scaifea's thread #8

Welcome to thread VIII!



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:
-Memoirs of Hecate County (Banned Books)
-The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket (potential Charlie book)
-Water of the Wondrous Isles (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy)
-Millard Fillmore (Presidential Challenge)
-Grimpow (audiobook/1001 Children's Books list)
-To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Hugo)
-The Centaur (National Book Award)
-Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King (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)
-The Kalahari Typing School for Men (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+
44. Mr. Pants: Slacks, Camera, Action! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
45. Hour of the Olympics (school library book) - 8/10 = B
46. Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
47. The Puppy Place: Patches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
48. Black Boy (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A-
49. The Religions Book (Charlie book) - 8/10 = A
50. The Boy Whom Swam with Piranhas (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
51. Blizzard at Black Swan Inn (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
52. The Nest (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
53. Belle Prater's Boy (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
54. Pax (potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
55. Fleece Navidad (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
56. Dandelion Wine (NEH Children's Classics list) - 10/10 = A+
57. The Crystal Cave (Mythopoeic award list) - 8/10 = B+

The Toppers:

Charlie being a goof:











And The Gals:

The Bonus Question:

It's Popcorn Lovers Day! So, how about we talk about snacks that you just can't resist? Popcorn certainly fits the bill for me - I can't leave the stuff alone if it's around. Tortilla chips, too.

I'm number 1! I can't believe it!

I love the Charlie topper. I can't believe how big he is getting.

Not a snack, but I can't resist BORDER COLLIES!!!!

My irresistible snack is cheese. All cheese. I can't leave that stuff alone for anything. Gummy candies are pretty good too, although I've been spoiled by the "gourmet" kinds flavored with real fruit juice, and now I don't like the artificially flavored ones.

>4 cal8769: Carrie: Woot! #1!!
He *is* getting big - I can't manage to slow him down any, apparently.

>5 casvelyn: I know, right?! Border Collies are wonderful! Golden Retrievers aren't half bad, either, I think. *grins*
And I agree with you about cheese - so, so good. I can leave the gummies alone, though. I think I've had some bad ones in the past and that's turned me right off of them.

Happy new thread, Amber! Isn't Charlie growing up?

As for the bonus question, I love anything crispy - prawn crackers, crisps etc etc etc. And nuts. I assume you're not counting chocolate, because ... ALWAYS.

>3 scaifea: Amber, every night I eat a bowl of popcorn. Now, Sheltie Lilly is hooked also. As soon as she hears the microwave door open, she comes into the kitchen, sits down and waits.

>7 humouress: Nina: Oh, of course, chocolate goes without saying. And I'm with you - sometimes you just need something super crunchy and salty.

>8 Whisper1: Linda: Ha! The Gals are popcorn fans, too! They know that it's the only non-dog-food that they're allowed to have and they love it. Tuppence can catch it when tossed, but Mario is one of those hilarious Golden Retrievers who can't catch anything in the air. So, so funny.

Happy new thread! Excluding all things chocolate, my irresistible snack is ice cream. Yum!

Happy New Thread, Amber!

Chips and cookies for me - and pizza, if I can call it a snack. Tortilla chips, yes, and potato and corn and just about anything if it's chippish and salty. Oatmeal raisin cookies are my #1 in that snack category, although molasses cookies are right up there.

Walden and Resistance to Civil Government huh? You trying to get yourself on a watch list!? ;)

Popcorn I love to make (pop on the stove top in butter and oil) for the kids, but movie stuff burns my mouth so I leave that alone. Snacks-wise, anything sweet or fatty and I'm in...preferably both :|

Happy thread newness!

>10 cbl_tn: Carrie: Oh, ice cream. Yes.

>11 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are great! Cookies in general are my weakness, too, though.

>12 LovingLit: Megan: Ha! Oh, I'm certain I'm on all kinds of lists...
And I'm with you on the sweet and fatty. Sigh.

Love the photo toppers. I think I want a pair of glasses like Charlie. V. Stylish.

So many treats come to mind but as it's nearly Easter, I'll go with one of these.

>13 scaifea: oatmeal and raisin cookies! Or as I would call them: oaty raisin biscuits. Same same but different :) Either way, I just found my morning project...but..I'll add just a few chocolate chips too. Because I can.

Happy new thread!

I don't often keep potato chips in the house, because it's way too easy to just eat half of the bag without really thinking about it. I love chocolate, too, and . . . well, food. I love food.

I never answered the bonus question. I was so excited to be #1 that it slipped my mind. I am a slave to chocolate of course and ice cream. MMMM

Happy new thread (I still need to go get caught up on the last one that I missed)!

Great photos up top! As for the BQ - snack to me means something salty and crispy usually... I can't have just one of the pretzel nuggets filled with peanut butter that my husband found at Costco. Those are seriously addictive. I also LOVE plain Lay's potato chips with French Onion dip.

For sweeter "snacks," I can't resist peanut M&Ms :)

Happy new thread my dear, hope you are having a good day, sending love and hugs.

Happy new thread Amber! Love Charlie's photos! The girls look great as usual.

Chips and salsa for my can't control myself snack.

>3 scaifea: Dry roasted peanuts.

Happy new thread, Amber, dear.

Happy New Thread, Amber!

Mixed Nuts!!

Such cute toppers, Amber!

I'm a pop corn lover too but my secret indulgence is fudge marble ice cream with a dollop of peanut butter Mmmmmm

What is it with dogs and popcorn? Ours love it too.

For me, it's chocolate.

Addictive snack....that cajun spicy mix of peanuts, sesame sticks and chili bits that they put out on the bar lots of places. I found a very good version in the grocery store (George J. Howe Cajun Mix) and now I'm doomed.

Happy Friday, Amber and congrats on your shiny new thread. I l8ve the Charlie pics. So fabulous. BQ: a bowl with nuts would be quickoy eaten.

>3 scaifea: I don't know if I have a favorite snack. I sort of go between salty and sweet. Maybe Almond M&M's. I can't do popcorn much though. It was a major trigger when I was pregnant with my youngest and I've never really warmed to it again since.

>14 charl08: Charlotte: Ohmygosh, Shaun the Sheep! We love him here at Scaife Manor (Bitzer is my personal favorite)!

>15 LovingLit: Megan: Chocolate chips in oatmeal raisin cookies are fantastic! Go for it!

>16 foggidawn: foggi: No, I can't keep potato chips in the house, either, and for the same reason.

>17 cal8769: Carrie: Yep, chocolate and ice cream. I'm right there with you.

>18 katiekrug: Katie: Lays with ruffles! Yum.

>19 johnsimpson: Hi, John!

>20 luvamystery65: Roberta: I don't think my dissertation would ever have been finished without a constant supply of chips and salsa by my laptop. Just sayin'.

>21 PaulCranswick: Paul: Yes! I have a big bag of the salted-in-the-shell variety in the kitchen right now - love 'em.

>22 msf59: Mark: I love mixed nuts, too (must be why I love this group so much - *snork!!*) but I have to stay away from them because certain nuts make my mouth really sore. I must have some slight allergies.

>23 Carmenere: Lynda: I like your style, lady. Tomm and I have been guilty of opening the peanut butter jar, tossing in a handful of chocolate chips and having a post-Charlie-bedtime snack...

>24 lauralkeet: Laura: What *is* it about popcorn, I wonder? They must sense that it's their best chance at human food? Ha!

>25 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Oh, those sesame sticks are amazing. I force myself to walk away from those in the store, I'm afraid, because I'd eat the entire bag in one setting if it came home with me.

>26 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara! Note to self: when Mark and Barbara come to visit, stock up on the mixed nuts...

>27 nittnut: Jenn: Oooh, almond M&M are great! And I love just plan chocolate covered almonds lots, too. Interesting that popcorn set you off while pregnant. For me it wasn't any particular food, but just the smell of pretty much anything cooking. So we had every delivery place on speed dial for the entire 9 months. Ha!

On the agenda for today:
Grocery shopping this morning, then bills and weekly photo organizing and possibly some work on the Latin book before heading in to school for my Friday afternoon volunteering. The book fair went really well last night (we're over $1000 already!) and I'll have it open Tuesday and Thursday of next week, too. Nargisi Kaftas (meatballs stuffed with hard-boiled eggs - another recipe from the Indian cook book) for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I managed a few pages in The Religions Book yesterday, but that's all. Book Fair busy.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "After Millions of Cats (1929 Newbery Honor Book) was published, author/illustrator Wanda Gág's hometown newspaper in Minnesota featured a headline reading, 'NEW ULM'S CINDERELLA FINDS ART'S GOLDEN SLIPPER IN NEW YORK.'"

