Basque Philosopher
@stowerarebooks.bsky.social
Can you believe it? A Basque Philosopher who has a side gig as a rare book dealer. Anything is possible in Vermont! #StoweRareBooks
Keeping pace often feels like trying to catch up while falling further and further behind.
January 17, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Keeping pace often feels like trying to catch up while falling further and further behind.
Sometimes a rare book dealer becomes a collector. Recent acquisitions for my personal library are a reproduction of the original Gutenberg bible, Don Quixote, considered the first novel, illustrated by Gustave Doré whose images are iconic. And, finally, David Copperfield, Dickens' first person tale.
January 15, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Sometimes a rare book dealer becomes a collector. Recent acquisitions for my personal library are a reproduction of the original Gutenberg bible, Don Quixote, considered the first novel, illustrated by Gustave Doré whose images are iconic. And, finally, David Copperfield, Dickens' first person tale.
Sometimes the only way to fix your smile (and improve your health) is to yank all your teeth. Not recommended if you can avoid it, but if you have to - do it. I feel a thousand percent better have drastically lowered my chances of heart attack and stroke, and can smile for pictures.
January 11, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Sometimes the only way to fix your smile (and improve your health) is to yank all your teeth. Not recommended if you can avoid it, but if you have to - do it. I feel a thousand percent better have drastically lowered my chances of heart attack and stroke, and can smile for pictures.
Growing up I learned Schubert impromptus but not his piano sonatas or pieces for four hands. Richter's recording of Sonata No 18 and Mitsuko Uchida's recording of Sonata No 21 are not to be missed. His Fantasie in F Minor for four hands, especially the Lulu/Perahia recording is serene.
December 28, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Growing up I learned Schubert impromptus but not his piano sonatas or pieces for four hands. Richter's recording of Sonata No 18 and Mitsuko Uchida's recording of Sonata No 21 are not to be missed. His Fantasie in F Minor for four hands, especially the Lulu/Perahia recording is serene.
I'm having trouble with the idea that time is a construct that is not in alignment with the way things really unfold. Parallel universes and simultaneous everything are of no help either. Are you saying there is no history, no record of the linear progress of the universe? Geesh.
December 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I'm having trouble with the idea that time is a construct that is not in alignment with the way things really unfold. Parallel universes and simultaneous everything are of no help either. Are you saying there is no history, no record of the linear progress of the universe? Geesh.
Calamity is the mother of prevention.
December 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Calamity is the mother of prevention.
Six inches or more of snow on the ground. Then 50 degree temperatures for two days leaving slush on the ground. Below freezing temperatures overnight turning slush into slippery ice everywhere. Time to try out my new Icebug boots from Sweden with built in metal traction nubbies.
December 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Six inches or more of snow on the ground. Then 50 degree temperatures for two days leaving slush on the ground. Below freezing temperatures overnight turning slush into slippery ice everywhere. Time to try out my new Icebug boots from Sweden with built in metal traction nubbies.
Three more days and then the hours of daylight will start increasing again. A good reason for a little party, or at least the playing of a bagpipe. No?
December 18, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Three more days and then the hours of daylight will start increasing again. A good reason for a little party, or at least the playing of a bagpipe. No?
It’s been snowing a wee bit . . .
December 13, 2025 at 12:43 PM
It’s been snowing a wee bit . . .
A day for a good meal, a walk with Odie, good music on the stereo, some leisure reading by the purring wood stove and some libations. Thankful.
November 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A day for a good meal, a walk with Odie, good music on the stereo, some leisure reading by the purring wood stove and some libations. Thankful.
All of my days are yesterdays. Capiche?
November 8, 2025 at 8:46 PM
All of my days are yesterdays. Capiche?
Being non-verbal, I am plus, plus, plus . . .
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Being non-verbal, I am plus, plus, plus . . .
I'm available in lots of 20 . . .
November 6, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I'm available in lots of 20 . . .
Yesterday, the movers managed to get my furniture from Stowe to my cabin in Adamant with only one bookshelf dropped and badly damaged. I consider that a victory. A screwdriver, some wood screws and about 15 hours of trying to figure out how to put the bookshelf back together should fix the damage.
October 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Yesterday, the movers managed to get my furniture from Stowe to my cabin in Adamant with only one bookshelf dropped and badly damaged. I consider that a victory. A screwdriver, some wood screws and about 15 hours of trying to figure out how to put the bookshelf back together should fix the damage.
Years ago my parents surprised me with the git of a Steinway piano. The piano has followed me from our family home in California to Stowe and now to a cabin in Adamant, Vermont. I had the piano refurbished and it is like having a new piano again. I had to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming
October 12, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Years ago my parents surprised me with the git of a Steinway piano. The piano has followed me from our family home in California to Stowe and now to a cabin in Adamant, Vermont. I had the piano refurbished and it is like having a new piano again. I had to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming
The sound of geese on the pond below . . .
October 11, 2025 at 11:42 AM
The sound of geese on the pond below . . .
Are we at an impasse?
October 2, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Are we at an impasse?
I found a lost shadow in the woods and took him in. I had lost my shadow only a year ago when I moved to a cabin in the woods. What a moment of kismet; a shadowless man finds a manless shadow at a time of mutual need.
September 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I found a lost shadow in the woods and took him in. I had lost my shadow only a year ago when I moved to a cabin in the woods. What a moment of kismet; a shadowless man finds a manless shadow at a time of mutual need.
A day full of the colors of Fall here in Vermont with sunshine promised for later in the day to boot.
September 27, 2025 at 11:38 AM
A day full of the colors of Fall here in Vermont with sunshine promised for later in the day to boot.
Out for a row.
September 21, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Out for a row.
Having a puppy to entertain, feed, exercise and water is cutting down on my social media availability. I'm just going to have to learn how to squeeze more out of my day.
September 15, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Having a puppy to entertain, feed, exercise and water is cutting down on my social media availability. I'm just going to have to learn how to squeeze more out of my day.
Confession: My love of beauty and nice things has led me to abandon Plato's Cave in favor of Aladdin's Cave.
September 14, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Confession: My love of beauty and nice things has led me to abandon Plato's Cave in favor of Aladdin's Cave.
Dog curled up at my feet. Feeling the love.
September 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Dog curled up at my feet. Feeling the love.
Jolly Roger ordered to be hoisted during raids on unsuspecting canoeists and kayakers on Vermont's ponds. Just acquired a used handmade wooden dory made by Lowell's Boat Shop which has been making dories since 1793. It can be configured as either a rowboat or sailboat. Arrr matey!
August 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Jolly Roger ordered to be hoisted during raids on unsuspecting canoeists and kayakers on Vermont's ponds. Just acquired a used handmade wooden dory made by Lowell's Boat Shop which has been making dories since 1793. It can be configured as either a rowboat or sailboat. Arrr matey!