Category Archives: Uncategorized

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Franz Kafka, born on this day in 1883. “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

All and Sundry Sundays

Posted on May 12, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The London GreenGround Map: Created Helen Ilus, the London GreenGround Map is a wonderful sort of London transit map analog for the city’s green spaces, mapping connections and routes between public parks and gardens and areas less impacted by urbanization, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Call it die Schweiz, Suisse, Svizzera,or Svizra, or Switzerland, it’s all the same

Posted on May 11, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Switzerland Tourism has updated its brand with a new visual identity, unveiling a logo that departs from the Gold Flower used for nearly three decades. The new design, created by Zurich-based branding agency MADE Identity, denotes “a brand universe as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“You’re a Genius all the time”

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Jack Kerouac’s 30-point list, entitled Belief and Technique for Modern Prose offers items like “You’re a genius all the time,” “No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge” and “Accept loss forever,” the list is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bilbo’s Last Song

Posted on March 31, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Bilbo’s Last Song (At Grey Havens) is a poem about leaving Middle-Earth. It first appeared, as seen here, as a poster published in 1974 by George Allen & Unwin Ltd., the original English publisher of his famous novels, with illustrations … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Magical Miniature Library

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Stockholm-based artist Tomas Mayer has been hard at work creating a wonderful miniature library. His “Handmade Miniature Library” is a marvelously detailed scene packed with hundreds of books, scrolls, and shelves. Each bookshelf is filled with tiny volumes and scrolls. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

You Can Judge a Book By Its Cover

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Book Cover Review: is a website solely dedicated to reviewing book covers. David Pearson and team have put to rest that old saw “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Each cover review is a 500 word essay about … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Save the Space For Peace

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Ever since October 7th I have been struggling to come to grips with the horror of the terrorist attack and ongoing conflict. Compulsively consuming news reports on the war has not helped. Like many people, I am consciously trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Whodunit ?

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The best kept secret for book lovers visiting New York City is the fabulous Grolier Club in Manhattan. On November 30, the Grolier Club is set to explore a history of detective stories and murder mysteries in the exhibition Whodunit? … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeing London for Free

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Starting today, visitors to London will be able to book free tickets for the new viewing gallery called  Horizon 22, which gets its name from the unique view of the London horizon that you’ll get to see from the skycraper … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments