Luxx's Lounge: The Sinister Seventh

Perfect for Halloween, don't you think?

"To tell people what to read is, as a rule, either useless or harmful; for the appreciation of literature is a question of temperament not of teaching .... But to tell people what not to read is a very different matter, and I venture to recommend it as a mission..." - Oscar Wilde, "Letter to the Pall Mall Gazette on the Subject of 'The Best Hundred Books'" (qtd. Wright, Built of Books, 317).

Luxx's Lounge: First Round

Luxx's Lounge: Second Round

Luxx's Lounge: Third Round

Luxx's Lounge: Fourth Round

Luxx's Lounge: Fifth Round

Luxx's Lounge: Sixth Round




I'm #5 on the introduction thread!

1. 'C' is for Corpse by Sue Grafton. 1.3.10. ***
2. The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews. 1.4.10. ***
3. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. 1.13.10. ***1/2
4. Poetic Lives: Coleridge by Daniel Hahn. 1.13.10. ****
5. Pig Tale by Verlyn Flieger. 1.15.10. *****
6. Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan. 1.16.10. **1/2
7. 'D' is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton. 1.18.10. ***1/3
8. 'E' is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. 1.20.10. ***1/2
9. Naptime is the New Happy Hour by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor. 1.25.10. ****
10. Once Bitten by Kalayna Price. 1.27.10. **
11. Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews. 1.30.10 *****

12. Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews. 2.1.10 *****
13. Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton. 2.5.10. **1/2
14. Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett. 2.10.10. ****
15. Soulless by Gail Carriger. 2.13.10. ****
16. Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Dudley Fitts. 2.14.10. *****
17. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. 2.16.10. ****
18. Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris. 2.17.10. **
19. Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett. 2.28.10. ***

20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. 3.7.10. *****
21. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke. 3.11.10. ***
22. Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips. 3.17.10. ****
23.The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong. 3.18.10. ****
24. How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale. 3.25.10. ***
25. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. 3.27.10. ****1/2
26. Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz. 3.28.10. ***1/2
27. One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon. 3.31.10. ***

28. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. 4.8.10. *****
29. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs. 4.11.10. *****
30. A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom. 4.17.10. ****
31. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. 4.22.10. *****
32. Shades of Midnight by Lara Adrian. 4.24.10. ***1/2
33. Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong. 4.28.10. ***1/2

34. Changeless by Gail Carrige. 5.2.10. *****
35. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. 5.4.10. *****
36. Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. 5.7.10. ****1/2
37. Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl. 5.7.10. *****
38. Two for the Dought by Janet Evanovich. 5.12.10. ****
39. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. 5.13.10. *******
40. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris. 5.14.10. **
41. A Treatise of Witchcraft by Alexander Roberts. 5.18.10
42. Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison. 5.22.10. ***
43. Poison by Sara Poole. 5.29.10. ****

44. Bullet by Laurell K. Hamilton. 6.4.10. ***
45. Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur. 6.8.10. ***
46. Built of Books by Thomas Wright. 6.10.10. ****1/2
47. Working IX to V by Vicki Leon. 6.10.10.
48. I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. 6.13.10. *****
49. The Book of the Courtesans: A Catalogue of Their Virtues by Susan Griffin. 6.19.10. ***
50. Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. 6.22.10. *

51. Bedlam: London and Its Damned by Catharine Arnold. 7.2.10. ****
52. The Trouble with Magic by Madlyn Alt. 7.5.10. ****1/2
53. Mine-Haha, or On the Bodily Education of Young Girls by Frank Wedekind. 7.6.10. *****
54. Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman. 7.9.10. **
55. The Elfish Gene: Dungeons, Dragons and Growing Up Strange by Mark Barrowcliffe. 7.15.10. ***
56. Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews. 7.17.10. ****
57. Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews. 7.18.10. ****1/2
58. The Unadulterated Cat by Terry Pratchett. 7.19.10. ***1/2
59. A Charmed Death by Madelyn Alt. 7.22.10. ***
60. Still Life by Louise Penny. 7.28.10. ******

61. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman. 8.1.10. ****
62. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. 8.6.10. *****
63. Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong. 8.8.10. ****
64. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. 8.12.10. *****
65. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. 8.16.10. ***
66. The Critic as Artist by Oscar Wilde. 8.21.10. ****
67. Mad Kings & Queens: History's Most Famous Raving Royals by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale. 8.21.10. **
68. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey. 8.23.10. ***1/2

69. Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman. 9.2.10. ****1/2
70. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny. 9.3.10. ****1/2
71. The Unknowns: A Mystery by Benedict Carey. 9.10.10. ****
72. Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Dudley Fitts. 9.11.10. *****
73. Governess by Ruth Brandon. 9.13.10. ***
74. Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks by Ethan Gilsdorf. 9.13.10. *****
75. Blameless by Gail Carriger. 9.17.10. ****1/2
76. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. 9.27.10. *****
77. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. 9.29.10. ****
78. Taken by Midnight by Lara Adrian. 9.30.10. ***1/2

79. Swan Lake by Patrick Kill. 10.1.10. ***
80. After the Holocaust by Howard Greenfeld. 10.07.10. ****
81. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny. 10.14.10. ****1/2
82. Medea by Euripides. 10.16.10. **1/2
83. The Damned by Algernon Blackwood. 10.23.10. ****
84. Othello by William Shakespeare. 10.28.10. *****

Sinister? I will tiptoe in gently then.

Another directionally challenged person, I see. You and Kath are barred from the navigator/driver jobs in the Tome Home.

That was a response to #250-something in the last thread, lest any and all think I've lost my mind.

>3 alcottacre: - Only the stories, Stasia! I'm hoping to pick up the horror in honor of my favorite holiday.

>4 richardderus: - That's probably a good idea. I'd rather read in the car, anyway.

>5 mckait: - Thanks, Kath. I hope you have a lovely day!

#4: Richard, you had better ban Terri from navigator/driver duties, too!

#7: Ah, OK. I can breathe a little more freely in here then, although I will not be reading any horror for Halloween.

Love the pictures(and the leather jacket!) and the sinister new thread, which I have given a sinister star!

#9: Oh, I like that one, Stephen.

Hi Luxx...
great pictures... last thread
great title... this thread!

Mwahaha, I did the star, Stephen.

And welcome! Who knows, I may even be able to post a new book or two this month...

>12 London_StJ: Now, don't go all career-girl-driven on us or anything like that!

And Richard was message #13--great timing!

Panting here as I try to keep up; not going to happen I'm afraid.

>8 alcottacre: Hey! I told you I was getting a GPS.

Just don't get lost on the way to the GPS store...

They are going to mail it to me. So there.

They are going to mail it to me

*sighs in relief*issues stand-down orders for state police in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan*

Hold that order Richard! What if she has a long driveway she must drive down to get to the mailbox...

#16: You do not have it yet though, do you?

81.
Author: Louise Penny
Title: The Brutal Telling
Publication: Paperback
Pages: 400 pages
Genre: Mystery
Acquisition: Michael bought it for me. He insisted.
Date Completed: October 14, 2010
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

I am having a very difficult time reviewing this book without spoiling the plot for future readers. All I really feel I can say is that I never really expected Penny to go where she does. I kept waiting for a different conclusion to arise, and so in a way I feel both delighted and disappointed.

I do love the acquisition note...suuure he did. Mmm-hmmm!

He did indeed. I insisted that I didn't need any more books, and he said, "You were just saying that you didn't have anything that you were into. Where are your mysteries?"

Scout's honor.

>24 London_StJ: Oh. I see. *note to self: Inform Santa Claus of prevaricatory tendencies in crypto-daughter*

Given how often I purchase books for myself without apology, why would I lie about Michael's insistence? I had already spent my book allowance, so he picked it up for me. Literally. He figured out which one I hadn't read read and everything.

:-p

Our first holiday together he signed his gifts "Big Daddy Santa." I laughed and told him he was really creepy.

*snort* Guilt, why else? I love "Big Daddy Santa" though!

Are you panting for Bury Your Dead yet??

Nope, but only because I have a stack of 60 papers to grade and the guilt is keeping me from it.

Boo for guilt! Yeah for Bury Your Dead :)

so he picked it up for me. Literally. He figured out which one I hadn't read read and everything.

Bless him! he is a keeper for sure.. what a great guy!

>31 mckait: - I don't even have the words for how wonderful my partner truly is. :)

82.
Author: Euripides
Title: Medea
Publication: Kindle E-Book
Pages:
Genre: Classical Drama
Acquisition: Intended to read it for years and years
Date Completed: October 16, 2010
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

While my experience with Greek theatre is far from extensive, I feel comfortable proclaiming a general interest in and enjoyment of the genre. I find the level of bawdiness in the satyr plays and comedies extremely entertaining, and I find myself moved and repulsed by the tragedies in such a way that I would never deny their literary superiority.

That is, until reading "Medea." Rarely do I come across a protagonist so static and repulsive in her inability to invoke emotion; Medea's actions, rather than her words or character, propel the plot, and the presentation of those actions is wooden at best. As a reader I felt myself moved only for the fate of her sons, and for that I credit my own maternal state over the development of the text.

As always, I am willing to shift some blame to the particular translation, because no translator can help but influence the text in his work. My desire to read Euripides has been sated. I'll return to Sophocles and Aristophanes with pleasure.

#32: I don't even have the words for how wonderful my partner truly is.

I feel the same way about mine! Aren't we lucky?

We are indeed! It's such a wonderful blessing to find your soulmate, isn't it?

Mine is making the family bacon and waffles right now. ;)

Mine made Belgian waffles for breakfast Saturday morning. That was nice to come home to after a long night at work, let me tell you!

Cryptodaughter dearest: I know you know ALL About Sewing, but this popped on my FB home page this forenoon and I would be a most remiss old codger were I not to share:

http://www.tudorlinks.com/

Free patterns and the like from historical periods.

>35 alcottacre: - Sounds lovely! What a guy.

>36 richardderus: - Thank you, sir! I'm always on the lookout for good sources.

#37: Yeah, he is!

I finally made it to your Sinister Seventh thread...Hello!

Hello Angela! Feeling better?

A note of warning: the last day of the Renaissance Festival is this weekend, and I'm desperately trying to finish work so that I can then finish my court gown. If I do finish my gown? Yeah. Pictures. Tons. There's no alternative.

Looking forward to the pics, Luxx!

Yes, I still have a nagging cough, but I'm finally feeling more like myself!

Pictures - definitely pictures! Yes, please! I just found a picture of myself from the one time I've been to the Renaissance Faire. We dressed up. I guess I should post it, although my gown is pretty pathetic next to yours! :)

Ooo, please share!

Hi Luxx, I've found nothing sinister about this thread...so far. I really must get to The Brutal Telling. I'm No. 3 on the reserve list for Bury Your Dead. I'm not good with cliffhangers so I think I'll read them fairly close together.

Looking forward to seeing more pics! I don't know how you have time to add sewing costumes to your busy life, but I'm glad that you do. It makes for fun reading and viewing.

>42 BookAngel_a:: Yes, Angela, please share.

ETA: Well, maybe those bats (and some of Richard's messages!) are a bit on the sinister side. I forgot to tell you I love the quote at the top!

Thanks!

With any luck my next read will be pretty sinister. And then, of course, there are the monsters...

Read about medieval Sicily! Ye chanting goddesses, it's somewhere beyond spooky, that place! The Ruby in Her Navel is hair-raising!

I'm trying to paste a photo but having problems:



Renaissance Faire 2000
With my two cousins/best friends. I'm the one on the right.

Did it work? Can you see it?

Beauteous!

love it :)

beautiful!!

So sweet!

We bought our gowns at a thrift shop the day before we went, and we made the crowns. Not too many times do we get to dress up in public and get away with it, so it was a fun day...

Lovely.

Perfect! And what fun! It's amazing what you can find in thrift stores, and your crowns are the perfect touch.

Not too many times do we get to dress up in public and get away with it, so it was a fun day...

That is precisely why I love the Renaissance Festival so much - it's a place for me to exercise my taste in the unnecessarily extravagant.

I spent the evening ignoring my grading and working on my court gown. My petticoat and gown skirt are pieced, and I'm about halfway done with the bodice of my gown. I've already made my shift and bumroll, I have a corset I can wear if I don't get to my pair-of-bodies (I realized that my 18th-c stays will work for the shape), and I've convinced myself that the trimmings can wait for next season if I don't manage to get to them this year. I *may* actually have my gown this year!

#53: I *may* actually have my gown this year!

Cool! I hope you post pictures too.

>53 London_StJ:: I spent the evening ignoring my grading and working on my court gown. I'm happy to see that you have your priorities straight!

