Just back from Ohio ...
and seeing Dad - he is in good shape, thanks for asking. Sweet J & I had a lovely time.
It is one very long drive from here to there & we are glad to have gone & glad to be home. I did a bunch of knitting including ripping back my close-to-being-done hat. For heavens sake, I lost track of how many rows I was knitting & the hat could have fit a teenage Hagrid. Back I went w/the frogging & then picked it up again. Now a nicer version is 1/2 done. I have the Jayne hat finally done & now can do the ear flaps.
The best & the most fun I have had with recent knitting is my Beecomb Cowl, a Purlewe pattern & her class which I took at Hidden River Yarns. She is an encouraging, positive & fun teacher & I am finally learing to do color work.. You are right: what took me so long?
If you would like a good memoir, allow me to mention SIMPLE DREAMS by Linda Ronstadt. She is one of all time fave singers & in this book, the story of her family of origin, the musical heritage she has, the 70s folk rock scene & the cast of characters who made great music including J.D. Souther, Emmylou Harris, the Eagles, David Lindley, the musicians & arrangers she worked with unfolds in loving detail. A ton of folks are included & you get the back ground of how some of the music came to be. She does not dish dirt on anyone & she does not write of her partners or lovers nor does she say much about her children nor use their names. How lovely to have someone who really does keep her private life pretty private.
Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts
Friday, April 11, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
A new project ...
helped a lot. The act of putting words to paper or a computer screen can be helpful. I realized as I was writing my last post that I needed to go though some patterns, lay my hands on some yarns & get goin' with something new. And I did.
My choice: the Turn A Square hat using some charcoal Cascade 220 (what a great workhorse of a yarn it is) & some Noro magenta, bright midnight blue & who know what else yarn for the stripes. I am having fun with it & my hands are much better. A stash is a beautiful thing to have at moments like that one.
A minor flu like bug happened this past week & I came home from work earlier than usual, sat down in the platform rocker I am in now & read my mystery book in between naps & my honey trying to wake me up for either dinner or to go to bed. I am much better & that is a beautiful thing.
Spring starts on March 20 - our snow is melting & while we have a ways to go, Spring will seem particularly sweet this year.
helped a lot. The act of putting words to paper or a computer screen can be helpful. I realized as I was writing my last post that I needed to go though some patterns, lay my hands on some yarns & get goin' with something new. And I did.
My choice: the Turn A Square hat using some charcoal Cascade 220 (what a great workhorse of a yarn it is) & some Noro magenta, bright midnight blue & who know what else yarn for the stripes. I am having fun with it & my hands are much better. A stash is a beautiful thing to have at moments like that one.
A minor flu like bug happened this past week & I came home from work earlier than usual, sat down in the platform rocker I am in now & read my mystery book in between naps & my honey trying to wake me up for either dinner or to go to bed. I am much better & that is a beautiful thing.
Spring starts on March 20 - our snow is melting & while we have a ways to go, Spring will seem particularly sweet this year.
Friday, January 10, 2014
And your week ...
... how was it?
Mine had some bright spots, the main one being Knit Nite last night at Hidden River Yarns. Lisa is fabulous & she figured out my boo boo so now I can get back to my cowl project which is knit with yarn I bought from her. Lucky me, the switch flipped finally that has me on the side of loving my FOs vs being too daydreany over the process of knitting. Halloo, brother & sisters. Praise the almighty & pass the beer nuts!
On Goodreads, I was perusing the friends who are participating in the 2014 Reading Challenge. That made me seek out my 2013 reading list & it needs some pumping up. I read 11 novels, 2 short story collections & 7 nonfiction books. My audio selection was comprised of 9 novels & 2 memoirs. Seems like a piddly quantity - that 31 title amount - & I am looking forward to seeing what goal I set. I do love reading!
Mine had some bright spots, the main one being Knit Nite last night at Hidden River Yarns. Lisa is fabulous & she figured out my boo boo so now I can get back to my cowl project which is knit with yarn I bought from her. Lucky me, the switch flipped finally that has me on the side of loving my FOs vs being too daydreany over the process of knitting. Halloo, brother & sisters. Praise the almighty & pass the beer nuts!
