This Time Together

I've had my Kindle for a while but just got around to making use of the public library's ebooks. My first book from that source was Carol Burnett's This Time Together (Amazon link). I have always enjoyed Carol Burnett and miss her variety show. Still, and that was a long time ago.

Carol always opened her show with a Q & A session to warm up the audience. Her last tour was done this way. This book is a collection of anecdotes prompted by the most frequently asked questions. It is a light read, and short, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There is a little about her childhood, her marriages, how her career began, how the series developed and some great stories about some of her favorite celebrity guests. Not a bad word is said about anyone, in fact, not a "bad" word was used at all.

Possibly my favorite quote from the book was by Beverly Sills. Her nickname was Bubbles and she became a great friend of Carol's and was a repeat guest on the show. Beverly Sills was an opera star with a beautiful soprano voice. Her son was born with severe impairments (unspecified in this tale) and was institutionalized at a young age. Her daughter was born deaf.  In a 60 Minutes interview, Mike Wallace brought up the subject of her children and asked Beverly how, with all this tragedy, she always seemed to be so happy. She replied that she wasn't necessarily always happy, but that she always tried to be cheerful.

If you are a Carol Burnett fan or are looking for a light read that is true and fun, consider this book.

Electronic addictions

I am humming Donovan's E-lec-tric-al  Ba-na-na (actually song title is Mellow Yellow ) now that I've titled this post. I hope my post makes more sense than the song lyrics. What does it say about me that I still remember them 40 years later?

But I digress. Digression is my favorite form of exercise.

Today I am admitting my electronic addictions. It began with a Kindle.

I love books. I like the feel and smell of them. I never thought I would enjoy a Kindle but I do. Bound books still appeal to me and I do read them but Kindles are so portable, light and there is only one of them, not a growing accumulation on my shelves. Books are wonderful things to collect but I am in a downsizing state of mind. Traveling with a Kindle is wonderful. I used to travel with multiple books. What if I finished a current book while away from home? Heaven forbid I be without a new book! And what if I didn't like book "A"? Hence the need to pack both "A" and "B". Kindle had lightened my load considerably.

Next came the iPhone, thanks to my son and daughter-in-law.

My previous phone was a flip phone that had served me well for many years but did not text or take photos. I didn't really need those features. At least I thought I didn't. The main reasons for wanting a new phone was the limited volume and short ring before going to voice mail. I don't text often, but I do occasionally find this a nice feature and the camera is so handy that now I would be lost without it.

My last birthday brought me an iPad.

Oh baby...now I can travel and keep up to date with my internet friends without lugging heavy equipment around! I got a taste of that with the phone but reading certainly is easier on the iPad. I've been known to take the iPad to my knitting group to show them something wonderful I've found rather than just talk about it or email a link to everyone as I once did.

These are tools. Conveniences. Are they really addictions or is it the applications that are the source of all evil fun? Yep, it is the apps that cause me to lose track of time. I did download and play Angry Birds to see what all the fuss was about. It was ok, but not really my thing. I still haven't gotten over my kids playing Mario Brothers and *knowing* when to jump to catch an invisible mushroom that dropped coins or something magical. Perhaps Mario Brothers was influenced by Mellow Yellow and both the game and song were created during a druggie's flashback?

I am pure of heart, liver and anything else that collects drugs. Vitamins, Aleve and an occasional Excedrin Migraine don't count. My app addiction isn't drug influenced, it is word related. Mostly.

Even if you don't play, I bet everyone has heard of Words With Friends but what about other word games? Do you know about 7 Little Words, Whirly Word or Moxie? None of these require an opponent which is nice if you are unsure of playing or are filling time while waiting somewhere. I don't recall if any of those three were ever a free download, but none are expensive.

I've just started playing Draw Something, (a game where you draw the word you want another player to recognize similar to playing Pictionary) thanks to blogger Empress Bee who just today mentioned use of a stylus which will make drawing much easier.

I tell myself I don't need anymore games or distractions but find myself listening to strangers talk about what they're playing. I fear I am hopeless.

