HOW FAR SHE WENT by Mary Hood
As I 1st wrote in the "12 books in 12 Months" post, it's rare for me to hold on to my books - I generally pass them on (don't worry: my knitting books stay w.me)to friends & the Library. This little paperback has stuck w.me through a goodly number of moves. What better thing to do than to revive this book.
Are you a fan of short stories? Me too. Are you a fan of short stories that flesh out characters? Do you relish a story that gives a plot line that resonates & stays w.you & that allows you to peek into the lives of people you might not meet in your daily life? Me too.
Mary Hood has a Southern voice that shows the grit, strength & vulnerability of people. She is worth your time.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
12 Books in 12 Months
THE POLYSYLLABIC SPREE by Nick Hornby
Because you are reading this & because I'm reading as part of the 12 books in 12 months gig, we may not need to read a book that reveals why we still read. In case we know of anyone who needs a reason to read, let me offer as food for tho't THE POLYSYLLABIC SPREE. The book jacket says that this is "a hilarious & true account of one man's struggle with the monthly tide of the books he's bought & the books he's been meaning to read."
As a professional author (HIGH FIDELITY, ABOUT A BOY & SONGBOOK among others) & reviewer, this dude knows books. And music. And his beloved soccer. This book, published by Believer's Books which is under the umbrella of McSweeney's, is a collection of 14 months of his essays from the BELIEVER Magazine. He lists the books he bought & the books he read. The books range from the works of Dickens to Richard Price to Chester Brown to Tony Hoagland to Robert Lowell & many many more.
This book felt like the best book I could pick to start off my 12 months of reading.
--
THE POLYSYLLABIC SPREE by Nick Hornby
Because you are reading this & because I'm reading as part of the 12 books in 12 months gig, we may not need to read a book that reveals why we still read. In case we know of anyone who needs a reason to read, let me offer as food for tho't THE POLYSYLLABIC SPREE. The book jacket says that this is "a hilarious & true account of one man's struggle with the monthly tide of the books he's bought & the books he's been meaning to read."
As a professional author (HIGH FIDELITY, ABOUT A BOY & SONGBOOK among others) & reviewer, this dude knows books. And music. And his beloved soccer. This book, published by Believer's Books which is under the umbrella of McSweeney's, is a collection of 14 months of his essays from the BELIEVER Magazine. He lists the books he bought & the books he read. The books range from the works of Dickens to Richard Price to Chester Brown to Tony Hoagland to Robert Lowell & many many more.
This book felt like the best book I could pick to start off my 12 months of reading.
--
Friday, October 01, 2010
A loft by any other name ...
We'll be up (thank Gawd for caffeine!!!!!) at 6 tomorrow so we can start the work on the garage loft.
Doesn't it just sound divine to speak of a garage loft? Our friend, Dave,was a general contractor & built their house. His oldest child, B, is Girl M's best friend. They arrive tonight circa 8, we eat dinner & start some of the work tonight.
Our garage is 1 1/2 stories tall & a double garage that is over-sized by the width of a household size outer door - i.e. a front door. The ladder that now go to the partial loft area looks as though Mr. H., the former owner, stole it from a child's bunk bed set. The opening to that area needs to be enlarged & then a stairwell will be built to it. Next will be plywood that will be placed as the floor. As a good pal wrote to me when i wrote of our project, "My storage-minded self rejoices in the idea." Thanks for that sentence, dearie.
The main workers on the loft will be D & my SJ - I'm a helper bee. We'll work all day tomorrow although I will be called upon to ferry the kids around as B will be touring & interviewing at a College which is just outside Philly. Tomorrow night is our quarterly inventory - bah humbug. If I am lucky, I will leave at 5/5:30 ish & be home circa 10. If not, think of me returning 11/11:30. Uck.
We'll be up (thank Gawd for caffeine!!!!!) at 6 tomorrow so we can start the work on the garage loft.
Doesn't it just sound divine to speak of a garage loft? Our friend, Dave,was a general contractor & built their house. His oldest child, B, is Girl M's best friend. They arrive tonight circa 8, we eat dinner & start some of the work tonight.
