Been ruminating and ranting lately and even though I have a General Spleen Venting category that I use to tag entries, I couldn’t muster putting the complete and total vent on here. So, off to other subjects.
Ages ago I heard about an old and out of print book called The Gentleman’s Companion Volume II, by Charles Baker. I added the title to my Amazon wish list with a note not to spend over $50 for the book. I just checked my wish list and I added the book April 18, 2005. In the intervening three years, I’ve periodically checked on the availability of this book on various used book websites and the price has always soared to over $100. I really wanted that book, but I couldn’t see parting with $100+ dollars just to get a copy.
A week ago I decided to check on the book again and found it for $20. I emailed the seller and she did in fact still have the book in stock and could ship it for a small fee as soon as I made a payment. The money flew out of my paypal account and the book arrived yesterday.
I’ve only read the first few pages but I’m already hooked. The writing is witty and filled with words and turns of phrases you don’t see anymore (unless you read Susanna Clarke who writes in that late 18th/early 19th century style).The book also smells so good. It has that musty smell that reminds me of old shop fronts with wide wood floors, dusty stacks of books and other oddities stuffed in amongst the stacks.
Totally off topic but I thought you’d like to know, in case you were thinking of doing that infusion, that I had the most delicious pineapple infused vodka martini at a local restaurant the other day. I liked it better than the berries, which turned out pretty good too.
That’s good to know. We need to get our hands on one of those jars with the spout on the bottom.