A Lazy Saturday Morning

I made homemade yeast-raised waffles for breakfast this morning. I was fairly virtuous in limiting myself to two; not so virtuous in the application of real butter and real maple syrup! Once in awhile, though, we treat ourselves. The recipe is straight from my Fanny Farmer cookbook and they're easy. The hardest part is remembering you have to start them the night before. I used to make them often when the kids were little, and I always had to double the recipe. Now for just the two of us, I have lots of batter left with the single batch. I make up all the waffles and freeze the ones we don't eat.

I love the light now-a-days. The sun is moving higher up in the sky and it's warmer and brighter. It is the beginning of our glorious MUD SEASON. Here in my corner of the world we have winter, MUD, spring, summer, and fall. The roads are full of frost heaves and potholes; it's easy to lose a muffler or scrape bottom on many of our roads. And the roads change on a daily basis, becoming spontaneous roller coasters as the ground unfreezes, and refreezes daily. My driveway has a seasonal sink hole that opens right in the middle. Luckily it's the diameter of the hole is smaller than the wheelbase of our vehicles so we can drive over it -- there's not enough room on either side of it to drive around it. Some of the dirt roads become impassable for short periods of time unless you have 4 wheel drive and high clearance. The sound of snowmobiles is replaced by the "Mudding" vehicles.

School this past week was long -- we started on Monday with a 2 hour delay due to ice and sleet and snow, and ended with very spring-like weather. In between I dealt with students who have decided it's okay to text each other in class despite our "no cell phone" policy in school. I just don't get how I grew up without a cell phone. One student of mine said that she likes cell phones because now it's easier to lie to her mom about where she is after school!! Mom calls to check in, and "Janie" says she's at the library when in fact she's with her boyfriend at McDonalds. And of course Mom gave her the cell phone to keep her safe! When I grew, Mom called my friend's house and I'd better be there!

Here's a book I read this week -- by a favorite YA author, Gary D. Schmidt.

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very compelling novel for older adolescents and young adults. Henry is the 2nd son of a prominent, very privileged New England family. His older brother Franklin is the "god" of his prep school and is critically injured in an accident. A Cambodian scholarship student, Chouy, confesses to driving the truck that injures Franklin. This novel explores some heavy issues - anti-immigration sentiment, race and class divisions, harassment,revenge, grief, and forgiveness and grace. It's not an easy read, either for the issues raised and for the way the author has narrated the story in two parts. I really liked it, but it's definitely not something geared for younger readers.


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And the book I've neglected all my Sat. morning chores to finish reading:
Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I couldn't put this one down. It's a well-researched, but fictional account of the affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick, told from her perspective. The novel covers the years between 1903 when Mamah and her husband Edwin Cheney commission Wright to build their Oak park home, and 1914 when the affair between Mamah and Wright comes to its tragic conclusion. I knew very little about Frank Lloyd Wright other than as the founder of a true American architecture before reading this book. I was fascinated by their relationship, as well as by how their relationship was perceived by the rest of the world.


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Of Two Minds

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a very odd book. I did like it, but I'm also troubled by it, and I'm trying to figure out why! Neil Gaiman borrows Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book premise : an orphan wanders into an "alien" world and is raised by that world's inhabitants. I think what troubles me is the opening of the book - the villain is described as wiping his knife after murdering 3 members of a family and he is searching for the last family member, a baby. If this book is intended for kids, I'm troubled by the violent image. They are all too exposed to violence and I'm not sure it's a great idea to introduce a book with more. I guess I'd be much happier overall with this if it were marketed as a YA or adult book. Instead, it's won the Newbery for this year, and it will have a prominent place on most school library shelves. So that's what bothers me. Otherwise, as an adult, I thought it was very clever, very sly, and I did enjoy it!


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Since I'm not Knitting, I'm Reading -- Book #27

The Serpent's Daughter: A Jade Del Cameron Mystery by Suzanne Arruda

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another very enjoyable read! Suzanne Arruda has created an appealing heroine in Jade del Cameron. She is feisty, daring. clever, and pretty lucky! In this 3rd installment of the series, Jade is in Morocco, reluctantly, with her mother. They have a difficult relationship; Jade isn't the daughter Inez wishes for, and Jade feels she is never able to please her. Events move swiftly: Jade's mother is kidnapped, Jade is captured by a set of mysterious miscreants, there's a missing amulet, drug smuggling, and is Olivia Lilith Worthy back? This series reminds me a bit of Indiana Jones' films with Jade filling his role, not as an archeologist, but as the rough and tumble adventurer out to avenge all wrongs.


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Another Maisie Dobbs

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this second novel in the Maisie Dobbs' series. It's 1930 and still WWI dominates both England's social landscape and Maisie's life. Maisie is hired to find a missing daughter. Her investigations lead her to a series of murders that are motivated by the actions of the victims during WWI. It also leads her to uncover a secret kept by her assistant Billy Beale, and ultimately to a greater understanding of her relationship with her father. It's once again a fascinating read.


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Disorderly Wilderness Thoughts

I've been thinking about the "wilderness" quite a bit this week since the lectionary for this past Sunday included Jesus' time in the wilderness (Mark 1:9-13). Mark's version of the story is quite spare -- a few lines only. In fact, the whole "temptations" part of the story is summed up in verse 13 --- " He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels waited on him." I love the spareness of Mark.

I am in the wilderness now, in several ways. I've been here before, I will be here again. I don't like being here, but I don't fear it quite as much as I used to. I know that eventually (as long as keep my wits about me!) I will emerge into familiar places, or "civilized" places, and that I will emerge a stronger, clearer self. It's the meanwhile that's difficult.

What is about wilderness? We like to think we enjoy wilderness. We want to vacation in it --- camping out in the woods, roughing it in the wild, photographing wildlife, retreating from the noise and clamor of our workaday lives. Yet we fear it too --- and we worry about getting lost, losing contact, what if there's an accident?

Being in the wilderness allows adventure and trailblazing -- trying new things. Nothing is set up and working, you have to build it yourself. Some things work, others don't. You learn a lot in the experimentation. You also learn what's important, and what's not. What you really need and what you only think you need. It can be lonely, devastatingly lonely. You find yourself talking to yourself. You discover what you don't like in yourself, and what you do like. On those rare occasions you meet another wilderness traveler, you may be given new insight.

Sometimes it helps when you are with others in the wilderness. There is strength in numbers, and you can support each other in your endeavors. Sometimes though your mutual fears can debilitate you and turn you down the wrong path in your fear.

The thing is, even when I am most lonely, most desperate, I remember I am not ALONE. God is present, and I sincerely feel, is guiding me. I don't know where I'm being guided, but I just have to remember that there is a map for me, a GPS for the spirit. I just have to use it.

#25

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of the main "characters" in this first novel is World War I. Maisy

Dobbs served as a nurse at the front, and her first case takes her back into that experience. Jacqueline Winspear evokes this era superbly, and has created a unique protagonist in Maisy Dobbs. It's 1929 and Maisy Dobbs is getting started in her own investigative agency in London. Maisy is the daughter of a costermonger and spent much of her life as a housemaid. However, she had the unique advantage of an enlightened employer who recognized Maisy's hunger for education and made that happen for her in the form of a unique tutor and a university education. Maisy is intelligent, intuitive, observant, and has studied Jung, Freud, Kierkegaard, among others. I really enjoyed this book.


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Book #24

Death on the Lizard by Robin Paige

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
An interesting novel, but not nearly as engaging as the China Bayles' books. This book is co-written by Susan Wittig Albert and her husband under the name of Robin Paige. I learned a lot about Marconi and some of the problems with early wireless communication. I was also especially interested in the Cornwall landscape as I had the great good fortune to spend a week there last spring.


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Knitting (Not Much)

My knitting has slowed to a crawl with my shoulder/arm issues. I miss it! However, I am making very slow progress on this:

From Knitting Gallery

It's the Radiance Cabled Jacket from Melissa Morgan-Oakes. I'm using Valley Yarns Colrain and I got it all at WEBS, of course. I love the drape and silkiness of the yarn.

February Flatness

I haven't had much to say lately. I think it's the February flatness. The weather is dreary, there's way too much school year stretching out ahead, I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps it's the tease of the light too -- the sun is rising as I go to school and it's still light at 5 or so. Yet then we get socked by snow and sleet, and you realize it's still winter.

It's been a tough few weeks. Our church secretary died very suddenly and unexpectedly. She leaves a HUGE hole in hearts, and in the life of our church. We are still pastorless, and she has been the constant presence and our glue, reminding us that it's time to do the Easter letter, it's time for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, it's time to register for Annual Meeting, etc. etc. A group of members have volunteered to staff the office during office hours, and we are blessed that there are at least a couple folks who can access the church computer and do the weekly service bulletins. A couple of us (moderator, vice moderator (me), the treasurer, and a trustee) will meet later this week to go through the church office to "inventory" things --- our secretary was the person who knew where everything is.

School has been hard too. Morale is low due to some major budget cuts, and some other internal "politics".

I am on vacation this week, but we're not doing anything special. I do love being able to leave the alarm in the off position, and have the luxury of sleeping in. I will say that sleeping in nowadays, means to maybe 7 am! I've spent the last 3 days working on my husband's billing and bookkeeping, and starting the taxes. I've also read a couple of China Bayles' books, and a little knitting. I'm still having trouble with the knitting. My hand/shoulder isn't 100% so I can't knit for long. Physical therapy has definitely been helping though. I've been trying to persuade my other half to go to the movies and see some of the movies that were up for Oscars, but he really doesn't like to go, and I don't like going alone. I'm in the mood to go shopping, but my shopping buddy is on vacation out of state, I don't need anything, and I don't want to spend the money. . . . So . . . I've been spending too much time surfing the internet and Facebook, and I've been playing too many games of Super Mah Jong!

Contests

Just in case you haven't seen these contests, check them out.

Over on Knit Purl Gurl you can win an awesome bag of WEBS goodies from Kathy Elkins.

And on Mommatudes you can win a gorgeous pair of hammered silver earrings.

Two great give-aways to brighten up a midwinter.

Middle School Historical Fiction

Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues by Harriette Gillem Robinet

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is excellent. Alfa is a 6th grader in 1956 Montgomery, Alabama. Alfa lives with his 15 year old sister Zinnia and their great-grandmother "Big Mama". They live in 2 room tar paper shack and need to find another 10 dollars for their rent. Alfa and his family are accused of stealing money from a "wealthy" white doctor's home. This book depicts quite realistically life for an African-American family during the 1950's. The bus boycott is 6 months old. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr has just become pastor of the Dexter Ave church and Alfa is trying hard to "walk the walk" and "talk the talk" of nonviolence.



I'm currently reading this aloud to my 6th graders to help lay some background for their novel study of Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963. They are really engaged, and we've had some good discussions about segregation and the differences in lifestyle. They are having a tough time understanding "having to work" and having to put whatever money Alfa earns toward food and rent.






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Heresy

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel by David Wroblewski

My review

rating: 1 of 5 stars
This is probably heresy, but I didn't like this book. It was compelling however, so I guess that means it's a "good" book. I wanted to quit reading about 1/2 way through but I had to see it to the end. So, why didn't I like it? I think the first reason I disliked it was because I never felt connected to the characters. The third person "objective" narration kept me an observer rather than a participant in the story -- I never felt like I understood Edgar's motivation, and I especially felt distanced from any understanding of his mother's. The other reason I disliked it was the overall feeling of depression and doom that it left me with. I really don't like books that leave me feeling hopeless. Perhaps I missed the point, but that's how it left me.


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Randomness

1. I am constantly tired and sleepy. I've been going to bed earlier than normal -- between 8 and 9 pm instead of my usual 10 pm. I've been sleeping soundly and have had a hard time waking up with my 4:45 am alarm. I was home Thursday - slept soundly until 8:30 am, got up, dressed, and then napped for another couple of hours. Then up for a while, and another nap. ... Bed early on Thursday night too. Last night I hit the hay at 8:30, slept til 7:30 am. I'm feeling sleepy now at 6 pm. I'm not sure what's going on. . . .

2. I'm making progress with my physical therapy. . . Much fewer episodes of tingling and numbness, and aside from the development of "trigger finger" my shoulder is also improving.

3. It's amazing to see it still light at 5 pm. Spring is coming.

4. 6.5 hours of school work on a Saturday is too much.

5. My house is a mess. The kitchen table is covered and the floors need vacuuming and cleaning. I don't care -- much.

6. I haven't been knitting because of the above issues with my hand and shoulder.

More China Bayles

Lavender Lies by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Let's see, a murder, a recuperating groom to be, the wedding cake baker leaving town, Leatha's arrival, a tea-room opening, and a hurricane, what else could go wrong in the week before for China and McQuaid's eagerly-anticipated wedding? The complications multiply but as usual the murder is solved and the other problems resolved, in this light-hearted installment of China Bayles.


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Mistletoe Man by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this installment too. Ruby has a big secret and China is sure she's done something to hurt her. However, China finds out that all of their friends are worried about Ruby. Meanwhile, her mistletoe supplier Carl Swenson, is killed ostensibly in a "hit and run" accident. The Fletcher sisters and their Aunt Velda (who's been kidnapped and returned by the Klingons) come under suspicion as all of the law enforcement folks try to figure out exactly what happened to Carl. And then there is Mrs. Kendall, the British cook extraordinaire who has come to China's rescue in the tearoom. But what mystery is she hiding??


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A Little of This and a Little of That

It seemed like a very long week, but that's probably because we had FIVE days of school in a row! Next week things will get interesting as we add 30 minutes to the end of each school day from now til May 8th in an effort to make up time lost because of the ice storm in December. The upside is that we get 10 minutes added on to our core classes so that now I have an hour to teach reading/language arts and an hour for science. An hour is still not long enough to do everything I should be doing for reading and writing. When I started teaching I had an hour for reading and an hour for writing everyday. Then it was cut to 90 minutes daily. Then to 50 minutes. And guess what, our reading and writing scores dropped!! Does anyone but we RLA teachers see a correlation? Anyway, I'm not going there right now.

We had a very depressing school budget session this past week too. Our school board (all good people, all interested in providing a quality education for our kids) has faced some of the toughest decisions they've had to face in a long time. They have been forced to make significant cuts in programming that result in 4 teachers losing their jobs. At my school we are losing a guidance counselor. Aside from the fact that the person whose job is cut is the best guidance counselor we've ever had, the loss of the position will have a real impact on the support we can offer our kids. The plan is for the remaining guidance counselor to cover the 6th and 7th graders and one of the high school counselors will cover the 8th graders. It remains to be seen how effective that will be. Morale in the buildings is the lowest I've seen it since I've been teaching which makes it hard to go to school.

I'm struggling too with new curriculum --- I haven't taught science before, and I'm not a science person. I don't particular enjoy it either. I work really hard at bringing enthusiasm and energy into the classroom; the kids have no idea that I really don't have a passion for the subject. I also am working hard at figuring out how to teach the concepts that I have to teach. While I have a lot of cool projects and ideas for teaching ancient civilizations, I don't have a repertoire of science activities, so everything (including the concepts at times!) is new to me. February is a tough month even though it's short, and believe it or not, we have a vacation scheduled for the last week!

I am not doing much knitting because of my shoulder and pinched nerve issues. I started the Radiance Cabled Jacket by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. I'm using the Colrain yarn in steel gray. I love the way it has started out, and it's not a difficult pattern, but I can only manage to knit 3-4 rows a night before I have to stop. I love the way the yarn drapes and it has a nice sheen to it.

On the book front, I just finished this one.

Bones by Jonathan Kellerman

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This finally got interesting in the last few chapters. I was going to abandon it as a dull read but didn't have another book ready to replace it. I thought it was strange that although the story was told from Alex Delaware's perspective, he was mostly a "ride-along" through much of the book. I missed his personal involvement as well as the tension between Alex and Robin. I used to like this series, but I think it's time for Alex to retire.


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Book Review

Burn Out by Marcia Muller

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I haven't read Marcia Muller in a long time, so it was good to get reacquainted with Sharon McCone and Hy Ripinsky. I think I missed the book just previous to this one, so it took me a bit to get re-oriented. (It doesn't help that I've read so many series -- Kinsey Milhone, China Bayles, VI Warsharski,etc. - you have to keep complicated backstories in your memory banks). I liked this one. Sharon is recuperating from a traumatizing near-death experience, and is burned out. She's spending time at Hy's ranch in Lake Tufa. She gets drawn into investigating the disappearance of the ranch manager's niece despite herself. There were enough clues strewn about the story to have some good guesses as to "who-dunnit" but only if you wanted to work at it. I've missed this series.


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A New(ish) Adventure

I live in a very small town with TWO United Church of Christ (UCC) churches. Both are small churches (my church has about 90 "official" members, with average attendance around 40) and the other congregation is about the same. My church was actually "planted" by the original Congregational church (called what else, First Church) back around 1850. At the time, one end of town was mushrooming with mill workers. Some very mission-oriented members of First Church recognized that the distance from the "East Village" to the First Church was too great for many of the millworkers and their families to travel, so they petitioned the church to separate and plant a new church down in "East Village". And so they did. For about 125 years the two congregations, less than 2 miles apart, flourished. Both churches developed separate identities and focused on different ministries. At some point in the history of the 2 churches some "snobbishness" evolved and for some years there was little to no contact between the two churches. When I arrived in town, about 30 years ago, the 2 churches worshiped together on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services and also worshiped together as part of the community's Interfaith Thanksgiving service. And then as has happened with many main line churches, both congregations have fallen upon hard times --- aging congregations, diminished membership rosters, financial woes, and right now, both congregations are pastorless. Three years ago a group of lay leaders appointed from both churches started meeting together to brainstorm ways that the 2 congregations could help each other. Not by merging, but by collaborating where possible on mutual ministries, and even on more regular joint worship. This has been an extremely enriching experience (I'm one of the "ambassadors" as we're called). So for the past several years we've intentionally held regular joint worship services --- 7 or 8 a year. And now we embark on our newest adventure. For the months of February and March we will hold joint services every Sunday. Starting today my church will journey "up the road" to our parent church for all our February services. In March we will host all the services in our sanctuary "down the street." We are excited because each church is tired -- in my church we have had no pastor since September so our worship planners are exhausted from either finding guest ministers or planning and leading worship themselves. We also have no music leadership at this time -- there just aren't many organists available, or other musicians who are called to lead musically in a worship setting in our neck of the woods. So another benefit is that for two months we will have the benefit of the superb music leadership of First Church. We don't know where these experiments in mutually supporting each other will grow. While there are a few of us who are interested in the potential of merger, there are many more who fear that. Perhaps we will evolve into a yoked parish. We are all praying that we stay open to God's voice and willing to go where the Spirit leads. It's exciting!!

Knit Two

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This continues the story of the knitting group that gathered at Walker and Daughter. Georgia Walker has died, and this book picks up several years later. Each of the people introduced in the previous novel are dealing with their grief in their individual ways, but few have "moved on", including Georgia's daughter Dakota. It took me a while to reconnect with the characters, and at a few points I wanted to shake a few of them into their senses. It was an okay read.


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A LONG LONG WEEK

This past week seemed to drag by even though it was full of events and busy-ness. I started the week by attending the school board meeting and ended it by going out to a fabulous dinner with friends. I had an hour long physical therapy appointment, 2 water aerobics classes, a snow day, a 2 hour delay day, and a 2 hour association meeting after school. Oh, and I had a formal observation done too. And in between I taught, did my PT exercises, ran errands, and tried to sleep.

Because of all the days we missed from the ICE STORM, our school board has decided to add 30 minutes to our teaching day from Feb. 9 to May 8th (55 days!). This is what a majority of middle school and high school teacher wanted to have happen, though that wasn't necessarily true of the elementary schools. The 30 minutes will be added at the end of the day. In our school that means that our core classes (math, reading/la, science, and social studies) will have 10 minutes added to them, while a skills class will be cut by 10 minutes. We're happy about having 60 minute classes. Of course this has an impact on our contract which was the topic of the 2 hour association meeting. At any rate it will make the next three months of school VERY interesting.

