scaifea's thread #7

Welcome to thread VII!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-15 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 (and other) 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. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
d. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
e. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. The NEH Timeless Classics list
g. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
h. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

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

9. An unread book from my shelves.

10. A book from my Classics shelves.

11. A book from our Science Shelves corner.

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

13. Book-a-year challenge: Two years ago, 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.

14. An audiobook for the car.

15. 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 and easy readers, which Charlie and I read together. I've decided again this year also to list our re-reads, but I'll just list them each day and not number them.

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:
-Black Boy (Banned Books)
-The Religions Book (potential Charlie book)
-Water of the Wondrous Isles (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy)
-Millard Fillmore (Presidential Challenge)
-The Nest (audiobook)
-The Crystal Cave (Mythopoeic)
-Dandelion Wine (NEH Children's Classics)
-The Puppy Place: Patches (Charlie's bed-time book)
-Don Quixote (an unread book off of my shelves)
-The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian (from my Classics shelves)
-Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics (from the Science Shelves)
-The Light of Asia (Buddhism list)
-Far from the Madding Crowd (books by year, 1874)
-Fleece Navidad (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-Five Days at Memorial (from the Read Soon shelf)
-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (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

Books Read:

JANUARY

1. The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
2. Slaves of Quentaris (audio book/1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
3. Runner of the Mountain Tops (Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
4. The Blue Cat of Castletown (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
5. Princess Academy (Newbery Honor book/ audio book) - 8/10 = B+
6. Olive's Ocean (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
7. The Wanderer (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
8. The Terrible Two (potential Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
9. The Puppy Place: Scout (Charlie's bedtime book) - 8/10 = B
10. A Daughter of the Seine (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
11. Roller Girl (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
12. Abe Lincoln at Last! (Charlie's school library chapter book) - 8/10 = B+
13. How I Live Now (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10 = B+
14. The Terrible Two Get Worse (loaned to me by a school librarian) - 8/10 = B+
15. Ella Enchanted (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
16. Echo (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A-
17. Bone Gap (Printz award winner) - 9/10 = A
18. The Ghosts of Heaven (Printz Honor book) - 8/10 = B-
19. George (Stonewall Award winner) - 9/10 = A
20. The Return of the Native (audiobook for the car/book-a-year challenge, 1878) - 9/10 = A
21. Hoot (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
22. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
23. Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
24. The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A
25. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln (public library book) - 8/10 = B+

FEBRUARY
26. Crenshaw (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
27. Noah Barleywater Runs Away (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A-
28. The Midnight Dress (Blind Date with a Book) - 8/10 = B+
29. Twilight (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
30. Don't Break the Balance Beam! (public library book) - 8/10 = B
31. Hattie Ever After (sequel read) - 8/10 = B
32. A to Z Mysteries: Secret Admirer (Charlie bed-time read) - 8/10 = B
33. A Good Night for Ghosts (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
34. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
35. Zachary Taylor (Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
36. Books Can Be Deceiving (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+

MARCH
37. The Magic Tree House: Leprechaun in Late Winter (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
38. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (school library book) - 8/10 = B-
39. Bink & Gollie (school library book) - 8/10 = B+
40. The Magic Tree House #3: Mummies in the Morning (school library book) - 8/10 = B
41. The Spoonflower Handbook (just because I wanted to) - 9/10 = A-
42. The BFG (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
43. Circus Mirandus (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+

The Charlie, Mario & Tuppence Toppers:

Best Superhero Ever:



And The Gals:

And the Bonus Question:

If someone were, out of the blue, to offer you the job of your dreams, what would that job be and would you take it, considering the changes you'd been to make in your life now?

I have reasons for asking this one, which I will elaborate later...

I just wanted to say that you're doing a great job with Charlie. Your sensible and grounding talks with him are golden. It's not easy to raise a smart kid, although you will get little sympathy for that point of view. My son's favorite book in the second grade was The Lord of the Rings. To add to the challenge, he was tall for his age, so people thought he was 2 or 3 years older than he was. It's not easy, as I'm sure you know. Trust your gut, because you know your kid better than anyone.

My dream job changes pretty often, but usually involves travel and writing of some kind, so yes, I'd take it if it were offered. I'm normally very risk-averse but deep down I believe if it's something you want and you can make it work in terms of everything else in your life, you should do it.

>4 labwriter: Thanks, Becky, for those kind words. Charlie is also very tall for his age (he was born into the 99th percentile for height and hasn't looked back!) and he's fairly precocious, I think, despite the eyesight and hearing issues, which I think is really remarkable, honestly. He's a crazy good, super-cool kid and he does make it pretty easy to be his mom; it's others who sometimes make it hard. Ha!

>5 katiekrug: Katie: I laughed right out loud when I read your post because traveling and writing are two things I'd really rather never do! And I'll take your advice under, um, advisement...

Well, I would love to be offered the Job-of-my-dreams but like Katie mine would probably involve travel and I'm not sure how that would work out with my family commitments so I guess I would have to see what the exact offer was. Of course for me this is just daydreaming as I am well past retirement age!

>6 scaifea: - Hmm, I'm dying to know what prompted the question!

It would be tough to beat my current job, but I'm thinking of the Chief Engineer job at my work. Then I'd have a hand in all the missions we work, plus would get to be involved with other NASA missions.

>7 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Oh you people and your wanderlust! Crazy. Ha!

>8 katiekrug: Katie: Well...

Okay, so the librarian at Charlie's school is taking the administrative assistant position next year for the building, because they're doing a lot of moving and switching and job-changing, and her current job is being knocked down to part time, and she needs full time for the benefits. Both she and one of the district certified librarians really want me to take the position, and think that if I officially voice interest in it, it's essentially mine for the taking. Hmm.

The Pro List:
It is, in actual fact, on my list of dream jobs: shelving books, taking care of the catalog, purchasing new books, checking books out to wee ones and helping them chose books, leading story times for all of the classes (which will be, as of next year, 4K and Kindergarten classes only)... They want me to take the job because there would be zero training - I've been volunteering with Pam (the current 'librarian') for nearly 3 years now and sub for her frequently, so I already know how everything works and what the job would entail. And, well, I've been volunteering for Pam for 3 years now, so I clearly love the job enough to do it, voluntarily, and for free, so taking the job would mean getting paid to do something I already love to do lots. And it's pretty much the only feasible job for me, since I still want to be around for Charlie as much as possible - it's summers off, and during the school year it would be 9:30am-2:30pm weekdays, which means I could still take Charlie to school in the morning and pick him up right after school (he'll be in a different building next year). And we're doing just fine without a second income, so I don't NEED this job. Therefore, there's no pressure to get it and I feel that I'm in a good position to say, well, here is my list of deal-breakers... And, again, since we don't need the extra income, we could tuck all of my paychecks back toward a down-payment for a new house.

The Con List:
Yes, it's one of my dream jobs, but it's a job. And I really love my Lady-of-Leisure lifestyle right now. If I took this job, there would be very little time in the sewing room, or baking, or working on my various other projects. And I'm not sure I'm willing to give that up.

So, anyway. It's still a very tentative thing, but I'm already in a pickle about it. A pickle, I say!

>9 drneutron: Jim: Easily one of the coolest posts ever. I feel like I know a rock star because of you - you're amazing!

I already have my dream job, so I wouldn't trade my current line of work for anything. I am involved with several major projects at the moment, so I get to work in cataloging, digitization, marketing, committee work (I love committee work!), policy and procedure, editing and proofreading, microforms, collection development, purchasing, public speaking, and website design. And, of course, genealogy and public service.

My realistic dream job would absolutely be working in a quiet, small-town library!

I'd also like to note that I was going to say something entirely inappropriate, but I refrained. I'm very proud of myself.

>3 scaifea: I like the job that I have now, so one version of my "dream job" is the same position, but nearer family. I keep an eye out for that one, but no luck so far. Another version of my dream job is to write, but I'm not disciplined enough to make that happen.

>10 scaifea: It's a great offer, but I can see why you are in a pickle -- if I had the opportunity to be a "lady of leisure," I'm not sure I would want to give it up, either! You could always try it for a year, and if you love it you could keep doing it, and if it doesn't work out, you'd be no worse off.

Good luck with your decision regarding a job that you think you would really like vs. wanting to continue to stay home so you have time for Charlie, for making great meals, and for sewing.

The answer to your question is that I am very fortunate to have a dream job. I am a weird duck who has people skills and loves to be with co-workers and the students, but I also have a math mind and enjoy working with numbers. My position at Lehigh University is unique in that I have a lot of people contact, and part of the position is to enhance revenues and minimize expenses so that the publications can continue to exist. I can number crunch behind my closed office door, and I can open the door and be with students. I've been the publication adviser, training students in design, writing and choosing the photos that tell the story, for 32 years. I've never had a day when I was bored or didn't want to work.

On another topic, last night I finished The War That Saved My Life, and I want to shout from the mountaintop just how great this book is! I'm glad you like it as well.

>10 scaifea: Wow! That is certainly a dilemma! I can totally sympathize with you. I do have my own company, which has definite advantages, but I have a lot of free time also to do fun things. I think now and then about going back to work for a company where I would make a lot more money (and put much more aside for the boys' education), but I just can't seem to make myself do it. Part of me thinks it is completely selfish, and the other part of me says that the way things are now gives me much more time with the boys'. So I think what's really more important - giving them money for college or giving them my time - and my choice is clear. Fortunately, you would not have to choose between the money and Charlie!

>3 scaifea: I change the idea of my dream job all the time. Of course, for many of them, I would have to go back to school, which is not feasible. Currently, I've been wishing that I could somehow find a job doing something that would let me read books all day! That would be my idea of a dream job!!!!

>4 labwriter: Becky, you are so right. Raising a smart kid is a really challenging AND a time-consuming job. Most schools don't really appreciate gifted kids and don't provide enough challenges for them. I could go on and on, but I'll spare everyone.

You may have a pickle, but it's a pretty nice pickle. :)

As for the bonus question, I actually just did this. I'm in my dream job of collections librarian, which means I get to spend the majority of my days buying books (and ebooks and audiobooks and DVDs). Plus I'm back close to my family. Definitely worth all the stress of moving.

Happy New Thread, Amber! I hope that the new medications are starting to work. (Can I ask what you're taking, either privately or publicly?)

The bonus question is an easy one for me to answer. I would have loved to have been Whitney Balliett, the longtime columnist for The New Yorker, who earned a living by writing book reviews and articles about jazz concerts and musicians in the 1950s and 1960s, the heyday of jazz in NYC. The current person whose job I would take in a heartbeat is Ben Brantley, the chief theatre critic for the NYT, who reviews plays that he's seen in NYC and London. These are tough jobs, but someone has to do them.

>3 scaifea: Hmm; dream job. I'm well and truly entrenched in my comfort zone, so you'd probably have to dig me out. In fact, I can't even think of what my dream job would be.

>10 scaifea: I'm also a person who likes to have her cake and eat it, as the saying goes. I'd apply for the position, and decide later ;0) Actually, I usually have to persuade myself not to just sit back and let the opportunity slide by, because, well, you never know. I'm too tempted to not try, but then say "I could have." when it's too late, but I've too many regrets so I'd rather try so I can say "I gave it my best shot." But that's me. :0)

>18 kidzdoc: Thanks for volunteering to take one (or two) for the team, Darryl ;0)

Happy Saturday, Amber! And Happy New Thread! Looks like a very nice weekend. Enjoy!

Congratulations on being in a pickle! It was said earlier, but it's a nice pickle to have. I like the idea of trying it for a year to see how it works for you. I'm sure you'll make the right decision whatever it is!

Now that I've read the thread, I say take the job! You can always return to leisure life any time you like, but this is an opportunity you might not have again.

>12 casvelyn: You love committee work?! Wow. Good you for! Ha!

>13 Ape: Stephen: A quiet, small-town library with very rare patrons? Perfect.

>14 foggidawn: I like the idea of trying it for a year... We'll see...

>15 Whisper1: Linda: I miss that about working at a college - meeting new people every year as new students arrive year after year.
And yes, that is an excellent read!

>16 rretzler: Robin: That's another great thing about this job - I wouldn't need to go back to school for training at all.

>17 MickyFine: That's so wonderful that you really do have your dream job, Micky!

>18 kidzdoc: Those are fantastic dream jobs, Darryl, although I'd love to do the leg work, so to speak, but I wouldn't revel in actually writing up the reviews...

>19 humouress: Nina: Yeah, I'm going to have to push myself to act on this, I think, if that's what I decide I should do...

>20 msf59: Morning, Mark!

>21 lauralkeet: Laura: Yep, I like that try-it-for-a-year idea, too..

>22 Ape: Thanks, Stephen! We'll see what happens...

Well, I've now had three doses of the new medicine and I still couldn't sleep last night for the pain - it's no better at all. I'm so sad and so, so tired. And trying not to show that I'm sad and tired to Charlie. Gah. Maybe it'll still kick in today sometime? I admit that I don't have much hope...

Dream job? I'd like to own a bookstore - the kind that does not have to be profitable. Which means that I would have to win a major lottery prize in order to support it.

Take the job, Amber. You don't have to do it forever. You don't want to end up wishing that you had taken a job doing something that you clearly love, but bypassed in favor of free time and projects.

>24 scaifea: Hang in there, Amber. I hope it will get better for you soon. And Charlie is a smart kid - he may realize that you're sad and tired anyway. I sometimes find that I can share some of those emotions with my boys, then we can talk about them and use them as a learning experience. Plus I think it's okay that they know that I'm not superhuman and that I have problems too, but I can show them that problems can be dealt with. But that's just my way and of course, I don't share everything...

>23 scaifea: I have awesome coworkers on my committees.

Amber, the word sad is difficult to equate with you. Thus I am very sure you are not feeling well. All good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Re: your "pickle": if I could have my dream job and it was *part-time* there'd be no question of doing it. Best of both worlds, really. And as others have said, if you don't like it, you don't have to continue on with it. The Life of Leisure will always be there, the Dream Job will not.

Re: your illness: ugh, that sounds awful and I'm so sorry you haven't had any relief yet. Here's hoping today - and tonight - are better for you!

Good morning, Amber. You know, it's A-OK to be sad. Just sayin'.

Happy New Thread!

Like Micky says, that's a nice pickle to be in, in >10 scaifea:. Particularly since the library job would work re Charlie, if you decided to do it.

Dream job: like Charlotte, I've often dreamed of owning a bookstore where I didn't need to worry about it being profitable. Working at bookstores in my youth was so much fun. But the ultimate dream job would be as an NBA basketball player. There'd be some cons - I'm old and slow, and can't jump much more than an inch off the ground, so a lot of guys would be blocking my shot and dunking over me. But it would still be a blast.

Mmmm my dream job... well, I'm the adult services/reference/local history librarian in my hometown and more and more I realize I have my dream job. I once would have said children's or teen services, but I really like the people I work with and for, and I really enjoy what I do.

My other dream job would be being a mom. I've even seriously considered taking in foster kids and/or adopting, though my living situation (renting an in-law apartment) would not work at the moment and I'm saving up for a down payment on a house. I haven't figured out yet if I can manage this single, while working my job as it stands now. So in a few years, I'll possibly be pondering the opposite of what you are now :)

But as Micky says "it's a pretty nice pickle" between two really nice options. If you do take the library job and decide it's not what you want, turning in your notice would not be the end of the world. You could always give yourself one school year to try it and see. Good luck with your decision!

Sorry to hear you're still in such pain. I hope that improves as the day goes on (any chance of a nap today?).

Happy New Thread, Amber. Sorry to hear that you still are in pain. I keep my fingers crossed that relief will come soon.
The job offer sounds good. I think you get finally paid for something you're already doing and you deserve it. Furthermore, Charlie is getting older and wouldn't be at home so often then now.

1) You know what they say---it's usually not the things you do that you regret later, it's the things you didn't do. I think you should give the job a try.

2) Did they do a culture on you? Sounds like you need a pathogen-specific drug. Seems like there should be some sign of improvement by now. I really don't like the fact that the pain keeps you from sleeping. *concerned Mama Bear face*

>24 scaifea: >33 laytonwoman3rd: Agreed. You should be feeling some significant improvement after 3 days of antibiotics. I would give the clinic a call before they shut down for the day. Agree about the culture.

ETA: Copied from your previous thread. "I've been to see the doctor, who said that my urine was throwing a party for some particularly unsavory characters (my description, not hers): a bit of blood, a bit of protein, some white blood cells... She honestly looked surprised that I wasn't in a lot more pain (I got the impression that my sample was pretty grim). So, yeah, she gave me a prescription for an antibiotic and sent me on my way."

With a description like that, they BETTER have done a culture. It sounds like there's some dropping of the ball in that office (like many or most these days). Call & ask. Keep bugging them. There has to be a doc on call, if yours isn't on call. Let them know that you're still feeling lousy. DON'T tough it out until Monday.

Did she give you an Rx for pyridium? That should knock out the pain (NOT an antibiotic--it's strictly for the pain). The pyridium should work--literally--within the hour. But you should also be taking the antibiotic as well.

Hi, all, and thanks so much for all of the messages. I'm sorry for not posting individual responses just now, but I don't have it in me at the moment.

Linda and Becky: Nope, no culture, just a urine sample. And Darryl very kindly mentioned the pyridium, too. I'm going to give this newer antibiotic until tomorrow morning to kick in, but if I'm still hurting then, I'll go to the urgent care clinic here in town.

I hope you feel better soon!

Wishing you the best of luck on your job decisions. I think if I had my dream job, it would be what I am doing now, managing a geriatric behavioral health program as part of a community mental health agency., but with LOTS more money to compensate my staff fairly, keep case loads down, and provide some extra's for the clients.

Hoping you feel better so so soon. Urine infections are heinous - I'm hoping the antibiotics start kicking in.

#10 My dream job? Basically this. I'm trapped at the moment because I can't afford a sizeable drop in salary, but I feel burnt out by what I do. I'm just going to have to cope, but if I could I would love to work in school libraries - peripatetic maybe, or within one, don't really care. That environment and basically being around books and being paid for it, plus having holidays for the kids and not having to pay for club would be amazing.

At the same time I see your cons - it is being trapped (is that the right word?) into something and in a very different way to volunteering for it on an ad hoc basis. You say lady of leisure but we all see how much you give back to your community as it is :)

>10 scaifea: Dream job? At my age, "Retired" is really what I would like, but since I've got several more years to go and need the money, I'd have to say "full time professional genealogist." Runner-up would be genealogical librarian. I still think "Retired" is the dream job!

Amber--Man, I hope those antibiotics are kicking in right about NOW!! And, if not, that the culture points the way to a quick fix. So sorry. Don't worry about Charlie; he is entitled to know that even moms have down days once in a while and he will understand. Good luck figuring out your job pickle--it's always nice to have choices. : )

Hi, all. Antibiotics still haven't really done anything to help me, at least symptom-wise. The good news, though, is that Tomm and Charlie have let me just sit and read pretty much all day, so I did finish a book...

36. Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay (series I'm reading with my mom, 291 pages), - 8/10 = B+
The perfect book for when you're not feeling well and just want a comfy read, this is the start of a new murder mystery series set in small town New England and featuring the local librarians as the Nancy Drews. Fun stuff.

Hi Amber! I thought this might help you decide about the job market:

>40 scaifea: That is a fun series!

Hi Amber, I am surprised that you are still under the weather. Those antibiotics should have done something by now. I hope that the acute care clinic is able to get you some pain relief and something that takes away the problem asap.