Some of you might be wondering about using a Kindle while having an iPad which could also download books, or using a Kindle Fire to browse the internet in place of a separate tablet. If I was just beginning to acquire electronics today, I might not have both and I can't address issues that I haven't personally experienced, but I believe the Kindle is easier on the eyes for extensive reading because it isn't back lit. The Kindle's battery life is much longer, especially with the wireless turned off.

If you are a Kindle reader, do you know about Pixel of Ink, a source for bargain and free Kindle books? Free books are offered daily, I believe three times a day as a rule. They don't always remain free so checking daily is a good habit.

One last word (or 50) about things being free. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I don't mind waiting for an ad to download and click off in exchange for playing a free game but sometimes the books offered at Pixel of Ink are free for a reason. The site is definitely worth checking though and if you find the book isn't to your liking, it is easy enough to delete and pick something else to read. Maybe a blog entry. Maybe mine.

Milo Armadillo

I read about this book and pattern on a knitting forum. Milo Armadillo is a sweet story about a little girl who wants a fluffy pink rabbit. Her parents can't find one so grandma begins knitting one, but her pattern goes awry and Milo is the result. The girl is polite but disappointed. Everyone else has a pink rabbit. Milo shows her what he can do, but she always says that a rabbit would be faster, smarter, cuter etc. Milo decides to go to grandma's to be unraveled and re-knit into a bunny. The girl comes home from school and is heartbroken to see he has disappeared. She follows the yarn trail because now she doesn't want a rabbit, she wants her Milo back. Grandma repairs his tail and all is well again.

I downloaded the pattern and knit my own Milo. I will eventually read this to Colton, but right now he is little young to appreciate the story and he'd probably want to chew on Milo and I'm not ready for that. Milo has to go the yarn shop first. 

I love Fannie Flagg

I am not posting from home so this is brief and without photos or links to enhance this but I just had to tell everyone that I love Fannie Flagg's books. I think I've read all of them, the latest being I Still Dream About You which I just finished while Colton naps.

There is something in each of her books that has made me smile, tugged at my heart and left me feeling good when the story ended. If you're in need of such a book and haven't read her books before, do yourself a favor and consider one when you go to the library or bookstore.

Happy reading and since it is March 1st ... Rabbit! Rabbit! ... for good luck!

Ruthless de-cluttering

Have you ever gone through decluttering, downsizing or whatever you wish to call it and wondering if the end is ever going to be in sight?

Seldom can you clean one drawer, closet, collection or room without other drawers, rooms, etc being affected.  I thought downsizing books would be easier because my books are limited to two rooms and I was only going to tackle one subject among all my books. Ha! I heard a noise the other night and couldn't identify the source. I thought it might have been ice falling off of our neighbor's garage. The following day I discovered that a shelf of books, the type of shelf held in place by two small brackets on each end, had fallen on one side as the wood bowed under the weight of too many books. Books on the shelf below were holding all of this in place, putting that next shelf in jeopardy.

I love books. But it is time to lighten my load. Do many of you re-read a novel? I don't. There isn't enough time to read all that I would like to read, so why am I saving books I've read and have loaned to my reading friends and relatives? Whole collections of authors I like... Jan Karon, Janet Evanovich, Ann B. Ross, Joanne Fluke, Earlene Fowler (I could go on and on)...are now on their way to friends who haven't read these authors yet, or to my city's library and some to the Salvation Army.

The novels aren't the books that I started culling. The first books were mainly quilting books with a few knitting and general sewing volumes mixed in. I have friends that teach these subjects and hopefully they or their students will find use and enjoyment in them. I've saved many for reference or for patterns that I might get around to using in the next few decades.
Like most readers, it isn't just books that accumulate in my house, magazines multiply also. I began a new habit a few years ago with general magazines (BH&G, Good Housekeeping, etc), tossing old ones at least every 3 months. My problem was cooking, knitting or craft magazines. There were patterns, recipes, ideas that I wanted to save. Keeping the entire magazine takes up too much space and how to remember which issue has the recipe you're looking for? Time to rip those articles out and file them in binders.

