Finally Some Yarn

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Ok, not really about knitting at all, but since I can't get motivated to knit I felt it was time to add some Yarn to this blog.
I hope to be knitting a little this weekend. If I am not sleeping. I am having surgery tomorrow. Nothing too serious people, but I am getting my tubes tied. I know I could never out do the two kids I already have so why even try.

The Plague of Doves

by Louise Erdrich

This post is going to be less about the book and more about what the book stirred inside me. I have a lot of questions for all of you here.

You may have heard of this author, she wrote a book that is fairly well know to children's librarians called The Birchbark House. She is an Ojibwe Native American and sets her books in the northern plains and as far east as Michigan. This is the first adult book I have read by her and I was very moved. I bought it for my YA section, though it definitely has more adult appeal, but I am keeping it since I think it was a beautifully written piece of literature and hope that a few teens will try it out.

First of all a little summary of the book. It spans the first three quarters of the 2oth century, and even a bit of the 19th, but it is not chronological. We see into the families and lives of a group of people in North Dakota who are all connected through blood, romance, or politics. Some of the connections are almost mystical and hard to even describe. Each story is so different, yet they all shape the other stories. They are told from that person's point of view, so you hear part of a story from one, part from another, and in the end you see the circles that connect the lives of the small, dying town of Pluto, ND and the neighboring reservation.

I can't help but to be in awe of Erdrich's skill at tying these people together with the smallest of threads, yet keeping them so individual and real. Her skill alone is reason enough to read this. In fact her skill will character, plot, imagery, and symbolism makes me imagine even Sherbert (a BA High School reference for those of you who don't know) loving, and assigning, this book. Of course, had that been the case, I would have hated it eventually.

Despite all of that, however, this post is about how, when I finished the book I started thinking about how drawn I am to works about or by Native Americans. And I wonder why that is. So, I address this to all my friends out there and ask you to hang in there as I delve into the stream of consciousness flow that may ensue.

I have noticed that I do not seek out works by and about Native Americans, but when I do read them I am mesmerized. I get soaked in. I drown in the history, either stated or implied in the stories. Is this because I was raised in a town with the name Broken Arrow? Is it because for 8 years I drove a car with a license plate proclaiming Oklahoma as "Native America?" I could blame the semester of Oklahoma history that was required, but I think my fellow students, like me, knew the basics already. Were they taught us in school alone or were stories told at home? Was it so much a part of our culture that we learned these things as if within a collective consciousness?

My grandmother was born to a white man and a Cherokee woman. She never knew her mother's family though. I was told I was supposed to be half Native America myself, but upon finding my birth family learned that was not true, though a few generations back there was a Mic Mac in my family. For my fellow Oklahoman friends I will explain that the Mic Mac tribe was from what is now Maine and southern Canada.

That brings me to something else. Am I the only person who grew up forgetting, or perhaps not understanding, that there are Native Americans from every part of the United States? We learned the Trail of Tears, so we know that Five Civilized Tribes did not originate from Oklahoma, but did any out there think beyond that? I knew there were tribes in the southwest and the northern plains, but perhaps that label, the Five Civilized Tribes, made them seem diminished as 'true' Native Americans. Then I moved to Connecticut and realized, duh, that the first encounters that Europeans had with Native Americans in the colonies were in New England. In fact the first bloody battle, the one that is thought to have really set the tone, was here in Connecticut with the Pequot tribe. Did I realize that Quinnipiac, Naugatuck, and Poquonock were Native American words? Of course not. We Okies know that Tahlequah, Muskogee, Checotah, and Coweta are what Native American words look and sound like.

But here, I have digressed and wandered into irrelevant musings. What I want to know is if any of this feels familiar to the other Okies reading this? How about my Nutmegger friends? Do you feel touched at all by Native American culture or is it all Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun to you? Am I just thinking about this too much?

Your opinions and revelations please!

