Scaifea's 2014 Challenge - Thread #36

Welcome to The Thirty-Sixth Thread!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-12 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Newbery Honor books

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Stephen King's bibliography (in chronological order)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

8. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book.

9. A book from my Classics shelves.

10. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

11. Book-a-year challenge: Last year at some point, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

12. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books, which Charlie and I read together. I only list picture books that I or we read for the first time - no repeat reads will be mentioned here (and they are legion).

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!



What I'm reading now:
-Appointment in Samarra (Banned Books list)
-The Old Tobacco Shop (Newbery Honor list)
-Faust (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-William Henry Harrison (Presidential Challenge)
-Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy (audio book)
-Rite of Passage (Hugo award list)
-Enemy of God (from the TBR shelves)
-The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Charlie's bed-time book)
-Cicero (off of my classics shelves)
-Tantra in Tibet (buddhism list)
-Lady Windemere's Fan (year-by-year book list, 1893)
-The Ladies' No.1 Detective Agency (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-The Iliad (everyday audio book in the car)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

The Reading Bingo is finished!:

More than 500 pages: The Sterkarm Handshake
Forgotten Classic: The Man in the High Castle
Book that became a movie: The World of Pooh
Published this year: Packaging Your Crafts
Number in the title: 45 & 47 Stella Street
Written by someone under 30: Cirque du Freak
Book with non-human characters: Odd and the Frost Giants
Funny Book: Diggers
Female Author: Flora & Ulysses
Book with a mystery: One Came Home
One-Word Title: Truckers
Book of short stories: M Is for Magic
Set on a different continent: Wings
Non-Fiction: Buddhism for Beginners
First book by a favorite author: Paddle Your Own Canoe
Heard about online: A Darkling Plain
Best-selling book: Still Foolin' Em
Based on a true story: John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life
Book at the bottom of TBR pile: Divine Misfortune
Book my friend loves: Stories I Only Tell My Friends
Book that scares me: The American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
More than 10 years old: The Genie in the Bottle
Second book in a series: E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core!
Blue cover: The Life and Times of Paddington Bear

Also, here's the list of all categories for my local library's Summer Book Bingo Challenge (the ones specifically on my own Bingo card on in bold) - Finished!!:

Come to a library program: Mad Science of Iowa show
Find a something (plant, animal, mineral, planet, etc) and identify it with a library resource.
Find the secret phrase onfacebook.com/plattevillepubliclibrary or plattevillepubliclibrary.org/adults.
Listen to a music CD you haven’t heard before: Now That I've Found You - Alison Krauss
Listen to an audiobook: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Read a book about how to do something: The Unforgettable Photograph
Read a book about someone from a different culture: The Last Temptation of Christ
Read a book and watch the movie: Dune
Read a book by an author with the same last initial as you: Blood Tie
Read a book from the new book shelves: Packaging Your Crafts
Read a book from the children’s shelves: Should I Share My Ice Cream?
Read a book from the teen shelves: Predator's Gold
Read a book in a series: Infernal Devices
Read a book in large print: 1776
Read a book longer than 300 pages: Andrew Jackson His Life and Times
Read a book of poetry or a novel written in verse: Howl and Other Poems
Read a book set in the future: This Immortal
Read a book set in the past: Little House in the Big Woods
Read a book set in the present: Divine Misfortune
Read a book set outside the United States: Brave New World
Read a book shorter than 150 pages: The Life of the Buddha
Read a book that is not in a series: The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Read a book that is scientifically impossible: Journey to the West
Read a book that is scientifically possible: The Haunted Bookshop
Read a book that makes you laugh: Paddle Your Own Canoe
Read a book that mentions a place you want to visit: The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine
Read a book that says “by a bestselling author” on the cover: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Read a book that won an award: Babel-17
Read a book where “sparks fly”: A Darkling Plain
Read a book with a battle against the elements: Blue Latitudes
Read a book with a color in the title Forever Amber
Read a book with a love story: Lady Chatterley's Lover
Read a book with a number in the title: Fahrenheit 451
Read a book with a one word title: Divergent
Read a book with an explosion: Great Disasters
Read a book with an investigation in it: Death in the Air
Read a book with pictures in it Horton Hatches the Egg
Read a book without a love triangle: Deity Yoga
Read a book you heard about in the media or online: Elle Minnow Pea
Read a book you keep “meaning to get around to.”: National Velvet
Read a cookbook and try a recipe: 500 Cupcakes (Lemon Cupcakes)
Read a folk tale or a book based on a folk tale: Instructions
Read a graphic novel: Hello Kitty: Here We Go!
Read a magazine from cover to cover: High Five - June 2014
Read a memoir or biography: Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular Politics
Read a newspaper that you don’t normally read: The Terre Haute Tribune
Read a nonfiction book: The Girl in the Leaves
Read a short story or essay: The Common Day by John Cheever
Read out loud for half an hour: (done)
Read outside for an hour (done)
Read the same book as someone else and discuss it: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Try something recommended by someone at the library: It's Always Something

Books Read (see previous threads for previous reads):

DECEMBER
614. Love and Roast Chicken (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
615. Everybody Needs a Rock (Charlie's school library book) - 7/10 = C
616. (#99) The Angel Tree (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
617. (#100) Knit One, Kill Two (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it) - 9/10 = A
618. At Night (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
619. Little Blue Truck's Christmas (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
620. The Book with No Pictures (Charlie book) - 10/10 = A+
621. (#101) Lady Windemere's Fan (book-a-year challenge (1893)) - 9/10 = A
622. Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia (public library book) - 8/10 = B
623. The Easter Egg (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
624. The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
625. Hello Kitty: Ice Skating Fun (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
626. Uni the Unicorn (public library book) - 8/10 = B
627. (#102) Race Forever (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
628. Doggone Dogs! (Charlie's school library book) - 7/10 = C
629. Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep! (public library book) - 9/10 = A
630. Hi, Koo! (public library book) - 9/10 = A

The Charlie (and Granny) Topper, taken this past weekend (a bit blurry, but they were in the rocking chair, plus I kind of like it blurry):

And the Bonus Question (I know I've asked this one before, but it's my favorite question and it's been a good long while since I asked before):

If you had a theme song, what song would you pick? Nota Bene: This theme song will follow you and be played every time you enter a room or walk down the street, so choose wisely. And pick something that suits your personality...

Bonus Answers:

Carrie: Rocky Top (Chet Atkins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doEm076KC1w
Your Song - Elton John: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTa8U0Wa0q8
Charlotte: Claire de Lune - Claude Debussy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFH_6DNRCY
Darryl: Tom Cat - Lee Morgan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhxYo88tj9Q
Autumn Leaves - Cannonball Adderley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tguu4m38U78
George of the Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4hXdsVUnp4
Donna: Learn to Be Still - The Eagles: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrg6n_learn-to-be-still_music
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT69i1lU
Erik: This Week in Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2aDoXcepoo
foggidawn: Beautiful Day - U2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6WMzDOh1o
Jeff (jjvors): Shine - The Newsboys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRwdUWK-EiU
Joe: Lucky Man - The Steven Miller Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3a5u3wjras
Judy: (DeltaQueen50): Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J91ti_MpdHA
Katie: Shine - David Gray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qCWIWI1ClM
She's Got a Way - Billy Joel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5djkVhLjw18
Kerri: Where Is My Mind - The Pixies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrdpliMfoAM
Linda (Laytonwoman3rd): Brown-Eyed Girl - Van Morrison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfmkgQRmmeE
Lynda: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ
Mamie: You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S94ohyErSw
Marie: soundtrack from Amelie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5_xFH5wqKM
Mary: Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI
Mark: Walking on Sunshine: Katrina and the Waves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U
Meg: Would I Lie to You - Charles & Eddie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_UXvcr22rM
Megan (ireadthereforiam): How Soon Is Now - The Smiths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEq8DBxm0J4
Megan (evilmoose): Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WZ33w3B8Hw
Micky: There She Goes - The La's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2iv-vMKT8
Morphy: Happy - Pharrell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM
Paws: Don't Stop Me Now - Queen: http://youtu.be/HgzGwKwLmgM
Rhonda: Little Miss Can't Be Wrong - The Spin Doctors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXWbMu4PtpE
Roni: Help Me, Rhonda - The Beach Boys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Te_lCF69Aw
The Lovin' Spoonfuls - What a Day for a Daydream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwH4wPz-URM
Stephen: The Chaos Path - Arcturus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1opjmuiHWw
Susan: What Have I Done to Deserve This - The Pet Shop Boys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn9E5i7l-Eg

Hmmm. I think I'm first!