I've been at this for almost a week now. The discard pile is done, now I am reorganizing items returning to shelves. De-cluttering makes me feel better about myself. I start out aggravated for letting things get out of hand, but gradually my mood lightens as order returns.

I don't think of myself as a controlling person, but we all like to have control of some things, some times. One of my sons is having surgery this week to repair a shoulder injury. A good friend is having surgery next week. Both surgeries are considered common to those in the medical field, but surgery never feels common to the patient or their loved ones. I truly do have faith that all will go well with both procedures, but I know that recuperation will take time and present challenges to the daily lives of both these men. Bill and I are going to be as helpful as much as possible in both cases, but we don't know what exactly we're facing or how long we'll be on call. This isn't a complaint, but an acknowledgment that we are not in control. Cleaning the shelves is one little area that IS controllable and probably why this feels so good right now.

Three and a half decades!

Bill and I celebrated our 35th anniversary yesterday. Holy cow! My card to him said that if I hadn't found him, I'd probably be driving someone else nuts now. Outwardly romantic? No, but he knows what I mean. I often ask him if I'm driving him crazy yet. Sometimes he even listens and answers.

I can honestly say that our marriage hasn't taken much work, but I certainly acknowledge that sometimes a relationship does require attention and it is sad that some people will put so much into careers, hobbies and children yet not give much effort to their marriage. One person can't do the work alone, nor can they force change on their partner. Bill and I have been lucky to share pretty much the same outlook and goals so it has been easier for us than some. The hard times we've faced have been from the outside world, or things just plain out of our mortal hands. Weathering them together strengthened our bond.

We're such comfortable old folks right now, we didn't do anything special to commemorate this event. We went to the cottage, the kids visited and we had an enjoyable weekend. The table held yellow roses from Bill, predictable but sweet.

The rest of this week promises to be busy, yet again. Who told me retirement was going to be about sleeping in and throwing away clocks? Liars! But today is Labor Day and I am not laboring.

If you need help figuring out what to do today that isn't labor, I have a book and a knitting pattern to recommend.
The book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It seems to be on display everywhere. I bought my copy at Target and am glad I didn't wait for the long reserve line at the public library. Click here to read about it Amazon.

If you knit and have an infant to 4 year old in your life, the September issue of Creative Knitting magazine has an easy hat on page 54. It calls for DK weight yarn, and the hat is worked using 2 strands throughout. The ties on the hat I made for Colton are knitted I-cord rather than twisted cord as given in the directions. I used a washable acrylic yarn, Patons' Astra in Copen Blue.

You're on your own finding a cutie patootie to model your finished creation.

Nothing better than feeling good!

Perhaps this should read "Nothing better than feeling well" but James Brown is somewhere singing "I Feel Good" and I am singing along.

I was derailed yesterday with a sinus headache for most of the day. Not enough to render me nonfunctional, but I certainly didn't function efficiently or exuberantly. Dust bunnies snickered and had a field day. Leftovers languished in the refrigerator. Unfinished projects sighed and mumbled about another day gone to hell in a hand basket, and griped because the basket isn't done yet either. Good thing I didn't really see or hear most of this. I spent much of the day on the couch with a heat rice sock on my head doing this:

Between naps, when the headache eased enough that reading wasn't painful, I finished Jeanne Ray's book Eat Cake (click here for reviews at Amazon) and also Vinegar, Duct Tape, Milk Jugs and More by Earl Proulx and the editors of Yankee Magazine.  (Amazon link here)  The first book is a light novel that fit my mood the past few days. I still have no word on when my computer will be repaired and returned. Light reading where everything works out in the end was just what I needed. The second book is full of helpful hints but is just old enough that a few things are outdated. For instance, saving 8 oz yogurt cups for a particular hint doesn't work since most yogurt is packaged in 6 oz sizes now. It was a fun book to skim through even though I know I won't put most of the ideas to use.

Books are great friends. Some challenge, some comfort, some inspire and once in a while, one is only a paperweight, but that still serves a purpose.  I love books.

 

I hope all who stop by today are having a great day. C'mon and join me singing!

