Nearly half a century before George Orwell wrote 1984, G.K. Chesterton wrote The Napoleon of Notting Hill, a futurist fantasy also set in 1984. In this startling comic novel, Chesterton conjures up a London neighborhood that has become an independent city, fond of pageantry and traditional ways, isolated by high walls from the rest of the world. When its rights and autonomy are threatened by modernizing neighbors, war breaks out.<aside-text>This is the second book I have read by this author and don’t yet know what to make of him. Maybe will try reading some more and see if his style changes.</aside-text> It is a war fought not with astounding new weapons, but with swords and battle-axes. It is oddly prophetic, about large nations swallowing little nations, and local communities struggling to maintain their independence from outside control. It is also a great story, with wonderful dialogue and rich, humorous characters.
A comical futurist fantasy, first published in 1904, about a tradition-loving suburban London community of the 1980s at war with its modernizing neighbors. Chesterton’s splendid storytelling gifts and his sympathies for the plight of small nations trying to remain independent are strongly in evidence. 7 illustrations by W. Graham Robertson. New Introduction by Martin Gardner. — Book promo @ The Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton
I did a morning walk yesterday but no afternoon walk. At the time I would have started my afternoon walk I received a shipment from J-Life International. What was in the three boxes was the full Japanese sleep system that I had ordered. That included a twin size Tatami Mat, a 4″ Shikifuton, Shikifuton Cover, Kakefuton, Kakefuton Cover, Pillowcase , Buckwheat Hull Rectangular Pillow, Sleeping pillow and a Neckroll all the covers in a Kurumi Brown-Chocolate colored fabric. It was one hell of a job getting the old mattress out and the Shikifuton unpacked and up onto the Tatami mat in my cab over sleeping space. But that was only the beginning, putting the Shikifuton cover on was many times more difficult than putting on fitted sheets. Then to put the Kakefuton cover on the Kakefuton by myself was virtually impossible so I went to the Park office a solicited some help.
I finally got everything set up and I slept well last night. I was concerned that the Kakefuton would not be warm enough but it was great with a low of 39. I’m still concerned when it goes below freezing but will most likely find out one way or the other.
The other shipment that I had delivered yesterday was my order of peanuts from Hampton Farms. The Park host for four days of the week said she was from NC where Hampton Farms shipped my peanuts. Small world. HA Most of the Hampton Farms peanuts that I find in the markets that carry the brand are Valencia’s, grown in New Mexico and the southwestern United States. What I ordered were the Virginia’s, primarily grown in southeastern Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, South Carolina, and parts of Texas, which are larger nuts. Not the jumbo ballpark peanuts but larger than the Valencia.
The other thing that I did yesterday was defrost my refrigerator and the freezer. The ice was over an inch thick on part of the refrigerator coils. Heated up a pan of water 3-4 times to hurry along the process, something that I should do during hot summer days.