How do you read?

My bookends

It may seem like an odd question, but how do you read? I don't mean mouthing the words, following along with a finger type reading. I mean how do you read? In the bathtub, curled up on the couch with a cat on your lap? At a table with a cup of coffee and a cigarette, in bed wearing warm fuzzy socks?

I have a few ways that I read, OK more than a few.

The couch in various spots, curled up, stretched out, laying down. Sometimes covered with a blanket or a cat sometimes not.

The bath, there is nothing like a tub full of water and a good book.

I also read at the gym when I am on the boring elliptical, more often than not this  is on my Nook. The nook is wonderful for that, it fits just right in the book holder and I don't have to worry about loosing my spot if the book is thicker than the space provided.

So, how do you read?

Her Fearful Symmetry

Can you like a book and not like a book at the same time? Is it possible to read about the protagonists and wish that the supporting characters had a bigger roll? In a book can the supporting cast be better than the stars?

My second book for RIP made me ask these questions. I read Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger and honestly have to say that I wish the book had focused more on Martin and Marijke than the twins, either set. I do not know if it is a twin thing that I cannot relate to or that there seemed to be something missing in the characters of Julia, Valentina and Elspeth. I can see where Elspeth, is missing something in her personality, but Valentina and Julia both seem to be incomplete.

I believe that Martin was placed in the book to show that the girls are not as insane as he is, but I found him to be a more believable character then either of the girls. His OCD, and Agoraphobia is debilitating, but it makes him seem more rounded. His wife Marijke, is in just a few pages of the book and I wish that she had been in more.

That being said, I would probably read something else that this author had written but I would not put her on my must read now list.

Quotes:
"Elspeth Noblin was dead and no on could do anything for her now except bury her."

"Marijke suddenly saw the cemetery as an old theater: the same play was still running, but the costumes and hairstyles had been updated.:

A book not on the RIP list

Long time ago in a place far far way (Once Upon a Time Challenge), this last June I read a book titled Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Unknown to me he along with the artist Nate Taylor a new book had been written. The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle.

As it says in the book, This is NOT a book for Children. OK, I might let an older child read it one who no longer believed in monsters under the bed. This book reminded me of going to the library, sitting on the floor and waiting for an adult to read a book to me. I wanted that book, the words, the pictures to just be mine. This book as that same feel, the feel that each word must be savored, and that each picture deserves the attention that each word brings out. I am very glad that I read this book, and I do hope that Mr. Rothfuss and Mr. Taylor write a book together again.

Wordless Wednesday

Sand in the City 2012

Footsteps in the Dark R.I.P

Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer is the first of the books that I am reading for RIP. I read this on my little Nook, it was one of the free downloads.


I tried to find a synopsis that fit the book, but all of the sites that I checked just did not seem to match the story.

First off, while I did like this book, I am not sure if I would read another one of her writings. The book for me was like a cross between a Nancy Drew and an Agatha Christy. I did have a few problems with the book that I think were not the authors fault, but the way that I was reading it. For example, the house The Priory did not have any electricity, or a telephone, but others about them did. There are automobiles as well. So I assumed that the book was set in near modern times at the earliest the 1940’s. However half way through the story one of the male characters talked about the war and what he did in it in 1914. I should have realized from the speech patterns that this was a wee bit older than that.

So not to give the mystery away, I won’t go into who did what but I will say that by the last few chapters I knew who the evil doer was. In that I was disappointed. I did love a few of the characters. Charles and Mrs. Bosanquet are two of my favorites. When I was at the gym reading she had me laughing out loud, so much so that the man on the bike in front of me turned to look at me.

If asked for a recommendation on this story, I would give it with the advice; this is a good read that does not require sleeping with the lights on.

My favorite quotes:

“Not, I trust, like a lot of lunatics,” Mrs Bosanquet said coldly.

“I shall have to have someone to hold my hand soon,” Charles remarked. “Do I understand we’re likely to come out at the chapel?”

“Please don’t do that again!” said Charles. “It unnerves me. Of course we only want a few bats to complete the picture.”

It is Time for RIP

WOoohoooo! I have been waiting for this for 6th months, I am so excited. Check out the artwork, I love them all. So I could write the rules up here and the book subjects but I think you should go to Carl's site and read them for yourself. I am going to do Peril the First and Peril on the Screen.

