Book vs. Movie: And the Winner Is .......

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is one of the few books I've read where I can say I liked the movie better than the book. I'm trying to figure out why. The movie followed the book fairly accurately, only more so - that's the best way I can explain it. Certainly the movie expanded Julia's story. There were a number of added scenes which carried Julia's story further than was offered in the book. But even the author's experiences were more vivid, and more alive in the movie. At times I was tempted to skim or skip parts of the book, because I just wanted to get to the end, and parts of the book just felt too whiny and/self-indulgent. On the other hand, although those same episodes were portrayed in the movie, they were less annoying. And I have to admit, watching Meryl Streep as Julia was terrific!

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Rainy Days, School Days, and Books

I had a perfectly lovely rainy Saturday. My house was relatively clean, my schoolwork was caught up, no major errands on the agenda, and I had the morning to myself. I chose to spend it quite lazily with extra coffee, knitting, and my Netflix disk of Dark Shadows episodes #126-135.

I've recently started watching this old soap which started in 1966. When it first started airing I was in 6th grade, living in what was then called Bridgewater Township, NJ, just finishing the year with one of the best teachers I ever had. (I wonder if that's why I teach 6th grade now!) Mr. Stroh was terrific, though when I found out I was assigned to his class, I was scared. He had a reputation for being mean. But once I got into his class, I discovered that while he was strict, he was very patient, very concerned that you do your best, and very supportive. I don't recall him ever raising his voice or "yelling" at a student. I think he got the reputation because, looking back, he was the first male teacher anyone was ever exposed to! Male teachers in elementary school were unusual; it wasn't until junior high or high school that we expected male teachers.

In my school 6th grade was still "elementary" school and we were taught in a self-contained classroom.(unlike how my district organizes things.) So Mr. Stroh was our teacher for everything. I have Mr. Stroh to thank for at least two things: he taught me how to write a response to an essay question, and he taught me how to solve word problems in math (or arithmetic, as we called it, back in the day!) I can remember agonizing over the "mixed nuts" word problems in the arithmetic book. If a pound of almonds costs $2.49 per lb. and walnuts cost $1.79 per lb, and you buy 1/2 lb of each, how much would you spend? I could never figure these out! They were almost as bad as the west traveling trains and the east traveling trains meeting in Chicago problems we encountered in algebra a few years later! I also remember how excited he got when we studied Mesopotamia. I think that's when I first got excited about ancient civilizations and social studies. It gives me food for thought as I wonder what my current students will take away from my classroom. I do know that sometimes it's not what we think we're teaching that they learn!

Earlier this week I finished this book, which I really enjoyed:

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am not a hiker nor am I someone who voluntarily chooses outdoor recreation. Bill Bryson's book about hiking the Appalachian Trail almost persuades me that I'd like to be! He doesn't sugarcoat the physical difficulties in undertaking such a hike. In fact he and his hiking companion actually only complete 870 miles of the trail due to the physical and mental hardship. I especially enjoyed the history and background information about the AT and the places it crosses. This is the second book I've read from this author. I really enjoy his conversational style, and his talent for description.

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I also finished (FINALLY), The Time Traveler's Wife.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I wanted to really like this book, but in the end I have to say I was disappointed. I got bored about half-way through, and although I finished it, I never got the point of it. The ending just seemed to peter out, as if the author got tired of writing. I guess I just missed the boat on this one.

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We ended the day with an evening out with friends. We went to dinner and then to see a musical at a nearby community theater. While the restaurant was disappointing, the show was terrific and we always have a good time with our friends.

I had planned to go to church today but part of the disappointing restaurant experience seems to include an unsettled digestive system, so I think I have to forgo church. I do have some business bookkeeping to attend to, and I should work a bit on the paper that I need to write. So I think I'll just stay a bit close to home today.

Book Review

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Routine

I think I am getting acclimated once again to the rhythm of the school day. The clock radio turns at 4:50 am and I am greeted by my local NPR station with the middle of an interview with an author from India, or a with a singer from Africa, or some other fascinating artist from some exotic place. I can't seem to get the alarm set so I can hear the whole of the interview, but that would probably mean having to set the alarm closer to 4:30 and I don't want to do that! My husband and I have a pretty set routine. I go brush my teeth in the downstairs bathroom while he shaves upstairs. Then I go start the coffee, make my lunch, and feed the bird while he showers. Then it's my turn in the shower, and by 5:30 he's half-way through his breakfast, and I'm sitting down at the computer screen with my first cup of coffee. He leaves for work about 5:40 and I read my email and various blogs, do a couple of quick chores, and then have my breakfast. I'm out the door headed toward school by 6:20 most days (though the past week, it's been more like 6:30). I have only a short drive so I'm usually in my classroom by 6:45 which gives me a good 40 minutes of prep except on bus duty days. Then it's nonstop teaching from 7:25 until 12:35. No breaks. I'm fortunate that the restroom is literally across the hall, so I can dart in there between classes. We have a nutty schedule that doesn't include passing time between classes. The kids are scheduled for hour long classes and the next class begins the same time the first one ends. In reality we give them about 3 minutes to make the transition, though this year's group is taking 5 minutes to walk diagonally across a 6 foot hall from one classroom to the next. We're working on transitions! Then it's my uninterrupted lunch for 30 minutes, and planning time. We're back with the kids for the tail end of the day, and then they leave the building at 2:12. I usually have a couple meetings after school every week, and on Mondays and Wed. I work in my classroom til 4:30. Then I head for the next town and the "wellness center" for 45 minutes of water aerobics. On most Tuesdays I leave school at 3:30 and go up to the pool for 30 minutes of laps. I get home on non pool days between 4:30-5 and on pool days anywhere from 5-6:30. Then it's dinner, dishes, chores, and finally I can sit down and relax about 8 pm. Then it's bed by 10 and the whole routine starts up again at 4:45 am.

So, I love days like today.(even after spending almost an hour and half last night creating my sub plans for today.) I am headed to a workshop (Alternative assessments for the state big ticket test) in the small city nearby. I have to be there at 9 am. That means that I got to sleep a little later, and I can actually find some time to blog. I even have a load of laundry going. The end of the day will still be long. Since it's a Wed. I'll meet my husband at 4:30 to head over to the pool for our water aerobics class, and it will be 7 before we sit down to dinner. But for a few short minutes, I can step out of my routine.

That's nice

Work Interfers With Life!

I am too busy! Despite all my attempts to limit activities, it seems like my days get longer and longer. Of course I do stupid things like deciding to take 1 credit college course on a fantastic literacy program - Picturing Writing. I spent 15 hours in class from Friday night to Saturday night, and I now have some art work to finish, a short story to write,some books to read, and a 3-5 page paper to write. And of course, still find time to teach and plan lessons and grade papers. I had a district committee meeting Monday (the professional development committee of which I am co-chair), an hour long staff meeting today, open house tomorrow night from 6-7:30, sub plans to write for Thursday so I can do "all-staff professional development audits", and a teacher's association executive board meeting on Thursday. Guess who has trouble saying No!

