Latin for Beloved

Horsing Around 101

2010-04-02T22:09:00.002-04:00

Curry Comb, Flicker Brush (avoid bony areas and belly), Soft Brush
Saddle Blanket, Fleece Blanket, Saddle
Buckle bridle both sides loosely
Bit - need to watch next time

Practice: Edge of step - up on toe, bring heel down and stretch lower back and hips

Goodreads Spring Challenge 2010 Part 2...

2010-02-28T20:51:00.004-05:00

Hi All - I'm back in tune after a kick-butt-busy eight months. Life's still (oh, let's be honest, always) crazy, but missing my challenge connection - so, so ready to get this bunny jumpin'.

20.10 - Group Reads
Read One Of The Following Group Read Selections And Make At Least One Post In The Discussion Thread. THE GOLDEN COMPASS (PULLMAN)

25 POINT TASKS
25.1 - Michelleo's Task - Future Aspirations
Think of something you really want to have in the future and read a book with that thing on the cover.

When posting the book tell us what you want and why.

25.2 - Stephanie Anne's Task - Fabulous firsts or superior seconds?
I love reading from award lists, so for my task, we'll visit The Costa Book Awards since many people might not be as familiar with this grouping of books. The Costa Book Awards are a series of literary awards given to books by authors based in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were known as the Whitbread Book Awards (starting in 1971) until 2005, after which Costa Coffee, a subsidiary of Whitbread, took over sponsorship.

For this task, select and read a book that has won the award for best first novel/book. Then, read the second book published by the same author and determine which one you enjoyed more. In your posting, answer the following questions: Which book did you enjoy more? Will you continue to read books by this author?

25.3 - Coralie's Task - Coming Out Of Hibernation
Attend a live sporting event or musical or drama event and read a book that is somehow connected to the event. AFTER THE MUSIC (FEEHAN). ATTENDING "THE RAILS" GIG @ EMERALD ISLE 4/24/10. PROTAGONIST'S FATHER IS A FORMER CLUB MUSICIAN

25.4 - Diane's Task - The Name Game
A. Read a book written by an author that shares your first, middle, OR last name. THE GIANT’S HOUSE: A ROMANCE (ELIZABETH MCCRACKEN) MY MIDDLE NAME IS ELIZABETH
AND
C. Read a book with a character’s name in the title. ALICE ADAMS (TARKINGTON)

25.5 - Leora's Task - Spring Cleaning
For this task you must read at least 850 pages from your TBR pile.

25.6 - BJ Rose's Task - This Day In History
A. Read a book about an event that took place on that day in history (other than births or deaths), or a book about the topic of that event. THE BIKINI: A CULTURAL HISTORY (ALAC)
AND
B. Read a contemporary book (1950 to present) that takes place in the same area of the world as Book A, OR covers the same topic as Book A THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG (BARBERY) SETTING - PARIS
AND
C. When posting, include the event you chose from the website, along with the books you read. On July 5, 1946 Louis Reard's bikini swimsuit design debuts at Paris fashion show

25.7 - Ashley FL's Task - The Gods Must Be Crazy
Read a book involving Greek and/or Roman gods. May be non-fiction or fiction. Half-blood Gods are fine. A GREEK GOD AT THE LADIES’ CLUB (MCKNIGHT)

25.8 - Helen's Task - Talk to the Animals
In honor of our animal friends, read two books (fiction or non-fiction):
A. A book narrated by or written in the voice of an animal SHAKESPEARE’S DOG: A NOVEL (ROOKE)
AND
B. A book demonstrating the relationship between owners and pets THE DAILY COYOTE: A STORY OF LOVE, SURVIVAL, AND TRUST IN THE WILDS OF WYOMING (STOCKTON)

25.9 - Wendy's Task - Spring Break
Read a book written by an author who was popular when you were in high school or college. RAPE (JOYCE CAROL OATES) LATE 1970s - EARLY 1980s

25.10 Melissa GA's Task - Deja Vu
A. Read an original work of fiction, 100 pages or longer... PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (AUSTEN)
AND
B. Read a published book of 100 pages or more that is based on the first book but written by a different author. The second book may be a sequel, a prequel, a re-telling, or featuring characters from the original work. MR. DARCY BROKE MY HEART: A NOVEL (PATILLO)
THEN
C. When claiming points for this task, tell us whether the second author's work lives up to the original.

30 POINT TASKS
30.1 - Roseann's Task - Spring Fling
A.Read a book with the word Spring in the title.
And
B. Read a book with "Fling, Throw, or Toss" in the title.

30.2 - Cheryl TX's Task - A Texas-Sized Task
A. Read one book from this year's Texas Bluebonnet Award List THE PENDERWICKS ON GARDAM STREET (BIRDSALL)
B. Read one book from this year's Texas Lone Star Reading List SLOB (POTTER)

30.3 - Ms. Anderson's Task - Birth and Renewal
A. Read a book first published in 2010. The book may be part of a series; however, it must be the FIRST BOOK in the series. Stand-alone books are fine. SELF MADE (WEHM)
B. Read a book (again, any genre is fine) with the prefix "re-" in the title or subtitle. A REMARKABLE WIFE (GOOLICK)

30.4 - DLM Rose's Task - One if by Land, Two if by Sea
A. One book with a natural landform or land feature in the title- mountain, valley, plain, volcano, cliff, cave, cape, canyon etc. CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR (AUEL) OR THE CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE (GREEN)
And
B. One book with a natural body of water in the title: ocean, pond, lake, stream, river, bay, fjord, etc. OCEANS OF FIRE (FEEHAN)

30.5 - PJ Reads' Task - As Suggested By Tanja - Six Degrees of Separation
A. Read any book off your TBR. THE CONFESSIONS OF EDWARD DAY: A NOVEL (MARTIN)
AND
B. Read a book that the author is at a maximum of six degrees of separation from the author in Part A. In your post for this task you must explain the connection in order to get credit. THE HELP (STOCKETT) KATHRYN STOCKETT GRADUATED THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. VALERIE MARTIN HAS TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. THAT IS ONE DEGREE OF SEPARATION.