This is a my pool for the reading.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Downpour by Kat Richardson
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Summer of Night by Dan Simmons
Haunted Legends by Ellen Datlow
Night Strangers by Christopher A Bohjalian
Secret of Crickley Hall by James Hubert
Graveminder by Melissa Marr
Good House by Tananarive Due
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (a reread for the uberth time)
Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer

For Peril the Screen. . .
Watcher in the Woods I saw this when if first came out, and it still scares the crap out of me.
The House on Haunted Hill I know this one is old but for something like this challenge only Vincent Price would do.
The Haunting I know this is just a retelling of Haunting of Hill House but I love the story. If I watch this one I will also watch the 1963 copy.

Can you tell I am excited about this?

Blogger

I am having great difficulty with blogger, I have wanted to leave replies to people posts on other blogs and for some reason blogger will only let me post on a few blogs. Sometimes it will leave more than one copy of the same comment on a blog site.

Thanks for understanding why I have not been here. I am thinking about moving to another blog site. Any ideas?

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.

But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. "You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. "

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. "Watch, and see" said the second animal.

A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge. "

"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.

"So does GOD", was the reply.
-- Author Unknown

Not so wordless Wednesday

I am trying to put into words the month of June and when I do I will get it up here.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Once Upon a Time Challenge

Well, I missed the deadline for the Challenge by 30 minutes. AAGGGG!!!! But that is OK, this was my first one and I think that next time and there will be a next time, I will do better.

For this challenge I read:
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Game of Thrones by George R R Martin
One Hundred Words for Hate by Thomas E Sniegoski
Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings

I will be doing the RIP challenge too when it is posted.

Wordless Wednesday

Game of Thrones

I read the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin for the Once Upon a Time reading challenge. I finished it last week and I am still not sure if I liked it or not. It was not the story, or the writing style, I just could not get involved with most of the characters.

I am being vague on this, as I know there is a TV show being made, and I know some people actually will read the book so I am trying not to give to much ways.

Bran Stark - I don't feel sorry for, I find his Summer a much more likable character.

Catelyn Stark- I am still not sure about her, I don't know if I like her for going forward or hate her for leaving the wee ones.

Daenerys Targaryen- started out as a wimp, her character development is the best so far in the book.

Eddard Stark- I want to say that his character is the catalyst for the book, without him none of the story would move forward.

Jon Snow- I think he could be an interesting character, and he is one of the few I want to know more about. I am going to look at then next book to see if there is more on this character in them.

Arya Stark - She is like Jon one I want to know more about to see grow, and expand her story line.

Tryion Lannister- He is one of the most well written and thought out characters in the book. He has more sides to him than an octagon.

Sansa Stark - Oh dear gods she reminded me of Bella from the Twilight books. Just shoot me when I have to read about her Please.

In this book in the series the above are the main characters. I will read the rest of the books just to find out what happens to Jon, and Arya.

Honey really liked this one and maybe I can talk her into writing her thoughts on the book for here.

Next for the challenge we are reading The Name of the Wind.

The Weekend

My weekend started on Friday, I went shopping. Wooohooo. OK so that woohoo was sarcastic, unless I am shopping for books or food I hate shopping. It took me a hour to pick out some underwear. I went out to dinner with some great friends and ate way to much.

Saturday after going to the gym, and the store. I had a nap, the nap put me behind so I made a mad dash to pack for the weekend. Then a 2 hour drive to Portland.

This weekend was my cousins 33rd birthday, and his fathers 60th. There was a surprise party for my uncle, so I was told not to go to the house as he would know something was up. That was no big hard ship, I went to Powell's. I did not go to the one downtown, I went to the one in Cedar Hills, I had two boxes of books for them to go though and the parking there is better. Powell's ended up giving me $20 in store credit, and then I spent another $20 on top of that. Not a bad deal for the books.

I got:
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss this is for the Once Upon a Time reading challenge
The Harp of the Gray Rose by Charles De Lint
Dingo by Charles De Lint both this one and the Harp of the Gray Rose were bought to fulfill the need to read and own everything written by De Lint.
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett
Living Wicca by Scott Cunningham

After that enjoyable few hours, I went to my cousins because I did not know where the restaurant was located. We went to a place called Jopa Northwest Grill . The room was beautiful, the food was wonderful, I loved the cold asparagus, and the bacon wrapped scallops. I met the most interesting people there, I spent a lot of the night talking to an international attorney, he had just gotten back from Africa.