Our garage is 1 1/2 stories tall & a double garage that is over-sized by the width of a household size outer door - i.e. a front door. The ladder that now go to the partial loft area looks as though Mr. H., the former owner, stole it from a child's bunk bed set. The opening to that area needs to be enlarged & then a stairwell will be built to it. Next will be plywood that will be placed as the floor. As a good pal wrote to me when i wrote of our project, "My storage-minded self rejoices in the idea." Thanks for that sentence, dearie.
The main workers on the loft will be D & my SJ - I'm a helper bee. We'll work all day tomorrow although I will be called upon to ferry the kids around as B will be touring & interviewing at a College which is just outside Philly. Tomorrow night is our quarterly inventory - bah humbug. If I am lucky, I will leave at 5/5:30 ish & be home circa 10. If not, think of me returning 11/11:30. Uck.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
12 Books, 12 Months
Yesterday, I stepped into a small indentation in our yard - i.e. a small hole - & my right foot is now bruised, sore, swollen along the outer edge & throbs. SJ felt I should stay home from work & not do much. She's right. Funny that yesterday I mused upon wanting some down time & feeling rueful that I had so little. Yes, I know - be careful what you wish for.
1) The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby. This is a collection of 14 months of his essays from Believer magazine in which he chronicles the books he has brought in & the ones he has meant to read.
2) How Far She Went by Mary Hood. It's rare for me to (a) want to re-read a book & (b) keep a book for this long a time - I donate more books to the Library than I keep. This one is exceptional. This 1983 winner for the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction & the Southern Review/Louisiana State University Short Fiction Award was one of my fav books from that period. The author's interview w/the wonderful Bob Edwards on Morning Edition motivated me to buy & read this book of stories. It's time to re-read it after all these years.
3) Polar Star by Martin Cruz Smith. My pal Leslie M. is a smarty-pants & an avid reader. She loves this author & his books.
4) The Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty. I do love southern authors & Miss Eudora is among the best. Uncle Daniel Ponder is a generous soul - he even tries to give away his cemetery plot. His niece, Edna Earle, tells the story of a man who marries a second time, it was tho't, to have someone around to give things to. The NY Times, in a review, called it "a wonderful tragicomedy of good intentions in a durably sinful world."
5) what the L? by Kate Clinton. This 2005 book of essays shows off a sharp political talent who is a comic & regular contributor to THE ADVOCATE & THE PROGRESSIVE.
6) As They Were by M. F. K. Fisher. For nearly 50 years she wrote fine prose about food & wine & nuanced conversation & travel. This one has been w/me for many years.
7) Pig Candy, Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home by Lise Funderburg. SJ has read this memoir already & loved it. We know Lise through our jobs & I know her writing from her earlier book, BLACK, WHITE, OTHER & her articles in O Magazine.
8) The Secret Lives of People In Love by Simon Van Booy. As a fan of short stories, I have been away from the genre too long. Mary Hood & Simon Van Booy will bring it on home.
9) The Cowboy Way, Seasons of a Montana Ranch by David McCumber. Having been on my book shelf for a long time, it's read or bye-bye now.
10) The Great Man by Kate Christensen. When this was 1st published, I had borrowed it from the Library & will do again.
11) The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Many folks said I should read this & so I shall.
12) Song of the Lark by Willa Cather. Oh how I love her writing.
13) The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon. Another author I love!
Yesterday, I stepped into a small indentation in our yard - i.e. a small hole - & my right foot is now bruised, sore, swollen along the outer edge & throbs. SJ felt I should stay home from work & not do much. She's right. Funny that yesterday I mused upon wanting some down time & feeling rueful that I had so little. Yes, I know - be careful what you wish for.
1) The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby. This is a collection of 14 months of his essays from Believer magazine in which he chronicles the books he has brought in & the ones he has meant to read.