Wicked

by Gregory Maguire

Most of us have heard of this book or at least the musical. I have heard so much good for so long and have been meaning to get to it forever. My Aunt has seen the musical multiple times.

Well, in case you haven't heard anything about it you should know it is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West. It is the 'true' story of the Wizard of Oz. And it is very different from the story we all know.

The story tells all about the Wicked Witch, named Elpheba. She is born in Oz to a preacher and his discontent wife. The baby is born green, but worse, she has a full mouth of shark like teeth and has to be placed in a muzzle of sorts. There is no explanation. Well, not really. There is the faint memory that her mother has of a man giving her a green bottle of some liquid she drank and she thinks that maybe, that man could therefore be Elpheba's father.

From here we see her grow up and go to college. There she is given Galinda (later to be known as Glinda) as a roommate. The two become friends. That's right, friends.Well, it gets complicated. There is a whole othe side to the story really. Dorothy doesn't come along till the end. It's very interesting though.

There are a lot of very strange politics in the book. The whole talking animal thing is a big issue. And there are warped religious themes. Honestly, I can't even really get into it all without rereading the book. It's so complex. I am impressed that the author kept his own story straight.

One last note: I contacted the publishers to find out how much it would cost to have Gregory Maguire speak at our library. Other popular authors in the area charge $800-$1500 and maybe travel expenses. Well, Mr. Maguire charges $15,000 plus first class travel and accomodations!!!! *choke* I will not be hearing him speak here I guess. But I do wonder if he is single!!! LOL

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

by Tiffany Baker

Heartbreaking story that becomes uplifting in the end. Truly is a giant, at least that's what everyone calls her, and being an outsider allows her to see so much more in life, except when it comes to herself. Life is hard for her, but she is able to see that beauty has its hardships too after her sister runs away from an unhappy marriage. Truly is left to take care of an overbearing brother in law and confused nephew. And she forgets to take care of herself until its nearly too late.
Wonderful read. Much recommended.

First Day of School 2009

Today I took my girls to school. Lily is going into 2nd grade and Alyssa is now in kindergarten, and not baby kindergarten, we are full day in Willinton!

I know that it is normal to be sad when your baby goes to kindergarten, but really I am thrilled. I joke that it's because I will be free of her or that I will be paying less for child care (which is certainly a plus), but really I am excited for her. She is a smart little cookie, and she needs a better outlet than I can give her. She also needs friends her own age. Poor thing spends all her time with bigger girls, trying to keep up and getting frustrated when she can't. And mom just is not that fun, at least not all the time.

She had her outfit all picked out. Her shirt says "I believe in fairies" and her shoes are her 'cheerleading' shoes. I told her it was going to be hot, so maybe we should leave the leggings off (plus they are all baggy, despite the fact they should be tight, on her toothpick legs), but she insisted she wear them since they are part of the outfit. Her new LL Bean packback is on backorder, so we used her Tinkerbell one and she is sporting a new Disney Princess lunchbox. I took time last night letting her pick her lunch, and explaining how lunch and snack time worked. I especially stressed the fact that there are two juice boxes in her lunch, one is for snack and one is for lunch, if she drinks them both at snack she will have none for lunch. I wonder if she remembered that part.

We got to school and were waiting in the lobby for the first bell. She wanted to go up, but we couldn't yet. She was just so excited. She had already informed me on the ride to school that she was going to go up to class by herself. (well, well) I looked around and saw many moms I knew. A few were very teary eyed and I have to admit I felt kind of bad that I wasn't. I tried to be sad at that moment, but I was just happy for her. When her teacher, Mrs. Walter, walked by to go get the other kids from the bus she invited Alyssa to go. Alyssa hopped up and headed out. I had to ask for a goodbye kiss, and off she went. I waited to see her come back through on her way to class. She waved and then proceeded to tug at the back pack of the boy in front of her and boss him around. That's my Diva.

