My library, for better or verse.

On this day in 1815, President James Madison approved an act of Congress appropriating $23,950 to purchase Thomas Jefferson's library of 6,487 volumes. In 1814, after capturing Washington, D.C., the British burned the U.S. Capitol, destroying the Library of Congress and its 3,000-volume collection.

You know, now I don’t feel so bad about the size of my own personal library, and don’t think I could catch Mr. Jefferson, even at the rate I usually amass books.

Notes On a Fine Day.

Congrats to my old buddy Roger Clayton on the opening of his new show, titled Notes On a Fine Day, in Memphis. More on the show here. Check it out if you are in Memphis in the near future. The show’s up ’til February 21. Nice picture of the family Clayton from the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

(more from the Commercial Appeal)

Unabashed bunny boosters

Rabbit imagery is on view in Roger Clayton's new exhibit, “Notes on a Fine Day,” through Feb. 21 at the Beverly & Sam Ross Gallery at Christian Brothers University.

His daughter, Sai, was born in 1999, the year of the rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac, said the Nashville artist at Friday night's opening reception. “I use a lot of different things that appeal to me, not just as what they are, but also their shapes,” Roger said.

“Traditionally, we believe that some bunnies live in the moon,” said Roger’s wife, Rie, who is from Tokyo. “They make rice cakes. And rice cakes are white. If you look at the moon next time really, really close, you'll see two bunnies pounding rice to make rice cakes.”

“It's a lucky sign, so you're going to hop around a lot like a bunny,” Roger said. “And you have good fortune. You're going to be quick—a quick thinker or a quick mover. You’re going to be, dare I say it, soft and cuddly. You’re going to be attractive and beautiful, which is another side of the bunny. And you're going to be sensitive, too.”

“They cry a lot,” Rie said.

“The bad thing is you will be lucky with money, but you might not be good with money,” Roger said. “So, you'd better be careful.”

Real Men Knit.

Nice little men knitting video I came across looking for information on Rosie Grier, who I always remember as a knitter from his appearances on Carson when I was a kid. Maybe he just did needlepoint?

Almost off the subject, I think I had heard this, long ago...after an injury forced him to retire from one of the most fearsome defensive lines in NFL history, Rosie was working as a bodyguard for his friend Bobby Kennedy. Walking with the pregnant Ethel the night Bobby was shot, Rosie was the first to get to Sirhan Sirhan, neutralised the gun and broke Sirhan’s arm. Too late, sadly, for Kennedy. Funny where the Google rabbit-hole can take one.

Tried to embed the video, but just got frustrated, here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jYa_rJyG18

Manly knitters unite!

Lil’ Miss Headlights USA.

The metal rat will survive.

[[Each Chinese zodiac sign is associated with one of the Chinese “elements”: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. Apparently rats born in the years 1900 and 1960 (me) are referred to as THE METAL RAT—having nothing to do with one’s musical predelictions. This is my year. D.F.W.T.R]]

Of all the Rats, these are the toughest and most resolute. They are visionary and possess an emotional intensity that can lead to feelings of rage, envy, or possessiveness. They like to be in charge, and can act selfishly to get what they want. In relationships, business or personal, they can be obstinate. Metal rats have to bear in mind that meeting their partner halfway would help their relationships tremendously. They take great pride in their homes and enjoy decorating them in their impressively good taste.