In the midst of all of this, I just finished reading one of the best books I've read all year. Here is my review:

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think this is the best book I've read this year! I couldn't put it down. Lisa See masterfully shares the story of Lily and Snow Flower, two "same olds" or laotongs who are contracted into a lifetime relationship when they are both seven. It's hard to understand this relationship in our context; you could say it's the ultimate in BFF relationships, but that belittles the reality of the relationship. Lily ultimately mourns the death of Snow Flower more than the death of her husband. The story is set in Hunan China in the 1800's and traces the life stories of both girls from Lily's perspective as a very elderly woman. The Confucian culture is portrayed in great detail as are many practices we consider barbaric --- footbinding in particular. Although these traditions repel us, Lisa See manages to put them in the context of the time. I've also read the author's book Shanghai Girls which also painted a detailed picture of a time and culture in a sympathetic, yet realistic way.

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Book #85

One of my weekend Want-to's accomplished!

A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Fatal Thaw is the 2nd book in the Kate Shugak series. On the first day of spring, in the middle of an Alaskan national park, a man goes on a killing spree, leaving 9 dead Park residents. But he's only responsible for 8 of the murders and it's up to Kate to figure out who killed the 9tn victim. Once again, Dana Stabenow masterfully evokes the Alaskan wilderness as well as the nature of the people who inhabit it.

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Midway Through

It's not much past mid-day and I think I have finally finished all the have-to's on the list I made yesterday. I didn't sleep very late (6:30 am) but it's an 1.75 hrs longer than during the school week. I spent the better part of the morning getting the business checkbook balanced, and I finished off the morning with grading papers and analyzing assessment data. I had wanted to make it to church but the timing was off. At the time I had to leave, I was on a roll, and knew that if I interrupted it, I'd lose too much ground. I've compensated by playing some sacred music and plan on heading out to the porch in a few minutes to ponder the lectionary for today.


I also hope to take some time later to pursue a new "addiction." I recently started researching my husband's genealogy. My family tree is well-researched on my maternal side, at least back to 1632 when the earliest members of her family arrived in the New World, and while I'd like to tackle my father's side, most of his records are in Cuba or Spain, not exactly accessible at the moment. My husband's family will be challenging. His father emigrated in 1920 from a Jewish town in what is now the Ukraine. In 1908, when his father was born, the town was in Austria. We have found the passenger manifest that lists his father, grandmother, and an aunt. We've also found at least 2 instances of his grandfather's trips across the Atlantic - once in 1900 and again in 1911. It's really fascinating and addicting. It's a bit like untangling a knotted skein of yarn. You find one end and follow it for a while, and then you get stuck and have to find another way through.

And of course, I want to get back to knitting my Vintage Vest which has been feeling lonely this past week or so. I've been too tired to knit when I've finally had some free time. While it's not a hard pattern, it is lace and I need a focused mind when I knit lace. So, after some quiet time on the porch, I will either research or knit. . . .

2.7 %

Yesterday in homeroom as I was taking attendance, one of my enterprising 6th graders announced that at the end of the day we would have completed 2.7% of the school year. I guess he was feeling the pressure that comes from being faced with a long period of "enforced labor" too! We've just ended our first week of school. For the first time in just about everyone's memory we had a full 5 days of school for the first week. Traditionally we've started the Wednesday before Labor Day, so we started with a 3 day week, followed by a 4 day week, and finally getting into the swing of things by week 3. So this was a huge adjustment for kids and teachers, though I suspect parents loved it! So far, I really like my new 6th graders. I share 42-45 of them with another teacher. He does the math and social studies while I teach RLA and science. The number isn't certain because it keeps changing. We started with 45, and then several didn't show up because they moved. Then we got a couple of new students, and then a couple of students were withdrawn for home schooling. When we left school last night we had 43. I think. That's one of the things I have to figure out this weekend.

I was totally wiped last night when I got home from school. I threw together a skillet supper: sauted fresh summer squash, red peppers, onions, leftover asparagus, and leftover chicken, had a very refreshing cold adult beverage, and collapsed on the sofa. I woke up about an hour later, and went to bed! This morning I slept late (til 7:30!!). I'm glad we have a 3 day weekend, but I have a ton of work to do. One of the things I hate about the start of school is all the organizing of paperwork and data, and all the "administrative tasks" that have to be done, in addition to the teaching stuff. For example, on the first day of school kids are given a minimum of 9 forms each that have to go home, be filled out by parents, and returned to school. (And I know parents hate this as much as we do!) We teachers collect the forms, check off that each student has returned each form, separate each form into its separate pile, and then alphabetize each pile. We have to send all of these forms daily to the office in alpha order, along with the checkoff sheet, and keep track of who hasn't brought which form in. Then we ourselves receive innumerable forms and multiple page documents that we have to read and sign off on by the end of the first week of school. Our new faculty handbook was given to us on Thursday. It's a 61 page document that we had to read and sign off on by Friday. In addition, for the first 2 weeks of school all of us are required to be on bus duty at 7:15 until the start of homeroom, and again from 2:12 to 2:20, so that eats into the time we have available to get some of these things done. I found myself at my desk at 6:30 am and the earliest I left school this week was 4:45 pm. The kids are there from 7:15 to 2:20. My goal is to avoid quite so many long days as the year goes on. I would really like to be leaving the building by 3:30 at least 2 days a week!

So my plans this weekend include: (And these are all the HAVE-TOs)
Read and comment on 43 journal entries
Set up my final class rosters (we lost 5 students, and gained 3)
Read 10 IEPs and one 504 plan and note necessary modifications
Grade 43 sets of reading comprehension questions
Review data collected from 43 spelling assessments & 43 reading assessments
Set up a new plan book since the ones that were ordered for us don't work
with our master schedule
Plan for a week's worth of science and reading
Balance the business checkbook and enter the payroll for this week
Laundry
De-cluttering

The WANT TOs include:
Reorganize my closet
Go to church
Get together with a friend for a knitting session
Watch my Dark Shadows Netflix disk
Finish a book (A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow)
Find a baby gift pattern to knit
Work on my husband's genealogy
Sleep late
Write a blog entry (which I can cross off my list!)
Obtain growth targets for my reading students from database


We'll see how much of this too-long list gets done. I'm off now to read the journal entries since that feels like the most daunting task right now. I've already done the billing for the business, so that will be two tasks done before lunch!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Book #82

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a very funny book. Although I am not into the zombie/vampire/werewolf culture, I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the zombie plague against the Regency world of Jane Austen. The novel is 95% Austen and 5% Seth Grahame-Smith. The Misses Bennett and Mr. Darcy are zombie-warriors trained to defend England against the zombie infestation. A zombie attack disrupts the Netherfields ball to everyone's dismay, and Lizzie uses some of her warrior skills as she reacts to Mr. Darcy's first proposal, much to both their chagrin. I think my enjoyment of the book was enhanced by the fact that I am familiar with it. In fact, the zombie episodes made me pay attention to Austen's words even more. I could see high school English teachers using this as another hook for reluctant Austen readers.

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Book #80

Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
It's been a while since I've read this series; this is the newest. I enjoyed a pleasant weekend visiting with Gold Schultz. In this installment, Goldy is catering the wedding of a bridezilla extraordinaire. Her godfather Jack (who I don't remember from any of the other books in the series)and his best friend are mixed up in something odd, and Goldy gets involved. Archie and Tom, and even Marla, are only peripherally involved in this adventure, which is too bad. I have to admit, that these books are not good to read when you're trying very hard to stick to diet. Diane Mott Davidson is VERY talented at describing delectable treats and can even make breakfast eggs sound yummy! I guess I'm going to have to try the flaky chocolate cookies that are prominently featured in the book!

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In the Rear view Mirror

This is it. I report back to school later this week, and then the kids come in on Aug. 31st. It gets harder and harder for me to go back. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching. I just hate the way it saps my energy and eats up all my free time. Every year I try to come up with ways to carve out more of a personal life, and by the end of the first 3 weeks, all my resolutions are out the window. I especially hate the way I leave the house by 6:30 am and rarely get back til 6:30 pm. It's nonstop all day, and then I come home to fix dinner, do a few chores, deal with the mail and phone messages, and then get ready for the next day of teaching. By the time I have a chance to sit down it's 9 pm and I'm too pooped to do much more than turn on the TV and maybe, knit a few rows for a half hour or so. And then it starts all over. Saturday comes, and all the chores that didn't get done during the week have to get accomplished, I have the business bookkeeping to do, and errands. Sunday is usually church, sometimes til noon, and then an afternoon of grading papers, and getting ready for the week ahead. I feel like I step on one of those treadmills that keep going faster and faster, and you can't step off til June!

So, what is in the cards for this last weekend of freedom??? I made a trip to Staples this morning to pick up office supplies for the business, a few things for my classroom, and my free "teacher appreciation" goody bag. Staples always gives out a bag of items that most teachers find useful -- pencils, highlighters, tape, paper clips, etc. This year's goodies came in a grocery bag size reusable totebag. I went to a couple of stores button-shopping. Do you know that Walmart doesn't carry buttons anymore!! Neither did Target or my local Michael's. I finally found some buttons for the Twilight sweater, at Joanne's, and I made a stop at the bank to get some cash! My wallet has been empty of everything but pennies for the past week. While I can use my debit card for most of my purchases, I wanted cash for my hair cut, and for a few small purchases. I don't like using the debit card for something that costs $1.00!! I even treated myself to an iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts --with an added shot of expresso!! It's really sultry -- Hurricane Bill's effects are felt even 90 miles inland, and the humidity is making everything sticky. Thunderstorms are threatening. I hope to finish Diane Mott Davidson's Fatally Flaky today, and then work on my Vintage Vest. Tomorrow is church, and I hope that my husband is ready to get the billing done. I don't want to deal with that NEXT weekend!

So, to paraphrase a friend, I'm looking at summer vacation in the rear view mirror. I'm really sorry to be leaving it behind.

And So the Adventure Begins!

Our new pastor started today! After 3 years, almost to the Sunday since our last settled pastor left, we have a new shepherd to journey with us. The Hebrew scripture for today was apt: 1 Kings 2:10-12 3: 3-14. Solomon has just become king of Israel and when God asks him what he wants, Solomon admits he really doesn't know how to be king and asks God for help.3:9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" She did a terrific job in her sermon connecting the scripture to our circumstances. Our new pastor will need an understanding mind to guide us; we are exhausted with the many tasks that we've had to pick up, and we are also independent-minded (stubborn??). This is her first pastorate, so she has much to learn, as do we.

Our moderator is away on business for the next few weeks, so as Vice Moderator, I am one of the "Go-To" people involved in helping the pastor get oriented. She was introduced to her first Council meeting today. I commented to one person that from the outside, it doesn't seem hard to run the meeting, but when you have to be the one moderating, it's a challenge. (Especially for me, because I'm one of those folks who always has something to say and when you moderate a meeting, you have to LISTEN a lot more than talk!)

So we are all (pastor and congregation) excited and the good kind of nervous!

Books and More Nostalgia

Book #78 was
Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Nightshade had a bit of a twist in it. McQuaid takes a role as the narrator in several chapters. What bothered me about it was that the tense changed; "McQuaid has a long list of things to do this morning, but first things first." "McQuaid wishes, just a little . . . "
The switch in tenses bugged me. Perhaps the reason for the switch was to emphasize that the chapter was being told from a different point of view, but since the chapters were also titled "McQuaid:________", I think it was an unnecessary annoyance.

With all that being said, I did enjoy this installment. China and McQuaid delve deep into her past, and we learn, finally, how China's father died. China comes to terms with her new knowledge about her family, and Ruby and Sheila mend their relationship.

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Book #79
A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love starting a new series, especially one with lots of entries. Kate Shugak is a native Aleutian who has worked Outside as a hotshot D.A. investigator. She was nearly killed in an investigation and has returned to the Alaskan wilderness. Her former boss (and lover) has asked her to investigate the disappearance of a park ranger and another investigator which she reluctantly agrees to do.

This was a compelling read. Dana Stabenow made me feel the cold and wildness of the environment, and introduced me to a very different culture. Kate Shugak is a troubled, conflicted character also, and I look forward to getting to know her well!

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And for today's trip down memory lane:

I have been watching DARK SHADOWS on DVD. I was so hooked on this show back in the mid-60's. I'd rush home from school so I could watch the daily installment of vampires, ghosts, witches, time travel, etc. I had a crush on Barnabas, and on Quentin. My sister and I spent one Christmas vacation writing scripts that we thought the producers could use! So I found that Netflix has the entire series on DVD. I own 2 collections: The Beginning, Collections 1 & 2. These are episodes 1-70 of the series, pre-Barnabas. They are new to me; I didn't find out about the show until about episode 200. The acting is horrendous, the production even worse, but oh, how I am enjoying it!! I'm struck too by how much life has changed ---- smoking on TV, rotary phones, pay phones, clothing, hair styles. I realize that even in 1966, soap operas didn't portray "real life" but it does portray an culturally accepted reality. Anyway, I am hooked again, and have just queued up Episodes 71-209!

Radiance Cable Jacket

I love this jacket designed by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. It's a pattern from Valley Yarns that I bought at WEBS I used Valley Yarns Colrain, and it was an easy knit, although I had to buy a 40" needle to do the shawl color. It wasn't fun picking up 358 stitches!!

Hot Humid Blahs

Another hot and humid day is in the cards. When it's so soupy, it's hard to get motivated to clean the kitchen, vacuum the house, and washing floors makes no sense since they won't dry. I blocked my Radiance Cable sweater (foolishly) and now I'm afraid it will mold before it dries. (Pictures eventually). Before I forget, there's a nice little giveaway here

Just 2 weeks left before it's back to fast-track. Still to accomplish are most of my summer goals. I contacted someone about helping us renovate a couple of the rooms we need help with, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. So that won't be done before I go back. I have gotten some knitting done -- I finished 2 sweaters, and I started a long queued project - more on that later.

I had my physical yesterday -- no big changes other than unwelcome weight gain which I already knew about since my clothes don' fit! Everything else is fine, though. I'm trying to get a handle on diet and exercise again. In addition to my twice-a-week water aerobics (40 minutes of moderate to intense cardio), I've added 30 minutes of swimming-against-the-jets in the pool once or twice a week. I'm also measuring my food again --- and really watching the calories! I hope that I will eventually be rewarded!