Morning Amber! I rarely buy mixed nuts to be honest. Not good for you. I try to stick with raw almonds and cashews.

>30 msf59: Mark: Noted. Just almonds and cashews for Mark's visit. *grins*

Good morning, Amber! Almonds and cashews work for me. That'd sure be better for me than scarfing down chips and cookies, and I'd stay in my wife's good graces (at least on that aspect of life).

I'll follow with interest your reactions to The Religions Book. We like DK Publishing, and I'm always looking for a good overview. Madame MBH used to host DK parties for selling their books, and the kids and I loved it.

>32 jnwelch: Joe: I'm really enjoying The Religions Book - it's pretty much exactly what I wanted, which was a good overview of all of the major religions and their belief systems. It's excellent and I definitely recommend it. And I agree about DK - great stuff. I didn't know there were parties... I may have to look into that...

>29 scaifea: New Ulm! I've never been anywhere close to there, but I recall the town because we received a record (yes, vinyl) of Christmas songs for one of my patrons a couple of years back. I had no idea it was Wanda Gag's hometown.

Snacks that don't last long in my place include potato chips, Doritos, and chocolate candies (esp. Reese's peanut butter cups). I am plain Jane when it comes to chips - Nacho Cheese flavor is it, and I don't like flavored potato chips.

I am listening to the 75ers happy list while catching up on my book club for work. Being Mortal is really good, I have to read about half of it over the weekend.

>34 bell7: Mary: I love that you have a patron who requests vinyl! Libraries are amazing.
And I'm with you on the plain jane chips - they're the best.
Being Mortal is excellent, but I can see where a happy song playlist might help... Ha!

>35 scaifea: Hahaha, I wasn't even thinking of it that way, it was just helping me concentrate because I was in a room with a couple of co-workers who were talking (and needed to be, but it was distracting!).

I get to request all the out-of-state items, and it's really fascinating what comes through. I was shocked to get it, honestly, because audiovisual materials are much more hit or miss than books. This particular item was only available as vinyl, and she really wanted a song on it for her uncle, so it turned out pretty exciting for both of us.

Sounds like the book fair is a hit! Enjoy your volunteering today.

>33 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. WL'd.

The Charlie pictures are particularly cute this thread. :)

>3 scaifea: I go in phases for snacks. Sometimes pretzels. Sometimes popcorn. Sometimes yogurt. I don't know.

Happy new thread, Amber! I have a lot of snacks I can't resist (particularly because I have a terrible sweet tooth). So for salty I'll say popcorn and for sweet it's definitely chocolate. Always chocolate. :P

Favorite snack? I've been going through them in my head, trying to figure out which is my favorite, and have decided that it is a hopeless task. They are all my favorites. Except anything with walnuts. Walnuts are wretched.

Desperately want some popcorn right now, but am going to hold out until this evening....

Hi Amber, I am a nut lover as well, peanuts, almonds, cashews - whatever. And if those nuts happen to be dipped in chocolate, while then I am in heaven! Of course, I also love to have a bowl of popcorn in my lap when I watch movies.

Love the new digs ;)

I used to be a chocoholic - but I've always had, and I am finally accepting probably always will have, problems with my weight. So just over 4 years ago I gave up chocolate and bread (though I still eat a few bread ish products). My naughty snacks... probably sweets. Plus I recently discovered salted caramel popcorn which is awesome!

>36 bell7: Mary: It must be so interesting to see what comes through as requests at the library! Do you have a favorite, or most strange request?

>37 jnwelch: Joe: You're welcome!

>38 rosylibrarian: Marie: Yogurt as a snack?! You go, you wild thing. Ha!

>39 MickyFine: Micky: Oh, yes, my sweet tooth is legendary, too.

>40 Fourpawz2: Charlotte: I love walnuts (black walnuts, though, not the english ones), but I can't eat them - they make my entire mouth super-sore with just one bite. Gah.

>41 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Chocolate covered almonds are one of my very favorite things ever. Yum!

>42 BekkaJo: Bekka: *Jaw drop* You've given up chocolate *and* bread?! I'm in complete awe of you right now, you super woman.

On the agenda for today:

Charlie's gymnastics class this morning, then picture organizing (because it didn't happen yesterday), some baking (possibly some cake doughnuts, and rice crispies treats) and a few odds and ends around the house. Hopefully some reading time, too. Curried Chicken Soup for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: Nothing to report for yesterday. Super busy all day and then too tuckered last night. Tomm and I did watch a bit of the second Iron Man movie before turning in - RDJ is growing on me, I have to say.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Virginia Hamilton (M.C. Higgins, the Great, 1975 Newbery Medal) was the first African American writer to receive the Newbery Medal. The next African American to win the top Newbery Medal was Christopher Paul Curtis in 2000."

What We Read Yesterday:
-Spiderman The Amazing Story by Catherine Saunders (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-The Funny Little Woman
-Oh, What a Busy Day!
-Chapter 3 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 4 of The Puppy Place: Patches

>43 scaifea: My favorite are the two that I got from Alaska: one a DVD on a subject I've forgotten, but I was thrilled to pieces they sent it as there was only one or two libraries we could even get it from. The other more recent request was for a book on the Alcan highway - not a travel guide, but field notes from an expedition in the 40s that I received from Fairbanks, Alaska. Usually we don't have to go quite so far afield, and I get items from the Midwest or in-state college libraries that aren't part of our lending system. My very oddest request was probably the record I mentioned, as it was one song in particular she wanted for her uncle and that was the only format we could find it in, some old series on record - it was volume 7, I remember - and there's also a patron who regularly gets materials in about 3 different languages, which I find very impressive.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! I've only got about a chapter left in Being Mortal so I'm already feeling accomplished for the day.

Morning Amber! Happy Saturday. Not bad out here at all today, despite the clouds. No complaints.

Yah for Being Mortal!

Good morning, Amber!

Hope you're getting some of this improved weather. Enjoy the weekend!

>45 bell7: Mary: Oh, Alaska! So, so cool!! Librarians rock.

>46 msf59: & >47 jnwelch: Hi, Mark & Joe! Yes, it's gorgeous out today! I suspect that there will be some Scaife Family Outdoorsy Time this afternoon. Perhaps a little basketball? It's probably pretty funny to watch, since NONE of us are very sporty, but we have a great time trying. Ha!

44. Mr. Pants: Slacks, Camera, Action! by Scott McCormick (Charlie book, 127 pages) - 9/10 = A
This is the second in a graphic novel series for kids, and it's just as hilarious as the first one - all three of us giggled through the whole thing!

Snacks? Popcorn, corn chips (tortilla or Fritos) are irresistible, and so are Gardettos.

>50 jjvors: Jeff: Oh, yes, corn chips! Love those.

Just sliding on through! ...and realizing that now I really want popcorn. Dangit! And all the stores are closed. *shakes fist at thread*

(You watch -- I'm going to get some tomorrow. It's going to happen!)

>52 dk_phoenix: Ha! Sorry, Faith!

On the agenda for today:

Lazy day, hopefully, just hanging out with my Scaife Boys. And some reading, too.

On the reading front: I got a bit more of The Religions Book read yesterday, but that's it. Tomm and I watched more of Iron Man 2, and I have to say that I'm getting attached. RDJ is adorable.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "As a child, the three jobs Ellen Raskin (The Westing Game, 1979 Newbery Medal) wanted were musician (she practiced several hours a day until the finance company took the piano), write (she filled many notebooks with writing), and artist. She later combined her talents by writing music and adding illustrations."
Oooh! One of my all-time very favorite books!! Woot!

What We Read Yesterday:
-World of Reading: This Is Spider-Man by Thomas Macri (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-Extra Yarn
-Chapter 4 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 5 of The Puppy Place: Patches

Happy Sunday, Amber! Enjoy the day with the Scaife Boys!

>55 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

Snacks are savory not sweet. If it's sweet, it's dessert. Not to say that you can't have a dessert after a snack.

Favorite snack right now is string cheese, a couple garden crackers, and a small red delicious apple.

Or summer squash (microwave steamed) with some Parmesan.

Other favorites: cashews, pecans (when we can get them), Cheetos, Ruffles and French Onion sour cream dip, cheddar and summer sausage, or Laughing Cow.

***

We postponed our Hulk watching until tonight so we are a bit behind you in the Marvel Universe movie watching. I love your name for Tyler. She certainly has a pair. We'll be having leftover pantry soup for dinner. We got some stew meat and just threw a bunch of stuff we had in the pantry in it - canned beans, lentils, corn, half boxes of pasta, broth, this weird herb cream soup we got somewhere. It ended up being absolutely scrumptious.

At some point you really need to see Guardians of the Galaxy. It's so fun.

***

Previous bonus question: My dream job would be to work in small bookstore. Perhaps a used bookstore. The owner would be independently wealthy so we wouldn't have to worry about profit. S/he would just love books. Instead, I could spend my days talking to people about books and discovering what they would like to read. I could order their favorite authors and also new authors for them to try out.

>57 Morphidae: I would like to work in a great bookstore too Morphy, can't think why.

Have a great Sunday, Amber.

>57 Morphidae: Morphy: Oh, string cheese - especially the smoked kind - is delicious!
And also cheetos. And ruffles.

Guardians is definitely on the list! I love Chris Pratt to distraction, I'm afraid.

And I'm with you on the bookshop. We clearly need a benefactor to get this going for us. I'd LOVE to hang out with you all day working in that shop!

>58 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul!

Happy Sunday, Amber!

The Westing Game is probably our daughter's favorite book ever. She re-reads it every year.

Very rainy today for us. Good day to stay inside and read!

>60 jnwelch: That daughter of yours has excellent taste in books, Joe... *grins*

Happy Sunday Amber, Karen cooked up Bobotie for lunch today after our gardening task and it was delicious. I first had this in the Bat and Ball pub in Hambledon, Hampshire on our way back to Salisbury after my LT meet-up with Barbara in Bournemouth in 2014, it is a lovely South African dish.

>62 johnsimpson: John: I had to look up Bobotie, but it looks delicious! Once again I'm wishing I were at your kitchen table, friend...

On the agenda for today:

Vacuuming, treadmilling, baking Avenger-themed cupcakes and decorating the house for Charlie's half-birthday (which is really tomorrow but we're celebrating on the eve, since I'll be working the book fair tomorrow), then work on the Latin book until time to pick Charlie up from school. Not sure what's for dinner - possibly spaghetti?

On the reading front: I read a bit more of The Religions Book and also a few pages in The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian yesterday.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Marguerite de Angeli based the main character in The Door in the Wall (1950 Newbery Medal) on a disabled friend who led a happy and helpful life."
And The Door in the Wall is an excellent read - one of my favorite Newberys - recommended! Also, happy birthday to de Angeli, born on this day in 1889!

What We Read Yesterday:

-These Are the Avengers by Thomas Macri (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns
-Chapter 5 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 6 of The Puppy Place: Patches

Happy Monday, Amber! Glad to read the book fair is off to a great start! I have to chuckle when I read of Charlie's half-birthday celebration. Oh, for the days when one actually looks forward to aging one year!!

Morning, Amber! Waking up to a chilly, rainy, dark, day. Yippee!!

Have a good one, my friend.

>65 Carmenere: Lynda: We love to celebrate in this house any chance we get! Plus, how cool is it that his half birthday is on the Ides of March!? And yes, he's pretty excited about being 7 and a half. Sigh.

>66 msf59: Hi, Mark! Yeah, I think we're in for a whole week of that stuff. Better than snow, though, eh?

7 1/2 already? Where does the time go Amber?

>68 luvamystery65: Roberta: I wish I knew! He gets more fascinating and more fun and more wonderful every day, though, so I wouldn't change a thing.

Good morning, Amber!

The Door in the Wall duly added to the WL. Hope you have a good start to the week.

I am late to your new thread, Amber. I really LOVE the Charlie photos you posted - they capture so much personality! And lets see...snacks...I also adore popcorn, in fact I have one of those big fancy popcorn makers like a lot of the schools have for their concession stands - and it gets a lot of use! Another favorite is homemade Chex mix - Rae makes the best! We leave out the wheat Chex and add cashews. It's fab!

>70 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! You'll love that one!

>71 Crazymamie: Mamie: My brother has one of those ginormous popcorn makers, too! And we're big fans of chex mix as well.

>43 scaifea: Yogurt makes an awesome snack! And breakfast. It has many wonders. :)

I totally forgot about string cheese by the way. That is usually my go to snack.

>73 rosylibrarian: Marie: I just can't get myself to eat the stuff. Yogurt, that is. Thank goodness Charlie loves it!

Interesting about your thoughts on Marvel vs DC Comics. I don't know much about either, but I find the Marvel "universe" consistently more interesting and fun - but maybe that's just the quality of the movies I've seen. I've never read any of the comics or anything. I really like the humor in the films - especially 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Deadpool' (which is most definitely NOT Charlie appropriate!). I watched about a season and a half of the ABC series "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." which was fun, but as usual, I have trouble maintaining a high interest level in any TV show....

Re: yogurt - I alternate breakfast each day between flavored Greek yogurt and a whole grain waffle with a bit of peanut butter. I have to say the latter is my preferred option :)

  Treat yourself to your favorite pie, my friend. It's National Pie Day (3.14)!

>75 katiekrug: Katie: For certain the movies are entertaining so far, but DC comics are just better. Tomm really likes the SHIELD show, and I'm very much looking forward to Guardians (Chris Pratt!) and Deadpool. So far, though, NONE of these movies are Charlie friendly...

>76 weird_O: Thanks, Bill! Blueberry is my favorite, so I'll have a slice of that kind, please.

I normally try pretty hard to keep a Buddhist, calm, peaceful and accepting attitude and I'm generally successful at this. However, where Charlie's concerned, Momma Bear tends to come out, and let me tell you, folks, I'm pretty pissed right now. I got to school a bit early this afternoon, as is my habit, to give myself a few minutes to just sit quietly and read in the car before I hear the end-of-school bell. Well, as I was sitting there today, about 15 minutes before the bell, a school bus pulls up and all of the first graders - including Charlie - pile out and into the building. Apparently they went to the middle school this afternoon to meet up with their Fifth Grade Buddies. And I'm okay with that, except Charlie's teacher NEVER MENTIONED THIS AT ALL. No note sent home, no mention of it in her weekly newsletter, nothing. NOTHING. I didn't know that my child wasn't in that school building all day, but was, in fact, all the way across town for half of the day. NO ACCEPTABLE. I have a right to know where my child is during the school day. In addition, all of the schools in town were on lockdown for most of the afternoon, because apparently someone was walking around the local university campus with a gun. I remained calm when I got the email, thinking, oh, okay, it's under control and Charlie is safely locked inside his building on the other side of town from campus. Except he wasn't. He was in a completely different school building, much closer to the campus. Have I mentioned that I am angry?!

>78 scaifea: I would be ticked off too! Don't they need your permission for Charlie to get on the bus and leave campus?

>79 luvamystery65: Well I would think so. Believe me, this is coming up at the parent/teacher conference on Wednesday...

What Roberta said. In Indiana, they need your written consent to take your child anywhere - don't they have this in Wisconsin?

Reminds me of the quote from Clue (Mrs. White is played by Madeline Kahn):

Mrs. White: Yes. Yes, I did it. I killed Yvette. I hated her, so much...

(stammers)

Mrs. White: it-it- the f - it -flam - flames. Flames, on the side of my face, breathing-breathl- heaving breaths. Heaving breaths... Heathing...

Oh I'd be super pissed Amber. I can't believe you didn't have to fill out a permission slip for that trip.

Wow, Amber. I think you are right in your anger and I believe this is something that needs to be addressed immediately. You have every right to know where your child is at any given moment and I hope this resolved to your satisfaction.

>80 scaifea: I do hope you don't wait until Wednesday to address this Amber.

>81 Crazymamie: Mamie: I don't think so, at least not for every specific trip. But I do think it has to be not quite legal not to tell us at all. Gah.

>82 Morphidae: Morphy: Ha! Too soon. I'm still too mad.

>83 lauralkeet: Laura: I know, right? We filled out a general for at the beginning of the year, but I very well may be pushing to get that changed.

>84 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. I'm heartened to know that some of you, at least, don't think I'm over-reacting. I always worry that I am about such things, because I'm very aware of my over-protectiveness.

>85 luvamystery65: Roberta: The P/T conference seems like a good time to discuss it with his teacher (and I like that Tomm will be there, too, then), but I'll be tracking down the principle today, too.

On the agenda for today:

A bit of cleaning, treadmilling and some work on the Latin book today before going in this afternoon to open up the book fair before school gets out. I'll be working the book fair until 730 or so again tonight, so Tomm and Charlie have another boys' night (if the weather's nice, they're apparently going to the park for a bit right after school - Charlie's excited).