On Goodreads, I was perusing the friends who are participating in the 2014 Reading Challenge. That made me seek out my 2013 reading list & it needs some pumping up. I read 11 novels, 2 short story collections & 7 nonfiction books. My audio selection was comprised of 9 novels & 2 memoirs. Seems like a piddly quantity - that 31 title amount - & I am looking forward to seeing what goal I set. I do love reading!
Friday, February 03, 2012
Reading ...
is one of life's great pleasures. Growing up in my small Ohio hometown, I read a lot. Miss Olson was our Children's Librarian. I adored her & lucky me, she was a fan of mine too.
Yes, she had the bun at the nape of her neck & wore a finger cot. This was in the 50s & 60s & yes, Librarians had different equipment, date-due cards that actually went into the books to remind us when our books were expected back & there was no on-line, log in to your account way to renew a book. I keep a journal of what I have read & hear while driving. Someday I'll have an iPod for travel & can listen then too. While I average 30 books a year, that pales next to some of you who write of your book tallies, thinking specifically of Lanea & Purlewe who write of cool new books that entice me.
We have fewer shelves than we have books & Sweet J has more of her books to retrieve from storage. I am continuing to read from my stash - an ah-ha moment (d'oh!) that I have a book stash - & recently in a burst of housecleaning/neatening/making life more fun, I placed more interesting books on the book shelf next to my side of the bed. There are lots of nonfiction ones & the next one will be THE ORCHID THIEF by Susan Orlean. Always wanted to read it & since I just finished JUSTICE HALL by Laurie R. King (great, engrossing read), I have the next book.
On the knitting scene, I am in a "let's start a new project & then another & then ..." mood. A new cowl is on the needles & it may be for our friend & colleague, C. I am glad to have knitting in my life. All these new projects excite me!
is one of life's great pleasures. Growing up in my small Ohio hometown, I read a lot. Miss Olson was our Children's Librarian. I adored her & lucky me, she was a fan of mine too.
Yes, she had the bun at the nape of her neck & wore a finger cot. This was in the 50s & 60s & yes, Librarians had different equipment, date-due cards that actually went into the books to remind us when our books were expected back & there was no on-line, log in to your account way to renew a book. I keep a journal of what I have read & hear while driving. Someday I'll have an iPod for travel & can listen then too. While I average 30 books a year, that pales next to some of you who write of your book tallies, thinking specifically of Lanea & Purlewe who write of cool new books that entice me.
We have fewer shelves than we have books & Sweet J has more of her books to retrieve from storage. I am continuing to read from my stash - an ah-ha moment (d'oh!) that I have a book stash - & recently in a burst of housecleaning/neatening/making life more fun, I placed more interesting books on the book shelf next to my side of the bed. There are lots of nonfiction ones & the next one will be THE ORCHID THIEF by Susan Orlean. Always wanted to read it & since I just finished JUSTICE HALL by Laurie R. King (great, engrossing read), I have the next book.
On the knitting scene, I am in a "let's start a new project & then another & then ..." mood. A new cowl is on the needles & it may be for our friend & colleague, C. I am glad to have knitting in my life. All these new projects excite me!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
What's happenin'?
Our home area, like the rest of this part of the country, is immersed in a heat wave, the likes of which Martha & the Vandellas had not seen. Our outside/inside thermometer registered 105 in the shade (under a huge pine tree) yesterday. I am a slave to AC in temps like this.
Since last I blogged, lots of good things have happened:
^^ SJ's kids graduated from high school.
^^ Both are accepted at colleges.
^^ SJ's sis & bro-in-law & her best friend came from out-of-state for the party & ceremonies (I still owe them thank you notes for the kind assistance they showed). Her friend, IZ, began some lessons w/me & our digital camera. Someday I will know how to put pics here & then you'll get to see the sights I see.
^^ At work, we finished the 6th large project since 1.1.11 & the 6th was the biggest by far.
^^ SJ & I are planning a number of things to do re the house, her kids, our cars, selling items we no longer need, fun things to do.
^^ I am reading a lot & sadly, not knitting a lot. Summers do not keep me from knitting - I have been whooped & use that as my juicy rationalization for the lack of fiber time.
And how are you?
Our home area, like the rest of this part of the country, is immersed in a heat wave, the likes of which Martha & the Vandellas had not seen. Our outside/inside thermometer registered 105 in the shade (under a huge pine tree) yesterday. I am a slave to AC in temps like this.
Since last I blogged, lots of good things have happened:
^^ SJ's kids graduated from high school.
^^ Both are accepted at colleges.
^^ SJ's sis & bro-in-law & her best friend came from out-of-state for the party & ceremonies (I still owe them thank you notes for the kind assistance they showed). Her friend, IZ, began some lessons w/me & our digital camera. Someday I will know how to put pics here & then you'll get to see the sights I see.
^^ At work, we finished the 6th large project since 1.1.11 & the 6th was the biggest by far.
^^ SJ & I are planning a number of things to do re the house, her kids, our cars, selling items we no longer need, fun things to do.
^^ I am reading a lot & sadly, not knitting a lot. Summers do not keep me from knitting - I have been whooped & use that as my juicy rationalization for the lack of fiber time.
And how are you?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
12 books in 12 months
As is my usual, I am "reading" three books: THE SECRET LIVES OF PEOPLE IN LOVE (the title captured me but I am just not into short stories right now - I'll get back to it sometime ... maybe); THE COWBOY WAY (I'm back in the saddle so to speak & reading this w/great eagerness) & MY LIFE IN FRANCE. I ask you: what were they thinking making JULIA & JULIE when the movie could have been JULIA? Let me ask you again. I am reading it to SJ at night or at least on the nights when she can stay awake for more than 1.5 seconds.
Life has been in a work fueled, a "many hours at work" kind of life. Some very rocky patches & many lessons to behold. I'm feeling on the other side of it for now, thank gawd. Who knows if it will rise like this again?
Knitting, SJ, the NBA play offs & a glass or 2 of wine at night help to keep me calm. And then, at bedtime it is SJ again & a good book - plus the kitties of course. Here's hoping this finds you doing well.
As is my usual, I am "reading" three books: THE SECRET LIVES OF PEOPLE IN LOVE (the title captured me but I am just not into short stories right now - I'll get back to it sometime ... maybe); THE COWBOY WAY (I'm back in the saddle so to speak & reading this w/great eagerness) & MY LIFE IN FRANCE. I ask you: what were they thinking making JULIA & JULIE when the movie could have been JULIA? Let me ask you again. I am reading it to SJ at night or at least on the nights when she can stay awake for more than 1.5 seconds.
Life has been in a work fueled, a "many hours at work" kind of life. Some very rocky patches & many lessons to behold. I'm feeling on the other side of it for now, thank gawd. Who knows if it will rise like this again?
Knitting, SJ, the NBA play offs & a glass or 2 of wine at night help to keep me calm. And then, at bedtime it is SJ again & a good book - plus the kitties of course. Here's hoping this finds you doing well.
Friday, February 04, 2011
13 books
AS THEY WERE by M.F.K. Fisher is tho't, by some, to contain some of her best writing & her best essays. She seemed to savor every detail & nuance of the meals & trips she describes, of the wine & other drinks, of the atmosphere, of the settings of these places. Her evocative "reports," as she called them, are filled with the reflections of a wonderful writer.
If you are interested in some good ol' fashioned writing that is meant to show off food, foreign locales, people, scenes along the way, try M.F.K. Fisher & then let me know what you feel & think.
AS THEY WERE by M.F.K. Fisher is tho't, by some, to contain some of her best writing & her best essays. She seemed to savor every detail & nuance of the meals & trips she describes, of the wine & other drinks, of the atmosphere, of the settings of these places. Her evocative "reports," as she called them, are filled with the reflections of a wonderful writer.
If you are interested in some good ol' fashioned writing that is meant to show off food, foreign locales, people, scenes along the way, try M.F.K. Fisher & then let me know what you feel & think.
Friday, January 07, 2011
BOOKS & BOOKS & HAPPY NEW 2011!!
Belated wishes for a dreamy, creative, lovey dumpling of a 2011 to you.
Books & books & ... My night time reading is either short as I am dragged out & too damned tired or longish as I am wired from my day! What's a reader to do, I ask you?
