tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97265972024-03-13T09:47:27.403-06:00Once More With FeelingBooks, Pets, Knitting, Kids, and MoreDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-14858259249757329872011-09-16T07:04:00.002-06:002011-09-16T07:04:17.030-06:00Note to SelfWhen dealing with arthritis, don't let the doctor show you the x-rays. It only makes it hurt worse.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-22374270112744295892011-09-14T17:11:00.000-06:002011-09-15T08:12:13.601-06:00Deimos The Newest McAllister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP187VY44bXlvIL5yilOinAzKCT06w2l7OduAQcW7ii7_QlI-nB1AG4Rji8MnvK9qSPVrvFexRk5g3Ls1SIbxqkYET8kKxFqBxldm8U7kxqaqz3LlSPbINB80heHsk1tQEjep-A/s1600/demos+puppy+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP187VY44bXlvIL5yilOinAzKCT06w2l7OduAQcW7ii7_QlI-nB1AG4Rji8MnvK9qSPVrvFexRk5g3Ls1SIbxqkYET8kKxFqBxldm8U7kxqaqz3LlSPbINB80heHsk1tQEjep-A/s320/demos+puppy+pic.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-44818426991307145772011-09-14T07:14:00.000-06:002011-09-14T07:16:44.440-06:00I Thought I Made This ClearI've lived through three Texas presidents. I've got no particular political statement to make on any of them, but I was finished with having Texans in the White House after the last one. Not a left vs right thing. Not a Republican vs Democrat thing. Just let's stay the heck home people.<br />
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My problem is selfish. Starting with Lyndon Johnson, I endured years of hearing all kinds of stuff about Texas and Texans. We're dumb, we talk funny, we're all cowboys and on and on and on...<br />
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I therefore issued a moratorium on Texas presidents or presidential candidates for the rest of my lifetime. I made my position clear. Now there are two of them running around. And what happens? I'll tell you what happens. I turn on the morning news to get the weather report. Do I get it? Noooooo. I have to wait through a whole group of people I don't know telling me what's wrong with us. Texans are dumb, they talk funny, they're all cowboys etc. I live here y'all. I know we've got problems. But I don't want to hear about them from everyone in the country. I've done that already, THREE TIMES. There are plenty of other southern states, western states, or whatever. Find someone else.<br />
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Bah! I've got to start my presidential election news blackout now.<br />
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-57972126216494155922011-09-11T16:26:00.000-06:002011-09-11T16:26:24.662-06:00Sunday at HomeWe've gone on media blackout today. It's important to remember, but for some reason it's not something we can view via the mass media. It feels off somehow for us. I fully respect what everyone is doing to remember. Not sure why it just seems too hard for us today.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-70745390399292228382011-09-08T12:38:00.001-06:002011-09-08T12:38:33.121-06:00<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/271557407" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=17714095001&playerId=271557407&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed><p></p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-18126010407243916602011-09-08T11:18:00.002-06:002011-09-08T11:18:09.211-06:00It's Been a Long TimeHoly Cow! I haven't blogged in forever and Blogger sort of lost my account.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-67537560276134124752010-08-25T10:36:00.000-06:002010-08-25T10:37:50.794-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIBv-cUyhuhnumUq0iShrI-eNn7bhUyCfh6vf7ANUXUVPJmQWlG8DTz8iIdzhjsHkENNj7XDguFWkkBw36XGNXg2lwJxGzjVkf17i5WSemXpmdZV0hhzf4GQCBKVKAwOZN04uUQ/s1600/Photo0010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIBv-cUyhuhnumUq0iShrI-eNn7bhUyCfh6vf7ANUXUVPJmQWlG8DTz8iIdzhjsHkENNj7XDguFWkkBw36XGNXg2lwJxGzjVkf17i5WSemXpmdZV0hhzf4GQCBKVKAwOZN04uUQ/s320/Photo0010.jpg" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-19329944622594082012010-05-16T09:01:00.004-06:002010-06-17T20:25:58.564-06:00Duccio Buoninsegna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqDuneZxxx6BxAx7r_HojfeqU3Cvy-Shvn5WV-4wOxOPl6zEOZOEAl6luI3AQsMT8ijTpu1QeY0swbc3is0GVjBRePMvaqy3yJTf8UeCr1i8mBo3S2YZXqFTmgC3Wc5uJKU6qoQ/s1600/lazarus+fm+kimbal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqDuneZxxx6BxAx7r_HojfeqU3Cvy-Shvn5WV-4wOxOPl6zEOZOEAl6luI3AQsMT8ijTpu1QeY0swbc3is0GVjBRePMvaqy3yJTf8UeCr1i8mBo3S2YZXqFTmgC3Wc5uJKU6qoQ/s200/lazarus+fm+kimbal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Kimbell acquired The Resurrection of Lazarus in 1975. For some reason, I didn't really notice this work until our last visit in October. Since then, I've been trying to find other Duccio works that I might have a chance to see. I love this painting because it shows something of the real fear and the ick factor involved in popping open a four day old grave. Lazarus still looks pretty gnarly.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudB6b2O_vEicS7TczrNKRQTDjxygy7-luecvAt1NLCd6-m0D2oE47EouvHmYoDN7CpFhNt8gc7enG-KcX3KkIgUAahmA6hSq4mueDcVJbpra9HFjz9uk-Pm_94sLoX9sPGr4JDw/s1600/duccio400+crusifiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudB6b2O_vEicS7TczrNKRQTDjxygy7-luecvAt1NLCd6-m0D2oE47EouvHmYoDN7CpFhNt8gc7enG-KcX3KkIgUAahmA6hSq4mueDcVJbpra9HFjz9uk-Pm_94sLoX9sPGr4JDw/s200/duccio400+crusifiction.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
You can't tell from the image, but gold foil was used throughout making the painting very vivid. Evidence from x-rays indicate that the tomb was originally horizontal. It definitely adds to the "Lazarus come forth.." for the tomb to be vertical.<br />
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In the Gospel of John, we are told that the high priest so feared what he saw that he immediately began a plan to kill Jesus. Here is Duccio's disposition of the crucifixion. Many of the same friends and followers are depicted in both paintings. Joseph of Arimathaea and John are removing Christ from the cross and into the arms of his mother. Mary is kissing his hand and Nicodemus is removing the nails from the Lord's feet. Museo dell'Opera del Dumo, Siena.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-21188795352715164202009-12-17T12:09:00.000-06:002009-12-17T12:09:17.318-06:00Booking Through Thursday -- Speed<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for another great question. I haven't done this in awhile. It's nice to be back.</span></span></span><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <br />
</span></i><br />
<br />
<i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">What do you think of speed-reading? Is it a good way to get through a lot of books, or does the speed-reader miss depth and nuance? Do you speed-read? Is some material better suited to speed-reading than others? </span></i><em></em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Speed usually means work when I'm reading. I can move quickly and learned some techniques years ago to help. It's work. Complex technical text usually requires me to slow down anyway but I associate speed reading with getting through massive lit assignments in college or mounds of administrative work in libraries.</em></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><br />
</em></span><br />