Is the Renaissance Festival being held in Annapolis? I loved my first visit to your beautiful city in September!

Technically it's in Crownsville, but it's five minutes from the Annapolis Mall. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit!

I should have named this "Luxx's Millinery" instead of Luxx's Lounge...

In place of reading progress I offer you gown progress!



Today I finished piecing the gown proper, and I finally threw a waistband on the petticoat so I can let it all hang. Right now I only have the bumroll on the dress form, so you can't really get the full effect. Plus, I'm technically smaller than my dressform, so the gown itself will fit my torso a bit better.

I'm undecided about sleeves, so they will likely wait until next year; the sleeves on my shift are decorative, so I'm not worried about it. Plus, I'll likely end up wearing one of my cloaks anyway.

I still need to trim and grommet and hem my life away, but it's starting to look like an actual gown. My very first Tudor gown! Huzzah!

Actually, it's only my second formal gown ever. This is the first:

It's also the day I discovered I was pregnant with Brooks. Oh my!

Thus explaining both the pose and the smile! Wow, what a gown that is! And the new one bids fair to eclipse it. WONDERFUL stuff.

Thank you, sir!

My mother was none too pleased when she discovered I was wearing a corset, and I had to very patiently explain that it really was ok...

LOLOL

Until the second trimester, when it's not so hot, but you knew that.

PS the twin to the black-and-white footstool, bun feet and all, sits in my living room with a blue pleather upholstery that matches the blue areas of pattern in our living room carpet. Totally accidentally, mind, because I bought the footstool in desperation at a junk shop!

The black and white footstool was once cream and blue silk, and matched these formerly-blue-and-cream silk wingback chairs:


Wow, they didn't look bad back then. I need to redo them. Again.

The pieces were once my grandmothers, and I loved them desperately, so she gave them to me a couple years ago. My house is way too small for so much furniture, but I refuse to give them up!

And rightly so! They look most comfortable. I like wingbacks upholstered in toile de Jouy the best...and prefer black and white...but red leather's good too.

Funny how some things just seem to *go*, isn't it? And everyone's got a different idea. Hm.

Such lovely pictures - and that "first" gown is simply stunning! Despite my great love of elastic-waisted pants and t-shirts, sometimes I wish we could wear gorgeous gowns like that for a few days and get all gussied up without getting too many strange looks. I have yet to attend a Ren Faire, simply because I'm afraid that I'll never want to leave!

Thanks for the peek at your dress-in-progress!

Love the pictures as usual, Luxx! That first dress was a knockout and I imagine your newest creation will be too.

simply because I'm afraid that I'll never want to leave!

I'm always very sad when the season ends. This weekend is the very last, and I'm skipping a family reunion just for the chance to wear my new dress!

Holy Smokes! Your first gown is awesome! Looks beautiful on you... and the picture is perfectly situated. Can't wait to see your new gown finished. Looks like great fun!
I used to do a lot of sewing. But, I made boring stuff... like clothes for school and work... back when styles were much more conservative. I made a pair of purple corduroy bell-bottoms once which caused quite a scandalous stir! Ah well. I did make bridal gowns for awhile - mostly for girls who could not afford to buy one. It used to be SO much cheaper to sew than buy ready-made.
Good luck finishing up!

That first gown is stunning! The second looks as though it will turn out gorgeous too.

(The chairs look good, too!)

Sewing doesn't seem to be as cheap as it once was. More often than not it's less expensive to buy clothes than to make them, so I tend to limit my own work to specialty garb. It is still cheaper to make corsets over buying them, and the same goes for historical costuming. My other constant project is a yearly batch of pajamas for the monsters.

I picked up the fabric for their Robin Hood and Little John costumes today. I have an idea to stitch the quiver right on, so there won't be accessories for little hands to rip off...

...

*eyes glaze over with that far-away look*

Something somewhere is way out of whack when making your own vs buying it in is weighted in favor of buying it in. It's way more expensive to cook *fresh* foods than it is to buy frozen ingredients like veggies. But that's really a matter of seasonal crankiness on old Stepmother Nature's part.

Still. It's kinda sad.

It is sad.

For the curious: Farthingales (Elizabethan hoop skirts) are tedious to make, a blast to wear, and they do not flip up when you sit.

And boy, do they make a difference in a dress!

I love your thread...!

Thanks! Maybe one day it will have books again.





... I can't stop looking at it. I can't believe it's done!

WOW...WOW...WOW!
Put it on! Put it on!
Great job, Luxx! This is gonna knock 'em dead!
How fun is this?

>73 London_StJ:: I can't believe it's done! And I can't believe you made that absolutely gorgeous dress. I wouldn't be able to stop looking at it either. It will look fantastic with your blonde hair...or brown...or black hair. ;-)

Isn't there a geek network these days? And don't they need a LARPing version of "Yee Oldee Projectee Runwayee?" G4, something like that. I should set some minions upon this, wert I thou, Goody Aubrey.

It's stunning! You do some amazing work, Ms. Luxx!

Gorgeous, Luxx! I cannot wait to see the pictures of you in it!

G4, something like that.

ACH! PTUI! NO! G4 ruined TechTV, the true geek network. G4 is just Cops, Cheaters, and 1 or 2 geek shows. Stay away! :(

The dress, on the other hand, is lovely! :)

It is absolutely beautiful... stunning, and yes WOW!

You are so talented in so very many ways....
I am so glad that you take the trouble to share with us!

-79! Wow, this shows just how out of touch I really am. When Richard said"G4" I read it as "go for" - I had no idea it was a network.

Thank you very much for all of your kind words! I cannot WAIT to wear it on Saturday. The bad news is that I may have to wear my cloak - I don't have enough fabric to make the sleeves I want for this dress, and a high of 69 degrees has been predicted. My lovely partner offered to carry a backpack so I could bring my cloak but not have to carry it around and spoil the effect if I don't need it. He, of course, goes to faire in jeans and a geek t-shirt.

Ooo, and a neat trick? My petticoat is reversible! I used the light silver brocade for the front, but a black and silver brocade for the back, so I can turn it around for a different contrast.



I had very little time for costuming this season, but I'm feeling recharged for next. I did manage to finish these two waist cinchers in time:


I don't have a proper picture of the white one, but I made it asymmetrical to show off my hip tattoo...

I'd promise I was done geeking out, but I think we all know that's not true.