THE POLAR STAR - I did try to read all of this book, really I did, & I just couldn't do it. So I did the next best friend: I read 2/3 of it & then read the ending. It was OK & I'd like to read more by Martin Cruz Smith. It just wasn't my cup of tea. The premise of a washed up & outcast Russian police officer who has had some many f-ups with the Russian political machine that he has escaped & then had to go back into the world of Russian culture, landing on a fishing trawler that is working w.American ships is a good one but not for me in this book.
WHAT THE L? is good. Kate Clinton is quite the writer, quite the tho'tful political, interesting, keeps the conversation lively person. Did I mention she's a smartypants? I am liking her a lot.
THE PONDER HEART is a treasure as is Eudora Welty. On the nights when we can both stay awake, I read to Sweet J. She likes it too!
Belated wishes for a dreamy, creative, lovey dumpling of a 2011 to you.
Books & books & ... My night time reading is either short as I am dragged out & too damned tired or longish as I am wired from my day! What's a reader to do, I ask you?
THE POLAR STAR - I did try to read all of this book, really I did, & I just couldn't do it. So I did the next best friend: I read 2/3 of it & then read the ending. It was OK & I'd like to read more by Martin Cruz Smith. It just wasn't my cup of tea. The premise of a washed up & outcast Russian police officer who has had some many f-ups with the Russian political machine that he has escaped & then had to go back into the world of Russian culture, landing on a fishing trawler that is working w.American ships is a good one but not for me in this book.
WHAT THE L? is good. Kate Clinton is quite the writer, quite the tho'tful political, interesting, keeps the conversation lively person. Did I mention she's a smartypants? I am liking her a lot.
THE PONDER HEART is a treasure as is Eudora Welty. On the nights when we can both stay awake, I read to Sweet J. She likes it too!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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.
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.
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.
--
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.
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, May 18, 2008
It's been raining lots & lots ...
here in Philly. Luckily I weed-wacked the back yard yesterday, trimmed one of the butterfly bushes, weeded & helped my next door neighbor do some lilac bush trimming. Unluckily I hit a branch of the lilac bush w. my right eye. Jeez Louise, that hurt like a summabitch. My eye began immediately to water & got red. A friend & neighbor, M, is a pharmacist (& an excelent gardener & tree trimmer - he trimmed the neighbor's dwarf peach tree!) & he recommended a trip to the pharmacy for sterile eye wash. I did as I was told.
When SJ arrived for our evening together, I learned just how my eye really looked. Before the cataract surgery, I could take out my contact lens & get really close to something - i.e. the better to see it. No more since the cataract surgery & the lens placement. I need my reading glasses to see smaller things & how can I see my eye w/out my reading glasses - eh?
So SJ's eagle eyed vision told me how my eye looked close up & it was none too pretty. I was convinced to call my ab fab eye doc, Dr. W. About 10 to 15 minutes after I left the message w/ her service, she phoned back. (How I hated to call her on a Saturday night!) I told her of the unfortunate incident w/ the bush, the sterile wash, the arnica I had taken, the swelling, etc. She recommended cold compresses (which I did) & asked me a bunch of questions re my vision, pain, etc. Knock wood, I'm better today, still have some swelling & bruising, still have a bruised ego - a lilac bush for cryin' out loud.
Knitting wise, I am whalin' on a lovely simple shawl from a long ago KR pattern of the wonderful Miz Clara. It is the One Skein Shawl. Have made progress with the 2nd handle of one of the felted bags.
Quilting wise, I am looking toward two quilts (perhaps double bed size) for M & M & two baby quilts (1 for a baby-to-be & 1 for O).
There have been a number of house projects - cleaning out (we participated in a large, street wide yard sale recently!), cleaning up, reviewing chores & making biggie project lists.
Is it any wonder I day dream of time to read & knit & quilt and ...
here in Philly. Luckily I weed-wacked the back yard yesterday, trimmed one of the butterfly bushes, weeded & helped my next door neighbor do some lilac bush trimming. Unluckily I hit a branch of the lilac bush w. my right eye. Jeez Louise, that hurt like a summabitch. My eye began immediately to water & got red. A friend & neighbor, M, is a pharmacist (& an excelent gardener & tree trimmer - he trimmed the neighbor's dwarf peach tree!) & he recommended a trip to the pharmacy for sterile eye wash. I did as I was told.
