Family Acts
by Louise Shaffer
Copyright 2007
My vote:
2.75 stars
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Books: Sheer Abandon
Sheer Abandon
by Penny Vincenzi
Copyright 2007
From Publishers Weekly:
... In 1985, three young British women meet in a Heathrow departure lounge en route to precollege sojourns. One of them, upon her return to England, secretly gives birth and abandons the baby in a cleaning supplies closet at the airport ... The mystery of who her mother is serves as the spine of this fat, satisfying novel, and Vincenzi creates multiple intrigues around the three women ... It's 16 years before they all meet again, and Baby Bianca has matured into a stunning blonde teen, Kate ... The various narrative themes crescendo through several all-hands-on-deck scenes, including a swank party where daughter almost meets mother, and a packed funeral where someone figures out who the father is.
My vote:
3.5 stars
by Penny Vincenzi
Copyright 2007
From Publishers Weekly:
... In 1985, three young British women meet in a Heathrow departure lounge en route to precollege sojourns. One of them, upon her return to England, secretly gives birth and abandons the baby in a cleaning supplies closet at the airport ... The mystery of who her mother is serves as the spine of this fat, satisfying novel, and Vincenzi creates multiple intrigues around the three women ... It's 16 years before they all meet again, and Baby Bianca has matured into a stunning blonde teen, Kate ... The various narrative themes crescendo through several all-hands-on-deck scenes, including a swank party where daughter almost meets mother, and a packed funeral where someone figures out who the father is.
My vote:
3.5 stars
Monday, July 30, 2007
Books: The Wizard's Daughter
The Wizard's Daughter
By Barbara Michaels
Read by Norma West
Copyright 1998
Generally speaking I enjoy Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters). I have always found the gothic romance novels to be lots of fun reading.
In this book, Marianne is orphaned and sent out into the world. She's a gentleman's daughter who has no idea what is happening around her. Her parentage is called into question and a Duchess takes her in. The Duchess believes she is the daughter of a man who held seances and such.
Eventually we learn that the mysteries of the great beyond can be (mostly) be explained, and greed is, as usual, the reason for the duplicity and shenanigans.
The book was okay, but it did not hold my attention as well as I expected it to. Marianne came across as pretty silly sometimes.
2 stars
By Barbara Michaels
Read by Norma West
Copyright 1998
Generally speaking I enjoy Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters). I have always found the gothic romance novels to be lots of fun reading.
In this book, Marianne is orphaned and sent out into the world. She's a gentleman's daughter who has no idea what is happening around her. Her parentage is called into question and a Duchess takes her in. The Duchess believes she is the daughter of a man who held seances and such.
Eventually we learn that the mysteries of the great beyond can be (mostly) be explained, and greed is, as usual, the reason for the duplicity and shenanigans.
The book was okay, but it did not hold my attention as well as I expected it to. Marianne came across as pretty silly sometimes.
2 stars
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Family Reunion
Today was the "family reunion." This is my maternal grandfather's side of the family.
When we arrived, it looked like few would attend, but by the time we left at 1:30 p.m., there was about 60 people there.
Most of them are related on Aunt Ruth's side. Aunt Ruth is my great-aunt, my grandfather's sister.
My grandfather died in 1976 at the age of 56 (the same age as my mother, his daughter, actually). He had a heart attack. He worked for Kroger and was about 2 months short of drawing some particular kind of benefit, even though he'd been there for 30 years; at any rate, my grandmother received nothing from the grocery chain and we all stopped shopping there. My grandmother brought up her last two boys on Social Security.
Aunt Ruth used to own a hotel and diner in Elliston called the Blue Jay. We used to pile in the car and go up there for Sunday breakfasts. I loved the blueberry pancakes.
So I went to see Aunt Ruth, who is 90. She lives about 100 miles away and I don't see her often. I talk to her on the phone about twice a year. I have a fondness for her, I think because of the pancakes...
Anyway, I know few of the cousins that I see at these reunions. Never have I "hit it off" with one of them, a fact that leaves me scratching my head. Shouldn't at least one of them become my bosom buddy? But I guess not. We're quite varied in age, for one thing, as well as geographical location.
My grandfather has one other sibling still living: Uncle Max. I didn't even know Uncle Max existed until a few years ago when he came to one of the reunions. Apparently he and my grandfather had a falling-out and I never met him until 40 years later. He seems like a very nice man.
There were many siblings in my grandfather's family - Roy, Ruby, Clara, Charlie ... possibly others. I am thinking there were eight of them so I am leaving someone out if that is the case.
My grandfather has six children; my mother was the eldest. My mother had two children; I am the eldest.
I have no children. The line stops here. Well, not really, because my brother has two kids.
I am rambling so I will stop now.
When we arrived, it looked like few would attend, but by the time we left at 1:30 p.m., there was about 60 people there.
Most of them are related on Aunt Ruth's side. Aunt Ruth is my great-aunt, my grandfather's sister.
My grandfather died in 1976 at the age of 56 (the same age as my mother, his daughter, actually). He had a heart attack. He worked for Kroger and was about 2 months short of drawing some particular kind of benefit, even though he'd been there for 30 years; at any rate, my grandmother received nothing from the grocery chain and we all stopped shopping there. My grandmother brought up her last two boys on Social Security.
Aunt Ruth used to own a hotel and diner in Elliston called the Blue Jay. We used to pile in the car and go up there for Sunday breakfasts. I loved the blueberry pancakes.
So I went to see Aunt Ruth, who is 90. She lives about 100 miles away and I don't see her often. I talk to her on the phone about twice a year. I have a fondness for her, I think because of the pancakes...
Anyway, I know few of the cousins that I see at these reunions. Never have I "hit it off" with one of them, a fact that leaves me scratching my head. Shouldn't at least one of them become my bosom buddy? But I guess not. We're quite varied in age, for one thing, as well as geographical location.
My grandfather has one other sibling still living: Uncle Max. I didn't even know Uncle Max existed until a few years ago when he came to one of the reunions. Apparently he and my grandfather had a falling-out and I never met him until 40 years later. He seems like a very nice man.
There were many siblings in my grandfather's family - Roy, Ruby, Clara, Charlie ... possibly others. I am thinking there were eight of them so I am leaving someone out if that is the case.
My grandfather has six children; my mother was the eldest. My mother had two children; I am the eldest.
I have no children. The line stops here. Well, not really, because my brother has two kids.
I am rambling so I will stop now.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Barn
This barn has stood on Rose Hill Farm since 1860. That's the date found cut into the logs on this side of the structure.
The barn was covered with clapboard and had been used up until a few years ago. This side of the barn began falling in as the logs slipped from the foundation and it became unsafe.
My father-in-law owns the barn. He listed it for sale in the paper. Someone purchased it and will move it to Bent Mountain, as I understand it, to make a log cabin of it.
These are the logs with the date "1860" carved in it. Below is the name E. E. Shaw 1901, which must be the date something was added.
Most likely the barn was built by Henry Bolton, who purchased the property in 1859. He is buried in a cemetery on the farm.
The house that stands on the land was built prior t0 1816 and is made of bricks allegedly made from slave labor on the farm.
Movie: Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is a movie about a very dysfunctional family who wants to take their daughter 900 miles away to a beauty contest.
There really is a Little Miss Sunshine contest. I know this because my niece has won the one around here. Several times.
Anyway, this movie won two Oscars in 2006. Which is way better than winning a beauty contest, I bet.
The movie was billed as a comedy but I did not find it funny. I considered it a drama. It was rather engaging and I enjoyed watching Steve Carrell (sp?) in something other than a stupid movie such as 40-year old Virgin. He is a pretty good actor when he isn't sticking something up his nose or whatever.
3 stars
There really is a Little Miss Sunshine contest. I know this because my niece has won the one around here. Several times.
Anyway, this movie won two Oscars in 2006. Which is way better than winning a beauty contest, I bet.
The movie was billed as a comedy but I did not find it funny. I considered it a drama. It was rather engaging and I enjoyed watching Steve Carrell (sp?) in something other than a stupid movie such as 40-year old Virgin. He is a pretty good actor when he isn't sticking something up his nose or whatever.
3 stars
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Movie: Chuck and Larry
Last night we saw Chuck and Larry at the the theater. Since my husband is a fireman, it apparently was must-see. We went with a bunch of fire-fighting friends.
I think Husband found it amusing but I laughed only twice during the entire two hours.
The movie was stereoptypical, mean, and based on an unbelievable premise. Potty humor never has really appealed to me.
2 stars
I think Husband found it amusing but I laughed only twice during the entire two hours.
The movie was stereoptypical, mean, and based on an unbelievable premise. Potty humor never has really appealed to me.
2 stars
Thursday Thirteen
Recently announced - the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Roanoke market:
1) HUNTING HILLS BARBIE: This princess Barbie is sold only at Neiman Marcus, usually purchased online, (closest Neiman Marcus is at Tyson's Corners in Fairfax .) She comes with an assortment of Louis Vuitton handbags, a leased Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a house larger than she and Ken can afford. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken, M.D. sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.
2) CAVE SPRING BARBIE: The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately. Her idea of a shopping spree is to be a contestant on The Price is Right.
3) SOUTHEAST BARBIE: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) ... unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.
4) SOUTH ROANOKE BARBIE: This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of a BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, maxed-out credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. Barbie won't be able to afford any of them.
5) GARDEN CITY BARBIE: This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.
6)RALEIGH COURT BARBIE: This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as full-season (yearly) subscription to The Grandin Theatre and the Roanoker magazine.
7) BEDFORD COUNTY BARBIE: This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise a cid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Let's not forget the a*s tattoo and thong. Also available with a mobile home.
8) OLD SOUTHWEST BARBIE: This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Old Southwest Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.
9) NORTHWEST CITY BARBIE: This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of her second child of questionable heritage.
10) SOUTHERN BOTETOURT BARBIE: This Barbie comes complete with Soccer Mom outfit of white pants and shirt and tennis shoes and one set of clothing for shopping at Kroger. Mini-van accessory for toting kids to the Sports Complex optional. Blue Collar Ken comes complete with lunch pail, coveralls and sports suit for those "dress up" days.
11) ASHLEY PLANTATION BARBIE: This Barbie comes complete with Barbie's Mansion Home. Certificate of Mortgage with $3,500 house payment comes with the dollhouse. Furniture is optional; Hummer2 for front driveway required. Ashley Plantation Swim Club membership included. Completely interchangeable with the SOUTH ROANOKE BARBIE Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper set.
12) NORTH BOTETOURT BARBIE: This blue-jeaned Barbie comes with unkempt hair and a screaming toddler on her hip; Farmer Ken optional but suggested. Barbie's Run-Down Farmhouse comes complete with horse, cow, chickens and a 10-year old Ford pickup truck. Barbie fashion accessories include hair barretts, bright red false fingernails, T-shirts and halter tops and a cassette of country music.
13) CRAIG COUNTY BARBIE: This Barbie comes dressed in the Confederate Flag with optional sheet to pull over her head. Barbie and Tobacco-Spitting Ken doll come with a fold-out farm with a mobile home for their little ones. UFO background set available. Must-have additions include the 1959 Farm Tractor, the broken-down Volkswagon, and the garden full of marijuna plants that borders the National Forest.
*Note: Most of these were sent to me in an e-mail; I only added a couple to make it to 13).
1) HUNTING HILLS BARBIE: This princess Barbie is sold only at Neiman Marcus, usually purchased online, (closest Neiman Marcus is at Tyson's Corners in Fairfax .) She comes with an assortment of Louis Vuitton handbags, a leased Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a house larger than she and Ken can afford. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken, M.D. sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.
2) CAVE SPRING BARBIE: The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately. Her idea of a shopping spree is to be a contestant on The Price is Right.
3) SOUTHEAST BARBIE: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) ... unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.
4) SOUTH ROANOKE BARBIE: This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of a BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, maxed-out credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. Barbie won't be able to afford any of them.
5) GARDEN CITY BARBIE: This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.
6)RALEIGH COURT BARBIE: This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as full-season (yearly) subscription to The Grandin Theatre and the Roanoker magazine.
7) BEDFORD COUNTY BARBIE: This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise a cid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Let's not forget the a*s tattoo and thong. Also available with a mobile home.
8) OLD SOUTHWEST BARBIE: This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Old Southwest Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.
9) NORTHWEST CITY BARBIE: This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of her second child of questionable heritage.
10) SOUTHERN BOTETOURT BARBIE: This Barbie comes complete with Soccer Mom outfit of white pants and shirt and tennis shoes and one set of clothing for shopping at Kroger. Mini-van accessory for toting kids to the Sports Complex optional. Blue Collar Ken comes complete with lunch pail, coveralls and sports suit for those "dress up" days.
11) ASHLEY PLANTATION BARBIE: This Barbie comes complete with Barbie's Mansion Home. Certificate of Mortgage with $3,500 house payment comes with the dollhouse. Furniture is optional; Hummer2 for front driveway required. Ashley Plantation Swim Club membership included. Completely interchangeable with the SOUTH ROANOKE BARBIE Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper set.
12) NORTH BOTETOURT BARBIE: This blue-jeaned Barbie comes with unkempt hair and a screaming toddler on her hip; Farmer Ken optional but suggested. Barbie's Run-Down Farmhouse comes complete with horse, cow, chickens and a 10-year old Ford pickup truck. Barbie fashion accessories include hair barretts, bright red false fingernails, T-shirts and halter tops and a cassette of country music.
13) CRAIG COUNTY BARBIE: This Barbie comes dressed in the Confederate Flag with optional sheet to pull over her head. Barbie and Tobacco-Spitting Ken doll come with a fold-out farm with a mobile home for their little ones. UFO background set available. Must-have additions include the 1959 Farm Tractor, the broken-down Volkswagon, and the garden full of marijuna plants that borders the National Forest.
*Note: Most of these were sent to me in an e-mail; I only added a couple to make it to 13).
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Pot of Gold
Yesterday morning we had a storm. At 8 a.m. I glanced out and saw that the end of the rainbow was very nearly in my front yard.
If you look closely you can the change of light in the cedar trees where the rainbow kisses the earth.
I found no pot of gold, but I did get a nice picture.
I see the birds are migrating; flocks are flying over or landing in the fields for a feast on our bugs. The bugs have been terrible this year - Japanese beetles and aphids have nearly overtaken the rose garden. The alfalfa field has suffered brutally from the insects and the lack of rain.
We've had several fawns running around the place, too.
It occurs to me that while we aren't rich in the least in the financial sense, we are very wealthy in other definitions of the word. We have love, we have nature, we have rainbows.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Analyzing Harry Potter
I promise this is my last Harry Potter entry for a while.
There may be Book 7 spoilers in here, so if you haven't yet read Book 7 and don't want to know anything (though I can't imagine there are many people left on the internet who haven't stumbled over something about the book), you may want to move along.
Being a writer myself, I have been curious about the popularity of these books. So as I read I attempted to make a brief and unfocused study on the subject.
So here goes nothing.
This is a QUEST series. The entire thing is one long quest - to rid the world of Voldemort. Each book has a quest within, a smaller quest that helps the larger one.
There are also MYSTERIES in each book, with clues to unravel and points to ponder.
Rowling keeps to POINT OF VIEW. Her hero is Harry, and everything is revealed as Harry learns it. No omniscient narrator, no getting into Hermione's head. This is all about Harry.
While this may be a failing for someone who is happier with the other characters than with Harry, for this series, it works well, and Rowling is quite adept at it. Fantasy allows her to create methods like the Pensieve that allows her to be in the minds of others without leaving Harry's point of view. That is ingenious, I must say.
It does, however, give a one-sided notion of the other characters. Hermione, for example, comes across as rather one dimensional at times, not because the character truly is that way but because the reader only sees her through Harry's eyes and that is how *he* sees her. Harry worships Dumbledore, and thus the reader sees Dumbledore as Harry does. However, we learn later that Dumbledore is multi-faceted and not entirely blameless.
I think the POINT OF VIEW is very important. As a book reviewer, I can't tell you how many books I've written that were in first person, then suddenly in third, or in limited omniscient and suddenly . . . not. As a reader, I always find it very frustrating to "suddenly" have a point of view switch.
Next, this book is not original, not really. There are a great number of characteristics of The Lord of the Rings in this series. For example:
one focal character - Harry/Frodo (0r Aragorn, I could argue this both ways)
an entourage - Hermione and Ron/The Fellowship
a mentoring wizard with ulterior motives - Dumbledore/Gandolf
evil wizards - Voldemort/Sauron (sp)
getting rid of something bad - the ring/horcruxes
lack of attention to the feminine - both books
orphaned hero - Harry/Frodo (although Frodo's parentage is never really called into question, they're not central to the TLOTR; his lack of ties, however, is crucial to the ring quest, I think)
There are other things, I feel sure, if I wanted to sit down and take the books and compare them in greater depth.
Finally, there is the language, which is certainly different for TLOTR and Harry Potter. The Lord of the Rings is definitely a harder series of books. The language is more difficult in those books.
Harry Potter was written for readers with a sixth grade education. I think this matters in writing, too. If you write for an older group, you limit your audience to that group.
So, I have reached no real conclusions, but I have gotten all of that off my mind. How this will help me write my own book, I have no idea, but there it is.
There may be Book 7 spoilers in here, so if you haven't yet read Book 7 and don't want to know anything (though I can't imagine there are many people left on the internet who haven't stumbled over something about the book), you may want to move along.
Being a writer myself, I have been curious about the popularity of these books. So as I read I attempted to make a brief and unfocused study on the subject.
So here goes nothing.
This is a QUEST series. The entire thing is one long quest - to rid the world of Voldemort. Each book has a quest within, a smaller quest that helps the larger one.
There are also MYSTERIES in each book, with clues to unravel and points to ponder.
Rowling keeps to POINT OF VIEW. Her hero is Harry, and everything is revealed as Harry learns it. No omniscient narrator, no getting into Hermione's head. This is all about Harry.
While this may be a failing for someone who is happier with the other characters than with Harry, for this series, it works well, and Rowling is quite adept at it. Fantasy allows her to create methods like the Pensieve that allows her to be in the minds of others without leaving Harry's point of view. That is ingenious, I must say.
It does, however, give a one-sided notion of the other characters. Hermione, for example, comes across as rather one dimensional at times, not because the character truly is that way but because the reader only sees her through Harry's eyes and that is how *he* sees her. Harry worships Dumbledore, and thus the reader sees Dumbledore as Harry does. However, we learn later that Dumbledore is multi-faceted and not entirely blameless.
I think the POINT OF VIEW is very important. As a book reviewer, I can't tell you how many books I've written that were in first person, then suddenly in third, or in limited omniscient and suddenly . . . not. As a reader, I always find it very frustrating to "suddenly" have a point of view switch.
Next, this book is not original, not really. There are a great number of characteristics of The Lord of the Rings in this series. For example:
one focal character - Harry/Frodo (0r Aragorn, I could argue this both ways)
an entourage - Hermione and Ron/The Fellowship
a mentoring wizard with ulterior motives - Dumbledore/Gandolf
evil wizards - Voldemort/Sauron (sp)
getting rid of something bad - the ring/horcruxes
lack of attention to the feminine - both books
orphaned hero - Harry/Frodo (although Frodo's parentage is never really called into question, they're not central to the TLOTR; his lack of ties, however, is crucial to the ring quest, I think)
There are other things, I feel sure, if I wanted to sit down and take the books and compare them in greater depth.
Finally, there is the language, which is certainly different for TLOTR and Harry Potter. The Lord of the Rings is definitely a harder series of books. The language is more difficult in those books.
Harry Potter was written for readers with a sixth grade education. I think this matters in writing, too. If you write for an older group, you limit your audience to that group.
So, I have reached no real conclusions, but I have gotten all of that off my mind. How this will help me write my own book, I have no idea, but there it is.
Books: Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince
I reread book 6 in the Harry Potter series last week in order to remember what was going on when I read book 7. I think it greatly enhanced my enjoyment of Book 7.
Book 6 has a lot of back story. Not much action, really, until the end of the book. Then things start happening.
The worst part of Book 6 is the death of Dumbledore near the end.
3.75 stars
Book 6 has a lot of back story. Not much action, really, until the end of the book. Then things start happening.
The worst part of Book 6 is the death of Dumbledore near the end.
3.75 stars
Movies: Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix
We took in the fifth Harry Potter movie on July 19.
Seeing as it was based on the book of the same name, I wasn't expecting much action. That book did not have as much going for it as I would have liked. It was, I think, a kind of a fill-in book, a way to age Harry or something.
Anyway, the movie was so-so. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was definitely a better fim.
The children have grown and are young adults. Unfortunately for the fellow who plays Harry, it was very obvious. The young man definitely needed a shave . . .
2.5 stars
Seeing as it was based on the book of the same name, I wasn't expecting much action. That book did not have as much going for it as I would have liked. It was, I think, a kind of a fill-in book, a way to age Harry or something.
Anyway, the movie was so-so. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was definitely a better fim.
The children have grown and are young adults. Unfortunately for the fellow who plays Harry, it was very obvious. The young man definitely needed a shave . . .
2.5 stars
Recalled Products
This is getting ridiculous. First I have to cull peanut butter from my shelves and now my hot dog chili can cause botulism.
I am 44 years old, and up until the last two years, I do not recall these issues with food items ever being this bad in this country. We used to have safety standards.
