Loved it. I guess it helped the author to have a subject that led such an eventful, action-packed life. The author kept a nice balance between too much and not enough detail.
Author: Steve
Quincy was a man conflicted between the desire for a contemplative intellectual life and the rough-and-tumble world of politics. He never reconciled the two, and a result was often unhappy.
This book was a bit of a snooze. As a man of words not action, his life just wasn’t that interesting.
Dahlias 2016 – Stakes
I can use these measurements to figure out the right size stakes for next year.
Dahlias in pots
Sandia Suncatcher – 3 ft current too long needs two
JS Dorthy Rose – 3 ft current too long needs two
Ava Grace – 3 ft current too long needs two
Hulu Island – 3 ft current too long needs two
Stoneleigh Joyce – 4 ft current too long needs two
Yellow Costco – 5 ft current length good – not thick enough (needs two)
In Ground
Red Stiletto – 7 ft current too short – not thick enough needs two
Elise Huston – 7 ft current too short – not thick enough needs two
Born Sty – 6 ft height good – not thick enough needs two
AC Abby – 7 ft current too short – not thick enough needs two
MS Scarlett – 5 ft height good – not thick enough needs two
Holyhill – 5 ft height good – not thick enough needs two
Winkie Colonel – height good – needs two
Miranda – height good – needs two
You can use all the quantitative data you can get, but you still have to distrust it and use your own intelligence and judgment. – – Alvin Toffler
As every schoolboy knows, reading classic works of literature is often a bore. Dirda suggests a large selections of works know as classics that are actually fun to read. I plan to a few, see how it goes. I tried “True History” by Lucian. Although it was interesting to find that a writer from the 2nd century had much the same sensibilities as a modern writer – sarcasm, wit, blasphemy, sex – I didn’t find it especially fun to read. I’ll keep trying.
Colorful Dahlias
Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching. – Satchel Paige
You can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think. – Dorthy Parker
by Dorthy Parker
Riding the A Train
by May Swenson
by Mark Strand
All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. Great works are often born on a street corner or in a restaurant’s revolving door . – Albert Camus
Dahlia’s 2016
The universe has farted immensely in all our faces. And we try to ignore the huge stink the best we can. – Frank Kuppner
Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure. – Benjamin Disraeli
We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us. – Lucy Maud Montgomery
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln
When Toyota was a small company, its goal was to sell inexpensive cars in Japan. Because it was small, it couldn’t use economies of scale to compete. Instead, they develop a series of techniques to eliminate waste and speed-up development time. These techniques eventually were called “Lean”, and later where incorporated in the Agile software development methodology.
The thing that really struck me about this book is it’s economy and logical style. Little fluff, very clear, well thought-out.
The Google Story by David Vise
Interesting story of Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s invention of Google, now one of the worlds most unusual and successful companies.
Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson
Finished this excellent biography of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is a fascinating figure in American history. His rags-to-riches story is what I found most interesting about Franklin. Whereas the other founding fathers had at least some advantages from birth, Franklin did not. From nothing he became a prominent author, businessman, government official, diplomat, and scientist. Not to mention being essential to the forming of the Constitution.
Second Dahlia of Year

First Dahlia of Year

I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. – Winston Churchill
The Sick Rose
by William Blake
Bought two more, a white “single” and a medium (B) variegated variety. Met more dahlia freaks and got a lot of good tips.
I should have a good crop this year. Almost twenty plants.