Painting No. 5 & Books

I have finished painting number four:

The shutters on the main house, above, are dark green, but they look black.  Unfortunately, the photos do not show the details as well as seeing it in person.

And now, on to number five:

I also took a few pictures from the basement window, this morning:

We have also been missing some things around the house, including my painting apron.  I could not figure out how my apron could come up missing so soon after using it.  I have another apron, but I love that particular apron, because it is so beautifully covered with remnants of past paintings.  LOL!  Well, I looked and looked and finally came up with a story of what happened.  I’m thinking that two Amish Rabbi’s from Mongolia, who ride calico cats bareback, broke into our house and stole my apron, among other things, which include Mr. Beloved’s parka.  Why they would want those things, I don’t know.  (You know, I really need to write down some of the strange things that come into my mind.  I know I could make a book just as good as Tolkien or Lewis…)  Anyway, I finally found my apron in a deep dark corner.  I have no idea how it got there.  Mr. Beloved’s parka is still missing…

Speaking of books, I have recently read some really good ones.  One was The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris.  I always learn a lot when I read a David McCullough book.  I was fascinated by the stories of famous Americans, especially the artists and doctors.  As usual, I highly recommend books by David McCullough.  It was an audio book and the first chapter was read by the author, but then the rest was read by Edward Hermann.  Mr. Hermann was a very good reader and he almost sounded like the author.

The next one I read was The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery.  I was surprised to discover that the Lewis and Clark party ate a lot of dogs and horses during their travels.  Toby was horrified and disgusted that I would read something like that and apparently enjoy it.  I reassured him that I was not to be converted to canine delicacies.  But, what an adventure they had!  A very interesting and, sometimes, humorous read.  This was abridged, because the journals are in many volumes.  I normally do not like abridged books, but this was an exception, because I didn’t think I could make it through the whole thing in one whack.  The only issue I had with this one were the ridiculous parentheses that were inserted by the editor too often.  But, I got over it and enjoyed the book very much.  This was an audio book, also, but the reader almost sounded mechanical.  The reader of an audio book can make or break it and if it wasn’t for the fact that the book was so good, I would not have been able to abide that voice.

And, now I am working on the very long Washington, A life by Ron Chernow.  George Washington is my favorite president.  This book presents him as very human, emotional, faulty, heroic, ridiculous, brave, wise, and foolish.  In other words:  a lowly human just like the rest of us.  In his case, the Lord had wonderful things for him to do.  Such a good book.  I only had ten books on Washington, so this was a good addition to my library.  As for the reader (because, yes, this is an audio book, too), he has a voice that I can only describe as slightly slimy and irritating.  I am learning, though, to tune that out and listen to the words.  You know, you can’t tune it out, though, if it is really bad, so he isn’t all that bad.  I have admired George’s wife, Martha, also.  I have a novel based on her life, called Lady Washington by Dorothy Clarke Wilson, which I highly recommend.

I am also reading (in actual paperback form) The Lord’s Day by Joseph Pipa, Jr.  Very good and convicting.  The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize how much I have to learn.  The Lord is very good to give teachers and I pray that I will humble myself to learn from them and also recognize the true teachers from the false ones.

Has anyone read any of the above books?  Do you like history?

History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days.

— Winston Churchill