On the physical therapy front I've been dealing with a pinched nerve combined with a shoulder impingment and possible carpal tunnel syndrome. So I had to figure out how to schedule 8 appts before 4 pm with a longer school day. The toughest part of the PT is that I have to severely limit my knitting. I am having major withdrawal symptoms.

My observation went well, and I got good feedback. Of course WHILE I was teaching the lesson, I felt like nothing was going well. I had not been formally observed for over 5 years so it was especially nerve-wracking.

Finally last night, we went with friends to a fabulous restaurant, tucked away in the woods. The food is superb and the ambience and service are excellent. It's definitely on the upper end of affordability for us, but it's well-worth it once or twice a year.

Next week should be a little less crazy -- no meetings scheduled, only one appointment, and fingers crossed, no weather incidents to cancel school!

On Pins and Needles for the Reading Round Up

I've been getting quite a bit of reading done so far this month. I've already lapsed into the area of "light" reading, but between that and knitting, it's how I relax. I haven't been quite as able to knit as I'd like either. I apparently have a pinched nerve and/or some carpal tunnel issues, along with a chronic shoulder impingement that's acting up, and knitting is exacerbating the symptoms. I'm in the "diagnostic" stages of determining what's going on. I have constant pins and needles and numbness in my right hand, a severely aching shoulder, and some issues with a ring finger joint locking up. All of this started just before Christmas, and I am slowly making my way from my PCP to a specialist to physical therapy and so on.

So the first book this week is on my Middle School books Read:

A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
As I was reading this novel at school, one of my 6th grade girls stopped by my chair and gushed, "Oh I LOVED this book! It was SO good!" She is an avid reader, and is truly gifted in the areas of reading and language arts. I was still at the beginning of the book so I just said, I'd let her know how I liked it when I was done.



I'd like to say I loved it too. I can't say that. It was only okay as far as I was concerned. But I can see the appeal for some of my readers. The author bills it as a melodrama, and that is certainly what it is. It's 1908-1909 and Maudy is an orphan in the cliched bleak orphanage. She's the girl who's always in trouble, not pretty in the classic sense, and a bit of a rebel. She is adopted by 3 spinster sisters who turn out to be spiritualists and are looking for a young girl to assist them in the "family business." Maudy is glad to be away from the orphanage, and is enjoying a somewhat luxurious life, but is puzzled about why she has to be a "secret daughter" and is concerned a bit about what she's eventually asked to do. This novel has all the ingredients of a melodrama, and the author does a nice job of using them all. I think that this book will appeal to those stronger adolescent readers with a leaning towards books like "The Secret Garden" and "The Little Princess". I think that if I had read this book as a 12 year old, I would have gushed over it too.


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Next on my list is another China Bayles installment:

Chile Death by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a lighter-hearted installment. McQuaid is recuperating and starting to join back into everyday life by judging an annual chili fest. There's a death, an investigation, and romance is back on track. A quick, easy read.


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This next book is also part of a series == I bought it last year when I was reading the series, and apparently never read it. I found it under a stack of books I was moving. So I read it "out of order" which I hate to do. I still enjoyed it!

Aunt Dimity Digs In by Nancy Atherton

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was fun! The twins are 4 months old, Lori is overwhelmed by new motherhood, and Finch is in an uproar! The vicar has promised the schoolhouse to an archeologist so he can use it as his base, but has forgotten Peggy Kitchener's need for it for the Annual Harvest Festival. All of the villagers are taking sides in the ensuing battle royale that is developing, and a mysterious document is stolen from the vicar's home. But never fear, here comes Francesca, a gorgeous nanny, and of course Dimity to bring order to the chaos Lori is embroiled in.


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2009 Books - #9

Love Lies Bleeding by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This installment in the China Bayles series was really good! Susan Wittig Albert throws a very realistic twist into China's relationship with McQuaid, and the title of this particular volume is particularly apt in several ways. I don't want to say anymore! I can't wait to read the next book.


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Jennifer gave me this award which surprised and humbled me. Thank you! Be sure to visit her blog. I've been blogging now for just about 3 years, and my blog has evolved during that time. It's kind of exciting to "meet" people in other parts of the world and get to know them in this way. Maybe I'll have a chance to meet some of my new friends in person in the future.


The sentiment behind the reward is this: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."


I nominate these friends whose blogs I read regularly:

Cathy
Jan
Melissa
bunnits

and these bloggers who have been nominated by others, I second! I follow their blogs too.


Songbird
juniper
lutheranchik
jerseyknitter

A Sensitive Book on a Sensitive Topic

Totally Joe by James Howe

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is awesome! And I found it entirely by accident. I picked up a bunch of new books in my library, and recognizing the author as the "Bunnicula" author, grabbed this one. This book is VERY different, and deals with a much-needed, though sensitive, topic. Joe is in 7th grade and his teacher has assigned a year-long writing project -- an alphabiography. For each letter of the alpabet, Joe has to write about himself. Early in the alphabet, we learn that when Joe was little, he preferred Barbies to GI Joes, and hated the trucks his grandparents gave him. We soon learn that Joe has always known he's different, and in fact, he knows that he is gay. As he writes in his diary/alphabiography he's always been attracted to guys, loves E.T., thinks Keanu Reeves is hot, and has a crush on another 7th grade boy who likes him back. Joe is not afraid to be "different" but he is picked on and most of his classmates know, at least on some level, that Joe is gay. His boyfriend also knows he's gay, but unlike Joe doesn't have a supportive family to lean on. I like the way the subject is dealt with -- with great sensitivity and honesty. I would love to find a way to teach with this book. I am glad it's available in the library.


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Knitting Content

From knitting2

This is the first project I've finished (except for blocking and facing). It's from Family Circle Easy Knitting and it's called the Modern Classic. This is the 2nd time I've knit it. The first one was knit in the summer of 2005 and it kept me occupied while I took the night watch at my mom's death bed. It was the first knitting project I'd done in over 20 years and the simple stockinette helped me center myself, and stay present for my mom during that bittersweet summer. Every night for almost 6 weeks I sat with her during the long watches of the night and as she drifted off into sleep, I knit. She never saw the finished sweater; and it was really too big, but I still wear it schlepping around the house. This sweater fits really well, although despite all my efforts, the sleeves could still be shorter. I need to do a final block, and I am looking for the grosgrain ribbon I need to face the front bands. I have been to Joanne's, Michael's, 2 Walmarts, and an independent fabric store to no avail. Either they have the color but not enough (I only need two yards of 7/8 inch ribbon) or it's too narrow, or they don't have it. I wish now I'd gone with my first idea and made the bands a teeny bit wider and put buttons on it!