Book endings

Ever come down to the last few pages of a book and hate to see it end? It doesn't have to be a blockbuster for me to feel that way. There are many series that I read and sometimes what happens to the main character in a particular book is secondary to the story, but is a cliff hanger of sorts. I just finished Sue Grafton's U is for Undertow and while "cliff hanger" is not an accurate description, I was left wanting more. This is not a criticism of the book, just the opposite...I am left hungry for the next book which will undoubtedly reveal a bit more of Kinsey's (the main character ) personal story.

I won't spoil it for anyone who enjoys this series and hasn't read this one yet.  All I will say is that I consistently like Grafton's books and this one was a very good read, a blend of the mystery Kinsey is hired to investigate and the mystery of Kinsey's relatives and her childhood.

Some book endings, sadly, are permanent. I just read that Robert B. Parker died. He was the author of three detective series featuring Sunny Randall, Jesse Stone and my favorite, the Spenser series. He also wrote numerous books that were separate from these mysteries. He will be greatly missed.

Wishin' and Hopin'

Today's post isn't a book review, but it is a recommendation. Yesterday I finished reading one of the books I received as a Christmas book. The book is Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb.

While called a Christmas story, it isn't so much a Christmas story that you would feel out of place reading it in August, or enjoying it if you aren't Christian.

The story is a slice of Felix Funicello's life as a fifth grader in a Catholic school in 1964. If you remember the '60s, you will smile at the description of life back then. If you only know the 60's from TV and the movies, you will still smile at some things that are universal no matter when you were a fifth grader. Didn't we all know a kid who seemed to know more about life than we did? And surely we all knew at least one brown noser/tattle tale that annoyed us as kids.

This book isn't a block buster, change your life story. It isn't long. In my opinion, like Goldilock's porridge, it is just right. When you see it at the bookstore or library, pick it up and read the dust cover synopsis.  You just might want to take it home to enjoy.

Simple Thanks

Sometimes an inspirational message comes from an unlikely source. I have bought a few items from Femail Creations over the years and get their print catalog and occasional emails. The items I have purchased have been funny rather than serious or spiritual. Here is an example of what I bought a few years ago followed by the publisher's description.

Product Description
For the middle-aged woman who is tired of the realities of growing older, Victoria's Rejects presents a refreshing new outlook. This hilarious catalogue offers a wealth of outrageous products which promise to reverse the hands of time and return aging baby boomers to their former youthful glory. Victoria's Rejects is guaranteed to restore any woman's sense of humor despite the multiple indignities of aging.

(This book is no longer available through Femail Creations, but is available through Amazon. )

Usually humor, the wackier the better, is what appeals to me but yesterday's email really touched me. This came from the CEO of Femail Creations. As far as I can tell, they don't even sell this book, she just wanted to get the word out. I couldn't embed the video, so after reading Lisa's introduction, click on the link below. The video only runs 2.5 minutes, but I think you will enjoy it.

Dear Femails,

I have something simple, yet life
changing to share with you. So many
of us are going through what feels
like a very steep climb right now.
Yet, Vivan Greene’s quote reminds us,
“Life is not about waiting for the storm
to pass… it’s about learning how to dance
in the rain!”

And now my dear friend BJ Gallagher
has written an uplifting book about the
power of gratitude inspired by this very
quote, called Learning to Dance in the Rain.

I am honored to share this incredible video
with you and hope you will share it with
others. We are a community of women
and together we can uplift each other!

Lisa Hammond The Barefoot CEO & Founder of Femail Creations

Video is here

May we all have a blessed day.

Blue Monday: Books!

I was undecided what to write or show for this week's Blue Monday post (click on the blue jay logo for a link to Smling Sally's site for more info) until I looked to my left and saw this sign. The blue script on the plaque meets the requirement for Blue Monday, and many of the dust jackets in these photos are blue also.

I love books. I have a wall full of book shelves in my craft room, but more than books find a home there. I would like to say that the shelves are usually neater than this, but honestly, when I am changing out decor in another part of the house or working on projects, the temporary resting spots for the misplaced pieces last longer than I'd like to admit.

This shelf holds Janet Evanovich, Earlene Fowler, Joanne Fluke, Debbie Macomber (Blossom Street books) and J.R. Rowling books.