My thought on the job offer is - snap it up. You work there as a volunteer anyway in this way you just exchange regular hours and a pay cheque for what you were doing anyway and there is the added bonus that you already know and like the people you would be working with.

My dream job would be one of those that involved travel - travel, research and writing about things that I am interested in. I am hoping to make some of that a reality in a couple of years but, unfortunately, without the regular pay cheque.

Feel better!!

And -- take the job. It's a dream job. You are spending the time anyway. I'll be blunt -- at some point, you will want to exchange your lady of leisure title for a job, and the job that is available won't be a dream job at that point, perhaps. You are very, very lucky that the trade-off you face is a de minimis one. If you loathe it -- if the burden is unacceptable, and you find you can't be there for Charlie, or that you really are ending up making too many sacrifices of things that are crucial to you -- well, you can resign. If not, then you have something on your CV that you will find very helpful down the road, I suspect. But, a part-time job that revolves around your child-care schedule, doing something that you love, and getting paid for it?

If I were offered my dream job -- well, almost certainly I'd take it. There are one or two versions of said dream job that involve international relocation, and that might not be a good idea right now, but I could probably find a way to adapt them to working here. But yes. If someone came to me and said, here it is, your dream job, I would take it with both hands. Because I've learned that does not happen very often and when it does you GRAB IT unless there is an extremely compelling reason you couldn't make it work. For instance, if your dream job meant traveling to Somalia and negotiating hostage releases with pirates there, well, that wouldn't be compatible with being Charlie's mom -- or being a latter-day Margaret Mead and venturing off to Samoa and abandoning your family. But otherwise?

>41 banjo123: Rhonda: Ha! Nope, I wouldn't have that problem - I don't want to be Wonder Woman! I'm too afraid of flying, and that invisible plane of her is one of my worst nightmares!

>42 thornton37814: Lori: It's certainly not Shakespeare, but it was a fun read.

>43 Familyhistorian: >44 Chatterbox: Meg & Charlotte: Thanks for the Take It! advice - I'm feeling pretty convinced right now...

Okay, so I think...I THINK...I'm starting to feel a bit better...? At least I was able to sleep some last night and the pressure and pain is definitely less - although not completely gone - this morning. So, I'll hold off on a trip to Urgent Care unless it gets worse again today. Thanks so much to all of you for your thoughts. Here's hoping that it's all the way gone soon! A week-long UTI is not something that I'd wish on anyone, ever. Gah.

On the agenda for today:
Well, I haven't done anything for several days, so I'm not really certain where to start, to be honest. At the very least, I need to do laundry today. And that may be all that gets done, because I'm still pretty zonked from the lack of sleep.

On the reading front: In addition to finishing one book, I read a good chunk of The Crystal Cave yesterday and the first couple of chapters of Fleece Navidad, too.

This weekend the calendar offers up another book recommendation instead of its usual quiz or quote, and it's one that several of the 75ers have already read, I know: Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Since childhood, Elizabeth Foreman Lewis (Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze, 1933 Newbery Medal) lived by the motto, 'If worth doing at all, it is worth doing well.'"

Morning Amber! Happy Sunday! I sure hope you begin to feel better. Fingers crossed for you, my friend.

Looks like a nice, warm day. I loved Hyperbole and a Half.

>47 msf59: Morning, Mark! And thanks! Maybe I can get out and enjoy the day some...

What We Read Yesterday:
-Gravity Is a Mystery by Franklyn M. Branley (public library book, picture book) - 7/10 - C
Tomm really took issue with this one: "Um, what? Nope, not a mystery. We pretty much know what it is." Ha!

-Chapter 8 of Leprechaun in Late Winter
-Chapter 21 of The BFG

>3 scaifea: My dream job would be to be the Director of football (owner) at Leeds United football (soccer to you) club so long as I had the money and the stability to carry it through.

What some people and only a few know is that three years ago I actually attended meetings in Malaysia with prospective buyers of the club which would have put me on the board with the chance to do some of the things I would want to do for the club I love so much. Deal fell through though sadly when the crazy Italian bought the club.

I would drop everything to do that job, I admit.

Have a lovely Sunday dear lady.

I'm glad things seem to be better, Amber.

If you do get to be a director of a football club, Paul, let us know and I'll send my boys over; they'll be your biggest fans. Though I don't think Leeds is one of their top clubs, I must confess.

>50 PaulCranswick: Paul: Ooof, that *is* exciting! I'm sorry the deal didn't go through for you.

>51 humouress: Thanks, Nina.

Feel better, Amber. And rest.

>53 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. I've just had a lovely long nap and I'm feeling much better! Here's hoping it's gone for good.

Amber hope you're still improving and that you're taking it easy.

I think the comments above have said plenty about the job opportunity: how lovely that your volunteering has been recognised like this. I don't know what my dream job would be (maybe this is where I am going wrong!).

>55 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte - I'm still feeling okay and I did indeed taking it easy today.
And as far as the dream job goes, don't they say to think about what you'd do if you won the lottery and that's your dream job, or something like that...

What We Read Today:
-Water in the Park
-Mickey and the Magic CLoak
-Chapter 9 of Leprechaun in Late Winter
-Chapter 22 of The BFG

Glad you're starting to feel better!

Chiming in on the thoughts of gladness on your (long awaited) recovery! I'm sure taking it easy today has helped, and hopefully you'll wake up tomorrow feeling much improved. :)

I love he book pile picture and the shelf.....so enticing.

Boo hoo, I don't think I have a dream job! Or...is it maybe that I secretly want to be a research-only academic! Ooh, that might be nice :)

>3 scaifea: Dream job? Other than that lady-of-leisure (NOT) one of staying home with the kids, I'd totally work in a school library. Would be the Best. Job. Ever.

>10 scaifea: Therefore, if you find that the pros outweigh the cons and you take the job, I'll be in the cheering section. Well, I'll be in the cheering section either way, but you know what I mean.

I hope you're better. What a yucky couple of days you've had. Sorry.

>59 dk_phoenix: Thanks, Faith! I'm still feeling okay this morning, so yay!

>60 LovingLit: Megan: Research-only, eh? I would take the teaching part for you, then, as I didn't like the research part! Or, rather, I liked the research, but definitely not the writing-up-of-research part.

>61 nittnut: Jenn: Thanks for the cheers! We'll see how it goes, but at this point I think that if they do end up offering me the job, I'll likely take it. I've talked to Tomm about it and he's wonderfully supportive either way, so if it goes any farther, I'll talk to Charlie to see what he thinks.
And thank for the well-wishes; 6 days is too long for anyone to suffer through a UTI and I've *very* glad to have (hopefully) seen the back end of it! I'm most certainly making note of the name of that first medicine and if it happens again, I'll walk into the clinic and say, "NOT this one, please. And please to give me some of that pain medicine, too, please!" Ha!

On the agenda for today:

Well, now that I feel pretty much back to normal, I've got some catching up to do round the house. But first I need to do a bit of book fair business at school this morning (distributing the flyers and hanging the posters), then it's back home for vacuuming (this house is, I swear, hip-deep in dog hair after a week of no cleaning!), get some etsy orders packed up, organize the weekly photos that should have been done last week, make an appointment to take my car in for a filter change, possibly take The Gals for a walk and work on the Latin book. And also fret about Charlie going on a field trip to Dubuque today (overly-protective mom is trying to keep her stuff together about him going on a 20-minute school bus ride, and yes, I'm aware that I'm partially insane, thanks for the concern) - the entire first grade (all five classes) is going to see a Junie B. Jones play and they're all over-the-moon excited about it. Chicken Salad Sandwiches for dinner tonight, I think, along with, maybe, some tomato soup...

On the reading front:
I read some more of The Religion Book, which is really interesting and helpful and well-done so far - I'm learning a lot! And I read a bit more of Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics last night, too. I won't deny that some of it is way over my noggin, but I'm surprised at the amount that I *am* understanding - it's a hoot!

The calendar book for today: Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat - Anyone read this one? I've never heard of it before...

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Tales from Silver Lands (1925) and Shen of the Sea (1926) are the only books of short stories to win the top Newbery Award."
Tales from Silver Lands is just lovely, and is, in fact, sitting on Charlie's shelves, it's so good. I don't remember much about Shen of the Sea, I'm afraid...

Morning, Amber! Glad to hear you are feeling better. Yah! I am off today. Love those Monday off days.

I NEED to read Danticat!
I NEED to read Danticat!

Maybe if I say it enough times...

I thought Claire of the Sea Light was excellent, Amber. It was a great entry book for me to her writing.

Hooray for feeling pretty much back to normal!

>64 msf59: Mark: Happy Day Off!! Woot!
Okay, so what you're saying is you're possibly interested in reading Danticat...

>65 jnwelch: Joe: Oh, good to hear that the book is a good one - I think I'll add it to the list, then.

Change of plans (slight): I think I'll give a pass to walking The Gals today - the antibiotics are working (YAY!) but they generally make me a little more tired that usual, and I'm going to take that as a sign to slow down today... Maybe I'll take them out to the back yard and throw the frisbee for them later on instead.

Glad the antibiotic are working, but yeah, take it easy coming back. Hope Charlie has a great time on the field trip (and the anxious Mom survives the stress!). : )

>68 Berly: Ha! Thanks, Kim! According to the schedule, he's on the bus right now... Deep breaths...

Happy Leap Day, Amber! Wishing you the best of luck with your decision.

>70 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

There has been a shooting this morning at my niece's school (she's fine - she was at home at the time (she's in preschool there and doesn't go until the afternoon session)):

http://www.wlwt.com/news/report-of-2-people-shot-at-madison-high-school/38252402

When will enough be enough in this country?! I'm tired of it. Aren't we all tired of it?