From knitting2

These are Spirogyra, from Knitty.com. I used Berroco Sox. They took me 4-5 evenings of about an hour each to complete. They were easy to knit, and they make me smile when I wear them!

From knitting2

Two Middle School Novels and A Mystery for Adults

Here are two books I read from my school library this week. The first will appeal to younger readers while the second is aimed at the older middle school reader. I think both books are interesting, and will appeal more to the girls than the boys. I still continue to be encouraged by the number of good books out for our middle readers that also appeal to adults!

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
An enjoyable book that will appeal to some of the girls in my 6th grade class, especially the "younger" ones. Four sisters spend a summer in a rental cottage on a large estate. They make friends with the snobby estate owner's son, get into all sorts of scrapes, and make new friends. It's a gentle story.


View all my reviews.


And the second recommendation is this:

Peeled by Joan Bauer

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hildy is a journalist, working for the high school newspaper. Her family owns an apple orchard and she splits her time between school and the family business. Her small town is experiencing some scary times that are centered on the town's alleged haunted house, and fear is building in the town. At the same time, the mayor has announced a new economic initiative that threatens the orchards of some of the town's growers. Hildy uses her journalism skills to get to the bottom of things, and she and her friends "break the story." Joan Bauer creates believable teenagers, engaging stories, and I think this story will appeal to many middle school girls.


View all my reviews.


And for the grown-ups I offer this next book in the China Bayles series:

Rosemary Remembered by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is book #4 in the China Bayles series. While I did end up suspecting the correct villain, I was surprised by the means, and I wasn't sure of my suspect until close to the end. I really like this series. The characters are believable, the plots are twisty enough to confound the casual armchair detective, and I'm always interested in how all the relationships evolve in Pecan Springs. Pecan Springs is alive in my imagination, and I enjoy spending time there.


View all my reviews.

I Forgot!

I forgot to mention this book, one of the last I read for 2008. I like books like this -- I learn something new, since the book is based on historical fact, it's engrossing, 0and it has that gentleness and genuineness I like.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a gentle, enjoyable read. A writer, looking for an idea, stumbles upon a love story, and becomes part of a small community on the island of Guernsey. The time is just past WWII and she discovers how a small community survived German occupation by creating a literary society. She also discovers that love knows no boundaries. The entire novel is based on a series of letters from the writer to various islanders, to her editor and her friends, and from the islanders and her friends back. Through the various letters, a very vivid picture of the community emerges.


View all my reviews.

Book #2

I guess this should be partly 2008 since I started it during Advent. But I am counting my books when I can add them to my finished shelf.

The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus's Birth by Marcus J. Borg

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another interesting offering from Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. I am one of those who take the Bible seriously, but not literally. I would be interested in the reactions to this book of folks who are encountering these theologians for the first time. I don't think I learned anything brand new, perhaps just stated a little differently. The stories are not diminished in any way. In fact I feel as though the truth of the stories is enriched and enhanced.


View all my reviews.

Mixed Emotions

We've been out of school since Dec. 10 due to the ice storm and the normal holiday break. So it was with some resignation that I went to bed last night, lamenting the end of leisurely mornings and flexible schedules. At the same time, I look forward to catching up with my students, and my colleagues. So, this morning, my alarm didn't go off at 4:50. I suspected that it might not work so I'd set a backup alarm, but I ended up not needing either. I woke up all by myself at 4:15 and watched the last minutes of sleep tick away. As I poured myself my coffee, I got the news -- due to some freezing rain, we're starting the day off with a 2 hour delay! Normally I enjoy those, but I'd prefer to know about them before I was dressed and before the adrenaline started flowing. And this has been the strangest school yeat. Between weather, test schedules, odd holiday placements, election day, etc. we haven't had 2 weeks in a row of uninterrupted school. We haven't gotten a rhythm going and it feels like we're constantly "starting over" or trying to get a routine going. Looks like things aren't going to change anytime soon.

First Book of 2009

I hope to read a little less "candy" this year, and a few more "whole-grain" books. Here's a start towards this goal!

Safe Passage by Ida Cook

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a very interesting book. Ida and Louise Cook were two British sisters born in the early 1900's. They were addicted to opera and were early "groupies" of the leading operatic voices of the 1920's and 1930's. Their "claim to fame" however, was the work they did to rescue nearly 30 people, one at a time, from Nazi Germany and Austria in the late 1930's. Neither sister was wealthy; they were resourceful, energetic people who saw that something needed to be done, and they figured out how to raise enough money to support nearly 30 individuals, and provide a safe way for these people to escape Germany. This is a memoir written by Ida Cook who later became a successful British romance author writing under the name Mary Burchell. The author evokes the prewar war years quite successfully, and I learned quite a bit about the opera world.


View all my reviews.

Happy New Year

2009.

Seems like yesterday we were celebrating the new millenium. I remember the worry and angst about whether our computerized society could handle the switch from 19-- to 20--. Would everything come to a crashing halt because the computers wouldn't recognize the year? There was lots of hoopla in the media about how to prepare for the possibility that you wouldn't be able to access your bank accounts or credit cards. I remember taking some cash out of the bank and putting it in a safe place, just in case. I forgot I had done so, and not too long ago, I found the hidden cash. That was a very pleasant surprise!! And then of course the ball dropped and life went on usual.

The ice storm we just experienced was way more traumatic. At our party last night the consensus was that as our weather becomes more erratic, we should expect more power outages. We are getting more precipitation both in the summer and winter. We seem to be experiencing much more violent winds when fronts sweep through, too. This storm should be a wake up call, and should push us to find ways to be less dependent on the power grid, and more self-sufficient. I don't mean to sound pessimistic or gloomy, because that wasn't the mood. It was much more matter-of-fact.

I have no idea about this year --- I'm not making any resolutions since I rarely keept them anyway. I have some hopes for this year: I hope we can go on a trip this summer, I hope we stay healthy, I hope that my husband's company continues its success, I hope to do a lot of knitting, I hope to get motivated to exercise more and eat less, I hope to regain my zest for teaching (it would help if I could teach social studies again, instead of science!), I hope that my sons find happiness in love and work, I hope that our country finds its way through the minefields of world conflict, economic crisis, and social justice, I hope my church finds a good pastor, . . . my list of hopes go on. . . .

I hope that all of you have a healthy, safe, happy, interesting, and exciting 2009!

The Weather Outside is Frightful . . .