Some threads have books and baseball, but on my thread you find monsters and costuming.

I love your 'geeking out,' Luxx! We all have things we 'geek out' about, don't we? (I am one of the baseball geeks around here.)

And I fully support your baseball geekery! I just don't have anything to add.

Now, if someone wants to get into a heated discussion over the evolution of corsetry? I'm all over it.

There is an evolution to corsetry? Guess you can tell I know lots about it, huh? lol

Now, if you wanted to get into a heated discussion as to why the DH should not be allowed in baseball? I'm all over it.

You say DH, and I immediately think of the abbreviation for "Darling Husband" which is used on birth boards...

What is DH?

In baseball, it is the 'designated hitter.'

Ah, I had never heard the abbreviation before. Thanks! That's my new fact for the day. :)

Glad I could help :)

Oh. My. Goodness. You are SO incredibly talented...
Can't wait to see photos of you wearing it!

The DH rule...the American League...no, no! NO! There is *no reason* to hire someone who can throw but can't even pretend to hit because...

Wait...this was supposed to be the corsetry argument thread. Sorry. Carry on. *whistles off, hands in pockets*

Very nice work, Luxx! I think I read that these are for the Renn Fest. If we get a chance to go, I'll keep an eye peeled for you.

Gorgeous!

The evolution of corsetry is fascinating - although, Luxx, I suspect you know a lot more about it than I do! The way the shapes change depending on whether it's fashionable to emphasise the bust, waist or rear, and the different engineering required for each.

I have an architectural question. As a recovering heterosexual, I would like to know who, curse her/is evil heart, decided that a woman's perfectly lovely, natural curves, placed by a beneficent goddess for the enjoyment and pleasure of humankind, needed cinching, torquing, and all-around mangling in the first place? And why is it one must emphasize/de-emphasize hips/bust/cute little round tummy? There they are! Let 'em be!

Well, I don't have a dog in this fight anymore, so I'll just go away.

#90: You are preaching to the choir about the DH rule as far as I am concerned, Richard. I am a Senior Circuit gal all the way.

Wow! I'm absolutely stunned at your talent Luxx. The gowns are amazing and so far beyond my ability that I can't begin to imagine it. Beautiful!

>93 richardderus: - As a fan of corsetry you won't get any support from me on this issue, Padre dear.

torquing, and all-around mangling

Well, if they're well-made, there's not much mangling involved! My corsets add support and give a smooth line to clothing, nothing else. My diet gave me the waist size I wanted.

And who decided? Women, I would argue. We'll find partners however we decide to dress.

For the record, corsets are 100-times more comfortable than bras.

>91 drneutron:, 92, 95 - Thank you! I find historical clothing so much more appealing, although I'll keep my contemporary lifestyle, thank you very much. I'm a fan of flushing toilets, antibiotics, and open careers.

>96 London_StJ: I'm not against enhancing what one has, I suppose, but the waist-size issue for 19th-century fashionistas, for an extreme example, caused lots of damage.

Don't forget to add modern oral hygeine to your gratitude list.

*smooch*

93: The same evil-hearted person who thought all men should look like this. -.-

And if a corset could make a man look like that...well...I'm sure lots of guys would be wearing corsets! *shrug*

>98 Ape: *sigh* He's purty.

Point taken.

Heh, that's a little too action-figure for me. Besides, he's probably around my height, and I like 'em well over 6-feet...

>97 richardderus: - Yes, and I usually add tampons to my gratitude list, too. :-*

>93 richardderus: This is ALSO why I love you, Richard!

Ok, random question: with what accent does saw rhyme with more?

Every time I read Brooks Dinosaurs Love Underpants I mean to ask. When I pronounce them, saw rhymes with flaw or maybe ball, and more rhymes with four.

There's another questionable rhyme in the book, but that is the most troubling pair.

>101 tloeffler: Just sayin', that's all.

>102 London_StJ: Mainahs, dee-ah, Mainahs.

Yeah, I've heard people pronounce saw as something like sore before. *shrug*

102/103 Richard is correct. Mainers...uhh Mainahs transpose the /R/ and /A/ sounds at the end of words. It took me awhile to get used to it when I moved here.

I giggled when I heard a friend say: "I have 'n a deer."
What he was really saying was" "I have an idea." And yes... "saw" comes out like "sawr."

I think the author is British. I have (I think) a generic southern British accent (maybe with a hint of westcountry), and I would pronounce saw, flaw, more and four ALL to rhyme.

In addition to Mainers ... I would hazard to guess people from Wales might say something along the lines of soar when speaking the word saw.

Oh, I clicked submit before I gushed all over your thread about your skills at costume making.

Today is Saturday, so you may be wearing your beautiful gown as I keyboard this post. I would love to see the pix of you in the new gown.

What clever tricks you designed for the multiple use of the petticoat having a front and a back with different fabric to give you more ways to look beautiful and not have to make two petticoats.

You are another of my she-ros here on LibraryThing. You go girl! Hope you and your husband and boys have a wonderful day at the faire.

To say nothing about the accommodating curve of the corset would also be an omission on my part. How clever to be able to still show your tat. It is too pretty to hide.

Oh Ruth, you're such a dear - thank you.

106 - Actually, the author is British, so that makes sense. I still can't hear it, though, which is why I asked.

Faire was lovely, and I had so much fun wearing my dress. I can't wait for next season!

#110: You look just lovely, Luxx! Beautiful dress. I hope you had a great time!

I still can't believe you made that! It looks wonderful. :)

so so beautiful! You and the dress!

Thank you so much! I loved wearing it, and I'm already planning a whole new batch of gowns for next season. I bought green velvet to make a gown about five years ago, and never found the time/guts, but no that I have one successful gown I feel like I can go for it.

I desperately want an excuse to make a 19th-century gown now. Make and wear, that is.

Stephen, dear, the kid with the beard is my Stephen - my 20-year-old baby brother. I adore that kid.

Oh my goodness! How lovely! I am so pleased you had a good time. Really, it's a shame you can't wear that to class.

Hey...why *can't* you wear that to class?

83.
Author: Algernon Blackwood
Title: The Damned
Publication: Kindle E-Book
Pages: 116 pages
Genre: Gothic
Acquisition: Can't remember for the life of me
Date Completed: October 23, 2010
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

I have no recollection of why I downloaded Algernon Blackwood's The Damned onto my Kindle, but I have a feeling I found it during one of my batch-downloads of free gothic texts. I'm sure the title caught my eye, and I know the author sparked my interest, because the name Algernon Blackwood is simply perfect for an author of horror and gothic literature.

According to Wikipedia, that fount of immeasurable wisdom, Blackwood is an English fiction author who is born in Kent in 1869, and dies in 1951. The Damned is a haunted house tale published in 1914, and it explores not only the classic elements of haunting tales, but also the implications and consequences of specific religious beliefs.

The Damned is very satisfying for fans of the Gothic; the tale is creepy yet subtle, and the narrator's voice is perfectly suited to the material. The religious overtones of the story are intriguing, and the criticism gives the reader much more to consider than a "simple" haunting.

Thanks to such a positive introduction, I will certainly seek out more Algernon Blackwood in the future.

>115 richardderus: - If I was still a student I would, but I doubt I could swing it as a professor. ;)

>117 London_StJ: G'wan! Epater those crummy bourgeoises on the tenure committees! I myownself think it'd be a way to get noticed in a *positive* light and offered a tenure-track position.

Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Connecticut.

Luxx, it looked like you had some perfect weather for the Ren. Faire -- I know you had the perfect dress. Just beautiful....you, the dress, and your baby brother.

The books sounds good.. I think I will like it..
I too think it would be fun if you could wear that to class :)

My daughter had a teacher that brought his dog to class.. and sometimes moved class to a local pub. I think it was her German prof.

114: I thought that was him. I want a beard like that!! :o

121 - He's very proud of that beard.

118 - One problem with Connecticut - no grandparents to babysit every weekend.

119 - The weather was perfect, and I'm sure they're having a fabulous day today for the Day of Wrong

120 - I did an "independent" study of Gothic lit in grad school with two other students, and we would sometimes go out for drinks instead of holding class in the library. Not bad, if you ask me!

Hmm. Gonna have to get me some Blackwood for the iPad...

123 - It was a very classic Gothic story, so I thought it was a great treat. I haven't looked, but I bet he's on Project Gutenburg. And I know for a fact you can get this story for free on Amazon...

Popping in to say I LOVE the dress, it looked gorgeous on you, and I am sitting here sighing wistfully... I also think it would be wonderful if you could wear it to class :D ...wouldn't THAT wake the students up!

#116: As I love gothic, I will give that one a go. Thanks for the recommendation, Luxx!

Love the finished dress!

I wonder if Koontz was inspired by that author, as his newest book that I'm reading for the ER folks features the malevolent spirit of a serial killer named Alton Blackwood. Interesting.

Gobblegobblegobble

Oink oink?

Or maybe not. Sorry, I don't eat turkey. Or pig.

128 - I know that Lovecraft was a fan of Blackwood, but that's about all Wikipedia had to say on the subject. ;) I may have to go find out more about him myself...

Just letting you know I passed through is all.

Love the dresses!!! I wish I could sew like that, but I'm still learning how to make a straight seam for a quilt and there is NO way I could handle anything that complicated. *sigh* One day....

Shoot, I can't quilt!

It's all a matter of willingness - you'd be amazed what you can accomplish if you're simply willing to try.

Life with no bacon..........................wow

Ha! I should say that I don't eat ham. Michael makes bacon every Saturday, and the only good pizza is pepperoni pizza...

Hi Luxx! Absolutely lovely lady in a stunning dress! Great job!
Thought of you while I was in CT this past weekend. I saw some young ladies in Renn gowns ducking into Dunkin' Donuts for coffee. Is this Faire thing nation-wide?

whew! what a relief. I don't like ham either.. but bacon? oh yeah. I could live without peperoni .. but, it does make pizza nice :)

I think the monsters would stage a coup if we didn't make bacon once a week.

Hi Claudia! Yup, Renaissance Festivals happen all over the country, to varying degrees. I know there is a huge faire in Texas, one in Vegas, and one in CA. Just here we have a festival in June in Virginia, and then PA and MD have faires that run August-October. Each faire is independent, as far as I know, but a number of the shop owners from down South come up here for our faire, and travel from faire to faire most of the year.

I went to one in St Louis two springs ago ...

I think Memphis has a weekend-long faire...

84.
Author: William Shakespeare
Title: Othello
Publication: Paperback
Pages:
Genre: Drama
Acquisition: Work text
Date Completed: October 28, 2010
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

The second of my paired yearly readings. A perfectly sinister and despicable villain, lies, manipulation, and a protagonist that is redefined on every page. I love this play.

Hi, Luxx! I'm so far behind with your thread, I'll just drop in here and wave.

*waves*

Hello there!

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEA
A friend shared this idea last year, and I only just remembered it today.

Instead of an "advent" calendar with candy, she suggested making one with books!

I am going to buy 24 winter/holiday themed books, wrap and number them, and line them up on our mantle. Everyday the monsters will get to unwrap and read a book

I am very very pleased, because I managed to find over 20 faith-neutral books, and then I threw in a couple Yule/Winter Solstice books for good measure.

The only problem: do I really want to spend $160 on these books? On the one hand, I'm a chronic book-buyer, and I can reason that I will use the books year after year. On the other, I've already spent a nice chunk of holiday change on the monsters (my kiddo holiday shopping is done - huzzah!).

I've tried bookdepository and betterworldbooks, and Amazon's prices are still the best. It's the $27 for shipping the used books that makes me cringe.

Hhhmmm. Maybe I'll sleep on it.

I think that is an absolutely FANTASTIC idea! I might have to do that for my nephew.

If he loves books as much as my boys then I think it'll be a hit!

I love the idea, Luxx!

It's a great idea, Luxx! It does sound pricey, Amazon's shipping can really add up quickly. I'd say it would be worth it though, what beautiful memories it would create. :)

Happy Halloween, everyone!


Brooks' first Halloween - Baby Capone


Brooks' second Halloween - the Wild Thing to Max's ... Max

This year? They're going to be Robin Hood and Little John, and I'll be the Sheriff of Nottingham. Huzzah!

Love the Robin Hood idea! I want to see pictures!

I like your holiday idea, and (as usual) I love the photos of the boys!

I bit the book-bullet and bought the holiday books today. It couldn't be helped.

I'll be sure to share photos from tonight! Brooks is at this moment standing at my elbow and saying, "Halloween? Halloween?" as he gets closer and closer to my face. I think he wants to dress up. He loves dressing up as "Robbie Hood."

I am so glad that you bought the books! I wish I had thought of that when my kids were young.. it is a brilliant idea!