When SJ arrived for our evening together, I learned just how my eye really looked. Before the cataract surgery, I could take out my contact lens & get really close to something - i.e. the better to see it. No more since the cataract surgery & the lens placement. I need my reading glasses to see smaller things & how can I see my eye w/out my reading glasses - eh?
So SJ's eagle eyed vision told me how my eye looked close up & it was none too pretty. I was convinced to call my ab fab eye doc, Dr. W. About 10 to 15 minutes after I left the message w/ her service, she phoned back. (How I hated to call her on a Saturday night!) I told her of the unfortunate incident w/ the bush, the sterile wash, the arnica I had taken, the swelling, etc. She recommended cold compresses (which I did) & asked me a bunch of questions re my vision, pain, etc. Knock wood, I'm better today, still have some swelling & bruising, still have a bruised ego - a lilac bush for cryin' out loud.
Knitting wise, I am whalin' on a lovely simple shawl from a long ago KR pattern of the wonderful Miz Clara. It is the One Skein Shawl. Have made progress with the 2nd handle of one of the felted bags.
Quilting wise, I am looking toward two quilts (perhaps double bed size) for M & M & two baby quilts (1 for a baby-to-be & 1 for O).
There have been a number of house projects - cleaning out (we participated in a large, street wide yard sale recently!), cleaning up, reviewing chores & making biggie project lists.
Is it any wonder I day dream of time to read & knit & quilt and ...
Saturday, February 02, 2008
From Sweet Jane's blog
It's poetry time again -- this is from Reya (of The Gold Puppy):
From Deborah Oak:
Let poetry bless the blogosphere once again!
WHAT: A Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading
WHEN: Anytime February 2, 2008
WHERE: Your blog
WHY: To celebrate the Feast of Brigid, aka Groundhog Day
HOW: Select a poem you like - by a favorite poet or one of your own - to post February 2nd.
RSVP: If you plan to publish, feel free to leave a comment and link on my (Deborah's) blog. Last year when the call went out there was more poetry in cyberspace than I could keep track of. So, link to whoever you hear about this from and a mighty web of poetry will be spun.
Feel free to pass this invitation on to any and all bloggers. Thank you, Reya, for beginning what is now an annual event.
You're welcome, Oak [says Reya]. I'm thrilled this event has been so popular. Special thanks go the knitters. They're the people who made this event work so well the first year. Poetry on Feb. 2? YES. Count on it.
As to me,
AT THIS PARTY
I don't want to be the only one here
Telling all the secrets -
Filling up all the bowls at this party,
Taking all the laughs.
I would like you
To start putting things on the table
That can also feed the soul
The way I do.
That way
We can invite
A hell of a lot more
Friends.
Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz (c. 1320 - 1389), Persian (Iran) poet
It's poetry time again -- this is from Reya (of The Gold Puppy):
From Deborah Oak:
Let poetry bless the blogosphere once again!
WHAT: A Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading
WHEN: Anytime February 2, 2008
WHERE: Your blog
WHY: To celebrate the Feast of Brigid, aka Groundhog Day
HOW: Select a poem you like - by a favorite poet or one of your own - to post February 2nd.
RSVP: If you plan to publish, feel free to leave a comment and link on my (Deborah's) blog. Last year when the call went out there was more poetry in cyberspace than I could keep track of. So, link to whoever you hear about this from and a mighty web of poetry will be spun.
Feel free to pass this invitation on to any and all bloggers. Thank you, Reya, for beginning what is now an annual event.
You're welcome, Oak [says Reya]. I'm thrilled this event has been so popular. Special thanks go the knitters. They're the people who made this event work so well the first year. Poetry on Feb. 2? YES. Count on it.
As to me,
AT THIS PARTY
I don't want to be the only one here
Telling all the secrets -
Filling up all the bowls at this party,
Taking all the laughs.
I would like you
To start putting things on the table
That can also feed the soul
The way I do.
That way
We can invite
A hell of a lot more
Friends.
Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz (c. 1320 - 1389), Persian (Iran) poet
Thursday, June 14, 2007
 | My Fortune Cookie told me: Count your books before they hatch. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune |
For all of my reading pals - this one is for you!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
THE KNITTING CIRCLE by Ann Hood
This is a book I read a few weeks ago & my reactions to it have continued to percolate.
