scaifea's thread #10

Welcome to thread X!



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)
i. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)

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)
-Davy Crockett (Newbery Honor 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+
58. The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A

APRIL
59. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave (Jeffers/Boyne bibliography) - 9/10 = A
60. The Naming of Tishkin Silk (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
61. Minn of the Mississippi (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
62. High Tide in Hawaii (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
63. The Apple and the Arrow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
64. My Side of the Mountain (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
65. Rascal (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
66. Millions (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+

Happy new thread Amber my dear. Hope you are having a good Monday, sending love and hugs

The Charlie, Mario & Tuppence Toppers:





Tuppence, of course, is above such silly things as hats of any kind...

Loving the photo's my dear.

And the Bonus Question (thanks to Katie for the suggestion!): On the last thread we chatted about our first cars - this time let's talk about our dream cars! Mine is, honestly, the car I have - I LOVE my Honda Accord! Alternatively, I'd love to fix up my '67 Mustang to its original glory...

>4 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! I've got such a photogenic bunch here at Scaife Manor, no? It's a shame that Tomm won't let me post his handsome self much.

I have always wanted a Porsche 911 but how I would get out of it after a drive with my dodgy back I have no idea.

>6 scaifea: It is a shame that Tomm won't play ball, like me he is a good looking guy.

>7 johnsimpson: John: Ha! I love the look of the 911s, too, but I'm certain I'd hurt myself and others if I tried to drive such a beast.

>8 johnsimpson: *snork!* Agreed!

I love the toppers, as always!

I don't have a dream car. At different stages in my life I have really liked different cars but nothing stands out as The One.

Congrats on the new thread, Amber!

Love the photos of Charlie, Mario and Tuppence (we had a pug named Tuppence when I was growing up - my best friend called her "Tubbles").

I'm with your mom on the Precious Ramotswe series. Love it. I need to read the newest one.

59. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne (Jeffers/Boyne bibliography, 245 pages) - 9/10 = A
I picked this one up because Oliver Jeffers does Boyne's illustrations (which is why I've read all of the Boyne I have so far), but I admit that I was excited to read another of Boyne's works, too. Everything I've read of his so far has been amazeballs, and this one is no exception. It follows a boy struggling to make it through the first world war in London with his mom and while his dad is away at the war on a secret mission, or so he's been told. He accidentally discovers the truth about where his father is and sets off on his own secret mission to save him. Beautifully written and heart-rending, although not as devastating as some of Boyne's stuff. I highly recommend it.

Happy new thread!

My current "dream" car is an Acura RDX. I miss having an SUV, and I like Acuras a lot (The Wayne drives a 2004 CL) - they are dependable, long-lasting, and super nice without being flashy.

>9 scaifea: I hear you, Carrie. If I didn't have a wonderful car now, I wouldn't really know what else to want - I don't know enough about cars, honestly, to covet certain ones.

>10 cal8769: Thanks, Joe! A pug named Tuppence!! How did I not know this?! Lots have people have difficulties with Tuppence's name here, too. We get, "Tuppins?" a lot, I'm afraid. Clearly more folks need to read Agatha Christie. Ha!
And yep, we love the Ramotswe books - such relaxing and easy-going reads, no?

ETA: Two posts #9? Weird.

Hi Amber. A new computer has reconnected me to LT. Sorry I missed pretty much all of your thread #9, but there's no going back. I'll have to take a raincheck on the "dream car" question; need to gather some info.

>13 katiekrug: Oooh, nice! I had to look up a photo of it, but I like it! (See? I really don't know anything about cars...) I miss my Jeep Cherokee sometimes, too.

>14 scaifea: Welcome back, Bill! No worries on thread #9 - 10 is the new 9! Ha! I'll be eagerly awaiting your dream car response...

>14 scaifea: Have they not seen Mary Poppins? "Feed the birds, tuppence a bag." Or anything with Tuppence Middleton?

My "realistic dream car" is a Honda Fit in what they call Passion Berry Pearl and I call Blackberry Dumplings.



My "dreamy dream car" is a black Rolls Royce Wraith. I have expensive taste.



I also wouldn't say no to any late-1930s Hudson.

Happy New Thread, Amber! Since I first rode in one in 1999, my dream car has been a BMW Z3 Roadster, as I love the look of classic European sports cars.



Fortunately I did buy a 1999 Z3 in 2002, which is identical to the one in this photo. It still runs and looks great, and I decided to keep it after I bought a 2015 BMW X3 SAV last month.

I don't have a dream car. A car is a tool, and I like simplicity and economy. I have more & stronger opinions about shoes than cars. For years I've been driving Toyota Camrys, which I'm told are dull as dirt but have been terrific to me in terms of price, maintenance, and mileage. As for color I prefer "what's available when I'm looking for a replacement." Any shade is fine.

On the other hand, if I could get my paws on one of these:


... I would take back everything I just said.

>16 scaifea: - I don't know much about cars, either. I am eagerly awaiting the last breath of my husband's car, as he will then take over the VW Passat I am currently driving (it was a deal we struck because he really wanted this Passat but didn't want to give up his Acura, and I was sick of my crappy car; so I got the new car, with the understanding that the next new car would be my choice) and I will get my RDX :)

>5 scaifea: bonus question: the Citroen CX, we owned a black one from the last year it was produced, like the one in the picture. Greatest car we ever had... sadly a police van drove right into it, not Franks fault, and it was damaged beyond repair :-(


And then there is the Citroen SM, produced together with Masarati, but that one is not affordable. There were few made and if you need some parts it costs an month salary or more... On the picture the cabrio, only 6 of these were produced.

>18 casvelyn: Yeah, we get a few "feed the birds" references, but she's not named for the song. At least they get the name proper, I suppose. Ha!
And all I can say to that Wraith is Oooooooooh! And the name even gives me chills. Love it!

>19 kidzdoc: Whoa, Darryl. Fancy! Again, I think I'd hurt myself and possibly others trying to drive that, plus, um, no room, it seems, for Charlie's booster seat... Ha!

>20 swynn: Steve, you have the absolute best sense of humor! I agree with your all-bets-are-off car, too.

>21 katiekrug: Katie: I always thought I'd like to have a VW of some kind, but somehow it's never happened. I'd really like one of the old-timey vans, I think.

>22 FAMeulstee: Oh, Anita, I LOVE the looks of Citroens! I'm so sorry that the police (!) wrecked yours.

Okay, so, bit of a situation here at Scaife Manor this morning: I just came back from taking Tuppence to the vet, pulled into the garage, pressed the button for the garage door and heard a nigh-upon-pants-peeing-inducing bang from the ceiling area. One of the ginormous springs that are part of the whole garage door mechanism detached itself at one end, with the door very nearly all the way down.

Now, I remembered Tomm telling me that if anything should happen to the opener, I just need to pull on the red handle bit to be able to open and shut the door myself. So, I did that. And with another loudish bang, the door slammed down the rest of the way.

Aaaand it's decided to stay there - I can't budge it. And my car is *in* the garage. And Tomm is on his way to Colorado. And Charlie is at school and will be expecting me to pick him up later today.

Except my car is stuck in the garage.

Yes, well...

I've left Tomm a message on his cell phone and I'm hoping he's got some brilliant plan once he lands in Chicago...

>25 scaifea: Yowzer, that is a situation! I'll offer some momentary distraction by answering the bonus question:

I don't dream about cars much -- I like my current one, and I've never had a desire for a sports car or luxury car. However, I've always harbored a hankering for a Jeep Wrangler.

>25 scaifea: Oh no, Amber! This exactly the kind of thing I'm always sure will happen when husbeast is away (minus the particulars of having to pick up a sprout from school, of course). Hope Tomm has a good idea! (My brain is all in "solve this problem mode," now, but all of my ideas are both obvious or unlikely to help, so I will refrain from sharing. Unless you want them. Nothing worse than unsolicited advice when what you wanted was *hugs*.)

>25 scaifea: oh crap Amber, that's not good at all! We recently had the same problem with one of our garage doors, but I think the car was outside the garage at the time. My husband was able to fix our door himself by ordering a spring online. But that doesn't help you at the moment. I asked him about this and he said, "It may be possible to pull a cord that detaches the door from the lifting unit and it may open by hand. It depends." But this may be what you already tried to do with the red handle bit?

Can you borrow a car in order to pick up Charlie today?

>26 foggidawn: Ha! Thanks for the distraction! I do so love Jeeps and miss my Cherokee.

>27 lycomayflower: Laura: Tomm's great idea is for me to find someone to open it for me. Yeah. I've called my friend, Pam, but her husband is also out of town and her son (who is in college) will likely be able to help me, but won't get home until 6ish. Thanks for the brain noodling on my behalf - and the hugs!

>28 lauralkeet: Laura: Yep, that's what the red handle bit was, but I'm just not strong enough to open it. Working on a solution... School isn't so far that I couldn't walk get him and then we both walk home. We'll see how it goes...

That sounds awful, Amber. Was that garage door opener already installed when you and Tomm bought the house, or did you have it installed? If so, did Tomm do it, or did you pay someone to install it? If you paid for its installation, perhaps it's still under warranty, or maybe the people who installed it could check it out or give you some advice over the phone. Good luck!

>23 scaifea: The base price of the 2016 Wraith is just over $300k. (That's not a typo, folks.) Hence the "dreamy dream car."

ETA: Do you have a rental car company that will pick you up? I see ads for Enterprise on TV all the time, but I don't know if you have them up there.

Sorry about the garage door situation, Amber.

I've always lusted after one of these.

The trouble with having someone (like a neighbor) open it for you is that it probably won't stay open with a broken spring, so you'll have to have them hold it while you get your car out, and then leave it out until the thing is fixed. If you don't know who installed the opener, or if Tomm put it in himself, you could call any overhead door company in the vicinity---they might even have an emergency response team for something like this. (Can ya cry a little on the phone, honey?)

>30 kidzdoc: Darryl: It's a fairly new garage door, and Tomm installed it. No garage door companies round these here parts, I'm afraid.

>31 casvelyn: Whoa. Luxurious!
And nope, no rental places in town, either.

>32 ronincats: Thanks, Roni, and oh don't you just have the fancy tastes, too! Ha!

>33 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Tomm has instructed me to instruct anyone I get to help me to use one of the 2x4's in the garage to prop it open while I'm driving out. I'm nervous...

And I think I've found someone to help me! A friend here's husband (who is, I should add, also a friend, of course) is one the police force here and he's on his way over to help! Woot! Fingers crossed, everyone, please!

YES!! My rescuer has come and gone and my car is now free!! I will most certainly be baking cookies or cakes or something for him and his family soon!

>35 scaifea: Woot woot!

>35 scaifea: YAY!!!

Hooray for liberated cars and friends in need!

Yay, Amber! I am glad the problem is solved!

Thanks, everybody! I'm so thankful for Kirk dropping everything to come over and spring me, so to speak...

Freedom!

My dream car - a big Dodge pickup all tricked out on the inside. Or one of the new F-type Jaguars. Either way. :)

I've never had a dream car. I guess that's one of the things I've spent very little time thinking about. :)

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Amber. Sorry to hear about your garage door issue.

Ha, the BQ is an easy one. My dream car needs four wheels, enough space (we always have station wagons) and has to run. Nothing more or fancy.

I'm so happy to hear you were able to get help for your garage problem!! Good luck getting it all fixed, too -- but at least now you can come and go without worry.

>41 drneutron: Jim: Ha! Yes! And I love that your two dream cars are so different from one another!

>42 The_Hibernator: Rachel: Yep, it's not high on my list of priorities, either, really, so I get that.

>43 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! No worries about the garage door - now that I'm freed, it's Tomm's area... Ha! And you're spot on with the car specs - what else do we really need?

>44 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! And yes, I'm completely relieved that I can come and go now!

>23 scaifea: My Z3 doesn't have enough room for Charlie's booster seat, or much of anything else. It has a huge nose and a flat butt, as you can see, and the trunk is so tiny that sometimes my weekly groceries don't fit in it. It's a great car to have in Intown Atlanta, as it handles the road superbly and it can fit into the tiniest of parking spaces. It's completely impractical for road trips, though, as the trunk can only fit one medium suitcase, it's too small to see over SUVs, pickup trucks and 18 wheelers (or be seen by them), and you feel every bump on the road, which makes for jarring long distance trips. My new X3 is much more practical in those regards, and I'll probably use it to drive from Atlanta to Philadelphia later this year to visit my parents, and to make road trips to New Orleans, Savannah and Charleston for long weekends from now on.

Shame on you for breaking Tomm's garage door opener. You're in big trouble when he comes home.

>46 kidzdoc: Darryl: So, you've got a car for going to town, then. Okay. Ha!
And you made me laugh right out loud with that last bit! Big trouble indeed - if he doesn't know what sort of trouble I am after 11 years, then the poor dear never will.

Haha, wow, how the car pictures have changed since last thread! ;)

As I mentioned on the last thread, I would probably never buy my dream car because it's just too inconvenient. I'm a practical guy, so between the big price tag, the high probability of breakdowns, and the fact that it wouldn't drive well in snow, I doubt I'd ever actually buy it. With that said, if I won the lottery and could buy an "extra" car after buying something a bit more winter-worthy, my dream car is the new 2016 Chevy Camaro.

Yay for the (sort of) garage door resolution.

My dream car? A car of whatever make, model or year that will never need repairing.

Really, a car, to me, is just something to get me from here to there and back.

Glad your car got sprung! Now, about that dream car...



Since it's a dream, it doesn't have to make any sense at all. Convertibles are death traps, and this wouldn't be practical for ANY of the driving I do, and I'm sure its trunk space is puny, and so many other things. But hey, I'm dreaming. It's a red convertible. Deep down, I've always been a red convertible girl. (Oh, it's a 2008 Chrysler Sebring...not even made anymore, but one good lookin' hunk of metal.)

>47 scaifea: Yep. On one hand it seems a bit extravagant and unnecessary to own two cars. However, the Z3 is long paid for, and the main reason it's taken me so long to get a new (pre-owned) car is that I couldn't bear to part with it, since it is my dream car and it looks and runs so well. (At least once every month or two someone pulls alongside me and asks me if I want to sell it to him. There were a sizable number of Z3s in Atlanta in the late 1990s and the 2000s, but there are very few on the road now, as they have been replaced by the Z4, which isn't as visually appealing.) It still has less than 100,000 miles on it, and I hope to keep it for another 3-5 years, if not longer.

I can hear Ricky Ricardo Tomm's voice now: "Luci Amber! What happened to the garage door opener???" (Only kidding; you're obviously much more intelligent and useful than Luci's character was on that legendary television show.)

>48 Ape: Stephen: Whoa, the new Camaros look a lot sleeker than they used to...

>49 Fourpawz2: Charlotte: Eh, the door will get fixed - I'm just overwhelmingly grateful that I found help getting my car out where I can use it this week!
And I'm afraid that your version of a dream car is more pie-in-the-sky than any of the others listed here! Ha!

>34 scaifea: Yeah, I don't think I have the courage to drive a car that costs 3x more than my dream house. But I would like to sit in it.

The nearest Rolls dealership is in Chicago. Maybe they'd let me test drive one without requiring a kidney or firstborn child as a deposit?

>50 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Oh, nice! Whenever I think of a convertible, my mind immediately goes that that scene in Bridget Jones, which is exactly how slick I'd be were I ever to ride in one, I'm certain.

52: I know, right? The automobile industry bailout was hugely unpopular, but for the first time in decades American muscle cars kind of don't suck again. And have you seen the Ford GT? I'm not a sports car kind of guy, so I don't get excited by that sort of thing, but that actually looks impressive, especially compared to our attempts to compete with Europe in the past. :)

>51 kidzdoc: Darryl: Having two cars doesn't seem all the extravagant, especially under the circumstances you describe.
And I have to say that Tomm is the real dream here - he would never honestly get upset about something like this. He's the perfect temperament for my goofy, klutzy self. I really lucked out with this one.

>53 casvelyn: I wouldn't even me comfortable sitting in it, I fear. Nor would I have the courage to walk into a dealership! Ha!

>55 Ape: Stephen: Whoa, that's a Ford?! I *never* would have guessed that!

Happy New Thread, Amber! I will have to think about my dream car...

>56 scaifea: Thanks, Mark! Oh, I can't wait to see what you come up with for your dream car!

I finished this one in the car while waiting to pick up Charlie at school this afternoon:

60. The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard (1001 Children's Books, 102 pages) - 8/10 = B+
A very short and very sweet little story about a boy, his several older sisters and the mystery of his Mom and baby sister, who are not at home. I would have given this little gem a higher rating had it been fleshed out just a bit more.

I'm glad to hear the garage situation is all fixed, Amber. I don't really have a dream car.

As for hunting down Hiddleston's Henry V, I'd recommend watching the whole Hollow Crown series. Hiddleston plays Hal in both parts of Henry IV as well and even though he's not in Richard II, it's also really well done. Depends on your Shakespeare love. :)

56: Yep! There was a Ford GT in the past, but they stopped making it in 2007, so the new version might actually be a direct result of the bailout.

Also, I'm kind of in love (a little bit) with the Jeep Comanche concept vehicle. I'm not a truck guy, primarily because they are too big, too gas-guzzling, and not really all that useful for me. But this one is small, so it has all the convenience of having a bed to haul things without being stupidly huge and inconvenient to drive. It's the only truck I'd ever have any desire of owning, if Jeep actually decides to manufacture it.

I want the Jetson's flying car please Amber.



Glad to hear the garage door issue was resolved too. Sounded a bit hairy there for a minute.

>60 MickyFine: Oh, I so want to see the hold business, Micky! I'm a huge Shakespeare fan, and the combination of Will and Tom sounds like absolute heaven.

>61 Ape: Stephen: That Comanche looks adorable! I love it! But again, I'm a big Jeep fan from way back.

>62 charl08: Charlotte: Oh, you've clearly the winner of this bonus round! I love it!!
And thanks - it was a bit hairy there for a while...

Hurray for your liberated car! Three cheers for the friend in blue who heeded your call!
I favor the Jetson car as well but since there is no dealer for them around here I'd have to go with a 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat which is, somewhat, like the Jetson's model on wheels.

Oh! I forgot to say Happy New Thread! Happy New Thread, Amber!

>53 casvelyn: What, 3x more than your dream home and it is only $300k - that wouldn't get you any dream home around here - wouldn't even get you my non luxurious townhouse.

Hi Amber, bet you breathed a sigh of relief to get your car back and I home that Tomm is back soon to get the garage door fixed up.

I don't have a dream car. Something sporty that I had someone to do all the maintenance on for me - you know almost like a chauffeur in a country estate only I get to do the driving, that would work.

>64 Carmenere: Lynda: Is that thing really called a Hellcat?! Awesome! Ha!
And thanks for the new thread wishes - all of them!

>65 Familyhistorian: Meg: Thanks! Tomm gets back on Thursday, so I suspect it'll be a weekend project. I'm fine with waiting, now that I have my car where I can use it!
And I do like the idea of a chauffeur, but only if it comes with the ability to read in the car without getting ill. Sadness.
Oh! And can my chauffeur be Jeeves (aka Stephen Fry)?

>65 Familyhistorian: Around here, $300k will buy a lot of house, particularly if you avoid new construction. If I were ready to buy right now, I could get 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1 car garage, and a basement on an acre-ish of land for $75-90k. Prices were low anyway, but the housing market crash really dropped them. It's perfect for people who are ready to buy.

Delurking to say Hi!

>66 scaifea: I hope the weather warms up and you won't have to scrape frost from your car, Amber. The only reason I wanted the chauffeur is to take care of the maintenance on my little sporty number - I would do the driving, although being driven around does have advantages.

>67 casvelyn: Wow, for $75-90k you wouldn't be able to buy anything to live in around here - sounds like your prices are very, very low. Ours went in the opposite direction - you wouldn't be able to buy a detached house for $300k, condo maybe.

>67 casvelyn: Whoa, we need to move to your neck of the woods! Those prices sound wonderful!

>68 Berly: Hi, Kim!!

>69 Familyhistorian: Meg: Oh, my car is in the garage again - it's just on Tomm's side and through Tomm's garage door now. So no scraping for me. It's a bit chilly out there, but no sign of frost this morning, thank goodness. I'm happy the warmer days are coming this week, or so they tell us...
And housing prices here are in between the two extremes; we're saving up for a down-payment for a new (to us) home in the next few years (we're thinking about moving down to Dubuque or just outside of it so that we'll not be paying taxes in multiple states and to be closer to Tomm's work), and for what we'd like to have (at least 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and at least an acre of land), things seem to be between 250K and 350K.

On the agenda for today:

I'm substituting again today in the school library, so I'll be there most of the day. I suspect that Charlie and I will go out for dinner somewhere or other tonight, since Tomm's away and I'll be tuckered after librarianing.

On the reading front: I read through Minn of the Mississippi yesterday (details to follow at some point), and read a couple of chapters in The Kalahari Typing School for Men, too, which is as lovely so far as the others in this series.

The calendar book today: Belle Cora by Phillip Margulies: "Based on the true story of a madam who had a brothel in San Francisco, this is riveting historical fiction." Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Beverly Cleary wrote Dear Mr. Henshaw (1984 Newbery Medal) after several children asked her to write about a boy whose parents were divorced."
Some folks don't think this one was really deserving of the Newbery, but I loved it, as I love all of Cleary's books. And Happiest of Birthdays to Ms. Cleary - it's her 100th birthday today!! Woot!!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Chapter 8 of High Tide in Hawaii

-'66 Chevy

^I loved cars when I was a kid and a young man. Maybe, all those min-vans dimmed those dreams, but I always wanted a classic pick-up truck. Someday?

Well, the housing prices do depend on where you choose to live. There are some very pricey neighborhoods here, but honestly you're mostly just paying so you can be all like "I live in {fancy-pants area}." I live on the cheapest side of town, in a solidly middle class neighborhood with low crime rates, so I'm happy.

What kills me is that there are studio apartments downtown renting for $4000 a month. If I'm going to spend $48k a year putting a roof over my head, I had better own said roof.

>72 msf59: Mark! My dad has one of those! Well, it's a '54, but it looks very similar! He's restored it fully and it's beautiful.

>73 casvelyn: Ha! I wouldn't want to live in a fancy-pants neighborhood anyway, with all of those restrictions with what you can do to your lawn and such. And yes, rental prices are crazy, no? It works for some people, though, and there are up sides to it, too (no maintenance responsibilities and such).

>74 scaifea: Oh there are certainly advantages to renting. It's just that I can't fathom paying $4000/month for a studio when I could pay $650-700/month for a 2 bedroom elsewhere. Plus I wouldn't want to live downtown. It's nice, but there's not enough green space.

>71 scaifea: Belle Cora is on my TBR list due to a recommendation from a fellow librarian I met at a conference once. I LOVED Beverly Cleary as a child but haven't read Dear Mr. Henshaw yet; I was more of a Ramona girl.

Don't really have a dream car - I like one that's paid off, low maintenance and gets me where I need to go. Other than that, I don't much pay attention.

>75 casvelyn: When I was in grad school I would have loved to have lived in the downtown area, but now? No, not so much.

>76 bell7: Mary: Well, Henshaw is certainly different from Ramona, but still pretty great.
And good for you for the sensible car attitude - what more do we really need, right?

66: I say I'm not a car guy and yet I can't stop talking about them now, haha. The Hellcat is actually a new engine made by Dodge, and whenever they put it in a car it's called a "hellcat." So, there is a Dodge Challenger Hellcat and a Dodge Charger Hellcat. Why would they name their after the engine they have, you ask? Well, because it's an engine with over 700 horsepower out of the box. Yep, you can literally go to your local Dodge dealer and get a car with 700+ horsepower. Most production cars have something like 100-200. It sounds terrifying, and kind of fun. :P

>78 Ape: Stephen: What actual real purpose could something like that serve? I mean, honestly. Cripes.

61. Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling (Newbery Honor Book, 86 pages) - 8/10 = B
Follows the story of a turtle who follows the Mississippi river from its start to its finish.
This is, I think, the third Holling book I've read, and I see how many people would enjoy them, although they're not exactly my cuppa.

79: Like I said, FUN! :D

It's really completely unnecessary for day-to-day driving, but there is also they "why not" factor. I mean, I don't care how much power a car has, I'd much rather get hit by one of those than a semi truck.

>81 Ape: Ha! I'm not sure that "why not" is really a good reason for anything, honestly.

I'm pretty sure "why not" was said in every single Darwin Award story.

>83 drneutron: LOL

>83 drneutron: >84 kidzdoc: *snork!!* Exactly.

Eh *shrug*

Some of the best things in my life have come from just saying, "Oh, what the hell!"

:D

82: "Why not" is the best reason for everything! :D

>86 katiekrug: Katie: Lucky you (and I'm pretty sure I mean that literally)!

>87 Ape: Stephen: You, sir, are a goof. And I love it!

I think I've missed a few threads... Ah well. Great photos of the kids. Love the helmet on Charlie while he shoots a basket. I am guessing he was riding and then shifted to BB, but who needs to waste time taking off a helmet? Alternatively, he could be an extreme BB player. :)

>5 scaifea: The first car I drove was a Pontiac le Mans. It was a disaster of a car. Silver with red plush interior, drivers window and rear left passenger window down and wouldn't roll up, the opposite windows up and wouldn't roll down. Used to stall in the middle of intersections, and it was an automatic. LOLOL Best car ever. The first car I bought was a 1990 Ford Escort. Reliable, good gas mileage and vibrated at speeds over 60mph.

My dream car is the car we sold when we moved overseas. Notwithstanding the terrible fuel consumption. I want my 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser. Fabulous vehicle. Hauled massive numbers of kids and gear to sport, could pull a trailer up into the Rockies without even noticing, driving in snow was OK. Miss it so much. *sob*

>87 Ape: "Why not?" were the words that led to our move to NZ. No regrets. :) Within reason (legality, etc. ), they are not terrible words to live by.

>89 nittnut: Jenn: Ha! Charlie wanted a bike helmet so badly from the Easter Bunny, so he got one, despite the fact that he doesn't actually like riding his bike. That Bunny isn't too keen on logic, it seems. At any rate, he now wears the helmet pretty much every time he goes outside to play. I think it's not so much that be plays extreme sports but that he's extremely cautious. Clearly my child.

I love the first car description! Excellent! And I'm sorry that you're missing your dream car so much. *pats on shoulder* There, there...

And really, with the Why Not-ing? You folks are so much braver than I've ever been (see comment above about Charlie being me all over with the super-cautious business).

And then this happened this evening (and this isn't even the one I was expecting to fall out yet - he has three more wiggly ones at present):

On the agenda for today:

A bit of cleaning, laundry, possibly some baking (chocolate chip cookie bars), some time on the treadmill, some work on the Latin book, and then a trip to the library before picking Charlie up from school. Leftovers for dinner tonight, I suspect.

On the reading front: I read a little chunk of Five Days at Memorial, which I can only take in small pieces at a time because of the intensity, but it is very good so far.

The calendar book today: Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson, which is touted as a good one for Downton Abbey fans (a show which I've not seen at all). Thoughts, anyone?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "While working on King of the Wind (1949 Newbery Medal), Marguerite Henry papered the walls of her study with photos that depicted scenes she was writing."
And a happy birthday to Ms. Henry, born on this day in 1902!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Ladybug Girl by David Soman (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
-Chapters 9 and 10 of:

62. High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborne (Charlie's other school library book, 73 pages) - 8/10 = B

Morning Amber! Pushing 60 today, with plenty of sunshine. Smiles...

Hooray for the Tooth Fairy! What's the going rate now? A buck?

>93 msf59: Morning, Mark! YAY for warmer weather!! I think that calls for a B.A.G!

And the tooth fairy works a bit differently here at Scaife Manor - she leaves a handful of old and foreign coins for each tooth, and also includes at least one coin from my brother's collection of buffalo nickels, silver dimes and old half dollars each time. That way, once Charlie discovers the mom behind the curtain, so to speak, I'll have a new story to tell him about the uncle he doesn't remember (Steve died when Charlie was a year and a half old) and how Charlie's already starting to inherit his cool coin collection...

Wow! That is cool. Much better than a buck. Something he can treasure.

>95 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I hope so!

>92 scaifea: Five Days at Memorial is intense, isn't it? Very good, but wow. Just wow.
>94 scaifea: love your tooth fairy approach. What a nice way to remember Steve.

Good morning, Amber! I loved Five Days at Memorial. I devoured it in two or three days, though, as I couldn't stop thinking about it when I put it down and was eager to know what was going to happen to the staff and patients at Memorial.

>97 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I so dread the day that Charlie discovers the facts behind some of the holiday magics. I desperately want to show him that it's not that the magic isn't real; it's just a different kind of magic. And this is one way I'm going to try to convey that.
And yes, Five Days is very wow.

>98 kidzdoc: Darryl: I don't think my constitution could handle reading this one that fast, even though I'm anxious to know what happened to those folks, too.

Amber and Stephen, I must LOL when I read your posts regarding why one would need the speed provided by a Challenger Hellcat. Why it's to get to the bookstore and library faster! Duhhhh ;0)

Woo Hoo to Charlie's least expected tooth! What a wonderful plan to keep your brother in Charlie's life. Just beautiful!

>100 Carmenere: Lynda: Ha! Good point.
And thanks - sometimes I think I'm not a complete spaz when it comes to this parenting thing...

I remember you telling how you handle the tooth fairy; isn't there a special little treasure chest involved? I think that's the neatest mom-thing ever. A different kind of magic indeed.

>102 laytonwoman3rd: There *is* a little treasure chest! I found it on etsy - I little vintage metal thing. The tooth fairy left it for Charlie one night after his first tooth became wiggly (her magic lets her know when these things are about to happen, of course).

And thanks so much. I think childhood should be as magical as we can make it for them, because they surely need some magic stored up to get through the rest of life, eh?

Morning, Amber!

>91 scaifea: Ah, I remember those days. Teeth are so strange, aren't they? First they have to push through the gums, which can understandably drive the little ones crazy, then they fall out and get replaced. How did evolution come up with that one?

Hope your day's off to a good start.

>104 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! The teeth business is strange, when you think about it, no? I remember that Charlie was completely freaked out about the whole idea at first and was adamant that he did NOT want his teeth to fall out! Ha!

>105 scaifea: Ha! An early lesson in how our just pleas usually don't get listened to. :-)

>106 jnwelch: Joe: Ha! Poor things.

90: To be fair, I'm not much of a real-life why-notter. As you know, I spend most of my times indoors, afraid of my own shadow. But I appreciate the concept.

>108 Ape: Stephen: So what you're saying is that you enjoy watching others practice Why Not-ing, but prefer to remain a logical human being yourself? I can respect that.

Something like that. If not for why-notters we'd still be living in the stone age, so I strongly encourage other people to put their lives in danger for my benefit. :P

On the agenda for today:

Menu-planning and grocery-listing, treadmilling, work on the Latin book, and a few odds and ends around the house before picking Charlie up from school. Salmon Cakes for dinner tonight, I think. And Tomm is coming home today - Woot! I miss that guy when he's gone, I have to say.

On the reading front: I read through another Newbery Honor Book yesterday (more on that later) and then read a couple of stories in Memoirs of Hecate County, which, as it turns out, is in fact a short story collection. I feel as if I've been duped here, folks. Gah. Whelp, there's nothing for it but the soldier on. I did enjoy the two I've read so far...

The calendar book for today: White Fire by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I've never read any of their collaborations, but for some reason I've always been a bit tempted, even though this kind of this isn't usually my cuppa. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Will James wrote Smoky the Cowhorse (1927 Newbery Medal) for adults. He hadn't heard of the Newbery Medal until he won it."
Interesting. I wonder how he felt about winning, then...?

>110 Ape: Stephen: Ha! On the shoulders of giant crazy people...

What We Read Yesterday:

-A Wonderful Year by Nick Bruel (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
-Ladybug Girl at the Beach
-Mix It Up!
-Chapter 1 of Ghost Town at Sundown

Morning, Amber! Sweet Thursday! I highly recommend Evicted. I know Joe has been warbling about it too. It should be required reading.

Enjoy your day!

>114 msf59: Morning, Mark! Evicted is already on my wishlist, thanks to you two...

Desmond did such an amazing job, telling this very important story. There are no "welfare queens" in this book!

>116 msf59: Mark: Excellent! It sounds like an important story well done. Good!

Morning, Amber! Happy Thursday!

>118 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Howdy, Amber! Have you and Charlie finished High Tide in Hawaii? That title really intrigues me.

>120 Carmenere: Lynda: Yep, we did. It's a Magic Tree House book. It was okay but not fabulous.

63. The Apple and the Arrow by Mary Buff and Conrad Buff (Newbery Honor Book, 75 pages) - 8/10 = B
This one tells the story of William Tell and the apple.
It was okay, but not one of my favorite Newberys. *shrug*

I will strike that one about William Tell from the Newbery list. I've got plenty left. I'm reading The Wednesday Wars at the moment - another Newbery Honor book. A lot of fun.

>123 ctpress: Hi, Carsten! Yeah, it's not the best. And I haven't gotten round to The Wednesday Wars yet, but I'm pretty excited about that one.

Hiya, Amber!

Hooray for Evicted being on your WL! It's one of those where I have to restrain myself from buttonholing everyone I come across and telling them, as Mark says, that it's required reading. So good, so important, so amazing.

>110 Ape: Ha! Very nicely put by Stephen.

I wish I could tell you something about Preston and Child. I suspect my wife and daughter could, but I may be mixing those two authors up with Jeffrey Deaver.

>125 jnwelch: Joe: Well, if you *and* The Warbler are pushing it, how can I not put it on my list?!
And no worries about Preston & Child - I suspect it's just not my cuppa, but I may try them at some point just the same.

Happy Friday, Amber. I love the tooth coin story. Wonderful.

>127 Ameise1: Oh, thank you, Barbara! You know, most of the time I feel like I'm just barely hanging on with this parenting thing, but very occasionally I think, "Yeah, I think I got this," and I kind of feel that way about the tooth fairy bit. We'll see, I guess.

On the agenda for today:
Grocery shopping this morning, then home to work on the weekly bills and sort the week's photos before heading back in to school for my Friday afternoon volunteering. Chuck Wagon Bean Bake for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I started My Side of the Mountain, which I think is going to be pretty excellent, and then read a bit of The Water of the Wondrous Isles last night before Tomm and I started watching The Hollow Crown movies (well, we're skipping Richard II for now, at least, for, well, reasons). And whoa, this is an amazing production of Henry IV so far! Poor Tomm isn't really much of a Shakespeare fan and hasn't read the history plays, but he's a good sport and is indulging me with these in between all the Marvel movies we're watching.

The calendar book for today: You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Hm. Another murder mystery thriller type book - this calendar certainly favors those. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "In 1979, E. B. White withdrew more than $500,000 from the reserve account he had set up with his publisher to hold most of the royalities from Charlotte's Web (1953 Newbery Honor Book). A large portion of the funds went to pay taxes on the earnings."
Oh, right! *That's* what day it is today...

What We Read Yesterday:
-Captain America: An Origin Story by Rich Thomas Jr. (Charlie book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+
-When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Chapter 2 in Ghost Town at Sundown

Morning, Amber! Happy Friday! 72 today! Yahoo! I will bring along the sunscreen.

>131 msf59: Mark: WOOT!! Awesome!!

Happy Friday, Amber!!! I've read Tyrannosaur Canyon by Preston and thought it a pretty good read. I wouldn't hesitate to read others.
The Magic Tree House series produces great titles. Now I'm intrigued by Ghost Town at Sundown.

>129 scaifea: My Side of the Mountain is one of my absolute favorites!

>133 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! I've read one by Preston, but now I can't remember what it was called. I liked it, though, weirdly for me; it was some sort of true crime book about a serial killer in Italy...?
And yes, I like that Charlie's interested in the Magic Tree House books; the writing is started to wear on my a bit, but it's great that each one introduces you to a difference aspect of history.

>134 casvelyn: Oh, yay! I'm enjoying it so far, and I know that my kid self would have LOVED it!

I've also read Tyrannosaur Canyon...lets just say I like his brother's books better.

Morning, Amber! Happy Friday! My Side of the Mountain was one of Daniel's favorite books when he was younger - and he read the sequels, too. And Wednesday Wars is a favorite here at the Pecan Paradisio - we all loved that book.

