En Ecuador

She's in Ecuador now:

[Dervala]: In the Andes [...] hiking paths go right over the peaks, and as you gasp out the carbon dioxide that has collected in your wobbly legs, you look down and feel like a gnat on an elephant. Last week I saw a condor swoop not far overhead. What a world.

1:45:16 PM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []  

Taking A Break

I've seen some stopping to look from across the street. I've seen some glancing over as they run by. I've seen some stare and point as they got out of their cars in the driveway next door. I've seen some look at our new stone wall, at the newly mulched terrace behind it -- look and admire or look and wonder.

Today I saw some wander over during lunch and sit on the rocks in the corner. They were taking a break from stripping the shingles from the neighbor's roof. Taking time off for lunch. So they came over and sat down, making themselves comfortable on the flat limestone, pinching the well mulched herbs behind them and tasting them.

Who are these guys who come over here? Who are they to sit on my rocks and pinch at our herbs? Just who do they think they are!?

I don't know. But I know that the rocks are there to sit on. I know that herbs are for tasting. And I know that the terrace is a good place to sit in the shade and take a break.

12:34:03 PM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []  

On Reading History

This piece starts and ends with Machiavelli, but in the middle, look at this:

[Delong]: And then there are those whom one really wishes one had gotten to know in person. For who would not like to be good friends with (if one were quick and witty enough to avoid becoming one of his targets) John Maynard Keynes, or David Hume, or John Stuart Mill, or Adam Smith?

10:35:15 AM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []