tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347465232024-02-20T08:33:09.339-05:00Books Along the WayWriting about life, the universe, and everything...plus the books I read alolng the way. Join me on my journey!Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-13295259027748705232013-08-18T08:19:00.001-04:002013-08-18T08:23:08.074-04:00LET THEM EAT CAKE?For the past few years, I've been supporting a program at my local commissary called "Feds Feed Families." Basically, the commissary packs up bags of food which patrons buy and donate to our local food pantry. There are usually several sizes of bags with various price points and contents. Depending on the contents of my wallet, I will buy a bag each time I visit the commissary. This is a great idea that provides an easy, painless way to fill a need in the community.<br />
<br />
This year, there are four sizes of bags. Here is a list of each bag size, including contents and price.<br />
<br />
SMALL ($3.99)<br />
cereal<br />
cake mix<br />
frosting<br />
canned vegetables<br />
<br />
MEDIUM (couldn't find the price, but it was around $5)<br />
juice<br />
spaghetti<br />
tomato sauce (which may or may not be spaghetti sauce--I can't remember exactly what it said)<br />
prepared meal (which I assume is something like Hamburger Helper)<br />
canned vegetables<br />
<br />
LARGE ($5.84)<br />
soup<br />
juice<br />
jelly<br />
cookies<br />
canned vegetables<br />
<br />
EXTRA-LARGE ($8.52)<br />
cake mix or gravy<br />
cereal<br />
canned vegetables<br />
ketchup<br />
instant potatoes<br />
mayonnaise<br />
<br />
So what's wrong with this picture? <br />
<br />
I feel like these bags were designed by Marie Antoinette and Ronald Reagan (he of the ketchup is a vegetable opinion). I'm not saying that people who are looking for assistance with feeding their families don't deserve cake or cookies, but goodness, if I can't put a meal on my kids' plates, I'm pretty sure I'm not looking for a cake mix to solve the problem, particularly since it uses three eggs, which could be breakfast or lunch. I don't even object to ketchup or mayonnaise per se, but they won't do much to alleviate hunger if there's nothing to put them on.<br />
<br />
The only bag that makes sense to me is the medium one, which can make two or three meals. I feel like there's more bang for the buck there, in terms of feeding hungry people. <br />
<br />
Now, I know that these bags are probably not given directly to hungry people, but are given to our local food closet, which most likely supplements them with other items, including food vouchers that allow people to choose their own perishables like milk, meat, bread, etc. I would just rather see the bags include things like tuna, mac & cheese, peanut butter, rice, and canned fruit. People will donate the other stuff, as I know from personal experience gathering food pantry donations at my school. When a child is hungry, cake is just not the answer, as Marie Antoinette learned the hard way. Let's put real food in our donation bags, and fill our donation pantries' shelves with foods that provide nutrients while satisfying hunger.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-31086743463579329802013-05-27T15:27:00.000-04:002013-05-27T15:27:50.626-04:00MY BUCKET LIST BEGINSMy Bucket List Begins<br />
<br />
I have always loved the idea of a bucket list, although I don't know that I love what it's called. I prefer to view it as a goals list. At any rate, I've been reading a lot lately, and I've begun thinking about things I'd like to do <strike>before I die</strike>. (You didn't read that. I never said it. I'll deny it <strike>till I die</strike> LOL.) I'm going to start it now, but I'll most likely add to it as time goes by.<br />
<br />
Mellanie's Bucket List<br />
<br />
1. Ride a zip line<br />
2. Visit a ghost town<br />
3. Visit England, Ireland, Paris, and other parts of Europe<br />
4. Read all the books on a "100 Greatest Books of All Time" list<br />
5. Get a book published for pay<br />
6. Have 6 months' savings in the bank<br />
7. Learn how to crochet granny squares<br />
8. Take a cruise to Alaska<br />
9. Swim with dolphins<br />
10. Act in a play again<br />
11. Have grandchildren (no pressure, Hillary and Evan!)<br />
12. See Niagara Falls (I don't know why I've had such a burning desire to do this for a while now...)<br />
13. Have a lifestyle lift when my surgeries are done and I weigh less than 150 pounds again (yes, I'm vain)<br />
14. Have my teeth professionally whitened (and re-capped, if necessary)<br />
15. Learn sign language<br />
16. Be in a movie or TV show<br />
17. Take horseback riding lessons<br />
<br />
I'm going to stop there because it's enough to be going on with for the moment. Some of these could be pretty easy to do. I'm looking forward to checking items off and adding to my list.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-55084818190333825222013-02-10T16:25:00.000-05:002013-02-10T16:25:22.869-05:00MOVIES THAT GIVE ME PAUSEI have often described cable TV as 800 channels of nothing to watch. I get tired of the offerings on my usual channels, or feel guitly about subjecting my family to hours of "murder death kill" programming, so I try to find something else to watch. Most often, as I'm flipping through the channels, I pause at a movie I may have seen dozens of times and settle in for yet another viewing. Here, in no particular order, are a few of my tried-and-true favorites, movies I can watch over and over and never get tired of.<br />
<br />
ARMAGEDDON<br />
This movie is so silly and over-the-top, but it has a great cast and lots of fun moments. I love Will Patton as the deadbeat dad who finally gives his son a father to look up to. Steve Buscemi's character is nuts and practically steals the movie. I adore Owen Wilson and will watch him in anything, although his deplorable hairstyle is almost a dealbreaker in this film. And I always tear up at Bruce Willis's final scenes. <br />
<br />
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW<br />
This movie feeds into my fascination with post-apocalyptic fiction. I admire the people in the library for doing whatever it takes to ensure their survival. I love that Dennis Quaid will go the distance to rescue his son. I don't especially like the politics of this movie, but the story draws me in every time.<br />
<br />
THE PRINCESS BRIDE<br />
I first read this book when I was in the sixth grade and was a huge fan long before Rob Reiner filmed it. My husband and I were living in Panama the first year we were married when the film came out, and I made him take me to see it. Mark Knopfler's score is perfect, the ensemble cast is one of the best ever, and practically every line of dialogue is instantly recognizable in this eminently quotable script.<br />
<br />
JAWS<br />
This movie reels me in every time (pun very much intended, lol). I love everything about this movie, especially the instances where it differs from the book. Lots of great lines, a solid cast, and one of the best movie monsters ever. My father-in-law never swam in the ocean again after seeing this film.<br />
<br />
SIGNS<br />
M. Night Shyamalan's movies are pretty much all remote-droppers for me, but this and THE SIXTH SENSE are probably my favorites. On another note, who knew that M. Night was psychic, correctly forecasting Joaquin Phoenix's future need of a tinfoil hat and Mel Gibson falling off his rocker?<br />
<br />
13 GOING ON 30<br />
Jennifer Garner is adorable in this movie as the girl whose wish to be 30, flirty, and fabulous magically comes true. It's a little hard to believe that a 13-year-old in a 30-year-old's body could bluff her way through her job as a magazine editor, but it's packaged so sweetly that I'm willing to suspend my skepticism. Andy Serkis is a sweetie, and Judy Greer deliciously loathsome, but it's Mark Ruffalo as the romantic lead who makes this an automatic pause for me.<br />
<br />
JUST LIKE HEAVEN<br />
Mark Ruffalo is the romantic lead in this charmer, as well, and Reese Witherspoon is a sassy smart-alec of a spitfire in this story of a doctor who slips into a coma after a car accident on the way to meet the man of her dreams. The delicious Donal Logue is amusing in a supporting role, and Jon Heder is a treat as a psychic.<br />
<br />
27 DRESSES<br />
I'm not a huge Katherine Heigl fan, and I swear I've read a book with this exact plot because nothing about this movie surprised me and it all seemed beyond familiar, but James Marsden was a charming surprise as the romantic hero, and Judy Greer shows up as the heroine's best friend in a likeable twist on her character from 13 Going on 30. Everything about this movie is a little larger than life, but in a good way.<br />
<br />
INDEPENDENCE DAY<br />
This really ought to be at the top of my list, because I'm pretty sure my entire family is sick of it by now due to frequent exposure, but once I scroll to this, I almost always stop looking. I despise the First Lady scenes because her death is gratuitous and the characters' reactions to it shallow and short-lived, but those scenes go by almost quickly enough, and we can get back to kicking some alien butt. I love Margaret Colin and have always wondered why she didn't have a bigger career. This movie has a great ensemble cast, including the only good-looking Baldwin in Hollywood (Adam, who is NOT one of the brothers).<br />
<br />
THE OTHERS<br />
This movie maddens me because the soundtrack is so poor--some scenes are so quiet as to be almost unintelligible, and that drives me nuts every time I watch it. As a ghost story, however, it's a tale told seamlessly, truly frightening in its storytelling without a shred of blood or gore and one of the most intriguing plot twists in movie history. Being a fan of memento mori, I appreciated the use of the book of the dead in a couple of pivotal scenes. Nicole Kidman was frosty and refined, and the young actress who played her daughter was perfectly cast and did a wonderful job.<br />
<br />
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and THE RETURN OF THE KING<br />
I like both of these films for different reasons. TFOTR cemented my crush on Sean Bean. TROTK wraps up the trilogy nicely. I rarely watch the second film, but I will stop for either of these two others pretty much every time.<br />
<br />
THE BOONDOCK SAINTS<br />
Okay, the truth is I've only seen this move twice. I became a fan of Norman Reedus because of the TV show The Walking Dead, and when I heard he was in this movie, I hunted it down so I could watch him in it. A few minutes in, I realized that I'd seen it before. Norman Reedus does a fine job, but Willem Dafoe OWNS this movie as the FBI agent in pursuit of the vigilante brothers and their psychotic sidekick. His performance is what will make this a stop and watch movie for me.<br />
<br />
There are, of course, other movies on my list. I love 2010 (the sequel to 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY) and 2012, yet another end-of-the-world as we know it disaster flick. SHANGHAI NOON and SHANGHAI KNIGHTS, A WALK TO REMEMBER, MEN IN BLACK, the last Harry Potter movie, THE BIRDS--my list could go on and on. The next time you find yourself watching one of these movies on HBO or some other channel, chances are, I'm probably watching it, too.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-87453977156864619442013-01-21T19:00:00.001-05:002013-01-21T19:00:33.522-05:00RIPPED FROM THE PAGESI've recently read the first two books, <em>Glow </em>and <em>Spark</em>, in a new trilogy by Amy Kathleen Ryan. Two spaceships are traveling to a distant planet, which will be called New Earth, to colonize it. All the adults on one ship, the Empyrean<em>, </em>are either killed or captured by people from the other ship, the New Horizon<em>, </em>and the girls are kidnapped because the people on the New Horizon are determined to be the first to populate New Earth. I really enjoyed both books, and am eagerly awaiting publication of the third, but I had a problem with one character's name, and it kept jolting me out of the book.<br />
<br />
The leader of the New Horizon's name is Pastor Anne Mather. This probably doesn't mean anything to most people, but in real life, Anne Mather is the author of a number of Harlequin and Mills & Boon Romances, and one of the original authors of Harlequin's first spin-off imprint, Harlequin Presents. I think I know why Ryan chose this name for her character: Pastor Anne Mather presents herself as a motherly figure, and "Mather" is close to "mother." Reminding myself of that didn't help me get past the issue, unfortunately. Every time I encountered the character's full name, I would have to regroup and get back into the story.<br />
<br />
I had a similar experience on a recent re-read of Susan Elizabeth Phillips's book <em>It Had to Be You, </em>which was published just before O. J. Simpson killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Football is a major part of the story, and the fictional characters make reference to real-life players and coaches. It was almost surreal to read this book, which portrayed O. J. as a good guy, and to realize that while it was still on the shelves, O.J.'s reputation was forever smeared with the blood of his victims.<br />
<br />
Still, it's weird how the tiniest things can rip me right out of the pages of an otherwise good read.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-82676074665843565442013-01-13T16:45:00.000-05:002013-01-13T16:45:48.082-05:00SAVING TIME, REALLY?I'm just as fascinated as anyone with timesaving measures and doing things the quickest way possible, even though I sometimes do things the hard way for reasons of my own (building some extra walking into my day, for one). However, I've recently been reminded of a time-saving strategy that makes absolutely no sense to me.<br />
<br />
Reading an article in a women's magazine, I became reacquainted with this tip: group your silverware together in the dishwasher for faster unloading. I object to this four several reasons.<br />
<br />
First of all, how long does it actually take to put the silverware away once it's clean? It takes me less than a minute to put all my silverware away, and that's in a couple of steps: first I take out all the big serving utensils and put them away, then I put away all the steak knives, then all the bread knives, then everything else. Less than a minute, total. <br />
<br />
Secondly, when you group like silverware, they tend to nestle together. When they're nested, they don't get cleaned properly, so you have to wash them again, thus using <em>more </em>time and resources than if you'd just mixed them up the way most of us do.<br />
<br />
Finally, unless you're part of the Gilbreth clan (the family in the original <em>Cheaper by the Dozen</em>), does saving ten or fifteen seconds really make your life that much better? It would take you weeks to accumulate a significant chunk of time. <br />
<br />
In my opinion, this is a timesaver that really isn't.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-31899608758902563002013-01-07T17:30:00.000-05:002013-01-07T17:30:53.924-05:00BIG DARK SPOTIf you know me personally, you probably know that I've been complaining for some time of an abnormality in my abdomen. Even though I've lost roughly 60 pounds from my highest-ever weight, my stomach is still large and round and looks like I'm six months pregnant. Plus, when I push on my stomach, it's really hard to the touch. <br />
<br />
After a lot of false starts and failures, I finally got a referral to a doctor who listened to my concerns. At the very beginning of his examination, he placed his hand on my stomach and promptly said, "You've got fibroids." At last! I know it's weird to be happy about that, but I feel vindicated, that this wasn't just me playing the hypochondriac card.<br />
<br />
Today I went back to my doctor's office for an ultrasound, and I saw this big dark spot in the middle of the screen. I asked the tech if it was a fibroid, and she did a little half-laugh and said, "I can't tell you that."<br />
<br />
So I said, "Well, can you answer a question? That's not a big empty space in my stomach, is it?"<br />
<br />
Another almost giggle, and, "No, it's not."<br />
<br />
I don't know what the scale is of what I was seeing on the screen, but the size of the big dark spot was somewhere between grapefruit and cantaloupe, with several smaller spots ranging from plum to lime. I have another appointment later this week, where the doctor will tell me the results of this ultrasound. I really hope that if these are fibroids (and ovarian cysts), they can be removed so I will stop looking like I'm trying to shoplift a bowling ball.<br />
<br />
I have immense faith that this is all going to turn out well, but I would still appreciate it if all of you would keep me in your prayers. I'll let you know what the doctor says later this week.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-19310267130863317422013-01-04T23:52:00.001-05:002013-01-04T23:52:02.786-05:00MUST-SEE TVMUST-SEE TV<br />
<br />
Now that the holidays are behind us, many of my favorite TV shows will be coming back on the air. It's been a while since I've had regular appointments with my television, the only recent one being Thursday nights at 9 for Project Runway All-Stars, so I'm looking forward to hanging out with some of my favorites.<br />
<br />
<em>Justified </em>is coming on again, and I can't wait to see what Raylan's up to this season. I love his relationship with Boyd, and can't help thinking about what a team they'd make if they were both on the same side of the law. Plus, Timothy Olyphant is just so pretty to look at, and I admire how grounded and honorable he seems to be in real life.<br />
<br />
<em>Game of Thrones </em>should be back soon. I've been very lazy in not having finished the third book in the series, so I'll have to get to that soon to keep up with the show despite the many changes. I feel like I would enjoy it nearly as much even if I hadn't read the books, but that OCD part of me needs some closure.<br />
<br />
I'm interested in a new show, <em>The Face</em>. It's a modeling competition set up like <em>The Voice, </em>with Nigel Barker (formerly one of the judges on <em>America's Next Top Model</em>), as host. Tyra Banks has got to be upset that one of her people has gone over to the dark side, since her arch-enemy Naomi Campbell is one of the team captains. From the previews I've seen so far, however, the girls on this show are much prettier than most of those who have appeared on ANTM.<br />
<br />
My son has turned me on to a BBC show, <em>Sherlock</em>, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, most recently seen as Bilbo Baggins in <em>The Hobbit</em>. I've been reading the forums at <a href="http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/">www.televisionwithoutpity.com</a> and watching youtube clips of these guys on various chat shows, because I just can't get enough of "the 'Batch," as they're calling him on twop. That deep voice is extremely compelling. I'm also quite looking forward to the new <em>Star Trek</em> movie, due out in May, in which Cumberbatch plays the villain. He's got a big career ahead of himself here in the States if he can keep the momentum going, and with his upcoming roles as Smaug and The Necromancer in the next <em>Hobbit</em> installment, that's almost guaranteed. I love Martin Freeman as well, although it always feels like there's something profoundly melancholy in his eyes, even when he's smiling. He doesn't smile often on screen, but on talk shows, he's very funny and charming. The new <em>Sherlock</em> episodes are due later this year, and I can't wait to see the aftermath of Sherlock's dive from a London rooftop.<br />
<br />
Last but not least, I've been waiting impatiently for the second half of Season 3 of <em>The Walking Dead</em>. I have a serious crush on Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon, and when last we left the show, Daryl was in deep doo-doo, having been captured by the evil governor of Woodbury. I must find out how he gets himself out of trouble. <br />
<br />
Of course I'll be glancing in on a bunch of other shows, but these are the programs that will be ruling my DVR. Here's to a wealth of watching in 2013!Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-54887042262755432932013-01-01T12:23:00.000-05:002013-01-01T12:23:54.046-05:00THE BOOKS OF 2012THE BOOKS OF 2012<br />
<br />
There were a lot of weird things about my reading in 2012. I got really wrapped up in <em>The Hunger Games </em>right about the time the movie came out, and I think I read each book three times in one month because I couldn't get it out of my head. I read a ton of children's books because I wanted to hand them out on Halloween at my school's Treats No Tricks Night, but I didn't want to hand out books I hadn't read. I ended up giving out about 300 books, many of which I had not read. I spent the rest of the year reading more children's books to give away at my school's spring book fair (to children who don't get money to spend there). I also read a lot of dystopian fiction, especially from the YA racks.<br />
<br />
I've done a lot of re-reads, too. I think I read <em>Fudge-a-Mania </em>about four times, because I read it once myself, then read it again with several second grade classes. I've been writing study guides to help Frank Long Elementary's students prepare for the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, so I've read each book once, then again as I write questions for the book. I haven't counted all the rereads, though. Finally, there are a lot of things I read that don't make it onto the list--children's storybooks that are not chapter books, magazines, posts and articles at <a href="http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/">www.televisionwithoutpity.com</a>, etc. Because of that, and because of reading so many low page count books, my pages read average was way below my goal of 300 pages per book. I read 196 books with a total of 45,960 pages, for an average of 234 pages per book. <br />
<br />
With no further ado, the books of 2012.<br />
<br />
<u>January</u><br />
Howl's Moving Castle--Diana Wynne Jones (212)<br />
Sweet Devotion--Felicia Mason (280)<br />
She Walks in Beuaty--Siri Mitchell (399)<br />
Cats--Elsa Z. Posell (46)<br />
Toby Lived Here--Hilma Wolitzer (92)<br />
If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?--Melissa Kantor (283)<br />
Not Another Bad Date--Rachel Gibson (377)<br />
Smooth Talking Stranger--Lisa Kleypas (372)<br />
Snow Queen--Emma Harrison (377)<br />
The Boy Next Door--Meggin Cabot (374)<br />
Treachery in Death--J. D. Robb (372)<br />
<br />
<u>February</u><br />
Jinx--Meg Cabot (262)<br />
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming--Joshilyn Jackson (319)<br />
Summer's Child--Diane Chamberlain (AUD)<br />
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--J. K. Rowling, read by Jim Dale (AUD)<br />
Lucy's Launderette--Betsy Burke (331)<br />
Sinister Abbey--Elsie Lee (220)<br />
Taken by the Prince--Christina Dodd (390)<br />
The Haunting of Derek Stone--Tony Abbott (145)<br />
You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton?--Jean Fritz (82)<br />
The Early People of Florida--Eva Deutsch Costabel (34)<br />
Famous Paintings: An Introduction to Art--A. Elizabeth Chase (120)<br />
Bayou Dogs--Tony Abbott (130)<br />
Lady Be Good--Susan Elizabeth Phillips (372)<br />
Kiss an Angel--Susan Elizabeth Phillips (373)<br />
<br />
<u>March</u><br />
The Search--Nora Roberts (472)<br />
The Red House--Tony Abbott (129)<br />
The Ghost Road--Tony Abbott (162)<br />
Seven of Magpies--Doris E. Smith (187)<br />
Out of My Mind--Sharon M. Draper (295)<br />
The Twisted Room--Janet Patton Smith (154)<br />
North American Racer Snakes--Adele D. Richardson (47)<br />
Glass Slippers Give You Blisters--Mary Jane Auch (169)<br />
Wesley the Owl--Stacey O'Brien (229)<br />
The Princess and the Peabodys--Betty G. Birney (249)<br />
Dear Lola--Judie Angell (166)<br />
The Oxford Christmas Book for Children (160)<br />
Scat--Carl Hiaasen (371)<br />
St. Patrick's Day--Dorothy Rhodes Freeman (46)<br />
Hoot--Carl Hiaasen (292)<br />
Love Is My Reason--Mary Burchell (189)<br />
The Other Linding Girl--Mary Burchell (192)<br />
Silver Flame--Hannah Howell (383)<br />
A Clash of Kings--George R. R. Martin (1,030)<br />
The Hunger Games--Suzanne Collins (374)<br />
<br />
<u>April</u><br />
Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins (391)<br />
Mockingjay--Suzanne Collins (288)<br />
Hannah's List--Debbie Macomber (412)<br />
Prom Nights from Hell--Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Meg Cabot, Lauren Myracle, & Michele Jaffe (319)<br />
Nature Girl--Carl Hiaasen (306)<br />
Mockingjay--Suzanne Collins (288)<br />
Surrender to the Devil--Lorraine Heath (377)<br />
Glory--Jodi Lynn (172)<br />
Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins (391)<br />
Girl with a Challenge--Mary Burchell (158)<br />
Mockingjay--Suzanne Collins (288)<br />
Sugar Daddy--Lisa Kleypas (371)<br />
That Summer--Sarah Dessen (198)<br />
Pearl's Promise--Frank Asch (152)<br />
Glitter Baby--Susan Elizabeth Phillips (438)<br />
<br />
<u>May</u><br />
Married by Morning--Lisa Kleypas (341)<br />
The Rake--Mary Jo Putney (410)<br />
Carnal Innocence--Nora Roberts (391)<br />
Stay a Little Longer--Dorothy Garlock (372)<br />
Return to Harken House--Joan Aiken (118)<br />
Helen Keller: A Photographic Story of a Life--Leslie Garrett (127)<br />
The Knife of Never Letting Go--Patrick Ness (486)<br />
Dirty Martini--J. A. Konrath (347)<br />
Children of the Wild West--Russell Freedman (107)<br />
Living in Space--Judy Nayer (48)<br />
Switching Well--Peni R. Griffin (218)<br />
The Fetch--Laura Whitcomb (379)<br />
Love in the Afternoon--Lisa Kleypas (341)<br />
Ida B.--Katherine Hannigan (249)<br />
The Ask and the Answer--Patrick Ness (524)<br />
A Wallflower Christmas--Lisa Kleypas (216)<br />
Explosive Eighteen--Janet Evanovich (311)<br />
<br />
<u>June</u><br />
Because You're Mine--Lisa Kleypas (376)<br />
Monsters of Men--Patrick Ness (603)<br />
At the Scent of Water--Linda Nichols (416)<br />
Just Down the Road--Jodi Thomas (329)<br />
Another Summer-Georgia Bockoven (395)<br />
Spun By Sorcery--Barbara Bretton (324)<br />
Falling Awake--Jayne Ann Krentz (424)<br />
Black Magic Sanction--Kim Harrison (561)<br />
Wonder Women of Sports--Betty Millsaps Jones (71)<br />
The Book of Baseball Greats--S. H. Burchard (64)<br />
Through the Sheriff's Eyes--Janice Kay Johnson (255)<br />
Simplify Your Life--Elaine St. James (239)<br />
The Long Way Westward--Joan Sandin (64)<br />
Second Sight--Amanda Quick (390)<br />
<br />
<u>July</u><br />
Willow--Linda Lael Miller (374)<br />
Darkly Dreaming Dexter--Jeff Lindsay (288)<br />
Junior--Macaulay Culkin (201)<br />
Royally Jacked--Niki Burnham (229)<br />
Peaches--Jodi Lynn Anderson (313)<br />
Joey's Father--Elizabeth August (217)<br />
Draw the Dark--Ilsa J. Bick (338)<br />
Antsy Does Time--Neal Shusterman (247)<br />
The Far Side of Evil--Sylvia Engdahl (324)<br />
<br />
<u>August</u><br />
Ninth Ward--Jewell Parker Rhodes<br />
Amelia Bedelia and the Cat--Herman Parish (48)<br />
The Precious Present--Spencer Johnson (74)<br />
Years--LaVyrle Spencer (472)<br />
Silver Lining--Maggie Osborne (348)<br />
The Moon Looked Down--Dorothy Garlock (387)<br />
A Creed in Stone Creek--Linda Lael Miller (384)<br />
Frog and Toad Are Friends--Arnold Lobel (64)<br />
The Other Side of the Island--Allegra Goodman (280)<br />
Something BIG Has Been Here--Jack Prelutsky (160)<br />
The Josefina Story Quilt--Eleanor Coerr (64)<br />
More Stories to Solve: Fifteen Folk Tales from Around the World--George Shannon (64)<br />
The Last of the Honky-Tonk Angels--Marsha Moyer (388)<br />
Helen Keller: A Photographic Story of a Life--Leslie Garrett (127)<br />
Enthralled--Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, et al (452)<br />
Close to Famous--Joan Bauer (265)<br />
The Peach Keeper--Sarah Addison Allen (279)<br />
Fudge-a-Mania--Judy Blume (146)<br />
Ginger Goes on a Diet--S. P. Williams (48)<br />
What's the Prize, Lincoln?--Dale Fife (64)<br />
Little Critter's Bedtime Storybook--Mercer Mayer (45)<br />
Who Is Neil Armstrong?--Roberta Edwards (105)<br />
The Luck of the Buttons--Anne Ylvisaker (228)<br />
<br />
<u>September</u><br />
The Water Wars--Cameron Stracher (243)<br />
The Scorch Trials--James Dashner, narrated by Mark Deakins (AUD)<br />
The Limit--Kristen Landon (291)<br />
Icing on the Lake--Catherine Clark (358)<br />
<br />
<u>October</u><br />
Lessons in French--Laura Kinsale (458)<br />
Lucky Me!--Lisa Papademetriou (45)<br />
Runaway Twin--Peg Kehret (197)<br />
With the Might of Angels: The Diary of Dawnie Rae Johnson, Hadley, Virginia 1954--Andrea Davis Pinkney (334)<br />
Springwater Wedding--Linda Lael Miller, read by Jenna Stern (AUD)<br />
The Castle in the Attic--Elizabeth Winthrop (137)<br />
Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp--Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones (93)<br />
Belle Prater's Boy--Ruth White (196)<br />
Claim to Fame--Margaret Peterson Haddix (257)<br />
A Time of Angels--Karen Hesse (277)<br />
Barbie: A Sea of Friends--Rita Balducci (55)<br />
Who Was Marco Polo?--Joan Holub (105)<br />
I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916--Lauren Tarshis (106)<br />
Brave Bear and the Ghosts: A Sioux Legend--Gloria Dominic (47)<br />
Bear (The Puppy Place)--Ellen Miles 78)<br />
Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying--Barbara Park (72)<br />
We the Children--Andrew Clements (143)<br />
Mick Harte Was Here--Barbara Park (90)<br />
Her Evil Twin--Mimi McCoy (182)<br />
The Devil's Arithmetic--Jane Yolen (170)<br />
Radiance--Alyson Noel (181)<br />
The Promise--Jackie French Koller (73)<br />
Taylor Swift: Her Song--Riley Brooks (48)<br />
Freedom Crossing--Margaret Goff Clark (148)<br />
Heart Secret--Robin D. Owens (350)<br />
The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall--Mary Downing Hahn (153)<br />
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia--Barbara O'Connor (104)<br />
Mystery of the Runaway Sled--Erica Frost (44)<br />
Valentine's Day--Elizabeth Guilfoile (64)<br />
Beyond the Moon: Future Explorations in Interplanetary Space--C. B. Colby (48)<br />
<br />
<u>November</u><br />
Merry Christmas, Miss McConnell!--Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna (155)<br />
Diving Dolphin--Karen Wallace (32)<br />
Teeny Tiny Animals--Lexi Ryals (32)<br />
Pirate Mom--Deborah Underwood (48)<br />
Spider-Man: The Amazing Story--Catherine Suanders (32)<br />
Fancy nancy and the Mean Girl--Jane O'Connor (32)<br />
After Glow--Jayne Castle (343)<br />
Gabriel's Angel--Nora Roberts (288)<br />
A Creed in Stone Creek--Linda Lael Miller (384)<br />
It Had to Be You--Susan Elizabeth Phillips (376)<br />
The Lost Night--Jayne Castle (339)<br />
Land of a Hundred Wonders--Lesley Kagen (302)<br />
Rescue Me--Rachel Gibson (373)<br />
<br />
<u>December</u><br />
Peeled--Joan Bauer<br />
Kung Fu Panda: Po's Crash Course--Catherine Hapka (32)<br />
Understood Betsy--Dorothy Canfield Fisher (176)<br />
Car Trouble--Jeanne DuPrau (274)<br />
Trapped Beyond the Magic Attic--Sheri Cooper Sinykin (70)<br />
On Mother's Lap--Ann Herbert Scott (38)<br />
The Precious Present--Spencer Johnson (74)<br />
A Place Called Home--Jo Goodman (411)<br />
Judy Moody Gets famous!--Megan McDonald (127)<br />
Elsewhere--Gabrielle Zevin (288)<br />
Whiter Than Snow--Sandra Dallas (293)<br />
No Regrets--JoAnn Ross (457)<br />
The Courage of Sarah Noble--Alice Dalgliesh (55)<br />
A Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist--David Paige (32)<br />
Why Do Cats Meow?--Joan Holub (48)<br />
Santa's Twin--Dean Koontz (64)<br />
Wonderstruck--Brian Selznick (608)<br />
Starstruck--Cyn Balog (245)<br />
Glow--Amy Kathleen Ryan (311)<br />
Such Good Boys--Tina Dirmann (245)<br />
Jane--April Lindner (373)<br />
The Skeleton Inside You--Philip Balestrino (34)<br />
The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs--Cynthia DeFelice (186)<br />
A Temptation of Angels--Michelle Zink (439)<br />
Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-8896865051806331102012-04-10T11:55:00.000-04:002012-04-10T11:55:08.304-04:00SPRING BREAK AND EASTER: RAMBLING WITH CLAN CROWTHERSPRING BREAK AND EASTER: RAMBLING WITH CLAN CROWTHER<br />
<br />
I think I'm going to award myself an honorary degree: HAP (Hypochondriacal Amateur Physician). Spring break was marred by the fact that I was in terrible pain from my jaw, which radiated out into my ear and then gave me a headache for my free gift. In addition, I've been having these weird pains when I brush against things or apply pressure in such activities as picking things up. When I say weird pains, it's because the contact involved is minimal, but the pain is excruciating, like someone grazed me with a sledgehammer. My care provider was away for the week, so I waited till yesterday to go to the doctor. The facial pain may be residual from Bell's palsy, although it's on opposite side of my face from the last bout. The headaches are not a symptom of the jaw pain, but a result of it, from scrunching my facial muscles when my jaw hurts. I'm on a course of steroids and painkillers, so I have to monitor my blood sugar closely, but after 24 hours, I'm delighted to be having my first pain-free day in over a week. I'll be having blood work done in a couple of weeks because my PCP thinks I might have neuralgia. The fun just never ends, where my health is concerned.<br />
<br />
Spring break was too short this year. I knew I was off work when I took my watch off on Friday afternoon, even though I had to do my Little Debbie job on Saturday. Conversely, I knew it was time to go back to work when I strapped my watch on to go back to work on my Little Debbie route this past Saturday. I was kind of amused at my self-imposed rituals, which including returning my school lanyard to the rear-view mirror so I can find it every day when I get to work.<br />
<br />
Easter Sunday flew by so quickly. We didn't color our Easter eggs because we got preoccupied painting birdhouses for the hummingbirds and finches that proliferate the trees and feeders in our front yard. My birdhouse was about as badly painted as it could be, but the activity made me happy, so it was a check in the win column.<br />
<br />
We went for a family walk on Sunday afternoon. My intent was to net some minnows from the creek to put in the turtle tank. I recently read a book called <em>Wesley the Owl</em> (a book reference, to keep my blog on topic!) and the author wrote about how animals in captivity get bored if you don't change things up for them by hiding their food and giving them new things to play with. I thought the fish might be company for Viktor, or at least give him something new to look at. So, off we traipsed, me with a pink bucket and net for fishing, and Harold and the kids with walking sticks. Evan immediately went into ninja mode, attacking palmetto bushes with abandon. Kirby, our dog, was thrilled to be out with us and rolled in the grass in ecstasy. Hillary and Evan went into Hunger Games: The Blind Man's Bluff edition, hacking and slashing at each other as well as nearby trees and bushes while wearing huge dark sunglasses and shouting "Huzzah!" Harold and I just collapsed with laughter. Our greatest joy is the bond between our children, and it was as lovely as ever on Easter.<br />
<br />