>129 scaifea: I adored My Side of the Mountain when I was growing up -- I had big plans to run away and live in a tree like Sam.

>136 Ape: Stephen: Wait, brother? Now I'm confused...

>137 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I saw one of the sequels on the bookshelf at the library - I may have to look into those. And I've heard nothing but very good things about Wednesday Wars, too.

>138 foggidawn: That's exactly the sort of thing that appealed to me as a kid, too, although I never really wanted to run away. I did daydream about the survival skills type thing, though.

Douglas Preston writes thrillers, sometimes with Lincoln Child. Richard Preston writes science nonfiction (and The Cobra Event.)

Yay! I'm glad you're liking The Hollow Crown. :)

>140 Ape: Stephen: Oh, okay - thanks! So which brother do you like best? (Apologies for being so dense.)

>141 MickyFine: Micky: Me, too! So, so well done. I love a good Shakespeare production, and the whole cast seems pretty amazing so far.

The one who writes the kinds of books I like. :P
(That would be Richard Preston.)

>143 Ape: Stephen: Ha! I should have guessed that.

Hi Amber, wishing you a wonderful weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

>145 johnsimpson: Hi, John! Thanks!

On the agenda for today:

We'll be heading to Dubuque this morning for breakfast at a semi-fancy hotel restaurant and then a bit of shopping. This afternoon will be filled with odds and ends round the house (bills, photo organizing, laundry, possibly some baking,...). Family Favorite Soup (a sort of beef vegetable thing) for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I finished My Side of the Mountain yesterday, but didn't do any bedtime reading - I went straight to be once Charlie was tucked in - at 8pm! - because I've had a super-sore throat since yesterday morning and I was really feeling a cold or something coming on. After a good, long sleep, my throat is still sore a bit, but I'm feeling better than I was last night.

The weekend calendar book: Year Zero: A History of 1945 by Ian Buruma. Anyone read this one? Sounds like it may be a good one.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Hendrik Van Loon (The Story of Mankind, 1922 Newbery Medal) met and became friends with Franklin Delano Roosevelt while they both were attending Harvard. Roosevelt later invited Van Loon to the White House."
Oh, I love learning about famous connections like this! Very cool.

What We Read Yesterday:
-Earth by Christine Taylor-Butler (Charlie's school library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
-Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook by Anne Vittur Kennedy (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
-Chapter 3 of Ghost Town at Sundown

Happy Saturday, Amber! Enjoy your trip into Dubuque. Sore throat germs be gone!

Have a nice day in Dubuque, Amber! I hope that your sore throat gets better soon.

Morning, Amber! It is gorgeous out here. I am loving it.

Have a safe trip to Dubuque.

So many people are fighting germs and allergies right now...hope your sore throat doesn't morph into anything truly troublesome.

Happy Weekend Amber and I love the tooth story. ; )

Dream cars! That's easy: I've loved the Buggatti Galibier sedan ever since I've seen it. They only did one concept of the sedan version and they never put it into production. None the less, it's gorgeous.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bugatti-galibier-concept-0/

Amber, I see you're reading the No. 1 Lady's Detective Agency series. Tell me what you think of it? My wife and I love it.

And I just finished "A Moveable Feast" by Earnest Hemmingway. Have you read it? I liked it quite a bit, although there is an air of melancholy to it.

Love your Newbery trivia, Amber - also My Side of the mountain is one of my favorite Newbery-books. Hope your throat is better now.

>149 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! We had a great time in Dubuque, and the sore throat is still there but not as bad. Here's hoping it's on its way out.

>150 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl - I think (I hope, anyway) that I'm on the mend. We ate lunch (lots of errands meant two meals out - woot!) at a place the made me think of you - a fantastic little place called the East Mill Bakery.

>151 msf59: Mark: Yes!! It's *amazing* out there today! WOOT!

>152 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. Me, too. Tons of kids are out sick from Charlie's school right now. Here's hoping mine truly is on the way out.

>153 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

>154 jjvors: Jeff: Ooh, that Bugatti is swanky!

>155 jjvors: Jeff: I am indeed enjoying the No. 1 Ladies books. And A Moveable Feast is one of my favorite of Hemingway's works - I'm happy to see that you liked it, too.

>156 ctpress: Hi, Carsten! Thanks for the sore throat well-wishes - I think I'm getting there. And I'm so glad that you enjoyed My Side of the Mountain! I liked it, too.

64. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (Newbery Honor Book, 177 pages) - 8/10 = B+
A boy is unhappy with his home life so he decides to run away to the Catskill Mountains and live off the land. He does so with a remarkable lack of complications or struggles, and that's ultimately what made me rate it as I have. It was a good story, and I know I would have just loved it had I read it when I was a kid, but I just couldn't get past how easily everything came to him. Not that I wanted something bad to happen (!), but it just wasn't very believable that he was so clever for his age and had such amazing luck to go along with this (literally) incredible skill set. And what's up with his parents just letting him do this and not trying to find him for several months?! Yeah, I really think you need to be a kid - and certainly not a parent - to enjoy this one fully. Still, a fun read.

Happy Sunday, Amber.

>159 Ameise1: Wow, thanks, Barbara! What kind of bird is that? Some sort of crane? (Apologies; my bird knowledge is pitiful.)

On the agenda for today:

Everything that didn't get finished yesterday, which is, admittedly, most of yesterday's To Do list. That's fine, though, as we had the loveliest gadding-about-town-then-lazing-it-up-at-home day yesterday. It was wonderful.

On the reading front: I started Rascal and read a couple of chapters in Millard Fillmore, with which I'm nearly finished. I feel like I'm in a president slump right now - all of the ones in this era are melding together and I can neither get interested in any of them nor can I tell them apart once I've finished a biography. Gah. Bring on Lincoln!

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Nancy Willard (A Visit to William Blake's Inn, 1982 Newbery Medal and Caldecott Honor Book) was seven years old when her first published poem appeared in a church magazine."
A Visit to William Blake's Inn is one of my favorite Newbery winners - if you haven't read it, oh, please do!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Yard Sale by Eve Bunting (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
-Chapter 4 in Ghost Town at Sundown
-Chapter 17 in Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King
-And Tomm finished up reading The Avengers Storybook Collection to us, too.

>160 scaifea: It's a white stork, Amber and they are making their nests around here now.

>163 Ameise1: Barbara: A stork! Really! Very cool.

Happy Sunday, Amber! Hope it's spectacular!

>165 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!!

Hi Amber! Love the tooth story -- was it the first tooth?

Hope you have a great week.

Good morning, Amber. Wishing you a good start into the new week.

Possibly the longest time it has taken me to get across and wish you a Happy New Thread, dear Amber.

Charlie Topper? I didn't realise basketball was so dangerous!

Dream car?

Aston Martin Vanquish possibly

>167 AMQS: Thanks, Anne! Nope, this was the third tooth. Fourth, fifith and sixth will be, I think, hot on this one's heels, though...

>168 Ameise1: Morning, Barbara! Thanks!

>169 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! And yes, one can't be too careful when attempting sports while Scaife. We're not the most coordinated bunch.
And I love the Vanquish - excellent choice!

On the agenda for today:
Treadmilling, a bit of cleaning, some etsy shop odds and ends, some work on the Latin book and then a couple of errands in town before picking Charlie up from school. Leftovers for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I made good progress on Rascal, which is turning out to be pretty good so far - and set in Wisconsin, not far from here! I'm just concerned that it will end as many animal books do... We'll see. I also read a couple of chapters in To Your Scattered Bodies Go which is Weird, but good.

The calendar book today: The Infatuations by Javier Marias. "Gorgeous writing accompanies a thriller-like plot." Huh. Sounds potential-filled. Anyone read this one?

And the Newbery/Caldecott trivia: "Eleanor Estes wore a strapless dress the night she received the 1952 Newbery Medal for Ginger Pye. Her editor Margaret McElderry later inadvertently called the dress 'topless.'"
Ha! Good one, no?

What We Read Yesterday:
-My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Cari Best (public library book, picture book) - 10/10 = A
One of the best picture books I've read in a while - and that's saying something! - about a little girl learning how to deal with her blindness while attending an inclusive school. The coolest thing about it is that it doesn't every come right out and say that she's blind, but gives excellent clues along the way. It was interesting the talk with Charlie, page by page, about what was going on with Zulay - "Why do you think she says that she can tell her teacher is in the room because she can *smell* her perfume?" and so on. Highly recommend this one!
-Chapter 5 of Ghost Town at Sundown
-Chapter 18 of Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Morning, Amber! Looks like another beauty today and then we dip back to normal for the rest of the week. No complaints here.

Hope you had a good weekend. I did.

Good morning, Amber! I enjoyed A Heart So White by Javier Marías, which I read years ago, but I haven't read The Infatuations or anything else by him.

>169 PaulCranswick: Ooh...I like that Aston Martin, Paul. Good choice, indeed.

Morning Amber my dear.

>173 msf59: Morning, Mark! We're sure enjoying the warm weather here - Charlie even got a bit a of on his arms and legs yesterday when he was out playing with the neighborhood kids for nearly 4 hours yesterday!

>174 kidzdoc: Morning, Darryl! Thanks weighing in on Marías - I'm interested if the writing really is great, of course.

>175 johnsimpson: Morning, John!

Morning, Amber!