30.6 - Donna Jo's Task - As Suggested By Liz Brooklyn - Character References
A. For this task you need to read a book (fiction or non-fiction) AND A book or book written by an author that the first book references. WHEN YOU REACH ME (STEAD) AND A WRINKLE IN TIME (L’ENGEL) (2ND BOOK IS BEING READ BY PROTAGONIST IN 1ST BOOK)

Goodreads Spring Challenge 2010 Part 1 ...

2010-02-24T22:34:00.010-05:00

and court, and lectures, and clinicals, and finishing FAFSA, and celebrating 20 years of awesomeness, and staying in my 40s while Vooch leaves 'em, and graduations and parties, and waiting for my best girlfriend's schedule to sync with mine so she can spend some of that kick-ass new income she's earning, and painting the pool room and installing the pool and kicking back in the Adirondacks and hiking, canoeing, getting lost with my family, and feeling great. Life is sweet.

Look at Lois' New Toy...

2010-02-19T17:36:00.003-05:00

An Email to cjane...

2010-02-19T17:34:00.000-05:00

Hi cj - If I've learned one lesson in life it is to never second guess the voice in my head. It lives in there - all large and in charge - not to be messed with in the normal course of affairs. It's in there when your head hits the pillow under the stars and when your eyes open to the glory of a new day. It's in there when you're searching for answers and when you're trying to think quietly without interruption. Heck, it's in there when you vacuum. Follow your voice, cj, it often knows more than we realize. Blessed be on the birth of your wee one. Amy

Orange Ladybugs Are Harshing My Mellow...

2010-01-31T23:22:00.002-05:00

Are toxic orange ladybugs the latest environmental threat?
August 21, 2000

Dear Straight Dope:

I was recently told that the U.S. is being overrun by toxic orange lady bugs. These lady bugs, according to my source, were imported from Asia to combat aphids and other garden pests. However, they have become a threat to human health because they give off a toxic vapor which causes asthma and they invade homes. Since hearing this I have noticed that the only ladybugs I see are orange. Where have the red ladybugs gone? Are these big orange Asian bugs taking over? Who is responsible for importing them?

— L.E. Herrick

Straight Dope's Reply - You're thinking of the Asian ladybug, Harmonia axyridis, intentionally released by the USDA in a well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempt to add yet another "beneficial" insect to our fauna. Ironically, most of the evidence suggests that the USDA attempts at introduction only worked in the western U.S., and that the ones running rampant through most of the rest of the country were accidentally brought in, like most pests. As an aside, I appear to be the first entomologist to record this species in the western U.S., in Seattle in 1991.

Asian ladybugs have no natural enemies here, so they outcompete our native ladybugs in the wild and build up large populations rapidly. This is good insofar as it concerns their ability to control aphids, which is what they feed on. Unfortunately, it's not good that they're driving our native ladybugs to extinction. This particular species also has the annoying habit of choosing human homes as places to spend the winter. They don't give off a toxic vapor, at least not in amounts large enough to be detectable by a human nose, unless they are handled or crushed--and all ladybugs give off the exact same "toxic chemical," a foul-smelling yellow oil. The toxic effect on humans is negligible; you'd have to eat a few pounds (thousands) to get sick. But you'd notice it if you were a sparrow, fence lizard, etc. That's why ladybugs are brightly colored--predators associate the bright color with poison, so they stay away. The phenomenon of orange/black or yellow/black = toxic is common in nature and is called aposematism.

What's special about this species is the number that accumulate indoors over a large geographic area. People in parts of the western U.S. have had to put up with the native convergent ladybug (Hippodamia convergens) entering their homes in the winter for well over 200 years, but now that this new species is bothering easterners, the press gets into the act, and people start to panic. The truth is that we have been introducing new exotic species of ladybugs into the U.S., both intentionally and accidentally, for decades now, and in many parts of the country (like most of the eastern seaboard) it's almost impossible to find a native species any more. If the Asian ladybug didn't happen to invade people's homes, this new introduction would have been ignored just like every other case like it.

Consider me INVADED

OMG...

2010-01-21T21:10:00.002-05:00

omg, omg, omg I am going to be sooo beeezy over the next sixteen weeks. I have GOT to get organized - I've got to divide my day into work, school, rest and play - and I've got to start NOW. Tonight I hit the ground running and I intend to stay ahead of the fray. Tomorrow the plan's rough draft will be developed BEFORE I end the day. The light is green, the water's boiling and I am so freakin' psyched. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this - my loud and beloved mantra until June 1st. Here we go biatches.

On My Bookshelf...

2010-01-18T17:49:00.007-05:00

It Never Gets Any Easier Leaving Them Behind...

2010-01-17T22:04:00.005-05:00

We drove Sach back to Syracuse today. She was not quite ready to start the intensity of learning all over again. For the first time since she started, she mentioned how far away from home four hours is. Rich and snobby have never appealed to her. Watching her walk into her dorm while we drive away is hard for me. Vooch keeps reassuring me, but I know that it's hard for him too. Square fish, fries and a diet coke helps, a little.

A Little Curry Please...

2010-01-15T18:33:00.001-05:00

Sam's been accepted to college.

8 inches...

2010-01-15T18:32:00.001-05:00

for the cause.

B56...

2010-01-12T20:43:00.003-05:00

That's as close as my natural color as exists in a bottle and I'm stickin' with it, and Jen, and my side part, and my bangs, and my every-six-weeks-Tuesday-at-6pm cut, and feelin' beautiful in my bathroom mirror with no makeup on in my pj's.

And Where In The Good Book Does It Say...

2010-01-10T16:11:00.002-05:00

On the Seventh Day she'll vacuum until she breaks every toenail on both feet; sneeze until there are no dust bunnies left, anywhere, including the side porch; catch hell from a nineteen year old who isn't nearly as cool today as she usually is; rearrange a room including a two ton piano in the middle of a playoff game wherein the house team is sucking wind; eat pigs in a blanket after being told that if it were up to her we'd all starve; drink multiple cups of high-test to combat the cramps that she no longer needs at this age but without which she'd need multiple cups of high-test to combat the lack of hormones; and, find the funds to pay the bills that should have gone out ten days ago? Rest? Psshhh

Beneath a Blue Umbrella...