On the reading front: I read more of The Religions Book and a bit of Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics yesterday. I'm in the section of the religion book on Christianity, and although in general I think this book is very good, I'm a little disappointed that they trip over the origins of Christianity a bit, claiming that it was an innovative religion for its teachings on Jesus coming back to life and thus offering a gateway to a happy afterlife. Um, nope. Not even close to the first religion to do this. In fact, the church founders relied on the immense popularity of mystery cults in the Roman Empire at the time and modeled their new religion on those. It's pretty much the most interesting thing about Christianity to me - that it is in fact a mystery cult. Now I'm beginning to wonder how generalized and thus inaccurate the book's descriptions of other religions are...

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Hugh Lofting always knew which of the fan letters he received were school assignments and which were genuine fan letters for the Dr. Dolittle series, which includes The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle (1923 Newbery Medal)."
That's funny, because I always know which Newbery Medal winners smack of racism and which don't. *ahem* (Apologies - between this school nonsense and the sinus headache up with which I woke, I'm feeling snarky this morning.)

Morning, Amber! Looks like a storm coming in later. Fingers crossed that it waits until I am done. Prays silently...

Have a great day, Mama Bear!

Morning, Mark! *snork!* at the Mama Bear comment!

What We Read Yesterday:

-Dog-Gone School by Amy Schmidt (Charlie book/book fair purchase, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
Silly little poems accompanied by photos of puppies in classrooms. Adorable.
-These Are the X-Men by Thomas Macri (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
Continuing Charlie's (and my) Marvel education, apparently.
-Chapter 6 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 7 of The Puppy Place: Patches

Happy 7 1/2 day, Charlie!!

I was considering checking out The Religion Book, Amber, until I read your latest comments. Before I even got to your last sentence, I was thinking the same thing, what other religion in the book is misrepresented. I shudder that someone who is not as knowledgeable as you will take it as fact without looking any further.

Sorry about the bad handling of Charlie's trip, Amber. I'd be steamed, too. Keeping kids safe is #1.

I loved the Dr. Doolittle books when I was a kid, and read a bunch of them. Then I looked at them again with the thought of recommending them to our kids and - no. The foolish racism is bad. Such a shame.

>91 Carmenere: Lynda: Yeah, I'm afraid I wonder about a lot of pop non-fiction books, having read a few on the subjects in which I'm well-versed and knowing that their over-generalizations get it wrong.

>92 jnwelch: Joe: I just got off the phone with Charlie's teacher, who called to apologize profusely for yesterday. I'm proud of myself for keeping my cool, although I was still pretty firm about how upset I am about it. I've insisted that for the remainder of the school year she send home a separate note well in advance for each time he will be leaving the building for Tomm and I to sign giving permission.

And I feel the same about the Doolittle book(s - I only read the first one); the story was great, but is ruined by the racism.

>93 scaifea: There's some irony and justice in Eddie Murphy playing Dr. Doolittle in the films, even though I couldn't warm up to them.

>94 jnwelch: Joe: *snork!* Very true! I saw the first one, but that was enough for me.

I just sent off a lengthy and, I think, articulate-but-not-scathing email to the school principal. Proud of myself, I am. Ha!

"articulate-but-not-scathing" is sometimes hard to bring off; I'll bet you did an A-1 job of it! You're definitely right to be concerned about the lack of communication. I remember going to pick Laura up from daycare (I think when she was older and just in their summer program), and not finding her where I expected her to be....at the park instead of the pool, or something; I've totally blocked out what the response was, though. And then there was the field trip that didn't return until almost 2 hours after it was supposed to---bus broke down and a second one had to be sent to rescue the kids. But nobody notified the parents, and the parking lot was full of us getting more and more anxious by the minute. Pre-cell phones, but I mean, come ON---we were all in the same place.

>97 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. I read and re-read the email before sending it and I'm happy with the tone and content. I asked for his help on how to bring the matter to the attention of the school board, as far as changing the permission slip policy, so we'll see how he responds.
And your two incidents sound pretty scary, too; at least with Charlie I saw him coming back from the trip instead of not finding him where I thought he should be. My mom has a story about making my brother's 2nd grade teacher break down into tears (she's not proud of it, but it happened) because she had kept Steve after school for detention without telling my parents about it beforehand. So, the school bus whizzed past the house and no Steve. Imagine the panic that THAT would bring on. That teacher got into some serious trouble with the school for that, too, and rightly so, I think.
I tried to make clear in my email that I'm not out for resignations or anything and even that I'm not angry with anyone specifically, but just unhappy with the circumstances and strongly believe that a policy change is definitely necessary so that similar situations will be impossibly in future.

Hi Amber, I hope you get everything sorted about knowing where Charlie is during school hours, I would be as mad as you were on finding out my child was not where he/she should have been. A policy needs to be formulated and when a child is going to be off school premises during school hours you should have been notified beforehand and permission given.

Hope your day is going well my dear, sending love and hugs from the both of us.

I wouldn't have been able to avoid the scathing. I wouldn't have even tried. Maybe it's just as well I wasn't a parent.

Good luck with the permission slip thing--you are totally in the right.

>99 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. Here's hoping we can get the policy changed.

>100 Morphidae: Morphy: I forced myself to be more calm than I really felt (and still feel about it), because I suspect that rational argument will get me a bit farther than being a raging lunatic would... Ha!

>101 Berly: Thanks, Kim.

On the agenda for today:

Laundry, a bit of cleaning and work on the Latin book until the end of school, at which time we'll have the parent/teacher conference. It'll be an interesting meeting, I suspect... Curried Chicken & Noodles for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I read a few pages in The Religions Book and also a few in The Light of Asia.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Sid Fleischman was in the shower at the time of the phone call telling him he won the 1987 Newbery Medal for The Whipping Boy."
I don't remember all the details from that book, but I do remember enjoying it...

What We Read Yesterday:
-This Is Wolverine by Thomas Macri (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-Chapter 7 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 8 of The Puppy Place: Patches

Morning, Amber! I am enjoying a day off today. Yah! It has been gusty, through the night here and will remain very windy all day. I don't plan to go out much. Grins...

Morning Amber! Good for you for voicing your concerns regarding Charlie's permission slip. It's especially frightening because of the lockdown incident. *cringe*. I'm sure your letter will be a productive learning experience for the teacher involved. Is she also the aforementioned math teacher? I hope the principal responds in a timely fashion.

Your mother must have been horrified when your 2nd grade brother didn't bounce off the bus. (this is why mom's get grey hair)

Morning, Amber!

>104 msf59: Mark: Oooh, a day off! Excellent! We got some pretty nasty thunderstorms here last night and it's very gloomy today, too.

>105 Carmenere: Lynda: Thanks. I hope it produces some results. And yes, grey hairs!

>106 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

On the agenda for today:

Treadmilling, a bit of cleaning, menu-planning and grocery listing, then I'll work on the presentation I've been asked to do for one of the first grade classes on the ancient olympics, before heading in to school to work the book fair again this afternoon and tonight (this is the last night).

On the reading front: I read another chapter in Far from the Madding Crowd last night, which remains a solid read so far.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Lynd Ward's illustrations of animals in The Cat Who Went to Heaven (1931 Newbery Medal) are each as the artist in the legend painted them."
This is one of the few medal winners that I had read as a kid first - and I loved it both then and when I re-read it as an adult.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Holidays and Celebrations: Easter by Brenda Haugen (Charlie's school library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-Chapter 8 in Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 9 in The Puppy Place: Patches

Morning, Amber! Sweet Thursday! It does not look like I will read Thomas Hardy this month but I definitely plan on FINALLY reading him, in the coming months. Better late than...

>110 msf59: Mark: I highly recommend the audio of The Return of the Native for your first Hardy - Alan Rickman!! So far I'm enjoying this one, too, but I'm reading it my own self. I would *not* recommend Jude the Obscure - ugh!

Morning, Amber! I second your recommendation of the Alan Rickman narrated Return of the Native. SO fabulous!

>112 Crazymamie: Mamie: Ha! I knew you would!

45. Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne (school library book) - 8/10 = B
Read through this one quickly yesterday, as it's the book the first grade class is reading and which prompted the teacher to ask me for a presentation.

Late in catching up, but I totally get the Mama Bear thing. I'm the same way - easy going until something happens concerning my kids - then watch out! Our school also has us sign a blanket permission at the beginning of the year. I am totally with you about that being changed - I can't believe that no one communicated with you. I hope you have success in getting it changed.

Interesting about the Doctor Dolittle racism. I've only read the first, and it was more years ago than I care to mention, and I don't remember it very well. Even Curious George has messages in it that I don't like - a pipe after dinner, the fat policeman taking him to jail, etc. I have to say that we don't shy away from those types of books but use those instances as teaching moments. This is important especially when my mother agrees with Donald Trump that there should be a wall built between Mexico and the US. Despite the fact that there are now more people going back to Mexico than there are coming from Mexico. (I asked her if she was for the wall because she wanted to keep everyone in the US - snork) It can be difficult to explain Grammy's comments to the boys, but we have always taught them that the color of someone's skin or where they come from doesn't make them any different from us - and, fortunately, I think it's working as they don't like my mother's comments much either.... Sorry, don't mean to proselytize, I guess I'm just on edge because she is coming for a lengthy visit and will be here in a few days...