Snow is falling rather heavily. The forecast is for up to 10 inches. And of course, I'm supposed to be hosting a dinner party tonight for 10 people. The good thing is that the invitees are all local, so there's not really any travel involved. The snow should be ending about the time the party begins, so if I keep my fingers crossed, it should all work out. If worst comes to worst, we can just have the party tomorrow night. My menu is easy, and can be put off. The main entree is a super easy and delicious! I'm just going to double this -

Roasted Chicken, Sausage, and Potatoes
Serves 6

6 chicken breasts (the real thing, with bones and some skin)
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
6 potatoes, quartered
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix seasonings together. Spray a shallow roasting pan with a nonstick spray. Layer potatoes on the bottom of the pan, and sprinkle with half the seasoning mixture. Cover potatoes with sausage and chicken. Pour olive oil over all; sprinkle rest of seasonings on top. Cover pan with foil and bake at 425° for 1 hour. Uncover, lower oven to 375° and bake for another 30 minutes or until browned.


I'm serving this with a broccoli salad, glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, and rolls. My guests are bringing the munchies and the dessert. I like the way our group of friends celebrates --- someone offers the house and does the main part of the meal, and the guests bring the hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Everything is casual, relaxed and enjoyable.

Back to Normal?

Life is back to normal - or what passes for normal around here! A typical Christmas break Monday is in store. I am enjoying my first cup of coffee, just after 8 am. When I'm through with blogging and reading emails, I'll eat a light breakfast, and then start in on some long overdue housework. My plan today is to declutter the living room, and dust and vacuum in there. We're hosting a casual party on New Year's Eve, so some spit and polish could be useful there. I may also do the same in the dining room today. Tomorrow I'll get the shopping done and tackle the bathroom. I will head in early afternoon westward over to the nearest shopping city in this southwest corner of the state, and use a Borders gift certificate, collect a repaired piece of jewelry from the jewelers, and find some grosgrain ribbon to face the button bands of the sweater I'm finishing. Then I'll meet my DH at home and we'll go to our 5 pm water aerobics class. Somewhere today I'll have to drop off my library books at the library too since they're due today.

There is still so much cleanup to accomplish from the ice storm. Our yard is littered with the remains of trees, as our roadsides. The warm weather and rain the last couple of days has removed quite a bit of the 2 ft of snow we received last weekend so the debris is being uncovered. What a mess! It's hard to believe that we lost power for so long. It's a good wake up call for us all. What always shines through is that despite all the apparent evidence to the contrary, people are kind, thoughtful, and generous. Neighbors really do look out for each other, and people share their resources with others who need them when push comes to shove.

Book #105

I had a goal of reading 50 books this year. I hit that goal early on, so set it for 100. I must admit that most of my reading is candy. But it's a major way for me to relax and escape, so it's cheap therapy!! I've been introduced recently to the China Bayles mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert. Here's the 3rd book in the series which starts with Thyme of Death, and Witches' Bane.

Hangman's Root by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am enjoying this mystery series. China Bayles is an ex-attorney turned herb shop owner in a small Texas town. She is enjoying life now that she's stepped out of the fast lane. She has several good friends, and a developing relationship with Mike McQuaid, an cop who also has retired from the field and now teaches at the local college. In this installment, China investigates the murder of a prominent science professor at the local college and tries to clear the name of another professor who's been accused of the crime. While I guessed the identity of the real murderer, there were enough plot twists to surprise me. I'm now looking for #4 --- my library has to get them on interlibrary loan.


View all my reviews.

AT LAST!

12:16 pm Dec. 24th

The lights came back on. Thirteen days without electricity. How vulnerable we are!


It's now 2:30 pm. Two loads of wash done, Christmas morning pound cake is in the oven, Swedish meatballs are simmering in the crockpot. Our Los Angeles son is home, and our Rhode Island son is on the way. Now it can be Christmas.

Thanks all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers.

A Different Sort of Waiting

Advent is about waiting, anticipation, and preparation. Waiting for the birth of a Baby, anticipating the Gift of Love, and preparing room in my heart and life for this great Gift.

This year my Advent has been highjacked by a different sort of waiting. I am literally waiting for light, and electricity. I am growing impatient, cranky, and much more full of self-pity than I care to admit. I know there's a sermon in this somewhere . . .but I'm too annoyed to find it.

There are still about 3000 of us without power, 12 days after the storm. We are tired of filling generators, using laundramats and friends' homes for showers and laundry, tired of "camp-style" meals, tired of the generator's noise and gas odors, tired of the inconvenience. Even though we know we are relatively safe, relatively warm, and not going hungry, we are inconvenienced enough to be cranky and annoyed. Many of us have had to put our holiday plans on hold --- no baking, no special meals, no lights on the tree or in the windows of our homes.

If I could just focus on the coming of God's Light, instead of human's light, I'd be a happier woman.

Tis the Season

For a change of pace from my recent tales of woe:


Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's
what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not
forward) this entire email and paste into your blog (or even an email)Change
all the answers so that they apply to you. Let me know if you play!

Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I use both --- usually gift bags for people to whom I'm personally bringing gifts. Wrapping paper for gifts I'm mailing. I recycle gift bags!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Definitely real, and only balsam fir need apply. Our tree is always nice and fresh, about 8 feet tall.

3. When do you put up the tree?

I like to get it up about by Dec. 15th, but the last two years has been the weekend before Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down?

We usually take it down on Epiphany - there are 12 Days of Christmas, after all, and I was taught to wait til the Three Kings came on Jan. 6th.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Yes. Especially with rum or whisky!


6. Favorite gift received as a child?

I can't name one --- I always loved my presents, and usually got what I really wanted. I think I loved opening my stocking the most.


7. Hardest person to buy for?

Definitely my husband. He doesn't ever ask for things, doesn't have a hobby, and is the kind of person that if he needs something, he goes and gets it when he needs it. My younger son is getting hard now too.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

Anyone who gives me a list, or who has a definite hobby. Every year though I have the problem of finding lots of perfect gifts for one person on my list, and nothing for anyone else!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

I have 3. A small stained glass one my sister sent me one year, a traditional creche with fixed figures, and my favorite - the Willow Tree Nativity my mom bought me the only time she came to spend Christmas with me.


10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

I mail cards. I don't particularly like email cards, because I can't hang them up as part of my decor.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

A guitar when I was in college. I wanted a record player (portable stereo) for my dorm room. My father bought me a guitar --- my sister wanted one, and he got a deal. He bought each of a guitar. I never even tried to play it.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

I absolutely love The Christmas Story --- the one where Ralph wants the beebee gun. "You'll shoot your eye out!!" I hate "It's a Wonderful Life,". I do like the original, Miracle on 34th Street.


13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?.

I make a half-hearted attempt to do some shopping in late summer or early fall. I say half-hearted, because it's not usually intentional. A friend and I go outlet shopping a couple of times a year, and I will sometimes make an effort to look for gifts then. Most of my shopping is done between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and 90% of it is done on-line. I abhor malls.


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

I don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Cookies -- Ginger crinkles, cranberry almond biscotti, Mrs. Greenhill's shortbread, and my sister's butter cookies. And for Christmas breakfast -- Best Buttermilk Poundcake from my mom's recipe files via Farm Journal.