2010-01-08T22:38:00.002-05:00

a melon seller sat,
selling yellow melons,
succulent and fat.

A huge and hungry hippo
made the melon seller mad,
when he swallowed all the melons
that the melon seller had.

It used to be a whole lot easier when this was the favorite book in the house.

Knitting 101...

2010-01-03T16:32:00.000-05:00

Insert pic of J learning to knit

Progess, Evolve...

2010-01-03T10:23:00.007-05:00

...Develop - My word for 2010.

–verb (used with object)
1. to bring out the capabilities or possibilities of; bring to a more advanced or effective state: to develop natural resources; to develop one's musical talent.
2. to cause to grow or expand: to develop one's muscles.
3. to elaborate or expand in detail: to develop a theory.
4. to bring into being or activity; generate; evolve.
5. Drafting. to transfer the details of (a more or less two-dimensional design, pattern, or the like) from one surface, esp. one that is prismatic or cylindrical, onto another, usually planar, in such a way that the distances between points remain the same.
6. Biology.
a. to cause to go through the process of natural evolution from a previous and lower stage.
b. to cause to progress from an embryonic to an adult form.
7. Mathematics. to express in an extended form, as in a series.
8. Music. to unfold, by various technical means, the inherent possibilities of (a theme).
9. Photography.
a. to render visible (the latent image on an exposed film or the like).
b. to treat (an exposed film or the like) with chemicals so as to render the latent image visible.
10. Chess. to bring (a piece) into effective play, esp. during the initial phase of a game when pieces are moved from their original position on the board: He developed his rook by castling.
11. Mining. to prepare (a new mine) for working by digging access openings and building necessary structures.
–verb (used without object)
12. to grow into a more mature or advanced state; advance; expand.
13. to come gradually into existence or operation; be evolved.
14. to be disclosed; become evident or manifest.
15. to undergo developing, as a photographic film.
16. Biology.
a. to progress from an embryonic to an adult form.
b. to progress from earlier to later stages of ontogeny or phylogeny.
c. to reach sexual maturity.

Origin:
1585–95; < MF développer, OF desveloper, equiv. to des- DIS- 1 + voloper to wrap up; see ENVELOP

Related forms:
de⋅vel⋅op⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅vel⋅op⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

Hello 2010...

2010-01-01T22:01:00.008-05:00

You were ushered in with blue skies and cold temperatures. In celebration of this crisp freshness, I rattled my tired, post-holiday brain and came up with the idea that this year I'm going to try: Less talking, more listening. Less stressing, more acceptance. Less them, more us. Less law, more nursing. Less than seven items on my to-do-list at any one time. More finishing of projects in progress. Less carbs, more fruit - maybe. Balancing - more or less - one moment at a time.

Doula-la...

2009-12-31T21:05:00.008-05:00

On January 11, I'm interviewing for this:

The Doula/Labor Assistant provides continuous, uninterrupted care for the laboring woman and her partner, helping them participate fully in their birthing experience. This is done by offering physical and emotional support as well as information about the birth process, available technology and alternative comfort techniques. H. Hospital offers a discounted fee to become a certified doula and in return, the doula will provide availability for 8-16 hours per week for 1 year. After one year of volunteer service, the Doula may remain as a volunteer Doula if desired or may end their commitment. If the Doula stays on as a volunteer, then the Doula is expected to cover a minimum of 1 shift per month in addition to attending 6 out of 12 "Meet the Doula" nights. Hours are flexible but the volunteer Doula will be expected to rotate availability to all shifts and holidays. Training includes but is not limited to extensive reading (10-12 books), 3 full day workshops (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), 5 hours of general hospital orientation, attendance of a full Lamaze class series, successful completion of the written exam, written self evaluations of attended births, CPR certification and attendance at 8 out of 12 "Meet the Doula" nights.

Volunteer candidates should possess the following qualities and abilities: kind, caring, compassionate and respectful of the natural birthing process. Able to communicate effectively and professionally with patient, significant other and staff. Ability to bend, stretch or stand for long periods of time and an understanding of medical terminology preferred.

One step (maybe two) at a time.

photo (c) av2009

No Problem...

2009-12-10T18:49:00.004-05:00

All dressed and heading into the City - nope - husband took my keys even though he got a ride in.
No problem, get the spare - nope - husband had those in his coat pocket too.
No problem, bring Duch's soccer uniform to school for pictures this afternoon and take the Buick - the morning's looking up - nope - raging headache, I mean really, really painful is this a stroke headache. Who took the two stinkin' Tylenol from my pocketbook?
No problem, survived morning without embarassing myself and outside for some fresh air and a ride - nope - brakes decide not to work on the highway.
No problem - pull into McDonald's, call spouse, eat McDonald's, say hi to spouse, give spouse $5 to get brake fluid - brake fluid topped off and we're good to go - nope - step on brake, hear squishy sound, bend over, get covered in brake fluid. BaLOWN BaRAKELINE. WTF ?
No problem, brake place is down the street - drive in and decide to wait - nope, can't look at it until tomorrow. But I've got a final tonight. Too bad - no car - no final.
No problem - call professor and make arrangements for Monday (acceptable, notwithstanding the 5% reduction) and eat dinner. Just starting to relax - NOPE - two inches of flooded toilet water in my mom's bathroom...hallway...laundry closet...clothes closet...
Will somebody puhleese tell me why I was at the airport when my freakin' ship came in ???

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY, DAD - YOU WERE THE BEST PART OF MY ENTIRE DAY AND I LOVE YOU.

There It Is...

2009-12-08T07:43:00.002-05:00

That end-of-year burn to fix all that needs fixing come January lst. I think I'm going to take a novel approach this time. Not sure what it is yet, but it's brewing, and I'm going to marinate this feeling until it forms its own direction organically. WTF that means, I have no idea, but I'm ready for it. Pictures - daily thoughts - meeting deadlines - and maybe delivering a baby or two. I'll start my engines as soon as I find the key.

They Were Here...