Some wonderful news though! Our church has called a pastor who starts this Sunday! I haven't met her yet; I was in Greece when she preached and was voted on. (For those of you unfamiliar with the United Church of Christ, each individual church calls its own pastor) We have been 3 years without a settled pastor, and almost a year without ANY pastor. We are exhausted as you might well imagine! So if you are so inclined, pray for us!

Twilight Sweater Done

Well, except for finding the buttons! I'm really pleased with the way the sweater turned out. It took longer than expected because I kept making silly mistakes. Just as an example, I knitted sleeve #1, and when I finished I thought, wow this short! Then I realized that I had decreased every row instead of every OTHER row! So I frogged it and started again. Finished that and knit sleeve #2. So far so good. Started to sew the sleeves in. One sleeve went in perfectly. However, when I went to sew in the 2nd sleeve, it didn't fit the armhole. I had forgotten to switch to the larger needles after the garter edge. Doh!! These were not the only "silly" mistakes I made with this sweater. I did have a tough time with the placket. The directions were odd, and if I make this sweater again, I will do it using directions from another source. I don't like how the buttonholes are in the body of the sweater and not in the placket either. I've blocked the sweater and now all I have to do is find some buttons.

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A Blast from the Past : A Trip Down Memory Lane

In my last post I mentioned re-reading Mary Stewart's The Moonspinners. Of course I had to get the Disney movie of the same name from Netflix. The movie stars Hayley Mills, the Disney darling of the 60's, and Peter McEnery, another Disney regular. The movie shares a few ideas in common with the book: Nicky Ferris is visiting Crete with an older female relative. She meets a young attractive Englishman. She stays at a same inn. A jewelry theft is involved. Most of the character names are the same, but their relationships and the jist of the plots are vastly different. When I first saw the movie, I was 10 or 11. I adored Hayley Mills,(in the same manner as tweens today worship Myley Cyrus) and I had a crush on Peter McEnery. The movie filled all my preadolescent requirements for romance, thrills, suspense, etc. Watching it as an adult, my reactions were of course very different. I am very pleased to say, however, that the movie held up fairly well. As an adult, I noticed how unrealistic some of the situations were, and certainly some of the ways relationships were depicted were dated, but overall, it's still a fun, enjoyable movie. And Disney knew how to make a movie for "tweens" that played into the need for romance and adventure, without sex and overt violence. (Yes, the hero does get shot in the arm by the bad guy, and there are some drops of blood, but nothing gory). There's a clear delineation between the good guys and the bad guys!

In other words, I've thoroughly enjoyed the nostalgia trip of the past few days. Now I have to check and see if Netflix has Disney's "The Fighting Prince of Donegal" or "The Scarecrow" !!

#76 The Moon-spinners

The Moon-Spinners by Mary Stewart


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a re-read but I don't think I've read it in 40 years. It has held up VERY well. The re-read was inspired by my recent trip to Greece. One of the places we stayed was Mykonos which is dotted with windmills. The windmills immediately reminded me of the 60's Disney classic -The Moon-spinners, starring Hailey Mills. I "adored" that movie to borrow a HM phrase. So, the movie is now in my Netflix queue and the book upon which the movie is loosely based, came home from the library with me.

Memory is faulty: I could have sworn that the movie/book took place on Myknonos, but the book is based in Crete. Nevertheless, I appreciated the Greek phrases, customs, etc. that I experienced for myself. Nicola Ferris is a secretary for the British Embassy in Athens and she and her much older cousin decide to spend the Easter holidays on Crete. Nicky arrives on Crete earlier than expected and accidentally gets involved with Mark, a young man who has been left for dead by a mysterious man dressed in Cretan costume. Nicky eventually ends up in the very small village of Agios Georgious where she and her cousin attempt to secretly help Mark. There is danger, murder, suspense, and romance, as well as the Cretan landscape and culture. This book was written in 1962, I believe, but it did not feel dated or old-fashioned. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and am looking forward to seeing if the very different Disney movie also holds up.

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Some Book Reviews

I told you I'd been reading a lot!

The Cold Light of Mourning: A Mystery by Elizabeth J. Duncan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a first novel and it won a couple of prizes which is what attracted me when I saw it in my public library. I thoroughly enjoyed this "cozy" mystery. Penny Brannigan, owner of a small manicure shop, is a plus-50 spinster in a small North Wales village and she is mourning the loss of her best friend Emma, an elderly spinster who has just died. Meanwhile, Emrys Gryffd is about to be married, and his London bride Meg Wynne Thompson is not a popular choice. On the morning of the wedding, Meg Wynne turns up missing, and Penny is the last one to have seen her. Penny's memory becomes a crucial element in the solving of this mystery, and a number of interesting characters are introduced. I am assuming from elements introduced throughout the novel, that this is not the last of Penny, her new friend Victoria, and DCI Davies.

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I also read these two by Rhys Bowen;

A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Lady Georgianna is cousin to King George V, great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and 34th in line to the throne. She's also just about penniless and runs Coronet Cleaning Services to earn a living. She is the only employee of her company and she attempts to provide her aristocratic clients good service while avoiding recognition. This is book #2 in the series that started with "Her Royal Spyness". In this installment, Queen Mary has persuaded Lady Georgianna to chaperone a Bavarian princess and attempt to get the Prince of Wales, David, interested in her instead of the dreaded Wallis Simpson. Princess Hannilore is quite a handful --- a shoplifter, an admirer of American gangsters, and just out of the convent, looking for "hot, sexy men." The usual mayhem follows --- with Darcy O'Mara coming to Georgie's rescue again. This is an entertaining, very-lighthearted series!

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And

Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The third entry into the series, "Royal Flush" sees Georgie back at Castle Rannoch, again on the Queen's business. This time she is sent by the Home Office to help investigate a series of near-miss accidents that afflict the royal family. The Court is at Balmoral which is conveniently located next to Castle Rannoch, so Georgie has a perfect cover. These books are not great fiction, the plots are far-fetched, but they are eat fun! Georgie has her own near fatal accident, and the plot hinges upon past history. Did the Duke of Clarence really die? Wallis Simpson makes her appearance at Castle Rannoch, and Fig actually welcomes Georgie to the castle.

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These next two appear to have nothing in common, but I think that they are similar in that both authors are gifted in portraying a landscape and culture authentically. I know that when I read these authors' books, I feel that I have experienced a different time and place, and that I want to spend more time in these places. I also find a similarity between Joe Leaphorn and Precious Ramotswe. Both possess great wisdom about the human condition, are forgiving of others' humanity, and are able to be open to the moment.

The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first Joe Leaphorn novel. His character is introduced matter-of-factly, with no fanfare. In fact his character is not the main focus in this novel. I've read other novels in the series so I decided it was time to go back the the start. The main character is an anthropologist who has returned to the reservation to study Navajo witchcraft, along with a colleague who mysteriously disappears. Is it witchcraft or is there a different explanation? Once again the desert landscape becomes a main character as does the influence of Navajo culture.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I just love this series! Alexander McCall Smith has created a woman of great wisdom in Precious Ramotswe, and I look forward to spending an afternoon in her world. In this installment the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency has been hired to investigate potential sabotage in the Gabarone football league. Mma Ramotswe learns much more about football that she ever wanted to learn. She also has to deal with the loss of a precious part of her life. Grace Makutsi faces her rival Violet Sephotho who is trying to steal her fiance, and Mr. JLB Matekoni's apprentices finally prove their worth. As always the author masterfully evokes the place that is Botswana, and skillfully points out the clash between the modern world and the way "it used to be."