In the meantime, I was waiting with Lily. She had asked me to walk her to class, despite the fact that she has been at this school since she was 3 (preschool as well) and was just in her class Monday. So, we waited, and talked to some of her friends.

She had picked out her own clothes and I have to admit, she looks so stylish. Not a girlie girl, but at least she loves pink. How do you like the shoes? You better, they cost me $40 on sale! They are Sketchers Twinkle Toes. If you do not have a little girl you probably have not noticed the commercials for these shoes. Both girls wanted them desperately, and Alyssa was devastated that they do not come in her size. They are like Converse, but they slip on. They also have rhinestone all over the toes. In this case they have pink rhinestones and the sides have roses, hears and skulls, in a tattoo motif. There is also a plastic rose charm that hangs off one. Lily LOVES them!!! And she loves the new haircut that I gave her in the kitchen Sunday night with a pair of kitchen shears. That's right, I have skill!

So, finally I get to take her up to class. I am thinking, "Please don't have a break down, Lily." We get there and they have to put their lunches in a bin in the hall and use wipes on their hands before they go in because one student has severe allergies. Lily knows the routine, she had him in her class last year and is always concerned that she does it right since she is a good friend. Once the routine gets going she loses all thought of mom and is off. I was so proud of her. Any of you who know her know what a milestone that is for her.

So now, at work, I look at the clock and anxiously await the time when I can call and see how their day went. Alyssa will no doubt be exhausted. Lily will probably not have much to say. And I may just get sad finally, because they go home to Dad's house today and I won't see them until Sunday night. In fact, I feel a little sad right now.

Three Girls and Their Brother

by Theresa Rebeck

As the title suggests, this book is about 3 girls and their brother. In fact, they each have a turn telling the story. The siblings are grandchildren of a man who is quite famous in the literary world, though not so much with the majority of Americans. On top of that minor notoriety, they girls are incredibly gorgeous and all have magnificent red hair. These two factors land the girls a photo spread in The New Yorker, a dream come true to the older two Heller girls.

The youngest girls and her brother/best friend are not interested but go along for a lark. Little do they know that fame, and all the unexpected and unwanted things that come with it are around the corner. Fourteen year old Amelia, becomes an object of desire to a 40-something famous actor and when he gets too touchy feely, she bites him. When it gets in the tabloids, it opens up a new future, and a living hell, for all the family.

This is a fascinating story about the underworld of fame. It is definitely for older teens and adults. Although the characters are teens, they are put in many adult situations and there is adult language as well.

DominKNITrix

by Jennifer Stafford

YES!! Back to some knitting posts. Well, sort of. I still have had no time to knit, but I did look this book over and can review it for you.

This knitting book had a very thorough and useful instructional section. For this reason only I give it 3 stars. The patterns in the book where not what I would expect from such a uniquely titled book. I would expect unusual, unique, bizarre, and even kinky patterns, but other than the mohawk hat there was nothing even remotely unique. I found the patterns boring and cliche.

That is the best I can do. I think perhaps 10 years ago this book would have been cutting edge for knitting patterns, but there are so many original designs today that they will have to work harder than this to pull me in. I think the only reason this book sells at all is the titillating title.

Shanghai Girls

by Lisa See

This is a touching and heartbreaking story of two sister from Shanghai, Pearl and May. They are free spirited modern young women in the 1930s. Then their father loses everything and gives them as wives to pay off his debt. Their journey to the United States and the life they make here is full of tragedy, but also moments of hope and beauty. Underneath it all, though, there are family secrets and the hidden jealousies of sisters.

I have never been one who is interested in Eastern cultures, but this book fascinated me. This is a hallmark of a good book to me. If the characters or setting capture my imagination enough to make me want more then I know the author has done her (his) job. I will be reading more of this writer.

What really fascinated me about this book was the description of life for the Chinese during WWII and the Cold War. While I was shocked at their treatment I also was saddened to think that we have done the same to people of Middle Eastern descent in recent years. It really spoke to me about how we have not changed.