I have read A Visit to William Blake's Inn and Ginger Pye, but I need to get to My Side of the Mountain. I've seen nothing but positive responses to that one.

Hope all is well at Scaife Manor.

>177 jnwelch: I'm certain that you'd love My Side of the Mountain, Joe. And Rascal, too, in fact.

Allow, if you will, a little happy Shakespearean giddiness:

So, Tomm and I finished watching Henry IV from the Hollow Crown series last night, and I have to say that Hiddleston is a powerhouse. Amazing.

Now, I love Shakespeare just about as much as I love Cicero and Vergil (and that's saying something, folks), which probably isn't shocking, since language and gorgeous writing are what I love most about good books. And I do love to watch Shakespeare productions of all kinds, but, of course, especially good ones, and even if they aren't that spectacular, I still enjoy them because it's still Shakespeare's words.

But, even in the really good productions I've watched, with really good actors, there's always that distance for me - I always feel separated from the story a bit, on the outside looking in on that glorious language. I'm nearly never not aware that I'm watching a Shakespeare play, if that makes sense. Part of it is the whole being-an-academic-and-not-being-able-not-to-be-an-academic-about-Shakespeare thing that makes it even more difficult for me to get lost. I've studied these plays and fallen in love with them in minute detail, so letting go of all of that and just enjoying the story is, um, hard. Even *really* good actors usually can't get me to buy into the illusion and lose myself in the story, because - and this really isn't their fault; it must be just so amazingly difficult - they can't relax into that language and those words; it just doesn't come out completely naturally.

But Hiddleston? Whoa. I bought it, wholesale. For the first time, I stopped actually sort of 'seeing' the language and fell into the story and his character (and Prince Hal happens to be my very favorite Shakespeare character of all time). I mean, holy moly, that man is unbelievable. I can't wait to see what else he does.

Now I really must see the Hollow Crown series. Look forward to watch Hiddleston's performance - great when acting can accomplish that. I haven't either read or seen the historic plays yet, so I think I have to get started on reading the plays first.

>180 ctpress: Carsten: Oh, you're in for a treat with the Henry plays - Prince Hal, as I've said, is my very favorite. So much packed into that character. And Falstaff is amazing, too. You're going to love them!

>181 scaifea: During my first round of grad school, when I wanted to direct Shakespeare for a living, I did scenes from Henry IV dealing with Prince Hal and Falstaff, starting with them carousing in the tavern and ending with the final scene of Part 2. Such great characters!

>182 foggidawn: I know, right?! I love them both so much!

I loved Hiddleston in The Hollow Crown too. Have you ever seen the Wallander mysteries with Branagh? Hiddleston plays a young member of the police force. He's also in Midnight in Paris, playing F Scott Fitzgerald. Is there anything he can't do?

>184 lauralkeet: Laura: I've got the Wallander series on my list, along with Midnight in Paris (google him doing an impression of Owen Wilson - it's amazing). I'm also interested to see what he does with Hank Williams...

Congrats on your newest thread, Amber. Gorgeous pics up there of Charlie and the dogs. Those eyes!

Now you've got me interested in the Hollow Crown series.

No dream car. Maybe a dream yacht, or a dream Harley Davidson, though I wouldn't really be able to handle one of those anymore. Like others have said, cars are for getting from one place to another without having to shell out all the time for repairs. The closest I ever came to adoring a car was back in the 70s when I owned a sweet little Audi 80, dark green exterior with wood paneling and cream leather everything inside. It got totaled one day in Malibu while I was stopped at a light and someone ran the light, t-boned one car going through the intersection on the green, and spun out into mine. I like my current car, a little red hybrid Honda CRZ sports car that I got while I still lived in SoCal, but it's not really right for Colorado. It does get great gas mileage though. And no repairs in 5 years. *touch wood*

>138 foggidawn: ME TOO!!! In fact, I might still want to go live in a tree in the woods, sometimes.

>186 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Oh, do try to get hold of The Hollow Crown - it's so, so good. And yay for Hondas!

>187 nittnut: Hi, Jenn!

On the agenda for today:

Treadmilling, a bit of cleaning, some work on the Latin book, and then I'll head into school for my Tuesday afternoon volunteering. Four Cheese Grilled Cheese, with Tomato Soup, of course, for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I finally remembered to put The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in my new car, so I listened to a bit of that yesterday, and also some of Grimpow while I was cleaning. I'm nearly finished with Rascal and a managed a few pages in The Centaur, too.

The calendar book today: The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Jean Lee Latham (Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, 1956 Newbery Medal) became interested in Nathaniel Bowditch after picking up his book and realizing she couldn't understand the text."
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch remains one of my favorite Newbery winners - I highly recommend it!

Woo Hoo and Happy Tuesday, Amber! I just requested the Hollow Crown series from my library. It's the complete series Richard II to Henry V. I think the entire family will be watching this.

Morning, Amber! I also loved My Side of the Mountain, as a kid and actually daydreamed about doing, just what that boy did. Sure, it was a pipe-dream but for a twelve year old, it was ideal. I really liked the film version too.

Enjoy your day, my friend.

>190 Carmenere: Lynda: Yep, Richard II, Henry VI and Henry V. Excellent! You'll love 'em!

>191 msf59: Mark: I think if I had read it as a kid, I would have liked it lots more, too. I certainly had my share of daydreams about Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Morning, Amber!

Oooh, Island of the Blue Dolphins - I spent most of the summer when I was 10 or so in the corn field and woods behind our house, pretending I had to survive on my own. I wonder if anyone ever came across my random rock piles and stashes of pine cones and wondered what *that* was all about!

>193 katiekrug: Katie: *snork!* I did the same thing out in our own cornfields!

Morning, Amber!

Appreciate the recommendation up there for seeing Hiddleston as Prince Hal. Sounds wonderful.

I just finished The Dreamer, which Linda (Whisper1) sent me, and really liked it. I suspect it's one you'd appreciate.

I just requested My Side of the Mountain, so I'll get to that one soon.

My, have you been busy. I've heard great things about the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I hope you like it.

>195 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! The Dreamer, eh? I'll add it to the list. And please do let me know what you think of Hiddleston's Hal and My Side of the Mountain!

>196 Thebookdiva: Abby: This isn't my first go at The Guide - I've loved it since I was in junior high school! But it *is* my first time letting Stephen Fry read it to me, and it's wonderful!

Amen to Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, Amber - one of my absolute favorite Newbery-books. Funny that she couldn't understand it - and went on to write a biography like that.

>199 ctpress: Oh, yay, Carsten! I love that you loved that one! I think it's kind of brilliant that she went on to write the biography. Shows just the kind of curiosity I love.

Happy Tuesday, Amber. I hope you have a lovely day at school.

>201 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! I'm getting ready to head over there now...

Hal is definitely one of my favourite Shakespeare characters and Henry V is my favourite history play. But Falstaff? Ugh, I know he's supposed to be one of the most brilliantly created comic characters ever but I mostly just find him annoying.

But so glad (again) that you're loving Hollow Crown.

>203 MickyFine: Micky: Tomm feels the same as you about Falstaff, and I get that. I can't help but love him, though for what he is, and he *is* absolutely brilliant as a character. You're not wrong to despise him - he's a scoundrel, after all.

>203 MickyFine: and >204 scaifea: Yes, Falstaff is annoying at times, but that last scene between him and Hal! Even if you don't like him, you have to feel for him there. (I don't much care for him in The Merry Wives of Windsor, though.)

Hi, Amber! I was thinking about you a couple of hours ago, when I used my Ninja food processor to purée cilantro mushroom sauce for the pollo ciudad I made today. Did you get a Ninja system yet? If so, how do you like it?

>205 foggidawn: In a lot of ways he's meant as a foil for Hal, of course, a means of measurement for Hal's transformation. That scene is brilliant, of course.

>206 kidzdoc: Hi, Darry! That's seriously funny, because I was thinking of YOU this weekend, when Tomm asked me if I wanted a better blender for my smoothies! So, no, I don't have it yet. I suspect that perhaps it will be a mother's day present...? Here's hoping, at least.
But c'mon, you're killing me - cilantro AND mushrooms?! As m'colleauge (aka Charlie) would say, "Ew!!"

>207 scaifea: Ha! I hope that you do get a Ninja as a Mother's Day present.

I made several smoothies when I first received it from my parents as a Christmas present, but I haven't done so in the past couple of months. I'll try some this week.

The Pollo Ciudad with Pickled Tomato Salsa recipe from the Food Network is out of this world. It's my favorite chicken and rice recipe. The cilantro sauce is made from cilantro stems, mushrooms (I used two portobellos), shallots, half and half, cumin, brown sugar, egg yolks, red wine vinegar, butter and chicken broth. It's tangy and has a slight sweetness to it, which provides a nice counterbalance to the spicy pickled tomato salsa. I forgot to take a photo of it, as I devoured it like a starved wombat, but the picture on the Food Network's page doesn't do justice to it.

And how are you finding To your scattered bodies go? One of my favourite sf books when I read it decades ago. I mean to read it again soon for my Hugo challenge and I picked up The fabulous riverboat the other day at the Market second hand bookshop, which is waiting until I read the first in the series.