2009-10-11T14:21:00.003-04:00

and now they're gone. Left behind are empty laundry detergent jugs, cooking laughs, meal squabbles, contented cats and jack-o-lanterns. The house is quiet, and this is one of the few times I wish they were all still little. I told you that your eyes would get stuck like that Duch. xoxo

Nursing Note - Exam 2

2009-10-09T08:32:00.003-04:00

90, bitches !!! Sooo much better than Exam 1. For the first time in a very long time nerves were getting the better of me - I actually had the shakes. Note to self - no Large Columbian Coffee with two creams and one sugar an hour before exam time. Up to this point, the information has been straightforward and not so intellectually challenging and by that snooty comment I mean not so hard to understand, but there's just so much of it, pages and pages and pages of it - what do I read, what gets prioritized, what resources are more helpful ??? During lectures and labs we are told to "Know this" - yup, this strategy's a keeper. Tonight, after four weeks in the lab, we begin our actual clinical at a state of the art nursing home facility thirty minutes from home. Not so nerve wracking since we have a good idea as to what we will be doing given the summary from the Tuesday night group. But first, five hours of my paying job. Today will be easy becaaauuuse...I'm coming home to a house full of family and all seven of us will be breathing under the same roof tonight - life is good.

Some Exchanges...Part I

2009-09-02T11:05:00.002-04:00

--- On Wed, 7/29/09, Rachel Don Valletta
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 6:43 PM

olah! from san jose de jachal...still. we´ve been in and out here for the past couple days. we stayed in this crap ass hotel last night and again tonight lol i can´t wait to tell you guys about it. a hotel is considered nice if there´s a beday...spelling? anywhoser...la plaza hotel is the tackiest thing on the planet. i´ll try to score a pic if i can.

things go well, the weather the last few nights of camping was definitely more fair and do-able. plus we got hot showers last night and again tonight which is awesome awesome...you learn to also appreciate a bed, no matter the level of dirt...ew.

but alas, i hope all goes well at the home front, only 8 days left! tomorrow is greg´s last day with us, then it´s just phoebe and i until i leave. i leave next thursday the 7th at 4.40 and i´ll be in boston about 10.45 friday morning the 8th. but we can talk details later of course.

send my love to every one and spread the word that i´m healthy...maybe getting a little fat from all the sugar and salty foods! all goes well, i´ll call later tonight if i get a chance. also...court hasn´t picked up the last few times i called her, can you shoot her a text and let me know she´s alive and perhaps to have her email me?

love love love!!!! see you guys soon!

rachel

Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:36 PM
To: Rachel Don Valletta
Saaaaaaach

When you need to sleep, you need to sleep !!!

Ummmmmm, Einstein, I've got Thursday as the 6th and Friday as the 7th. Are you not coming into Logan on SATURDAY the 8th?

This fact MUST BE confirmed or I'll be camping out at American Airlines baggage claim with camera in hand for your homecoming and security tends to get rather pissy.

Love love,
Lois

yes yes yes my apologies friday is the 7th and i should be in before 11...i can call from miami airport of course that morning (like 7 or 8ish)

but i can call when we get back to mendoza..on the 6th? and we can finalize plans as it gets closer. well every thing goes well, greg left and phoebe and i are getting along great. i think the last week is going to pass quickly bc we have really good constant convos so that´s awesome. we´ll be in and out of san juan de jachal for the next few days, we found an awesome camping spot and our work won´t be too far from that or the city so i´ll be able to email and perhaps call one more time.

send my love to the fam and i´ll call again when i can...
don´t worry i´m doing well for myself and def pulling my weight. speaking of which my appetite has grown to ENORMOUS proportions, it´s awesome. i love food :)

love you guys!
-the favorite

Saaaaach...

2009-07-18T06:47:00.002-04:00

Distance from Mendoza to Boston

Distance is 8332 kilometers or 5177 miles or 4499 nautical miles

Rachel is safe and sound, albeit sans luggage, and ready to rock and roll.

It's a Spyke...

2009-06-25T10:30:00.002-04:00

She's 22 !!

Summer Reading Challenge 2009...

2009-06-19T07:06:00.004-04:00

My Rough Draft:
updated 7-18-09

5 Points

1. Andy Griffith (Actor) - Born June 1, 1926 - Read A Book That Takes Place In Or Is About A Small Town Ala Mayberry. THE OPTIMIST’S DAUGHTER (WELTY) – MOUNT SALUS, MISSISSIPPI

2. Twyla Tharp (Dancer/Choreographer) - Born July 1, 1944 - Read A Book With The Word…PIROUETTES ON A POSTAGE STAMP ???
• Dance, Dances, Dancing, Dancer, Dancers
• A Dance Term I.E. Pirouette, Arabesque, Plie Etc.
• Or A Specific Type of Dance in the Title I.E. Ballet, Tap, Tango Etc.

3. Jerry Garcia (Musician) - Born August 1, 1942 – Read A Fiction or Non-Fiction Book about A Musician or Band. LOVE IS A MIX TAPE (SHEFFIELD)

4. Going To The Chapel And They’re Gonna Get Married – Read a Book Where the Main Character Is Getting Married or Where a Wedding Occurs during the Course of the Story.

5. Tasty Treat’s straight From the Farmer’s Market – Read a Book with a Fruit or Vegetable in the Title. SEXING THE CHERRY (WINTERSON)

6. Christmas In July – Read A Christmas Story Or A Book That Takes Place Primarily During Winter.

7. Discover Hidden Gems - From Your Favorite Genre…Find And Read A Book That Has Less Than 50 Ratings On Goodreads THE MERCY ROOM (ROZIER) 37 REVIEWS AS OF 5/31/09

8. Let’s Hit The Beach – Read a book with one of these “Beachy” words in the title – Beach, Boardwalk, Island, Lighthouse, Ocean, Sand, Sandcastle, Sea, Seashell, Seashore, Seaweed, Shell, Shore, Starfish, Tide, or Wave. THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA (HEMINGWAY)

9. This Day in History - July 27, 1858: First Use of Fingerprints as a Means of Identification – Read A Mystery Or Crime Fiction Book. 7TH HEAVEN (PATTERSON)...done

10. U.S. Independence Day – July 4th - Read A Historical Fiction Book That Takes Place In The U.S. And Relates Somehow To An Important Event Or Time Period In Its History I.E. The Revolutionary War or the Great Depression.