As always, I love your pics..

( Robbie Hood LOL)

Kath: You can buy a bunch of books and send them to me through the mail for every day of the month, if it makes you feel any better! >:P

(Ok ok, so I wouldn't let you do that, but it's the thought that counts right? :D)

it is a brilliant idea!

I can't take any credit for it - my friend Alison found the idea on one of the hundred crafty-mama blogs she follows, and passed it along to fellow book lovers. I'll change up the order every year, but I'll use the same books again and again - always ending with The Night Before Christmas. Now, what I can't decide - should we open the books in the morning or in the evening?

I think the evening makes more sense, don't you? It's traditionally storytime. What about making it a real occasion, lighting a fire, and sitting on the floor with them, their little sippy-cups full of martini? I mean, milk, milk! *cringe*

I like the evening as well, but we always opened our calendars in the morning, so I couldn't decide.

I'd light a fire if the condo association would ever repair our chimneys (8+ year battle now). I have started piling the monsters in the Big One's bed so they can cuddle while I read a bedtime story, and they seem to get a real kick out of it.

Fit it in to existing patterns, for sure, and then they'll surprise you when you're 111 by pulling the memories out and telling your great-grandkids about the times they'd read "books" in Momma and Poppa's bed.

Loving the pics of your boys, as usual.

Ooodelally!



What a wonderful night...

Brooksie wishing you a Happy Halloween

*sniff* That's completely adorable.

:-*

Merry Samhain, Padre.

Thanks, girlie. I followed my one and only tradition tonight and ate turnips. It's Day of the Dead that makes me feel festive!

Sleep well.

#159: Love the pictures, Luxx (although I could not access the link). Thanks once again for sharing your boys with us.

Love the pictures! :)

:( blocked from flickr page

This video is private.

Oops! You don't have permission to view this video.

Bah, I thought for sure it would give you guys temporary access. I had to shut down my flickr account after an unfortunate break in friendship a year or so ago.

Their blog is still public, and the video is there if you still want to see.

Too cute, Luxx! Sweet Robbie Hood! No wonder you are in love! :)

Love the video! Thanks again, Luxx.

Love the video and the lovely photos! I admire your talent. The gowns are incredible!

Oh Luxx, I am so adopting your adorable Robbie Hood and Little John as virtual grandkids. That video was precious. Please give them both an online hug from me!

Also love the book advent idea. I may have to swipe that one for my real grandkids. Hmmm....I have lots of Christmas books in my collection already...

Donna, they send big sloppy kisses for their LibGran.

We just got back from the ped; poor Maximus has had a month-long sinus infection, which apparently inspired an ear infection. No wonder he's so drippy and gross!

Off to put the monsters down for a nap and get some work done....

Kisses to Max from honorary Auntie Stasia . . . Sorry to hear he is not feeling well. I hope he gets over the infections soon!

Thanks, Stasia! Sick as a dog, and he's still the happiest baby I've ever seen. Brooks is helping me take good care of him.

Election day! Election day! I haven't voted since Bush ran for a second term, but it's time to get back to the polls. One of the big items on our ballot is slots.

Sadly, this election (and most, really) will be a choice between evils. I hate big-party politics, and I don't agree with Republicans OR Democrats. Oh well. At least Christine O'Donell isn't on our ballot.

Love the costumes, and the video is adorable. Hope Max is feeling better soon.

>173 London_StJ: My response is on Facebook.

Huzzah! You're not the only person on my friends list who cast that particular vote.

174 - Thank you! He was already doing better today.

Thank you :)
Your kids are fantastic.. they must take after mum..

#173: I hate big-party politics, and I don't agree with Republicans OR Democrats.

I know exactly what you mean!

I am so glad to hear that Brooks is helping take care of Max. I am sure you have your hands full!

"I hate big-party politics, and I don't agree with Republicans OR Democrats."
If this is the case for so many of us (incl me!) then why can't we change this?
Dunno, really.

Anyway - Hi Luxx! You lead a fun life and are a great Mom! Keep up the good work! ;)

"I hate big-party politics, and I don't agree with Republicans OR Democrats."
If this is the case for so many of us (incl me!) then why can't we change this?
Dunno, really.

Me either, and it shouldn't be too much to ask for, should it?

Cutie pics of the boys, and that dress? Gorgeous!

Hopefully people will start voting for small parties and unaffiliated candidates. My theory is that the people who would want to change it simply weren't voting, but I know candidates like *shudder* Christine O'Donell and Sarah Palin have prompted me back to the polls!

And thanks for stopping by!

On another note ... Seventeen of my Yuletide Countdown books are here! Huzzah! Here's my list if anyone wants to take a peek. The rest of the books should arrive this week or next, and I'm going to have to fight really really hard to not put them out before Thanksgiving.

LOVIN' this idea more and more! Especially the "Yuletide Countdown" nomenclature. Gets pesty ol' Jeebus out of there.

I saw all those Christmas books show up in my Connection News list. Hurray! :)

Sarah Palin

Eeek! Shhhhh! You mustn't speak its name aloud!

I laughed and "aw"ed all the way through this thread! Luxx, you are so talented and your boys are so cute!

Karen O.

Eeek! Shhhhh! You mustn't speak its name aloud! I have a special charm to ward off stupid (see: books).

184 - You're so sweet!

Nice Holiday list so far Luxx! I love the idea...and may pass it along to my sister to do with my nephew.

>186 jayde1599: - I've been sharing it with all the mamas I know as a neat alternative. I went with a few favorites (Nutcracker, Rudolf, Night Before Christmas), but most are new, and my only real requirement is that they be wintry.

I'm sure this is already assumed, but I'll share photos of my "countdown" once I wrap them all up!

>182 richardderus: - The more I called it an "Advent" calendar the more I realized I had no idea what that actually means. My family is Christian (liberal Methodists on mom's side, Jews-turned-Southern-Baptists on dad's), but because of an altercation just before their marriage my parents agreed not to take us to any specific church. The result? I think the family only went to church together if someone was getting married, and my religious instruction consisted of "Jesus loves you, be good" and beautifully-illustrated books of bible stories. My mom and brothers did the youth group thing, my dad calls himself a God Fearing Atheist, and my family takes me for me. Yuletide is more my speed.

>187 London_StJ: Honestly, I see no reason apart from clarity not to use "Advent" still, since the verb advenire can mean Yule or Candlemas or....

