Thursday Tunes: Sarah Jarosz

On our way home from North Carolina, we went to the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. Sarah Jarosz was making her Opry debut, and she was great. She is a fantastic instrumentalist with a wonderful bluegrass sound. Check her out.

St. Andrews

The British Open starts tomorrow at the Old Course at St. Andrews. It is a beautiful place. Here are some pictures that we took when we were there last summer. The first is the clubhouse. (I don't know who the people are playing - it was just an ordinary day.) The second is the North Sea, and the third is the ruined castle. I would love to go back.

Pride and Prejudice

Some friends loaned me the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. So, when I finish watching it later this week, we can chat!

Friday Featured Art: Rescue of the Lost Lamb

I went to the temple last night and was reminded of this work by Minerva Teichert. It's called Rescue of the Lost Lamb. I think it's really sweet.

Thursday Text: The More Loving One

In Alexander McCall Smith's book, The Right Attitude to Rain, he mentions a poem by W.H. Auden (actually, he mentions a lot of Auden throughout the series). This one is called The More Loving One.

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

North Carolina Bluestone

The campus of Duke University is very beautiful. The buildings are neo-Gothic, and most are made of a combination of Hillsborough bluestone and Indiana limestone. Here's the Duke Chapel that towers 210 feet and houses 50 bells. The stone combination is very unusual but very effective aesthetically.

Sodastream

Have you seen these snazzy soda makers? Sodastream offers these little things that go on your counter. You fill the bottle with water, the contraption adds carbonation, and then you can add flavors. It looks like a cheap and fun way to make your own soda!

Spectacular

I hope you had a good Fourth! We watched the Macy's NYC fireworks on TV, and they were really great.

Friday Featured Art: Abel Pann

I spent a lot of time at the Perkins Library while we were at Duke University. In the entry, they had an exhibit called "Illustrating the Hebrew Bible." There were some interesting works of art. I liked this one of the creation of Adam by Abel Pann. The caption says, "And he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life."

Thursday Text: Duke Motto

The motto of Duke University is Eruditio et Religio. It refers to the founding of the institution and the hope that education and religion would always go together. I think that's a great aspiration.