Connections

I was a little embarassed to mention that I had read this book last week while reading the four others. It was very short. It seems like a lot of people were killed. That is not common for Agatha Christie. This was meant to be a diversion from all that Danish and Saxon blood. Ms. Christie was, fortunately, less bloody in her killings. But really! And to top it off, it was placed in a prim girl's school. The school was only for prim girls. And we all know that prim girls do NOT get involved in murder. Usually.

More reading goes on, of course. I am reading The Adventure of English. It's about how the English language developed over time. I'm only a quarter of the way through it, but the timing was perfect. The author writes about the Britons, Celts, Danes, Jutes and Saxons in this first quarter of the book. He was even kind enough to tell me the names of the battles that the protagonist of the Saxon books fought. Of course, he said the hero was Alfred, but we who have read that series know better. :) So, Alfred's seat of power was in Wessex and how many Americans know exactly where that is? But he was in Winchester and I know where that is, having seen his magnificant catherdral long ago. Yes, I know it's been rebuilt since Alfred, but don't spoil my illusions.

This is the best part about reading a lot of books of various genre and traveling extensively. I've been reading this smash 'em up historical fiction and it relates to a book about language that I'm reading and it all relates to trips to England. Adrian, on the other hand, is a gamer and has related the Saxon books to an on-line game about conquest that he played years ago. He says he was too young to tie our first trip to England to these books. I'm sure everyone is aware of connections and how they help understand a period of time or a principle. I find it fascinating. It's most fun when it pops up unexpectedly, like the Mencken and Charlatan connection although reading two non-fiction books that involved MacArthur helped me understand him better.

Another great connection I made recently were the delicious strawberries, raspberries and blueberries I bought at the local farmer's market with fig balsamic vinegar and whipped cream. That is now connecting with my hips. But it was worth it.