Thurber

Yesterday my birthday, today James Thurber's, born on this day in 1894 in Columbus, Ohio (and seven years later unfortunately blinded in one eye in an ill-advised game of 'William Tell' with his brother). Much of his writing has not really stood the test of time, though My Life and Hard Times is a bit of a classic and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has proved strangely enduring. Many of Thurber's drawings, however, retain their charm. The line above is a good one to trot out in company, adjusting the name of the drink to suit – you'll be lucky if it's Burgundy these days.