I spent the night and most of the next day with the family we had brunch at Hands On Cafe that is part of the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Ohh that food was yummy too.

In the afternoon, my aunt and I went to NCO where she volunteers. NCO is a great organization that I when I can take them things that they might be able to use. If you are reading this and live in Portland look into them.

When I got home, I was exhausted, but I had also not slept well for a few days. Today I more than made up for that. I slept all night, then went to the chiropractors came back and slept for another 5 hours.

Guess Who Is Who

Can you guess who is who? Remember Kelevra is the girl, Squeeker the boy.



Kelevra is the smart one. She tries to turn on the water, flush the toilet, and open doors.



Squeeker, he gets lost in the bathroom, the closet, and plays fetch.



So who is who?

 I know I have not posted pictures of the kittens in a while. They are getting bigger, and have very distinctive personalities.

SS$$cat

My cat's love to go behind the TV stand, I think they are looking for monsters. Last weekend they went back there and stepped on my surge protector, now my game console will not connect to anything wireless. As the console is how I watch Ne+flix I had to go out and get wired controllers again. A real bummer. Last night they were back there again. I went out a got a SS$$cat.

Most of the time if I need to get the cats off of something I just use a water bottle. I am not going to squirt water on my power cords, so I did a little research. The S$$cat is a motion sensor compressed air can that when the cats get close to it will hiss and shoot out a blast of air. It works quite well.

The first time it went off Kelevra shot out from behind the stand as if her tail were on fire. Then Squeeker went back there hehe, I watched him bolt behind the couch. Kelevra has not gone back. Squeeker had to try again, I watched as he did the sneak and tried to creep behind the stand. There was a blast. He jumped straight up in the air and three feet back.

The website says that this can be used to keep them off counters, out of rooms that they are not wanted in etc. The price is a bet hefty but when comparing to replacing a game system it is worth the price.

Poetry Month

This month is poetry month so I thought that I would put up some quotes, little snatches of poetry that I love. I am going to link up one of my favorite poems ever to here as well.

Some light hearted poetry.

I think that I shall never see

A billboard lovely as a tree.

Indeed, unless the billboards fall

I shall never see a tree at all.

                                Ogden Nash

And today the great Yertle, that Marvelous he

Is King of the Mud. That is all he can see.

                                     Theodor Geisel

Not drunk is he, who from the floor

Can rise alone, and still drink more;

But drunk is he, who prostrate lies,

With out the power to drink or rise.

                      Thomas Love Peacock

This is one of my favorite poems it is not light in anyway. The subject is dark, but the flow and the story line is amazing. This is from The Goblin Market by Christina Rosetti.

She Cried, "Laura," up the garden,

"Did you miss me?

Come and kiss me.

Never mind my bruises,

Hug me, kiss me, suck my juices

From the Cad Goddeu from the Llyfr Taliesin. I have read this one over and over sill never getting tired of the language or the flow.

I was in many forms

before I was set free

I was a narrow blood-spotted sword

I believed, when I was formed

I was teardrops in the air

I was a star-woven star

I have people tell me that I am strange for reading and enjoying poetry but I think they are missing so much. I hope that this post will get some others to read and explore poetry.

Green Chile Stew

Over at A Butch In The Kitchen, she had posted a recipe for White Turkey Chili that looks so yummy. I posted in a comment that I had made Green Chili Stew and she wanted my recipe so here it is.

Green Chile Stew

4 pounds chicken

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

1 tablespoon dried basil

4 ounces Hatch green chile peppers,roasted chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

5 carrots, chopped

5 stalks celery, chopped

1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes (optional)

3 potatoes, peeled and cubed

corn starch
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.Put the chicken in a large pot over medium heat and add water to cover.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer until chicken is done. Remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to cool.  Chop the chicken meat into bite-size pieces.

2.Return the chicken to the pot and add the green chile peppers, spices, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, tomatoes and potatoes. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender (or pressure cook for 10 minutes). In a separate small bowl, mix the some corn starch with some water and add to the soup, stirring well to thicken stew. Raise heat, bring just to a boil and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

If Hatch green chilies are hard to find where you are Trader Joe's sells them canned in 4oz cans. Also the flavor of the stew changes if another pepper is used. Hatch is a very unique pepper from New Mexico. I was lucky enough that last year a local store had a supply of fresh Hatch come in, I spent about $40 on pepper. Then spent two days roasting and freezing them. I think I need to  make green chile hamburgers.