16. Lights on the tree?

Definitely -- small, multi-colored, and non-blinking.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Depends on what mood I'm in. I favor traditional carols. I love O Holy Night, Do You Hear What I Hear, and Angels We Have Heard On High. Joy to the World, too. My favorite Christmas recording is a very old record --- from the 60's The Harry Simone Choir. I loved the traditional carols, and the scripture passages quoted between the songs. I also love an Ed Ames Christmas album from that time period also.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Usually stay home. When the kids were really young, we would travel to my parents' in Indiana, but once they got school age we stayed home. Santa had a really hard time then.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?


Absolutely



20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Definitely a star. We sing: "Last year on top of our Christmas tree, we had a lovely star. It made us think of the wise men three, traveling from afar."


21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

As kids we opened one tiny present on Christmas eve, but oh, Christmas morning!!! It would start with our stockings. Santa left them outside our bedroom doors, or at the foot of our beds. We were allowed to stay in our rooms and open them. We would have to wait for our parents to wake up before we were allowed downstairs to see what Santa had brought. Santa was always more than generous with presents for 5 kids. He brought unwrapped gifts that were spread around the tree. We also had a huge pile of wrapped gifts from our parents, aunts, each other. With 7 people the mound was huge. We took turns opening gifts, one at a time, and the opening would last several hours. We still open presents on Christmas morning. But it's only 4 of us, and we have pared down the parcels over the years. . . .My parents didn't buy us much throughout the year, but they more than made up for it at Christmas.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Christmas commercials and decorations that are up before pumpkins and Pilgrims.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

Our ornaments are eclectic and often sentimemtal rather than traditionally beautiful. Their beauty is in their memories.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

For Christmas Eve --- Swedish meatballs and egg noodles.
For Christmas Day --- a rare roast of beef --- either a standing rib roast or other luxury cut.



25. What do you want for Christmas this year?


Right now? Electricity!

26. Who is most likely to respond to this?

My blogging friends.





Merry Christmas!

I'm Trying to Stay Positive

This is getting old. We are into Day 10 of Life with a Generator. I'm very glad that we purchased one several years ago, but when we purchased it we were thinking it was for those power outages of 12-24 hours. Not 10 days. We are fortunate because the generator runs the oil furnace and our well pump. Our hot water is through the furnace so we are warm and clean. We have a few lights -- in the bathroom, one in the dining half of the kitchen, and one in the living room. We have an outlet that works in the kitchen too, so we can plug in a crockpot, or electric skillet, or the coffee maker. Just not all at once. I can't boil water, though, so no noodles, spaghetti, rice, or worst of all -- no tea. I do drink both tea and coffee --- I NEED coffee in the am, but in the afternoon, I crave a cup of strong Earl Grey or Ginger Peach black tea. I'd love a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast too --- or a soft-boiled egg. I know that my husband, God bless him, is getting tired of the daily trips to the gas station to buy the gas that powers the generator. I should be thankful that gas prices have dropped since we need to buy 10 gallons of gas a day to run the generator. He has to fill the generator twice a day too. We got 10 inches of snow Friday, and the forecast for today is 12-18 inches, plus they've posted a wind advisory. We went out EARLY to get the gas, and to stock up on one-pot meal ingredients. I splurged and bought some Walker's shortbread. I always make shortbread for Christmas, so at least this way, I have something, even if it's not "Mrs. Greenhill's Shortbread." (a recipe from my sister's 1960's 3rd grade classroom cookbook). We did see evidence at last that the power crews have reached our region of NH. We did see lines of repair crews -- just not in our immediate neighborhood. As we passed the crews I sent waves of mental telepathy beaming my address to them. But I also know that we all need relief, so I'm not TOO jealous . . .The other good news is that finally our town has made the power restoration list with an estimated date of 95% repairs of 12/22. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we're in the 95%, but my husband is telling me not to get my hopes up. So, I'm trying not to get too optimistic. . . .

Ever Wonder How Jesus Spent His Youth?

Try reading this book!

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! It's funny, serious, provoking, interesting, and not at all sacrilegious. How did Jesus spend his youth? What's the "true" story behind some of his parables? Biff, (otherwise known as Levi) narrates this life of his best friend, Joshua (Aramaic for Jesus, the Greek rendering) and traces their adventures from Nazareth to China, to India, and back again, and on to Jerusalem and the Crucifixion. Joshua and Biff journey to study with each of the 3 wise men, and then come back to Galilee in time for Jesus to start his ministry. The author states "This story is not and never was meant to challenge anyone's faith; however,if one's faith can be shaken by stories in a humorous novel, one may have a bit more praying to do." p. 443. I say "Amen" to that!


View all my reviews.

Friday Five: Countdown to Christmas Edition

From Songbird at RevGalPals

It's true.

There are only five full days before Christmas Day, and whether you use them for shopping, wrapping, preaching, worshiping, singing or traveling or even wishing the whole darn thing were over last Tuesday, there's a good chance they will be busy ones.

So let's make this easy, if we can: tell us five things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve.

So much of what I "need" to do is dependent on whether or not we get power back! So this is a mix of what I think I need to do, what I have to do, and what I want to do.

1. A must: Get clean sheets on the beds for my sons. The last time the beds were used, they were not stripped when the guest left --- one of the those things I was going to get to later. Since I can't use my washer I will have to trek them down to the laundramat sometime before Tuesday. I'm waiting til almost the last minute as I'm ever optimistic that maybe "today will be the day" the power returns. I guess I could go buy some new sheets, too.

2. A must if the party is still on: Make a dessert for a dinner party we're invited to on Saturday night. I have a no-bake dessert in mind, and I have the ingredients --- An Icebox Cake. You take chocolate wafers and whipped cream and assemble a cake with them and refrigerate for a few hours before serving. I'm planning to crush candy canes (the ones I bought for my students, but don't need now that there's no school til Jan. 5th) into the whipped cream. I also need to be sure I can find my hand-powered eggbeater to whip the cream. However, we're supposed to get 12 plus inches of snow tonight, and so many of us don't have power, that we might postpone the party.

3. Finish purchasing stocking stuffers for my sons' and husband's stockings.

4. Plan (and purchase) an alternate Christmas menu if we don't have power. It's kind of hard to cook a rib roast without an oven. Needless to say the Christmas baking is out.

5. Purchase and decorate a tree. No lights this year. Last year at this time I had pneumonia. My husband purchased the tree, but I never had the strength to do more than get the lights on it. This year, I plan to decorate, but have pretty much decided against putting the lights on it. Doesn't seem to make sense!!

6. I know we only needed 5 things: I need to find my Christmas spirit --- I was struggling even before the ice storm. I am not ready inside to celebrate the Gift that is given.