Forgot to add that I hope you're feeling better.

>115 rretzler: Robin: Oooh, I'm right there with you one the racist relatives front - my MIL is The Worst about that. And yeah, we try to talk to Charlie about it, too, making her awful comments into teaching moments. But, well, ugh. Best of luck with the visit...

And yes, I'm feeling much better!!

Amber, you may have answered this question before but did you see the film Far from the Madding Crowd? I thought it was excellent but I haven't yet read the novel.

Happy Thursday to you!!

Catching up...

I may have mentioned that for my undergraduate degree I attended a school affiliated with an evangelical church. This comment revived a fond memory:

In fact, the church founders relied on the immense popularity of mystery cults in the Roman Empire at the time and modeled their new religion on those.

I took a a Church History course in which this uncomfortable fact was addressed. (You may want to put your coffee down and swallow before proceeding.)

It's true that the Roman mystery religions popularized the idea of salvation through the death and resurrection of a Messiah. But it's a mistake to think that Christianity borrowed this idea. You see, the idea was so radical that Good in His wisdom allowed it be introduced by the mystery religions (and some others -- I seem to remember something an Osiris cult) in order to prepare humanity for the coming of Christ.

This was offerred as a partial explanation for Galatians 4:4, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son ..." One of the requirements for the coming of "the fulness of time" was that the idea of salvation through death and resurrection had to be in the Zeitgeist. Seen from perspective, it's clear that Christianity did not borrow from the mystery religions; instead, the mystery religions unconsciously borrowed from Christian truths that had not yet been revealed.

When you've finished laughing you can return to your coffee.

>118 EBT1002: Ellen: Nope, I've not seen the movie yet, but the book is good so far, so I'll likely give the movie a go after I've finished. Happy Friday!

>119 swynn: Steve: Oh, lordy. Boy, that's some convoluted logic right there. I used to get some pretty upset and even quite angry students in my mythology classes on the mystery cult day, when I'd explain all of this. Oh, and in my Greek Culture course, too, on the day that I lectured on how Socrates and Jesus led essentially the same lives and how they're more social constructs than anything else. Yeah.

On the agenda for today:

This morning I'll be taking down the book fair, which is my favorite part, really, because I get to announce the winners of the various contests (we have a guessing game and a coloring contest,...) and then hand out the prizes (=free books!) to the winning kids. After that's all finished, I'll do my grocery shopping, head home and put it all away, possibly work on the Olympia presentation and the Latin book a bit before heading back to school to pick up Charlie. Grilled pork chops for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I managed a chapter in Fleece Navidad last night before conking out and after Tomm and I finished the first Thor movie - I have to say that Loki is nicely portrayed, but the rest of the movie was, um, yeah. I did like how they made fun of themselves at least a little bit, but overall Thor is a goof. Captain America is next in line, apparently.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "A 1950 Publishers Weekly poll showed that Charlotte's Web (1953 Newbery Honor Book) is considered the best children's book written between 1930 and 1960."

What We Read Yesterday:
-The Man with the Violin by Kathy Stinson (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Chapter 9 of Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
-Chapter 10 of The Puppy Place: Patches

46. Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday by Barbara Park (Charlie's school library book, 85 pages) - 8/10 = B
Ugh. I'm sorry folks, but I am demonstrably not a fan of Junie B. That girl needs some boundaries. Ha!
47. The Puppy Place: Patches by Ellen Miles (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
In this one, Charles finds a puppy who isn't being cared for properly by his owners, and Charlie figures out how to intervene safely and responsibly.
These puppy books aren't high literature, but they're not horrible and Charlie just loves 'em, so we'll certainly be carrying on with them.

Morning, Amber! Happy Friday! Kerri, (remember her?) highly recommended Jude, the Obscure, so I have that on shelf too, but I want to get my mitts on The Return of the Native, preferably the audio.

Here I was feeling so proud of myself for being back on LT and having 6 books under my belt already. Then I go and choose yours to be the first thread I check in with Amber and you're already up to 47 books, omg lol, that's probably more than I managed to reach the last time I was active :)

Sorry to see you've had issues with the school. In Australia, we have to sign excursion notes and fill in medical details for the kids every time the school wants to take them anywhere, they can't even walk to a nearby library without parental consent. Well in Queensland anyway, I'm assuming it's the same in every state.
Glad you managed to keep your cool when dealing with the situation, not sure I would have been able to under the same circumstances.

>123 msf59: Mark: Kerri! I miss her.

>124 fairywings: Adrienne: Ha! Well, keep in mind that a fair number of those 47 have been early chapter books..
And see, that's how I think it should be at our school, too. Tomm and I will be taking the issue to the school board, but even if they balk at the change, you'd best believe that we'll not be signing that general form next year - for Charlie, at least, we will insist on separate consent forms for every trip.

Good Morning, Amber! I just had to snicker when I saw Fleece Navidad. I see it is the 6th in a series, you must be enjoying them.
Have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend!

>125 scaifea: Amber that's a good point, I would probably boost my book count considerably if I include the audio books I listen to at school too. Only problem is some of them are so short, and we listen to the same one's over and over again, not really worth adding. Will include chapter books though :)

I would definitely be demanding separate permission forms for every trip, or at the very least as you said earlier a reminder of what's going on and when.

Morning, Amber!

>126 Carmenere: Lynda: It's a great cozy mystery series. Not high literature, but very fun.

>127 fairywings: Adrienne: Oh, I count my audiobooks, too! No such thing as cheating when it's your own challenge and your own thread! Ha!
And the principal has assured me that our request for separate consent forms for every trip for the rest of the year will be honored.

>128 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!!

I leave for a little while and your thread explodes. Happy Friday, Amber!

Hi, Amber! Happy Friday!

Junie B. Jones was never one our kids followed, so I can't really comment. I did just pick up The War That Saved My Life after some enthusiastic 75er warbling.

Junie. B Jones was a series my son liked, and That Meanie Jim's Birthday was a favorite. I know what you mean about boundaries, but my son's personality and Junie's were opposites -- which is probably why he liked the books so well. (I get it; I'm fond of gangster movies myself.)

>130 Thebookdiva: Ha! Thanks, Abby!

>131 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Oooh, you're gonna LOVE The War That Saved My Life!

>132 swynn: Steve: Yep, Charlie's pretty much the opposite of Junie B., too. Maybe that's why he likes her, too - she's comically outlandish?

Just checking in with a wave :) Happy Friday - I began to suspect halfway through the week that it would never come...

>134 BekkaJo: Hi, Bekka! Long day today here, too, but the end is now in sight! Ha!

With all this Mama Bear talk it is only appropriate for this Papa Bear to wish you a lovely weekend. xx

Morning, Amber!

>136 PaulCranswick: Ha! Thanks, Paul-Pa Bear!

>137 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

On the agenda for today:

Charlie's gymnastics class this morning, then bills, weekly photo organizing, laundry, taking down the St. Patrick's Day decorations and putting up the Easter stuff, vacuuming, possibly some baking, the dogs need baths, we need to decorate Easter eggs,... Oh, and Tomm and Charlie have a Fix The Downstairs Toilet Project, too. This is more of a weekend-long agenda, really. We'll see how much gets done today. The Pork Chops will be for dinner tonight, since we opted for Culvers last night instead.

On the reading front: I read a few pages in Five Days at Memorial last night, which is good, if a little slow (although that could just be because I'm very slow at reading it!).

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "One of Armstrong Sperry's (Call It Courage, 1941 Newbery Medal) earliest memories was hearing his great grandfather tell of his adventures with pirates, whales, and exotic islands when he was a ship captain."
Oh, wow, what a cool great-grandfather he must have been, eh? Plus, Call It Courage is an excellent read - it made the cut and now lives on Charlie's shelves.

What We Read Yesterday:
-The Amazing Spider-Man by Frank Berrios (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Baby Dogs
-Paddington and the Grand Tour
-Chapter 1 of Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Good morning, Amber!

There are lots of statues of Paddington in London. I could see Charlie loving that. My storyteller wife sure did.

Morning, Amber! Happy Saturday! No snow or rain here at the moment. It is actually not bad at all. The light winds help.

Enjoy your day!

>140 jnwelch: Joe: Yes, we would *all* love it! Everyone here at Scaife Manor is a big fan of Paddington.