2) How Far She Went by Mary Hood. It's rare for me to (a) want to re-read a book & (b) keep a book for this long a time - I donate more books to the Library than I keep. This one is exceptional. This 1983 winner for the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction & the Southern Review/Louisiana State University Short Fiction Award was one of my fav books from that period. The author's interview w/the wonderful Bob Edwards on Morning Edition motivated me to buy & read this book of stories. It's time to re-read it after all these years.
3) Polar Star by Martin Cruz Smith. My pal Leslie M. is a smarty-pants & an avid reader. She loves this author & his books.
4) The Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty. I do love southern authors & Miss Eudora is among the best. Uncle Daniel Ponder is a generous soul - he even tries to give away his cemetery plot. His niece, Edna Earle, tells the story of a man who marries a second time, it was tho't, to have someone around to give things to. The NY Times, in a review, called it "a wonderful tragicomedy of good intentions in a durably sinful world."
5) what the L? by Kate Clinton. This 2005 book of essays shows off a sharp political talent who is a comic & regular contributor to THE ADVOCATE & THE PROGRESSIVE.
6) As They Were by M. F. K. Fisher. For nearly 50 years she wrote fine prose about food & wine & nuanced conversation & travel. This one has been w/me for many years.
7) Pig Candy, Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home by Lise Funderburg. SJ has read this memoir already & loved it. We know Lise through our jobs & I know her writing from her earlier book, BLACK, WHITE, OTHER & her articles in O Magazine.
8) The Secret Lives of People In Love by Simon Van Booy. As a fan of short stories, I have been away from the genre too long. Mary Hood & Simon Van Booy will bring it on home.
9) The Cowboy Way, Seasons of a Montana Ranch by David McCumber. Having been on my book shelf for a long time, it's read or bye-bye now.
10) The Great Man by Kate Christensen. When this was 1st published, I had borrowed it from the Library & will do again.
11) The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Many folks said I should read this & so I shall.
12) Song of the Lark by Willa Cather. Oh how I love her writing.
13) The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon. Another author I love!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Like PurlEwe, Out Of Yarn and Crazy Lanea,I am IN!
This is something I want to do.
There are books that have traveled with me over a few miles. Time to read them instead of admire them.
I am also a few days late and a few dollars short.
“12 Books, 12 Months Challenge
(The Rules)
* Pick 12 titles from your To Read Pile. These should be titles you currently own in whatever format you prefer.
* Acquisition of other formats or translations is permitted. So, if you have a paperback but want an audiobook, you can get one. If you have a library copy but want to buy your own, that’s kosher. Heck, if you own a copy and want to check another out from the library, I’m not gonna stop you. (I copied this from Out Of Yarn - thanks, honey.)
* Post your list in your public space of choice by September 1, 2010. If you prefer not to post, you can just leave a comment with your list.
* Read all 12 titles between now and September 5, 2011. Might as well tack on an extra long weekend at the end for cramming.
* When you finish a title on your list, post about it in your public space of choice. If you prefer not to post, you can just leave a comment with your review.
* Once a month, I’ll post a round-up of the reviews posted from that month so that we all know what everyone else has read.
I am also adding a 13th book in case I want to stab myself with a soul crushing book.”
My list will be listed later on! I have almost unpacked from our move last year when most of our books were placed in the garage. I am excited for this project.
Thanks to the aforementioned Babes for their wonderful posts re this terrific reading festival.
This is something I want to do.
There are books that have traveled with me over a few miles. Time to read them instead of admire them.
I am also a few days late and a few dollars short.
“12 Books, 12 Months Challenge
(The Rules)
* Pick 12 titles from your To Read Pile. These should be titles you currently own in whatever format you prefer.
* Acquisition of other formats or translations is permitted. So, if you have a paperback but want an audiobook, you can get one. If you have a library copy but want to buy your own, that’s kosher. Heck, if you own a copy and want to check another out from the library, I’m not gonna stop you. (I copied this from Out Of Yarn - thanks, honey.)
* Post your list in your public space of choice by September 1, 2010. If you prefer not to post, you can just leave a comment with your list.
* Read all 12 titles between now and September 5, 2011. Might as well tack on an extra long weekend at the end for cramming.
* When you finish a title on your list, post about it in your public space of choice. If you prefer not to post, you can just leave a comment with your review.