</div><em><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Something fun: New library books are usually put on a cart of shelf in the processing area. Librarians are given an opportunity to review the new stuff. Taking a large stack of new books home or to the office to browse is just plain fun.......</span><br />
</em>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-57599146803417104332009-12-16T13:33:00.001-06:002009-12-17T09:55:37.773-06:00Big DayBilly is 15 today! It hardly seems possible that he could be that old. He's about 8 inches taller than me now and growing steadily. He wants to learn to drive ASAP and take the wheel on his next birthday. I'm still trying to remember he's a teenager.<br />
<br />
Here's a recent fun video of our Houston "snow" earlier this month. He and his sister were very excited. I stayed inside where it was warm.<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=101201&id=632719104#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1133067095">http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=101201&id=632719104#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1133067095</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-20815480708065892922009-11-12T07:57:00.001-06:002009-11-12T08:05:39.243-06:00From the Kimbell -- I fell in love with this Donatello<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4maPsUj8IY5gnkRP-tDsv_jIhZshxrk6OQ02I6mIJmPMSzadB9jFpkl8Bin4Mroqi-FTovU6FMUsU9VwPT0A6vpclt6nEm6L7RXvfdXkmI29F7TZ9UaYafeUzpfrPPeDaG-jQ8A/s1600-h/madonna+donatello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4maPsUj8IY5gnkRP-tDsv_jIhZshxrk6OQ02I6mIJmPMSzadB9jFpkl8Bin4Mroqi-FTovU6FMUsU9VwPT0A6vpclt6nEm6L7RXvfdXkmI29F7TZ9UaYafeUzpfrPPeDaG-jQ8A/s320/madonna+donatello.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-32815840403128563932009-07-01T14:27:00.014-06:002009-07-04T07:09:19.246-06:00Bill, the kids, and other photo updatesI haven't updated in months, but wanted to post some pictures. My laptop is having problems and this is a good place to back-up things.<br /><br />Bill got the Director's Award a few weeks ago. They invited the kids on stage for a picture with their dad. This recognition is given to less than 3 percent of the total wor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhJjqiP0k_cmYz0a92luifAJFbeKix7O6EuuPdL1Y3i5hYeUXC7gVQln2IXy7pPBb6CIboOvmuyNSuuwDZVb3GKWHPPZv3kcJViIAjZvJH2VRNSi_HkIPI2KLYheS3D6Zc0gNSg/s1600-h/bill+and+kids+at+jsc+award.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhJjqiP0k_cmYz0a92luifAJFbeKix7O6EuuPdL1Y3i5hYeUXC7gVQln2IXy7pPBb6CIboOvmuyNSuuwDZVb3GKWHPPZv3kcJViIAjZvJH2VRNSi_HkIPI2KLYheS3D6Zc0gNSg/s400/bill+and+kids+at+jsc+award.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353594101090832274" border="0" /></a>k-force, and we are very proud of him.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><br /><br />From left to right.<br /><br />Mike Coats (JSC Director and three time shuttle astronaut), Bill, Morgan, Billy, and Ellen Ochoa (JSC Deputy Director and four time shuttle astronaut.) This is a nice picture of the three of them, but Bill was getting sick that day. He had a horrible reaction to a new medication that caused the lymph nodes in his neck and head to swell till he looked like he had the mumps. This was taken the first day the swelling started. He definitely looks different. This was especially nice as Coats had been Bill's boss back in his shuttle days. It has been great for him to get to work for him again<br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/elton+john/track/rocket+man+%28i+think+its+going+to+be+a+long+long+time%29" title="'Elton John - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time)' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">Elton John - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time)</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:10;" >via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a><br /><br /></span> <br /><br />For something completely different, the following are "baby pictures" of Phobos. He was born on Thanksgiving Day of 2008. He's almost as big as Triton now, but we are terrible with pictures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj-03IqdYVinpOyAwLZyCl_M-j9GPET8Itx7-HV08jomgkbuHomnKBrTHcA05xunBWSU7NxCWAlFF7aRf0SW4lzCkW93OfvSqm9NwfAWrCXa7Z35HDD4lIkeEkzk2bjsVeUChRQ/s1600-h/phobos2+with+mary.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj-03IqdYVinpOyAwLZyCl_M-j9GPET8Itx7-HV08jomgkbuHomnKBrTHcA05xunBWSU7NxCWAlFF7aRf0SW4lzCkW93OfvSqm9NwfAWrCXa7Z35HDD4lIkeEkzk2bjsVeUChRQ/s200/phobos2+with+mary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353598953006452674" border="0" /></a><br />We will have to get some big-boy stuff up soon. This first is Phobos at about 4 weeks while he was still with the breeder. He was one of 5 in a litter of all boys. In the next, Phobos is with Triton on the back porch. He is about 9 weeks old. Triton turned 5 last January. She is only about 45 pounds but pretty tall. She looks huge next to the puppy. In the last picture, Phobos is following Triton as usual. He is about 14 weeks old here.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiyUN4NFxzh8e9zePmUyNWuMBKHWdD-H1ha0EC_JNNEatFu7gOjyxpNqHVZ_X5eb8UT_qEX8OaD2skZbaxLtieD4bpyUBwf6BwKpnCTU8Wx10GsN9QCk-iHR-tozhK3fEsYZASg/s1600-h/triton+and+phobos+jan+30+2009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiyUN4NFxzh8e9zePmUyNWuMBKHWdD-H1ha0EC_JNNEatFu7gOjyxpNqHVZ_X5eb8UT_qEX8OaD2skZbaxLtieD4bpyUBwf6BwKpnCTU8Wx10GsN9QCk-iHR-tozhK3fEsYZASg/s200/triton+and+phobos+jan+30+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353598968821536274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-41X-LI_BUrR0kZmbMWrjcsKgl6vu-2sqk6LFi1cw6uH2R6rVI1atS4ey6eK_HSOGME0irr-cb0GZbXWyXHnXl6WLRhwTCMEYTl2PZr2R5Vm3bLrx2QySO8MiErA-Igga3vAPw/s1600-h/tritonandphobosmarch09_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-41X-LI_BUrR0kZmbMWrjcsKgl6vu-2sqk6LFi1cw6uH2R6rVI1atS4ey6eK_HSOGME0irr-cb0GZbXWyXHnXl6WLRhwTCMEYTl2PZr2R5Vm3bLrx2QySO8MiErA-Igga3vAPw/s200/tritonandphobosmarch09_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353599578845310722" border="0" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-12910983421912579902008-12-24T12:24:00.004-06:002009-07-04T07:18:04.806-06:00The Space Shuttle In Our Back YardI've been busy and not much up for blogging in awhile. There has been more productive stuff to do, and I've been thinking of stopping this altogether. Then the kids reminded me it has been a good way to remember some of the major things happening in our lives. Since it's been two months, I won't try and catch up. Instead, here's a cool thing that happened a few days back.<br /><br />We turned on the news for a quick update, and they were showing a live shot of Endeavor and its 747 ferry taking off from Ft. Worth after refueling. The most recent landing had been at Edwards due to weather at the Cape. We'd had snow the night before and had no chance for a refueling stop here. (Bill also says our airport may not be suitable anymore.) So we missed a chance to see the shuttle up close, but Morgan was optimistic anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Morgan: "So how long till it gets here?"</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Me: "It must not be coming, or Daddy would have told us."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Morgan: "Sure it will. How long?"</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Me: "Well, it would be about 30 minutes, but we would know. Really. They'd tell us. It's sort of a big deal when we have a flyby. They'd tell us."</span></span><br /><br />Morgan says nothing but checks the time. I forget all about it. We turn off the news and go back to work. Morgan hears a plane and jumps up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPqRqtXC_pUf9Y6htOgXI-ojBcuE91H2kKF8f6yOfWMNUmLKfg6N2wCp6iX98Ox3jENhjADQl6oepvkhklB7dQhJlyCvasOBLUaUYuYh1LUp6gpaYwTuUdUb-UNIAqWTNDKcggQ/s1600-h/shuttle+endeavour+flyby2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPqRqtXC_pUf9Y6htOgXI-ojBcuE91H2kKF8f6yOfWMNUmLKfg6N2wCp6iX98Ox3jENhjADQl6oepvkhklB7dQhJlyCvasOBLUaUYuYh1LUp6gpaYwTuUdUb-UNIAqWTNDKcggQ/s320/shuttle+endeavour+flyby2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283428289113634914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Morgan: "That sounds li</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">ke a big plane to me. It's flying low, too."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Me: "Oh, Morgan I told you we would know."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;">Morgan: "OK, then what's that out the back window?</span></span><br /><br />Endeavor flew over our house 3 times. We ran outside and clapped, shouted, waved and danced. She's a beauty. And the moral of this story? Listen to your kids and look for cool things to fly by your house! Merry Christmas... ( The photos are from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JSC</span>. Unfortunately, I didn't listen to Morgan and get my camera ready.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTJ2e6E_SPiBsVJq6ntRM2KM7q9504IaN_mjDM1J5iDPHLB0ABAoZNDjRcxf4CejEunYvAq_z9amLVNHuoRbKePS0I48-7JebG7_11FQWqSfUYYUouRUCvuf3UrF1BHhlnYmXKg/s1600-h/shuttle+endeavour+flyby.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTJ2e6E_SPiBsVJq6ntRM2KM7q9504IaN_mjDM1J5iDPHLB0ABAoZNDjRcxf4CejEunYvAq_z9amLVNHuoRbKePS0I48-7JebG7_11FQWqSfUYYUouRUCvuf3UrF1BHhlnYmXKg/s320/shuttle+endeavour+flyby.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283428282034842066" border="0" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-49411875766540372302008-10-23T10:23:00.019-06:002008-10-30T13:35:55.664-06:00Pink States, Yellow States, and RainbowsEveryone I know is tired of the latest election cycle, fiscal crisis, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">et</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">al</span>. Mostly I feel invaded by the loud, insistent, and seemly urgent demands for my attention.<br /><br />I also hate being a demographic. Red state, middle-aged, middle-class, southern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxZsYDB8DU3EcFx8hm3TtjsILgzksJxcb6lvfHameVn7wCNXEG3f8HX1uKj8Y3TOKoSKh37XSaLxmStD-W7qvBcMLgj578ouTek9aexI0EiAUANbGjDo9bdQ3z5RO4fbypDCqaA/s1600-h/pink+women.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxZsYDB8DU3EcFx8hm3TtjsILgzksJxcb6lvfHameVn7wCNXEG3f8HX1uKj8Y3TOKoSKh37XSaLxmStD-W7qvBcMLgj578ouTek9aexI0EiAUANbGjDo9bdQ3z5RO4fbypDCqaA/s400/pink+women.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260420056837818594" border="0" /></a>, suburban, protestant, self-employed, mother of two, married.<br /><br />The loud and urgent seem to think my group needs a great deal of guidance. I have been very tired of being told what I must think/feel/do.... I don't want to be classified, or whatever the verb form for demographic might be ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">demographed</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">demographified</span>?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">_________________________</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">___________________________________________</span> </span><br />Then, right in the middle of Kroger, I had an epiphany. I know... Kroger... just screams middle-class/age/mom.<br /><br />I bl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VTU1n2yfZ-DNNcNUqhYLKjNKQ4oDDbm5zqDkU_FibhWaexudxf-2SGhXPUWSOF8ApnX8hGA7mfh4Bg6o7RZtSjr2NYyvqePFRpeJH-kYD_eOjgBUyJsCD7fG2gNCbrDTL1WHvQ/s1600-h/yogurt2+pink+.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 64px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VTU1n2yfZ-DNNcNUqhYLKjNKQ4oDDbm5zqDkU_FibhWaexudxf-2SGhXPUWSOF8ApnX8hGA7mfh4Bg6o7RZtSjr2NYyvqePFRpeJH-kYD_eOjgBUyJsCD7fG2gNCbrDTL1WHvQ/s400/yogurt2+pink+.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260411549105355890" border="0" /></a>inked and the world turned pink. Shoppers and workers dressed in pink. Shelves lined in specially packaged pink products. Pink candy, yogurt, cereal, and all of those wrist bands. The whole city turns pink for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Koman</span> Race for the Cure, and it's grown from there. Y'all, the loud and self-important doesn't always win. The world changes with the small, the modest, the quiet, and the humble things in life. I'd been swimming in all this goodness and never saw or heard. Yogurt lids, women walking together.<br /><br /><br />And in October, we<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMv0HQzIIDhptmz0uUN58vNclFEdS_GckXjyqNW0vl-F6RVY5YsYWZ3UQXgJ83W12RFFzOMaVL37tlHQMyaCaIgvaHwYHUBQPWq5k15N0kAs8if_-cBxo6YfXXT1f8fVHhpAmig/s1600-h/2005_team_photo.sized+ride+for+the+roses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMv0HQzIIDhptmz0uUN58vNclFEdS_GckXjyqNW0vl-F6RVY5YsYWZ3UQXgJ83W12RFFzOMaVL37tlHQMyaCaIgvaHwYHUBQPWq5k15N0kAs8if_-cBxo6YfXXT1f8fVHhpAmig/s320/2005_team_photo.sized+ride+for+the+roses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262352812456453746" border="0" /></a> also turn Yellow with <a href="http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.3920225/k.BDC4/Home.htm">Lance Armstrong and the Ride for the Roses</a>. Every year we celebrate cancer survivors and commit to eliminating cancer from our lives forever. remembering this helps make all the noise finally go away. Good things happen all the time. Good people do the right thing.<br /><br /><br /><br />And during Pride, we turn the whole city into a rainbow. The l<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKwen6-LTbcqn2JAXNv0s_tRj4Y8JMewKSYhFZTC37MoMd6606X-5C8dGriFuOUp42Cw2vrpwGnMB9UX6B_ySEaXd-0upsxqK2LTbRSXNpPvec_ar_xjAsp1lYZy3N_wog6ST8Q/s1600-h/houston+pride+week.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKwen6-LTbcqn2JAXNv0s_tRj4Y8JMewKSYhFZTC37MoMd6606X-5C8dGriFuOUp42Cw2vrpwGnMB9UX6B_ySEaXd-0upsxqK2LTbRSXNpPvec_ar_xjAsp1lYZy3N_wog6ST8Q/s320/houston+pride+week.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262357587394525026" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ights</span> are almost as cool as the people!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgMsfnxnCzJIEKcOPi1__L-v_UyYr6EBJ1I0Sa3lUdFFP8W3LDcUsu_ty9rSnXg4ihhg1KdjIUjAr1kdnVZaZOqeAEGeH3dRm46zf8ZDWL64SQAGPpw8h8zggnmI8Xm5NzbRl-Q/s1600-h/kpft_ready_to_roll_in_gay_pride_parade_2007_web_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgMsfnxnCzJIEKcOPi1__L-v_UyYr6EBJ1I0Sa3lUdFFP8W3LDcUsu_ty9rSnXg4ihhg1KdjIUjAr1kdnVZaZOqeAEGeH3dRm46zf8ZDWL64SQAGPpw8h8zggnmI8Xm5NzbRl-Q/s320/kpft_ready_to_roll_in_gay_pride_parade_2007_web_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262358431031090770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So I've decided my new demographic is is Pink/Yellow/and Rainbow. Plus, we have all these cool wrist bands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLA3l-cjCxXm3FqP_vlvF-XLO3mXk0_saRVu7_fQcdD88sLSB5Fqnu8Dmk8p1mpkwbYUQVtGBdJ2emixlI97hzcZ5zALRshNzwe3XXWHWG8cc9H3v0zFiO63TcZwYCJytzS1qtQ/s1600-h/pink+wrist+bands.