>141 msf59: Hi, Mark! We just had a few flakes and now it's chilly but sunny. Whew!

And that teacher conference just slid on past without a comment? Really?

>143 Morphidae: Morphy: Well, no one asked. Ha! Tomm was calm and quiet, but took her to task. By the end of the 45-minute meeting (which was supposed to be only 20), she was blotchy and sweating, and neither of us raised our voices once. I think she realizes that we're not pleased. I also heard back from the Principal, again, who says that the one-time consent form isn't really a policy, but just a practice. My immediate thought is that this makes it an even bigger problem - the school district DOESN'T have a policy on consent forms for trips?! Oho, you'd best believe Tomm and I are headed to the next school board meeting...

<144 Amber I'm wondering how many of the other parents had a problem, having them back you with the school board could be helpful.

>145 fairywings: Adrienne: I'm planning on making a bit of an informal, oral survey of the families I know to see what they think, and also a few of the teachers, who are parents as well.

>131 jnwelch: I thoroughly enjoyed The War that Saved My Life

>147 rretzler: Robin: It was wonderful, wasn't it?

Happy Sunday, Amber. I hope you can relax a bit.

Morning, Amber! Happy Sunday! I am just about done with Crenshaw, a YA book that Linda recommended and it is very good. Might be one, you and Charlie could read. Some fantasy, along with some harsh reality.

>149 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>150 msf59: Morning, Mark! I've read that one just recently and you're right that it's a pretty good one - I'm glad you're enjoying it!

On the agenda for today:
Essentially all the stuff that didn't get done yesterday, which means bills and organizing the week's photos, decorating Easter eggs, possibly some baking. I'm also hoping for some reading time - I'm nearly finished with The Religions Book and would like to polish it off today. Curried Chicken Noodles for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I read a bit more of The Religions Book during gymnastics class, started listening to The Nest, which is good and creepy so far but not too scary (=perfect), and finished Black Boy (more on that one a bit later). So all in all a good reading day!

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Lois Lowry (Number the Stars, 1990 Newbery Medal; The Giver, 1994 Newbery Medal) once got a fortune cookie message saying, 'You will become rich and famous in a far-out profession.' Lowry said she's rich, although not necessarily monetarily, but doesn't consider writing a far-out profession."
Ha! Also, happy birthday to Lois, born today in 1937, and also to Louis Sachar, born in 1954.

What We Read Yesterday:
-Duck & Goose: Here Comes the Easter Bunny!
-National Geographic Kids Magazine, March 2016 issue

48. Black Boy by Richard Wright (Banned Books list, 365 pages) - 9/10 = A-
An autobiography of a man who grew up in the South then moved to Chicago, trying to escape the violent family and racist atmosphere into which he was born, struggled to find his voice and chance at being a writer, and joined and then left the Communist Party. This is stark and bleak and harsh but also clean and open and honest. I felt his strength and his vulnerability throughout. The language is brutally beautiful, too. Definitely recommended.

Morning, Amber!

>154 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Happy Sunday. May it bring time to rest and read!

>156 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! No resting just yet - we've just finished up decorating our Easter eggs!

How fun. I remember those days. My youngest daughter got the Easter bunny and Sleeping Beauty mixed up and she combined them. She thought that Flora, Fawna and Merriweather brought her candy bars.

>158 Whisper1: Linda: Ha! I LOVE that!

Happy first day of Spring!

>160 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

Hi Amber, hope you are having a lovely Sunday my dear, sending love and hugs.

>162 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

Hard to believe Easter is just a week away!

>148 scaifea: Yes, I really enjoyed The War that Saved My Life. It's so hard to believe that someone could have a parent like that, but I'm sure that kind of thing happened/happens more frequently than I would like to imagine. I'm just glad that it ended well. It makes me wonder if there were actually stories about children who were better off being evacuees in WWII.

>164 ronincats: Roni: I know, right?! It seems really early this year.

>165 rretzler: Robin: Sadly, yes, there are many children out there living in abusive families and it's horrible. Horrible. I think what makes this such an extraordinary book is that it has the potential to be inspirational to children coming out of such situations, to let them see that they're not alone in how they feel and how they are dealing with what has happened to them.

Hi Amber! Love the Charlie toppers.

Happy Spring!

Just catching up on everything here...phew!! I wouldn't want to be the teacher sitting across from YOU! : )

#111-112: I need to get to the Alan Rickman reading of Return of the Native soon - I've heard several praising it.

Happy easter week :)

Morning Amber. Wishing you a good week.

>168 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! Thanks!

>169 Berly: Kim: Ha!

>170 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten! And yes, you should try to make room for it in your reading/listening schedule - it's excellent.

>171 charl08: Morning, Charlotte! Thanks!

On the agenda for today:

Whelp, calling the clinic is at the top of the list because my UTI seems to be back. I mean, seriously?! After that last round of 14-days of antibiotics, and the fact that it has been since Tuesday or Wednesday since I finished those and I've had no symptoms, I thought I was free and clear. Nope, apparently not, as of last night. And this is Charlie's spring break, so getting to the clinic is tricky - I'll have to get an appointment and then wait for Tomm to come back home from work to be with Charlie so that I can go in. Gah. Also - I don't remember if I mentioned this yet or not - we discovered that Tomm has a prostate infection, and it seems that what has been happening is that he's been, um, sharing that infection with me. So maybe that changes things? We'll see what the doctor says. Ugh. Another complication: Charlie and I are planning on taking a trip to Indiana starting Wednesday - I don't want to be hurting for that trip. Ding-dang it.
So, otherwise, not much planned, other than a trip to the library, per Charlie's request. I was so looking forward to a lazy, fun day hanging out with Charlie, but no we'll have to see what happens with the clinic. sigh*

On the reading front: I read a bit more of The Religions Book - nearly finished! And a bit of The Water of the Wondrous Isles, too. Both still good. Tomm and I are nearly finished watching Captain America, too, which is pretty adorable, I have to say. I'm still Team Tony, though.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Charles Boardman Hawes (The Dark Frigate, 1924 Newbery Medal) often took long walks but could rarely persuade anyone to accompany him because some of the walks were twenty to thirty miles long."
I think Mamie could probably keep up with him, eh? *grins* Also, if you haven't read The Dark Frigate, oh you should! So good.
And Happy Birthday to David Wisniewski, born on this day in 1953!

Morning, Amber! Sorry, to hear your illness has returned. I hope you can get this under control quickly. Fingers crossed.

>173 scaifea: ugh, that's pretty sucky Amber. I'm inclined to think the "sharing" is a factor here, and maybe it's not the UTI you thought it was? Anyway, let's hope you can work things out today to see the doc and be on the road to recovery ASAP. Good luck.

>174 msf59: Thanks, Mark - that's pretty much what I'm hoping, too. Enough, already!

>175 lauralkeet: Laura: Sucky is the perfect way to describe it. Ha! I'm going in this time loaded with info - Tomm's meds, all the meds I've taken so far (I know they should know this, but I'm not taking any chances), and there may be a hissy-fit thrown if they don't give me some strong stuff. Ha!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Spider-Man: A Great Day by David Seidman (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B
-Hoppy Clubhouse Easter
-We Both Read: The Mighty Little Hunter
-The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (My very favorite Easter book from when I was little, and it's still excellent - if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!)

Morning, Amber! Your UTI is back?! The NERVE of it! Yep. It's Monday all right.

I do not think I could keep up with Charles Boardman Hawes, unless I followed him in the car. Which I would be perfectly willing to do because I am a big person that way.

Go ahead and throw that hissy-fit. I am behind you all the way, sister!

>178 Crazymamie: Mamie: Ha! You're such a thoughtful person - I'm certain Hawes would have appreciated you.

And yes, I'm hissy-fit-ready and have an appointment at 9:15. Tomm is on his way home. What a Monday, eh? Gah.

Meanwhile, In CharlieLand:

A Portrait of the Artist Making a Portrait of the Eggs:

Sorry about the ongoing invisible invaders saga...I hope the new information will lead to better treatment and ultimate victory.

Wow, but Charlie's getting tall.

>181 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. Whelp, the doctor is befuddled: my urine sample was completely clean and clear - no bacteria or proteins or sugars or blood or, well, anything. So she did an exam on me and will send the culture to the lab. Gah. The good news is, though, that I don't have any symptoms at the moment. Here's hoping they don't come back.

And yes, I can't seem to convince him to stop that growing business.

Love the pic of Charlie Dali there! And Tuppence, too!

I also like the picture of Charlie, Amber, but for heaven's sake get him a higher drawing stand!

Have a lovely week, my dear.

>182 scaifea: Yikes Amber! I hope you figure out what is going on.