Theme song? No idea.... There's just too many! :)

>4 drneutron: Hi, Jim! I think I have about 3-4 theme songs myself, so it's completely legal to pick more than one...

Congrats on the new thread, Amber! Nice pic of Charlie and Granny.

Theme song? My wife likes it when I sing (or my version of singing) "Lucky Man" by the Steve Miller Band. It highlights my good fortune in having her nearby. So that would be my pick. I'd be fine hearing it all over the place.

>6 jnwelch: Joe: Aw, that's lovely! Sounds like you're not the only lucky on in the house...

ETA: I *love* the Steve Miller Band.

>2 scaifea: Awe!

>3 scaifea: My theme song is probably "Where Is My Mind?" by the Pixies. Ha!

>2 scaifea: Oh my gosh. Does Charlie really look that much like his grandmother?

It doesn't fit my personality as much as I would like it to, but I'm working on it. Besides it would put everyone in a good mood every time I showed up!

Happy by Pharrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

Happy New Thread, Amber!

And for others:

>6 jnwelch: Lucky Man by The Steve Miller Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3a5u3wjras

>8 DorsVenabili: Where is My Mind by The Pixies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrdpliMfoAM

>8 DorsVenabili: Kerri: *snork!* Love it.

>9 Morphidae: Morphy: Well, the photo *is* blurry. Ha! But yeah, he's got a lot of my mom's family in him, I think.
And Happy is one of my songs, too!

>10 connie53: Thanks, Connie!

>11 Morphidae: Morphy: Thanks - I decided before asking the question that I'd maybe add links to all of the songs in the Bonus Question Post here, so thanks for saving me the effort on those first couple! Ha!

Hi Amber, nice new thread my dear. Glad you had a good thanksgiving at your mom's and I love your black Friday venture. The photo of Charlie and his grandmother is gorgeous and the soft focus is ace. Have a really good day my dear.

Brown-eyed Girl...Van Morrison

Ah, an easy bonus question!

Queen - Don't Stop Me Now http://youtu.be/HgzGwKwLmgM

Happy New Thread, Amber!

When I was little, my grandma always sang "K-K-K-Katie" as soon as I'd walk in her house, but now what comes to mind is "Shine" by David Gray. It's a reminder not to live in the past and to find the place where you can be the best version of yourself. At least that's how I hear it. So more like a "motto" song than a theme song, I guess....

Or "She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel. My husband once said that it described how he thought of me, so maybe that's what plays for him when I walk in a room. Maybe. Possibly. On a good day...

This Week In Baseball Theme Song

http://www.televisiontunes.com/This_Week_in_Baseball_-_Instrumental.html

Bonus points if you can do find the footage they used to show of Ozzie Smith doing his trademark backflip in slow motion.

I knew there'd be a rockin' bonus question this close to Xmas ;)

I think (today) I will choose that Smiths song....that one that was used as the starting music for the vampire TV series.....How Soon is Now. It is so atmospheric, and plain talking.

Nice new thread, Amber! And I love the Bonus Question. In my fantasy world I would make my entrance in a dark, smoke filled room, accompanied by a killer groove from a favorite modern jazz group. Either of these songs would fit the bill, as I strut across the room like a cat:

Lee Morgan, Tom Cat (from the 1964 album of the same name): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhxYo88tj9Q (introductory theme or solo by alto saxophonist Jackie McLean)

Cannonball Adderley, Autumn Leaves (from the 1958 album Somethin' Else): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tguu4m38U78 (introductory theme, solo by Miles Davis, piano solo toward the end by Hank Jones)

However, it would be much more appropriate for me to enter to the following cartoon theme, since I'm not very bright and have a tendency to run into or fall out of trees:

George of the Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4hXdsVUnp4

...oh, and I love the turkey shirts from the last thread! I see an annual event in the making!

Happy New Thread, lady. I don't really have a theme song because it depends on my mood.

>13 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! I've been over to visit on your thread, but haven't had a chance to comment - I'm glad to see that Karen is settling in a home okay.

>14 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: LOVE it. Perfect song for a perfectly cool lady.

>15 PawsforThought: Paws: Queen! Excellent choice.

>16 katiekrug: Katie: I love Gray's voice, and funnily enough, I just listed to the Joel song today!

>17 Oberon: Erik: *snork!* Fantastic! Plus, check the link in the Bonus Question post - I think I earned the Bonus Bonus...

>18 LovingLit: Megan: I *knew* you were a cool cat! I love that song.

>19 kidzdoc: Darryl: Perfect selections (well, maybe not that last one, though it did make me giggle) for an ultra-cool guy such as yourself.

>20 LovingLit: Thanks, Megan! I think mine will be fitting me for a few years (I hope, at least), but yeah, Charlie will likely need a new one next year...

>21 Ameise1: Barbara: Think about it and get back to me if you decide on one or three...

>19 kidzdoc: And how much time do you spend up said trees, in order to fall out of them so frequently?

>23 lunacat: Jenny: I think it's mostly swinging into them that's the problem, or at least it was for George, poor soul.

I think my theme song would be "There She Goes" by The La's. It makes me happy. :)

Hi Amber, it sounds like you and your family had a great Thanksgiving weekend.

I am going to chose "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys for my theme song, I love it.

Happy New Thread, Amber! What are you shooting for? 50? LOL.

>25 MickyFine: Micky: Love that song! Great choice!

>26 DeltaQueen50: Judy: I have to admit that I'd never heard that song before, but it's lovely. Keys has such a great voice.

>27 msf59: Mark: *snork!* Yeah, I don't think so. So, theme song, mister? *taps foot impatiently*

Hi Amber!

Considering the type of music I like, I think I'll refrain from answer, so as not to appear like a total barbarian. (Not that I don't appear that way most of the time anyway.) :P

>29 Ape: Stephen: How about this one for you? Who Can It Be Now - Men at Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SECVGN4Bsgg

614. Love and Roast Chicken by Barbara Knuston (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
A re-telling of a trickster tale from South America. Funny and cute, with neat illustrations.

I can't click the link on my dial-up, but I'm going to assume it isn't "metal" enough. :P

>32 Ape: Stephen: Wait, what? You don't know Men at Work?! Oh, dear. You poor thing.

I'm pretty closed-minded when it comes to music. I uncompromisingly loathe and abhor commercialized music in every iteration and form. I can rant about it for paragraphs, but I'll leave it at that...

Let's say The Chaos Path by Arcturus is my theme song and call it a night. I don't think it would be ill-fitting if it was playing as I walked in the room. Weird, absurd, and pretty much unlistenable noise to most people, almost intentionally designed to repel them. Yes, that works for me.

>3 scaifea: I want the pretty music from Amelie to follow me around.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5_xFH5wqKM)

Theme song -- picking just one was harder than I would have guessed. I'll go with "Beautiful Day" by U2 for now, though I reserve the right to change my mind frequently and without notice.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6WMzDOh1o)

>22 scaifea: Megan: I *knew* you were a cool cat! I love that song.
Actually (outing myself as not cool- now, who does that!!?), I was not into the Smiths until I was exposed to them by my lovely other. At the time I wrote them off as a band that weirdo goth losers were into- or something not quite as acerbic as that....but that song I can play again and again. Also, I was turned on to the Pet Shop Boys by my LO, and The Beach Boys (who the kids are now well into) and Depeche Mode and Cabaret Voltaire and the Jesus and Mary Chain, and The Fall. Clearly he has taste, and I am prepared to follow that. :)

>36 RosyLibrarian: ooh, good choice. That would be lovely.

>22 scaifea: I hadn't watched the video before posting the link but I love it. John Deacon is wearing a fair isle vest/slipover. Imagine that! The bassist of one of the greatest rock band of all time wearing a FAIR ISLE SLIPOVER in a concert style music video. Oh, I love them!

>34 Ape: Stephen: And metal isn't at *all* commercialized, of course...

>35 Ape: Stephen: My best friend likes them. I think they're adorable, just like you, so yes, very fitting. *grins*

>36 RosyLibrarian: Marie: Oooh, lovely choice!