10 Points 1/10

1. Wolfgang Puck – Famous Chef – Born July 8, 1949 – Read A Novel Where The Main Character Is A Chef, A Caterer, A Waiter Or Waitress...Or Basically Anybody Whose Job Revolves Around/Relates To Food. LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS (HARRIS)

2. Percy Bysshe Shelly – Born August 4, 1792 And Died July 8, 1822 – Famous English Poet – Read A Book Written By An Author That Lived During His Lifetime.

3. Hans Christian Anderson – Died August 4, 1875 – Read a Collection of Fairy Tales or a Novel That Is An Adaptation Of A Classic Fairy Tale. CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER (MAGUIRE)

4. Day Of The African Child - June 16th - Read A Book Written By An African Author; Or Set In Africa/About Africa. THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY (MCCALL)

5. Bastille Day - July 14th - Read A Book Written By A French Author; Or Set In/About France. MURDER IN MONTPARNASSE (GREENWOOD) OR THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG (BARBERY)

6. This Day In History - August 6th, 1945 – The Bombing Of Hiroshima – Read A Book Written By A Japanese Author; Or Set In/About Japan. SNAKES AND EARRINGS (KANEHARA)

7. June, July, August Are The 6/7/and 8th Months in the Year – Pick and Read ONE book that has…
• 6/6th/Six/Sixth THE SIXTH TARGET (PATTERSON) ...done
• 7/7th/Seven/Seventh
• Or 8/8th/Eight/Eighth in the title
• Or is the 6th/7th/or 8th book in a series.

8. Our House In The Middle Of Our…(Street, Drive, Court, Lane Etc.). Your task is to read a book whose title has the one of those that matches where you currently live.
• I.E. If You Live On Main Street Then You Would Read A Book With The Word Street In The Title Such As The Street of a Thousand Blossoms. QUEEN OF THE ROAD (ORION)

9. Take Me Out To The Ballgame – Read A Non-Fiction Or Fiction Book About A Baseball Player Or The Game Of Baseball.

10. Dog Days Of Summer – Read A Fiction Or Non-Fiction Book With The Word Dog Or A Specific Breed Of Dog In The Title. OUTSIDE THE DOG MUSEUM (CARROLL)
15 Points

1. Dream Vacation – Read A Fiction Book That Takes Place In Or A Non-Fiction Book About Your Dream Vacation Spot (It Should Be A Specific Location I.E. Not Just the Beach or Mountains but Hawaii or the Swiss Alps Etc.) – When Finished Reading Create And Post An Itinerary Of Things You Would Do If You Were To Visit That Location. THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE (PRESTON) OR DEATH IN VENICE (MANN) – ITINERARY TBD

2. Casting Call – Read A Book That Hasn’t Already Been Made Into A Movie And Post A List Of Who You Would Cast If You Were Making The Film. THE BOOK SHOP (FITZGERALD) CASTING CALL TBD

3. It’s Summer So It’s Time To Enjoy The Great Outdoors - Read an Entire Book While Sitting Outside – Book Must Be At Least 150 Pages. For Those Of You Who Live Where It Is Actually Winter You May Read A Book About Outdoor Activities (Instead Of Reading Outside) Like Camping, Rafting, Fishing - It Should Be An Activity Done In Summer Though Not Like Skiing Or Snowboarding. DANGEROUS TIDES (FEEHAN)

4. Quiz Me? – Do the Goodreads Trivia Quiz and Read the First Book You Come to but Haven’t Yet Read. FAHRENHEIT 451 (BRADBURY)...done

5. Current Events – Read A Book That In Someway Relates To Current/Recent Events/Topics From The News And Read A Newspaper Or Magazine Article Related To The Same Topic. THE ABORTIONIST’S DAUGHTER (HYDE) AND ARTICLE AT http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tiller_shooting - TOPIC: ABORTION DEBATE
• The Book Itself Does Not Have To Be Set In Current Times…I.E. They Say History Repeats Itself So A Historical Fiction Book With A Subject That Is Relatable To A Current Event Is Acceptable.

6. Opposites Attract – Read 2 Books That Have Words in the Titles That Have Opposite Meanings – i.e. If You Selected the Pair Up/Down You Could Read – Seven Up AND Don't Look Down. NAKED (SEDARIS) AND DRESSED TO KEEL (CALVERT)...done & done

7. Popularity Contest…
• Read One Book From The All Time Most Popular Books On Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/popular THE GREAT GATSBY (FITZGERALD)
• And One From The All Time Most Unpopular Books On Goodreads Shelf http://www.goodreads.com/book/unpopular THE ALMOST MOON (SEBOLD)
• The Books Can Be From The List For Your Country Or The World List.

8. Friendly Suggestions…
• Read A 5 Star Book From The Book List Of The First Friend You Made On Good Reads DEAD UNTIL DARK (HARRIS)
• And A Book They Gave 1 Star Or Their Lowest Rating To (But Not An Unread Book). BELINDA (RICE WRITING AS RAMPLING) – 1 STAR RACHEL B.

9. What’s In a Name? – Read 2 Books Written By 2 Different Authors Who Share Either A First Or Last Name. STILL ALICE (LISA GENOVA) AND LOOK AGAIN (LISA SCOTTOLINE)...1/2 done

10. Initial Thoughts - Read 2 Books Where the First Letter of the First Word In The Titles Matches Your Initials. AMSTERDAM (MCEWAN) AND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (GIBBONS) A.V.