Ye gods. A Jewish God Fearing Atheist. A Methodist. I'd tick "none of the above" too!

Oh, and I love this little book.

188 - I see no reason apart from clarity not to use "Advent" Heh, the problem is that I don't know what it means. ;)

a coming into place, view, or being; arrival: the advent of the holiday season.
Ah, there we go.

It was also the name of my dad's first second band.

Oh! And it's Southern Baptist God fearing atheist. I'm positive there are perfectly lovely people of every faith, but the people I encountered as a child through my grandmother cannot be included.

Morning, Luxx. How is Max today?

Good morning, Stasia! I hear no coughing, which is an excellent sign. It's 6:13 here, and he'll probably be up within the hour. Thanks for asking!

nice looking little book..rd

Sticking with the most common language is best I think. Especially when there are little ones involved. Details can come in later.

#192: Good news! Glad to hear it.

Advent calendars are one of my fond memories of childhood. I remember the year I opened all the windows early, then stuck them back closed with Scotch tape, sure that no one would detect it.

I love it, Tad!

We usually had the pre-made versions (sounds like you did, too), but my best friend had a beautiful wooden "house" with little doors, and her mother would fill it with treats every year. If I found the right decoration I would still do a candy-countdown.

We also made long construction paper chains to count down to special events. I loved that, too.

ETA: Passing down favorite traditions is one of the special joys of parenthood. I giggled the entire time I wrapped Santa's gifts, because I remembered Santa color-coding our presents (mine were green, Matt's were red, Stephen's were blue), and I've decided that needs to continue.

Brooks is red because he's my firecrackers. Max is green.

Just stopping in to check on Max this morning, Luxx. I hope all is well there!

Stasia, you are such a doll - thank you.

His cough is better, and he's no longer a snot-faucet, so I think this round of meds is taking.

Today I take my Wild Thing to a cardiologist, and I'm starting to get worried. :( His ped noticed a heart murmur over the summer, and it's taken this long to get an appointment. The doc said it's nothing to worry about, and my own baby brother had two heart murmurs (and a number of other heart problems) and turned out to be an active long-boarder, so I'm trying to focus on that.

Happy thoughts for the Expansion Pack today?

I am glad to hear that Max is doing better.

As for Wild Thing and his heart murmur, it could be nothing, just as your doctor said. My niece was born with one and you could never tell it. She has lead a very active life, playing soccer every summer and such as that. I hope things turn out as well for you and your guy!

So many people have heart murmurs! One would never know it. The issue is WHY, and that's what the Cardio appointment is for; probably nothing to worry about, as you've heard many times now.

Worrying being a parent thing, I know how silly that sounds, but *knowing why* will make a lot of the scaries go away. *smooch* to the best mom and crypto-daughter I know!

Smooches right back, Padre.

Max's ticker is a-ok! Basically, the problem is that he's a baby. The noise that they're hearing is symptomatic of having a small heart, and the doc said the noise will go away as he (and his organs) get bigger. He said it's nothing to be concerned about, and it's not even anything they'd want to see him for in the future. Huzzah!

W00t!

Yay!

Cool!

That's great news!

That's wonderful news! (Phew!) (That's a sigh of relief, if you couldn't tell)

You go, Maximus!

Wonderful news! Now you can relax for a bit! :)

Ha, just a bit! I'm sure the monsters will have me up on my toes once again in just a few moments...

No book review, but here's a ballet review!



This season my grandmother and I subscribed to the Washington Ballet, and yesterday we attended the opening show - Septime Weber's translation of Romeo and Juliet.

My response to the ballet is, as usually, fractured. Weber himself left a sour taste in my mouth when he introduced the play and proclaimed that the story of Romeo and Juliet had nothing to do with fate (ok), and that they were instead "young people who were very much in love" yet faced a number of opposing forces.

And my usual problem with the play kicked in: Very much in love. After meeting once. Real love, between a thirteen-year-old girl and a twenty-year-old young man.

The ballet itself was amazing. Weber's choreography was breathtaking, and Sergei Prokofiev’s score is perfectly haunting. As usually, Mercutio and Tybalt were my favorite roles (Tybalt was performed by the man pictured above with Juliet), but Romeo himself (Brooklyn Mack) was powerful and honest, and mesmerizing. Initially, I was not pleased with the seemingly-shallow and emotionally-devoid performance by Juliet, but as the ballet continued my opinion changed, and I think the ballerina perfectly captured the emotions of each scene, while reflecting on the youth and circumstances that lead there.

In the end, I have to say that the Washington Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet is highly successful, and I can't wait to return for "The Nutcracker."

Nice ballet review, Luxx! Makes me want to see "The Nutcracker" too and I do not have a ballet company handy.

It sounds like all is well in your world... and I am glad :)

Thank you - I am, too. :)

I have never actually seen a ballet performed live: I probably ought to make an effort to go next time there is a company here on tour.

Romeo and Juliet is not true love thwarted. It is teenage hormones and stupidity. With very nice music.

Excellent review, Luxx! I love to see reviews of and comments about fine arts performances, so I hope that you and others will continue to do this (as will I).

Wonderful review, dear Luxx. I still hate ballet, but that was superior deconstruction.

Thanks, Dr. D. I started reviewing performances because so often I feel like it relates to my reading habits. My reviews are often clumsy, but I like to gather my thoughts at the end, just like I feel the need to gather my thoughts after finishing a novel.

Caty, my own response to Romeo and Juliet is very similar to yours. My reading lingers on pre-Juliet lovesick Romeo, and the fact that, at thirteen, I very highly doubt Juliet would understand true love.

And thanks, Padre. I danced (poorly) for fifteen years, and I still love to attend ballets. For years I did not feel like I could, because Michael doesn't have the taste for it, either, but my Gram is a perfect companion for anything performance or art related. She's the wonderful woman who taught me how to sew, took me to plays and ballets from a young age, and swept me off to museums as a preteen. She's also the one who encouraged me to read Poe, Sue Grafton, Charlotte Bronte, and Kiss the Girls.

I'll go to the visual arts stuff! Just not ballet. Furniture moving to music. He pitches her at the rafters twirls around looking goofy, she comes down, he catches her.

*snore*

Obviously you did not inherit your love of ballet from Padre there.

Great picture of you and your grandmother, Luxx!

Apparently not! Ballet is anything but a snore. The balcony scene on Saturday? *Swoon* It could have gone on for two hours - it was amazing.