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It's Sunday Already!

Not really. It's actually a Monday morning. But mentally it feels like late Sunday afternoon, and I have to go to work tomorrow. I have this metaphor for summer break: from the last day of school in mid/late June to the end of June is Friday night. The whole weekend stretches ahead, full of possibilities and plans. July is Saturday. Yes, a few chores get done, but there's still lots of time to get everything in. Then August hits, and back to school looms. As of today, I have 3 full weeks left, and then BOOM! Right back into the routine of EARLY mornings and late nights, and little down time. I guess I'm getting tired of the long days and too short ME breaks. And it feels like I haven't left school yet. I'm still dreaming about my last class, I have been working on a summer project with 3 other teachers, I'm still dealing with some professional development issues, and every time I look at my school email, there's a message about something else that has to be dealt with. I should stop reading my school email!!

Plus the weather has been lousy. It's rained and rained and rained this year. Vegetable gardens are struggling with too much water and too little warm sunny weather. Outside plans have been moved inside. It's been depressing!

I looked at the list of summer goals that I set earlier. I've accomplished one of them completely (finishing Battlestar Galactica Season 2.5), and we took steps to start on the room renovations. A contractor came in last Monday to give us some estimates and ideas; we're still waiting for the verdict. The rest of the goals haven't even been started.

I'm still knitting what I started in June, the Twilight sweater, and my knitting buddy and I haven't been able to get together once yet this summer for a knitting session. Either I've been away, or she's been away.

Don't get me wrong. The highlight of my summer is a brilliant, blazing, highlight. Greece was incredible. I am still going through my pictures. I want to pull some into some sort of a powerpoint presentation for my students, eventually. I have to do a little more research because my notes/brain have gotten fuzzy with all the info I acquired.

I have been reading a lot too. I will post some book reviews eventually, probably a whole bunch at once!


So here it is, "Sunday afternoon". I'm beginning to realize that school is just around the corner, that relaxation time is limited, and that a lot of what I would like to do won't happen...

In Case You're Wondering

Instead of blogging, I've been vacationing!

From Greece July 2009

We spent 15 days in Greece on an amazing tour. We traveled from Athens up north to Meteora in Kalambaka, then into the Peloponnese to Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Nauplion, then over to Mykonos, Delos, and Santorini. We had a wonderful time, saw incredible scenery, visited numerous archeological sites and museums, ate terrific food, met some great people, and had a strenuously relaxing time! I say strenuously because we climbed and walked more than we thought possible in temperatures from 95-109°. I'm jet-lagged and have over 700 pix to go through, and mounds of laundry to finish, but it was so worth it! More later!

And Here's Another One!

Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. Pearl and her sister May are "beautiful girls" in pre WW2 Shanghai. They pose for commercial artists, and enjoy life as "modern" Chinese women. Then their father goes bankrupt and sells them to his main debtor as brides for his American sons. Pearl and May find themselves caught in the midst of war with Japan as they begin their married lives with husbands in America. After a traumatic and tragic journey they arrive in Los Angeles to discover that their rich "Gold Mountain" men are actually struggling to survive as immigrants in a where being Chinese is being the dregs of society. The novel traces Pearl's struggle to come to terms with her life and circumstances, and follows her as she tries to figure out what she wants to keep of her Chinese identity, and she wants to adopt as American.



This is a side of history that is not well-known in mainstream American culture, and Lisa See evokes the terror, cruelty, and hardships faced by Chinese immigrants well.



I was disappointed in the ending - it felt rushed, and left me hanging, but the rest of the book was compelling and fascinating.






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Jody Picoult's Newest

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jody Picoult once again raises a moral/ethical dilemma that challenges a reader's beliefs. Did Charlotte's ob-gyn and best friend, provide the appropriate standard of care or did she miss a diagnosis she should have caught? If the diagnosis had been made earlier, what would Charlotte have done? Willow has OI or brittle bone disease, and by the time she is 6, she has already suffered over 100 broken bones. How has her illness affected her parents' marriage, and her older sister Amelia's life?



I really liked this book but . . .the ending annoyed me. It felt like a total copout. I found the central conflict very compelling and that's what kept me reading.


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DIY Church Service

Our church has been without a pastor for almost a year. Our long-time settled pastor left us a couple of years ago, and it took us a couple of months to find an interim. The interim resigned last fall, and since then we've been going it alone. We have a terrific team of leaders who have found pulpit supply, last winter we shared services with a sister UCC church for 2 months, and we've had a lot of lay-led services in between. Today was a real experiment. No pastors were available today --- our pool of supply pastors were either involved with General Synod, on vacation, otherwise booked, or no longer preaching. Our usual lay leaders were out of energy and ideas. So at council last week we decided to hold a very informal service. We had an organist to play some hymns, a soloist, and a reader to read the gospel lesson from the lectionary. Our fearless Nurture team Coordinator directed the proceedings. The lesson from Mark was read, and then the congregation was asked to meditate on the reading for a few minutes, and then invited to share thoughts. (Those members of the church who are in our church's on line "chat group" had been asked to wrestle with the passages during the week, so at least we knew that a few folks might have something to share.) This was a rather scary thing for us to do today ----- but it fit the "hope in the midst of fear" motif that Rev. Songbird wrote about over in her blog. The service was well-received. And we got good news today. The Search team has identified a candidate who will be preaching for us in mid July!!

Now the next challenge is the July 5th service. Again, we have been unable to find an ordained pastor to lead the service. I'm heading up a small group to lead this service. I found some terrific worship resources here and here. This last has some youth and adult Sunday school lessons, which we're adapting. We will give the congregation a copy of the Mark gospel reading and 3 questions to ponder, with room for folks to jot down thoughts. Then again, we will invite the congregation to share their thoughts. It's also a communion Sunday, and we will be adapting a communion liturgy. While we know this isn't exactly kosher, we also know that our congregation does not want to miss communion. (We did this once before when we could not find an ordained person to do communion.) So another scary moment. WE are so ready for a pastor! I hope we don't overwhelm whoever she or he is with our eagerness to hand over the reigns!

Book #63 -- A Rib-Tickler for Sure!

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this one! Lots of trademark funny moments -- MULTIPLE car burnings, Grandma Mazur moments, a take-down at the funeral home, a fire-bombing, you name it, it's in here.



Lula witnesses a murder and now the culprits are after her. She's determined to find the murderers before they find her so she can claim the $1,000,000 reward. She goes undercover, along with Grandma Mazur, and enters a BBQ cook-off. Bur first, both of them need to learn how to BBQ ribs! I don't think I need to say too much more. Stephanie is working for Ranger in this outing, fighting off her attraction, while wondering if she and Joe will make up after a huge fight over peanut butter.