20 Points
1. MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Rhiannon's Task – Choose and Read a Book by an Author That Shares the Same Birthday as you. Month and Date. OPIUM (COCTEAU) JULY 5TH
2. ROOKIE OF THE SEASON – Tina’s Task - June 6 is the Anniversary of D-Day - Read a Book that Takes Place During WWII. EYE OF THE NEEDLE (FOLLETT) OR SARAH’S KEY (DE ROSNAY) OR LEARNING TO BREATHE (WHITE)

25 Points

1. Jessica IL’s Task – Paying Homage - Read A Classic Novel Or Play And Then Read A Modern Novel That Reinterprets That Story Or The Characters In It. ROMEO AND JULIET (SHAKESPEARE) AND JULIE AND ROMEO (RAY)

2. Ashley ID's Task - Read a Dystopian novel...for this task you would read a book about a dystopian/totalitarian government; or a novel where the government creates a dystopian society. WE (ZAMYATIN)

3. Cait's Task - In honor of our Mod Squad, read 2 books - one from Lori's (the TNBBC Mod's) shelf and one from Cynthia (the Seasonal Challenge Mod's) shelf - by an author you've never read before. The book can be on their TBR or Read shelves. THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE (ALAN) – CYNTHIA AND HEART OF DARKNESS (CONRAD) - LORI

4. Amy MA's Task - The Birthstones for June, July and August are Pearl, Ruby and Peridot. Read a Book Where One of These Stones is Named in the Title or is Part of the Author's Name. FAR ABOVE RUBIES (POLANSKY) OR (HANKO)

5. Beth MN's Task - Read two books (no audio) from the adult genre of your choice (no YA or children's fiction) with over 555 pages each. THE GLASS BEAD GAME (HESSE) AND A FRACTION OF THE WHOLE (TOLTZ) or OUTLANDER (GABALDON)

6. Sharon's Task - Edinburgh International Festival - In honor of this annual summer festival that's held in the capital city of the country where Sharon lives...Read a Fiction or Non-Fiction book that takes place in or is about the capital city of the country you live in. However, if you are a US resident you need to read a book that takes place in or is about the State Capital of the state you currently live in. BLAZE (BACHMAN) BOSTON

7. Bonnie's Task - Read a Book with 900+ pages. THE EXECUTIONER’S SONG (MAILER) OR THE HISTORIAN (KOSTOVA) OR THE MERLIN TRILOGY (STEWART)

8. Angela IL's Task - Read 2 Books by 2 Different Goodreads Authors. WATER WITCHES (BOHJALIAN) AND NEVERWHERE (GAIMAN)

9. April's Task - Reading Through The Ages: Read a book first published in the 1800s, a book first published in the 1900s, and a book first published in the 2000s WITNESS AT THE WEDDING (BRETT) 1ST PUBLISHED 2005...done; THE STRANGER (CAMUS) 1ST PUBLISHED 1946; TURN OF THE SCREW (JAMES) 1ST PUBLISHED 1898

10. Kristina GA's Task - Read A Book About A Secret Society And Post A Little Review About It. It Could Be Fiction Or Non-Fiction. THE SEVEN DIALS MYSTERY (CHRISTIE)

30 Point Tasks
1. Donna Jo's Task - Read A Biographical Fiction Book & An Autobiography/Biography About That Person. CHANG AND ENG (STRAUSS) AND DUET FOR A LIFETIME (HUNTER)

2. Sandy's Task – In Honor of Lucille Ball's B-Day (Aug 6, 1911) and My Favorite TV Show I Love Lucy Read Two Books with Main Characters Whose Names are Lucy, Ricky, Fred or Ethel, or A Variation Of Any Of Those Names. Both Books Can Have The Same Name Or It Can Be Different. LUCY (FELDMAN) or TURTLE MOON (HOFFMAN) AND 4.50 FROM PADDINTON (CHRISTIE)
Lucy= Lucille, Lucila, Lucia, Lucina, Lucette, Luc, Luciana, Lucie, Luce and Lucinda

Ricky= Ricardo, Richard, Rick, Dick, Richie, Ricki, Rikki, Ricarda

Fred= Frederick, Freddy, Freddie, Fredericka, Freda,

Ethel= Ethelda, Etel, Ethelene, Ethelyn

3. Wendy's Task - Summer Peace Accord- Read 2 Books…
• One Book With A Positive Muslim, Islamic, Or Arabic Protagonist PEOPLE OF THE BOOK (BROOKS)...done
• And One Book with a Positive Jewish, Israeli or Zionist Character. NIGHT (WIESEL)

4. BJ Rose’s Task - In Honor Of U.S. Independence Day - Read A Biography (Not An Autobiography) Of A U.S. President Who Either Was Born Or Who Died During Summer. The book must be at least 300 pages. JOHN ADAMS (MCCULLOUGH)
• Born In Summer - John Quincy Adams, Benjamin Harrison, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Clark Hoover, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Gerald Rudolph Ford, George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton, George Walker Bush, Barack Hussein Obama
• Died In Summer - Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Monroe, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk, Zachary Taylor, Martin Van Buren, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, Warren G. Harding, Ronald W. Reagan

5. Kristen IL's Task - In Celebration of Young Adult Librarians Everywhere…Read Three YA Books. WINTERGIRLS...done AND CHAIN...done (ANDERSON) AND

6. Bridgit’s Task - Read a Compilation of Short Stories or Essays...it can't be a book with a collection of short stories all written by the same author. Then Choose One Of The Authors Included In The Compilation That You Have NEVER Read Before, And Read A Stand-Alone Book Of Theirs. (Not another Short Story).

7. Kristenr’s Task – Read a Book First Published the Year Your Father Was Born, and a Book First Published the Year You Were Born. LAUGHING BOY (LAFARGE) AND A SEVERED HEAD (MURDOCH)...partial read

8. Leora’s Task – Pick and Read 2 Books From The '1001 Books To Read Before You Die' List. http://www.listology.com/list/1001-books... THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (HADDON)...done AND THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (SPARK)...and mostly done

9. Lizzi’s Task – Judge a Book by Its Cover. Select a Book Only Because You Love the Cover, And Post a Picture or a Link So We Can See the Cover When You're Finished. MS HEMPEL CHRONICLES (BYNUM)...done

10. Rora’s Task – Read A Nominee Or Winner Of The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award From 1971-1991. http://www.mythsoc.org/awards/fantasy/ THE CITY, NOT LONG AFTER (MURPHY) NOMINEE 1990...done

50 Point Mid-Way Task
1. PENDING

Third Time's A Charm...

2009-06-15T07:22:00.007-04:00

after 21 days of nervous anticipation the baby chicks are cracking out! So very exciting considering the first dozen produced six, but only three survived (two whites and an araucana named Chester) and the second dozen and a half produced none, zero, pizzenzinenda or some such phrase Nana used to throw out when there was "less than nothin'." Especially heartwarming since the fox caught another one of the mama birds over the weekend and put a whole new spin on the visual "running around like a chicken with its head cut off"... Happy Birthday Chickers !!!