>37 foggidawn: foggi: Nice!

>38 LovingLit: Megan: Whoa, your other *does* have cool taste - besides, he likes *you*, doesn't he? Very cool taste...

>39 PawsforThought: Paws: I know, right?! V. cool.

On the agenda for today:

Breakfast out with a friend this morning after we take our munchkins to school, then a trip to the library for more books for Charlie and a new audio book for me and then home to do laundry and work in the sewing room. Charlie has a haircut this afternoon after school, too - I needed to fit one in before this weekend, when we'll take our annual family picture. Creamy Chicken Soup for dinner, I think.

On the reading front: I started The Angel Tree yesterday and am really enjoying it. Slightly sappy, yes, but a lovely little story.

The calendar book today: Angel by Elizabeth Taylor. I've never read any of her stuff, and I'm not sure that I will anytime soon, but I could be mistaken...

>41 scaifea: Elizabeth Taylor (the English author, not the actress) is an under-recognized treasure. I became a fan of hers through the Virago Modern Classics group. For an introduction to her work, I wouldn't start with Angel. I recommend Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont (one of her later novels, which won the Booker), or two of her earlier novels: At Mrs Lippincote's and A View of the Harbour.

>42 lauralkeet: Laura: Thanks for the tip! If I do get round to her, I'd likely start at the beginning, chronologically, because, well, that's just my style, I guess. Unless she shows up on one of my lists first...

Morning Amber! Sorry, I missed the theme question. How about "Walking on Sunshine"? Smiles...

Have a good day!

>42 lauralkeet:, >43 scaifea: I'm seconding Laura's advice about Taylor. We both read through her novels chronologically for her centennial year in 2012. You can't go wrong by starting with her first, At Mrs. Lippincote's. (Now she IS on one of your lists---the Lauralkeet and Laytonwoman Recommendations!)

I'm also an Elizabeth Taylor fan, though I've only read three of hers, I think. Darryl read Angel as his introduction to her, and vowed not to read any more of her work, I believe. So don't start there!

As usual I love the Charlie topper! I've narrowed my theme song to two: Rocky Top (which I never get tired of, even when a local radio station plays different renditions back to back for a whole hour on Friday evening before the UT football opener) and Your Song - either Elton John or Rod Stewart's version will do.

I'm fourthing Laura, Linda and Katie: loved Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. A View of the Harbour is on my WL.

Chiming in with some Angel love. I read it this past October (my review is posted), and while definitely an odd reading experience, I very much liked it (enjoyed would be a strange word choice). I've also read A View of the Harbour and that's good too, but I think Angel will stick with me longer.

>44 msf59: Mark: That one fits you perfectly! Love it!

>45 laytonwoman3rd: >46 katiekrug: >48 jnwelch: >49 DorsVenabili: Linda, Katie, Joe & Kerri: Okay, okay, okay! Sheesh! Oy with the poodles, already! Consider Taylor listed.

>47 cbl_tn: Carrie: Rocky Top is my mom's all-time favorite song! And I *love* Elton's Your Song. Excellent choices!

>50 scaifea: "Oy with the poodles already!" Teehhheeee...you been hanging on my Facebook page?

>51 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: No, but I've been re-watching Gilmore Girls...

Katie is right. I read Angel, which I received as part of my NYRB Book Club selection, and I didn't like it at all.

>53 kidzdoc: Darryl: Right, then. Angel is off the list. Ha!

I have no clue as to the origination of "Oy with the poodles already" (although we did watch Gilmore Girls for quite a while), but I love the sound of it. Mission accomplished; silence will now reign.

>55 jnwelch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e681kuHWds

>55 jnwelch: Joe: Ha! Rarely does a day go by at Scaife Manor without some sort of Gilmore Girls reference made or quote quoted, with me as the usual culprit. I maintain that I am some mix of Lorelai, Rory, Liz Lemon and Leslie Knope (although likely without most of their cooler elements).

>56 norabelle414: Nora: Yep, that's the clip.

Happy new thread! Only 58 posts behind?? No biggie. :)

No theme song running through my head at the moment, but maybe that's a good thing. ;)

40: Unfortunately, metal is very commercialized, and really has been since it was created. And I would argue that the commercialization process is nearly as detrimental to the music as hip-hop, because mainstream metal is very visual-based. It's more important to look the part than it is to actually perform well or make good music, and the best-selling artists are usually the ones who are the outlandish in their behavior.

My sister likes a lot of the mainstream metal bands, like Black Veil Brides and Avenged Sevenfold, so I have some exposure to them. It's the most unpleasant part of hanging out with her and her boyfriend, but I'm willing to suffer through it for them. :)

I tend to think of music (or books, or any form of expression) as a delicious layer cake, in which the mainstream is the icing. Super sweet and lacking in substance. And sadly, most people content themselves in simply licking the surface. It's too bad, really.

Anyway, if you want to see what I like, I have a Rate Your Music account. A lot of my albums covers are censored unless you are logged in, though. o.o

Hi Amber, hope you have had a good day so far, love and hugs to you my dear.

>56 norabelle414:, >57 scaifea: Ha! Thanks. I will test my equally Gilmore Girls-obsessed wife with that one.

Do you like Parenthood, with Lauren Graham? Madame MBH loves that show, too.

>59 jolerie: Valerie: Well, chime in if you think of one!

>60 Ape: Stephen: You like a lot of the same bands that my best friend does (and I only browsed a couple of pages of your profile so far) - do you like Sepultura, by chance? I suppose KMFDM is too pop...

>61 johnsimpson: Hi, John! It's been a good day in that I've managed to finish two (!) more Christmas presents today!

>62 jnwelch: Joe: I'm afraid I didn't care for the one episode of Parenthood that I watched (I'm much less tolerant of shows than I am of books - if I don't like one episode, I'm out). I do love Lauren Graham to bits, though.

>62 jnwelch: I just saw that Lauren Graham is going to be in a new TV sitcom about a TV show host.

Did anyone ever read her book? (Someday, Someday, Maybe) I thought it quite charming.

>64 RosyLibrarian: Marie: Whoa,whoa,whoa. WHOA. She has a book?! Oh, man, wishlisting that toot-sweet!

63: I borrowed a Sepultura cd from my uncle when I was in elementary school, but I don't remember much about it. I've tried listening to some of the 80's era thrash bands, but I only ever seem to like the first couple albums by any band I explore. At the risk of beating a dead horse, I'll say that it's oddly consistent how the music quality plummets immediately after the bands sign to major labels. Oh, but I'm sure it's just a coincidence. ;)

It's honestly something I've thought about obsessively for years. I don't hate mainstream music JUST because it's popular, but it really is true for just about every classic band in existence. You see 2-3 GREAT underground records, you see the "breakout" record that is amazing and gives the band huge success, then the major label comes along and out comes the inevitable giant turd of an album. About 6-8 years ago I was a member of a forum that was dedicated to underground death metal bands, and it was funny how easily it was to predict when a band would go south. You'd see a lot of posts along the lines of "I'm such a huge fan of their music! I own everything they've released! But they signed to Century Media, oh, this bums me out." And then 6 months later, an album would be released, the album would sell huge, and everyone would groan about how bad it is. :P

Okay, so here are my theme songs:

For most days, I think one of these two:

Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnH_zwVmiuE
The Sunny Side of the Street - The Pogues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBaKWLoFYmQ

On slightly more funky-feeling days, one of these:
Freakin' You - Jungle Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAb_qr9gf0
Beware of the Boys - Panjabi MC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJztXj2GPfk

And for those bad-ass, watch-out-'cause-I'm-rockin'-it-today days (and, of course, there are *so* many of those for me):
Atom Bomb - Fluke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Nq6PzY0xA
A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYFz4pKclyA

>66 Ape: Stephen: Yeah, that's pretty true about most bands, I think. Whaddaya gonna do. *shrug*

Avoid mainstream music like I do? :P

Try to get the audiobook of Someday, Someday, Maybe if you can, because she narrates it herself :-)

I didn't like Lauren Graham's character on Parenthood at first, but then she started dating her teenage daughter's English teacher and it was just so perfect that I couldn't not love her.

>60 Ape: I tend to think of music (or books, or any form of expression) as a delicious layer cake, in which the mainstream is the icing. Super sweet and lacking in substance. And sadly, most people content themselves in simply licking the surface
Yo- did you invade my brain and steal my thoughts?? You say exactly what I think, only you say it better :)

You run the risk of being called a snob for wanting to delve into the whole cake, but sometimes the most rewarding and incredible cake is the bottom layer, even if it is hard to get at.

>69 Ape: Stephen: *snork!*

>70 norabelle414: Nora: Um, well, why not just re-watch Gilmore Girls...?

>71 LovingLit: Megan: Yeah, I'll I'm hearing is "cake.....cake...icing...cake..." I'm hungry. For cake.

>50 scaifea: Your mom's favorite song?! I knew I liked her!

Megan: It's true. The reason I always describe it as a layer cake (though I forgot to go in depth in my description) is that there are many layers of..."undergroundness," so to speak, and there are always sweet spots where the production level is high and the monetary intrusions are minimal.

A year or 2 ago I discovered a band called The Dead See, I bought their CD for $4 on Amazon. I don't know how popular they are, to be honest, but I know the CD has no reviews on Amazon, so that says something I suppose. Anyway, there was a song on the CD called "Dead Man's Throne" and it's probably one of my favorite songs of all time. I absolutely love making discoveries like that!

(Don't search for the band on Amazon, the sample they have sounds like garbage due to the poor quality. :P)

They have an independent release right now, but it's hard to get one's hands on something like that without coughing up the full retail price.

Oh, sorry for double-posting, Amber (unless someone posts before I finish typing this) but you are allowed to like different music and NOT be snobby at the same time. In my opinion, there is a big difference between saying "I like this music and don't like that music" and "Your music isn't any good." As someone who likes metal, my favorite genre comes under attack a lot but 'music snobs' because they see it as noisy or unintelligent (which shows how little they know about music, or the genre.) As a result, I try to be open-minded about music and about other people's taste. I have no problem voicing my opinion about underground vs. mainstream music, but I try not to sound judgemental or condemning someone for what appeals to them.

Of course, if I mention that I like metal or underground music and someone gets snotty with me...I can get a little wrathful. ;)

>73 scaifea: cake? All you heard was cake?? ;)
lol

>75 Ape: argh! (in a good way) My lovely other loves a band called The Dead C. They are noisy for sure but not metal. I wonder if you would like Into the Void, a (vaguely Sabbath in background riff only) art rock noise band from my local area. I love them even though they are nothing like anything else I like.

Glad to see all the Eliz Taylor love up thread! Well, except for Darryl who should give her another chance :)

>74 cbl_tn: Carrie: She's a pretty cool lady!

>76 Ape: Stephen: I'm pretty out of it as far as popular music goes these days (I don't listen to the radio much and we don't have 'real' TV and haven't for 4 years or so), but I can't even remotely claim to be a snob about music because I like all kinds, popular and not-so. To each his own.

>77 LovingLit: Megan: Well, I mean, cake. I like cake. Lots.
Also, I like Cake (the band).

>78 lauralkeet: Laura: *grins*

>67 scaifea: I only recognized the first and last songs. And I didn't like any of the others except the music of Atom Bomb's Flute. I wish there was an instrumental version only.

615. Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 7/10 = C
A strange little book about how to pick a good rock. I think it's trying to be clever. And the illustrations are not great, either. Oy with the poodles already.

>81 Morphidae: Morphy: Harumph. Well then. Clearly we won't be walking down the street together anytime soon.

Sure we will - to Happy by Pharrell!

During my 31 year career as a school psychologist, my theme song was the eponymous "Help me, Rhonda" by the Beach Boys.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Te_lCF69Aw

In retirement? How about "What a Day for a Daydream"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwH4wPz-URM

>79 scaifea: :)
If I were using the right browser I would put a big cake picture here for you now. But I am about to hit the hay and read and I cannot go around changing browsers all the time (one is fast but cant post pics, the other is slow but can- you see my dilema).

But, consider yourself CAKED
:)

I once spent an afternoon with a particularly trying acquaintance who was looking for a flat in London. After exhausting ourselves running around all over the place, we went for something to eat in the cafe of a large store. As we walked in, the Pet Shop Boys' "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" started playing, and it did cheer me up :-) That should probably be my theme song!

>84 Morphidae: Morphy: Yes! Excellent!

>85 ronincats: Roni: Ha! Love the Beach Boys *and* the Spoonfuls - both very apt!

>86 LovingLit: Megan: Aw, thanks for the virtual virtual cake! Yum.

>87 susanj67: Susan: *SNORK!* Too funny!

On the agenda for today:

After taking Charlie to school it's back home to the treadmill and the shower, then I have some things to pack up for the post office and then possibly some cookie-caking before heading down to the sewing room until time to pick up Charlie. My friend is coming over for some more help on her first-ever sewing project, so not much actual sewing will happen for me, likely, which is fine - we do lots of chatting and laughing and I love spending time with her. I'm also happy with the progress I'm making on Christmas gifts - I still probably won't get all that I want finished, but that's okay. So far I've finished one little shirt dress each for Tomm's nieces and a reading glasses case for my dad. Up next: cooking aprons for Tomm's brother (in John Deere fabric) and his brother's wife (Hello Kitty fabric). I'll try to remember to take photos to post after Christmas...
Tomm has a business day trip to Madison and will be home tonight, but late, so Charlie and I are having a Make Your Own Pizza Night, which he loves.

On the reading front: I finished The Angel Tree last night and loved it. More details to follow.

The calendar book today is one that is already on my wishlist and I know that several of you have already read it, too: The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt. I'm a big fan of Greenblatt's stuff and so I trust that he'll not irritate me with inaccuracies about Lucretius. I've studied Lucretius fairly extensively - and even taught whole classes on him and his epic - and kind of love the guy, and I like Greenblatt's style, too, so this should be a real winner for me, if I ever get round to it...

Happy Hump Day, Amber! I have had The Swerve saved on audio forever. I should dust it off and move it up.

616. (99th non-picture book read this year) The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab (Charlie book, 246 pages) - 9/10 = A
Every year before Christmas, someone in the small town of Pine River secretly puts up a Christmas tree in the town square for all who need help to write their Christmas wishes on pieces of paper and tie them to the tree. Then other members of the community come together and work to make those wishes come true. A group of 4 middle-schoolers, all of whom benefit greatly from the Angel Tree this year, come together to solve the mystery of who puts up the tree so that the whole town can show their thanks for all that the Great Benefactor has done for them.
Sounds totally sappy and silly, and yes, it is to a certain extent, but it's also just a lovely little story with nicely-drawn characters and a wonderful, homey feel.

>90 msf59: Mark: Oh, do! Who reads it? I may look for the audio version myself...

Happy Wednesday Greetings, Amber!

I was about to choose Roxanne by The Police but perhaps a song about a prostitute would send out the wrong message, ya think?

So, instead, I've chosen another of my faves from Sting and Co. Every little thing she does is magic - That would be a very confidence lifting song for me whenever I walked into a room https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ

>93 Carmenere: Lynda: Ha! I thought about adding The Police song to my list, too (the magic one, of course)! Great choice!

>91 scaifea: You got me. I don't read children's books unless they are classics or are from the 1001 Children's Books list but I want to read this one. I ordered it from the library. I won't get it until around Christmas though. I'm number three in the queue and there are ten copies.

I loved The Swerve, Amber (I'm a big Stephen Greenblatt fan, too), but I knew nothing about Lucretius when I read it. Can't wait to hear your reaction to the book, with your background.

>95 Morphidae: Morphy: Oh, you may get it before then; it's a super-fast read. I hope you like it!

>96 jnwelch: Joe: I was thinking specifically of you this morning when I saw which book was on the calendar, remembering that you enjoying the book so much.

I would love to contribute something to the bonus question, but somehow I find it difficult to pin something down. It just depends very much on how I feel and what I am doing.
There are soo many pieces of music I like, that I can't really say which I like best.

What a lovely thread topper (even so it's blured) of Charlie and his grandmother. He looks more and more mature this young man.

Hi Amber! Thinks are hopping around here as usual, I see.
I don't have a theme song - music is so not my area - but I really like Clair De Lune. It always catches my ear when I'm listening to MPR and they play it. It's so sad and kind of depressing and yet somehow a little bit hopeful, too.

Clair de Lune makes me think of being out on a quiet balcony with a cup of tea in hand as the sun rises. Perhaps in Tuscany.

