The Bookworm (Der Bücherwurm)

I came across this picture mainly years ago and immediately felt an affinity with the subject. It was only some years later that, quite by chance, I learned the title of the picture while on holiday in Shrewsbury – where a copy was hanging in the guesthouse in which we stayed. It is called The Bookworm – or perhaps more accurately 'Der Bücherwurm' since it was painted by the German artist Carl Spitzweg (1808-1885) in 1850.

I think it was the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) who is reputed to have said something to the effect that, as a biologist he was more of a bookworm than an earthworm. By this, he appears to have meant that he was not one involved in the hand-dirtying aspects of experimentation but was instead one who was more interested in reading and thinking about the subject.

Collects – 1

The collect is not only a form of prayer, it is a beautiful poetic form which gives a simple, yet effective, structured voice to the one who prays.

Here is one of the most famous and best loved collects which was included as part of the services of Evening Prayer, (or Evensong) and Compline.

 

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Something to mark Hitler's birthday

Can't remember where I originally found this but thought it appropriate for today.

Blog 100

Unless I have miscounted, this is my 100th blog entry since Marginalia55 began last year.

(A blog which is self-referential does still qualify as a blog, doesn't it?)

11-4-11

Just a note to remind ourselves that today's date is a palindrome – depending upon the way one writes it, of course

I haven't made overt reference to those which have already occurred this year. Although there was a very oblique and somewhat cryptic reference to something about the date a few months ago.

Barcode

Barcodes are generally ignored. They are now just there. 'There' being everywhere! Because of that fact, they are also potentially fascinating; that and because they are also so puzzling. I came across a program called Zint which produces all sorts of barcodes. Here is my first attempt.

Code 128 (ISO 15417)

An Ideal Convenience Food

This first appeared in 2009. Click the image to find out more – including a video and ordering details.