Although these books are predictable (will Stephanie ever figure out that it's a bad idea to let her FTA get dressed before handcuffing him), that's also what I like about them. I know I'll have a couple of hours of escapist fun.


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Actual Knitting Content

I started the Twilight Short Sleeve sweater. Nothing to do with the book or movie, by the way. (I read the first one, and it just didn't grab me, so I think I'm in the minority). I'm using Valley Yarns Goshen in lake that I purchased at WEBS. I goofed when I bought the yarn about a year ago. I thought I'd bought 12 skeins, but eventually discovered I'd only bought 10. Of course I made this discovery just a week or so ago, and was quite concerned that I wouldn't be able to get more in the same dye lot. But WEBS had it, so I'm all set. I love this yarn. It has a great drape, it's easy to knit with, has good stitch definition, and feels good. I've used in a couple of other summer tops. Ut's a cotton, modal, and silk blend. The pattern is also a WEBS pattern.
It's knitting up quickly. I'm almost done with the back.

I have another project started also, a gift for someone, but I'm having trouble getting gauge, and it's a surprise, so that's all I'll say about it for now. I'm almost done with another jacket. All I have to do is pick up 349 stitches and knit the button band and shawl collar, but I've got that on hold til I get a longer circular needle to do that!

So that's where I am with my current knitting projects.

#62 - Miss Harper Can Do It

Miss Harper Can Do It: A Novel by Jane Berentson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Annie Harper is 25, teaches 3rd grade in Tacoma, WA, and her long-time boyfriend has just been deployed to Iraq. She copes by keeping a journal which she hopes to publish as memoir - "Wartime Alone Time: When Abstinence Fights for Freedom." ** Annie chronicles the pain of separation, the guilt of leading a "normal" life while a loved one is in danger, email fights with her boyfriend, the adoption of a pet chicken, making new friends in unexpected places, and life with her students. Over the course of the 392 days of separation, Annie experiences a revelation or two. This is very funny, quite realistic, and a page-turner! I especially enjoyed the very informative footnotes which provided much of the 'back story', and the appendices made me chuckle. I learned some interesting facts about chickens and about water too!





** Footnote: As Annie's life changes, the title of her proposed memoir changes in keeping with circumstances.


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Book Review

The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
DI Jack Spratt is on the job in the Nursery Crimes Division. He's accompanied by Sergeant Mary Mary, and they are investigating the suspicious death of Humpty Dumpty. DI Spratt's department is in imminent danger of being disbanded due to his inability to get convictions for the 3 pigs accused of gruesomely murdering a wolf, and because he's responsible for the inadvertent death of at least one giant, although some say he killed more. Jasper Fforde's wacky sense of humor shines throughout this first installment of the Nursery Crimes series. If you've read his Thursday Next series, you will definitely enjoy this one.


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Some Summer Goals

At last the school year is over and there is a breather. I know that a lot of folks think we teachers have it easy --- 3 months off, etc. but all of us who teach know that isn't really as true as it looks. We actually have 8 full weeks off, plus a few days on either end. In that time, yes, we get a chance to unwind, decompress, relax and have some fun. But most of us also have to get professional development training, new units prepped, old units modified for the incoming students, catch up on professional reading, and go in to our classrooms to prep them for the next year before we're officially on the clock. So while we may look like we're at ease, most of us have lots of professional tasks to do. We're just not inside the 4 walls of the building surrounded by our students. I think that was the biggest challenge to overcome when I first started teaching --- just how much work HAS to be done when students aren't in your classroom. My husband just rolls his eyes now when we are traveling on vacation and there's a museum or activity available "that's just perfect for my kids. Let's go check it out."

So on top of all the usual professional tasks that I have lined up these next 8 weeks, I have a few "personal" goals to accomplish.

1. Get started on renovating 2 upstairs bedrooms that are sorely in need of new ceilings, new wallpaper, new flooring. We live in a 100 year old house which we bought almost 30 years ago. At the time, the bedrooms were in okay shape, and we promised our boys that we would repaper their rooms with more boy-appropriate paper. They have grown up and left home, and the once pretty floral paper is way-past pretty. The plaster ceilings have cracked too. (It wasn't that we were ignoring the renovations, they just weren't the first priority - kitchen, bathroom, family room, garage collapse one winter, all were more pressing.)

2. Declutter the house as much as possible

3. Establish a new, organized office space for my husband's business, and for me. This included buying an ergonomically correct computer desk. I spend a lot of time at the computer both for the business bookkeeping, and for schoolwork. I realize half my back/shoulder issues are because the keyboard tray isn't wide enough to hold the keyboard and the mouse, so I spend too much time stretching between surfaces when I'm entering bookkeeping data.

4. Visit with my knitting buddy regularly and actually do some knitting together.

5. Find a regular, uninterrupted meditation time and get the practice firmly established so that I can keep it up when school starts again.

6. Finish watching Battlestar Galactica. I am only at season 2.5.

7. Get a handle on my diet/exercise routine. I have gotten way off track.

So those are my personal goals for the summer. It's a rather daunting list, but I'm optimistic!

It's All Over but for the Shouting

Well, not exactly shouting! The last day of school for students was yesterday, and a longer last day I've never experienced, literally AND figuratively. The literal part was that we had a FULL day of school for the first time ever. I hope we never have to do that again. I'm not sure who found it more painful, the kids or the teachers. Those of you who teach know that the last day of school is like driving a car where the brakes are failing, or trying to stop a runaway stagecoach. Now imagine trying to hold the reins in for almost 7 hours. We had a lot of fun activities planned for the kids - A dunk tank, field games, a "daylight dance", karaoke, etc. The weather didn't cooperate. It rained (poured) a lot of the day so many of the outdoor activities had to be moved inside or changed. The dunk tank was supposed to be all set to go at 8 am but it didn't arrive until then. So for almost an hour we had to find alternative activity for our kiddoes to do while we waited for the dunk tank to fill. The dance was abbreviated because the music system decided to very uncharacteristically go on the fritz! Let's just say that by the time the day was over EVERYONE was exhausted!

We teachers have 2 more days of school --- workshops on Monday and Tuesday. This is also something very new for us. In the past we've always gotten out the same day as the kids. But due to the ice storm in December and all the days we missed, we ended up "giving up" 2 workshop days to have normal school days, plus we owed the district contract time. So that's why it's all over but for the shouting.

I have to say, I'm very glad this year is done. Although I had a great group of kids, this was an extremely difficult year. Aside from the unprecedented ice storm, I was teaching a whole new subject area for me, and one that I didn't want to teach, and didn't enjoy teaching. Of course that meant way too many weekends and evenings prepping for new material (and trying to "get it" so I could figure out how to teach it.) Unfortunately I have to teach this area again next year, despite the fact that I had been promised it would be for only one year. I am not a happy camper. We also had a member of our grade level team leave mid year as well as the principal. Very weird! I also had the new experience of having a student really hate me and do everything possible to fail. Fortunately everyone realized that the student had big emotional problems, so that made it easier to deal with, though it's awful feeling that you can't reach someone.

But. . . .all of this is now history. I am looking forward to Wednesday morning.