How did I get so far behind on your thread? I think LT was trying to hide it from me. ;-) I wanted to comment on message 259 of your previous thread (and now I'm 100 messages behind on this one). I also love the setting of the Sefton knitting mysteries. I'd kind of forgotten about that series until you mentioned it. I'll have to see where I am and track down the next one.

>98 drachenbraut23: Bianca: I both love and don't love that Charlie is looking more and more mature... *sigh*

>99 Fourpawz2: Charlotte: Oooh, classy! *grins*

>100 Morphidae: Morphy: Ooooh, classy! *snork!*

>101 thornton37814: Lori: I'm loving the first of the series so far and I can't wait to read more of them!

Hmmm... theme song. I seem to remember this bonus question and not having an answer for it at the time. I guess I would have to go with Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten" which was really popular when I was in college and I found it very encouraging in a "just be yourself and write your own story" kind of way.

Hi Amber, for your bonus question my theme song would be "Would I lie You" by Charles and Eddie. I am sure that says something about me, hmm.

>102 scaifea: sympathize with you. Since Alex turned 15 this year, I kind of started to feel lonely *hangs head*. We used to do so much together and now he is mainly out with his friends (which is great and supposed to be like that). However, I do make a point when I am at home that we spend every evening some quality time together, such as reading, chatting, playing or I even watch some of his fave tv with him.

So, I watched the Who Can That Be Now video at my mom's today. It's startlingly appropriate. o.o

Edoardo Ballerini narrates The Swerve. I didn't recognize the name at first but I saw that he narrated Beautiful Ruins and I was crazy about the narration in that one.

>103 bell7: Mary: Nice choice!

>104 Familyhistorian: Meg: Ooooh, good one - excellent grove factor, which allows for maximum strutting.

>105 drachenbraut23: Bianca: *sigh* I'm hoping that Charlie and I will stay very close, and I have some hope for that, since he's *very* much like my brother was in temperament, and my brother and our mom were incredibly close his whole life (he died when he was 45).

>106 Ape: Stephen: And also it's an awesome song, no?

>107 msf59: Mark: Oh, that's excellent news! I'll have to see if my library has it...

I'd rather impale my eardrum with a rusty spike than listen to it more than twice, but it will undoubtedly be stuck in my head for days. Thanks for that. ;)

617. (100th non picture book read this year) Knit One, Kill Two by Maddie Sefton (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it, 280 pages) - 9/10 = A
Set around a small-town knitting shop and cast with a group of women of all ages and personalities but who share a love of knitting (although it takes the main character a while to realize hers), this coziest of cozy mysteries just really worked for me. My mom knows me so well. Ha! A light read, but very fun and I didn't guess the murderer! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

618. At Night by Jonathan Bean (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B
A little girl can't sleep until she takes her pillow and blankets up to the roof of her family's apartment building.
Simple but sweet.

619. Little Blue Truck's Christmas by Alice Schertle (Charlie book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
A cute little story about a truck who delivers Christmas trees to his friends, and doubles as a counting book. A little young for Charlie, but he still enjoyed it and the illustrations are very good. Also, this was a gift from Granny in the Christmas Care Package that arrived today.

620. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak (Charlie book, picture book (well, sort of)) - 10/10 = A+
One of the best children's books I've read in a long time! Hilarious! So much giggling, from all three of us tonight! So glad that I ordered this sight un-, uh, -read! Highly recommended. This would make a *fantastic* Christmas gift for any giggle-loving wee ones on your list...

Maybe try out Monica Ferris' needlework series starting with Crewel World. They are short, cozy mysteries that you can pop out in a couple of hours. Nothing awesome but good for an afternoon's fluff read.

At the very least you have to check out the author's picture on the LT page. LOL.

>111 Morphidae: Morphy: Whoa. *snork!* I think I have one or two of her books on my shelves somewhere...

I like the needlework series because it's set in Excelsior which is about 10 minutes from our house.

Hi Amber - Scout loves the Little Blue Truck books. She especially likes the lights in Little Blue Truck's Christmas -- she knows which page to go to and has figured out that when the lights stop, she should shut the book.

Ah golly, you know your anxiety levels are high when the idea of having to pick a theme song for yourself sends you into paroxysms of stress and indecision. The levels of angst about every possibility! I need a break somewhere warm I think.

>113 Morphidae: Morphy: Cool!!

>114 BLBera: Beth: I hadn't heard to the Little Blue Truck books before mom sent this one in her package to Charlie. The do seem good for wee ones, though and I love the illustrations. Charlie thought the lights were pretty cool, too.

>115 evilmoose: Megan: Oh, no! I didn't mean for it to be stressful! Ha! Relax and don't worry about it. Oh! OH! That's it! You're theme song!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WZ33w3B8Hw (*snork!*)

On the agenda for today:

Take Charlie to school, rush home to get on the treadmill, shower, get ready to head back to school for my once-monthly volunteering in Charlie's actual classroom, then I'll stay on to do my library volunteering. So no sewing today and leftovers for dinner.

On the reading front: I finished another book! Details to follow...

The calendar book for today: A Death in Summer by Benjamin Black, about a criminal pathologist named Quirke who works out of Dublin. This one may be a more hard-core mystery than is to my taste (I like 'em cozy, please). Anyone reading this series? Thoughts?

621. (101st non-picture book read) Lady Windemere's Fan by Oscar Wilde (book-a-year challenge (1893), 45 pages) - 9/10 = A
A play about the perils of falling out of 'society,' love and family connections, written in classic Wilde style, which means, of course, that it's lovely and witty. Loved it.

Sweet Thursday, Amber! I have not read the Benjamin Black series but I've had a couple of his on shelf forever.

>119 msf59: Mark: Well, hop to it so I'll know if they're any good! Ha!

I've had Christine Falls lined up for at least the past 2 M & M's and it missed the cut each time. WTH?

>121 msf59: Mark: WTH, indeed?! Shape up, mister!

>115 evilmoose: Not a good sign that cabin fever is striking already the first week of December! Read, lady, read!

>110 scaifea: I saw B.J. Novak speak (primarily about this book) at a conference this past summer and he was both delightful and adorable. I'm thinking of getting it for my great-nieces and nephews this Christmas and your A+ sort of solidifies that decision, so thank you!

>116 scaifea: Ha! I thought I was going to see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU.

Howdy Amber!

>124 DorsVenabili: Kerri: Cool! And, yes, definitely go for it - they'll love it!

>125 Morphidae: Morphy: Oh, good lordy, no. I'm not a fan.

>126 luvamystery65: Hi, Roberta!

>116 scaifea: Bwah hah, perfect!

>123 streamsong: And yes, I think it's the cabin fever kicking in. Too much cold! Too much snow! Too much Christmas stress! Why are there so many things to be organised at this time of year?! *going to listen to my newly allocated theme song again* I'm currently on The Three Musketeers though, and it's good fun... when I find the time to curl up with it!

Reading through your thread makes me realize why I didn't have a theme song. I know NOTHING about music...ha!
No treadmill for me the last couple of days because I can barely breathe. I'm anxious to get back on it so I can get back to my audiobook. :)

Hi Amber, hope your day has been a good one, love and hugs to you my dear.

>128 evilmoose: Megan: *snork!* I'm glad you think it suits you!

>129 jolerie: Valerie: I go back and forth between listening to music and audiobooks on my treadmill - right now I'm on a big music kick, but I'll likely go through another audiobook kick soon...

>130 johnsimpson: Hi, John! It has been a *very* good day, and I'll send you a PM to tell you why...

>131 scaifea: Hey! I want to know, too!

>132 Morphidae: Morphy: Well, well, Miss Nosey Nelly.

622. Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
I'm not a huge fan of Amelia, but Charlie likes her, so I picked this one up at the library.

On the agenda for today:

Grocery shopping this morning, and then time in the sewing room until heading back to school to pick up Charlie. I'm thinking meatloaf for dinner, maybe.

On the reading front: None yesterday to report. Too knackered at the end of the day, I'm afraid. I did get a lovely pile of books in the mail, though:



The calendar book today: When the Killing's Done by T. C. Boyle. I haven't read any of Boyle's stuff - any thoughts?

Happy Friday, Amber! I am a big fan of Boyle. Drop City is one of my favorite books. I have many more of his to get to and I am not even familiar with When the Killing's Done.