Also, (and please, nota bene, if you are easily offended at someone's lack of faith in the Christian god, you may want to stop reading right now) my sister-in-law posted an update on her facebook page, saying that 4 students were shot but none fatally, and someone commented something like, "praise god!" Really? Praise god that he only let 4 kids get shot and this time - *this* time - didn't allow any children to die?! Nope. Nopenopenope. I can't understand that logic. I get that people turn to their faiths in times of stress and sadness and confusion, but this particular brand of praising god irks me. Sorry for the rant, but I kept myself from saying something in response to that comment and had to let it out somewhere. Feel free to ignore it and go about your day.

>3 scaifea: I'm pretty lucky to have my current position, but I miss working with collections. I would love to transition into an acquisitions librarian one day.

Your job offer sounds fun, but I can see why it would be something to think about. I'm sure you'll make the right choice for yourself and the fam.

>72 scaifea: So sorry to hear about yet another shooting, especially because your niece goes there. Glad she's safe. I'm rather with you on the praise God thing. Praise gun reform laws.

>73 rosylibrarian: Marie: Acquisitions does sound like it would be a fun job.
And yes, amen, sister, on those gun reform laws.

So sorry to hear about the shooting. It's increadible how easily one can have a gun in the US and even after shootings nobody can/will make a stop to it.

Hi Amber, take things steady my dear with being on antibiotics, you will soon be back firing on all cylinders. I shall soon be going up to my bed to rest but wanted to pass by on a few threads. It is shocking the amount of school shootings you have, hopefully sense will prevail soon.

First off, let me say that I am glad to hear that you are feeling better. I also think you should seriously consider taking the library job for all the reasons that everyone else has listed. But of course, only you know what you need in your life so the final decision should be entirely up to you. I am so sorry to hear about another school shooting, and I totally agree that "Enough Is Enough"!

>72 scaifea: These incidents are really too much. Second Amendment rights justifies this madness does it? I would hazard that those in favour of bearing arms don't have children in those schools.

>78 PaulCranswick: Paul: Right? I admit that I'm a bit of an extremist on this issue: I say no guns. No. Guns. At. All. If you want to hunt, then fine, learn to use a bow-and-arrow. Done. No. Guns.

>79 scaifea: But the criminals will always find the black market for the guns and others will be defenseless. It's a vicious cycle. I don't think guns are the issue (although I have no desire to own one myself). I think the problem is a deep moral problem that is plaguing society. It's a problem of respect -- for the law, for our fellow man, for God, etc. Until the moral compass issue is addressed, the problem will not be solved. Removing the guns is not going to solve it. They'll either find the black market, or they'll find another means to do their evil.

>80 thornton37814: Lori: I disagree. The idea that they'll find the guns anyway is no excuse not to work toward getting rid of them or at the very least to create much, much stricter laws governing them. And as someone who doesn't believe in God, I'm afraid that I take issue with the idea of lack of respect for God as part of the problem.

>81 scaifea: We'll just have to disagree.

>82 thornton37814:. Lori: I'm perfectly contented to do so. *grins*

What We Read Today:
-North Woods Girl by Aimée Bissonette (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A lovely picture book about a girl and her grandma, who lives in and for the woods. Beautifully illustrated.
-Quest
-Chapter 10 of Leprechaun in Late Winter

On the agenda for today:

Well, Charlie was hoping for a snow day, but it looks like we may have gotten 2-3 of the 6-8 inches they were predicting so I suspect he's still going to school today. I'll be taking Tuppence for her monthly laser treatment this morning, then home for some work on the Latin book before going in for my Tuesday afternoon volunteering and to read some books to a couple of classes to promote the book fair. Leftovers for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I listened to Circus Mirandus while vacuuming yesterday, and it's pretty good so far - nice and magical. I also listened to a bit more of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the car, read a bit more of The Religions Book and a few pages in The Light of Asia.

The calendar book today is one that I've read already and really enjoyed: One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "A Visit to William Blake's Inn (1982) with rhyming text, Joyful Noise (1989) written with the intent to be read by two people at the same time, and Out of the Dust (1998) written in free verse are the only top Newbery winners written in poetry."
Of course, The Crossover, which is fantastic, needs to be added to this list since the publication of my trivia book. And A Visit to William Blake's Inn is one of my favorite Newbery winners.

Morning Amber! It looks like we have some winter, for the next few days. Booooooooooo!!

You might want to keep your eyes peeled for King Leopold's Ghost. This just could be your cuppa.

Morning, Amber!

Amber Alert!!!! If you've read my thread recently, You'd know I attempted to delete all my old starred people (from as far back as 2011!) but accidentally deleted all my 2016 starred. I thought I recovered all but when I wanted to check in with you and find out how you were getting a long, I realized I didn't restar you. :( All's good now. :0)

1. Glad to see you're mending and obviously well enough to carry on with chores. Hope everyday continues to show improvement.

2. Wow! What a huge decision you're mulling over. What's Charlie's opinion?

3. *sigh* Madison HS - There are so many things amiss in our society and the problems are so deep one can't even imagine where to begin. If you take away guns - people who want to hurt others will find another option - so we have to figure out WHY people want to hurt/kill others, kids none the less! When we know the WHY, and there are so many reasons WHY, we have to address how they can be helped before we help more mourning families. Vigils! ha! teddy bears and flower memorials! Give me a break! Sorry for the rant.

>86 msf59: Morning, Mark! Here's hoping it melts soon, eh? Did you get lots?
And I've been pondering adding King Leo to the list - you've just clinched it, friend.

>87 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Just talked to Tomm, who is in Orlando this week, and he says it'll get up in the 80's there today. How about your neck of the woods today?

Going to 78F here today.

>88 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! *snork!* to the Amber Alert!
Yes, I'm feeling pretty much my old self again, which is a relief on many levels, but in particular because Book Fair Business starts in earnest this week...

Charlie doesn't know anything yet - I want to know for certain that they'll be offering me the position before bothering him with it, but then, of course, his opinion will be very important to me and Tomm.

And yes, the vigils and the changing of the FB profile pictures to "Prayers for X" frustrate me. Yes, pray, if you want and if it comforts you, but DO SOMETHING ELSE, TOO. And you're right, of course - we need much, MUCH better health care for mental and emotional needs in this country. That's a huge part of it. But I still want all the guns gone, too. A mentally unstable person with a knife is much easier to stop than one with an assault rifle.

>90 Crazymamie: Mamie: Ooof. I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that. Ha!

I know, right?! I'll soak up some sun and send you warm thoughts today.

>93 Crazymamie: Ha! Thanks, Mamie!

Good morning Amber my dear, hope you are well, sending love and hugs.

>95 johnsimpson: Morning, John!

Good morning, Amber!

Our weather is almost exactly like Mamie's, except 35-40 degrees colder, and gray, with snow probably on its way.

>97 jnwelch: Ha!

>97 jnwelch: >98 Crazymamie: *SNORK!!* Good one, Joe!

>98 Crazymamie:, >99 scaifea: :-)

Very sorry to hear about the shooting. I am grateful that it wasn't worse, but it's certainly bad enough.

My own state representative is currently pushing for a law that would allow concealed weapons on the state's college campuses. To make our campuses safer.

Really. Because the way to make hormones, alcohol, and performance anxiety safer is through easy access to ammunition.

I'm with you on the No Guns. Fortunately, I live in countries that have much tighter gun laws. Oddly enough, we generally don't get gun violence in schools. Or elsewhere.

>101 swynn: Steve: Oh, that's awful! Just awful.

>102 humouress: Nina: Exactly. EXACTLY.

Hi Amber. I'm stopping by to see how you are. Hang in there. Sending much love. If you haven't read Jane Yolen's just off the press What To Do With a Box, I highly recommend it. Touchstones are wacky again today!

I read your suggestion -- What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada, and loved it!

I hope you feel better soon.

Only 18 messages behind here which seemed much more doable in terms of sneaking some time to catch up than the threads I've really let languish - approaching triple digits some of them...

Anyway, the idea that stricter gun laws won't completely stop gun violence and therefore shouldn't be enacted is bizarre to me. Of course, there will always be all sorts of types of violence, but we could certainly make it MUCH harder for people to get their hands on deadly weapons. Laws never completely eliminate whatever they are enacted to combat, but that's not a reason not to do it. Gah! Makes me mad.

Texas has a new open carry law, which some organizations can "opt out" of. My company has done so, and I work with a woman who is all pissy about it because she has to leave her gun in her car and what if someone came in here and started shooting - wouldn't I want someone armed there to defend me? And my response is pretty much, not you lady-who-sits-near-me-and-has-a-hair-trigger-temper. I'll take my chances on the slim odds that someone would actually randomly come in here and start shooting vs. what seem higher odds that you'd get really mad one day and just lost it....

And I'm pretty much with you on the whole God thing, too. But I would add that a failure to respect God or whatever does not automatically equate with lacking a moral compass or however one wants to put it. That's just insulting, as far as I'm concerned.

/rant

^Agree with Katie. Well said.

Most Buddhists would find that idea, that a failure to respect God means no moral compass, so off target. What is needed is to respect and behave compassionately toward each other.

>105 katiekrug: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, aaaaand, yes.
*high fives Katie*

>106 jnwelch: Joe; Yes, exactly. As an aspiring Buddhist, I agree. I wouldn't say that I'm actually offended by folks who make that equation, but it certainly does make me sad. I love it when people ask the Dalai Lama about his "religion" and he comes back at them with, "Kindness is my religion." Yes. This. Exactly.

37. The Magic Tree House: Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne (Charlie's school library book, 114 pages) - 8/10 = B

Also Read Today:
-Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
-The Emperor and the Kite
-Oh, What a Busy Day!

>104 Whisper1: Oops, sorry, Linda, I missed you up there earlier! I read the new Yolen book the last time I was in a bookstore - it's good! And I'm so glad you loved the Yamada book - I knew you would!

Hi Amber! I'm glad you're finally feeling better. Antibiotics always make me tired, too, so taking it easy sounds like a good plan!