Book Review #60

I know that I set a goal for myself of reading more serious books this year, but I just can't do it most of the time. I think it has to do with the fact that I spend my day dealing with real-life issues, whether it be figuring out the best way to teach a difficult concept, or how to reach the student whose life is in shambles. So instead I revel in books like this one!

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this "between-the-numbers" outing with Stephanie Plum. It reminded me of some of the early books, with a number of sheer belly laugh moments. Diesel is the featured male character in this novel, along with Wulf, his bad guy brother. Joe and Ranger are almost incidental although one of the funniest moments in the book occurs when Joe's brother Anthony is injured by an outraged girlfriend in a unique manner. (don't want to give it away!) Diesel is joined by Carl the Monkey as well as the troop of helmet-wearing monkeys Carl liberates. As usual, Stephanie's attempts to capture the FTA's lead her and Lula into danger and this time, Stephanie foils an evil plot to control the weather.

What can I say? I think this was one of the best installments in a while. The only thing I missed in this one was Grandma Mazur's direct involvement.


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Annoyed with Myself

For some reason, I made two goofs with my knitting projects. The first goof is with a lovely sweater I started in late winter. I was going great guns with it, and I put it away for a bit while I feverishly knit a baby blanket with a deadline. I picked up the sweater about 2 weeks ago, only to discover I've run out of yarn. I'm not sure why this has happened because I am spot on gauge! That threw me for a bit, but with help from WEBS, and Ravelry I was able to locate 3 skeins of the color and dyelot I needed. Now I just have to wait for the yarn to arrive.

So, next I started a cotton blend sweater I've wanted to make for ages. I ordered the yarn from WEBS last summer, and had to wait for it because it was backordered. The yarn eventually arrived, but I put off starting it several times. I just started it yesterday. I have discovered that I didn't order enough yarn. I need 11 skeins, but I only ordered 10. I thought I'd ordered 12 (I usually order one extra, just in case) but after going through almost all my stash I found the order slip -- I only got 10. Now I have to see if I can match the dyelot. . . . Grr!!

Reading Reviews- Books #58 and #59

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Inspector has recently been promoted from the Records department and is now the "star" investigator at Scotland Yard. What no one knows, is that his skill isn't really his. His housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, is the the brains behind his success. This is the first installment of a very long series. It's set in Victorian England, and this first book deals with the mysterious death of blackmailing doctor. This seems to fit the cozy mystery category --- humorous, at times, and no overt blood and guts!




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Bleeding Hearts by Susan Wittig Albert

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Susan Wittig Albert has kept me glued to a book again. I really enjoy spending time with China Bayles and her family/friends. This installment turns a bit serious as China investigates allegations that the high school's football coach has molested female students. She also discovers a disturbing secret that changes what she knows about her family. "Smart Cookie" also reveals some information about Ruby's boyfriend that potentially threatens Ruby's happiness. This was a good one!


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A Knitting Project At Last!

 
 
 

So this is what I've been working on for the last month or so. It's "Angel Wings" from the May 2009 Creative Knitting magazine, done in Plymouth Encore, in "Canteloupe". This was a pretty easy pattern, and would have knit up quickly had I not been contending with the number of knitting interruptions I encountered.
It knit up to about 36" x 36" (my gauge was a little off, but on a baby blanket, it doesn't matter!) The Encore is washable, and the color is exactly the color of ripe canteloupe.

Book Review - What Else is New?

The Ballad of West Tenth Street: A Novel by Marjorie Kernan

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A very different type of book. The Hollander family consists of Sadie, the widow of a rock star, and her 3 children, Gretchen, Ondine, and Hamish, and they live in a fading brownstone in NYC. Sadie depends on vodka to get her through the day, Gretchen is in a "loonybin", Ondine is a budding concert pianist, and Hamish is a gangly growing adolescent. The story has the quality of a fairy tale: a rich eccentric moves next door and plays fairy godfather to the struggling family, a homeless Vietnam vet, a non-union plumber/handyman, a Guatemalan housekeeper, and an interior decorator. At times I was tempted to abandon the book, but something about the story kept tugging, and I'm glad I stuck with it.


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Friday Five - The Big To-Do

From RevGalBlogPals

Greetings from the land of the Big To-Do!

It seems like every year I enter into the summer with a growing list of HUGE projects/events/trips that seem to have a permanent place on the 'to do' list.
This year I have a huge move pending so that takes up an entire list all on its own, but it doesn't take a big event like that for me to make plans bigger than my summer can hold!
How about you?

Is this the third summer in a row you have made a pledge involving your garage and actually getting a car into it?
Did you once again miss the registration deadline for the continuing education event of your dreams ?
Are you starting to think you couldn't even find the tents, let alone get it together to pull off a camping trip?

Here is your chance to get it out into the open and OWN your Big To-Do! Who knows? Maybe making the list will help you move the Big To-Do to the Big Ta-Da!

1) What home fix-it project is on your Big To-Do?
We've actually started: A new roof on our house is the first of several biggies that have been put off way too long. That project is actually almost done. Next up is the repointing and repair of 2 chimneys. Our house is about a year shy of a century so there's always something that needs fixing. We also have some driveway repair on tap. INSIDE projects too -- all 5 bedrooms (did I mention this is a LARGE old house?) need to be redone -- new ceilings, new wallpaper, etc. We've actually got plans to get 2 of the rooms done.

2) What event (fun or work) is on your Big To-Do?

No big events on the horizon that I'm aware of at the moment.

3) What trip is on your Big To-Do?

GREECE!! We're taking a tour of Greece this summer.

4) What do you wish was on someone ELSE's (partner, family member, celebrity, etc...) Big To-Do?

I'd love it if one of sons was getting married. I'd settle for an engagement, though!

5) Getting inspired? What may end this summer having moved from the Big To-Do to the Big Ta-da?

I know that a lot of the home improvement projects will be accomplished.

Catching Up With My Books

Book #49 (I think!)

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to admit I didn't realize this was nonfiction til I was about half-way through the book! It's a very authentic memoir. Kelly Corrigan masterfully weaves the past and present as she describes defining moments of her childhood and connects them to her present. Although she is describing her journey through her cancer treatment, she's really sharing with us the undeniably strong bond of family and love that she has been gifted with.


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# 50

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I wanted to like this book and therefore find a new series to read. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. I don't have any real dislike: I just never really got connected to Sookie, or to the plot. Ho-hum is the best I can muster.


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#51


Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I wanted to like this one, but I found it too sappy and predictable. I thought the plot dragged too much also. Joyce has just had an accident which caused the loss of the baby she was carrying. She receives a blood transfusion. Justin is a guest lecturer in art and architectural history at a Dublin university and he is persuaded to donate blood by a potential girlfriend. Joyce is suddenly possessed by a wealth of architectural history knowledge, and has intense dreams of places and people she doesn't know. Is Joyce experiencing Justin's memories? She tries to find out who donated her transfusion blood, and she and Justin have several casual and accidental meetings. I figured out almost from the first page, boy and girl eventually live happily ever after.