When we got to the creek, Harold was immediately captivated by the abundant crop of blackberries on the banks. Butterflies and dragonflies dotted the sunny sky, and squirrels made a huge racket in the trees. Evan had recently heard me use the word "milquetoast," and amused us all by repeating it and the many synonyms I'd given him for the word, much to Hillary's amusement. I scooped minnows into my bucket with my trusty net, evoking the Brave Little Tailor and his "seven with one blow." The kids were somehow not familiar with this tale (Mom failure there--apparently I never shared that story with them), so Harold and I filled them in on the basic details. <br />
<br />
To my dismay, the minnows kept jumping out of the bucket, beaching themselves on the creek banks or sticking to the sides of the pink plastic. I kept tossing the escapees back into the creek, but viewed their determination to escape in a different light after my recent re-read of <em>The Hunger Games</em> trilogy. Wearing an ankle-length dress and thong sandals was not the best choice of sportswear, so I slipped out of my shoes and tried to hold my skirt up, but ended up pretty well soaked from the knees down. When I decided I had enough fish, we headed back home. Hillary took several very nice pictures (which I will try to post later), and Harold got some nice ones of the kids, so we walked back with quality family time warming our hearts.<br />
<br />
The mood quickly changed when we dumped the fish into Viktor's tank. The water had not finished swirling before our mighty hunter cornered several minnows and chomped them right down. There he hovered, the tail of a shiny minnow dangling from his jaws as we looked on in stunned acknowledgment of the fate of the last batch of minnows. Harold had kept saying he thought they were dying from the trauma of the transfer to our tank, but now we had proof that their demise was no accident, but rather a tribute to our turtle's determination to supplement his diet with fresh fish. We were all a bit horrified, but we couldn't help laughing in admiration, too. Really, when you come right down to it, it's no different from putting mice or crickets into reptile tanks, and Viktor's disposition seems more sunny and animated than it's been in a while.<br />
<br />
We were also (finally!) able to catch up with our DVRed episodes of <em>Justified</em>, which we've been watching together as a family since Season One. Now we're all pumped for the season finale tonight, although this will be the first episode we haven't watched together. The jury's still out on whether we'll watch it now or save it till we're all together again.<br />
<br />
I bought myself one of those LED daisies that bob from side to side when placed in direct sunlight. It's the silliest thing on the planet, but it makes me laugh every time I look at it.<br />
<br />
I've had to (temporarily) abandon reading <em>A Storm of Swords</em>, book three in the series that began with <em>A Game of Thrones</em>. Evan finished the first two <em>Hunger Games</em> books, and my only copy of <em>Mockingjay</em>, the third book, iw on my nook, so I've loaned him that for now. Harold had indicated interest in read the first book before the movie arrives at the on-post cinema, but we'll see if that actually happens, as he has several other books in a stack of titles he's promised to read. Meanwhile, I'm flipping through magazines and working my way through the (ambarrasingly) large stack of books I've started reading and tossed aside for various reasons.<br />
<br />
Really, for a quiet week when I was debilitated by pain, could spring break have been any better?Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-22678021578207498052012-04-08T16:14:00.000-04:002012-04-08T16:14:57.018-04:00HUNGER PANGS AFTER FINISHING HUNGER GAMES? TRY THESE!HUNGER PANGS AFTER FINISHING <em>THE HUNGER GAMES</em>? TRY THESE!<br />
<br />
I had read <em>The Hunger Games </em>trilogy at least a couple of times before seeing the movie when it opened last month. Of course I then had to buy a copy of the first book and reread it, which led to buying the second book to reread it. In between, I saw the movie again. Luckily for my budget, the third book was archived on my Nook, so I read it again--twice. I had recommended the books to my kids and my friend Sue, resulting in the following oft-quoted exchange:<br />
<br />
Sue (after hearing my synopsis of the first two books, prior to the publication of the third book): Well, that just sounds stupid. And you've read two of these? I wouldn't even read one of them.<br />
<br />
Me: Sue, you would really like this. You love Survivor and The Amazing Race. These books are kind of like those shows.<br />
<br />
Sue: I don't think so. I'm not going to read them.<br />
<br />
I gave up, never thinking the subject would be up for discussion again. When the first movie trailers showed up on TV, I was so excited, and the movie itself exceeded my expectations. I couldn't resist teasing Sue about it, so I asked her if she was planning to see the movie. Imagine my surprise when she said the previews look pretty good. After seeing THG, she told me she'd really enjoyed the movie, but added darkly, "I'm still not going to read those books."<br />
<br />
Well, you can't win them all.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, having read the series again and seen the movie twice, I can't get the story out of my head. I would read the third book again, but my son is currently reading <em>Catching Fire </em>and will be ready for <em>Mockingjay </em>in the next day or so, if we don't get hijacked by the last few episodes of Season 3 of <em>Justified </em>on FX. I've given a lot of thought to what I would recommend to readers who are still hungry for some good post-apocalyptic, dystopian fiction to fill the void until the second movie arrives in November 2013. Here are my selections, in no particular order.<br />
<br />
LIFE AS WE KNEW IT \<br />
THE DEAD AND THE GONE--Susan Beth Pfeffer<br />
THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN /<br />
In this trilogy, a meteor knocks the moon out of its proper orbit, wreaking havoc on the earth with tidal waves and other natural disasters to add to the chaos. The first volume focuses on a family in Pennsylvania, the second on a family in New York City, and the third on both families as they struggle to deal with food shortages, lack of electricity and other amenities, and facing what passes for normal in the wake of disaster. I had minor issues with the books, which I will gladly discuss with anyone who cares to comment, but overall, I liked the trilogy and have read it a couple of times.<br />
<br />
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND--Allegra Goodman<br />
Honor and her family move from the Polar North to Enclosed Island 365, where everything from the climate to children's names to people's jobs are dictated by the Colony. Differences are punished swiftly and harshly, and conformity is the rule of the day. Since Honor's parents act differently from their neighbors, it's only a matter of time until they draw attention in ways that cause Honor to question everything she believes.<br />
<br />
THE GIVER \<br />
GATHERING BLUE--Lois Lowry<br />
MESSENGER /<br />
I actually read MESSENGER first, after purchasing it at a school book fair, and then had to seek out the other two books, which my kids had recommended to me. THE GIVER in particular gives a chilling perspective on a world where political correctness is taken to the extreme and everything less than perfectly normal is made to disappear.<br />
<br />
ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS<br />
THE FAR SIDE OF EVIL--Sylvia Louise Engdahl<br />
Yet again, I begin a series with the second book. Elana is a new graduate from a University very like Starfleet Academy. She is sent to the planet Toris as kind of an undercover social worker to help this "Youngling" planet negotiate the perilous time when its population will either succumb to nuclear war or unite to develop a space program and explore extraterrestrial life. This book shaped a lot of my attitudes about politics and war, and it didn't hurt that Elana had some pretty cool psi abilities. The first book dealt with a more primitive population, and Engdahl uses more of a fairy-tale style to tell her story, which is very effective at presenting the Younglings' point of view.<br />
<br />
RUNNING OUT OF TIME--Margaret Peterson Haddix<br />
All I need to say about this book is that it bears a remarkable resemblance to M. Night Shymalan's movie <em>The Village, </em>which it predates. There was some controversy when the movie came out, but the book is well worth a read.<br />
<br />
FRIDAY--Robert A. Heinlein<br />
In a world that seems remarkably like the Capitol of Panem, Friday, a genetically-enhanced Artificial Person, is a courier of top-secret information. She faces discrimination because of her not-human parts, even though, until she reveals her secret, she is completely accepted and popular in her social circle. What's remarkable about this book, to me, is what an amazing job Heinlein did of creating a futuristic world that is very like the world we currently live in.<br />
<br />
RESTOREE--Anne McCaffrey<br />
It's no surprise that this is one of my favorite Anne McCaffrey titles, since it is, at its core, a romance in science fiction clothing. Sara is kidnapped from Earth by aliens intent on devouring the human race. When she regains consciousness, she discovers that she has had a makeover that has turned her into a model of physical perfection, but she is working as a caretaker for a man who is being drugged to keep him out of his rightful role as Regent of the planet. She decides to wean him off the drugs, thus opening the door to intrigue and romance. McCaffrey once said she was surprised at how much fans loved this book, which she wrote in protest of the science fiction that was then being written by men, but it remains a huge favorite among her fans.<br />
<br />
THE CITY OF EMBER<br />
THE PEOPLE OF SPARKS<br />
THE PROPHET OF YONWOOD--Jeanne duPrau<br />
THE DIAMOND OF DARKHOLD<br />
If your only exposure to this series was the less-than-satisfying film version that came out a few years ago, do yourself the favor of forgetting the movie and sink into the books. Lina and Doon live in the City of Ember, an underground community that was designed to be the last hope of mankind in a post-apocalyptic future. The electricity in Ember is failing, supplies are running out, and food is becoming scarce. When Lina and Doon find the pieces of an old map, they realize that there is a way out of Ember. The remaining books deal with the people from Ember trying to carve lives for themselves aboveground, where resources are nearly as scarce as they were in Ember and the people are not completely thrilled to welcome them into society. I've read this series a couple of times, and I can tell you, the filmmakers did duPrau a huge disservice with what they put onscreen.<br />
<br />
THE HOST--Stephenie Meyer<br />
This book was as unlike the Twilight series as it could possibly be, but I loved it. Yes, it does feature a love triangle, but the rivalry is not like any you've encountered before. Earth is being invaded by parasites, shiny silvery wormlike creatures which are implanted in the brains of humans and take over their minds, displacing the humans. When Wanderer is inserted into the body of Melanie Stryder, she is flummoxed to discover that Melanie's being refuses to be displaced from her body. As they share one body and get to know each other, Wanderer gets to know Jared, Melanie's beloved, who is a rebel in hiding from the aliens. This book is, pardon the pun, more cerebral than action-packed, but I enjoyed it as a cautionary tale against the arrogance of humans and the decline of social mores.<br />
<br />