I know there are people out there who don't want to blame the current administration for these problems, but tell me, if it hasn't been a problem before but it is now, where else would you look?
Obviously the lessening of regulations, and/or the lack of people to make sure existing regulations are adhered to, is behind this. Corporations do *not* police themselves, and people and pets should not have to die to put commonsense precautions in place.
The public seems to be getting what it's asking for. Less taxes (though not really), little regulation, a free-for-all resulting in a magnficient divide between the rich and poor. I just hope it's not your kid or pet or my husband (who does love his hot dog chili) who ends up paying the ultimate price for it.
I am 44 years old, and up until the last two years, I do not recall these issues with food items ever being this bad in this country. We used to have safety standards.
I know there are people out there who don't want to blame the current administration for these problems, but tell me, if it hasn't been a problem before but it is now, where else would you look?
Obviously the lessening of regulations, and/or the lack of people to make sure existing regulations are adhered to, is behind this. Corporations do *not* police themselves, and people and pets should not have to die to put commonsense precautions in place.
The public seems to be getting what it's asking for. Less taxes (though not really), little regulation, a free-for-all resulting in a magnficient divide between the rich and poor. I just hope it's not your kid or pet or my husband (who does love his hot dog chili) who ends up paying the ultimate price for it.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
SPOILER: Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
I read the book - all 750+ pages - in about 7 hours. An outline of the entire plot is below. I'll leave space in case you don't want to be spoiled:
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STOP NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW
Harry doesn't die. He lives, apparently to a ripe old age (or at least to 38 or so). Ron and Hermione also live.
This is one action-packed (and very long) book. It will be a non-stop movie, that's for sure.
Short version:
Essentially, Harry and gang are in search of Horcruxes, which are pieces of Vlodemort's soul. Vlodemort takes over the Ministry. Snape is named headmaster of Hogwarts. There's a big fight at the school. V. is killed along with about 60 other people.
Long version:
The book opens with Snape being a bad guy and the right hand of the big V. Harry sends the Dursley's off for their own protection, and then he is taken away by the Order of the Phoenix. Using Polyjuice Potion, the Order creates six other Harry Potters from folks like Ron and Hermione, Fred and George Weasley, etc. As soon as they leave the house, they are ambushed by Death Eaters. Much fighting ensues but they all escape except that George loses an ear.
Fleur and Bill wed at the Weasley's, but immediately after the vows V. takes the ministry and the wedding is crashed. Harry, Ron and Hermione escape by dissparating (sp) but they are attacked almost immediately even though they've landed in a place where they should have been safe. More fighting, they get away. They go to the old Order of the Phoenix house and stay there for a long time. Harry makes up with his house elf, Kreacher.
They figure out that Sirius's brother is the R.A.B. who took one of the Horcruxes, and then they learn that Dolores Umbridge at the ministry has it. It is in the shape of a locket. So they use polyjuice and infiltrate the ministry. Harry gets the locket; they barely escape.
Then they are on the run, hopping about the countryside magically. Ron and Harry have an argument and Ron leaves. Hermione and Harry carry on. On Christmas they go to Godric's Hollow to find Harry's parents' grave.
They meet an old woman who turns into V.'s pet snake. They get away.
Whiling away the time at a camp site, Harry sees a silver doe patronus. It leads him to a pond and he sees the Griffyndor sword hidden in the water. He dives in - it is winter and the pond is frozen - and the locket around his neck (the Horcrux) tries to kill him. Ron appears from nowhere and saves him. The sword is one of the few things that will destroy a Horcrux so Ron destroys the necklace.
They visit Luna's father to ask for help with a symbol, but the Ministry is holding Luna and the father turns them in. However, he tells them about the Deathly Hallows before the Ministry arrives. The Deathly Hallows are the invisibility cloak, an unbeatable wand, and a resurrection stone. There is fighting and they escape.
Later all three are captured. They are taken to the Malfoy estate. Hermione is tortured. Dobby the house elf appears and takes Luna, a goblin, and the wandmaker Ollivander away to Bill and Fleur's house. Harry and Ron escape and fighting ensues. Harry ends up with Bella's and Draco Malfoy's wands. Dobby reappears to take Harry, Ron and Hermione away. They escape, but Dobby is killed (I thought this was the saddest part of the book myself).
Harry befriends the goblin and asks the goblin to help them break into Gringotts (a bank) in order to get another Horcrux. The goblin agrees in exchange for the Griffyndor sword. Hermione takes polyjuice to look like Bella, and they enter the bank. They are quickly discovered, but they get to the vault. After they find what they need, the goblin takes the sword and then yells for help from his fellow goblins. The trio climb atop a dragon (who was protecting the gold) and they fly away on the dragon's back.
Harry's scar has been hurting him a lot and he's been reading V.'s mind, and this helps him. He realizes V. has figured out that they know about the Horcruxes because of the bank caper. The remaining Horcrux is V.'s snake and something at Hogwarts; Harry isn't sure what.
Harry goes to Hogmeade, near Hogwarts, and alarms go off. The bartender helps them escape. This turns out to be Dumbledore's brother. He has a secret passage into the school, so he helps them get into the school.
Neville calls all of Dumbledore's Army to come. Hogwarts will make a stand against V. while Harry searches for the Horcrux. Harry realizes where it is and goes after it; Draco and his two friends attempt to stop them. Harry gets it anyway and it is destroyed by special fire which also kills one of Draco's friends. Harry saves Draco's life.
Harry then goes after the snake, which is with V. He sees V. have the snake bite Snape. V. leaves and Harry goes to Snape and takes his memories. He gets to the Pensieve and looks at Snape's memories. Snape, it turns out, is a good guy. He killed Dumbledore because Dumbledore had previously asked him to do so; Dumbledore was going to die anyway because of a curse that had withered his arm.
Harry also learns that in order for V. to die, Harry has to die, because part of V.'s soul is in Harry, in his scar. Harry is the 7th Horcrux. So Harry goes to meet V., and V. does a killing spell. Harry meets up with Dumbledore and they chat, and Harry goes back. He isn't dead, but the soul of V. is no longer in him. He plays dead a while, then jumps up, lots of fighting.
Finally it's a show-down between Bella and Mrs. Weasley and Harry and V. Mrs. Weasley takes out Bella. Harry and V. face off and Harry kills V.
An epilogue takes place 19 years later. Harry has married Ginny; they have three kids. Ron and Hermione are also a pair and they have children. They meet at the train to send the kids off to Hogwarts. All is well.
The End
(Of course, there is a lot more going on than that - Rita Skeeter writes a Dumbledore expose', a lot of back story on Dumbledore turns up with that. Remus and Tonk marry and have a baby, but Remus and Tonk both die in the end...)
It was a good way to spend the day, reading this book. It was the best of the seven - but it required the other six in order to be that way.
SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
STOP NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW
Harry doesn't die. He lives, apparently to a ripe old age (or at least to 38 or so). Ron and Hermione also live.
This is one action-packed (and very long) book. It will be a non-stop movie, that's for sure.
Short version:
Essentially, Harry and gang are in search of Horcruxes, which are pieces of Vlodemort's soul. Vlodemort takes over the Ministry. Snape is named headmaster of Hogwarts. There's a big fight at the school. V. is killed along with about 60 other people.