* Once a month, I’ll post a round-up of the reviews posted from that month so that we all know what everyone else has read.
I am also adding a 13th book in case I want to stab myself with a soul crushing book.”
My list will be listed later on! I have almost unpacked from our move last year when most of our books were placed in the garage. I am excited for this project.
Thanks to the aforementioned Babes for their wonderful posts re this terrific reading festival.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
WIPs
Wow, I have a lot of WIPs & wow, I want to start more! What's up with that?
I have had good ideas, good taste with what I have started, good stash diving, a good stash of needles to support myself with so many projects. And I like everything that I am working on - that's a beautiful thing.
A couple of projects are good for car rides - the scarves, the laptop case. Some are good for TV & movie watching - the easier shawl, the Knitting Pure & Simple sweater, the Twisty Tube Toe-up socks.
A couple are in the home stretch - SJ's 2nd sock, the 2nd fuzzy feet slipper.
Some day soon I hope to have help to learn how to load my photos to here so you can see what I have written about!
Wow, I have a lot of WIPs & wow, I want to start more! What's up with that?
I have had good ideas, good taste with what I have started, good stash diving, a good stash of needles to support myself with so many projects. And I like everything that I am working on - that's a beautiful thing.
A couple of projects are good for car rides - the scarves, the laptop case. Some are good for TV & movie watching - the easier shawl, the Knitting Pure & Simple sweater, the Twisty Tube Toe-up socks.
A couple are in the home stretch - SJ's 2nd sock, the 2nd fuzzy feet slipper.
Some day soon I hope to have help to learn how to load my photos to here so you can see what I have written about!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Dona Dalton, Artist
Do check out Dona Dalton - she is a fabulous artist. Her site lists this statement about her craft.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I call my work Toys as Sculpture because they are not for throwing around or into the toy box. They encourage the imagination and relationship which I felt towards my playthings. My intention is to capture gesture, personality, and something of the spirit, especially as it exists in relationship. A Kingfisher at your workplace, or a cat in a boat can be the best of companions.
I use a bandsaw, a sander, a rotary carver, a drill, poplar and pine to make my pieces. Like icing on a cake, coloring the wood carvings with layers of acrylics, metallic leaf or powders brings each piece to life.
Isn't she terrific?!
Do check out Dona Dalton - she is a fabulous artist. Her site lists this statement about her craft.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I call my work Toys as Sculpture because they are not for throwing around or into the toy box. They encourage the imagination and relationship which I felt towards my playthings. My intention is to capture gesture, personality, and something of the spirit, especially as it exists in relationship. A Kingfisher at your workplace, or a cat in a boat can be the best of companions.
I use a bandsaw, a sander, a rotary carver, a drill, poplar and pine to make my pieces. Like icing on a cake, coloring the wood carvings with layers of acrylics, metallic leaf or powders brings each piece to life.
Isn't she terrific?!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Happy May 31st!
Summer is just about here & before we are in the throes of it, I wanted to say a happy Memorial Day week-end & summer to you.
We are busy w/ the yard, planting trees (a honey locust & 2 fig tress - no, neither of us are Italian ^ .. ^ We have perennials & tomatoes & bulbs & azaleas & clethra (sp.?) & a shrub whose name escapes me at the moment). We have a clothesline apparatus that SJ bought & installed w/ the help of our good pal, Bob. We're working
on a yard sale that will piggyback on a large tag sale that happens around the corner on 6.5. While we are both working a ton, SJ is working more than me.
On the knitting horizon, I have a few scarves on the needles plus a couple of shawls, a sock, a sweater. My good pal, RC, will be helping me to have better coordination & thus a smoother style w/ DPNs. Cannot wait for that - I have felt fairly uncoordinated & awkward w/ them & I am sure she will help a lot.
Stay safe out there & hope you are all doing well.
Summer is just about here & before we are in the throes of it, I wanted to say a happy Memorial Day week-end & summer to you.
