This and that

I've been reading Alison Weir's latest The Lady in the Tower which focuses on the conspiracy against Anne Boleyn. It's a bit over-documented, but it's still fairly enjoyable, like all of her histories. As an aside, it's the first time I've read a history book that dissed a book I'd read recently enough that I knew what the complaint was (Jane Boleyn by Julia Fox) . There are lots of little facts and stray details in the book of the sort I really appreciate and usually find in Weir's works.

Apparently Anne Boleyn had an abrasive personality and was a bit careless about making enemies. She'd also picked up the habit of publicly flirting from her long stay at the court of France, giving her enemies ready evidence of her 'wantonness.' As for Henry VIII, Weir thinks he just wanted out of the marriage, and the plot to have her and her brother removed entirely from the scene was cooked up by her enemies who she'd have probably done the same to eventually.

( Cut for college sports )

I've been tracking my blooming agave, but I'll save posting pictures for another day.