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLA3l-cjCxXm3FqP_vlvF-XLO3mXk0_saRVu7_fQcdD88sLSB5Fqnu8Dmk8p1mpkwbYUQVtGBdJ2emixlI97hzcZ5zALRshNzwe3XXWHWG8cc9H3v0zFiO63TcZwYCJytzS1qtQ/s320/pink+wrist+bands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262359524031116498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS0I70sYhUvTLAh1U3KY4_BExlnaiKBPXXQ8cOUuT_fQgL65htcgYSkuIOMjPaRHkty-aFq7LXxyPA9Zr7Sn6UTm4xztbeiVSe_BmiclEx8yF9-d797VErOO4EUy8IWcFcfW43w/s1600-h/yellow+writst+bands.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS0I70sYhUvTLAh1U3KY4_BExlnaiKBPXXQ8cOUuT_fQgL65htcgYSkuIOMjPaRHkty-aFq7LXxyPA9Zr7Sn6UTm4xztbeiVSe_BmiclEx8yF9-d797VErOO4EUy8IWcFcfW43w/s320/yellow+writst+bands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262359538918564978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWi93IWMZaUp0tk51nerTAdBPp5BrukRqnWbaCmHSVZvOPLBF1lKKJeS2NtaxX0Putah2MsB5_gJq53Gg9qSxf1hC9NzV9HaeiWNssguT_ZPQNhBaMu6xGtnODAXPhYNMcYQw4A/s1600-h/rainbow+wrist+bands.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWi93IWMZaUp0tk51nerTAdBPp5BrukRqnWbaCmHSVZvOPLBF1lKKJeS2NtaxX0Putah2MsB5_gJq53Gg9qSxf1hC9NzV9HaeiWNssguT_ZPQNhBaMu6xGtnODAXPhYNMcYQw4A/s320/rainbow+wrist+bands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262359705241228706" border="0" /></a><br />A young man, about 19-20, was my cashier at the <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">Kroger</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">of the</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Ep<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">iph</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">any</span></span></span>. He had pink and yellow wrist bands on one arm and a rainbow band on the other. I wanted to tell him how proud I was of him and how proud his parents must be. What a great kid. But I didn't. I doubt he would have wanted an old lady patting him on the head.<br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/big+tent+revival/track/the+great+american+novel" title="'Big Tent Revival - The Great American Novel' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">Big Tent Revival - The Great American Novel</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-size: 10px;">via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-90974920094608892242008-09-25T12:48:00.002-06:002008-10-01T15:32:51.358-06:00Happy Birthday NASA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqG38Q0RBYQK4OgGXwr0vkJn8bONQYIqHKYt3XbHCLcZteVYvZTsk2jk19UqU0baIVRzX3h20rMP3maCrmO0_K2Adb4zH1tZk5wrzv6VmtCht2PBf3slZLzPvF2X48urHub0jnw/s1600-h/nasa50anniversary.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqG38Q0RBYQK4OgGXwr0vkJn8bONQYIqHKYt3XbHCLcZteVYvZTsk2jk19UqU0baIVRzX3h20rMP3maCrmO0_K2Adb4zH1tZk5wrzv6VmtCht2PBf3slZLzPvF2X48urHub0jnw/s400/nasa50anniversary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252301432772232034" border="0" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-66038774042694236562008-09-14T17:56:00.003-06:002009-12-17T09:56:49.003-06:00Evacuation Updates -- Status your out of Houston FriendsWe have been keeping up pretty well with everyone on our evacuation plan but did not inform all of our friends outside of Houston of our whereabouts. I also failed to factor in loved ones that do not use e-mail/blogs etc.<br />
<br />
BIG MISTAKE. My dearest friend of the last 47 years, Darlene, was not on my list. She lives in Ft. Worth and has no idea how hurricane evacuations work or what plans we had in place. She left frantic messages that did not reach us and was headed to Houston this morning to try to find me. Thank God her husband delayed her rescue trip long enough for us to reach her before she got close to the mess. Darlene is one of the brightest and best women I know, but she won't use the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span> and never calls my cell. We very nearly had a serious problem just because we left someone out.<br />
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We've been able to check our voice mail from the house. Since the account is through the phone company and not tied to power in the house, we heard from several people we left off our call list. If you may have let someone fall through the cracks, check your address book and call those people before they send the national guard after you.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-69428939679313287362008-09-12T14:55:00.003-06:002009-12-17T09:57:55.730-06:00Evacuation for IkeWe have evacuated to Austin very close to Henri and Suzanne. We've checked on everyone we can. Here's what we know. If you find out more or can let us know how you're doing, please leave a comment.<br />
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<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Everyone's</span> cells are working if you need to reach them/us, and Bill's had a tag-up with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">JSC</span> today. Short-term, we will stay in Austin and can get help from friends if we need anything. We will not try to return to the house until we know if it is habitable. <br />
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We've been watching the news and praying for the folks still in Houston. A few of our folks are part of first responder/critical services and unable to leave. Nick's grandmother is in the sheriff's office in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dickenson</span>.<br />
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UT canceled the game with the Razorbacks and freed up several thousand beds in Austin yesterday. Gov. Perry issued orders freezing lodging costs at their lowest rates. That's saving us about $30 per night and is much appreciated. Y'all would be so proud of Texas if you could see how well everything has been managed for the evacuation. We had no problems with finding gas and the traffic was very heavy but nothing like Rita. Carol said it took about 8 hours to get to Dallas, but they left late yesterday afternoon. Even so, the road were safe.<br />
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It would be great to hear status from anyone in Houston. For some stupid reason, I can't stop crying. I'm not very upset about our personal belongings but feeling very sad about what may happen to Galveston and Clear Lake. We've heard that Galveston may be totally submerged sometime tonight. Or neighborhood could be under 15-20 feet of water. Obviously, we all love Houston, and it hurts to think of what may happen to our city. More importantly, please keep yourselves safe. Everyone is going to have a combined birthday party Saturday, 7:00 at Tomi's, God willing. Keep safe and be there. We are praying for you all.<br />
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Power/communication could go down during and after the storm. So, please leave a comment here if necessary to let us know you're OK when the storm has passed.<br />
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Love,<br />
DonnaDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-59227197351601927272008-09-05T09:33:00.004-06:002008-09-05T12:25:33.569-06:00Dreading Fridays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0cF4cOHXkdN-L3a7GW6v4u9OBP_9DqAgaGbUfehQfdGOhJSVmWGMj9eC_AzAhx-9frToUGkrzD4ueaLzEh5Po6-qGwztuSpyRLSSOTuCpeUnHnSlpFebUfqwA9vTjkP7WpQQDA/s1600-h/200px-Standard_insulin_syringe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0cF4cOHXkdN-L3a7GW6v4u9OBP_9DqAgaGbUfehQfdGOhJSVmWGMj9eC_AzAhx-9frToUGkrzD4ueaLzEh5Po6-qGwztuSpyRLSSOTuCpeUnHnSlpFebUfqwA9vTjkP7WpQQDA/s400/200px-Standard_insulin_syringe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242567142721291138" border="0" /></a><br />Several months ago, my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rheumatologist</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">prescribed</span> an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">injectable</span> medication to treat my arthritis. The medication is administered with a tiny <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">subcutaneous</span> needle and she therefore agreed I could do it myself at home.<br /><br />I've been very happy to have the option of self-injection. However, the week in, week out toll of all of those shots has started to wear on my nerves. The needle/syringe are exactly the same as those used by diabetics to administer <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">insulin</span>. Those folks do this more than once a day and here I am starting to complain about one little shot once a week.<br /><br />The whole thing really started to freak me out two weeks ago. I had skipped two weeks because of constant migraines. Finally the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">rheumatologist</span> insisted I go back to my regular schedule. The first week was fine. No more headaches than usual. The next week I was dreading the shot, dreading worse headaches, mad about the arthritis and screwed up the injection.<br /><br />It really is a tiny needle. Somehow, I put it in at an odd angle and the needle and its plastic support separated from the syringe. The medication poured out all over my leg. At first, I thought I'd broken the needle off and was in hysterics. When I realized it was safely held just as it should be, I was able to remove it and clean up. I didn't have the heart to give it another try.<br />So, Friday is really a gloomy day today. I think I'm going to wait for Bill to get home before I poke myself.<br /><br />Oh! Then I had a nice announcement from the Arthritis foundation that certain medications, mine included, may increase my risk for fatal fungal infections!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/the+beatles/track/let+it+be" title="'The Beatles - Let It Be' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">The Beatles - Let It Be</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:10;" >via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">FoxyTunes</span></a></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-14026225410376665242008-09-04T08:03:00.006-06:002008-09-16T12:59:52.358-06:00Booking Through Thursday -- Peer Pressure/Vampires and Librarians<blockquote></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <p><span style="font-size:78%;">I was looking through books yesterday at the shops and saw all the Twilight books, which I know basically nothing about. What I do know is that I’m beginning to feel like I’m the *only* person who knows nothing about them. Despite being almost broke and trying to save money, I almost bought the expensive book (Australian book prices are often completely nutty) just because I felt the need to be ‘up’ on what everyone else was reading. Have you ever felt pressured to read something because ‘everyone else’ was reading it? Have you ever given in and read the book(s) in question or do you resist? If you are a reviewer, etc, do you feel it’s your duty to keep up on current trends?</span></p></blockquote></div> <em><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I was </span></span></span></em><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGnQk0qZkCyV_zebxbAjbqCMdgzffPqd7s4LMCHzVpCUaSbPkBlM3S5fOl9cGlu5Rh74X8hbI7a-RlsAcNz7yMCMeRCIVq56HvxJJx792jXb_VpsaFf5SHZbUY3XekWGYdCzuaw/s1600-h/breaking+dawn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 88px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGnQk0qZkCyV_zebxbAjbqCMdgzffPqd7s4LMCHzVpCUaSbPkBlM3S5fOl9cGlu5Rh74X8hbI7a-RlsAcNz7yMCMeRCIVq56HvxJJx792jXb_VpsaFf5SHZbUY3XekWGYdCzuaw/s400/breaking+dawn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242172317114165410" border="0" /></a><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">planning to say, no. I don't feel the need to keep up with trends in popular literature. But staring me in the face is my last post for booking through Thursday in which I described the Twilight series mentioned above. So, let me say that vampires don't count. I read pretty much everything. This is a young adult series and I didn't pick it up right away. Someone at the books store suggested it. I'd finished the Tanya Huff series Bloodlines and she mentioned Twilight when I complained about being out of vampires.<br /><br />I also have to say it is a bit different when reading becomes part of your professional life. I do have a sense, as a librarian, that I should at least be aware of trends. I read the best seller lists, awards lists, etc. and try to read at least some of the works. I make sure I've read the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Newbery</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Caldecott</span> books every year. I also read the books from the Texas Bluebonnet list. Very often the children's books are better than the grown-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ups</span>. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NYT</span> bestseller stuff I don't really count as personal reading. Very often I just skim them. Sometimes, I'll just take a few minutes in the bookstore and work my way through the new books shelf reading the book jackets, skimming the tables of content, etc. </span></span></span></em>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-232452026386479472008-08-28T11:15:00.004-06:002008-08-28T13:23:07.369-06:00Booking Through Thursday -- The Story's The Thing<span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:10;" ></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxobX_ihRZUHLO_isAv8Gu0hQu1luBMYfM8cJZa7Wy2_BfKPY3Wmq0aQdLOv2EkXyDOhyphenhyphenNG963wiXTEHX0A1RFuICgMnARysq2rMqREgxsSRII0Ktz8ec8SeKnFhMjPO5Y50YYA/s1600-h/twilightcover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxobX_ihRZUHLO_isAv8Gu0hQu1luBMYfM8cJZa7Wy2_BfKPY3Wmq0aQdLOv2EkXyDOhyphenhyphenNG963wiXTEHX0A1RFuICgMnARysq2rMqREgxsSRII0Ktz8ec8SeKnFhMjPO5Y50YYA/s320/twilightcover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239625575363159554" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you <em>want to know what happens next?</em></span><blockquote style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:78%;">Or, um, is it just me?</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Another great question!</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sometimes the story will carry me through. I just finished reading the young adult <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Twilight</span> series by Stephenie Meyer. I had stayed away from this series even though it concerned one of my favorite escapist fiction topics. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vampires</span>. I usually like my horror fiction to be, well.... horrifying or at least mildly terrifying. These books are not.</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >But, they are very sweet. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">protagonist</span> talks often of fairy tales. That aspect of the story did <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">appeal</span> to me. Vampires are part of my own personal mythology. In the Twilight series Stephenie Meyer has made one of them into Prince Charming. It works within the context of the series. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If you are willing to put your own ideas </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">aside</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> and join the </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">protagonist</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> in a gentler, more childlike tale of happily </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ever after</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, this is a nice story. The books in order are:</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Twilight</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">New Moon</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Eclipse</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Breaking Dawn</span><br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/anoushka+shankar+sting/track/the+book+of+my+life" title="'Anoushka Shankar/Sting - The Book of My Life' - open on FoxyTunes Planet"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Anoushka</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Shankar</span>/Sting - The Book of My Life</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:10;" >via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">FoxyTunes</span></a></span> <br /></blockquote>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-84106960130855879572008-08-21T11:15:00.002-06:002008-08-21T13:26:36.986-06:00Booking Through Thursday -- Early Library Experiences<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Whether you usually read off of your own book pile or from the library shelves NOW, chances are you started off with trips to the library. (There’s no way my parents could otherwise have kept up with my book habit when I was 10.) So … </span><strong style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you? Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I love today's question! My memories of the public library as a little girl are all great. The town I grew up in was small and didn't have its own library when I was very little. Once a week the bookmobile would come and park outside the local grocery store. <br /><br />This was a magic thing. A whole library on wheels. There was a little check-out desk and a small children's section. I loved it.<br /><br />Years later, I got a job at a regional library in Georgia. Part of my job was to go out once a week on the bookmobile. For one whole year I got to be in the magic library and watch kids climb on board. It's one of the most fun jobs I've ever had.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-37414129599773277622008-07-17T07:59:00.014-06:002008-08-21T07:40:49.915-06:00Big Night With George Michael<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbJnG-wuz069sENFerr1DZcgUzNRE6jtwDOnEXla3esC1sd27ZFvCfBulYJavJGMWmXAvKI5spk8Plho00fPmslpMjbD8i7TP7No_m6Qia3z3G_Zdk_gsjGSQPDbY5IaRPFH9Hw/s1600-h/george+michael.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbJnG-wuz069sENFerr1DZcgUzNRE6jtwDOnEXla3esC1sd27ZFvCfBulYJavJGMWmXAvKI5spk8Plho00fPmslpMjbD8i7TP7No_m6Qia3z3G_Zdk_gsjGSQPDbY5IaRPFH9Hw/s400/george+michael.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234036204857652290" border="0" /></a><br />I wrote this post ages ago, but didn't manage to get it up here until I down loaded the pictures from my camera. I wanted to post it anyway because it was just so much fun.<br /><br />BFF and true love, Suzanne, came as promised for the George Michael July 14th. It was hard to pick a favorite story to share but this one will go down in the long history of scandalous yet hilarious events which seem to inevitability occur when we're together.<br /><br />So here's what happened. We both wanted to take our cameras to the concert. I called to make sure it was ok and ours were supposed to be just fine. I let Suzanne know and we planned on taking loads of pictures of each other and Morgan.<br /><br />Here's where the fun starts. We arrive early and start looking for strangers to take pictures of the three of us. A big security guard comes out just after the first stranger has taken the first picture and says no cameras are allowed inside. I think for a minute about arguing with him since I had called to check, but decide that subterfuge is our best option.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 255);">BFF:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Donna you said that I could have my camera and now they are going to take it from me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Me: No, they are not taking your camera.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 255);">BFF: Yes they are, and I've got pictures of the boys from the awards banquet on there. They're going to take it from me, and I'll never get it back.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Me: Here take this. (I handed her a female hygiene pad)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: I told you I don't need those anymore, and I really need you to focus on the problem we are having right now. We can talk more about menopause later.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Me: I am focused. Open the damn thing up right now.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: Good God have you lost your mind? It's bad enough you've just handed me a Kotex in broad daylight in front of everyone in Houston, but now you want me to open it up. What the hell is wrong with you? They're going to take my camera away, and the man behind us just saw your Kotex.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Me: Just listen and do what I say. Open it up and wrap your camera inside. Try to make it look like it's been er... used.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: Loud long squeal with no actual words but now Morgan knows what needs to be done and steps in to help.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Me: Look here BFF, you gave birth to two children for God's sake. Quit being such a sissy and wrap your camera up in this Kotex damn it.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: I can't believe I'm doing this. What, you think Kotex can make things invisible?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: Yep.</span><br /><br />We step in line to have our purses searched. BFF gets a male security guard and is out in a matter of seconds. I have a female guard made of sterner stuff. But even she wilts while digging through my substantial stash of girl stuff. (I travel prepared.) Unfortunately this is the only picture I get of my two girls.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZcLZbPuE-WVeDtrIpUzfRFRoh7PR-KjFaqgEGxyOd7jHq89_6Ml4CEBIzG3Ggi0eZcLpz5Wbycgjn35WCfFz4kvdacPAI-_a4uOFOZaUnMhEyJvzo97uo7u3t59nE3Zv4IuBZA/s1600-h/000_0006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZcLZbPuE-WVeDtrIpUzfRFRoh7PR-KjFaqgEGxyOd7jHq89_6Ml4CEBIzG3Ggi0eZcLpz5Wbycgjn35WCfFz4kvdacPAI-_a4uOFOZaUnMhEyJvzo97uo7u3t59nE3Zv4IuBZA/s320/000_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234041774914492258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After we make our way through the gate, BFF lets me have it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: I have never in my life, Donna, waved one of those things around in public. I am sure I've never opened one up in front of another person. How do these things happen when I'm with you? And what I really want to know is how you knew to do that? What else have you been smuggling?