Day 6 - Ice Storm Aftermath

I had a few moments of frustration and tears yesterday when I logged on to the power company's website and learned it might be next week before we get our power back. I'm mostly concerned about Christmas. My sons are coming home from RI and Los Angeles, and I won't be able to provide the traditional meals -- Swedish meatballs and egg noodles on Christmas Eve, and a rib roast on Christmas day. No "Best Buttermilk Pound Cake" for Christmas breakfast, and worst of all, no ginger crinkles, "Mrs. Greenhill's Shortbread", or "Crissie's Sugar Cookies". I'm very frustrated that I can't do any baking. So for a few minutes, I indulged myself in a good pity party.

But, I am over that. I am so very deep down grateful for what I do have -- heat, hot water, and some light. I have an extended vacation - our schools are shut down til Jan 5th. I can get out to stores. I can go to a laundramat. I am able to offer hot showers to some folks who don't have hot water.

For us, this IS a major inconvenience, and a major disruption of our holiday plans. But that's all it is. When I think of all the folks in the world who live in conditions worse than this I realize how selfish my frustation is. When I think of all the people whose lives were torn apart by disasters like Katrina, I feel ashamed.

We're safe, we're healthy, we have inventive minds. We will create memories of Christmas 2008.


Here are some pictures. There is a terrible beauty in the ice too. Click on the photo to enlarge.

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

From December 12 2008 ICE STORM

#102

One of the books I've read during the ICE STORM AFTERMATH:


I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series just gets better and better! I think the author does a superb job of creating realistic characters. They are flawed, but "good" people, just like most of us. While most of us don't find ourselves in the kinds of situations that Claire Fergusson ends up in, (after all this IS fiction), the depiction of her relationship with Russ Van Alstyne, and her struggle to find her calling as a priest seems extremely realistic, and this is what drives my interest.


View all my reviews.

ICE STORM

We're in Day 5 of Survivor:Ice Storm. We were hit on Thursday/Friday with an inch or so of ice covering everything. It brought down just about every power line, topping poles, and downing 1000's of trees. We have been without power since 2 am Friday morning. Fortunately we have a generator that provides us with heat, water (we have a well), refrigeration, a few lights and outlets through which I can run the computer, a crockpot, a coffee maker, and/or an electric skillet. Our phone line went down sometime early Saturday morning and was restored today. I have dial up internet so I can get on-line again. We haven't received any word yet as to when our power will be restored. I can't complain because I have my basic necessities - and I can read and knit. Our schools have been cancelled until Jan. 5th giving us 7 extra vacation days. I've always wanted the week before Christmas off -- I just wish I could do my baking! I'd also like to be able to do laundry. This storm is unprecedented ----- almost 70% of our roads were impassable for several days due to trees and wires across them. We lost many trees. Fortunately none of them hit our house. It's incredible to see how vulnerable we are ---- businesses were unable to open, the grocery store had to throw out most of the perishable food. While most roads are open, you have to drive slowly watching for dangling wires, leaning poles, and limbs. We had a huge branch dangling from the wires that cross our road in front of our house until yesterday. Large vehicles couldn't pass without hitting it. That's the main reason why schools are closed --- the buses can't get down more than 50% of the back roads. It is just unbelievable.

ONE HUNDRED BOOKS READ!

Here is book #100 -

Incantation by Alice Hoffman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This gripping novel is set in 16th century Spain. The Spanish Inquisition has reached 16 year old Estrella deMadrigal's village. The short, but intense story follows Estrella as she comes to terms with the betrayal of a friend, as well as the betrayal of all she thought she knew. I would recommend this novel to older students (8th grade and up).


View all my reviews.

#99 and a Few More Items Crossed Off my List

I got all the window candles in place and I think all the timers are set. I also did a bit of school work, and managed to do some baking. And I finished book #99 while eating breakfast!

Aunt Dimity Goes West by Nancy Atherton

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Not the best book in the series. Not terrible, but not particularly attention-holding either. Lorie is vacationing with her boys in the Colorado Rockies to recuperate from her near miss with death in the previous book. There's really no mystery to solve, no moral dilemma to resolve, and not much of a plot. It's almost as though the author was recuperating too!


View all my reviews.

Progress Report

I actually made quite a dent in my list yesterday. I finished all the items under the first 2 categories, and knit 3 inches on the back of the sweater I've started. I even managed to put a holiday tablecloth on my kitchen table, and I vacuumed the rug that's under that table. I couldn't stand the gritty crunch underfoot anymore!

My husband's off to the grocery store, and when he returns I will start the baking. Each grade level (6-8), plus the Unified Arts and Special Ed teams, rotate turns for taking care of the teachers' room. We also provide occasional treats for the rest of the staff. Our team decided to provide a hot drinks buffet every day -- not as difficult as it sounds. We have a huge coffee urn that's used to heat water and we have a huge selection of teas, cocoa, and flavored instant coffees. There are 8 of us on the team A(when we include the associates) and 4 Mondays this month, so we paired off and pair is bringing in some treats on our chosen Monday. I'm bringing a couple of loaves of home-made banana cranberry bread and a home-made poundcake, and my partner is bringing a fruit tray and some veggies and dip. I've actually got the banana breads done and just need to do the pound cake.

I just realized I need to find the Christmas cards I bought on sale last year for this year. I'm also searching unsuccessfully for my box of Christmas CD's. I have almost 50 of them, and they've gone missing!! Hmmm. If you were a crate of Cd's and someone actually got organized enough to store them in a logical place, where would that logical place be?? I have a faint recollection of having a brilliant idea last July when I was in an organization mode, and I put them somewhere out of sight, but logical. Don't suggest a closet --- my house came with only one closet. (It's an OLD house).


Well, on to some more items on my list.

My TO DO List for the Weekend

MUST DO:

For my husband's business:

1. The monthly billing (it's a week late)
2. Balance the books

For the educational association (I'm secretary/treasurer)


1. Type minutes from last board meeting
2. Reconcile state association bill with district deduction list
3. Monthly financial report for Thursday's meeting

Personal

1. Pay bills
2. Balance checkbook

School

1. Check students' Renzulli portfolios and project plans
2. Plan grammar lessons for the week
3. Bake treats for Monday's faculty room (each grade level takes a month to
provide treats

Church

1. Talk to moderator about next week's congregational meeting.

REALLY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH

Christmas:

1. Wrap long-distance gifts and package so they can be shipped
2. Order or buy rest of long-distance gifts
3. Buy Christmas tree
4. Put up window lights and outdoor lights
5. Get out my nativity set

Errands:

1. Return pants to JCPenny
2. Take ring to jewelry store for repair

REST, and RELAXATION

1. Knit
2. Finish book #99
3. Go to church fair and take the holiday house tour

OTHER

1. Wash kitchen floor
2. change the sheets
3. Vacuum downstairs



Maybe I should just give up now!!!