Long version:
The book opens with Snape being a bad guy and the right hand of the big V. Harry sends the Dursley's off for their own protection, and then he is taken away by the Order of the Phoenix. Using Polyjuice Potion, the Order creates six other Harry Potters from folks like Ron and Hermione, Fred and George Weasley, etc. As soon as they leave the house, they are ambushed by Death Eaters. Much fighting ensues but they all escape except that George loses an ear.
Fleur and Bill wed at the Weasley's, but immediately after the vows V. takes the ministry and the wedding is crashed. Harry, Ron and Hermione escape by dissparating (sp) but they are attacked almost immediately even though they've landed in a place where they should have been safe. More fighting, they get away. They go to the old Order of the Phoenix house and stay there for a long time. Harry makes up with his house elf, Kreacher.
They figure out that Sirius's brother is the R.A.B. who took one of the Horcruxes, and then they learn that Dolores Umbridge at the ministry has it. It is in the shape of a locket. So they use polyjuice and infiltrate the ministry. Harry gets the locket; they barely escape.
Then they are on the run, hopping about the countryside magically. Ron and Harry have an argument and Ron leaves. Hermione and Harry carry on. On Christmas they go to Godric's Hollow to find Harry's parents' grave.
They meet an old woman who turns into V.'s pet snake. They get away.
Whiling away the time at a camp site, Harry sees a silver doe patronus. It leads him to a pond and he sees the Griffyndor sword hidden in the water. He dives in - it is winter and the pond is frozen - and the locket around his neck (the Horcrux) tries to kill him. Ron appears from nowhere and saves him. The sword is one of the few things that will destroy a Horcrux so Ron destroys the necklace.
They visit Luna's father to ask for help with a symbol, but the Ministry is holding Luna and the father turns them in. However, he tells them about the Deathly Hallows before the Ministry arrives. The Deathly Hallows are the invisibility cloak, an unbeatable wand, and a resurrection stone. There is fighting and they escape.
Later all three are captured. They are taken to the Malfoy estate. Hermione is tortured. Dobby the house elf appears and takes Luna, a goblin, and the wandmaker Ollivander away to Bill and Fleur's house. Harry and Ron escape and fighting ensues. Harry ends up with Bella's and Draco Malfoy's wands. Dobby reappears to take Harry, Ron and Hermione away. They escape, but Dobby is killed (I thought this was the saddest part of the book myself).
Harry befriends the goblin and asks the goblin to help them break into Gringotts (a bank) in order to get another Horcrux. The goblin agrees in exchange for the Griffyndor sword. Hermione takes polyjuice to look like Bella, and they enter the bank. They are quickly discovered, but they get to the vault. After they find what they need, the goblin takes the sword and then yells for help from his fellow goblins. The trio climb atop a dragon (who was protecting the gold) and they fly away on the dragon's back.
Harry's scar has been hurting him a lot and he's been reading V.'s mind, and this helps him. He realizes V. has figured out that they know about the Horcruxes because of the bank caper. The remaining Horcrux is V.'s snake and something at Hogwarts; Harry isn't sure what.
Harry goes to Hogmeade, near Hogwarts, and alarms go off. The bartender helps them escape. This turns out to be Dumbledore's brother. He has a secret passage into the school, so he helps them get into the school.
Neville calls all of Dumbledore's Army to come. Hogwarts will make a stand against V. while Harry searches for the Horcrux. Harry realizes where it is and goes after it; Draco and his two friends attempt to stop them. Harry gets it anyway and it is destroyed by special fire which also kills one of Draco's friends. Harry saves Draco's life.
Harry then goes after the snake, which is with V. He sees V. have the snake bite Snape. V. leaves and Harry goes to Snape and takes his memories. He gets to the Pensieve and looks at Snape's memories. Snape, it turns out, is a good guy. He killed Dumbledore because Dumbledore had previously asked him to do so; Dumbledore was going to die anyway because of a curse that had withered his arm.
Harry also learns that in order for V. to die, Harry has to die, because part of V.'s soul is in Harry, in his scar. Harry is the 7th Horcrux. So Harry goes to meet V., and V. does a killing spell. Harry meets up with Dumbledore and they chat, and Harry goes back. He isn't dead, but the soul of V. is no longer in him. He plays dead a while, then jumps up, lots of fighting.
Finally it's a show-down between Bella and Mrs. Weasley and Harry and V. Mrs. Weasley takes out Bella. Harry and V. face off and Harry kills V.
An epilogue takes place 19 years later. Harry has married Ginny; they have three kids. Ron and Hermione are also a pair and they have children. They meet at the train to send the kids off to Hogwarts. All is well.
The End
(Of course, there is a lot more going on than that - Rita Skeeter writes a Dumbledore expose', a lot of back story on Dumbledore turns up with that. Remus and Tonk marry and have a baby, but Remus and Tonk both die in the end...)
It was a good way to spend the day, reading this book. It was the best of the seven - but it required the other six in order to be that way.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Harry Potter: Page 400
I'm a little over half-way. No real spoilers, don't worry.
It's a book with a great deal of action in it. The movie will be quite an action thriller.
One character's death occurs quite early in the book.
Rawling has done some good work in this writing.
Back to it.
It's a book with a great deal of action in it. The movie will be quite an action thriller.
One character's death occurs quite early in the book.
Rawling has done some good work in this writing.
Back to it.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Count Down: 12 Hours to Harry Potter
Spoilers not withstanding, I am waiting on the new Harry Potter release. I have been rereading Book 6, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, to remind myself what all went on before.
While I enjoy the books as I read them, I find I have a tendency to forget their details easily. They don't stick to my ribs, I suppose.
I have not yet decided if I will seek a bookstore at midnight. I suspect I will wait and purchase a copy in the morning, though, mostly because my husband will be home tonight and he has to get up quite early. He won't cotton to my making a midnight run for a book, I think.
I had thought to make a prediction about the book but I've read a few spoilers, which may or may not be true, and of course have been influenced by them even if I dismiss them. So I shan't make any predictions except to say I think Harry doesn't die. That would just be too mean.
But it won't be long now ... I will have the book and the story will unfold.
While I enjoy the books as I read them, I find I have a tendency to forget their details easily. They don't stick to my ribs, I suppose.
I have not yet decided if I will seek a bookstore at midnight. I suspect I will wait and purchase a copy in the morning, though, mostly because my husband will be home tonight and he has to get up quite early. He won't cotton to my making a midnight run for a book, I think.
I had thought to make a prediction about the book but I've read a few spoilers, which may or may not be true, and of course have been influenced by them even if I dismiss them. So I shan't make any predictions except to say I think Harry doesn't die. That would just be too mean.
But it won't be long now ... I will have the book and the story will unfold.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Plantar Fasciitis
Ah, another consequence of (a) getting older and (b) being overweight.
Plantar Fasciitis. This is a problem with the feet. The band that stretches from heel to toe becomes inflamed, making walking painful.
This began for me back in February, when I attempted to pick up my exercise routine to the next level. Today, when I visited my doctor for prescription refills for my allergy medication, I mentioned the problem with my feet. Since we finally today decided to take a vacation in August, I would like to be able to enjoy it.
I figured with my feet hurting, my enjoyment factor would be much lower.