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: You have your camera don't you?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: Yes, and I should have known you would find a way to let me keep it no matter what anyone else said.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: Well finally!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: I still want to know how you got the idea to do something like that.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: I read about it in the newspaper.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: What, huh?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: Well, there was a lengthy article about the numerous ways the bad guys might try to bypass security at various places. These things and diapers were high on the list.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: God, librarians never forget anything do they?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: Nope. I love you....? (My sweetie can be won over by flattery.)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: I love you two, but here's another thing I'd have never done in a million years if you hadn't put me up to it.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Me: We have the child with us, Suzanne. Do you want me to start reminiscing about all the things I'd have never done if it wasn't for your bad influence?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Morgan: Oh yes, please! Let's do that.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">BFF: Morgan, I don't know what your mom is talking about. Don't believe a word she says.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Morgan: Snort, laugh, snort again then finally.......<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I think it's pretty clear you two are a bad influence on each other. Thank God you brought a chaperon!<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We had a wonderful time with Suzanne. It has been really hard to make time for each other while our kids were little, but we are hoping to get better at it now. I've been a bit disgusted by my total lack of wisdom in approaching 50, but if working out a way to spend more time with our friends is part of it, maybe I'm on to something after all.<br /><br /></span><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/george+michael/track/an+easier+affair+%28remastered+2006%29" title="'George Michael - An Easier Affair (Remastered 2006)' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">George Michael - An Easier Affair (Remastered 2006)</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:10;" >via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-85734031305576605572008-07-09T07:55:00.004-06:002008-07-09T19:09:52.208-06:00Pickup Truck PornThe kids and I were driving to the mall. I saw something hanging off the back of a truck. I decided I was hallucinating. Then about a week later, Bill comes home one day shouting.<br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">WHAT THE HELL???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Yeah! </span>(I agree, because there's aways something.)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Wait, what/huh? </span></span>(Because I can't find the source of this something.)<br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Truck pornography! What the HELL????????????</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Where, how, why, what, when, who????????????? huh? (</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I get some very vivid mental pictures that I don't want in my head.)</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><br /></span><br />Bill: <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">You are never going to believe what I saw hanging off the back of a pickup.</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Plastic testicles.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"> </span> (See earlier experience above.)<br /><br />Bill: (gurgles sputers, blinks, sputters again.)<br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Crap, I didn't think that could be what they really were.</span><br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">What do you mean really were? </span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">The truck testicles. I can't believe that's what they really were.</span><br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Well, no not literally for Christ's sake. They were plastic.</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">I know they were plastic.... I just thought they might not really look like, uh ... testicles.</span><br /><br />Bill: <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Y</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">ou know a testicle when you see one, er two. What did you think they were?</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Well unless something has changed very recently, testicles are not shinny silver and the size of a dinner plates.</span><br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Oh, mine were skin colored.</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Thank God they're not the size of dinner plates. Where would we buy your pants?</span> (</span>I'm laughing like a 3rd grader.)<br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Very funny.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Ha, ha. I'm trying to talk to you about this serious issue of truck pornography in our community, and you're making jokes......... </span><br /><br /></span>(Long pause while he thinks......Even in moral outrage, the man is always the engineer.........)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Maybe the size is a proportionality thing. I mean, it's a truck. They'd have to be big, right?</span><br /><br />Me: (Still laughing but also thinking we may be losing what's left of our minds.)<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Nope. Now that I've thought about it, what I believe we are dealing with here are bull testicles. Though it sounds like neither, um pair, got the color right.</span><br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">You need to focus on what's important here. We've got truck porn riding up and down the streets of Clear Lake, and you're talking about size and color. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Hey, the size thing gives me an idea though. If I ever get the chance to talk to any of the little perverts wearing, uh displaying... the porn, I'm going to tell them it's to compensate for there little *&%$@.</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">You mess with some Bubba in a truck and tell him he is less than well endowed, he's going to shoot you. The gun's probably an even bigger attempt at compensation. </span><br /><br />Bill: <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">I think I can protect myself from some pervert riding around town with a pair of plastic b*lls hanging from the back of his truck.