Daddy Long Legs

by Jean Webster

This is an old book, a classic that is now often categorized as YA or even children's literature.. We do not have a copy of this book in the library, but I think I am going to buy one. It was truly an entertaining read and could well be adapted to modern times. Maybe I will do that in fact. But for now I will just review it for you.

It's a story about Jerusha Abbott who was brought up in an orphanage. Jerusha is a bit to imaginative for a proper girl in the earliest part of the 1900s. When she turns 18 she really has no where to go and is kept on in the employ of the orphanage until one of the trustees offers to pay her way through college and give a monthly allowance because, known only as John Smith, believes she has great potential as a writer. She is required to write to him monthly and told not to expect correspondence from him.

The story is told through the letters she writes to him. First off she renames herself, Judy at college and nicknames her benefactor 'Daddy Long Legs.' Many of her letters are preoccupied with imagining who he is and what he looks like and asking for an occasional response. She gets one of two responses over the many years she writes, but never any information about him.

The letters are very funny and sometimes silly, nothing like you would imagine from a young woman of that time. Except for the language you would expect the same letters from a young woman today. I could imagine Audrey Hepburn as the character of Judy. In my mind she is one of those silly, slightly awkard, and very unconventional girls that Hepburn so often played in films. I was completely amused by her imaginings and descriptions of college life. And there is of course, a little vein of a love story with in the book and the mystery of who her John Smith truly is.

The book is not long and is a very simple and quick read. I definitely recommend it to just about anyone who wants a light, funny story to pass the time.

There were many film adaptations of this book as well, including on with Fred Astaire, that apparently was very far off from the original story. I have requested a copy of the movie and will review it as well.

My Blushing Little Bride to Be

Have any of you ever heard of these women who say they have dreamt of their weddings since they were 5 years old? How many times have movies or TV parodied the woman who has collected Bride magazine clippings since she was 12 in prepraration for her wedding 15 years later? Well, folks, I am apparently raising one of these little girls. Who can guess which one?

Since she was 2 I have noted Alyssa's fascination with weddings. She will pick a flower and announce that she is saving it for her wedding. She has told me that daddy and I are not married really because she wasn't there to witness it. She teased the 9 year old son of a babysitter with sing-songy taunts of, 'I'm gonna marry you!!" If you ask her what her favorite part is of any Disney movie she will tell you that its the wedding.

(yes, we own this book)

Well, she has topped it all now. Her next birthday, number 5, is already on her mind (it's not until November) and she already has it planned out. Can you guess what the theme might be? That's right, folk, WEDDING!

She wants a doll cake (you know, the one where the skirt is a cake...she had one last year) wearing a wedding dress. And she knows that Stephanie (a friend and babysitter) has these tiny little 3 tier cake pans and she wants two tiny wedding cakes as well.

She wants it all in white and silver and 'Remember Mommy, weddings have lots of flowers!' I wonder if there will be a little boy from class by then that she forces to exchange vows with her.

Can you stand it? How much cuteness can one mom take? Maybe she will be a wedding planner, but I fear it will end up costing someone a fortune someday for the ultimate princess wedding.

...SIGH...

The Time Traveler's Wife

by Audrey Niffenegger

Since I have been seeing the commercials for the upcoming movie version of this book I felt it was time to review it. I read it a few months ago and can honestly tell you it is now my favorite book. I may have to give it another quick read before the movie, but I remember it well enough to tell you about it now.

First let me say that from what the commercials show it seems like a 'girlie' book. If the commercials are portraying the movie correctly it has been turned into a chick flick but I really hope that is just an advertising trick to turn it into a date movie. Please, please, please let there be more to the movie than they are showing.

When I read the book I did not see it in any way as 'girlie.' It is told from both the wife's and husband's prosepectives, though through most of the book they are neither wife or husband. The story is really more about the life of Henry De Tamble (the Time Traveler) and I read it as a sort of autobiography/biography of his life. Of course there is a love element to the story. It is in no way a sappy love story, though, it is quite painful.