We are busy w/ the yard, planting trees (a honey locust & 2 fig tress - no, neither of us are Italian ^ .. ^ We have perennials & tomatoes & bulbs & azaleas & clethra (sp.?) & a shrub whose name escapes me at the moment). We have a clothesline apparatus that SJ bought & installed w/ the help of our good pal, Bob. We're working
on a yard sale that will piggyback on a large tag sale that happens around the corner on 6.5. While we are both working a ton, SJ is working more than me.
On the knitting horizon, I have a few scarves on the needles plus a couple of shawls, a sock, a sweater. My good pal, RC, will be helping me to have better coordination & thus a smoother style w/ DPNs. Cannot wait for that - I have felt fairly uncoordinated & awkward w/ them & I am sure she will help a lot.
Stay safe out there & hope you are all doing well.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Reading
Lately I have felt like a squirrel hoarding nuts for a cold winter day. Now I grant you, we had what seemed like all the world's snow fall on our city in February - doesn't 56" seem like a lot? In this case, size matters ^ .. ^ I have a stack of books I want to read that would take me many days to plow through - it's wonderful!
It's a beautiful thing for me that I continue to volunteer at my "old" Library branch, having done this since the mid-90s, & still maintain the used books that are sold to benefit the Library branch. Thus I am in the branch on average three times a week. We raise from $80. to $100. a month w/ these books & the dough goes to the Friends group which does mighty good things w/it - i.e. the purchase of books, DVDs & CDs, maintaining the garden at the front corner, fees for speakers for community events, repairs to the building (it's an old Carnegie Library) that the City does not do, etc.
Lately lots of excellent books have been donated for us to sell & I am jones-ing to read-read-read. The stash I put aside for me yesterday included
TRUTH AND BEAUTY: A FRIENDSHIP by Ann Patchett
LUCID STARS by Andrea Barrett (if you don't know her wonderful books, please do check her out - she is a fabulous writer! SHIP FEVER is a good place to start.)
JANE AUSTEN A LIFE by Claire Tomalin
a "how to organize" your office
a Mary Oliver poetry collection
CHRONIC CITY by Jonathan Lethem
a gardening how-to for cooks.
Calgon, take me away.
What reading is on your bedside table?
Lately I have felt like a squirrel hoarding nuts for a cold winter day. Now I grant you, we had what seemed like all the world's snow fall on our city in February - doesn't 56" seem like a lot? In this case, size matters ^ .. ^ I have a stack of books I want to read that would take me many days to plow through - it's wonderful!
It's a beautiful thing for me that I continue to volunteer at my "old" Library branch, having done this since the mid-90s, & still maintain the used books that are sold to benefit the Library branch. Thus I am in the branch on average three times a week. We raise from $80. to $100. a month w/ these books & the dough goes to the Friends group which does mighty good things w/it - i.e. the purchase of books, DVDs & CDs, maintaining the garden at the front corner, fees for speakers for community events, repairs to the building (it's an old Carnegie Library) that the City does not do, etc.
Lately lots of excellent books have been donated for us to sell & I am jones-ing to read-read-read. The stash I put aside for me yesterday included
TRUTH AND BEAUTY: A FRIENDSHIP by Ann Patchett
LUCID STARS by Andrea Barrett (if you don't know her wonderful books, please do check her out - she is a fabulous writer! SHIP FEVER is a good place to start.)
JANE AUSTEN A LIFE by Claire Tomalin
a "how to organize" your office
a Mary Oliver poetry collection
CHRONIC CITY by Jonathan Lethem
a gardening how-to for cooks.
Calgon, take me away.
What reading is on your bedside table?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Happy 2010 to you!
We wish you joy, creativity, good books to read, fabulous coffee or tea or wine or whatever to drink, extraordinary yarn for your knitting, lotssa time to knit, time for yourself & time for those you love, superb health, work that satisifies you & pays you well &, of course, love & XOXO.
We wish you joy, creativity, good books to read, fabulous coffee or tea or wine or whatever to drink, extraordinary yarn for your knitting, lotssa time to knit, time for yourself & time for those you love, superb health, work that satisifies you & pays you well &, of course, love & XOXO.
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