I'm certain there are lots more books I could add to this list. I'm equally certain that I am not finished with <em>The Hunger Games. </em>If, like me, you're suffering from <em>Hunger </em>pangs, perhaps this list will help you find something to keep them at bay. May the odds be <em>ever </em>in your favor!Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-72459840315478873062012-02-12T09:58:00.000-05:002012-02-12T09:58:05.681-05:00A DREAM COME TRUEMy friend Sonia stopped in for a visit on Super Bowl Sunday. She was travelling from Florida to Massachusetts, and she wanted to come see some old familiar sites, as it's been a while since she left the area. It was really nice to see her, and we had a great time catching up with each other.<br />
<br />
After the initial meet-and-greet in my kitchen, we moved into the living room by way of the dining room. Sonia noticed the three very full bookcases at the end of the dining room and asked about them. <br />
<br />
"Those are the books I have listed for sale on amazon.com," I replied.<br />
<br />
This huge grin lit up her face, and she said, "You finally got your bookstore!"<br />
<br />
I was dumbfounded. All this time I've been picturing my dream of owning my own bookstore as a building with bricks and mortar, feeling sorry for myself for not having achieved it when it had already come true, and I simply never recognized it. I <em>have </em>got my bookstore, just not in the way I imagined it would be.<br />
<br />
How many times has God answered my prayers or granted my wishes and I didn't see it because I was too focused on how <em>I </em>thought things should be? How many signs have I missed because my eyes were blind to anything other than <em>my </em>vision? <br />
<br />
I'm trying to see the world with new eyes now, with an open heart and a listening spirit.<br />
<br />
My dream has already come true.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-3070090732535121902012-01-01T13:00:00.006-05:002012-01-01T14:15:07.315-05:00THE BOOKS OF 2011The Books of 2011<br /><br />I'm quite disappointed in myself for the leanest reading year I've had in a long time. Confound that stupid Pioneer Trail, anyway! I read 146 books, totalling 40,885 pages, with an average page count of 280 pages per book. This is my worst finish since I began keeping track, and probably ever. I did get myself tangled up with 33oo+ pages of Louisa May Alcott's Works, which took nearly forever to read and neatly underlined why I have a tendency to avoid really long books--the more pages there are, the slower I read, despite any other mitigating factors such as how interested I am in the material, how big the print is, or how easy it is to read. <br /><br />I could read a lot more if I stuck to shorter books, but I hate getting engrossed in a story only to have it end. That's probably why I'm so attached to series. My ideal book is about 300 pages. I try to keep my page average at 300, but it's hard when I read so many shorter books or listen to books on tape (where I count the book but not the page total for a number of reasons, such as how do you keep track of page total in an abridged edition? and because I listen to books almost exclusively when I'm driving--so I'm getting the benefit of listening to a book and keeping myself amused while doing something I don't especially enjoy). I also read a TON of storybooks in 2011, after spending the first half of the year in a second grade classroom and the last half of the year in an autism classroom. So there's a lot of reading that goes unaccounted for, except on my shelfari. I don't count magazines, either, and I do read a lot of those, but I'm not as OCD as I used to be about reading every article in every magazine I pick up.<br /><br />Anyway, here's the list of what I read in 2011, with title, author, and page count. Feel free to comment!<br /><br />JANUARY<br /><br />New Chronicles of Rebecca--Kate Douglas Wiggin (277)<br />The Birds' Christmas Carol--Kate Douglas Wiggin (56)<br />Midnight Crystal--Jayne Ann Krentz (320)<br />The Maze Runner--James Dashner (393)<br />There and Now--Linda Lael Miller (248)<br />Weep Not, Child--Ngugi (136)<br />1st to Die--James Patterson (471)<br />Prayers for Sale--Sandra Dallas (305)<br />Promises to Keep--Karen Harper (376)<br />Kingdom Come--Gwen Davis (160)<br />The Witchcraft of Salem Village--Shirley Jackson (156)<br />The Darkest Edge of Dawn--Kelly Gay (374)<br />Lawn Boy--Gary Paulsen (89)<br />Gathering Blue--Lois Lowry (229)<br /><br />FEBRUARY<br /><br />Heart Change--Robin D. Owens (368)<br />Straight from the Hip--Susan Mallery (313)<br />Hot on Her Heels--Susan Mallery (376)<br />Blessed Is the Busybody--Emilie Richards (265)<br />The Undomestic Goddess--Sophie Kinsella, read by Katherine Kellgren (AUD)<br />Ecstasy in Darkness--Gena Showalter (502)<br />Cries from the Earth--Terry C. Johnston, read by Robert Foxworth (AUD)<br />The Young Oxford Book of Aliens--Dennis Pepper, editor (212)<br />Thunder Ice--Alison Acheson (145)<br />The Clockwork Three--Matthew J. Kirby (391)<br />Heart Journey--Robin D. Owens (354)<br /><br />MARCH<br /><br />A Time to Kill--John Grisham, read by Michael Beck (AUD)<br />Gods in Alabama--Joshilyn Jackson, read by Catherine Taber (AUD)<br />Matilda--Roald Dahl (240)<br />Fancy--Norah Hess (307)<br />Fancy Pants--Susan Elizabeth Phillips (497)<br />Billy Creekmore--Tracey Porter (311)<br />Singer in the Snow--Louise Marley (304)<br />Blue Dahlia--Nora Roberts, read by Susie Breck (AUD)<br />Danger Guys Hit the Beach--Tony Abbott (81)<br />Tornado--Betsy Byars (49)<br />Godzilla Ate My Homework--Marcia Thornton Jones (64)<br />Danger Guys Blast Off--Tony Abbott (78)<br />Dracula Is a Pain in the Neck--Elizabeth Levy (74)<br />Greetings from Nowhere--Barbara o'Connor (200)<br />The Diamond of Darkhold--Jeanne duPrau (285)<br /><br />APRIL<br /><br />Evermore--Alyson Noel, read by Katie Schorr (AUD)<br />Death Sentence--Jerry Bledsoe (419)<br />The Random House Book of Easy-to-Read Stories (251)<br />Ruthie's Gift--Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (164)<br />Stories to Tell a 5-Year-Old--Alice Low (147)<br />Wolves--Carolyn Otto (48)<br />The Worst Day of My Life--Bill Cosby (40)<br />The King of Torts--John Grisham, read by Dennis Boutsikaris (AUD)<br />Tomb with a View--Casey Daniels (292)<br />Speak--Laurie Halse Anderson (198)<br />Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball--Donita K. Paul (227)<br />Quest for a Maid--Frances Mary Hendry (273)<br />The Hundred Dresses--Eleanor Estes (79)<br />Presidential Pets--Laura Driscoll (64)<br /><br />MAY<br /><br />The Search--Nora Roberts (472)<br />Freckle Juice--Judy Blume (47)<br />The Gollywhopper Games--Jody Feldman (315)<br />The Doll in the Garden--Mary Downing Hahn (128)<br />A Veiled Deception--Annette Blair (246)<br />Larceny and Lace--Annette Blair (288)<br />The Bargain--Francis Ray (348)<br />Sarah Bishop--Scott O'Dell (231)<br />Water for Elephants--Sara Gruen (350)<br />Secondhand Spirits--Juliet Blackwell (325)<br />Listening for Leroy--Betsy Hearne (211)<br />What Child Is This?--Caroline B. Cooney (150)<br />Here to Stay--Catherine Anderson (422)<br />The Adventures of Captain Underpants--Dav Pilkey (123)<br /><br />JUNE<br /><br />19 Steps Up the Mountain--Joseph P. Blank (234)<br />The Searching Hearts--Dorothy Garlock (376)<br />Ralph S. Mouse--Beverly Cleary (160)<br />A Taste of Magic--Tracy Madison (292)<br />Big Trouble--Marianna Jameson (418)<br />The Girl Most Likely To...--Susan Donovan (340)<br />Ghost Liners: Exploring the World's Greatest Lost Ships--Robert D. Ballard (64)<br />A Game of Thrones--George R. R. Martin (854)<br />Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah--Richard Bach (192)<br />The Sugar Queen--Sarah Addison Allen (276)<br />The Persian Pickle Club--Sandra Dallas (196)<br />Bubbles Unbound--Sarah Strohmeyer (341)<br />I'm in No Mood for Love--Rachel Gibson (373)<br />Nowhere Near Respectable--Mary Jo Putney (390)<br />Horrible Harry in Room 2b--Suzy Kline (56)<br />Two Tickets to Freedom--Florence B. Freedman (96)<br />The Boy Trap--Nancy Matson (108)<br />Sweetheart, Indiana--Suzanne Simmons (324)<br />Phi Beta Bimbo--Trish Jensen (336)<br /><br />JULY<br /><br />Nothing But Trouble--Rachel Gibson (377)<br />The Bride's House--Sandra Dallas (374)<br />The Girl Who Chased the Moon--Sarah Addison Allen (292)<br />True Confessions--Rachel Gibson (376)<br />Promise Bridge--Eileen Clymer Schwab (418)<br />Full Dark, No Stars--Stephen King (368)<br />Becoming Georgia--Emily Carmichael (327)<br />Intertwined--Gena Showalter (442)<br />The Finishing Touches--Hester Browne (427)<br />Promises to the Dead--Mary Downing Hahn (202)<br />Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes--Sandra Lee (233)<br />The Divide--Nicholas Evans (499)<br />Roadside Prey--Alva Busch (306)<br /><br />AUGUST<br /><br />Sarah's Key--Tatiana de Rosnay (305)<br />The Host--Stephenie Meyer (619)<br />If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War--Kay Moore (64)<br />If You Lived in Colonial Times--Ann McGovern (80)<br />If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620--Ann McGovern (80)<br />Thunder from the Clear Sky--Marcia Sewall (56)<br />If You Grew Up with Abraham Lincoln--Ann McGovern (79)<br />Willie, the Frog Prince--C. S. Adler (163)<br /><br />SEPTEMBER<br /><br />Black Blade Blues--J. A. Pitts (369)<br />Smokin' Seventeen--Janet Evanovich (308)<br />The Anything Box--Zenna Henderson (191)<br />Life As We Knew It--Susan Pfeffer (337)<br />The Dead & the Gone--Susan Beth Pfeffer (326)<br />Out of This World--Jill Shalvis (298)<br />Timepiece--Richard Paul Evans (236)<br />Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake--Laurie Brown (391)<br />Texas Rain--Jodi Thomas (374)<br />North American Racer Snakes--Adele D. Richardson (48)<br />Kindergarten Read-Aloud Anthology--Harcourt (144)<br />Surprise--Houghton Mifflin (220)<br />This World We Live In--Susan Beth Pfeffer (239)<br /><br />OCTOBER<br /><br />Ghost Cadet--Elaine Marie Alphin (182)<br />Heart Search--Robin D. Owens (351)<br />Christmas at Timberwoods--Fern Michaels (362)<br />Dark Moon, Lost Lady--Elsie Lee (173)<br />Works of Louisa May Alcott (3,355)<br />Life Sentences--Laura Lippman (457)<br /><br />NOVEMBER<br /><br />The Unquiet--J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Patricia Gaffney, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Mary Kay McComas (408)<br />The Comforts of Home--Jodi Thomas (328)<br />Parasyte 1--Hitoshi Iwaaki (281)<br /><br />DECEMBER<br /><br />Freckles--Gene Stratton-Porter (238)<br />The Things a Brother Knows--Dana Reinhardt (245)<br />The Lost Children--Carolyn Cohagan (313)<br />Jokelopedia--Ilana Weitzman, Eva Blank, Alison Benjamin, and Rosanne Green (278)<br />Gabriel's Angel--Nora Roberts (288)<br />Finding Noel--Richard Paul Evans (305)<br />The Christmas Hope--Donna Van Liere (213)<br />Dead Reckoning--Charlaine Harris (325)<br />Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls--Lynne Jonell (377)<br />My Best Friend's Girl--Dorothy Koomson<br />Magyk--Angie Sage (431)<br />The Truth About Forever--Sarah Dessen (393)<br />Jingle Boy--Kieran Scott (230)<br /><br />TOTAL: 146 books, 40,885 pagesMellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-13333206646285026332011-12-21T08:57:00.004-05:002011-12-21T09:12:17.821-05:00FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLEI've made this recipe for parties and it's always very well received. It's pretty easy to make, and very flexible when it comes to type of bread, fruit, or nuts used. (A variation I like is to use cherries and almonds, and substitute almond extract for the vanilla.) I have one in the oven right now, which I made with sourdough bread and dried mixed berries.<br /><br />If you're like me and forget to put something together the night before, just add a couple of extra eggs. Combine the egg mixture with the bread in an airtight bowl and shake it around for a couple of minutes so the bread absorbs the liquid, then carry on as if you'd just pulled it out of the fridge. The key is to make sure the bread is soaked through so it will bake soft rather than crunchy.