>136 msf59: Morning, Mark! Okay, so I should put Boyle on my list, eh?

Hi Amber - I read Christine Falls and loved it. It is gritty though. I love Boyle. When the Killing's Done is one of my favorites. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it. I think Boyle has a real talent for taking issues and showing the complexities of them, while making fanatics look ridiculous.

Amber, I am late chiming -haha- in with a theme song. When I was a working woman, I listened to "Learn to be Still" by The Eagles every morning on the way to work. These days I am so satisfied with my life that I find myself humming 'What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong version) at odd moments during the day. Life is good!

Love the Charlie and Granny topper. I must remember to only post blurry pictures of myself…the Joplin photos fit that category!

Another Boyle fan. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite. I think he is one of those authors I like for his body of work rather than for one particular book. I haven't read everything but think I've read at least 5 or 6 books by him. Must get to When the Killing's Done one of these days.

>138 BLBera: Beth: Well, you may be waiting a good while - I may put it on the list, but gritty isn't really my thing, and the list is, well, longish. Ha!

>139 Donna828: Donna: Oooh, The Eagles! Lovely.

OoooOooooh. I have a package. Is it safe to open? I.e. is stuff wrapped inside?

>131 scaifea:, Hi Amber, glad you liked your delivery my dear, I will PM you shortly. Love and hugs to you all.

>142 Morphidae: Morphy: Things aren't wrapped, but the package is a combination of half-birthday and Christmas presents, so open it already!!

>143 johnsimpson: Hi, John!

Hello my dear, I wish I could have seen your face when the package arrived, I have posted an update on Karen on my thread, it has been a bad day for her up until we went for her hospital appointment but she is good now.

>145 johnsimpson: John: Off to check on your update now...

Also late with the theme song--it probably ought to be "Help, help me Rhonda" since that matches my name and personality. However, there is a private joke that puts my theme as "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong." That might be closer to the truth! Plus I love that song.

>147 banjo123:: Rhonda: Oooh, I saw the Spin Doctors in concert when I was in college! I really like them, too.

On the agenda for today:

We're going to try to take our annual Scaife Family Photo this morning, which we always include in our holiday cards, and then Charlie has a birthday party at 10am. Also, laundry, bills, weekly photo organization, cleaning, possibly some baking. Aaaaand, I have a cold. Super-sore throat, stuffy nose and a headache. Awesomesauce! *snork!* So, some sort of soup (Chicken Curry Soup, I think), for dinner.

On the reading front: I managed just a few pages of Appointment in Samarra yesterday afternoon while waiting for Charlie's school to get out (none last night as I passed out as soon as I crawled into bed), and although I'm not too far into it yet, I'm really enjoying it so far.

The book calendar's weekend quote was uttered long ago by one of my favorite guys ever: "A room without books is like a body without a soul."

>149 scaifea: Cicero! I love that quote! It's one of my favourites ever.

*waving* at Amber

I hope you feel better soon!

Aww, man.

This looks chicken curryish...

I'm sorry to hear that you have what sounds like RSV too, Amber. I hope that you feel better soon!

Hi Amber, I wish you a relaxed weekend.

Bummer about the cold. Hope it passes quickly.

>150 PawsforThought: Paws: Yep! Most of my research back when I was a prof. was about him, so, yeah, I'm partial to the guy, too.

>151 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia! Thanks!

>152 Morphidae: Morphy: Oooh, thanks! The soup will have to wait until another night here - I'm too blech-feeling to cook, so Tomm's heating up leftovers.

>153 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl - I hope so, too!

>154 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>155 MickyFine: Micky: Bummer, indeed. I hope I feel better tomorrow - today is not so great.

The nasty sore throat and headache et al. is going strong. I even tried to take a nap this afternoon and couldn't because my throat was too sore/ticklish/coughy. Oy with the poodles already. But we did get our photos taken and I'm pretty pleased with them. I'll post a couple later on today or maybe tomorrow.

Do you have raw honey? I find that it works well for a sore throat, especially when I dissolve it in tea or a hot toddy.

>158 kidzdoc: Darryl: Ha! I'm sitting here right now with a big ol' cuppa Lemon Zest tea with a ginormous spoonful of raw, local honey stirred into it!

Okay, here's the Scaife Family Annual Photo, which will be our Christmas card picture:

Lovely photo, Amber! Thanks for posting it here.

ETA: I think I'll make another mug of ginger tea with raw honey as well.

Such a good looking family you three are. :)

That is a lovely picture, Amber. I've always thought Charlie looked a lot like you, but I can now see he has a lot of his Dad in him as well.

Gorgeous photo, Amber. Thanks a lot for sharing it and

>135 scaifea: your books alywas look so so good. Don't know if it is the quality photography or the titles :)

Lovely family photo too! How did you get one where you all look naturally happy? We have 2 out of us 4 who are camera shy. It is tricky at times.

Amber - What a lovely picture. You look great for being sick. I hope you feel better soon.

Great looking family, Amber!

Sorry about the nasty cold. Hope it's a different strain than the one raging over here. I'm on my third month now (and I'm far from the only one). Whenever it wants to be done, I'm more than ready.

I should get around to reading Cicero some day.

What a great picture!

623. The Easter Egg by Jan Brett (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B
624. The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas by Anne Meucke (Charlie book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
The excellent book was an awesome surprise in the mail from a certain 75er - many thanks, Laura! Charlie and I both really enjoyed it!
625. Hello Kitty: Ice Skating Fun by Maria S. Barbo (Charlie book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+

>161 kidzdoc: Darryl: I have tea with local honey and a bit of milk every morning, but a second and even third cuppa during the day when one doesn't feel well is really comforting, no?

>162 MickyFine: Aw, thanks, Micky!

>163 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy - Charlie is a nearly 50/50 mix of us both, I think, which is nice.

>164 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>165 LovingLit: Megan: Ha! Funny story: We had already taken several shots and thought that we had the one we wanted, so then we let Charlie take the camera remote and shoot a few of his own. This one, which is by far the best photo we took today, was one of the ones that he took! I think were all just relaxed and not trying to smile 'just right' and all that, and so naturally that made the photo better.

>166 BLBera: Beth: Ha! Well, that we early this morning and I've steadily felt worse as the day has progressed, so I really doubt that I look that good now.

>167 drneutron: Many thanks, Jim!

>168 PawsforThought: Paws: You definitely should fit some Cicero into your schedule soon. The speeches are great and his letters are a hoot.

>169 cal8769: Hi, Carrie! Thanks!

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." Great quote and great family photo. You look pretty good for someone who is sick. Hope it passes soon.

Wonderful family picture, Amber! And I wish I could ship you some of the turkey soup I made today.

Beautiful family photo! Hope you are feeling better today.

>172 Familyhistorian: Meg: That Cicero was a pretty smart guy, really. Petty and elitist, yes, but smart nonetheless. Ha!

>173 ronincats: Aw, thanks, Roni! Turkey Soup sounds pretty amazing right now!

>174 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! I'm feeling...different, although I wouldn't necessarily say 'better.' *snork!*

On the agenda for today:

Well, we *were* going to take a little day trip up to the Dells to the outlet shops and to that cool train restaurant that I've mentioned before, but since we're *all* down with colds now, we've decided just to stay home today and rest. I've a few odds and ends to finish up (bills and a bit more laundry), and then Charlie and I need to get started on his Christmas presents for his grandparents, his teacher and the ladies next door, which is a fun little craft project involving pipe cleaners, some Borax and water. If I perk up a bit later today I may do some baking. We'll see how it goes...

Once more, nothing to report on the reading front - too knackered last night to crack open a book, so Tomm and I started our Harry Potter Movie Marathon and watched the first hour of Sorcerer's Stone. Those kids are so little and adorable in that first movie!

Amber, I have finally caught up with you, and I am sorry to find that all of you are under the weather. Poor, poor babies! Good thinking to stay in and take it slower today - hoping that tomorrow finds all of you feeling much better.

I love your family photo - it's a lovely shot of the three of you. And you are right that smiles change when you don't feel the pressure of a posed photo. That's why I love candid photos. Your Charlie's photo captures the best of both worlds - it's posed, but it looks candid.

And my theme song? You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones

>177 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I hope that we all feel better tomorrow, too! Lovely choice for your theme song, by the way - one of my favorite Stones songs.