The "cure" is exercise, ice, and anti-inflammatory drugs. I am not keen on the drugs but since my husband won't have a good time if I am not having a good time (that is just the way it happens when you're married), I will do so.
The exercises include doing things like picking up a towel with your toes several times a day. I also should stay off my feet for a few days to give them time to heal. I have not done this and honestly don't know how I will, but I will make an effort not to walk so much for a few days.
Unfortunately, the literature my doctor gave me says this can take up to a year to heal. That is a very long time.
Plantar Fasciitis. This is a problem with the feet. The band that stretches from heel to toe becomes inflamed, making walking painful.
This began for me back in February, when I attempted to pick up my exercise routine to the next level. Today, when I visited my doctor for prescription refills for my allergy medication, I mentioned the problem with my feet. Since we finally today decided to take a vacation in August, I would like to be able to enjoy it.
I figured with my feet hurting, my enjoyment factor would be much lower.
The "cure" is exercise, ice, and anti-inflammatory drugs. I am not keen on the drugs but since my husband won't have a good time if I am not having a good time (that is just the way it happens when you're married), I will do so.
The exercises include doing things like picking up a towel with your toes several times a day. I also should stay off my feet for a few days to give them time to heal. I have not done this and honestly don't know how I will, but I will make an effort not to walk so much for a few days.
Unfortunately, the literature my doctor gave me says this can take up to a year to heal. That is a very long time.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Darned Deer
I came home Friday to find the garden in shambles.
We have a tiny vegetable garden - about 9 X 7. I have it crammed full of things - tomatoes, peas, cabbage, lettuce, peppers, radishes, yellow squash, zucchini. There is no room for anything but a hoe. We have a plastic woven fence around the whole thing in the hopes of keeping deer, rabbit, groundhogs and other critters away.
The tomatoes are in cages, large woven wire. The cages are quite old and the wire very sturdy.
But something had yanked one of the cages completely out of the ground and off a tomato plant, twisted two other cages (and their contents) and mangled a pepper plant.
The ground inside the fence was littered with deer footy prints. Hoof marks everywhere in the mud (I had watered the night before).
So yesterday I put the garden back together as best I could, but the tomatoes look a little sorry now. Several nice green tomatoes were knocked free and then bitten into. Darn it.
I suspect that the culprit was a little buck that hangs around the house. I further suspect that he jumped the fence and got a horn hung up in the tomato cage, resulting in a damaging dance over my little garden space. At least, that is how I envision this carnage taking place.
We used to have a very large garden, but we gave it up about seven years ago. The deer were doing all the eating and we were doing all the work. We resumed this smaller plot three years ago, mostly for tomatoes, but it has gotten a little larger as we miss the good fresh veggies. Of course that means it is attracting more animals.
This year, especially, I've had a difficult time keeping critters at bay. This is a groundhog, heading for his dinner - yeah, in my garden.
We have a tiny vegetable garden - about 9 X 7. I have it crammed full of things - tomatoes, peas, cabbage, lettuce, peppers, radishes, yellow squash, zucchini. There is no room for anything but a hoe. We have a plastic woven fence around the whole thing in the hopes of keeping deer, rabbit, groundhogs and other critters away.
The tomatoes are in cages, large woven wire. The cages are quite old and the wire very sturdy.
But something had yanked one of the cages completely out of the ground and off a tomato plant, twisted two other cages (and their contents) and mangled a pepper plant.
The ground inside the fence was littered with deer footy prints. Hoof marks everywhere in the mud (I had watered the night before).
So yesterday I put the garden back together as best I could, but the tomatoes look a little sorry now. Several nice green tomatoes were knocked free and then bitten into. Darn it.
I suspect that the culprit was a little buck that hangs around the house. I further suspect that he jumped the fence and got a horn hung up in the tomato cage, resulting in a damaging dance over my little garden space. At least, that is how I envision this carnage taking place.
We used to have a very large garden, but we gave it up about seven years ago. The deer were doing all the eating and we were doing all the work. We resumed this smaller plot three years ago, mostly for tomatoes, but it has gotten a little larger as we miss the good fresh veggies. Of course that means it is attracting more animals.
This year, especially, I've had a difficult time keeping critters at bay. This is a groundhog, heading for his dinner - yeah, in my garden.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Thursday Thirteen
I was an English major in college. I bypassed math as much as I could. However, I got all the way though Trig in high school, complete with "As" on the report card. Today I remember none of it.
Still, I have to play with numbers:
1) I count to 10 a lot. Every morning, in fact, when I lift weights, do sit ups, and other exercises that require increments of 10.
2) I stare at the odometer on the exercise bike or treadmill, anxiously willing the numbers to increase exponentially. (They never do.)
3) I balance the checkbook.
4) I have to figure percentages a lot in my articles. This is something I always sweat over and I always make my editor double-check my figures.
5) I am never without my watch, and of course it takes numbers on the clock face to tell time.
6) I also always like to know what date it is.
7) I use numbers every Thursday when I do a Thursday Thirteen!
8) I need to see the sizes in clothes before I buy them.
9) Totaling up the groceries in my head as I put items in the cart and then seeing how close I am with the total bill is a game I play when I shop.
10) Blogger keeps track of the number of blog entries you have!
11) Without numbers, I doubt there'd be an Internet, but I am rather clueless about how all that works.
12) I use measurements every morning when I make my Chinese medicine (which is an herbal tea), and then set a timer to count it down so that it steeps properly.
13) Janet Evanovich uses numbers in her detective series, and the 13th book just came out ...
Still, I have to play with numbers:
1) I count to 10 a lot. Every morning, in fact, when I lift weights, do sit ups, and other exercises that require increments of 10.
2) I stare at the odometer on the exercise bike or treadmill, anxiously willing the numbers to increase exponentially. (They never do.)
3) I balance the checkbook.
4) I have to figure percentages a lot in my articles. This is something I always sweat over and I always make my editor double-check my figures.
5) I am never without my watch, and of course it takes numbers on the clock face to tell time.
6) I also always like to know what date it is.
7) I use numbers every Thursday when I do a Thursday Thirteen!
8) I need to see the sizes in clothes before I buy them.
9) Totaling up the groceries in my head as I put items in the cart and then seeing how close I am with the total bill is a game I play when I shop.
10) Blogger keeps track of the number of blog entries you have!
11) Without numbers, I doubt there'd be an Internet, but I am rather clueless about how all that works.
12) I use measurements every morning when I make my Chinese medicine (which is an herbal tea), and then set a timer to count it down so that it steeps properly.
13) Janet Evanovich uses numbers in her detective series, and the 13th book just came out ...
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
A Defining Moment
About this time of the year in 1989, my parents home caught fire from a lightning strike.
I was 26 years old.
I can only tell my version of events, as I wasn't there. I was at the movies with my aunt. I am sure that, if someone else were to read this, they would beg to differ.
As I understand it, my parents were home that warm July day when a storm came up. There was no thunder, but the lightning bolt sizzled through the house. My parents both felt it hit the house.
They began looking for damage and discovered the attic on fire. The lightning had hit the side of the garage and a fire ball raced through the attic, setting the entire roof on fire. The bolt also split a tree beside the house.
They called the fire department, which, being volunteer and miles away, meant a bit of a wait until help arrived.