>208 kidzdoc: Darryl: Smoothies are my go-to lunch; they keep me from eating an entire bag of tortilla chips in one setting instead. And you can describe that dish with as many ways to say 'delicious' as you want, it's still gonna make me have a gag reflex. Mushrooms and cilantro are The Worst. Ever.
(Seriously, though, I'm glad you like it. Somebody's got to eat that stuff, I guess.)

>209 dajashby: Derrick: It's strange, for certain. But I'm enjoying it so far!

On the agenda for today:
Treadmilling, a bit of cleaning, a call to the heating & plumbing business (we always need our air conditioner topped off in the spring), a call to the vet's office (Mario is chewing on her paws, which I suspect means she has some sort of allergies), and some work on the Latin book before I need to pick Charlie up from school. Leftovers for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I read a little bit more of Rascal (I should be able to finish it today) and a bit of Don Quixote, too, which I'm absolutely loving, before Tomm and I started Henry IV part 2. You know who else is excellent in these movies? Mrs. Weasley! Fantastic job so far!

The calendar offers up a mid-week quote today: "Time's ruins build eternity's mansions."

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Russell Freedman (Lincoln: A Photographic Biography, 1988 Newbery Medal) once sat in the back row of Ford's Theatre in Washington, D. C., and tried to imagine the scene the night Lincoln was shot."

210> If it's science fiction you expect strange :-) I've just finished reading Bloodchild by Octavia Butler. It won the Hugo for Best Novelette in 1985. Quite strange, but excellent. You can find it in Gardner Dozois' Year's best science fiction second annual collection. I found the two other Hugo nominated stories in the collection that I've read rather disappointing. Just the Connie Willis (Blued moon) to go.

>212 dajashby: Derrick: Ha! Excellent point you've got there. I should be used to strange by now with these Hugo/Nebula winners, but this one actually took me a bit to get my bearings. A sort of "Wait...what? What just happened? I need to read that page again, I think..." reaction, which I don't have to every scifi I read, thankfully. The writing is very good, though.
And thanks for the Butler tip - I need to read more of her stuff, for certain.

212> How weird, two posts with the same number... Unfortunately, some sf is pretty pedestrian too. If you can find a copy, and you like strange, read Chester Anderson's The butterfly kid. 1967 psychedelic sci fi.

>214 dajashby: Derrick: Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for that one, then.

Morning, Amber! It looks like rain will be moving in later, but at least it will be mild. Enjoy your Hump Day!

Morning Amber! Really?! Chewing on paws indicates an allergy?! I never would have known! Hope all goes well at the vet.

>216 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

>217 Carmenere: Yep, I think so, Lynda. I'll call later this morning to confirm my suspicions (or have them dashed, perhaps), and see how much benadryl a gentle giant requires...

What We Read Yesterday:
-Henry Holton Takes the Ice by Sandra Bradley (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A little boy is born into a hockey-playing family, but even though he's very good at skating, hockey just isn't his thing. Instead, he discovers that he'd rather be a figure skater, and it takes his family a little while to get used to the idea and accept him for who he is.
And excellent book about being different and braving family disapproval. Definitely recommended.

-Signs of Spring
-Chapter 6 in Ghost Town at Sundown
-Chapter 19 in Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Morning Amber!

>220 Thebookdiva: Morning, Abby!

Morning, Amber!

Jeez, I wish I had loved Don Quixote. Maybe I came in with too high of expectations. For me, it didn't have a smooth flow.

>222 jnwelch: Joe: I wonder if these sorts of text are an acquired taste in some ways. You just get used to the different flow with them. My grad school years gave me tons of practice!

>222 jnwelch: Maybe so, Amber. I had the same problem with The Tale of Genji.

Hi, Amber! I was thinking about you last night as I was watching the new BBC-produced miniseries The Night Manager (based on a novel by John le Carré, which premiered on American TV last night. It stars your boy Tom Hiddleston. I've not seen him in anything before. I was watching mostly to get my Hugh Laurie fix.

>224 jnwelch: Joe: It could just be that you don't care for that sort of thing, you know. Perfectly alright, of course. *smiles*

>225 rosalita: Julia: Ha! Gosh, I'm not sure how I feel about everyone automatically thinking of me when Hiddleston is on screen... How is The Night Manager, by the way? It looks excellent.

>226 scaifea: I thought it was really good. It's not an action-packed shoot-em-up like a Bond movie but the more cerebral spy thriller is more to my personal taste. It definitely left me looking forward to the second episode. I've never read the book so I have no idea what's going to happen.

>226 scaifea: Have you tried Ivanhoe? That's another classic that sputtered for me.

>227 rosalita: Julia: Oh, wonderful! I suspect that Laurie and Hiddleston are very good together.

>228 jnwelch: Joe: I have! It wasn't my favorite read ever, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Hi Amber, Karen's interview went well and she will know one way or the other in a couple of weeks. Hope you are having a good day my dear, sending love and hugs.

>230 johnsimpson: Oh, great news, John! And now for that dreadful waiting, eh?

Charlie came home with his 1st grade photos today:

>232 scaifea: "Like!"

Jeez, they sure have gotten better at school photos since our kids' day. That's a great one.

>233 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! I thought it turned out pretty great, too. Yes, it's all blue screens and computers now, too, which is strange to me, but, you know, Progress.

65. Rascal by Sterling North (Newbery Honor Book, 189 pages) - 8/10 = B+
A lovely story about a boy who raises a raccoon from a baby and their friendship.
A enjoyed this one quite a lot except for the end, which resembles most animal stories (slight spoiler: it's not happy). Gah.

>232 scaifea: what a fabulous photo. It's so Charlie! and such great lighting and background, too. Very nice.

>232 scaifea: Great photo! Funny story - at our school, they decided to do school photos with a professional photographer who does casual poses outside. My daughter's class (6th/7th grade) had to all be redone. Apparently most of them did duck lips and peace signs Lol.

>236 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! That's what I like so much about it - it looks so naturally like him. The smile is not fake and he just seems like, well, Charlie. That doesn't happen often in these school photos.

>237 nittnut: Jenn: Oh, whoa. That doesn't sound like the best idea ever. Ha!

Love the photos! >170 scaifea: We lost teeth one by one at Charlie's age, but once the molars start falling out it's like fall leaves. I remember Marina seemed to lose ALL of her teeth all at once when she was about 12-13.

>235 scaifea: We LOVED Rascal. I read it aloud to the girls several years ago.

I loved My Side of the Mountain too. It was published when I was nine and I probably read it the following year when it showed up at the library. I wanted mountains so I could do the same thing so badly! Reread it many times, but the sequels weren't written yet and so I've never read them.

>239 AMQS: Anne: This tooth-losing thing is excruciating in some ways - Charlie is a DON'T TOUCH IT!! kind of kid, so each tooth takes for-friggin-ever to fall out. He has one now (upper front) that is hanging on by a wing and a prayer and has been for days. Gah.
And I'm glad you and yours liked Rascal - I did, too, until the last. I get smad at animal story endings, I'm afraid.

>240 ronincats: Roni: I don't think I'll read the sequels. I really do kinda think you need to read this one as a kid, the better to be able to suspect your disbelief. I'm glad you read it at just the right age.

On the agenda for today:
Treadmilling (I'm having a really good week, exercise-wise: an hour each day so far!), menu-planning, grocery listing, a bit of cleaning, work on the Latin book. Spaghetti for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: After finishing Rascal I read a bit of The Waters of the Wondrous Isles, which is good but long, and I'm getting a little worn on the damsel *always* being in distress of one kind or another. Perils of Penelope, really.

The calendar book today: Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish by David Rakeoff. I'm already skeptical from the title alone, I shamefacedly admit. A novel in verse? About the lives of characters connected "across a span of decades"? Hmmm. Thoughts?

Oh, and yesterday's quote was from Ulysses.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The idea for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1968 Newbery Medal) came from a family trip during which E. L. Konigsburg's family had to 'rough it' in Yellowstone National Park."
Now *here's* the story of roughing it that I prefer to My Side of the Mountain - give me a museum to live in over a tree in the woods any day! Ha!

What We Read Yesterday:
-I Will Never Get a Star on Mrs. Benson's Blackboard by Jennifer K. Mann (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Chicka Chicka 123
-Chapter 7 in Ghost Town at Sundown

Morning, Amber! Sweet Thursday! Hooray for a good exercise week. You go girl!

>244 msf59: Ha! Thanks, Mark! Happy Thursday to you, too!

>232 scaifea: Wow! That's an awesome photo! Charlie looks wise yet fun and maybe a little bit devilish. So cute.
I read Ivanhoe many, many years ago and I have yet to find another book that transports me to a different age like that one did.

^Maybe I'll give Ivanhoe another try. It's been years since I read it.

Morning, Amber!

>246 Carmenere: Lynda: I know, right?! Perfectly captures it. Best school photo I've ever seen.
And I'm so glad that you liked Ivanhoe! Woot!

>247 jnwelch: Go, Joe! Go, Joe!

Another visit from the tooth fairy tonight...

Man, those teeth are dropping like flies! :)

>250 drneutron: Jim: Ha! They certainly are! And I think he grows an inch every time he loses one... *sigh*

Amber, whilst in seclusion I did search out some photos of my dream car. To resurrect a dead topic.

