Wood Carving

Stumbled upon this awesome wood carver's site. David Calvo studied philosophy at the University of Massachusetts. While at college he picked up wood carving to take his mind off of the curriculum. He then went on to graduate school at Boston University to study civilizations and how symbols were used as an organizing force for the individual. Since then he set up shop in Boston and has carved pieces for several universities; he did renovation work at Harvard. Check out his site: http://www.davidcalvo.com/index.html

Self-Portrait by Rembrandt

huahua, I like his expression

Weapon Of Choice - Fatboy Slim

Christopher Walken dancing to Fatboy Slim hahaha

Monticello

Julie and I had the chance to visit Monticello this past August. Below are some of the pictures we took. Photography was not allowed inside the house, but you can see pictures at monticello.org. 

The Sensitive Plant. Julie and I brought some seeds back.

The gardens were spectacular. Th. Jefferson had the mountainside carved out into a 1,000 ft. long terrace. Winds coming over the mountain created a micro-climate, which allowed Jefferson to extend the growing season

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This would be a nice place to just relax and read a book

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The house, which Jefferson was constantly remodeling.  

Sleepy Cat

The Garden

I've been placing leaves in rows for my garden next year. In the spring, I'll spade the ground and place manure on top. The soil is clayey, so I'll have to add a lot of nutrients.

  

Que sais je?

Slowly making my way through Michel de Montaigne's Essais. Montaigne was one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance. He popularized the essay and was the father of modern skepticism.

Some of my favorite Montaigne quotes:

"When I play with my cat, how do I know that she is not passing time with me rather than I with her?"
"Not being able to govern events, I govern myself."
"I do not speak the minds of others except to speak my own mind better."