Saturday, November 30, 2013

Happy Birthday Mark Twain!

Since Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors, Stretch and I will be celebrating his birthday today. I’m not a big fan of his early books about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (frankly I find the dialogue in those books drives me crazy). But I’m a huge fan of his essays and travel stories. So many of his humorous quotes are amazingly relevant today, more than 100 years after his death, as is evident in one of my ultimate favorite Twain quotes:


Stretch and I have visited Twain’s home in Hartford, Connecticut several times. Despite its immense size, it reflects a cozy, warm atmosphere and is definitely a place I could imagine as an ideal base for pursuing a writing career.

On an upper floor of the house is what we would today refer to as Twain’s “Man Cave.” It’s where he did most of his writing when he wasn’t entertaining friends who dropped by for a game of pool, a cigar and a glass of spirits. Wouldn’t we all love to have an “office” filled with not just our work, but our favorite pastimes as well!
Stretch was studying this photo and decided that since he’s become quite a celebrity through writing his blog (“his” blog?), he should have a comfortable den like Twain’s to work in. So he had one of the bookshelves in his “condo” redecorated in “Twain style.”

Uh, Stretch, this does resemble Twain’s office, but didn’t you forget something? Like the work area with the desk?!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved visiting his home and have read everything he wrote!
Ellie

Unknown said...

In addition to sharing a love of miniatures, it sounds like we also have the same tastes in literature Ellie! So glad we connected. Stretch is working on some new ideas for next year, you'll be hearing from him. :-)