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And #52

Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was really fascinating. It's now 1932 and London is being threatened with terrorist attacks using biological weapons. Maisie is called in by the government to assist. All of her previous experiences as a war nurse, a nurse in the post war wards for the shell-shocked soldiers, and her training as an investigator are called upon. In addition, Maisie uses her connections to help Billy Beale's wife Doreen get the help she needs to fight her depression, and she is called upon to help her friend Priscilla recognize what she needs. This installment ends hopefully, as Maisie recognizes that she has weathered her own depression.


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6, 55, 60, 2, 1

There are exactly SIX more weeks of school left in this very long, very difficult year. That's six weeks for the students, at any rate. We teachers have a couple more days beyond that to make up our contracted time that we lost during the December ice storm. I think this has been the strangest year I've had since I started teaching. We had interruption after interruption --- a lot of scheduled days off in the fall due to conferences, workshops, and holidays, state testing, local district testing, snow days and then all the weather-related interruptions, including the infamous ice storm. We figured out that we had had only one week of uninterrupted teaching before the ice storm hit. That made the stretch between Feb and April breaks feel endless, especially as 30 minutes were added to the school day to make up the lost time. Nowow these last six weeks seem endless also. The kids never really settled into a good learning routine this year, and now that spring fever has hit, whatever concentration was there is gone. It's pretty discouraging. We have district testing coming up the week after next too, and I am not hopeful that we will see a "year's growth" in their reading skills. We had a lot of "not normal" events this year too --- a teacher left mid year, a principal left during third quarter---- which has impacted us all. I have been teaching material way outside my areas of expertise, comfort, and even interest which has consumed a great deal of energy. I have 2 more units to go, and I feel tapped out. Trying to learn new material, figuring out to teach the content in a way that engages students, and having to do that for every single unit has been draining. I think the kids have learned a lot, and I think they've enjoyed it, but I am exhausted!

I recently celebrated what my husband calls the "Speed Limit" birthday although it's been a few years since those double digits were the maximum speed limit on the interstates, and he's celebrating the next decade birthday today. Our birthday celebrations are usually very low-key. A special dinner, either at home or a favorite restaurant, a few cards, and a small gift or 2 are usually it. This year was no exception. I had a quiet celebration, received "exactly-what-I-wanted" gifts (a small teapot, a good book, and lovely bracelet) and for the first time ever --- my husband had a birthday cake for me. Usually I have to make my own! For his day we went out to a Mexican restaurant last night with some good friends, we had breakfast out this morning in honor of his day and Mother's Day, and I have a pie baking in the oven for him. (He's a pie man!)

I have been knitting again --- no pictures available. I have TWO projects that are in the finishing stage - a gray cabled jacket and a blue jacket, and I've got ONE project on the needles, a baby gift. I can't knit as long as I'd like because my shoulder and trigger finger start to react, but at least I can knit again. I'm also getting excited about starting a few more projects . . .. .

#43 Honest and Compelling

Life's That Way: A Memoir by Jim Beaver

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very touching memoir! Jim Beaver is absolutely correct in saying that grief is so personal that no one can understand how the griever is feeling. Each of us has a unique experience and struggles with grief differently. I do know how some days bring you to your knees, and for me, even almost 4 years later, I can be felled by intense grief by the most seeming inconsequential or unconscious trigger. What comes shining through this memoir is his love for his wife and daughter, and his honesty.



And as a complete aside: My son sent me this book as birthday present because he thought I'd really appreciate it. He also works for the agency that represents Jim Beaver!


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#42

Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this gentle book. Maeve Binchy has the rare quality of portraying the everyday lives of ordinary people with an honest, but very compassionate eye. I always feel good after spending time with people she writes about, and I'm always sorry to see the book end!


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Vacation Plans

We finally reached April vacation -- after this it's straight on til summer. The kids get out of school on June 19th but we teachers are there til June 23rd. We have to make up the days in our contract from the ice storm days we lost. This was a long week in school, and the kids were not exactly on their best behaviors.

So far while quite welcome, vacation has started out less than stellar. Both my husband and I are sick. I think it's variations of the same heavy cold. He has a severe head cold, while I have a severe chest cold. I went to the doctor on Thursday because I felt so horrible and feared that it might be pneumonia. As of Thursday evening, it wasn't, though I need to check back on Monday. The doctor is suspicious that I might have asthma and that is why this chest cold seems so much more difficult. He gave me an inhaler to use and wants to run some diagnostic tests once I'm well. My chest is easier, I must admit, and in general, I feel better, except for sheer exhaustion. I hope that today is the peak of the "worst" as far as my husband goes, and that we'll be a lot better by Monday.

We are planning a short trip to Newport, RI later this week with friends, but we also have tons of yard work to do. The ice storm wreaked havoc with the trees, and now that the snow is FINALLY gone, and the ground has dried out a bit, we can tackle cutting the trees that need cutting, and we can start the ice storm cleanup. It's a mess!

My daffodils burst into bloom yesterday, and a few crocus are in full display. But some of flowering shrubs were demolished, so I have to see what can be salvaged. The worst hit was a beautiful magnolia bush/tree that was split in half. It's a sad sight. Of course the forecast is for a rainy week. We'll see how much gets done!

And Another One

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hamish MacBeth, the village constable, is introduced in this novel set Scotland's Highlands. Hamish is seen by his fellow villagers as an amiable, lazy moocher who nevertheless gets the job done. A fly fishing school at the local hotel draws a mixed set of would-be anglers who all have a secret to hide. One of them, Lady Jane, sets everyone's teeth on edge with her sly barbs and insulting behavior. Someone is murdered, all are suspect, and Hamish saves the day! This was a very light, very quick, and very enjoyable read.


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Another Book for 2009

I think this is book #37 for the year.

Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This series is still keeping me engrossed. Maisy Dobbs is a fascinating protagonist and each novel deepens the dimensions of her character. These are not "happy" books, but they are quite satisfying. The author raises serious issues and invites the reader to wrestle with them along with Maisie.


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A Family Celebration

My aunt is celebrating her 90th birthday this weekend. She's my mom's sister, the only remaining sibling of 3. We've always been close; in college I lived with her and her husband during the summers and worked in their business. She's also the center of our extended family life. For most of our lives we've gathered at her house in CT for "clan events." Last weekend was no exception. In honor of her birthday her son and daughter invited the clan to a surprise birthday party held at her house! It was her grandson's birthday weekend, so she thought she was hosting his party. Imagine her surprise when each of us gathered, from different parts of the country, on her doorstep! Her 2 children, her 4 grandchildren, and her 2 great grandchildren were there. And it was the first time since my mom's funeral that all of my siblings and I were all together. I'm the oldest and my 2 sons (one from RI and one from Los Angeles) and my husband arrived on her doorstep at the same time as my middle sister from Indiana. Next to arrive were my brother and his wife from Virginia, and our cousin and her husband from Georgia. Then my sister, her husband, and 3 children from Michigan arrived. Just as my aunt exclaimed, everyone's here but .... in came my youngest sister, her husband, and their 2 children from New York.
There were 30 of us in all gathered in her small condo for the celebration.

It was especially wonderful to gather for a happy reason, to celebrate her, and to celebrate family. We took lots of pictures, laughed a lot, shed a few tears as we reminisced and missed those who aren't physically with us anymore, and enjoyed being together.

I can honestly say that not only do I love my extended family, I LIKE them too!