>91 scaifea: A mentally unstable person with a knife is much easier to stop than one with an assault rifle. And that is not the only problem with people with mental health issues having access to guns. I was reading something recently about suicide rates in different countries and apparently the US rate was double that in the UK. One reason suggested by the author was the easier access to firearms. Apparently putting even small obstacles in the way has been show to reduce actual suicide attempts in someone is having suicidal thoughts, so having a loaded firearm in the house giving instant access to what is a very final method of attempting suicide can mean that many more people actually make the attempt and kill themselves.

I think the thing here is that you will always have the professional criminals or city centre gangs, who will have access to guns. But your average disturbed teenager, or disturbed person of any age actually, won't have access to them legally, and wouldn't have the right contacts to get them illegally. And as you say it's much more difficult to carry out mass murder with a knife.

>110 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie!

>11 scaifea: Rhian: Oh, that is an *excellent* point about suicide rates. Thanks for bringing that up!

This:
“Federal data from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that between 2007 and 2011, an average of 62 children age 14 and under were accidentally shot and killed each year. "
http://everytownresearch.org/reports/innocents_lost/

On the agenda for today:

I'll be at school most of the day, visiting many of the classes to read a couple of stories and talk about the book fair with the kids, and then volunteering in the library in between visits. Charlie has requested Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner, so we'll pick one up on the way home from school - I'll be having leftovers, because I'm not supposed to have dairy with these antibiotics, a fact that I forgot last night, ate mac-and-cheese, and then woke up in the middle of the night with a bit of pain and pressure again. Dang it. I'm still quite worried that come Friday morning, once the meds course is over, this infection will come storming back.

On the reading front:
I listened to a bit more of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy yesterday, and read a few pages in Far From the Madding Crowd, which I'm enjoying so far - it really feels similar to The Return of the Native in a lot of ways, and that's not a bad thing.

The calendar book for today: Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton. Zombies? Hm. Thankyounothankyou. Not my thing.

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "When Katherine Paterson finished Tolkien's The Return of the King at the beach one day, she decided to use the name Galadriel in a book. Gilly in The Great Gilly Hopkins (1979 Newbery Honor Book) is a nickname for Galadriel."
Ha! Neat! I haven't read this one yet, but I like it already!

And Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss today!! And Happy Read Across America Day!! How cool is it that I get to read to lots of Kindergarten and first grade classes today!?

>113 charl08: Charlotte: Yep. It's sickening, no?

Morning Amber! Less than 2 inches of snow, so not bad. Just cold. Hope the day goes well.

>116 msf59: Mark: I think we got closer to 3, maybe 4 inches, but yeah, not too bad, I guess. *sigh*

Howdy Amber! What a perfect day to read to the little people! Will you be reading Seuss?

Morning, Amber!

>118 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! No Seuss today, but I'll be reading some later this week - I Can Read with My Eyes Shut, which is my favorite. Today I'm visiting classes to promote the book fair, and this spring's theme is Peace Love Books, so I chose The Story of Ferdinand and Whoever You Are as my favorite peace, love, flowers type books.

>119 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Morning, Amber!

Morning, Abby!

Okay folks, my symptoms are most definitely coming back, and I'm not even finished with the antibiotics course. Ding. Dang. I'll call the clinic this morning once they open and hope to get in this afternoon once I'm finished with my class visits - hopefully they can squeeze me in before I have to be back to pick Charlie up from school...

>114 scaifea: We just got a Papa Murphy's in town about 2 months ago - it's fast become a family fave!

>123 scaifea: Good idea and good luck!

>124 drneutron: Jim: They're so good, aren't they?

>125 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda.

Ouch! Hope they can fix you up quick.

Good morning, Amber!

What Charlotte said goes for me, too. Infections can be tough to get rid of.

>126 scaifea: Mediterranean Chicken is our fave. The nephew likes the pepperoni - lots of cheese. At some point we'll try the stuffed crust.

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

My most recent fave Papa Murphy's pizza is the spicy fennel sausage and spinach on the thin crust. It's awesome!

We have a Papa Murphy's but I've never been there. It sounds like I need to try it.

Darn that infection but smart of you to jump on it.

down with infections!!!

>63 scaifea: I read Claire of the Sea Light last year (I think) and really liked it. :) I absolutely love Danticat. Love her style.

Oh no, I hope you'll get the appointment quickly. Feel better soon. Thinking of you.

>127 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte.

>128 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe.

>129 drneutron: Jim: I like the Papa Murphy, no mushrooms and no olives; Charlie goes for the Just Cheese, as he calls it, and we both prefer the thin crust.

>130 rosalita: Julia: I say that one on the menu and thought of you!

>131 thornton37814: Yep, you should.

>132 lauralkeet: Thanks, Jenn - I'm most definitely tired of this one! And it sounds like I need to give Danticat a try, toot sweet.

>134 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara - I got in to see the doctor this afternoon and now have a third antibiotic (!!) and the lovely pain meds that Darryl recommended I get.

No mushrooms and no olives on your pizza? I knew there was a reason we get along so well, Amber!

>136 rosalita: Julia: Ha! *high five*

I read these three off the shelves at Charlie's school today, waiting in between class visits (yes, I forgot to stick a book in my bag this morning - THE HORROR!):

38. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park (school library book) - 8/10 = B-
39. Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo (school library book) - 8/10 = B+
40. The Magic Tree House #3: Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (school library book) - 8/10 = B

Also Read Today:
-Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party by Melanie Watt (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-47 Strings by Becky Carey (Charlie's school library book, picture book) = 8/10 = B
The subject of this book is a little gal, Tessa, who goes to Charlie's school - her mom wrote the book as a sort of letter to her then-7-year-old son, trying to explain in terms that he could understand what it meant that his baby sister has Down Syndrome. Tessa is *adorable* and I love seeing her in the halls at school, and Charlie is a fan, too, and thinks it's pretty cool that she's in a book.
-We March by Shane W. Evans (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-The Hueys in It Wasn't Me

Sorry the symptoms are coming back for you. : ( Today was actually a good day for me. I actually was not nauseous, only slightly dizzy and the headache was light. Maybe this thing is ending for me? Crossing my fingers!!

I'm sorry to hear he infection is making itself known again, and I'm glad you were able to get more antibiotics and some pain meds. You'll be able to sleep better with the pain meds, and I hope that better sleep will help your body kick this infection.

>139 Berly: Fingers definitely crossed, Kim!!

>140 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie. I took one of the pain pills last night before bed and it sort of worked; I'm not complaining - it helped me get a full night's sleep, which is wonderful, but I was sort of expecting it to get rid of *all* of the pain and pressure, but it left some of the pressure. Weird. At any rate, it definitely helped, so yay! Here's hoping this new antibiotic will do it.

On the agenda for today:
I'm meeting the secretary for the local Kiwanis club for coffee this morning; she wants to talk about how they could maybe purchase a bunch of books from our book fair to stock up for their book giveaway, which would be wonderful, of course! And then I need to get my menu-planning done and the grocery list organized for tomorrow, laundry, and possibly bake some cookies. Curried lentils for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I listened to more of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (they've just found the planet-manufacturing planet) and read a couple of chapters in Fleece Navidad - I just love this series. It's so comforting and fun, and I really like the characters. Plus, it always puts me in the mood for coffee and knitting. Ha!

The calendar book today: Shocked: My Mother, Schiaparelli, and Me by Patricia Volk, which sounds sort of maybe interesting? Anyone read it?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The parents of Patricia MacLachlan (Sarah, Plain and Tall, 1986 Newbery Medal) instilled in their daughter the love of books. They read, reread, discussed, and acted out parts of books."

And Happy Birthday to Ms. MacLachlan, born on this day in 1938!

>142 scaifea: I read another book by Patricia Volk. I think it was called Stuffed, and I remember really enjoying it. It was all about a family's food business.

Morning Amber? More snow? Really? Just a inch or 2 again but COME ON!

I remember really liking Sarah, Plain and Tall, but never read the follow-up books.

>143 rosylibrarian: Marie: Oh, interesting! I've not ever even heard of Volk...

>144 msf59: Mark: I know, right?! Yeesh. Enough, already.
And I've not read the follow-ups, either, although I have read a couple others of hers and liked them. I think maybe Joe has read the other Sarah ones...?

Good morning my dear, hope you are well this morning, sending love and hugs.

Morning, Hope you're feeling better today!!

Morning, Amber!

Good morning, Amber!

I can't remember whether we're 4 or 5 books into the Sarah, Plain and Tall series. MacLachlan has a gift for distilling stories down to their essence. Simple, but very satisfying.

>146 johnsimpson: Morning, John!

>147 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

>148 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

>149 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I *thought* I remembered correctly that you were a fan. I am, too - you're right that she's a brilliant writer. Just lovely.

mornin', Amber. love your topper of Charlie the Magnificent. i'm very sorry--what an inadequate word--you're dealing with so pertinaceous a bug. sounds truly yucky. do please consider getting yourself on a good probiotic. and no, yogurt, while a good food, won't do it. not enough good beasties.

>63 scaifea: Stop, you're making me tired! I'm so exhausted from all that I think I might have to sit down and read for a little while!

>72 scaifea: So glad your niece was not there. Yes, we ARE tired of it, and I also share your lack of faith in the Christian God (or any God) for that matter. I have mixed feelings as to the right answer. on the gun situation. On one hand, I agree that there should be no guns. I grew up with guns in the house (actually unlocked, but not loaded, but we all knew where the ammo was) and decided that I would not have guns in my house because both guns AND people can lead to violence. You can educate all you want, but accidents happen, which aren't really the gun's fault, but are because of the gun presence. On the other hand, I find it hard to swallow that the government has the right to tell us what to do. Of course, there have to be laws, but at what point do the laws stop protecting and start to take away individual freedoms. I look at some of the other countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia who have better control than we do, and have fewer deaths and think it might be a start...but I am afraid that many of the people who would keep the guns would be the ones who are willing to flaunt the laws...so I'm torn. I think all the time of 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Atlas Shrugged, and how our society tends to take things to extreme in an attempt to "correct" itself, and how there MUST be some kind of middle ground that we can live with...but "middle ground" and "that we can live with" seem to be the underlying issue in all of this, don't they? Sigh...

