Sunday, June 13, 2010

On a Sunday Morning Sidewalk

I finished reading Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow last night. It's well-written and well-researched. Had I lived in his time, I would have liked to have been friends with Mr. Hamilton. He was brilliant, a great writer, a mesmerizing speaker, charming, funny, brave and had a strong sense of honor. Last year, I read a biography of John Adams. He was intelligent, disciplined and accomplished a lot in spite of all the political intrigue he had to contend with, but he was grouchy and felt sorry for himself. He also was pretty hard on Hamilton. I would have been friends with George Washington. I was surprised, but I don't think I would have liked Thomas Jefferson. He was intelligent and wrote well, but I think he was wily and a bit of a coward. He did a lot of behind the scenes political maneuvering. By the way, the American political life seems to have required a strong stomach right from the beginning. Oh, I would not have liked Aaron Burr at all.

I made chili from my mom's recipe this morning. I also baked banana bread from a B & B recipe. Oh, my goodness, it turned out great!

I finished my desert scene. Finally! The bad news is that it's awful. I almost posted a photo in spite of that, but I don't know how to use Jim's camera and he's taking a nap. I don't mind posting flops. How else can you learn?

Enjoy your Sunday. It's a beautiful day here.

5 comments:

Randi@SowderingAbout said...

see I have a couple bios on my list that are from american politicians and I don't know if I can commit to them because I am just not into politics....

Also, I want to see your painting....

I would like some banana bread, and some of your mom's salsa, but not together ;P

And it does not surprise me that dad was sleeping ;P

Autumn Leaves said...

I have so much respect for anyone who reads non-fiction works. I rarely seem to be able to get my interest levels up enough. Though I did read a novel or biography of Abraham Lincoln's wife. It was pretty interesting. Still and yet...you have me craving some banana bread this a.m.!

Jimmm said...

U said the "desert scene" was awful....I had two pieces and I thought that it was GREAT!...I am soo glad that U finished the Big Al book...Actually quite a feat....

Unknown said...

That's so interesting that you're reading about early political figures. I guess I thought the sneakiness and underhandedness only developed recently. Maybe it's been there all through history? I'd love to see your desert piece. No artwork is ever a flop.

Candy said...

Randi, if the author writes well, you won't care that the books are about politics. It's interesting to read about other people's lives.

Your dad says he'll take a picture of the painting. I'll catch him between naps:) (I can't say too much about the naps because I've become a napper, too.)

Sherry, I read all kinds of books. When I read a biography, I balance it out by reading a mystery next. Speaking of mysteries, check out Louise Penny. Her books are wonderful and her blog is super, too. (I added her blog to my list of blogs.) Too bad I ate all the banana bread or I'd have you guys all over to the house:)

Jim, Jim, Jimmm... You know how seriously I take dessert...

Katherine, how are you, my Bohemian friend? I thought all that behind the scenes stuff was a modern development, too. I was shocked when I started to read about politics of the past.