 

1959 Alfa Romeo Giuliette Spider Veloce. My sister owned one briefly in the mid-1960s, and she let me drive it maybe two times. It accommodated me comfortably, handled nimbly, revy engine. I still want one. I'll put it on my Wish List; maybe someone will think it's a book and buy one for me.

Happy Friday, Amber. Cute Charlie photos. After the summer break I'll get new first graders, so lots of faces like his. We keep the kids three years before they go to an other teacher.

>252 weird_O: Bill: Oh, that's fancy. Here's hoping, eh?

>253 Ameise1: Barbara: I like that idea! It must be nice both for you and the students.

On the agenda for today:

Grocery shopping this morning, then bills, organizing the week's photos and work on the Latin book until time to pick up Charlie after school. I'll try to get a new thread started somewhere in there, too. Florentine Chicken Soup for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front: I started Millions, which is a pretty good yarn so far, but that's it for yesterday - I watched some of Henry V instead of reading in bed.

The calendar book for today: Wild Ones; A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story about Looking at People Looking at Animals in America by Jon Mooallem, which sounds like it may be a pretty good one. Thoughts?

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Because Paula Fox (The Slave Dancer, 1974 Newbery Medal) is of European descent, she has been criticized for writing about slavery."
Well, that seems a bit silly, no? The book is quite good, at least.

What We Read Yesterday:
-Swap! by Steve Light (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
-Mix It Up!
-Chapter 8 in Ghost Town at Sundown

Morning, Amber! Happy Friday! Hooray for the Tooth Fairy! Go Charlie!

I love his 1st grade photo. A handsome young man.

>257 msf59: Aw, thanks, Mark! You won't get any arguments here about his handsomeness. And now with that adorable gap in his smile? Such a cutie. The Tooth Fairy brought coins from England, Ireland, Germany and France last night, along with, of course, another half dollar. He has so much fun examining each one and 'helping' me figure out whence they've come.

Morning, Amber!

Moooornnning, Amber! Ooo, Florentine chicken soup sounds very classy! I picked up Hollow crown from the library yesterday. Looks like a binge watching weekend.

>259 katiekrug: Morning, Katie!

>260 Carmenere: Lynda: Ha! It *does* sound classy, doesn't it? It's tasty, too, but super easy to throw together. Charlie and I only make it when Tomm's out of town, though, because the Alfredo sauce (which I buy pre-made) and the pesto have garlic in them.
And ohohoh! I can't wait to hear what you think of the Hollow Crown series - if you're anything like me, be prepared to ugly cry when Prince Hal gets sad...

Happy Friday, Amber!

Great pic of our friend Charlie up there. He must be getting rich from tooth fairy visits.

Good morning, Amber! Florentine chicken soup sounds good; what do you put in your version of it?

A belated thank you for giving me ideas about smoothies. It'll be a rainy and stormy day today, so if I don't pick up ingredients to make green smoothies today I'll do so tomorrow night after work.

>249 scaifea: Nice photo of Charlie!

>252 weird_O: Yes! Great choice, Bill. If you run across a BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) special on that sweet ride I'll gladly take the second car.

I saw a gorgeous cream colored late 1970s MG convertible on Wednesday. I love my Z3, but I would have exchanged it in a heartbeat for that car.

Morning, Amber! Charlie's school photo is fabulous!

Another fan of Charlie's school picture here. International coin spotting sounds like fun too.

>252 weird_O: I saw a cute, sporty little hatchback on the street here the other day and took note of the fact that it was an Alfa Romeo. They have always made cute cars.

>242 scaifea: About that Rakoff book .. I checked it out of the library digitally and looked at the first couple of pages. That was enough for me.

Tooth fairy madness! I love it!

Wishing you a very happy weekend, Amber.

His photo is lovely! He has such a nice smile :)

>262 jnwelch: Joe: Charlie is loving the foreign coins - I decided on that route because I thought it seems much more magical and much less pedestrian than plain old American bills.

>263 kidzdoc: Darryl: I'll try to remember to post the recipe later today for the soup. And you're welcome for the smoothie suggestion - I do like having them for my lunches.
And now I'm hoping Bill finds a BOG2 sale... Seems likely...

>264 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

>265 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!

>266 ursula: Ursula: Oooh, Alpha Romero! Love.

>267 EBT1002: Ha! Thanks, Ellen!

>268 BekkaJo: Aw, thanks, Bekka!

Groceries have been purchased and put away - now, off to the treadmill. Prince will be the theme for today's exercise listening. I introduced Charlie to his stuff this morning in the car. Of course he LOVED Let's Go Crazy. Who wouldn't?

Treadmilling with Prince. Sounds like a great idea!

>270 EBT1002: Ellen: It was pretty great. I've loved his music since I was a kid.

Here's the recipe for Florentine Chicken Soup, should anyone be interested:

Ingredients:
• 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
• 12 oz. cooked chicken, cut into strips
• 14 oz. jar sliced roasted sweet red peppers, drained
• ½ teaspoon rosemary
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups Alfredo sauce
• 6 tablespoons prepared pesto
• shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in large saucepan, saute chicken, red peppers, rosemary and pepper in butter.
3. Stir in broth, Alfredo sauce and pesto; cook 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
4. Drain pasta and add to soup.
5. Sprinkle servings with Parmesan cheese.

I found this recipe in Taste of Home: Soups.

Thanks for sharing the recipe, Amber; it sounds delicious! About how many servings does it make? And does it re-heat well?

>273 katiekrug: Katie: It makes a fair-sized pot of soup. Maybe, 8-10 servings? It re-heats pretty well, too; just make sure to cook your pasta al dente so that it doesn't get mushy in the re-heat.

Thanks! I always forget that tip about not overcooking the pasta :-P

>275 katiekrug: Katie: Welcome! I tend to like mine a little under-cooked anyway...

>249 scaifea: Charlie is just too cute for words.

>277 Whisper1: Aw, thanks, Linda!

Happy Saturday, Amber! It looks like a pleasant enough day. Hey, you let our T.C. game expire? And you were beating my butt too. Grins...

On the agenda for today:

Charlie's gymnastics class this morning, and then just hanging out at home with a few chores mixed in. If it's nice out I'm certain Charlie will be outside playing with the other neighborhood kids. Tomm doesn't get home until tomorrow afternoon, so we're going out for our favorite pizza for dinner tonight.

On the reading front: I finished Millions yesterday (more on that later), but again didn't do any bedtime reading because I'm still working my way through Henry V little by little. It's been so long (way *too* long) since I've read the play that I had forgotten just how powerful nearly every dang scene is. I'm gonna need to buy this dvd set, I think. Gosh, if Hiddleston ever plays Hamlet, I don't think I could handle it; I'd die of dehydration before the last act...
And how fitting that I'll be finishing up the movie tonight, as it's apparently the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death today.

The book calendar weekend trivia question: "What great author once took home the urinal from a bar, saying he'd 'pissed away' so much of his money there that he owned it?"

And the Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Elizabeth Yates was making a birthday cake for a young friend when a special delivery letter arrived with the news that Amos Fortune, Free Man had won the 1951 Newbery Medal."
Amos Fortune, Free Man, while not one of my very top favorites, is still a solid read and I'd certainly recommend it if you haven't read it.

>279 msf59: Mark: Oh, dang. I have a hard time remembering to play those phone games most of the time - I'm so sorry! I'll try to start another game today and be better about playing... Try not to get too frustrated with me?

What We Read Yesterday:
-Singing Robins by Fay Robinson (Charlie's school library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+
-A Baby Sister for Frances
-Chapter 9 in Ghost Town at Sundown

Morning, Amber! That soup recipe looks good - I'll give it a go. And hooray for pizza for dinner - I LOVE pizza!

>283 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! The soup is wonderful - I hope you love it, too!
And yes, I LOVE pizza, too! And this pizza is just about the best I've ever had. It's also pretty great that the place is owned by one of the school librarians. It helps to know people in high places, as it were... Ha!

Way cool!

>285 Crazymamie: Mamie: I know, right?! She brings in free pizza for the teaching staff pretty regularly, too.

Happy Saturday, Amber!

I'm guessing Hemingway for the urinal?

Did you ever read Major Pettigrew's Last Stand? I loved that one, and now I'm reading her second, The Summer Before the War. So far I'm really enjoying it.

>287 jnwelch: Joe: Winnerwinner!! It was, indeed, Hemingway.
Major Pettigrew has been on my wishlist for yonks - I need to bump it up. I'm interested to hear what you think of that second one when you've finished.

66. Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce (1001 Children's Books, 247 pages) - 8/10 = B+
A neat story about two young brothers (one obsessed with real estate and the other with Catholic saints) dealing with the death of their mother, and who find a bag full of cash.
Quirky and fun, sad and heartwarming. This one's pretty good, folks.

Love the photos of Charlie or Charles to use his official academic sobriquet.

Hopefully he runs out of teeth before you run out of dollars. xx

Have a great weekend.

Happy Saturday, Amber! >272 scaifea: oooo, looks decadently delicious!

>290 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! Here at Scaife Manor we like to use the moniker 'Charliemagne,' really.
And no worries on running out of coin - the Tooth Fairy ordered a fairly large quantity of the stuff, plus Steve had a *ton* of coins collected. We'll make it fari enough, I reckon.

>291 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Let me know how you like the soup if you decide to try it!

The new thread is up, folks!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/222296