I just had a crazy thought that in the long term better parenting might be the answer, but as I tried to explain it, there were sooooo many side issues that I wouldn't know where to begin, other than to say that we can only do what we think is best for the children who are our responsibility and hopefully have them grow up to be good people who will do the best for the children that are their responsibility and so on.

>85 scaifea: So...Circus Mirandus...what did you think? Keegan and I enjoyed it quite a bit, though I found it sad (well, maybe bittersweet is a better word). I also wondered how Grandpa could have come to love and marry the person he married. It was the first Newbery contender that Keegan read last year, and he loved it until he read the next one, which he loved until he read the next one and so on.

>138 scaifea: Have you and Charlie ever read Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff)? It was Barbara Parks' last book and we (Beckham, Keegan and I) LOVED it. So much so that we honestly were ROFL, of course, that's probably because we were reading it ON the floor, but nontheless, it still is our favorite book of Parks.

Hope you feel better again soon.

>151 mirrordrum: Thanks, Ellie. Yes, I'm seriously considering starting some probiotics, but I'm so ignorant about them that I just don't know how to go about it. Any thoughts would be welcome...

>152 rretzler: Thanks for your thoughts on the gun problem, Robin. I completely get what you're saying about individual rights, but on something like guns, I'm completely willing to give up those particular rights. But, yes, how do you stop that kind of control from going to far? I don't know - we have laws against all sorts of things that don't make me feel like my rights are being taken away (killing, for instance, robbery, for another - I'm not sad that I don't have a right to rob the corner market, and the right to own a gun feels similar to me, but I know I'm very much in the minority about that one).

So far I'm enjoying Circus Mirandus, but yes, I suspect it's gonna make me sad in the long run...

And this was the first Junie B. Jones I'd ever read. Charlie's read the Mushy Gushy Valentine one, or rather his teacher read it to his class, and he seemed to like that one, but hasn't expressed an interest in reading any others in the series so far. I have to say that I wasn't impressed with that first one - she was more annoying than funny to me. Maybe they get better as the series goes along? Maybe the antibiotics are just making me a grouch? Ha!

Afternoon Amber!

Just checking in - hope you are feeling better and that this infection goes for good.

Oh and Happy World Book Day!

>154 Thebookdiva: Afternoon, Abby!

>155 BekkaJo: Hi, Bekka! I'm feeling okay today so far...
And WOOT! World Book Day!!

Happy World Book Day.

>157 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!

>153 scaifea: will collect thoughts and respond off thread re: probiotics. since my thoughts are free-range, it may take a while.

>159 mirrordrum: Many thanks, Ellie, in advance!

On the agenda for today:

Charlie has a day off from school today (professional day for the teachers), and we're both really looking forward to the day we have planned: Charlie has a hair cut appointment first thing this morning, then he's asked if we can shop for a new notebook for him - he has an idea for a new story, apparently, and of course that requires a brand–new notebook (and you *know* this momma won't say no to *that* request). Then we'll spend some time at the library to stock up on more books and to check out Charlie's Peep-o-Rama, which he and Tomm made last weekend at a library program and which is on display, along with all the others, until Easter (they made a Harry Potter-themed one). Then we'll get the grocery shopping done, which is always 200% more fun when Charlie's along (he makes up all sorts of games to play along the way), then home for lunch and a bit of hanging out and possibly cookie-making before heading down to Dubuque this afternoon to visit our favorite local indy bookshop, which has an amazing children's section, then over right next door to a fantastic popcorn shop. Then, we'll head to the Dubuque airport's observation park to watch Tomm's plane fly in over our heads, after which we'll all go out for dinner. Doesn't that just sound like the absolute perfect day?! Charlie's been talking about it all week, and I'm just as excited as he is! I should also mention that the trip to the book shop and the library were both Charlie's ideas - how much do I love this kid?!

On the reading front: I listened to a bit more of The Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy yesterday (the pot of flowers and the whale have just blinked into existence only to blink right back out again), read a bit more of The Religions Book and a nice chunk of Five Days at Memorial, which, as most of you know already, I think, is riveting.

The calendar book for today: The Astor Orphan by Alexandra Aldrich. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Meindert De Jong spent four years writing The Wheel on the School (1955 Newbery Medal)."
And it was well worth it - such a lovely little read.

And Happy Birthday to Meindert De Jong, Dav Pilkey and Peggy Rathman!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Brave Young Knight by Karen Kingsbury (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B-
Lovely illustrations and a nice-enough fairy-tale-like story, but a little too heavy on the morals for my taste. I don't like being preached at.
-Goodnight Moon
-Oh, What a Busy Day!

Morning Amber! Happy Friday! I am so glad you are immersed in Five Days. It is a terrific book. We love our NNF.

And expect more warbling on King Leopold's Ghost. OMG!

Sounds like you have a lovely day ahead, Amber. Enjoy!

>163 msf59: Happy Friday, Mark! Five Days is amazing so far, for certain. ANd I've already put Leo on the wishlist! Woot!

>164 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

Morning, Amber! Happy Friday - yours sounds like it cannot fail to be full of fabulous. Enjoy!

>166 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

Are you still hanging around here? You need to get going, woman...you have a big wonderful day ahead! Enjoy every minute.

Sounds like a great day, Amber. Enjoy!

>168 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: *snork!* We're just waiting until time for Charlie's hair cut appointment (9am), and then the day gets going!

>169 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>170 scaifea: I do tend to forget you're in a different time zone...

>161 scaifea:, Hi Amber, I see Charlie has got good taste, he loves books and stationery and I hope his new idea is a winner. I hope you are having a great day together, sending love and hugs to you all.

Amber, I'm sorry your infection was so tenacious. Those UTIs do like to come back if they aren't treated properly. Hope you are all better by now. I love that Charlie needs a new notebook for his story. Haley went in the house after a day of flying home from Disney World on Wednesday and proceeded to make three books about her experiences. She's crazy about drawing and making up stories. I sat next to her on 3 of our 4 flights, and she kept me well entertained!

>171 laytonwoman3rd: I cannot forget that you are (almost) all in a different time zone. I do share the same time zone as Nina (humouress) but I am acutely aware that while I plough the treads some of the time, the rest of the world is asleep!

Have a lovely weekend Amber.

>172 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! We had a *wonderful* day!

>173 Donna828: Hi, Donna! I'm feeling lots better today, so here's hoping that sticks! I love that Haley loves to draw and make stories - sounds just like Charlie!

>174 PaulCranswick: Paul: Ha! I think it's just short of amazing that we have such a close-knit group so far outspread, no? I love it!

Happy weekend, Amber.

>176 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! Lovely!

We had an amazing day yesterday! Busy but so much fun. And look what I got at the bookshop:

Morning, Amber! Those are beautiful covers on those books!

On the agenda for today:

Charlie's gymnastics class this morning, then laundry, bills, and possibly some baking. Khare Masale Ka Gosht ("meat with whole spices" - from An Invitation to Indian Cooking), potatoes and peas for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I read a bit of Black Boy yesterday, which is still good if not a comfortable read.

The calendar weekend quote: "As a teenager you are in the last stage of your life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you."

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Illustrator Garth Williams traveled to all but one of the locations Laura Ingalls Wilder mentioned in her Little House books, five of which are Newbery Honor Books."
Cool! I've been to one of the houses - we visited it on our way back here from Minneapolis a couple of summers ago.

>179 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I'm super-excited about both of them. I've been waiting a long while to get my hands on the new Sandman, and just this past week someone here in the group mentioned Pax, and it sounded so great (and I really like Klassen's illustrations), so I was happy to find it in the shop!

Good morning, Amber! Khare Masale Ka Gosht sounds good; please let us know how it turns out. I bought an Indian cookbook last week, on the recommendation of two of my (Indian) colleagues, and I may try one of the recipes in it tomorrow.

I quickly skimmed through your messages yesterday as I was having breakfast before morning rounds with the residents, and I initially thought that you wrote in >142 scaifea: that you were going to your local Kwanzaa club. :-)

Morning Amber! Happy Saturday!

>182 kidzdoc: Darryl: I've tried a few recipes out of this Indian cookbook and they've all been excellent so far, so I have high hopes for this one. I'll keep you posted. Indian is my very favorite kind of food and I've been gathering recipes that I love for a while now and have a pretty good stockpile of regulars at this point.

And Kwanzaa Club? Love it!

>183 msf59: Hi, Mark!

>184 scaifea: Indian is my very favorite kind of food

Amen, Sister Amber. You're preaching to the choir.

The new cookbook I bought is The Indian Slow Cooker by Anupy Singla. Most of the 50 recipes are vegetarian, but there are eight meat dishes as well. I think I'll try Aloo Gobi (Spiced Cauliflower and Potatoes) and/or Aloo Baingan (Spicy Punjabi Eggplant with Potatoes) tomorrow. I have nearly all the ingredients at home for both dishes already, save for cauliflower and eggplants.

Afternoon, Amber!

Glad to hear you and the Charlester had a wonderful day. I just started Pax, and I'm loving it.

>185 kidzdoc: Ooh, that cookbook intrigues me! Indian is one of my favorites as well, though I'm not sure about 'very favorite' -- that's like asking for my 'very favorite' book.

Hi Amber! It sounds like Friday was an amazingly fun day! Hope the remainder of the weekend is much the same.
*must fly over to Darryl's thread in the hope that the Aloo recipes are posted*

>187 foggidawn: True. I wouldn't like to give up other regional or ethnic cuisines (especially Creole/Cajun!), but if I had to choose only one food to eat for the rest of my life it would definitely be Indian.

>188 Carmenere: Not yet, Lynda. I just looked through this cookbook, and decided what to make a few minutes ago. I did post the recipe for the very tasty Mushroom-Spinach Soup With Middle Eastern Spices that I made on Sunday, though.