>183 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! Tuppence is giving me the "Oh, just put the camera down and throw the ball, for sobbing out loud" look. I get that look often from her.

>184 PaulCranswick: Paul: Ha! An easel would, in fact, be an excellent gift for him...

>185 luvamystery65: Roberta: Yikes, indeed. My doctor was kind enough to say that she'll certainly call in a prescription, if needed once the lab results come in, to the Walgreens near my parents' house, so I can relax and still plan on taking Charlie on our planned visit.

Hope you feel better soon, as the sample was clear I hope it isn't an other problem...

>187 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita, and ME TOO, on both counts...

Oh, Amber, I'm so sorry to hear about your health issue. The good thing is that you got a clue where it could come from on the other hand both of you need the right treatment soon. Fingers crossed that both of you get well soon. Gentle hugs xx

>189 Ameise1: Thanks so much, Barbara!

Love the picture of Charlie the artist.

>191 johnsimpson: Ha! Thanks, John!

Just stopping by for a quick hello, Amber!

>193 jnwelch: Hi, Joe!

49. The Religions Book (Charlie book, 339 pages) - 8/10 = A
As I may have mentioned before, I picked this one up because, after struggling to find a good book on death written for kids, one that explains what different folks all over the world believe (I could really only find ones that approach the subject solely from a Christian perspective), I decided to try to write one, and this is the start of my research. It's an excellent introduction to world religions, written for, say, maybe middle grade and up, but well-informed - I learned bunches. I will definitely be looking out for more in this "Big Ideas Simply Explained" series by DK Publishing.

I'm glad I got a chance to check in on this thread before it's gone. I've been so busy that I was 203 messages behind on you. At least I'm mostly caught up. I may come back when I'm not feeling quite as rushed to read some of the discussion more closely.

>196 thornton37814: Good to see you either way, Lori!

Hang in there Amber! Glad you got the Rx for the trip covered, just in case. ; )

Hope the research for your book goes well Amber. Think it is a worthwhile project to help young people understand other people and their beliefs. We studied comparative religions at school from age 11 and I loved the subject - fascinating how different groups approached key life stages.

And hope the bug has gone. Enough already! Poor you. Glad the doctor is taking your symptoms seriously and investigating.

>198 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

>199 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. I started looking for a book like this when Charlie started asking about what happens when we die. Tomm and I agreed that we would introduce him to all versions of faith out there and let him choose for himself, since we feel that our parents instilling in us their own faith from day one led us both to a crisis of those faiths. Tomm now aligns mostly with Deists, and I'm Buddhist, and we want Charlie to follow his own path. But it makes answering these early questions a bit trickier, since there aren't the resources out there that there are for one-faith families. So thanks for the encouragement!
And thanks re: the bug. I had the symptoms again last night, and just as for the previous night, I only had the pain from around bedtime to sometime after midnight - I'm okay again this morning. Weird. I hope they find something that's easily fixed in those labs...

On the agenda for today:
Packing for our trip to Indiana (we leave tomorrow morning), our trip to the library (which didn't happen yesterday) and possibly some work on the Olympia presentation. Otherwise I'll just be hanging out with Charlie today. Corn Chowder for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front:
I listened to more of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on the way to and from the clinic (Deep Thought has just revealed it's Answer), finished up The Religions Book (see above), started reading The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas (which is excellent so far) and read a few pages in Millard Fillmore.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The first wife of Hendrik Van Loon (The Story of Mankind, 1922 Newbery Medal) was a descendant of Nathaniel Bowditch, subject of Carry On, Mr. Bowditch (1956 Newbery Medal)."
How cool is that?! Loved both books, too.
And Happy Birthday to Randolph Caldecott, born on this day in 1846!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Easter Crack-Ups
-It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown

Morning, Amber! I hope you have good weather for your trip out tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

>202 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

50. The Boy Whom Swam with Piranhas by David Almond (Charlie book, 234 pages) - 9/10 = A
A lovely little book about a boy who runs away from home, joins a traveling fair and learns to, well, you know. Excellent magical realism and stories-as-magic here. Definitely recommended. And as a bonus, It has occasional illustrations by Oliver Jeffers!

51. Blizzard at Black Swan Inn by Susan Saunders (CYOA list, 55 pages) - 8/10 = B

Have a good trip my dear.

>205 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

On the agenda for today:
We'll finish up the last-minute packing this morning and then be on our way to Indiana! We'll be there through Saturday, so there won't be much posting from me for the rest of the week.

On the reading front:
I finished The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas (see above), started reading Pax (I've got a sad feeling about this one already), and also started Memoirs of Hecate County, which is interesting so far and much more about snapping turtles than I ever thought a book that's not a non-fiction book about snapping turtles could ever be.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The idea of writing about a pig's life came to E. B. White while he was carrying a pail of slops to his pig. He added Charlotte to the manuscript of Charlotte's Web (1953 Newbery Honor Book) after he noticed a large spider in the backhouse."
I love learning about happenstance inspirations like this one, don't you?

What We Read Yesterday:
-Bob's Egg Hunt
-Peter Cottontail's Easter Surprise
-Where the Wild Things Are
-Chapter 3 of Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Morning, Amber! Have a safe trip south. I hope the rain holds off for awhile. It is still dry here but they are talking rain off and on, throughout the day. Sighs...

>208 msf59: Thanks, Mark! They're talking SNOW here - Charlie and I are gonna beat it out, though. POSITIVE THINKING!! Ha!

Morning, Amber! Wishing you safe travels!

Safe travels! Hope you start feeling better soon.

I'm reading Pax with Keegan and I know what you mean about it being sad already...seems like it started out sad. We're on chapter 8 currently and I just can't imagine what could happen next.

Have a lovely trip :)

Have a fantastic trip Amber.

Snow?! Safe travels.

>207 scaifea: and >211 rretzler: I had the same feeling at the start of Pax -- in fact, I put it down for a few weeks after reading the first couple of chapters. It's worth persevering, I think, and at least you know what you're getting into.

Safe travels, Amber. I hope you missed the snow. It was 65+ here today.

>174 msf59: I love, love the Newbery trivia. A few years ago, I made it my goal to read all Newbery award winning books. I made quite a dent, and with your posts, I now want to get back to that goal and continue to work toward completion.

>204 scaifea: This book is on the tbr pile.

Safe travels my friend!

Pax! Yes!

Good morning, Amber. Sweet Thursday!

Great background on Charlotte's Web.

I'm looking forward to learning bunches, too, with The Religions Book at some point.

Safe travels, Amber! NO to SNOW!

Safe travels!

Thanks for mentioning The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas, found the translation at the library today and loved it!

Have a wonderful Easter.

Amber, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

Morning, all, and thanks for all of the messages! We're happily spending time in Indiana with my folks and I'll respond better when we get back home.

Happy Easter Amber, have a lovely time with your folks, sending love and hugs.

Not really catching up as much as swinging through to wish you a wonderful weekend!

Happy Indiana visit! *breaks into a rousing chorus of "Back Home Again in Indiana*

I think I am all a caught up and here to wish you a Happy Easter and a happy trip!

Happy Easter!

I am all about the chocoloate...

Hi Amber, catching up quickly. Hope you're well again, and having loads of fun in Indiana.

This growing business; I was always at the edge or dead centre of school photos, because I was always the shortest in the class. My dad and my husband seem to think they're tall or something, but it's only in comparison to the ladies in our family. So when the kids came along, at least I felt almost normal. But now my 12 year old is challenging me. On the one hand, I want him to grow so he doesn't have the same issues as me ... but on the other ... :0/

ETA >229 Berly: Oh, Kim!

(leave some for me, please!)

Have a great time in Indiana, Amber. Happy Easter!

Thanks for the well-wishes and Easter greetings, all! Charlie and I are back home safely now, unpacked and are getting ready to head out for dinner with Tomm. Back later with the reading update (spoiler: I finished a few...)

"I finished a few" I don't think that's a spoiler.

Yeah to safe travels.

Here is a lovely illustration for you

>233 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: *snork!*

>234 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda!

Alright, here they are:

52. The Nest by Kenneth Oppel (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
Good and creepy without being outright scary. Very fun listen.

53. Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
Another solid listen - a good mystery-type + quirky friendship read for middle grade.

54. Pax by Sara Pennypacker (potential Charlie book, 276 pages) - 8/10 = B+
Ugh. Why didn't I listen to my inner self telling me to back away from the kid-with-a-pet book?! These NEVER end well for me. I don't do well with the sadnesses at the end of these kinds of books. Gah. The writing was solid, though, and the story - up to the end that made me smad - was excellent.