In it we meet Mary who is just about incapacitated by the sudden death of her 4 year old daughter, Stella. Sadly for Ann Hood the grounding of this novel is rooted in her own life, not her imagination: she wrote THE KNITTING CIRCLE after her young daughter, Grace, died from a virulent strain of strep. Hood turned to knitting as Mary does.
It's no wonder that the deep sorrow & the ache of emptiness of this story feels so true. Mary shows us what we can sometimes realize: you may truly appreciate & "get" what you had after it is gone, you may not know how good you had it until it's gone, you miss it once it's been taken away. We've all been there & done that, right, from small to large things.
She & her husband take somewhat different paths in their grief - Mary can't write as her job is at an alternative paper. Her publisher continues to call & offer work & for a lengthy perios of time, she lets all the messages go to voice mail. Dylan, her husband, continues to put one foot in front of the other w/his job & tries to comfort Mary when 1) she lets him or 2) he still has the energy. Their sorrow is palpable.
Knitting becomes her lifeline, the connection she uses to find her way to other people. It would not have been what she would have done - her mother, from whom she is somewhat estranged, urges & nags & cajoles her to take up some sticks & yarn to give her something to do, something to focus her energy upon. She finally does.
The LYS she finds is owned by Big Alice & the women she meets there have their own stories of life & loss.
One thing I liked about this book was the realization & reminder that there is no miracle cure - when sadness overtakes us, we need time to heal, time to learn a new reality, space to find our new selves. There's no Rand McNally map for any of this.
The knitting circle at first has only their knitting in common. As time goes on, they come to know that we all have compelling stories, that we need time to truly get what someone else has endured, that we can be supportive & can be listeners for the stories of our friends. We realize that we need reasons to live even when we think our reasons have been taken away.
I am hopeful that if Hollywood comes calling to Ann Hood's door, as I guess they will, that she works w/ someone good, that the story is not sugarcoated, that the losses that sear our hearts take as much time as they need to heal & that they will heal to the degree that they can. Ann Hood seems to know that some wounds may never fully heal - we just go forward w/them.
This is a book I read a few weeks ago & my reactions to it have continued to percolate.
In it we meet Mary who is just about incapacitated by the sudden death of her 4 year old daughter, Stella. Sadly for Ann Hood the grounding of this novel is rooted in her own life, not her imagination: she wrote THE KNITTING CIRCLE after her young daughter, Grace, died from a virulent strain of strep. Hood turned to knitting as Mary does.
It's no wonder that the deep sorrow & the ache of emptiness of this story feels so true. Mary shows us what we can sometimes realize: you may truly appreciate & "get" what you had after it is gone, you may not know how good you had it until it's gone, you miss it once it's been taken away. We've all been there & done that, right, from small to large things.
She & her husband take somewhat different paths in their grief - Mary can't write as her job is at an alternative paper. Her publisher continues to call & offer work & for a lengthy perios of time, she lets all the messages go to voice mail. Dylan, her husband, continues to put one foot in front of the other w/his job & tries to comfort Mary when 1) she lets him or 2) he still has the energy. Their sorrow is palpable.
Knitting becomes her lifeline, the connection she uses to find her way to other people. It would not have been what she would have done - her mother, from whom she is somewhat estranged, urges & nags & cajoles her to take up some sticks & yarn to give her something to do, something to focus her energy upon. She finally does.
The LYS she finds is owned by Big Alice & the women she meets there have their own stories of life & loss.
One thing I liked about this book was the realization & reminder that there is no miracle cure - when sadness overtakes us, we need time to heal, time to learn a new reality, space to find our new selves. There's no Rand McNally map for any of this.
The knitting circle at first has only their knitting in common. As time goes on, they come to know that we all have compelling stories, that we need time to truly get what someone else has endured, that we can be supportive & can be listeners for the stories of our friends. We realize that we need reasons to live even when we think our reasons have been taken away.
I am hopeful that if Hollywood comes calling to Ann Hood's door, as I guess they will, that she works w/ someone good, that the story is not sugarcoated, that the losses that sear our hearts take as much time as they need to heal & that they will heal to the degree that they can. Ann Hood seems to know that some wounds may never fully heal - we just go forward w/them.
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