>185 kidzdoc: Darryl: Whelp, that clinches it - I'm adding that cookbook to my wishlist!

>186 jnwelch: Joe: We had The Best day! It's so fun to hang out with that kid, honestly. And Tomm coming home from his trip and having dinner out with us was icing, for certain.
I'm happy to hear that you are liking Pax - I can't wait to get to it!

>187 foggidawn: I know, right? I definitely want a cookbook that combines Indian cuisine with a slow cooker!

>188 Carmenere: Lynda: So far today has been pretty lazy, but in a good way.

>190 scaifea: Yep, my thoughts exactly!

41. The Spoonflower Handbook by Stephen Fraser (just because I wanted to, 208 pages) - 9/10 = A-
I read this one because I want to be able to use the amazing website to its full potential and design some of my own fabrics when I need certain things. A great guide.

Hope you are feeling better soon, Amber. Your life is too busy to be sick!

>193 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! I'm feeling much better this weekend - I think this third antibiotic is finally doing the trick!

On the agenda for today:
All the stuff that didn't get done yesterday, which turned out to be a lovely, lazy day. So the laundry and the baking (Banana Bread and some Milk Bread, too) will be happening today. Leftovers for dinner tonight, I think. The Indian dish last night turned out pretty excellent, so I'll try to remember to post the recipe later.

On the reading front: Besides finishing the Spoonflower book, I read a few pages in The Religions Book yesterday afternoon.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Bette Greene (Philip Hall Likes Me, I reckon Maybe, 1975 Newbery Honor Book) credits her third-grade teacher with giving her the confidence to pursue her dream of writing."
Yay for teachers!

Also Read Yesterday:
-Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature by Sarah C. Campbell (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+

Happy Mother's Day Amber :)

Morning Amber! Happy Sunday! Let the warm-up begin, my friend. I am looking forward to a mild week.

Enjoy your day!

>196 BekkaJo: Ha! Thanks, Bekka!

>197 msf59: Morning, Mark! And YES! Bring on that warmer weather, please!!

Okay, folks, here's the recipe from last night - I made boiled yukon gold potatoes and peas to go along with it and it was excellent:

Khare Masale Ka Gosht (Meat with Whole Spices)

Ingredients:
• 8 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 20 whole peppercorns
• 15 whole cloves
• 10 whole cardamom pods (I used 1 teaspoon ground cardamom since I didn't have whole pods)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 pounds stew meat
• salt to taste

1. Heat oil in dutch oven over medium heat. When it is very hot, add cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom and bay leaves.
2. Cook and stir a couple of minutes, until spices become fragrant.
3. Add meat; stir 5 minutes or until meat is browned.
4. Cover, lower heat and cook for about an hour or until meat is tender.
5. Remove cover and continue cooking on medium heat for the final 3-5 minutes, gently stirring meat pieces.

I made a few adjustments to the original recipe (which I found, again, in An Invitation to Indian Cooking):
-The original calls for 1-4 whole dried hot peppers, which are to be added with the spices (Charlie wouldn't eat it were it spicy at all, so I left these out).
-Also, it calls for "2 pounds of boneless meat from shoulder of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes" but I can't get lamb here unless I drive 10 miles to the next little town and to their amazing butcher shop, which I love but didn't have the time on Friday. So, I just used beef stew meat and it turned out fabulous.

>199 scaifea: I'm going to try that. It sounds very tasty, either with lamb or with beef. Simple, too, unlike some Indian recipes. And I think I will put the peppers in. Does the recipe specify what kind to use?

Happy Sunday, Amber! Glad the antibiotics seem to be working. Phew! Ain't nobody got time for that nonsense--especially you! The recipe sounds delish--thanks. : )

>200 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Nope, it just says "whole dried hot peppers," so it's your choice! And, yes, it's very simple, and I was so happy with how tender the meat turned out to be (I sometimes struggle with cooking meat and getting it not to be tough).

>201 Berly: Kim: Ha! Thanks - no, nobody got time for that, for certain!

I am also going to try that recipe, Amber - also with beef because Abby won't eat lamb. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for posting the recipe, Amber! I love lamb and can easily find it at Publix, my local supermarket, so I'll try it with lamb soon.

>203 Crazymamie: Mamie: You're welcome!

>204 kidzdoc: You're welcome, Darryl! I'll be eager to see what you think of it with lamb.

Happy Sunday, Amber!

I loved Pax. She tells a beautiful, memorable story.

>206 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Yes, I can't wait to get round to that one.

got terrible behind... one note:

>107 scaifea: Kindness is my religion
Yes, that should be....

>208 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! Yes, that's a great thought, isn't it?

42. The BFG by Roald Dahl (Charlie's bedtime read,243 pages) - 9/10 = A
Just as good as the first time around, and honestly, even better, because this time was accompanied by much Charlie giggling and wonder. Excellent!

Also Read Today:
-Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

>210 scaifea: It's nice to know that Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is still being enjoyed!

*waves at Amber*

I like North Indian food; I find South Indian a bit meh.

Oh all right!! HHGttG on the list. And why not BFG too, while we're at it *grumbling while patching bullet holes*.

Though we were given Mike Mulligan as a gift for our first child when he was a baby (or before he was born?), so I've avoided that one.

>210 scaifea: Happy Days! Sounds wonderful. Happy Monday Amber.

>211 thornton37814: Lori: It's an old favorite here - we've read it over and over since Charlie was born. He even has a Mike Mulligan t-shirt from outofprintclothing.com!

>212 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen!

>213 humouress: Nina: I admit to not knowing enough about Indian food to know the difference between the two, I'm afraid. I just know that the Indian food I've had is delicious. Tikka Masala is my favorite - is that a north or south kind of dish?
And yay for Adams and Dahl! You're in for a treat with both!

>214 charl08: Charlotte: It *was* wonderful. One of the best parts of my day is reading to Charlie at bedtime.

On the agenda for today:

After taking Charlie to school I'll head down to Dubuque for a car appointment - the air filter needs changed, apparently. While I'm at the dealership, I'll pick up brochures on their 2016 models, as my lease is up in the next couple of months and we're thinking of outright buying one for me this time round. I have a Honda Accord right now and I love it, but I really want the hybrid model.
Then I'll come home to do some vacuuming, possibly take The Gals for a walk and then work on the Latin book until time to pick Charlie up from school. Leftovers again tonight for dinner, I think.

On the reading front: I read more of The Religions Book yesterday afternoon and started reading Millard Fillmore last night before Tomm and I finished watching the first Iron Man movie. Charlie is really starting to get interested in all this Avengers business, so Tomm's been reading to him age-appropriate story books based on the comics, which Charlie's eating right up. So, I've finally given in to Tomm's cajoling and I'm watching the Marvel-based movies with him (Charlie's soooo not allowed yet - at least not this first Iron Man movie, which is pretty violent, not to mention the rampant misogyny in the first 30 minutes). *sigh* I'm a DC girl at heart, so this is difficult for me, but this first movie wasn't too bad (although I'm really not a fan of Gwyneth), and I'm holding out hope for the Avengers movies, since Joss Whedon is involved in those. And I admit that I'm looking forward to Deadpool, who, to my way of thinking, is the only interesting Marvel character out there (plus, Ryan Reynolds - hubba-hubba!). We'll see how it goes, but I think I need to represent, and start filling the shelves with DC comic collections, too. A friend of mine commented, jokingly, on facebook that I really shouldn't be letting my son read Marvel. Ha!

The calendar book for today is one that doesn't really sound interesting to me much, but then I'm not generally a True Crime fan: The Prince of Paradise: The True Story of a Hotel Heir, His Seductive Wife, and a Ruthless Murder by John Glatt. Anyone?
Oh, and yesterday's quote was from Fran Lebowitz...

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The day Robert Lawson learned his editor liked the manuscript of Rabbit Hill (1945 Newbery Medal), he saw a rabbit, even though rabbits were scarce that year. He heard about winning the Newbery Medal the day after he saw a 'Little Georgie' staring at him through a window."
Such a good book - definitely deserving of the medal!

Morning, Amber! Nearly 60 today! Yeah, baby! I almost want to go to work today. Okay, that's pushing it. Hope you had a good weekend.

>217 msf59: Morning, Mark! I know, right?! I've been out with the dogs already and it's SO NICE!!

Hope you have a better experience with Deadpool, Amber than me. I can't say that I knew the character before the film, but think if you found the misogyny in Ironman off putting...

Good morning, Amber!

I'd never heard of Rabbit Hill, but it's on my radar now. Millard Fillmore? What got you interested in that?

Wishing you gorgeous day, Amber.

>219 charl08: Charlotte: The misogyny in Iron Man didn't really bother me - I understand that it's part of the character - but I'm not letting Charlie watch that right now and let that sink into his brain as possibly an okay way to view women. And I love the character of Deadpool - all that snark and 4th-wall-playing makes him easily the most interesting of the Marvel heroes to me. Plus, again, Ryan Reynolds. Yum. (And yes I recognize that I'm objectifying a man within the same proverbial breath with which I'm noting misogyny as not good. Sorrynotsorry. Ha!)

>220 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Really? I thought I remembered you saying that you'd read Rabbit Hill and loved it. Huh. And the Fillmore is part of the U.S. Presidential Challenge; otherwise I'm pretty certain that I'd never pick up a biography of him...

>221 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>222 scaifea: Not me re Rabbit Hill, but you've got me interested now. Yeah, I thought Fillmore was supposed to be one of the least memorable Presidents ever. Your reading his bio appeals to the contrarian in me.

>223 jnwelch: Joe: Ha! I'll let you know how the biography goes...

>222 scaifea: Sorry, being a bit slow there. There's certainly plenty of Mr RR on view: hope you like the film.

>225 charl08: Charlotte: Now, I'm the one being slow - what are you slow about? Ha!