55. Fleece Navidad by Maggie Sefton (series I'm reading with my mom, 265 pages) - 9/10 = A-
I just love these cozy mysteries and I feel like the characters are good friends.

56. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury (NEH Children's Classics list, 239 pages) - 10/10 = A+
Oho. Jackpot! Amazing - and I mean AMAZING! - writing, excellent story, wonderful characters. Bradbury is The Business. There were so many passages in this book that I read and re-read and re-read, and then just placed the book in my lap, closed my eyes, and took a deep and very satisfied breath. Reading at it's absolute best, friends. Do go get this one if you haven't.

57. The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart (Mythopoeic award list, 494 pages) - 8/10 = B+
I really wanted to love this first in a series about the Arthur legend, but, well...meh. The story was alright, but it seemed to drag on too much in spots. And I like Bernard Cornwell's take on the myth better, I think. So I'll not be going on with the series, at least not right now.

>236 scaifea: Interesting about The Crystal Cave---I read and loved that series (or at least the first two, can't recall whether I read more than that) waaaaay back. Wonder what I'd think now. But if I revisit Arthur one day, I think I'll give Cornwell a try.

>237 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: I really thought I'd love it, and I *did* like it, but it just didn't grab me as amazing. Do give Cornwell's series a go - it's very good.

What We Read Today:
-The Night Before Easter
-Happy Easter, Mouse!
-Chapter 4 of Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

And we took with us to Indiana and read:
-Rain! by Peter Spier (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
-Circus! by Peter Spier (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A

Happy Easter to you and your family, Amber.

Happy Easter, Amber

Oh dear. I loved the ending of Pax.

>240 weird_O: Ha! Thanks, Bill!

>241 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy!

>242 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

>243 avatiakh: Kerry: Oh gosh, well you are welcome to it, then! Ha!

On the agenda for today:

Charlie has already looked through his basket and found all of the eggs that The Bunny left for him and is now happily putting together the Lego set he found in the basket. I'll be trying to get through the laundry from our trip, and then I need to give the inside of my car a good cleaning out and vacuuming, since tomorrow I'll likely be leaving it at the dealership and coming home with a new one - this one is a lease, which is almost up, and we'll be buying one for me this time round. I have an Accord now and I love it, so I'll be getting another Accord. Grilled pork chops for dinner tonight, and Tomm will be the chef!

On the reading front: I listened to a 6-hour chunk of Grimpow yesterday, which is a good story so far, but the writing is bothering me some (too much repetition of previous plot points), and I read a bit of The Water of the Wondrous Isles last night before hitting the hay - it's very slow going, but that's mostly on my part and not the fault of the book.

The calendar book for this weekend: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, which is already on my wishlist and I'd love to get to it soon.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "After Laura Adams Armor won the 1932 Newbery Medal for Waterless Mountain, Hendrik Van Loon (The Story of Mankind, 1922 Newbery Medal) sent her flowers and a note thanking her for not having written her book ten years earlier."
Ha! Neat! Although I have to say that I liked Van Loon's book quite a bit more than Armor's...

Happy Sunday and Happy Easter, Amber! Welcome home. Glad you had a nice trip!

The Nest sounds good, (your touchstone is off). There is a new book out too, called The Nest, by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney that has been getting raves. It is on my list.

>246 msf59: Mark: I think you'd like The Nest (those touchstones get frustrating sometimes, don't they?), although it's really just pleasantly creepy and not too dark (I know you like 'em dark!). Happy Easter, friend!

Hiya, Amber!

Oh, I loved that Pax book so. Sorry the ending seemed sad to you. Not me. Just right, I thought. Madame MBH and I are still talking about some of the characters.

Phew - at least Dandelion Wine hit the spot. Love that one.

>248 jnwelch: Joe: I just have no stamina when it comes to children and their pets. I did love the rest of it lots, and you're right that the characters are excellent.
And yes, Dandelion Wine was simply perfect.

Morning, Amber! Welcome home! Wishing for you a day filled with happy - and Tomm doing the cooking is a lovely start!

>250 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Ha! You've got that right - I'm pretty happy that I don't have to cook tonight!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

>252 mdoris: Thanks, Mary!

What We Read Today:

-A True Book: Queen Elizabeth II by Jennifer Zeiger (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+
-Lego City: Follow That Easter Egg!
-Mickey's Easter Hunt
-Little People: Easter Is Here!
-Chapter 5 of Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

And we watched my favorite Easter movie (or, at least, we think of it as an Easter movie) tonight: Rise of the Guardians. A lovely ending to an very nice day. I hope yours was a good one, too, all.

Happy Easter Amber!

>255 The_Hibernator: Thanks so much, Rachel!

On the agenda for today:
Grocery shopping this morning, then I'll drive down to Dubuque, meet Tomm at the dealership and possibly drive home with a new car this afternoon. As I mentioned above, my lease is nearly up and we've decided to *buy* the next one for me. If there's time, then, in between the shopping and the car-getting and the Charlie-up-picking, I'll try to get a new thread started. Also, the Easter decorations need to come down at some point. Dinner will either be Cheddar Burger Bake or Charlie's Chili, if Charlie decides that he wants to cook tonight.

On the reading front: I read a little over half of the Millard Fillmore biography yesterday, which sounds more impressive than it really is, since the entire book is only 171 pages long - ha! But still, I'm happy that I managed that much reading time yesterday. It helped that the neighborhood kids came round in the afternoon and asked if Charlie could come out and play, and then they all stayed out playing basketball, riding bikes and scooters and cobbling together their own play-egg hunt for a couple of hours. We are fortunate that we live in a neighborhood with a handful of kids around Charlie's age, plus on a cul-de-sac with very little traffic (so little, in fact, that when a non-neighbor car drives by, we all take note - ha!), so the kids, who have all clearly been taught to watch and be careful, can play baseball in the street and just take over the place with their games. Our big front bay window looks right on the street and it's lovely to peek out and watch them at their games. And how wonderful that they come knocking at the door to make sure Charlie's included (most of them are a bit older than Charlie, although one little sister is a year younger than he). We do love this neighborhood!

The calendar book for today sounds potentially interesting: Dirty Love by Andre Dubus III: four intertwined stories that are "{g}ritty slices of down-and-out New England life"... Sounds right up Mark's alley - have you read this one, Mark? The title seems familiar - maybe I've seen it on your threads already?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The Matchlock Gun (1942 Newbery Medal) was first published in The Saturday Evening Post as a story for adults titled 'The Spanish Gun.'"
Interesting. I thought at the time that I read it that it seemed more for adults than for children, but I just attributed that to my absolute revulsion of guns, wholesale.

Happy Monday, all, and Happy Children's Picture Book Day!!

Morning, Amber! I did read, Dirty Love. It was very good. I read one of his father's story collections too. I liked it but did not love it.

Mark's Alley? I like the sound of that.

>258 msf59: Morning, Mark! I feel pretty good about remembering, sort of, that you'd read it. Ha! And Mark's Alley does have a nice ring...

>257 scaifea: I grew up in one of those cul-de-sac neighborhoods, with 5 kids my age and lots of kids a bit younger or older. The street was actually an L-shape with a cul-de-sac at the turn and at the short end of the L -- we called it The Dog Bone. It was great for playing games in the summer. The houses along one side of the Dog Bone (including my house) backed up onto woods, where there was also a creek. I spent hours and hours there. I'm feeling kinda nostalgic now.

>260 lauralkeet: Laura: That's the shape of our cul-de-sac (although there's only one circle, which is at the end of the L)! Our house sits in the crook of the L - when you turn onto our street, it looks like you're going to drive right into our driveway (which we do, of course).

Morning, Amber!

Hmm. Children's Picture Book Day. My favorites these days are the Jon Muth ones with the Zen Panda, like Zen Shorts. Shoot, wonky touchstones.

Hope you have a good one today.

>262 jnwelch: Joe: Oh, Charlie and I love the Muth books, too - so, so good.

The new thread is up!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/220554

When we go to my parents' place, their in a cul-de-sac, too, and their house is right on the turning circle. We stayed with them for a year and a half, when my youngest was three years old, so I could sit in the garden and keep an eye on him playing. The majority of kids were older than him - though you wouldn't have thought it, the way he took charge! My older boy went to the primary school 10 minutes walk up the hill, where about half the other kids went, too, including another boy in his class.

That road had a kind of S-bend at the other end, and you crossed a huge double plot of land on the way to school. Those were the original size plots in the area, before it was subsumed under modern housing estates. My parents tell me that when the old man retired (the two families were related, and drove a couple of big trucks across the country; the boys would always look out for them parked on the long drive), they sold the land and now there are more houses on it. Such is progress.