<br /><br />This is great to pull out of the fridge on Christmas morning, pop into the oven while opening presents, and have ready to eat when the kids are looking for the next thing to do. A sprinkle of cinnamon over the top is never amiss. Enjoy!<br /><br />FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE<br /><br />1 loaf French bread, cubed or sliced<br />5 eggs<br />2-1/2 c. milk<br />3/4 c. brown sugar<br />1 tsp. vanilla<br />1/2 tsp. nutmeg<br />1 c. chopped pecans<br />1/4 c. butter, melted<br />1/4 c. brown sugar<br />2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries<br /><br />1. Arrange bread in greased 13 x 9 pan.<br /><br />2. Combine eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg; pour over bread. Cover; refrigerate overnight.<br /><br />3. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking; sprinkle with pecans. Combine butter and brown sugar; drizzle over casserole. Bake at 400* F for 25 minutes. Sprinkle blueberries on top; bake 10 minutes more until knife in center comes out clean. Makes 6 servings.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-59846367300457964232011-12-18T14:15:00.002-05:002011-12-18T14:26:36.642-05:00CHICKEN TETRAZZINII made this recipe for dinner last night, with a few moderations, and it was a big hit. I left out the mushrooms, as we have two fungi-haters here, but substituted frozen spinach. I had no sherry, so I used marsala instead, and that seemed to work well. I also used a full cup of half-and-half, and substituted Colby Jack for the swiss cheese. Additionally, I used up the rest of my French's fried onions (you know, the ones from that green bean casserole everybody makes at Thanksgiving) by sprinkling them around the edges of the dish, and I sprinkled paprika across the parmesan before I put the dish in the oven.<br /><br />I guess I actually made a different recipe from this one, when it comes right down to it, but it tasted yummy, regardless. I would double this recipe, though, because it was barely sufficient to feed three hungry people. Maybe with side dishes and bread or salad it would be enough, but on its own, we'd have been hungry if my son had been home for dinner.<br /><br />CHICKEN TETRAZZINI<br /><br />3 T butter<br />1 8-ounce package sliced mushrooms<br />1 tsp. chopped garlic<br />1 14-ounce can chicken broth<br />1 1.8-ounce package white sauce mix (I used Bearnaise)<br />1/2 c. half-and-half<br />2 T sherry<br />1 c. shredded Swiss cheese<br />4 oz. dried spaghetti, broken in half<br />2 c. cubed, cooked chicken<br />1/4 c. grated parmesan<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 325* F. Butter a 2-quart casserole; set aside.<br /><br />2. Mewlt remaining butter. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook and stir till mushrooms are soft. Transfer to bowl; set aside.<br /><br />3. In same pan, bring broth and sauce mix to a boil. Add half-and-half and sherry. Stir in cheese until melted.<br /><br />4. Add pasta to pan. Cook 8-10 minutes until pasta is al dente. Stir in mushrooms and chicken.<br /><br />5. Transfer to casserole. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake 30 minutes until heated through. Makes 6 servings.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-89432026608980356512011-07-23T12:33:00.005-04:002011-07-23T13:29:32.435-04:00DRAWN TO HISTORYI think all of us who love history are drawn to certain times and places. Conversely, there are eras and locales that we instinctively shy away from for various reasons. We accumulate facts and details and are knowledgable about arcane bits of information that most people are completely unaware of.<br /><br />For instance, if you have ever looked at dolls' hands, you may have wondered why they were molded the way they were, with the middle and ring fingers together and slightly curved inward toward the palm, while the index finger and pinkie were apart and mostly straight. Well, Godey's Lady's Book, the most popular magazine in America in the mid-1800's, had voluminous advice on how fashionable women carried themselves, whether seated, standing, or moving, right down to the way they held their hands. This position I've described was how one was supposed to hold one's hands while at rest. Dolls were designed to reflect the height of fashion, including the positioning of their hands and fingers, and that particular model has been in use right up until the present.<br /><br />How do I know this? I read it in a book. Why do I remember it? Heaven only knows.<br /><br />I tend to be drawn to times of hardship and rigor. I'm fascinated by historical tragedies of any kind, from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius to the Pilgrims' first year to the Donner party to the Titanic. I'm currently attracted to stories of America in the 1930s, especially the Dust Bowl and stories about how people made it through the Depression. My fascination with true crime makes this an interesting era for me, what with all the gangsters and Prohibition. <br /><br />I also feel an affinity with Regency England. I don't know if it's something organic within me, or if it grew from constant exposure, because all the women in my family read Regency romances by the hundreds. <br /><br />I don't gravitate toward brother-vs.-brother times of strife. I enjoy reading about the Civil War, but I don't enjoy Civil War romances, where the heroine is on one side of the conflict and the hero on the other. Those types of stories never resolve seamlessly for me, because the reconciliation of diametrically opposite beliefs doesn't ring true. Also, I guess it's natural, given how the war ended, but you rarely find stories where the protagonists are both Southern and everything ends well. Those are always tragic stories of loss and retribution.<br /><br />Some chunks of English history are less interesting to me than others. I'm fascinated by the Tudors, the Victorians, and the Edwardians. I'll read about any era, really, but those are my three favorites. <br /><br />Another thing that can pull me out of a historical novel is the use of accents. Ah do not lahk zee foreign ax-ahnts written out phonetically. (This is another reason why I don't like Civil War stories; I think it's a bit patronizing for modern white writers to try to approximate what they think slaves might have sounded like.) I guess I want it both ways. I want to know if the characters have accents or particular speech patterns, but I don't want to have to sound them out.<br /><br />I admire the research that authors put into their writing. I love authors who respect their readers enough to validate their information and create a convincing universe in which their readers can immerse themselves. I remember being in a writing class in college, and one girl had written a historical romance. (Should I say "an" historical romance?) At first the professor seemed inclined to praise the story, but my friend and I began to point out the historical inaccuracies, much to the other girl's dismay. When the professor asked her why she had so many mistakes and anachronisms, she threw up her hands and wailed, "I didn't think anyone would notice!" A lot of my classmates were upset with us for being so mean to someone else (and causing her to get a less-than-wonderful grade), but even then, I took writing very seriously. Readers do not like to be patronized, and it bugged even then that this girl would assume that romance readers would be too stupid to catch her errors.<br /><br />People who read history, even light historical fiction, take their reading seriously. They know their stuff. They want to be entertained by writers who also know their stuff.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-74218311480471019352011-07-11T18:03:00.004-04:002011-07-11T18:31:53.394-04:00WRITERS' WORD CHOICESI've been working a lot on my book the last few weeks. I'm about halfway through the manuscript, and my reading partners seem to like it well enough. One thing I'm very aware of as I write is word choice. My friend Sue pointed out that I used the word "palatable" three times in one chapter. I haven't gone back to edit it yet (it's still handwritten in pencil on a legal pad), but I'll be thinking about what I was trying to say and how I can change up my words so they won't stick in the reader's awareness and pull him or her out of the story.<br /><br />When you write a book of 200 or more pages, naturally you're going to repeat a lot of words. The trick is not to repeat words or phrases in a way that readers notice. For instance, if you use a really unusual word, such as fungible (which describes commodities that can be traded to satisfy a contract), it makes sense to use it once and then find another word. Of course, since I was reading a thriller that involved embezzlement when I encountered that word several times, perhaps there wasn't another choice, but it really stuck out and subconsciously, I was almost counting how many times the author used it.<br /><br />Phrases are something to be aware of, as well. I have a tendency to pick up words and phrases that I hear other people use, and I'll use them for a while until something newer and shinier catches my attention. When I'm writing, I try to be aware of repetition, so if I say someone looked like she'd swallowed her tongue, the next time I'm trying to describe a character's expression of shock or surprise, I'll be scouring the wordwork for something that says the same thing a different way.<br /><br />On a recent drive back to Georgia from Naples, FL, my aunt and I listened to <em>Evermore </em>by Alyson Noel. Nearly every time the main character reacted to something, Noel used the phrase, "I pressed my lips." The first few times we heard it, it was pretty funny, but that phrase grew to be painful before we reached the end of the last CD. This was not the only thing the author repeated. Every time the heroine asked the hero a question he didn't want to answer, "he shrugged." Those two phrases really worked my nerves. I don't know if my reaction would have been different if I'd been reading the story rather than listening to it, but I suspect not, because that's the kind of thing I tend to notice. At any rate, much as I enjoyed the story itself, I could not bring myself to read the second book in the series.<br /><br />Another peeve of mine is when authors use the wrong word. If someone does something on purpose, they did it purposely, NOT purposefully. I've seen that one a lot lately, and boy, does it grate. I also hate when authors spell celebrities' names wrong. Two I've seen lately are Steven King and Stephanie Meyer. (Should be Stephen and Stephenie.) And why, oh, why cannot people get the use of me vs. I straight? Billy and I went to the store. Mom gave the candy to Billy and me. If you're not sure which one to use, people, for heaven's sake, take out the other person and you'll know which pronoun to use. It's really simple.<br /><br />Writing is not always easy, I'll be the first to admit that. A little extra work on the writer's part, however, will make it a lot more rewarding for the reader.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-29906191232642488022011-06-25T16:08:00.004-04:002011-06-25T16:22:44.707-04:00RECIPES ALL ON ONE PAGE, PLEASE!One of my favorite hobbies is collecting recipes. I love to try new ways to put my favorite foods together, and I am a pretty good cook. I get my recipes from cookbooks and cooking magazines (especially those digest-sized ones you buy at the supermarket checkout line--love those!), newspapers, websites, and wherever else I can find them. I have been known to tear a recipe or ten out of a magazine in a doctor's waiting room (especially if they have several of the same magazine), and have gotten some of my favorite recipes that way.