for sharing and living as you do! Thank you for being such an inspiration.
I'm behind on my reading, so am just now catching up to thank you for mentioning my book, Matthew. I'm in good company here!
Thank you for sharing all these gems Matthew. I also love Paolo Fresu. My parents are big fans, and my sister and I grew up with his music always around the house. Turin, where I'm from, has big jazz and classical music festivals every year that are quite magical.