The title today–at least the first half–describes my day yesterday and this is very late as we didn’t get home till after 10 last night and up at about 9—late for me.
We visited the LBJ parks (one state, one federal and all entwined in the beautiful hill country of Texas). We spent 5 hours touring the various homes, farm steads, seeing longhorns and wild deer. Taking a guided tour of the Texas White House and just generally enjoying ourselves.
We stopped in Johnson City Texas–LBJ’s home town–ate dinner at Pecan Street Brewing where I had the best fried mushrooms ever and a wonderful chicken fried steak—I was tired I needed comfort food. A big thanks to our waitress Jennifer who made the whole the whole experience extra special.
Today it’s Friday Book Report time: This week (yes I managed to get it worked in around trips, shopping and drinking wine at all kinds of Texas wineries) is THE SERPENT’S TALE ( http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1232140.The_Serpent_s_Tale ) by ARIANA FRANKLIN (http://www.arianafranklin.com/franklin-bio.htm)
Henry II, the Plantagenet King who occupies the English throne is again (this is book 2 of the series) in need of the assistance of Aelia Aguilar, a woman brought up as a free-thinker and schooled in Italy to perform autopsies. Seems that his mistress has died under suspicious circumstances and his queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (agile minded, strong willed and richer in her own right than Henry) is the prime suspect. Set in 12 c England most of the characters (we lost a few to murder and disease in the last book) return including her former lover (then a returning crusader and now appointed as a celebrate Bishop by King Henry) and father of her daughter out of wedlock which makes for a strained situation as they neither have gotten over each other.
“…bring medieval England to life, from the maze surrounding Rosamund’s tower to the royal court’s Christmas celebration…A color cast of characters, both good and evil, enhance a tale that will keep readers on the edge until the final page.” Publisher’s Weekly. It’s a great book I recommend it highly.
Historical England my travel agent Google
TOWER of LONDON TIN/ Bentley’s Confectionery $12
Medieval hand made linen fabric embroidered map … $52
1200s English Silver Penny Henry III $88 (Used!!!)
Tapestry Plush Large 51″ Muted Tones $733
The Sherborne Missal early 15th-century manuscript lavishly decorated English medieval book sold at £5,625,000 ($9,466,312)
See it: http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/sherborne.html
TAKE TIME FOR YOU—JUST YOU. Please.