<br /><br />The problem comes when magazines scatter a recipe across a couple of pages, especially when you have to turn to a completely different page (at the back) to find the rest of your recipe. I find that really annoying, mostly because I've made more mistakes in copying recipes or following them when I've had to flip back and forth. If I'm reading a recipe (whether I plan to clip it or not), I want to read it all in one chunk, without having to flip to another page to see how it will turn out. Cooking magazines keep a recipe in its entirety on one page, but many of the so-called "ladies' magazines" are guilty of splitting recipes up.<br /><br />A recipe is not the same as an article about the latest trend in makeup, a short story, or any Kardashian's advice on relationships, the pitfalls or celebrity, or how to keep all that junk in the trunk. When I'm reading those, I'm perfectly willing to flip to the back of the magazine to finish reading. However, a recipe belongs on one page, ingredients and instructions united. The only exception to this is a photo of said recipe, which can appear on the next page. Anything else is just making life harder than it has to be for everyone involved, but particularly the person trying to follow the recipe.<br /><br />Magazine editors, take note: Recipes on one page, please!Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-78485421740586334542011-06-05T11:07:00.003-04:002011-06-05T11:10:09.417-04:00CROWTHER HOUSE RULESHillary wrote these several years ago, and they've been posted on my freezer ever since. Bedtimes are optional now, but most other rules remain the same, especially the last one.<br /><br />1. Hillary's weekday bedtime is 11 PM. Evan's weekday bedtime is 10 PM. On weekends, bedtime is midnight.<br /><br />2. You will be quiet in this house when Dad is in bed.<br /><br />3. You will do your chores.<br /><br />4. You will go to church.<br /><br />5. Spiders die in this house.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-60252014338727521262011-05-30T12:04:00.005-04:002011-05-30T12:50:31.012-04:00HAPHAZARD CHARITYSome people plan their charitable donations, keep their receipts, and get a little break on their taxes every year. I wish I had the organizational skills to do that, but I have a more haphazard approach to charity. I don't keep track of what I give, and I don't get receipts for it. It's kind of random, but in a way, I like it that way. I like to get unexpected surprises, and I guess I feel like I'm giving someone else a little something they weren't planning on.<br /><br />You might almost say it's Nora Roberts' fault. I don't remember which book it was, but one of her heroes threw all his charitable requests into a drawer, and then, once a year, he would just randomly pull out requests and write hefty checks. He didn't look at whom he'd given to before or favor any particular organization; he just drew names.<br /><br />I really liked that approach. There are so many groups out there that do great things, and I feel like most of them are deserving. I can't help all of them, so I do my giving by impulse. Maybe I bring furniture, clothes, or snacks to the women's shelter. I routinely drop stuff off at Goodwill, and I don't wait around for a receipt. I volunteer to help with projects and activities. I feed stray animals and have birdfeeders and birdbaths in my yard, and sometimes I take bread or crackers out to the woods and strew them for the animals out there to find. I toss money into the basket at church (the only consistent donation I make). Twice I've set up book swap shelves in the teachers' lounges of the schools I've worked at, and saved up enough books to fill the rack before I put it together. I also donate books to the swap shelves of the public library in town and the library on post. I try to find homes for things rather than toss them into the trash. I recycle at home and at work. I've cooked (and scheduled others to cook) meals for families in crisis. During my tenure in various clubs, I've organized fundraisers to support various charities and scholarships. I've also been active with Relay for Life over the past 13 years.<br /><br />I would also point out that prayer is, in my view, a form of charity, and possibly the sincerest form of charity because it truly is anonymous to the recipient. I believe in the power of prayer, and I know there have been times when my life has been blessed in times of crisis by the people who lifted me up with their prayers and positive thoughts. I really believe the universe benefits when people are sending out positive energy on the behalf of others.<br /><br />I don't really like telephone solicitation, mostly because I always try to say yes, and then I really have to be organized to follow through with my promise or pledge. I'm much happier if there's a website I can go to when apporoached and make an immediate donation with plastic. Then there are the checkout charities. You know the ones I mean, the "Would you like to donate $1 for Jerry's Kids" as you're presenting your payment for the groceries you just bought. My rule is, if they ask me to donate, I do. I love to put canned goods out for the post office food drive, "buy" jeans passes at work by donating for various causes, and support my children's school fundraisers. If you're selling raffle tickets, I'm the girl to approach. I never win those things, but I feel like I've helped if I've purchased tickets, candy bars, cookie dough, or gift wrap. Don't get me wrong. I understand that a concentrated gift to one particular target does a great deal of good, but I'm not in a position to give an amount that would make a substantial difference to anyone.<br /><br />Neither am I bragging. I know it might sound that way, but really, what I'm trying to say is that every little bit really does help. Times really are hard now, and I fear that things are only going to get worse. So I stock up my pantry, clean out my closets, and give my time or money when I can.<br /><br />If you feel guilty that you're not helping enough, I urge you to look at what you're doing. I'll bet you're helping a lot more than you realize. If you've done any of the things I've mentioned above, or anything like them, you've aided a charity, whether it was personal or professional. It may be haphazard, but it's still charity, and it's always appreciated. And remember that old saying: Time IS money. If you can't give goods, you can always give services. Change the World: Volunteer!Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-71402910602561688982011-05-21T18:16:00.003-04:002011-05-21T18:56:05.066-04:00WHO DECIDED WHAT COLOR PENCILS SHOULD BE?When you work in an elementary school classroom, the one thing you can guarantee is that there are always pencils that need to be sharpened. And if you don't want your jaw to rattle all day with the sound of the electric sharpener (a noise akin to that of a dentist's drill, to my ears), you might sharpen them yourself with one of those 50-cent sharpeners that gather the shavings in a self-contained holder. There are 24 students in the second-grade classroom to which I'm currently assigned, and between their wanton destruction of the pencil population and their heavy hands when it comes to putting pencil to paper, pencils need to be sharpened at about the rate of six per minute. <br /><br />As I was sharpening the latest batch this week, it occurred to me to wonder why pencils are usually yellow. Not just yellow, but the orangey-yellow of Velveeta cheese. I know you can buy pencils in every color of the rainbow nowadays, and with any picture or words, glitter, velvet, and other embellishments you can imagine, but if you go to the store to buy cheap pencils in bulk, they are going to remind you of Kraft macaroni and cheese. Why? Who decided that was the color pencils should be?<br /><br />Furthermore, why are erasers always pink? Pink erasers and orangey-yellow pencils don't even match, but if you look up clip-art of pencils, nine times out of ten, they'll be yellow pencils with pink erasers.<br /><br />There are a lot of these unspoken rules about what we agree things should look like. My daughter says that all pizza should be pepperoni. As proof, she points out the fact that whenever you see an illustration of a slice of pizza, it is invariably topped with little reddish-brown circles of what is clearly pepperoni.<br /><br />All babies have blue eyes. Well, Caucasian babies. Except mine, who were all born with murky gray eyes that were clearly destined to darken and never had a hint of blue in them, regardless of the myriad blue-eyed relatives on both sides of the family tree.<br /><br />I listened to a teacher berate a child who had colored leaves purple, saying that was not a color that occurs in leaves. In fact, it is. I don't know the name of the plant, but I have seen it for sale at Walmart and its leaves are purple. (I know this doesn't support my topic, but it's kind of the inverse of my point, so I left it in.)<br /><br />Who eats eggs sunnyside up? I'm an over-easy gal myself. (Hmm, maybe that's not the best way to put that.) Pictures of eggs? Sunnyside up.<br /><br />How about cupcakes? Cupcakes always have pink frosting. The weird thing is, a lot of the time they have cherries on top, but I've never had a cupcake with a cherry on top. Of course, sundaes are always shown with hot fudge, and cookies are always chocolate chip. Maybe chocolate trumps everything else. <br /><br />Apples are always red. We know that apples can be green or yellow or even pink, but when we draw apples, we always color them red. <br /><br />Don't you feel bad for oranges? They don't even get their own name; they have to share it with their color. Why don't we call lemons yellows or limes greens? Could it be that oranges are just that unique that the color was named for them rather than they being named for the color?<br /><br />Why are school buses yellow? Why are tractors red (when they're not John Deere green)? When did car manufacturers agree that they could paint cars in colors other than black?<br /><br />Look at any picture drawn by an elementary school child and notice that the sun is always angled across one of the top corners of the paper, with huge spiky rays extending from it. Have we ever actually seen the sun look like that? I doubt it, but we've all drawn the sun that way. Furthermore, we most often draw the moon as a crescent, even though it only appears that way about a fourth of the time. Is it to distinguish it from the sun?<br /><br />I guess it boils down to a form of shorthand. We portray things the way we most often see them, and then we know exactly what we're talking about. When we see an egg sunnyside up, there's no doubt we're talking about an egg. If we see an oval, it could be an egg, but there's always that tiny shred of a chance that it might be something else. If it's yellow, it must be a pencil.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-27534215980013916372011-05-15T19:31:00.003-04:002011-05-15T20:11:02.482-04:00PUBLISHERS LIMITING LIBRARY E-BOOK CHECKOUTSI heard on the radio a couple of weeks ago that one of the major publishing houses was trying to figure out a way to limit the number of times a library could loan an e-book before having to renew its purchase. My initial reaction was critical of the idea, but then I started thinking more about it, and now I believe the publishers have the right idea.<br /><br />E-books are more popular than ever, and those of us who own e-readers are always looking for good free content. Naturally, we might look to our local public libraries to give us access to the hottest new releases, but electronic loans are a very different concept than physical book loans. Think about it.