Without giving too much away I will tell you that Henry began spontaneously time traveling around age 6. He can't control it or predict it. He also travels without anything material, which means he shows up wherever he is going naked and penniless. One of these trips takes the adult Henry back to meet his future wife when she was a child (age 6 or 8, can't remember). Of course, he does not reveal their future relationship, but he ends up there with her often enough to really know her as a child and she grows up in love with him already.

Yes, it is very confusing. Your whole sense if time and space gets warped reading this and the weird part is how you get used to it the more you read. There are tense moments, funny moments, and tragic moments through out the book. The highest praise I can give Neffenegger is that no matter how sad, scary or confusing it gets, it is always amusing and never far fetched.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Please read it before you go to the movie. If I had to pick one book to read over and over for my entire life it would be this one. There is just so much depth to the characters that I think you could never get enough of them.

Really way to design your own book covers!!

I found instructions to make your own book cover and gave it a shot.

CREATE YOUR DEBUT YA COVER

1 – Go to “Fake Name Generator” or click http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/
The name that appears is your author name.

2 – Go to “Random Word Generator” or click http://www.websitestyle.com/parser/randomword.shtml
The word listed under “Random Verb” is your title.

3 – Go to “FlickrCC” or click http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.php
Type your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.
(Use this instead of regular flickr because these are photos that can legally be reprodcuced.)

4 – Use Photoshop, Picnik, or similar to put it all together. Be sure to crop and/or zoom in.

If you create a cover, let me know – I’m going to post a gallery.

Harry Potter Mania!!!!

Ok, first let me say that I am not the type of person who has to see a movie, ANY movie, opening weekend. I try to avoid it actually. The last time I remember doing so was the summer of 1993 when my boyfriend at the time, Brian Gerber, took me to see Jurassic Park at 10am opening day.

That being said, the trailer for Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince was just too much of a pull for me. If I could have I know I would have gone Wednesday night. But no, I went Friday night. A friend took me and his neice, who is one of my patrons here at the library. I nagged him and nagged him until he bought tickets online in advance. Thank goodness.

Before I go on let me digress. Notice I mentioned my library patron...don't forget I am the YA librarian. I feel as such it is my duty to see all the popular books into movies as soon as possible so as to relate to that generation. I am old now, you see, so I need to be hip on the culture. Hip...do they say that or am I channeling a person twice my age. Yikes.

Ok, back to HP. We were a bit late arriving. By that I mean the movie had not started yet, but the theater was quite full so we were only about 4 or 5 rows back. That's some fun viewing for oldies. There were a couple of nausea inducing scenes, particularly the beginning as we sailed with the deatheaters over London. Woooo....can anyone say migraine? But there were only one or two of those moments. What was worse for me was that being so close you actually have to move your head to follow that action at times. Makes a person feel a bit like a labrador watching funniest animal videos on the pet channel.

Oh, wait...did I digress again. I do that. Look!!! Shiney.....

Back to the movie. I have to say that I was quite disappointed in Order of the Phoenix. So much left out! But the trailer for this one was so great!!! I couldn't wait. And over all I was not dissappointed. Yes, there were plenty of things left out. Since I did not bother to re-read the book before hand, though, I did not notice too much. The dramatic scenes were a bit drawn out and there were moments when I wondered when they were going to get on with it. I was glad that Harry was not played as obnoxious as he was in the book. He was just so whiney about getting no attention from Dumbledore. He was a bit more grown up in the movie, as I would expect he should be with everything he went through in the last two movies. Sheesh! Hermione was not in this one as much as I would like. I think she was in the book more, correct me if I am wrong. Then there is the cave with the Horcrux...I thought they had found Superman's crystal home. I think they could have done better with that. But in spite of a few really noticible CGI flubs (note Draco's hands on the railing when he is standing in the tower looking out over Hogwart's), it was a really well done movie. I was not ready for it to end despite it's 2 1/2 hour length.

