posts from 2018 / 01 / 21

1. 

   historical-nonfiction:

   In 1670, Louis XIV’s finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, ordered the planting of the Forest of Tronçais to provide masts for the French navy 200 years hence. His order established one of the principal stands of oaks in Europe, carefully interplanted with beeches and larches to encourage them to grow straight, tall, and free of knots. By the time they matured, in the 19th century, they were no longer necessary. Historian Fernand Braudel wrote, “Colbert had thought of everything except the steamship.”

   January 21st, 2018 11:57am

2. 

   grossnational:

   Syd Mead, Supergenius

   January 21st, 2018 11:57am

3. Down to the last three chapters of Ulysses. I cannot wait to be done with this book.

   over 8 years ago Permalink#

4. 

   January 20th, 2018 6:59pm

5. 

   grossnational:

   Oh shit, that reminds me; I forgot to have kids.

   January 20th, 2018 6:58pm

6. 

   colchrishadfield:

   ‪I was in orbit during a US Govt shutdown. The Cdn Prime Minister tried to call, but no one was at NASA HQ to answer. I did talk to several nice people on the ham radio, though.

   January 20th, 2018 6:58pm