I'm just finished with my trip round the threads and my cuppa English Breakfast Tea with loads of honey in it, so I'm off to take a DayQuil and get going with the day...

#160 Lovely lovely pic :) Adding my get well wishes - there are just too many bugs around at the moment.

>180 scaifea: Thanks, Bekka - it sure seems like everyone is down with something, doesn't it?

Happy Sunday, Amber! I LOVE the family photo. That is perfect. Have a great day.

>181 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

Oooh, a rare capture of the elusive Tomm on film! What a lovely family you have, Amber. I hope your colds vanish soon and your holidays are merry and bright.

>160 scaifea: Awe, too cute! And you mask the illness well!

Hi Amber, what a fabulous family photograph my dear, you are a lovely family and Charlie looks great in the photo you posted on FB. Hope you have had a lovely weekend my dear.

>183 rosalita: Julia: I know, right?! A Tomm sighting! Ha!

>184 DorsVenabili: Kerri: Thanks!

>185 johnsimpson: John: Thanks - I'm saving that Charlie photo to post here as the Topper if I make it to another thread in the next couple of weeks...

>186 scaifea:, you will probably have two more threads in your locker before year end my dear, we all want to chat with you.

This is a cool question Amber! I thought of a couple, but came back to a song that I know I can take tremendous repetition and still be interesting: Shine, by the Newsboys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=givCI1M9Rh0

>160 scaifea: Just perfect! I've had a touch of a cold myself for a couple days, and I wouldn't dream of letting anyone take my picture. Sore nose, chapped lips, bleary eyes...not pretty. Hope you all shake it off very soon.

Great photo, but Charlie looks so grown-up!

Lovely Christmas photo! What a good looking family! Good job, Charlie!

You may have been feeling under the weather, but you sure don't look like it!

For sore throats, my grandma's recipe of hot fresh lemon juice, honey and oil always works for me, though thank goodness I haven't had to use it so far this year (touch wood). Also like Darryl said, fresh ginger tea with honey is also good for what ails ya! Feel better!

>187 johnsimpson: John: Two more?! Ha! We'll see, but I think that unlikely...

>188 jjvors: Jeff: I'd not heard of that song - or the band, for that matter, before. Thanks for the link!

>189 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. The tea with honey - and the DayQuil - plus a nice nap this afternoon have put me well on the mend, I think (I hope).

>190 banjo123: Rhonda: Shhh! I don't like to hear that kind of talk round here - no growing up allowed, especially during Christmas! Ha!

>191 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary! Here's hoping you don't have to use your concoction any time soon.

626. Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B
A unicorn and a little girl both separately get ridiculed for believing that the other exists.
Meh. There's been a fair amount of hype about this book so I was excited to read it and then was a bit disappointed. It's okay, but nothing spectacular. The illustrations are nice, though.

We had many more illnesses when our kids were going to school. Get plenty of sleep; I'm praying for you all. Newsboys are a very popular Christian band with a rock style.

>194 jjvors: Thanks, Jeff. I used to get colds so often when I was teaching college, and I think college kids and early grade school kids have about the same levels of germ infestation. Ha!

On the agenda for today:

I have a couple of quick errands to run after taking Charlie to school this morning, then it's back home to the treadmill and then the sewing room until time to go get Charlie. I'm still a little on the stuffy-headed side of things but otherwise feeling much better today.

On the reading front: I actually felt okay enough to do a bit of reading yesterday! But nothing too taxing - I finished a CYOA book. Ha! (Details below.)

The calendar book today is one that I've read fairly recently and *loved* and highly recommend: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick.

627. (102nd non-picture book read this year) Race Forever by R. A. Montgomery (CYOA list, 122 pages) - 8/10 = B
Another silly CYOA book, this one about a road race in Africa.

Morning Amber! I just stopped by Darryl's thread and noticed you called him "Mark". LOL. I have The Man in the High Castle on my To-Read list. Have a good day, my friend.

>198 msf59: Mark: *sigh* I blame the cold.

Great family photo, Amber! Charlie's getting to be such a big boy! My mom always said a cold sticks around for 9 days - 3 days coming on, 3 days at peak and 3 days to go away. If that's so, your's should be on its way out. Fingers crossed.
Beautiful Box of Books! Looks like someone is gearing up for the AAC/BAC challenges.

>200 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! I sure hope you're right about the cold, and I do feel lots better today. And you called it - most of those books are for the Challenges! Ha!

Sorry you have been plagued by a cold and glad you're feeling better. Happy the dinosaur Christmas book was good!

>160 scaifea: I LOVE your family photo! So sweet. :)

Morning, Amber!

>202 lycomayflower: Laura: Thanks, and Thanks!

>203 RosyLibrarian: Aw, thanks, Maria! I think it turned out pretty good, too.

>204 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Big change of plans for the day: School is canceled because of icy roads, so Charlie and I are making gingerbread houses, having a picnic lunch with his already-packed school lunch (something that my mom and I always used to do when my school was canceled as a kid) while re-watching Elf, and then hanging out in the sewing room this afternoon.

>160 scaifea: I join everyone in saying what a great photo that is of the three of you, Amber!

Woo, a day off from school for Charlie! One of life's great gifts, as we all can remember from our own childhoods. Gingerbread houses (have you read Neil Gaiman's Hansel and Gretel yet?) and a picnic lunch while watching Elf - you're going to have one happy boy. I used to say to my MBH, if you can keep being this nice to the kids, they're going to stick around here forever. Didn't discourage her a bit.

>207 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Well, yeah, Charlie's excited about the picnic and the gingerbread house project, but he cried for nearly 45 minutes this morning when he found out that school was canceled. The nerdy fruit doesn't fall far from the nerd tree, apparently.
And yes, I've got the Gaiman book on my TBR pile right next to me here, but haven't read it yet.

Our gingerbread house (we're pretty proud of it, really):

The nerdy fruit doesn't fall far from the nerd tree, apparently. Bless him! That's a good sign for the future. He'll probably end up with a pack of fellow nerds who happily run the world.

I think, at that age, only not being able to play some sports event at school because of cancellation could've gotten that reaction from me. I wasn't even a very good nerd. (You can tell I'm trying to make up for that).

>2o9 Oooh, nice one. Enticing, that one is.

>210 jnwelch: Joe: Definitely. I'm so happy that he loves school so much - I was the same.

Hi Amber, loving the Gingerbread house my dear, shame that Charlie had to miss school because of the weather but you are learning him things that he would not probably get the chance to do, love and hugs to you all.

Love the gingerbread house! We've only attempted this once, and while we weren't looking the dogs tag-teamed to knock it off the table and snarf up some (thankfully not all) of it.

>212 johnsimpson: John: Charlie just trotted up to me, gave me a big hug and told me that he's had "wonderful day today, Mommy." I have to agree with him - it's been a lovely day hanging out with my favorite 6-year-old. I miss having him at home with me all day. *sigh*

>213 lauralkeet: Laura: Ha! Well, I have to admit that it's not something that I'd want to do every day. It's a little work-intensive and that 'glue' icing is sticky as all get-out.

I'm glad you're feeling better today. I'm sorry you missed your outing yesterday, but plan B sounds pretty fun too. It's nice that Charlie had such a great day after being so disappointed this morning.

I don't have a sore throat, but all the talk about ginger tea with honey has me craving some!

>209 scaifea: awesome!! We are planning a second go at a gingerbread house for Christmas Eve. We did one 3 years ago and it was great, plus the kids loved decorating it and just staring at it knowing it would be allowed to be eaten imminently. :) I will make sure to get a pic of ours once it is done.
(I use my nan's secret Latvian recipe Xmas biscuit recipe, for that added extra excitement) ;)

so far behind, I cannot even promise to keep up, but I do think of you and hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
>209 scaifea:...looks yummy and way to pretty to eat.

>215 cbl_tn: Carrie: Yes, I'm so glad that the day turned out good for him, the poor tiger was so disappointed this morning.

>216 LovingLit: Megan: Well, I used a gingerbread recipe that was built for stability more than edibility. But we will be making our annual gingerbread men in the next week or so, and those are *very* edible...

>217 Whisper1: Hi, Linda! I think of you often and hope that the new year and the next surgery will bring you pain-free days, friend.