The shelves below that one hold Jennifer Chiaverini, Monica Ferris, Annie Griffin, Anne George and Ann B. Ross novels along with patriotic bears and my yarn winder. Further down are beading books and supplies, then knitting books and magazines, and lastly, machine embroidery designs and a basket of scrapbooking embellishments.

The next section has some of the story books that were favorites of my two sons 20+ years ago and bins of ribbons.

The remaining shelves are embarrassingly messy and won't be shown. Let's just say that scrapbooking books and supplies take up one shelf, quilt books are housed on another, and there is one for sewing other than quilts next to Christmas craft books. There really is order to my mess. Or behind my mess.

Back in the office, or as we usually call it, the computer room, I have Jan Karon books, books by humorists, spiritual books and then manuals and scrapbooks below those shelves.

Squeezed in here are gardening and art books. Some of the gardening books are used more for their photos than for advice. Remember, my thumb is green only if I paint!

To the right of me as I sit at the computer are cookbooks. Lots of them. My favorite thing to make is reservations, but I do cook most days of the week.

The authors I've mentioned are ones whose books I will continue to buy, but for the most part I've switched to using the library or I pass along other books after I've read them. There are books in our bedroom and on a living room table waiting to be read.

Is it any surprise that my first paying job was in a library?

Happy Blue Monday, and happy reading, both of blogs and books!

Book and Blog recommendations

Picture this scenario:

Hubby and I are going to the cottage for the weekend. More specifically, for 36 hours. While there, he will wear whatever he keeps there. I have to coordinate my attire and plan for changes in temperature. I hate to be cold. Blue jeans, pink tee shirt, pink sweatshirt, pink and white striped socks. Orange tee for second day....oh wait, that won't go with the pink sweatshirt if I need it. Do I pack a second sweatshirt or look for a different tee?

Hubby patiently rolls his eyes and waits. Biding his time, he asks if all the stuff on the counter is going with us.

The stuff on the counter consists of my laptop (because I MUST stay connected!), my craft bag which usually has two completely different projects in it (I may get bored with one or finish it and need the second!), my book bag containing whatever I am currently reading, a second book (I might finish the first one!) and any new magazines in my possession, and lastly, one small bag of groceries.

This is all the food? Well, yes. I thought we'd eat on the way to the cottage and breakfast is always light and usually lunch is too and besides I haven't really shopped this week. I've been knitting, sewing, reading, blogging, painting and reading some more.

Don't get me wrong, I like to eat, but food is no where near as nourishing to me as creating something and reading. I don't think I've been without a craft project in the works since my teens and haven't been without a book since before I can remember.

For anyone who enjoys reading, please visit Angie at A Book A Day. Her mission is to read a book a day for a year and comment on each book. A reader of her blog asked her how she chooses her books and how she has time for this endeavor. The question and her answer are in the comments of today's (May 6, 2009) post. The post itself contains links to an entry for each of the past four months as an introduction to new readers, and the book of the day is Might As Well Laugh About It Now by Marie Osmond.

My current personal book recommendation is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Here is a review that gives some background:

The Washington Post - Wendy Smith

Though it deals with a dark period in history, this first novel is an essentially sunny work. It affirms the power of books to nourish people enduring hard times—not so surprising, since Mary Ann Shaffer, who died earlier this year, had a long career as a librarian, bookseller and editor. Her niece Annie Barrows, a children's author, finished the manuscript after Shaffer fell ill; between them, they crafted a vivid epistolary novel whose characters spring to life in letters and telegrams exchanged over the course of nine months shortly after the end of World War II…You could be skeptical about the novel's improbabilities and its sanitized portrait of book clubs (doesn't anyone read trashy thrillers?), but you'd be missing the point. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a sweet, sentimental paean to books and those who love them.

If the title alone doesn't make you want to pick up the book and consider reading it, please know that it is a quick read but one that will quickly involve you. Along the way, you will learn what life was like for the people who lived on the island during WWII, but it won't feel like a history lesson as you take in the story.

Happy reading everyone.

Disappointing authors

Have you liked an author in the past who now consistently disappoints you?