The firemen managed to save some of the walls. What content didn't burn was of course damaged by smoke and water. It was a total loss.
My parents were naturally very devasted by this event. My brother, scheduled to be married the following month, still lived at home, so he lost a lot of things also. I had been gone for six years, but I had books, dolls and other items, including my wedding dress, stored in a chest in my parents' garage. All of that burned and could not be salvaged.
Those are pretty much the facts of the story.
My aunt and I had been to see Dead Poet's Society at the theater. As I was driving home down the interstate near the Daleville exit, I noticed a lot of smoke off in the distance. I recall thinking to myself that something was really burning.
I arrived home and nearly as soon as I entered the kitchen the phone rang. My husband, a firefighter for a different jurisdiction, was on duty. He was also breathless. "Thank God you're home!" he exclaimed. "Your parents' house is on fire."
He was at work, of course. I hung up and climbed in the car. I was driving a 1983 Ford Thunderbird at the time. I pushed the car hard the six miles to my parents' house - so much so I could smell the brakes burning. I feared for their safety and of course I had no idea what was going on. I knew I had seen so much smoke. I prayed they would be okay.
This was, of course, before cell phones.
I raced up the driveway and found a line of cars. Neighbors had gathered to gawk, and the firemen had arrived in their own vehicles as well as in fire trucks. Smoke was no longer billowing, but they were still spraying water on the debris that used to be the home I grew up in. I parked some distance away and ran toward the house.
I was 26 years old.
I can only tell my version of events, as I wasn't there. I was at the movies with my aunt. I am sure that, if someone else were to read this, they would beg to differ.
As I understand it, my parents were home that warm July day when a storm came up. There was no thunder, but the lightning bolt sizzled through the house. My parents both felt it hit the house.
They began looking for damage and discovered the attic on fire. The lightning had hit the side of the garage and a fire ball raced through the attic, setting the entire roof on fire. The bolt also split a tree beside the house.
They called the fire department, which, being volunteer and miles away, meant a bit of a wait until help arrived.
The firemen managed to save some of the walls. What content didn't burn was of course damaged by smoke and water. It was a total loss.
My parents were naturally very devasted by this event. My brother, scheduled to be married the following month, still lived at home, so he lost a lot of things also. I had been gone for six years, but I had books, dolls and other items, including my wedding dress, stored in a chest in my parents' garage. All of that burned and could not be salvaged.
Those are pretty much the facts of the story.
My aunt and I had been to see Dead Poet's Society at the theater. As I was driving home down the interstate near the Daleville exit, I noticed a lot of smoke off in the distance. I recall thinking to myself that something was really burning.
I arrived home and nearly as soon as I entered the kitchen the phone rang. My husband, a firefighter for a different jurisdiction, was on duty. He was also breathless. "Thank God you're home!" he exclaimed. "Your parents' house is on fire."
He was at work, of course. I hung up and climbed in the car. I was driving a 1983 Ford Thunderbird at the time. I pushed the car hard the six miles to my parents' house - so much so I could smell the brakes burning. I feared for their safety and of course I had no idea what was going on. I knew I had seen so much smoke. I prayed they would be okay.
This was, of course, before cell phones.
I raced up the driveway and found a line of cars. Neighbors had gathered to gawk, and the firemen had arrived in their own vehicles as well as in fire trucks. Smoke was no longer billowing, but they were still spraying water on the debris that used to be the home I grew up in. I parked some distance away and ran toward the house.
Bad Blogger
I've been unable to access my blog up until today!
Bad blogger.
Hopefully the problem is fixed and I'll be able to get back on track with entries!
Bad blogger.
Hopefully the problem is fixed and I'll be able to get back on track with entries!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Helping a Cause
Yesterday I had the privilege of attending an event hosted by the Hollins Communications Research Institute at Hollins University.
This non-profit works to help stutterers. This is probably not a problem that is high on people's radar in terms of disability, but the truth is it can be very disabling. Stuttering causes mental trauma and anguish and can result in low self-esteem, among other things.
It affects about 2 million people; most are men (4:1). Stuttering usually begins between the ages of two and four.
Stuttering is *not* the result of some kind of emotional or mental issue. Research at HCRI shows it is related to muscles, making it a physical problem. Their work focuses on retraining muscles so that stuttering is limited or removed entirely.
They have a 90 percent success rate with their treatment, but the treatment is expensive, costing thousands of dollars for their program. Even so, about 200 people go through their program each year.
Famous stutterers include Aristotle, Charles Darwin, Moses (although I am not sure how they know this), Marylin Monroe and Isaac Newton. At this event yesterday, people attended from all walks of life. Some were captains of their industries, which ran the gamut from pharmaceuticals to overseeing 33,000 school students.
According to HCRI's website, others who have sought help from the institute are Annie Glenn, wife of U.S. Senator John Glenn; Lester Hayes of the Los Angeles Raiders, for whom postgame interviews were torture; and 20/20 reporter John Stossel, whose speech problem interfered with his career.
Saturday's event was the kick-off of a multi-million fundraising campaign. The doctors at HCRI believe they are on the verge of medical breakthroughs for stuttering, but need an endowment fund to continue their research.
This is a very worthy program. The institute was founded in 1972 by Dr. Ronald L. Webster, who has pioneered work in the development of objectively defined, behaviorally-oriented stuttering therapy. The institute has helped thousands of people.
If you're looking for a local non-profit for your charity dollars, this one deserves a look.
The Virginia General Assembly honored the program during the 2007 session.
This non-profit works to help stutterers. This is probably not a problem that is high on people's radar in terms of disability, but the truth is it can be very disabling. Stuttering causes mental trauma and anguish and can result in low self-esteem, among other things.
It affects about 2 million people; most are men (4:1). Stuttering usually begins between the ages of two and four.
Stuttering is *not* the result of some kind of emotional or mental issue. Research at HCRI shows it is related to muscles, making it a physical problem. Their work focuses on retraining muscles so that stuttering is limited or removed entirely.
They have a 90 percent success rate with their treatment, but the treatment is expensive, costing thousands of dollars for their program. Even so, about 200 people go through their program each year.
Famous stutterers include Aristotle, Charles Darwin, Moses (although I am not sure how they know this), Marylin Monroe and Isaac Newton. At this event yesterday, people attended from all walks of life. Some were captains of their industries, which ran the gamut from pharmaceuticals to overseeing 33,000 school students.
According to HCRI's website, others who have sought help from the institute are Annie Glenn, wife of U.S. Senator John Glenn; Lester Hayes of the Los Angeles Raiders, for whom postgame interviews were torture; and 20/20 reporter John Stossel, whose speech problem interfered with his career.
Saturday's event was the kick-off of a multi-million fundraising campaign. The doctors at HCRI believe they are on the verge of medical breakthroughs for stuttering, but need an endowment fund to continue their research.
This is a very worthy program. The institute was founded in 1972 by Dr. Ronald L. Webster, who has pioneered work in the development of objectively defined, behaviorally-oriented stuttering therapy. The institute has helped thousands of people.
If you're looking for a local non-profit for your charity dollars, this one deserves a look.
The Virginia General Assembly honored the program during the 2007 session.
Friday, July 06, 2007
The Blue Dog
During a conversation with my brother last night, he revealed that my nephew, who is 12, sleeps with Blue.