On the agenda for today:

A couple of errands to run after taking Charlie to school, then home to the treadmill, laundry and sewing until time to pick up Charlie this afternoon. I finished another Christmas present yesterday and I'm so pleased with the way it turned out that I'm tempted to keep it! It's a fully-lined cooking apron made from two difference Hello Kitty fabric, made for Tomm's brother's wife. I've taken a photo and will try to remember to post it after the holidays - I can't now because she follows me on flickr, which is what I use to post photos here...

And I think I'll finally get round to making the Chicken Curry Soup tonight for dinner! Ha!

On the reading front: I read some of Faust last night - I'm really enjoying it so far.

The calendar book today is one that I think I've read a review or two in this group at some point or another and it sounds like a very interesting read: Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman.

Morning Amber! The Chicken Curry Soup sounds good. Save me a bowl?

>220 msf59: Definitely! You're welcome any time, friend.

It sounds like it would sure hit the spot on a frigid day...

>209 scaifea: Pretty! I'm getting a sugar rush just looking at it.

>222 msf59: Mark: Hey, at least the sun is out (here, at least)...

>223 RosyLibrarian: Marie: Thanks!

Please send your son to NE Pennsylvania. It took a long time to get to work this morning because of freezing rain. We've had five out of seven grey, ugly days. Ugh.

>209 scaifea: what a beautiful house, Amber. We've done it every year when I was a kid. It's great fun.

Awww sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well (although you couldn't tell by the family picture). What a beautiful family....*insert a litany of awwwwwwwsssss....* :D

Cool gingerbread house. We did one for the first time last year but really it was more my husband putting it together and Caleb trying to stuff as much of the candy into his mouth before his father could catch him...ha!

>225 Whisper1: Linda: That's certainly something that I don't miss about living in Ohio - all those grey days in winter and fall. Here it gets super cold and we get lots of snow, but 95% of the days are sunny, even in winter, and I'll take that any day.

>226 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! It's a bit ramshackle, but it'll do for us.

>227 jolerie: Thanks, Valerie - I'm feeling much better today. And Charlie told Tomm when he got home yesterday that the house was for looking, *not* eating! Ha!

Good afternoon Amber my dear, we had a lovely trip to the cinema to see Paddington, we really enjoyed the film and laughed and laughed. Hope you are having a good day, love and hugs.

>228 scaifea: Today is just such a day here in Ohio -- gray and gloomy.

>229 johnsimpson: John: Oooh, I just can't decide about that movie. We all love the Paddington books so much, and I have a very specific picture in my mind of what Paddington looks and sounds like that I'm just not really willing to see him represented otherwise in a film...

>230 foggidawn: foggi: Yep, I don't miss that at all!

628. Doggone Dogs! by Karen Beaumont (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 7/10 = C
A bunch of dogs get out of their house and run amok, then go back home.
Meh. And I really didn't like the illustrations at all.

629. Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep! by Mo Willems (public library book, easy reader) - 9/10 = A
We love Mo and his silly and adorable characters. A great beginning reader book - I'll be looking for more when I head back to the library.

^ does Charlie get a kick out of seeing hoe many books he has read over the year!!? I would.
Wilbur is trying to get to 200 school reads for the year. He has to read them himself - to me- is the catch there. On top of those I read him a few every night as well, and usually part of a chapter book too. It is a part of the day I really enjoy.

>225 Whisper1: I just re read my earlier post wherein I asked you to send your "son" to NE PA. While I meant to write sun, I will take both your sun and your son if you send them my way. Charlie would bring sunshine wherever he goes.

>233 LovingLit: Megan: I don't really show Charlie my LT threads, so he doesn't know how many books we read in a year. And, yes, reading to Charlie is one of my very favorite parts of the day - and Charlie reading to me, too!

>234 Whisper1: Linda: Ha! I admit that I was a bit confused at first, but finally caught on to what you were saying up there. He does brighten the place up, I have to say...

On the agneda for today:

Charlie has his monthly Early Release day today (one Wednesday out of every month, the school district has a half day for students to give the teachers a half day of 'professional development'), so after I pick up Charlie at 12:30, we're going shopping for him to find a Christmas present for Tomm. Depending on what time we get home, we may also make gingerbread men. In the meantime, I'm going to try to get as much sewing done this morning as I can - I'm working on another apron, this time a John Deere-themed one for Tomm's brother. SPaghetti for dinner tonight - Charlie's favorite!

On the reading front: I managed a couple of chapters of the Harrison biography yesterday - it's fairly readable, even though nothing much seems to have happened to him.

The calendar book for today: The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation by Jon Gertner. Anyone read this one? Sounds like it may be pretty interesting.

Oh, and I haven't mentioned the Scaife Family Christmas Movie Marathon lately, but it's going strong. Last night we watched one of my all-time favorite movies, The Shop Around the Corner. I sigh with love for Jimmy Stewart every time I watch it.

Your plans for the day sound "sew" nice. Great looking gingerbread house too. You guys should be proud!

>237 Carmenere: Ha! Thanks, Lynda!

>209 scaifea: That is one outstanding gingerbread house!

Love the recent photos, Amber. That is a lovely one of the family, and the gingerbread house looks good enough to eat! Haha.

>239 Storeetllr: Mary: Ha! You can't really tell in the photo, but it's a bit lopsided...

>240 Donna828: Thanks, Donna!

A little something arrived in the mail today to accompany our current bedtime book:

>236 scaifea: pizza here tonight, Wilbur's favourite :) Aren't we nice to our kids doing their fave meals.
Last night I was happy to get into them a vegetable casserole with eggplant, onion, courgette, capsicum (bell peppers to you? one red one green), tomato, mushroom, and carrot. It wasn't popular, but they ate it, so I figure I can do a pizza night tonight. It'll have most the same as what was in the casserole anyway *mwa ha haaa*

>243 LovingLit: Megan: Oooh, you're a schemer, you! Ha! Honestly, I have the weirdest kid when it comes to food: He'll pass up sweets for vegetables pretty much every time. I think he must have been switched at birth, because he certainly doesn't get those healthy eating tendencies from me...

>242 scaifea: Oooh! Time to reenact a scene or two from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, no? :D

>245 PawsforThought: Paws: I'm very good at playing Edmund (i.e. stuffing myself silly with the stuff).

We also did this today:

>246 scaifea: D, C, M? Dad, Charlie, and Mom?

>247 lycomayflower: Laura: You mean the resemblance isn't immediately obvious? Are you commenting on my artistic skills?!

>248 scaifea: No, ma'am! I wouldn't dare. ;-)

They look scrumptious, by the way.

>246 scaifea: They're all so happy...except that one right above Dad...I suspect he KNOWS what his purpose in "life" is.

>249 lycomayflower: Laura: Ha! They are pretty tasty - it's a good recipe, and pretty easy to roll out, too.

>250 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: *snork!* He's *singing*, I'll have you know. Or at least that's what Charlie tells me.

630. Hi, Koo! by Jon J. Muth (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A lovely little book of haiku poems, accompanied by Muth's adorable panda character. Definitely recommended.

Wow--your baking is very artistic. Love the gingerbread men!

ooooh, yummy! I have a taste for the gingerbread person. That crunch! That flavour!

>253 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda!

>254 LovingLit: Megan: I know, right? I'm having one for breakfast dessert (that's totally a thing - don't judge me) this morning!

On the agenda for today:

After taking Charlie to school, it's back home for treadmilling and as much sewing as I can squeeze in before heading back to school for my library volunteering this afternoon. I'm nearly finished with Tomm's brothers' grilling apron and I'm excited at how it's turning out, too. I think I need to start another thread soon, too.

On the reading front: I started The Old Tobacco Shop last night and it's a bit strange so far but could turn out to be really good, I think. We'll see how it goes...

The calendar offers up a mid-week quote today: "Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world." Anyone know who said this?

Sweet Thursday, Amber! It sounds like you have a nice day planned. I do not know the quote but I like it...

I've got Hi! Koo but I haven't read it yet. Gotz to do that.

>258 jnwelch: Joe: We're big fans of the Muth books here at Scaife Manor. I bet you'll enjoy this one when you get round to it.

>256 scaifea: Ha! I Googled it. Quite surprising.

>260 Morphidae: Morphy: I know, right?

The New Thread is up!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/184127

>257 msf59: *big waves and grins* Hi, Mark!!