I have respect for an author who develops a character and writes a series that keeps readers interested and wanting more. If an occasional book feels less engaging to me, I don't criticize. For one thing, maybe it was just me and most readers thoroughly enjoyed the novel.

Years ago, a friend told me to read Chiefs by Stuart Woods. I had seen his name all over the paperback best sellers bookshelves but never read any of his books. I checked Chiefs out of the library and really enjoyed it. I mentioned the book to another friend who had a box of his paperbacks, all of the Stone Barrington series. Woods now writes three or four different series with occasional cross-over characters. I sorted the books in chronological order and began reading. I liked the first books. Then sex became a major part of each book. Now his books are, in my opinion, a poor parody of anything he ever wrote that was well done.

It isn't that there is sex in the story line that has nothing to do with the plot. It is that every woman Stone Barrington encounters is thin, gorgeous, wealthy, talented and drops every article of her clothing within 24 hours of meeting him. Perhaps Woods thinks this a tribute to women, portraying them in such a "positive" light. I am fine with escapist fiction. For instance, I love the Stephanie Plum series.

Perhaps if Woods did not take a condescending tone with his readers in the author's note that appears at the end of each of his novels, I wouldn't be writing about him at all. Like much of our dealings in our everyday lives, it isn't the message you deliver, but how you say it.

On the positive side, there are authors whose books I know I will enjoy. They may not be block busters, but the characters are like old friends and I like to catch up with their lives. In no particular order, I enjoy

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels
Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street books
Monica Ferris' Betsy Devonshire/Crewel World mysteries
Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone alphabet mysteries
Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilters series
Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Schulz catering mysteries
Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson cookie mysteries
Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia series
Jan Karon's Mitford books
Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper books
Annie Griffin's Hannah and Kiki books
Anne George's Sister and Mouse books
and anything by Billie Letts and Fannie Flagg

Not to exclude male authors, I like the Alex Cross books by James Patterson, Lou Boldt books by Ridley Pearson, the Prey series (Lucas Davenport) by John Sandford and Odd Thomas books by Dean Koontz.

The greater number of female authors wasn't a conscious choice, but their characters, being women, are more identifiable.

Which authors or types of books call to you, and what do you tend to avoid?

What makes a movie Academy Award worthy?

I can read a novel that has violence in it, and if it is important to the story, I am ok with it. Take the same story, adapt it for a movie and I have trouble watching the violence. Is it a female thing? Is it because I grew up with movies that only hinted at violence? Or is it because the older I get, the more I wish people would be kinder to each other?

One of my sons is a huge movie fan and I try to watch some movies that interest him even though I am pretty sure they aren't movies I would choose. Sometimes I am surprised. The movie Milk was a surprise to me. I remember when Harvey Milk was killed and the ugliness of gay bashing that surrounded his story and still exists in some circles today. While I can't say that Milk would ever be a favorite movie of mine, I was impressed with Sean Penn's performance.

Yesterday I watched Slumdog Millionaire. This movie had 10 Academy Award nominations and won eight of them. Not being a student of film, I can't begin to guess what earns a nomination in the technical catergories. How does one film win for best editing? Do the voters see the rough cut of the movie and then the final cut and compare the editing job?I didn't hate Slumdog Millionaire, but I sure don't understand all the rave reviews and awards. I am looking forward to discussing it with my son. Our brief phone conversation only went as far as him telling me he loved it, that it was a happy movie. Happy? Happy??? I think both the world around us and the entertainment world, including video games, has made many of the 35 and under age group see things much differently than those of us gently over 50. Or over 55. Or digging in our heels in to prevent the slide towards whatever birthday is next approaching. Seriously though, "happy" is just not a word I would use to describe that movie. I won't say more in case someone hasn't seen it yet and plans to watch it.

This morning I watched Marley and Me. I had read the book and laughed and cried. The movie does a good job of adhering to the book's storyline. I laughed hard and cried harder. I cried until I got blotchy and needed to blow my nose. I had to wait to go to the store because my face looked like I had been the recipient of horrible news. But you know what? I really liked the movie. My family has loved and been loved by Labrador Retrievers. I would watch this movie again and enjoy both the movie and the memories of our own dogs.
Both movies are about love, but only one made me cry and yet Marley and Me is a happier movie for me.