On the agenda for today:
This morning I need to make cookies for the Book Fair Teacher Preview tomorrow, then I'll work on the Latin book until time to head back into school for my Tuesday afternoon volunteering. Creamy Tomato Soup for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I listened to more Circus Mirandus yesterday while vacuuming (it's good so far but I can't really figure out where it's headed), and read a bit of Dandelion Wine last night, which is, of course, still amazing.

The calendar book for today: Jonathan Swift: His Life and His World by Leo Damrosch. Huh. Could be good... Anyone read this one?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "In the process of researching Rifles for Watie (1958 Newbery Medal), Harold Keith interviewed 22 Civil War veterans. All were nearly 100 years old."
It's interesting to know that he actually talked with veterans for this book. It's an okay one, but I'm not generally a fan of civil war-set novels, so others may like it better than I did.

Also, Happy Birthday to Mr. Keith, both on this day in 1903, and also to Kenneth Graham, born in 1859.

What We Read Yesterday:
-Teen Titans Go!: Meet the Titans by Lucy Rosen (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-Fun at the County Fair
-Chapter 1 of The Puppy Place: Patches

Good morning Amber, cookies sound nice, yum yum.

>229 johnsimpson: Hi, John! I'll be making lemon cookies, made with crushed lemon drop candies. They're pretty good...

>230 scaifea:, they sound pretty good to me, think I will have to get Karen to make some. Hope you have a good morning my dear.

Morning Amber! They asked me to work today. Many co-workers sick or disabled. At least it will be very mild here, with just a small chance of rain.

I think you would like Girl Waits with Gun. Keep it in mind.

>227 scaifea: I am a big fan of homemade tomato soup, Amber. I had chicken livers ins picy soy sauce with green beans and quinoa this evening - healthy and delightful!

>231 johnsimpson: John: You lucky thing, you, living with such a master baker!

>232 msf59: Mark: Ooof. Well, here's hoping you don't get this rain, then. Girl Waits with Gun looks interesting - thanks for the heads up!

>233 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! We love Tomato Soup, too, and a rainy day is just perfect for it, no? If I have the energy this evening, I may whip up some baking powder biscuits to go along with it.
And I'll take the green beans and quinoa, but I'll let you have my share of the chicken livers... Ha!

Good morning, Amber!

The only Jonathan Swift I've read is Gulliver's Travels, and the deliberately horrifying A Modest Proposal. I bet a good bio would be fascinating.

>235 jnwelch: Joe: Agreed!

>235 jnwelch: I haven't read the full thing, but from the bits that I read A Modest Proposal was pretty funny.

>237 The_Hibernator: Rachel: And scary.

Morning, Amber!

>239 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

43. Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
This is a lovely story, full of magic and childhood wonder, which is normally right up my alley, and I *did* enjoy it, but not as much as I expected to. I suspect the writing is what held it back - the magic of the prose didn't match the magic of the story. Still, a good yarn.

Getting caught up. I am not sure how I would react if I was suddenly offered my dream job (being a helicopter pilot) so I understand you weighing the pros and cons.

Wow, that infection just did not want to go away! Poor you! Glad to see that the antibiotics are now kicking in... they are kicking in, right?

>242 lkernagh: Lori: A helicopter pilot?! Wow! I'm nervous just thinking about a helicopter!
And yes, thank goodness the antibiotics seem to be working! I'm still very slightly nervous that it'll come back when the course is done, but less than I was, since it's a 14-day course this time. Fingers crossed.

On the agenda for today:

I'll be at school most of the day, setting up the book fair and then hosting the Teacher Preview right after school. This is likely my last book fair and I'm both happy and nostalgic about it - I love doing it and I'll miss it, but at the same time it's exhausting and I've evolved into doing the entire thing all by myself since I have such a difficult time getting volunteers to, well, volunteer at all and then once they do, to actually show up. So, it's all me. And the micro-manager in my kind of likes that, too, but, again, it's a lot of work. So. Yeah. Book fair. Chicken Tikka Masala for dinner tonight, I think, if I can get Tomm to grill the chicken for me (I've got in marinating in the fridge already).

On the reading front: I listened to a bit of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (the mice have just escaped the spaceship and the travelers have just stepped foot on Magrathea) and read a bit of The Crystal Cave, which is okay, I guess, but was better toward the beginning - it's getting really slow here in the middle...

The calendar book for today: What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen. Another 'international thriller,' which, again, generally isn't my thing.

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "After Amos Fortune, Free Man won the Newbery Medal in 1951, author Elizabeth Yates was asked to sign 3,000 copies of the book, During the three days that she spent signing the books, Yates realized she could have written an entire story for the same number of words."

What We Read Yesterday:

-Battle Bunny
-Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
-Chapter 1 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 2 of The Puppy Place: Patches

Morning Amber! Looks like rain today, but at least it will be mild. Hope the week is going well.

>246 msf59: Mark: No rain for us today, but clouds, for certain. Boy, wasn't yesterday wonderful, though?

Morning, Amber! I hear you with the Book Fair Woes - I organized both the Fall and the Spring book fairs for the 3-5 grade elementary for many years (it feels like about a decade but was probably more like four years!). It is a huge amount of work and effort, and while I could get volunteers to sign up, I could not always get them to show up.

Good morning, Amber!

Wish we were in your area to give you a hand - we love book fairs, including youngster-oriented ones.

Have you heard about Finding Winnie? Linda (Whisper1) just did a good review of it, and I've seen nothing but positive comments.

Big waves, Amber.

>248 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Well, honestly I don't mind doing the work myself, but I'm a bit sad that it'll probably just stop altogether next year since I won't be doing it.

>249 jnwelch: Joe: I wish you were here to help, too! That would be amazing! And yes, I've read the Winnie book - it was okay, but I didn't really see that it deserved the Caldecott...

>250 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara!

What We Read Today:
-A Sick Day for Amos McGee
-Chapter 2 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 3 of The Puppy Place: Patches

On the agenda for today:

Menu planning and grocery listing, getting some etsy orders ready to ship and a trip to the post office, laundry, possibly some work on the Latin book, a quick trip to the library and then work the book fair this evening. I'll have to pack myself a dinner to eat that the book fair, which runs from right after school until 7:30 (which mean I'll get home around 8 or 8:30), but I think Charlie and Tomm are eating out tonight - boys night and all that.

On the reading front: I managed a few pages on Don Quixote before conking out last night, and a read through a handful of new-to-me picture books while putting together the book fair, but that's it for yesterday. I suspect not much reading will happen today, either.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Many people were disappointed that Beverly Cleary's Dear Mr. Henshaw (1984 Newbery Medal) wasn't as humorous as her Ramona books, but others thought the book was the best writing Cleary had ever done."
I think I agree with the 'others' - I love all of Cleary's books (and I've read them *all*), but Dear Mr. Henshaw is in some ways the most important and definitely worthy of the Medal.

Morning Amber! Sweet Thursday. A bit cooler today but it has been a good week. Good luck at the book fair.

>254 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

Oh, I forgot to mention that Tomm and I are now watching The Hulk a bit at a time at night (the one with Ed Norton). Yeah. I can't really find a point to this movie. And I'm not a fan of over-long fight scenes. Gah. Ed is, at least, adorable as usual. I could do without Lips McGee as his love interest, though.

Morning, Amber!

Howdy Amber! So excited you bought Sandman: Overture. The Deluxe Edition is gorgeous.

Sorry you are still not 100% better. I hope you get better soon and for good.

>257 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

>258 luvamystery65: Roberta: I'm feeling much MUCh better, in fact - just still a bit nervous that it'll all come rushing back once the antibiotics course is over...
And yes, I'm very excited about the new Sandman - I read the originals monthly as they were coming out, so I'm a long-time fan.

>253 scaifea: If the boys have a night out I guess you'll be cosying up to Don Quixote?!

>260 PaulCranswick: Paul: *snork!* Nope, I'll be cozying up with all the books at the book fair!

Good morning, Amber!

I found Don Quixote a tougher go than I expected. It was done so long ago, it doesn't, IMO, have the flow of a modern novel. A must read, but a bit challenging.

>262 jnwelch: Joe: I think you're right; it takes more concentration than a modern novel, but it's definitely worth it. So, so funny. And sad. And just all round good.

>111 SandDune: Rhian, Your message is timely. Last Sunday, I attended a service of a young 26 year old boy/man who committed suicide. He is/was the son of a dear friend and former neighbor.

The son was also a friend of my daughter. It was a sad, sad situation all the way around. Always a neat kid who didn't fit inside any box, he was funny, spontaneous and loving, but could be angry and moody.

He graduated from high school, spent a disastrous first year of college, came home went to a community college when his personality spun out of control. He developed schizophrenia.

I cried when the parents said they knew it was a train wreck waiting to happen. In October he grew more and more out of control. When they took him once again to the ER of a local hospital, they would not admit him 1) He was older than 17 2) He didn't have medical insurance 3) They made the quick decision that he would not harm himself.

And, they were right; he didn't harm himself in October, it took him 4 and 1/2 months with access to a gun and to do what he long told his parents he would.

My heart just bleeds for all of them. This boy needed help! These parents needed resources to help him. And, finding easy access to a gun made it all the more sad!

>264 Whisper1: Oh, Linda, that *is* sad, and frustratingly tragic that it could have been prevented, if only he could have found help.

Hello Dear Amber

I can only imagine how difficult it is to organize a book sale.

Happy Day to you!

>266 Whisper1: Linda: Ha! It's not bad now, after I have a few under the proverbial belt. It's a lot of work, but one is constantly surrounded by books, so that can't be all bad, eh?

The new thread is up!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/220072

The job of my dreams would be a full time author. Aside from occasional promotional trips, my lifestyle would not change. And not only would I take it, I'm actively working to get that job!

>269 jjvors: Best of luck, Jeff. Writing for me is akin to pulling teeth, so I don't really envy you - ha!