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://randrtrucks.net/shop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=812">There's a link here.</a> Yes, I googled truck testicles. Don't look unless your very brave. It made me shriek like a little girl. The add says they are an "High-quality, novelty automotive accessory."<br /><br />I can't wait to tell Bill.<br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/antal+dorati%3a+detroit+symphony+orchestra/track/copland%3a+rodeo+-+4.+hoe-down" title="'Antal Dorati: Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Copland: Rodeo - 4. Hoe-Down' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">Antal Dorati: Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Copland: Rodeo - 4. Hoe-Down</a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-84257541148577651182008-07-03T08:48:00.008-06:002008-12-09T21:26:39.959-06:00Booking Through Thrusday<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S., so let’s keep today’s question simple–</span><strong style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">What are you reading?</strong><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"> Anything special? Any particularly juicy summer reading?</span><br /><br /><ul><li>Tanya Huff has a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGXp9IMQ2jgfgcAjT2xD0S2r62UxTIWk4s_7ONCyO4ypfpfTP1TiT5vS2rP4BMEBuF0IOMqqO5UGAJY7DmX-fEH5v0BI4aPHPjUUtmBowyogx1j8Dcb59LQPsb9OYBy3HT2REXw/s1600-h/bloodties.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGXp9IMQ2jgfgcAjT2xD0S2r62UxTIWk4s_7ONCyO4ypfpfTP1TiT5vS2rP4BMEBuF0IOMqqO5UGAJY7DmX-fEH5v0BI4aPHPjUUtmBowyogx1j8Dcb59LQPsb9OYBy3HT2REXw/s320/bloodties.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218816209731460418" border="0" /></a> vampire series. We found out about it because there were a few episodes based on the main characters called, <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood Ties</span>. So far I've read all the <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood Ties</span> books and have moved on to the "Smoke and Shadows" series. I won't give you too many details as it will give away major spoilers for the TV show and the books. In the <span style="font-style: italic;">Smoke and Shadows</span> series the main characters from <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood Ties</span> are still around, but another character <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKKlSNDyuA3uo2q3a0gtVaRq4BLhGGEwyCRUXoA-Y6Hv8WZihvqdKkQ-0W3ad1KRluucOla8CHcstqsIHqAyGpdAkpQ7RJ0aEUTyliIw3CsUKwiUChg44dpeJRUGkN7_RVU925g/s1600-h/smokeandshadows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 78px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKKlSNDyuA3uo2q3a0gtVaRq4BLhGGEwyCRUXoA-Y6Hv8WZihvqdKkQ-0W3ad1KRluucOla8CHcstqsIHqAyGpdAkpQ7RJ0aEUTyliIw3CsUKwiUChg44dpeJRUGkN7_RVU925g/s320/smokeandshadows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218816490942603842" border="0" /></a>from the books takes center stage. They still fight the forces of darkness and Henry is still hot. The spin-off series also deserves kudos for its engaging gay protagonist. Not always a well represented population in fiction.<br /><br /><br /></li><li>Alison Weir, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Princes in the Tower.</span> Speaking of the Tutors.... There's not much new here, but she does a decent job of trying to seperate the Tutor propaganda form historical fact.<br /><br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Generation Ageless: How Baby Boomers Are Changing the Way We Live Today</span>. When I think of all my very weird older relations and the shear number of us in this <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk22DquZYmQU1GTWIVep-TZQickuGeJP16VDPJc2UINAseHwM6dRnBQwBcUpkPgvWongz6coaEoCDlqrZ_FwU_mtXnHmkKKN2RcOpu-aOCFAQU3oQ67kRG2K_ye_SYOq03XH66A/s1600-h/generationageless.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk22DquZYmQU1GTWIVep-TZQickuGeJP16VDPJc2UINAseHwM6dRnBQwBcUpkPgvWongz6coaEoCDlqrZ_FwU_mtXnHmkKKN2RcOpu-aOCFAQU3oQ67kRG2K_ye_SYOq03XH66A/s320/generationageless.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218816797225333794" border="0" /></a>generation, I wonder how the world will survive our elder years. With the advances being made in medical science, we could live a very long time. If I were one of you young people, I would get going on colonizing the moon as soon as possible. Then, send us all there. It will be good for my arthritis and fulfill a lifelong dream. Trust me, you don't want several million of us wandering around causing the kind of chaos we did in the 60's and 70's. It may have been one small step for Neil Armstrong, but y'all need to sprint to making the moon one giant retirement village in the sky. Heck, Neil might be the first one to sign up to go.<br /></li></ul>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9726597.post-4275055721850204352008-06-26T11:42:00.003-06:002008-12-09T21:26:40.258-06:00Booking Through Thursday.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoyjTkAgXELoE5YEYFpsDIyJsWhQrA5_nvLZtfSCq8mb8dlRXPKbR_z8pbQDMxJctUlgDUM-fIKy-P6nK1P9fUZgt5v-0RAuJ1kdLPQCK0SQte7bnKdrCfUfXr3h_Qs00KbxzcA/s1600-h/buffy-768289.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoyjTkAgXELoE5YEYFpsDIyJsWhQrA5_nvLZtfSCq8mb8dlRXPKbR_z8pbQDMxJctUlgDUM-fIKy-P6nK1P9fUZgt5v-0RAuJ1kdLPQCK0SQte7bnKdrCfUfXr3h_Qs00KbxzcA/s320/buffy-768289.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216249913949638882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >What, in your opinion, is the definition of a “reader.” A person who indiscriminately reads everything in sight? A person who reads BOOKS? A person who reads, period, no matter what it is? … Or, more specific? Like the specific person who’s reading something you wrote?</span><br /><br />Once again, thank you to <span style="font-style: italic;">Booking Through Thursday</span> for the great question. I love all kinds of readers. There are the folks who read the back of the cereal box at breakfast and everything else they can get their hands on. Then, there are those that only read a certain fiction genera or only professional literature.<br /><br />What ever they read, these are my people! Librarians get tingly all over when someone tells them they've just read something good. It doesn't matter what it is. I once went to hear a visiting lecturer at Emory who described in detail the erotica collection at the NY Public Library. Fascinating stuff.<br /><br />My son is currently engrossed in the world of Menga (sp?) It only marginally involves reading. But, I still count it as there are words on each and every page and he does read them all. I've even begun comic book reading myself! Buffy the Vampire Slayer, my all time favorite TV show, has an 8th season as a comic. I get a new episode about once a month. Do I feel a bit silly? Yes. Does it count as reading? Yes it does. And, if there's anyone out there as big a nerd as I am, I'll gladly let you know all about it!<br /><br />Oh yeah, I also love to read blogs.....<br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/the+beatles/track/paperback+writer" title="'The Beatles - Paperback Writer' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">The Beatles - Paperback Writer</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-size: 10px;">via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14084094935896208594noreply@blogger.com3