The Looking Glass Wars: Alice's "Real" Life.

I have two Boston friends for whom Alice was not only an inspiration, but I think a big part of their marriage.  So I plodded through the Looking Glass Wars, book 1, and skipped the second one to move onto book 3.  Evidently nothing happens in book 2, because I pretty much feel like I missed a chapter starting book 3. 

The initial book was fascinating because it worked on how to combine Alice's real life with her Wonderland life.  I learned a few things about her life that I didn't know, but I'm sure Aliceophiliacs would understand.  But by the end of the first book Wonderland Alice has created a double of herself in the real world, creating no need to continue her double life.  I would have found it much more interesting to have her forced to go back and forth. 

But I plan to finish the series out of honor to my friends and because I did indeed become interested in Alice as a person.  So for those of you looking for a remix and remaster of Alice in Wonderland, this is a great read.

Thirteen Virtues: Does Anyone Do Ben's List Today?

When he was twenty years old, Benjamin Franklin wrote a list of virtues for himself and evidently tried to practice them for the rest of his life. 

So there's a free website set up called Thirteen Virtue.com, but it appears to be defunct.  So is anyone still trying to follow Franklin's advice? 

I admit to trying, but I never really got into it.  Maybe a week is too long a period for modern life. 

Here are the virtues (listed on Wikipedia.)

1.Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.


2.Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3.Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4.Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5.Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6.Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7.Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8.Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9.Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10.Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

11.Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12.Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

13.Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.