<br /><br />When you borrow a book from the library, you have one copy of it in your possession for two weeks, usually. During that time, no one else can borrow the book. Maybe you return it early, probably you return it on time, and possibly you return it late. The amount of time you have the book determines how soon someone else can have it. Perhaps your library buys or leases several copies of the same book because there's a huge demand for it. Even so, the number of readers of each book is limited. People who<em> really </em>want to read it may lose patience and buy a copy, and sometimes friends will share a hot new book within their circle of readers. Publishers count on the fact that our impatience to get our hands on a certain book will bump their sales.<br /><br />With an e-book, one could theoretically loan it to thousands of people at a time. There's no profit in that for the publishers, and let's face it, the bottom line is the need for the publisher (and of course the author) to sell as many copies of the book as possible to generate revenue and royalties. It makes sense that publishers would look for a way to limit the number of times an e-book could be shared before the rights would have to be re-purchased. The numbers being tossed around in the radio piece seemed unrealistic to me (26 uses per purchase, figuring on the number of times a hard copy would be loaned in a year). I agree with the idea of rights being tied to the number of uses rather than a time-frame; again, one could theoretically loan an e-book thousands of times in a very short period. However, repeated purchasing of loaning rights also brings up the question of the library's budget--the more money being spent on rights to ebooks, the less money there is for other library needs.<br /><br />So what's the solution? <br /><br />My suggestion would be to charge a nominal fee for e-books, maybe $1 per rental, and split the money between the publisher and the library. I know that would likely entail some changes in how libraries are run and funded, but we have to keep up with technological advances and adapt old ways of doing things to new possibilities.<br /><br />There will still be plenty of us who will buy actual books that we can hold in our hands and read, and share with our fellow readers. I'm reminded of Capt. Picard on an episode of <em>Star Trek: The Next Generation. </em>With some sort of e-books available to him, he still preferred to sit in his quarters and read his beautiful, gilt-embossed hardcover books. Likewise, I can't imagine gathering my grandchildren around me to read to them from my Nook, color or not. There is a time and place for each type of book, and we can have plenty of options with each. All we have to do is figure out what's fair for all the parties involved in e-reading. If everyone gives a little, everyone can gain a lot. There's plenty of room for compromise.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-64211153000839228532011-02-05T05:14:00.005-05:002011-02-05T05:54:24.878-05:00THE JANE MOFFAT PROJECTMy imagination is quite child-like, and it manifests itself in strange and unusual ways. From the time I was quite small, I would come up with games and routines that would stave off boredom, or that were inspired by books or movies. The fact that I can be somewhat OCD simply intensifies those tendencies. These games I play with myself are mostly private, weird little things that I've rarely if ever shared with anyone else.<br /><br />When I was a kid and would play house with other girls, I would create detailed backstories in my head, usually centering on great poverty as evinced in books by Louisa May Alcott, Kate Douglas Wiggin, and Sara Crewe's ordeals in <em>A Little Princess. </em>My "children" and I would carefully gather wood for heat and cooking; we would be poor but honorable, doing whatever we must to survive hardship and deprivation. I'm still drawn to stories like that: a recent read was <em>Prayers for Sale </em>by Sandra Dallas.<br /><br />The game that has had the most lasting effect on my life, however, is one I like to call The Jane Moffat Project. In one of the Moffat books by Eleanor Estes, Jane decides to read all the books in the library, so she starts with A and begins to read her way through. Even as a kid, this idea appealed to me, and every so often, I would take a stab at The Jane Moffat Project. I never got very far, because I would be seduced away from the books I "should" read by the books I "wanted" to read. Eventually I would have to admit that I had gone off the wagon, and for a while I would put the project out of my mind.<br /><br />The most recent iteration of the JMP began this year when I decided I would attempt to read all the books in the library at the school where I work. I didn't get very far at all. Well, maybe I did, because I took a multi-pronged approach to the project. In addition to starting at the A section of the chapter books, I started at the first shelf of non-fiction, and would also read a few picture/story books with whatever classes I subbed or aided in. And of course, after so many years of reading, I had already read many of the books in the school's collection.<br /><br />I'll never know whether I could have done it, because I've been informed that I'm being transferred to another school in the county. I am deeply saddened by this, because I have grown to love where I've been and have come to feel that I've been an asset to the school. I just don't know if I have the heart to go through the process yet again of getting to know my co-workers and creating a niche for myself. People have tried to console me by reminding me that I'm lucky I still have a job at all. Well, yeah, I know that, but it doesn't make it easier to reconcile myself to reality after I've come to know most of the students by name and made some friends. I don't know if I can put myself out there again.<br /><br />On the other hand, there are two local libraries (one on-post, one off) nearby. Perhaps Jane Moffat will lead me to another tilt at this particular windmill. Reading has always gotten me through tough times. I will tuck my Nook, well-stocked as it is with nearly 700 books, into my purse and rely on it to ease the transition. I could do a mini-Moffatt simply by reading all the books I've downloaded. Alternatively, there's always graduate school.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-26646428410042437992011-01-23T14:04:00.004-05:002011-01-23T14:38:13.817-05:00MARGARET HILLERT BOOKS FOR BEGINNING READERSI've spent a lot of time in kindergarten and first grade this year, and have become re-acquainted with the beginner books written by Margaret Hillert. Ms. Hillert is a former first grade teacher who developed a series of books designed to improve reading fluency in very young readers. For that purpose, her books are quite effective.<br /><br />However, most of her books are baby bowdlerized editions of popular stories that manage to retell those stories without using key words. For example, her version of "Jack and the Beanstalk" does not use the word "beanstalk!" She does use the word "something" in that book, so it strikes me as particularly odd that she would omit beanstalk. I understand that she is trying to reinforce sight words for beginning readers, but in endeavoring to stick to that vocabulary, she misses the opportunity to introduce a word that the children she's writing for are certainly familiar with already. It boggles my mind.<br /><br />So why is this on my mind at all? As I said, I've been re-reading many of Hillert's titles with my young charges, and reliving my son's early reading career. On Friday, I reread Hillert's <em>What Is It</em>?, a very cute story about two little elves following a long red string. Evan and I loved this book when he was little. The pictures are fun to look at, and we loved talking about where the string might lead next. Imagine my disappointment when Evan came home from school and told me that he'd failed the Accelerated Reader test for this story. I couldn't guess why he had failed, since we'd read the story several times and talked about each page at length. He read other Hillert titles with similar results, and that's when I discovered what the problem was.<br /><br />Hillert's books are filled with such sparkling lines as "Up, up, up! We go up. We see something. What is it? We will go. Go, go, go!" These are not actual quotes, but quite similar to the content. AR questions are very specific, but Hillert's books are so nebulous that many children find it hard to answer the questions about them because they're so content-free. As I said earlier, they're great for developing fluency and teaching children how to read with expression. For telling a story and remembering details, however, they are poorly designed and not a good fit for the AR program. Since many school libraries are so focused on ensuring that every book in their collection has a corresponding AR test, and since the Hillert books are so good at what they were designed for and so bad at assessing reading comprehension and retention of material read, I suspect teachers are sometimes not getting an accurate picture of their students' reading ability.<br /><br />Evan read very well as a beginning reader, but his teachers were not convinced because his AR test results were so poor. I finally had to tell them not to allow him to check out any more Hillert books. Only then did his reading scores improve.<br /><br />I'm a huge fan of Accelerated Reader, and completely envious that my children got to participate in it, because there was nothing like it when I was a kid. I would have knocked it out of the park! I just don't believe that every book should have an AR test. Furthermore, I think parents, teachers, and students alike need to remember that sometimes you should just read because you like the book, not because you have to earn a certain number of AR points in a certain length of time. YMMV.*<br /><br />*Your mileage may vary.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-91140588337596856072010-11-07T11:54:00.003-05:002010-11-07T12:00:51.607-05:00DEFINITIONS FOR PARENTSDUMBWAITER: The guy who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.<br /><br />FEEDBACK: The inevitable result when your baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.<br /><br />FULL NAME: What you call your child by when you're angry.<br /><br />GRANDPARENTS: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're positive you're not raising them right.<br /><br />INDEPENDENT: How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.<br /><br />OW: The first word spoken by children with older siblings.<br /><br />SHOW OFF: A child who is more talented than yours.<br /><br />STERILIZE: What you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by wiping it on your jeans.<br /><br />TOP BUNK: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman pajamas.<br /><br />VERBAL: Able to whine in words.<br /><br />WHODUNIT: None of the kids who live in your house.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-46578974884408702622010-07-23T19:41:00.003-04:002010-07-23T19:47:49.855-04:00RICOTTA PANCAKESI've been trying out some of the new recipes in my collection, and this one was a huge hit! My neighbor said these are what you eat in heaven. I served them with a dab of blueberry all-fruit with a dollop of light sour cream on top. They were muy delicioso! Here's the recipe--it makes a LOT of pancakes, easily enough to feed six very hungry people. The next time I make it, I'm going to mix some orange marmalade and cream cheese, with a couple of drops of maraschino cherry juice, and use that to spread over the pancakes.<br /><br />Ricotta Pancakes<br /><br />6 eggs<br />1 15-oz. container ricotta<br />1-1/2 c. flour<br />1-1/2 c. sour cream<br />2 T sugar<br /><br />1. Beat the eggs. Add remaining ingredients; mix well.<br /><br />2. Drop by 1/4-cupfuls onto hot buttered griddle, spreading batter into 4-inch circles. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until light golden brown.<br /><br />3. Serve with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or maple syrup. Makes 6 servings.Mellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com0