Bonnie Jean...

2009-06-14T15:43:00.020-04:00

(Carl, Me, Bonnie & Vincent 1967) (5th grade autograph book 1972) (Boston Harbor 1976)

my bestest friend in Elementary and Middle school, turns 47 years old today. She and I were inseparable and as opposite as could be: Bonnie was strawberry blonde, blue eyed and freckled face with long skinny legs. She had an older sister, Lorna and an older brother, Carl, who I crushed on for most of my adolsescence. Her parents, Big Carl and Pam were two of my favorite adults and to this day some of my most cherished memories are of times spent with the Strouts. Bonnie lived in the red cape house with the white trim three houses down and across the street on Pearl Road. Lorna and Bonnie shared a room with two twin beds, but when her brother was over a friend's house Bonnie and I would sleep in his double bed and climb out his window onto the roof of the sun porch to soak up as much sun as possible - in 1973 it was all about baby oil and roof shingle reflection. When the tall ships came to Boston during the Bicentennial, Bonnie got so sunburned from being on Uncle Bobbie's boat that she couldn't go outside for a week. Pam was always baking or sewing at her sewing machine in front of the window down the hall upstairs or dying her own wool to hand hook rugs that she designed. Working on refurbished Corvettes in the driveway, going for rides in old convertibles always with the top down, hanging on the back of motorcycles or dirtbikes around Lynn reservoir and snowmobiling on the same res during winter were a part of everyday life except that one winter when the belt from the snowmobile snapped and broke Bonnie's leg leaving her in a full leg cast and sleeping on a cot in the front dining room for what seemed like an eternity. She and I would ride our bikes or roller skate around Indian Valley and we could name every family that lived in every one of the 70 or so houses occupied at the time. One day we found an old shack in the woods at the very top of the Valley and there was this old guy who lived there who was sitting in a rocking chair wearing a bathrobe and nothing underneath. We never went back. She was so nervous on the first day of seventh grade (I was in eighth) that she threw up and I didn't get out of the way fast enough. That afternoon, we hid under the pine tree across the street from my house while I smoked a pilfered cigarette and swore her not to tell. We picked wild blueberries every summer and took first-day-of-school pictures every fall straight through high school - even when our paths had gone in two different directions. We trick-or-treated on Halloween as kids and partied on Halloween at Clark when she came for a visit. When I called to ask her to be one of my bridesmaids she said that she couldn't because she had already booked the church and the hall for the same date for her wedding. She's married now with two daughters and a son. She lives up the street from her parents and also from her brother and she shares a backyard with her sister. I've been back to our neighborhood maybe a dozen times in twenty years. We still send each other Christmas cards. Her dad once told her ours was a friendship she would always remember. Forty years later, I couldn't agree more.

Catch-Up with Relish...

2009-06-12T09:01:00.021-04:00

Vooch earned an A in Algebra II (and he said he couldn't do math, sure...) and is now ready to take the next step in his five year journey and what does he say last night with a smile on his face? "I don't think I want to go to nursing school." Gotta love this guy.

I completed my Spring reading Challenge in record time and am now attempting to complete the Summer Challenge (yeah, right) along with taking a Fitness and Wellness class, hatching a dozen - more - chicken eggs, steeping lemon skins for the best limoncello* this side of Italy, still deciding if I want to put up the amazing brushed nickel door knobs on my kitchen cabinets (I know, I know, I started this project two years ago), completing my yearly billing par usual (relax, two months down only ten to go), debating with my felines and watching my tomatoes grow with perfectly pedicured piggies in polished peony pink.

J has just about wrapped up her semester before heading off to camp as a nurse counselor for young girls living with diabetes and has filled the house with laundry, a turtle, clothes, undiagnosed tachycardic episodes, laundry, girlfriends new and old, and clothes. Man, this camp and these girls have no idea what a gift they have landed.

R has been invited to join her academic adviser's research team heading to Argentina - all expenses paid. We are all mucho excited peppered with the realism that Dr. H advised her to bring a sleeping bag good to 30 degrees below zero. Puts a whole new twist on warm summer days and crisp cool evenings for sleeping. Keeping my fingers crossed that it actually happens. I couldn't be any more proud of this Woman - she has worked her butt off for the past five years and she is sooo ready for this well-deserved honor.

S is now an official YMCA camp counselor with an assignment 5 miles from our house - what an incredible first job, which she landed all on her own with a wee bit of help from a six year old who said to the hiring manager after the third interview something on the lines of "can that lady come back? she's fresh." Lots of mosquitoes (hmmmm) and many little kids - RIGHT up her alley. She continues to amaze me with her determination: four proms with four friends at three schools in two gowns and one impressive school year: academic achievement in history, recognition for excellence in chemistry (which has driven her just short of mad) and recognition in theology. Not bad for a kid who in first grade almost had me convinced that l.m.n.o.p. was one letter.

Pap continues to share his life stories - over, and over, and over. God Bless Nana, she's my favorite puzzle partner, gardening buddy, errand-running sidekick and partner in crime - can y'all say lobstahs???...

*Limoncello

15-20 lemons - clean, unwaxed with nice plump skins. The skins should give off a lemon sent, don't get ones that don't smell heavenly. And try to get organic fresh lemons when you can.
2 (750-ml) bottles 80-proof vodka. The cheaper the better.
2 to 3 cups of water
2 to 4 cups sugar (a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water makes a classic simple syrup, but use more sugar if you want yours a little thicker or sweeter)

For this recipe you also need a large (2-3 litre) glass jar with a sealed lid. The jar should be washed and rinsed very well or sterilized. You don't want anything in your limoncello but what you put there.

Step 1: lemon in alcohol

Wash and dry the lemons. Only use the ones without blemished peels or pare off any spots and the stems/ends.
Remove the peel from the lemons with a sharp peeler or fine grater/zester, carefully avoiding the bitter white pith. If you choose to peel your lemons, please note that if any white pith remains on the back of a strip of peel, scrape it off. If you get any of the white part in the batch, the limoncello will be bitter and you don't want that!
Put the peels in a glass jar and add the vodka leaving at least two inches below the top rim. Seal tightly.
Leave the lemons to steep in the jar in a cool, dark place (in the corner of the kitchen in a brown paper bag works too) until the peels lose their color, at least 2 weeks. Two to three times a day swirl the peels around in the jar to mix up the oils in the alcohol and check out your brew.

