Ordinary Time

I was informed by the Internet that today is National Book Lovers Day. This seems as though it is a special day I should mark. Because I believe that loving books starts early in life, I will celebrate the occasion by giving my list of books that I think every parent should read to their child(ren). (Considering the current demographic of my readers these days, I should probably also add grandchildren.) Am I being a bit bossy? Yes, probably. But these are really good books, are well worth the effort, and shouldn't be missed. So, in no particular order: 1. Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Mine. Give your child the gift of the originals and not some Disneyfied version. Though in full disclosure the old animated version Disney made was an enduring favorite of mine. Mainly, I think, because of the books opening and the story and characters literally coming to life. Still, the originals are exceptional, don't let your child miss them.  2. Five Children and It by...

What do you do when you have leftover French bread, some decent tomatoes on the counter, and you just brought in a bunch of sweet basil from the garden? You make copious amounts of bruschetta to go along with dinner. We made so much that everyone could eat their fill and still have some leftover. This rarely happens. More often, everyone gets a couple and there is bargaining with others to get more.  If you haven't made it before, I'll share how I do it. It hardly counts as a recipe. You do need good tomatoes and fresh basil on hand because I don't think it's worth the effort otherwise.  Bruschetta   Chop a tomato into a small dice and put them in a bowl. (One large tomato made at least 24 bruschetta for us.)  Cut your basil leaves into slivers and add to the tomatoes. (I can't tell you how much because I didn't measure. I just kept slicing and stirring it into the tomatoes until it looked like the right amount.) Add two chopped garlic cloves, or go the easy rou...

I was listening to a podcast this morning while cleaning the barn and the woman being interviewed was telling about her book club. They met four times a year and chose a classic to discuss. (This explains the need for three months in-between.) I was immediately smitten.  I do not have good luck with book clubs. I tend not to enjoy typical book club choices. I'm fact some of my least favorite books of all time were titles I read for one. In full disclosure, the feeling was mutual in that usually the entire book club membership disliked my suggestions when it was my turn to pick. I really love the idea of book clubs, though... everyone reading the same title, having interesting discussions, becoming good friends over the course of time. I'm theory they sound fantastic and I'm a little jealous of those people who have managed to attain that sort of bookish camaraderie.  But a book club based on reading classics? This might solve my biggest issue. You could even broaden it a bi...

Long time readers won't be surprised at how much thought I gave to what books I was going to bring with me last week. It was tricky. I had a lot of things I needed to take along which meant there really wasn't room for the usual four or five books I typically bring along. I also really dislike running out of books to read. (I must interject here that this concern was actually ridiculous because there are plenty of books at my brother-in-law's.) I think I came up with a pretty brilliant solution.  A Tale of Two Cities has been on my shelf to read for a while. What could be more perfect than a long and dense novel in a mass paperback form? I knew that even taking plans rides into consideration I wouldn't be able to finish it before returning home. (I'm almost halfway done for those who are curious.)  I am really enjoying it. Dickens knows how to tell a good story. There have been a couple of times when something would happen and I thought to myself, "Well, I didn...

I arrived home mid-afternoon today from being in New Hampshire running the EAL training. Everything went fine and it was great to visit family. Still, it is very nice to be home. Then this evening we had a big family dinner (with everyone but P., who had to work) because tomorrow D. leaves to head to grad school. It was good to have (nearly) everyone together to send him off. We will miss him. It has been lovely having him in Chicago this past year. I am also excited for him. This feels like such a good next step. Plus one of our nieces (so a cousin to D.) attends the same school. I love the fact that the cousins will be there together. 

Or roundabouts could also have been the other title. New Hampshire has a lot of traffic circles that I drive on to get to the barn I'm working at. You know what's really wonderful? People here know how to navigate these things smoothly and easily. I have experienced a little bit of joy at each one.  To understand why, you need to know that the powers that be have been installing traffic circles in our area at home, so it is a near daily occurrence to drive on them. But while there are an ever growing number of traffic circles, it seems the general population is slow to figure them out. I find it frustrating. My children will confirm this because I am often loudly saying that they are not 4-way stops. Too often I get stuck behind a car that is stopped at a traffic circle entrance waiting for there to be no cars in the circle. Even worse are the drivers who stop in the circle to let another car in. This is so not helpful and is just begging to create an accident. And every so oft...