Blue is a stuffed dog that belonged to me. I slept with Blue too. Then my brother confiscated Blue and slept with him.
The dog is about a foot long, blue in color (hence the name), with a pink tongue hanging out. It's eyes are sewn on and it has little black ears.
Blue escaped a fire that burned down my parents house, but he smelled very badly indeed after that. A friend of mine who sewed took Blue home with her while I was the in hospital having a hysterectomy in 1992.
Not long after I returned home, I received Blue, washed, repaired, and restuffed, in pristine condition. He had a place of honor at the foot of the bed.
When my mother died in 2000, the family was severed and people weren't speaking to one another. Sometime later, about two years, I think, I managed to return to better relations with my brother. At that time, I handed Blue over to my nephew. I explained to him that his grandmother bought the dog for me, that his father slept with it, and that I was now handing it over to him.
It is sweet that he sleeps with it. My brother brought it up because my 5-year old niece attempted to confiscate the dog, setting up howls of protest from the older nephew. That little stuffed dog must surely be like the Velveteen Rabbit, loved so much that it is nearly real.
Blue is a stuffed dog that belonged to me. I slept with Blue too. Then my brother confiscated Blue and slept with him.
The dog is about a foot long, blue in color (hence the name), with a pink tongue hanging out. It's eyes are sewn on and it has little black ears.
Blue escaped a fire that burned down my parents house, but he smelled very badly indeed after that. A friend of mine who sewed took Blue home with her while I was the in hospital having a hysterectomy in 1992.
Not long after I returned home, I received Blue, washed, repaired, and restuffed, in pristine condition. He had a place of honor at the foot of the bed.
When my mother died in 2000, the family was severed and people weren't speaking to one another. Sometime later, about two years, I think, I managed to return to better relations with my brother. At that time, I handed Blue over to my nephew. I explained to him that his grandmother bought the dog for me, that his father slept with it, and that I was now handing it over to him.
It is sweet that he sleeps with it. My brother brought it up because my 5-year old niece attempted to confiscate the dog, setting up howls of protest from the older nephew. That little stuffed dog must surely be like the Velveteen Rabbit, loved so much that it is nearly real.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
To Grandma, RIP 06/28/07
Your lap was the safest place in the world.
Hurts were smoothed away with your kisses
And your hugs as you engulfed us
With your love.
Pulled close and rocked hard, we listened
To your heart beat and your voice
Singing “Daisy, Daisy” as our tears
Vanished like fog in sunshine.
Your heart beat with love
For your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
There was no transgression you could not forgive.
You soothed brows and bolstered self-esteem
And you seldom asked for anything in return.
Your life was hard but you always sang.
Even near the end, you heard music.
You made fried apple pies and macaroni and cheese
With equal amounts of joy and tenderness.
Those are spices no one could add but you,
Grandma.
Though you are now in a better place, safe in Heaven
And strolling along glided streets with Grandpa
Holding your hand
You remain still here with us, held close and fast
And with each beat of our hearts
We will remember your love.
Hurts were smoothed away with your kisses
And your hugs as you engulfed us
With your love.
Pulled close and rocked hard, we listened
To your heart beat and your voice
Singing “Daisy, Daisy” as our tears
Vanished like fog in sunshine.
Your heart beat with love
For your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
There was no transgression you could not forgive.
You soothed brows and bolstered self-esteem
And you seldom asked for anything in return.
Your life was hard but you always sang.
Even near the end, you heard music.
You made fried apple pies and macaroni and cheese
With equal amounts of joy and tenderness.
Those are spices no one could add but you,
Grandma.
Though you are now in a better place, safe in Heaven
And strolling along glided streets with Grandpa
Holding your hand
You remain still here with us, held close and fast
And with each beat of our hearts
We will remember your love.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Books: The Dangerous Hour
The Dangerous Hour
by Marcia Muller
Read by Susan Erickson
Audiobook
This is the 23rd book in a series, and I'd have never guessed. Well, I knew it was a series but it read well enough that it didn't matter. I will definitely go back and pick up on this series.
This is no Stephanie Plum mystery - this is a serious woman detective here. Like Stephanie, she doesn't know what she's doing with men, apparently, but aside from that, Sharon McCone is all business.
She owns an investigative agency and someone from her past is out to get her. One of her operatives is framed and McCone sets out to prove her - and her agency - innocent.
Lots of suspense and drama. Good clean writing and a joy to listen to.
4 stars
by Marcia Muller
Read by Susan Erickson
Audiobook
This is the 23rd book in a series, and I'd have never guessed. Well, I knew it was a series but it read well enough that it didn't matter. I will definitely go back and pick up on this series.
This is no Stephanie Plum mystery - this is a serious woman detective here. Like Stephanie, she doesn't know what she's doing with men, apparently, but aside from that, Sharon McCone is all business.
She owns an investigative agency and someone from her past is out to get her. One of her operatives is framed and McCone sets out to prove her - and her agency - innocent.
Lots of suspense and drama. Good clean writing and a joy to listen to.
4 stars
Books: The Shadow of the Wind
The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Copyright 2001
500 pages
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
The book was a bestseller in Spain, where the novel takes place. It is set in the 1950s but bounces around in time a bit (my only complaint with the novel - I was never sure what era I was in).
Daniel Sempere, a motherless boy, is 10 years old when his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. He discovers a novel called The Shadow of the Wind, by Julián Carax, an obscure author. Sempere is taken with the book and sets out to learn more about the writer.
He is accosted by a stranger who offers to buy the book, and then Daniel learns that someone has purchased and burned all copies of the book found.
The novel follows Daniel as he grows up, still entranced with the book and its author. He has a teenage crush ona blind woman who knows something of the book, meets Fermin, a man with a mysterious past who knows much about books and life in general, and falls for his best friend's sister, Bea.
The story turns into a mystery as Daniel, now a young adult, begins in earnest to learn how Carax allegedly died and why someone wants the books burned.
Along the way there is a corrupt policeman who happens to have grown up with Carax, lots of tension, and just good literature.
This is not an insipid book by any stretch of the imagination. It reminded me of a Joseph Conrad book, perhaps, or any other well-written book of quality.
4.5 stars
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Copyright 2001
500 pages
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
The book was a bestseller in Spain, where the novel takes place. It is set in the 1950s but bounces around in time a bit (my only complaint with the novel - I was never sure what era I was in).
Daniel Sempere, a motherless boy, is 10 years old when his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. He discovers a novel called The Shadow of the Wind, by Julián Carax, an obscure author. Sempere is taken with the book and sets out to learn more about the writer.
He is accosted by a stranger who offers to buy the book, and then Daniel learns that someone has purchased and burned all copies of the book found.
The novel follows Daniel as he grows up, still entranced with the book and its author. He has a teenage crush ona blind woman who knows something of the book, meets Fermin, a man with a mysterious past who knows much about books and life in general, and falls for his best friend's sister, Bea.
The story turns into a mystery as Daniel, now a young adult, begins in earnest to learn how Carax allegedly died and why someone wants the books burned.
Along the way there is a corrupt policeman who happens to have grown up with Carax, lots of tension, and just good literature.
This is not an insipid book by any stretch of the imagination. It reminded me of a Joseph Conrad book, perhaps, or any other well-written book of quality.
4.5 stars
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