Ok, there you go. My adventure for the weekend. Where were the books and yarn? Don't go there people. It's been a busy summer!

DVD: American Teen

Documentary Film

This is a great documentary that follows 5 teens from various cliques through their senior year in a small town high school. We see the ups and downs, the worries about college, relationship crises, and major bitch fests.

I think it would have been nice to see more information about these kids friends and families than was shown. But over all it was a great glimpse into high school experience. Okay, if you are in high school you know what that experience is like, but its a nice view of how its the same no matter where you live.

The best thing about this doc is that there is a one year follow up on the kids to see how they are doing.

Worth the watch.

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

by Sophie Kinsella

Becky Bloomwood is now a household name in London since she has been appearing on a daily talk show as their financial expert. She and Luke are a real item. She is finally out of debt. Well, she was but the shopping she has been doing has been controlled...somewhat.

Then Luke springs Manhattan on her. He is starting a new business there and wants her to come with him. She will find a job on American television and life will be perfect. Once there, however, she just can't fight the lure of the 5th Avenue shop windows. When a tabloid exposes her as a shopaholic with no real understanding of personal finance her life is turned upside down and when she needs Luke the most he is not there for her.

In typical 'I Love Lucy' fashion she does eventually find a surprising way out of all the mess. Kinsella had me laughing out loud yet again. Looking forward to #3, Shopaholic ties the Knot.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Book and Movie

by Sophie Kinsella

I adore the author Sophie Kinsella. She is a great crossover writer for adult/YA. And best of all she is witty. I love witty authors, and they are so rare.

The book is absolutely adorable. Rebecca Bloomwood is a financial journalist who knows nothing at all about finance. What she does know is shopping. She knows so much about shopping that you could say it is what she lives for. And her love of shopping has her deeply in debt.

Becky doesn't even realize how much debt she has because she has a little habit of losing her bills, under her roommates bed, in a nearby dumpster, in the trash bin at work. When she finally takes a look at her balances she realizes that she is in deep trouble.

She can't tell her parents, they and their friends think that Becky is a financial genius. Her roommate is filthy rich, old money, and really just can't understand. Becky is on her own.

In the midst of all of this she meets Luke Brandon, a successful financial publicist. Oh, and he is handsome as well. These two flutter in and out of each other's lives until....

Well, you will have to read it to know. Its hilarious really. Becky just can't help lying at every turn. Some lies had me laughing out loud as I read. She reminds me of Lucille Ball in her crazy plans. And then there is the devastatingly handsome Luke. The book is adorable and an incredibly fun read.

The Movie:

I imagine had I never read the book I would have liked this a lot. It was pretty funny. The problem is that Becky is American, not British. She looses her job and gets one as a financial journalist where she meets Luke who is not a brilliant millionaire.

She still id quite funny and painfully ridiculous. The romance is still a bit adorable. But the funniest bits of the book are left out and the funniest bits of the movie are not even in the book.

I am such a slacker!

Ok, so I have nothing to say about books or knitting today. Instead let's just hit me over the head with the keyboard for being so slack in my upkeep of this blog! Really, I should be tarred and feathered!

Since I have nothing to say of any importance at the moment I will entertain you with an Alyssa story. My Alyssa...princess, diva, evil genius!

First off let me tell you that she has a volume issue. Now, I am not talking about the kind of volume issues most kids have, I mean, this kids is LOUD!!!!! We have to tell her on a constant basis to keep her volume down. It really is a never ending battle.

Well, the other night at dinner I had finally had enough. We were in a restaurant and it was just getting embarrassing. I told her that if she can't turn her volume down she will have to just zip it. Without missing a beat the little genius starts twisting her earlobe. When I ask her what's wrong with her ear she tells me that she is, wait for it...... turning her volume down!!!

I really don't know where she gets these things. This kids kills me.