And thank you! My Gram is the best.

#219: The balcony scene on Saturday? *Swoon* It could have gone on for two hours - it was amazing.

I am jealous!

Do you also like modern dance, Luxx? I love it; my favorite groups are the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Pilobolus, and (of course) the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

*tiptoes out of the Lounge before saying something nasty*

Great picture of you and your Grandmother! I missed seeing our ballet's production of "Esmeralda" last week, and I'm still bummed about it. Hope you're having a nice Monday!

>223 LauraBrook: - Thanks, and happy Monday to you as well.

>222 richardderus: - :-p

>221 kidzdoc: - I do, but I don't follow anything specifically. I am always amazed by contemporary tap. Wow.

*Swoon*

I know how you feel...

Ahem! I know nothing about dance beyond this:



...

:(

Enough about the people in the funny costumes frolicking about......Luxx, ya gotta read the one I just finished from the halloween List: The Vampire Tapestry. thought of you when I finished it off. Oh, and if you can't tell, I'm with richard on the ballet.

The Vampire Tapestry is on my list - and, if I'm not mistaken, on my Kindle. I should double-check, and then bump it to the top of my list. Thanks!

Huzzah huzzah! To the reading circle!

Both of the colleges I work for have reading circles for faculty/staff, and I've never had the opportunity to participate (as a matter of fact, I just missed the reading circle for Let the Great World Spin at one college - drat).

Well, looking at the list for the other school I realized I had to make every effort to attend; the selected books include such delights as Haunting of Hill House, Turn of the Screw, Divine Comedy, and Her Fearful Symmetry (plus one or two more). My #1 choice was Jackson ... and I got it! And not only that, my particular group will be organized by my favorite research librarian.

In a couple weeks I'll be picking up my brand new college-purchased copy of Hill House, and I'll get to dig in and plan an afternoon/evening with some fun people. I'm really looking forward to this.

Cool beans, Luxx!

The Haunting Of Hill House? Now there is a book that I have to read again soon.

Simply stopping by and catching up on your marvelous thread.

I'm glad all is well with Max's ticker!

I love hearing stories of grandmothers! My wonderful grammy passed away nine years ago. I miss her tremendously. Not a day goes by without remembering something she taught me, said to me, or a memory of a simple thing like taking a walk, holding her hand while she navigated me through life.

>231 Whisper1: - I call mine "Grammy" as well, although in recent years I've shortened it to "Gram." My boys call her G.G. ;) Grandmothers can have a wonderful influence on a person's life, and my own Gram has been 2x the grandmother for me. 230 - I wanted to read The Haunting of Hill House all October, but my reading pace has been thrown off this semester. I'm excited to have an "excuse" to get to it.

Everyone should have a special grandmother like that in their lives. I did. She was my unfaulty door. I am happy that you have yours :)

85.
Author: Madlyn Alt
Title: Hex Marks the Spot
Publication: Kindle E-book
Pages:
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Acquisition:
Date Completed: November 8, 2010
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Hex Marks the Spot is the third installment in Madlyn Alt's Bewitching Mysteries series, which follows Maggie O'Neill as she works in a marvelous antiques shop, explores faith and spirituality, and helps figure out a dead body or two. Alt's series is light and fluffy, and just what I was looking for in the midst of my semester-crunch.

However.

I have always had two small problems with Alt's series, and the second is severely highlighted by the subject of the third book. My first problem is Liss' "accent," and the second problem is ...Eli. I am perfectly willing to believe that my own ignorance is getting the best of me at the moment, but Alt's representation of the Amish seems so far out of my own understanding that I have a difficult time concentrating on the story itself. The accents (and frequency of Ja) are bad enough, but ... Amish men using gas-powered saws? Working in modern factories? Carrying cell phones? Ah ha! My faith in Ms. Alt is restored! It looks like she does do her research (as I hoped), and my problem is really my own making. Here's an article from Wired on the Amish and their use of technology, specifically cell phones. Excellent work, Ms. Alt.

You know, crypto, that same issue gets on my last nerve in cleats often! If you've DONE the research, tell me that in an afterword or a foreword or an author's note!

*grumble*

Good review, my love, and makes me want...NO NO NO I will ***not*** start another series nonononono *flees*

Oh, you can't really blame me - blame LibraryHag for bringing it up in the first place!

I had a difficult time with her Amish characters in the past, and the introduction of technology in this book really threw me for a loop. Thank you, Sir Google, for helping me check the background research on my cozy mystery. ;)

Just checking in to see what you have been u to :)
eta
Good article... I find the Amish a lot less charming these days though..
since I found out how active they have been in running puppy mills.
Some progress has been made in PA shutting them down, but..

I found the article interesting, too. My best friend would be right there with you re: puppy mills - she keeps track of that kind of information far more than I do. Just yesterday she was lamenting what has been done to some large breed - Dobermans? - and talking about how she's planning on going to Germany to buy a puppy from a strong bloodline...

I loved your picture of you and Gram. I hope I can be such a wonderful influence on my grandchildren's lives. Count me in with the lovers of ballet; it's my idea of heaven on earth.

Don't get me started on puppy mills. Unfortunately, that shameful business is second only to meth labs in my part of the country. I'm just glad these people are being exposed in the media, although it breaks my heart to read about it.

Hope the boys are healthy. I'm looking forward to their reactions to their advent books.

Donna, I am positive you will be an amazing influence on the lives of your grandchildren.

I am waiting on The Grinch, and my countdown will be complete! I even have everything wrapped up. I can't wait to see what they think, either.

#240: I hope you post pictures (both before and after), Luxx :)

You know I will ;)

Good!

Class review today (another professor sits in), and I'm running on three hours of spotty sleep. AND I just realized that I may not have very many students to work with - research papers are due today, so I have a feeling most will be sleeping off their late night efforts.

Ugh.

I am not looking forward to this.

If anyone can do this with sparkle and flair, my dear girl it is you...

Have fun..you can nap later. :)

Chug a pot of coffee and you will be fine. Good luck!

I am quite sure your supervising prof knows this drill. Your natural ability will make the good eval completely inevitable.

You're a shoo-in.

What Richard said!

What Stasia said!

Thanks for the support everyone! The observation went very very well, and all intimidation ended once the clock hit 8:30 and class actually began.

Good for you! That's cuz you know your stuff! :)

Good job Luxx; your confidence probably came through highlihhting your skills.

I knew you could do it, Luxx!