What makes a movie good for you?

The Knitting Circle

I don't usually post book reviews, but I have to comment on The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood.

First of all, how do you choose a book if it hasn't been recommended and isn't on your tried and true list of authors? I admit that the cover of the book sometimes grabs my attention, but the blurb or excerpt on the back or inside dust cover is what seals the deal for me.

This is what is on the back cover "After the loss of her only child, Mary Baxter finds herself unable to read or write, the activities that used to be her primary source of comfort. She reluctantly joins a knitting circle as a way to fill her lonely days - not knowing it will change her life. As they teach Mary new knitting techniques, the women in the circle also reveal their own secrets of loss, love and hope. With time, Mary is finally able to tell her own story of grief, and in so doing finds the spark of life again."

I probably would not have chosen this book based on that description. It could be a depressing story and I don't want depressing right now. My sister-in-law read this book and handed it me, telling me it a good read. She is right.

You don't need to be a knitter to understand the knitting references, and you don't need to worry that the book deals with agonizing details of death. You will feel Mary's grief, probably because the author experienced the loss of a child herself and Mary's words are her own.

The book is about moving through a hard place with the help of friends. It reminds us that we don't know what has happened or is currently happening in someone's life. We have all had pain. We can all have joy again. We can all be a friend. We can all have hope.

This clip is Ann Hood talking about both the book and her own experience with grief.
http://www.annhood.us/books/knitting

Lost in books

Thankfully the cold I've had hasn't left me with that miserable hot, scratchy eyes feeling that makes it hard to read, craft or even watch TV. While I haven't done much knitting and zilch on any other crafts, I have watched some TV (sometimes in a zombie-like trance) and have gone through books almost as quickly as Kleenex.

I am an equal opportunity reader. I will read almost any genre, but lately I find myself drawn to light mystery series written by women. The last three books have actually been eight stories as two of the books were compilations.

This book was chosen because I like Joanne Fluke and had not read the other authors. Based on these stories, I will probably stick with Fluke when I look for another book.

This book contains the first three scrapbook mysteries by Laura Childs. She also has a tea shop series and a Cackleberry Club series of mysteries. Check her website for information on them. I've read some of the tea shop series and will look for more of the scrapbook series and also the Cackleberry Club which is completely new to me. I am comfortable with her characters. I don't walk in their shoes, but they don't behave in such an outrageous fashion that I can't empathize with them.

I am not a prude when reading, but sometimes character behavior detracts from the plot for me. Stuart Woods' books come to mind as I say this. The plots are ok, but every woman that his Stone Barrington character meets is drop dead gorgeous, wealthy, intelligent and willing to drop all her clothing for him within 10 minutes of meeting him. I guess I don't relate because I am merely drop dead gorgeous and intelligent.

Last night I finished Through the Grinder which is book two in a series about Clare Cosi, a coffeehouse manager who solves crimes with her ex-husband. I liked it well enough that I will look for the first and third (current?) books in the series.

This last picture is exactly how serene I look while reading. Except my gown is a robe. And there isn't any lace. And my hair is messier. And I wear glasses. And most noticeably at the moment, my nose is red.

Delaying my demise

I must believe, subconsciously, that I won't leave this earth as long as I have projects left to finish and yet to even begin. Given the size of my stashes of fabric, yarn, scrapbooking paper & embellishments, and painting supplies, I should be around for another 50 years, give or take a decade.

God bless my husband who doesn't even roll his eyeballs anymore. He dropped me off at a bookstore where I had hoped to find a certain magazine before heading out of town for a long weekend. When I came back to the car with a bag he asked if I had found the magazine. Er.....no, but look at this one!



This is a British publication from Simply Knitting. Everything in here is so darn cute! Did I need this from a practical point of view? Of course not, but whoever put practical and my name in the same sentence?
















Laughter is good for the soul and I had a healthy dose of laughter reading Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum novel this past weekend. I literally laughed out loud at some of the antics of Stephanie and her friend Lula.