Step 2: make the simple syrup and add it.

Put the water and sugar in a saucepan, stir and slowly heat until it turns clear and all the sugar is dissolved completely. Let the syrup cool.
Put the cooled syrup in the jar with the lemons (you might have to divide the batch into two jars at this point, depending on the size of your jar).
Put the jars back in the closet for at least two weeks. Longer is fine too.

Step 3: strain and bottle

Strain out the lemon peels through a coffee filter or cheesecloth and pour the limoncello into another container. Press down to remove all the vodka and oils that you can from the peels before tossing them in the trash.
Stir the liquid with a clean plastic or wooden spoon.
Put the liqueur in clean bottles, seal tightly and leave the finished bottles for at least 1 week before using.

For best flavor and drinking it straight, store the limoncello in your freezer. It shouldn't freeze because of how much alcohol is in it.

Carrots and Closets...

2009-04-14T11:23:00.004-04:00

Many, many (breathe and sigh) many moons ago, it was lunchtime at preschool. Jess took out her cache of baby carrots, Cheez-Its, pieces of cheese, probably raisins, and juice. Her teacher commented on its wonderful color and uniqueness. Now one may question why this story has left such an indelible mark in Mom's mind ? Mom will tell you. Suffice it to say that we clearly needed bread to make the usual fare of pb&j or some other sought after sandwich. For some unremembered reason, though I am sure it stems from too-much-to-do-not-enough-time-to-do-it-no-bread-no-big-deal theory, coupled with packing up two little girls at their appointed bedtime because there was no available sitter and, as I told Jess, "Mom can't leave two little girls safe by locking them in an upstairs room", Mom decided to get creative and render a wonderfully colorful and unique nosh.

As it is said, life is all a matter of perspective.

Jess' response to her teacher? "We have no food and Mom said she would lock us in a closet if we asked for any."

...and they still let me take her home.

It Is Good...

2009-04-11T12:18:00.005-04:00

Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I haven't been this touched by a book since I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, and by this I mean I kept looking to see how many pages were left because I just didn't want the story to come to an end. I initially picked up the book off of my bureau to merely scan the cover excerpts and by Page 3 I was hooked. In parts, I laughed out loud, cried out loud and even scoffed out loud at some of Mr. Hall's "name" dropping, but I never put it down. This is a book about faith and friendship and choosing to believe in some part of all of those around us - good, bad and not-so-sure. Though I struggle with the ideas of divination and after-death visitations (the concrete side of my personality is still working on this) - I believe Denver, no struggle at all.

Luck Is Where Preparation Meets Opportunity...

2009-04-04T21:26:00.004-04:00

A year ago, I attended an information session at a nearby community college to gain an understanding of their RN program. Having recently crashed and burned in my attempt at a career change, I was leery, but open-minded. Besides, my personality requires focused goals to keep going and this seemed as good a focal point as any at the time.

Between May of last year and December, while returning to the work I loved and that which sustained me for the last twenty years, I whole-heartedly dove into studying Life Span Psychology, Anatomy I, Anatomy II and Microbiology. Along the way I made some terrific academic success, connected with talented and passionate professors, and met incredible students ranging in age from "I could be your Mom" to "Wow...I'm not the oldest person in here."

Today, I opened my acceptance letter to the RN program commencing this September. I still have yet to tell my girls or my parents, and Vooch is none too pleased, but I am...Oh Yes I Am !

Project Incubation Underway...

2009-03-31T08:33:00.005-04:00

Last night we set up the incubator - visited Silvermine Farm to acquire a dozen fertilized eggs - got the temperature to a balmy 100 degrees and woke this morning to no disasters. Hopefully the next twenty mornings will bide as well...and, Yes, that's Roxie who has to do everything that Nana does.

Hero Amongst Hens...

2009-03-23T09:50:00.022-04:00

Meet Prima - the anti-soporific, transgendered rooster who has been living at our house since Jess' eighth grade science project - though the chicks didn't come out pretty pastel colors as the experiment suggested they might, they were just too cute not to allow them to take up residence.

Protector of the five ladies (sometimes called Parmagiana, Marsala, Lemon-Pepper, Fried and Baked when I'm in the mood.)

Lover of rides in the car, on the tractor or anywhere in the arms of a friend.

Yesterday morning, the chicken coop had an open door and a pouf of feathers were piled near the Japanese maple - not good since we have some fox, some hawks and a 40lb terrier pup named Reeses new to the neighborhood. After a few porch calls and a stroll to the hen house, four chickens emerged, Prima and Lemon-Pepper not among them.

"You call Jess."
"No, you call Jess."
"Tell Rach, she'll call Jess."

Sus Domesticus Crock Potticus...

2009-03-22T16:15:00.007-04:00

Or, I just love Country Style Pork Ribs Cooking in the Crock Pot on a Lazy Sunday Afternoon.

One of my favorite recipes and oh so very up my alley easy:

Pour orange juice into your crock pot until you just lose sight of the bottom. (I only use Tropicana - never from concentrate - no pulp.)
Place layer of ribs side by side - I can fit four or five.
Squeeze Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue Sauce over each rib.
Place four or five more ribs on top of the first.
Do the Sweet Baby Ray's dance again.
Cover and cook. The slower the better.
Serve with Rice Pilaf and Apple Sauce OR Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing.

Forgettabout counting calories.

Did You Win A Million Dollars?...

2009-03-19T20:12:00.017-04:00

Not today, or yesterday, or any other day thus far in my humble and dusty existence, but this is a question that Vooch and I often ask upon greeting one another. I've always wondered what we would do with a million dollars and I've come up with a million ways to make our lives and those of our daughters, family and friends easier, more fulfilling or just plain off-the-chain wacky, materialistic and richly over-indulgent.

And as perfect timing would have it, my healthy, very-happy-today-but-sometimes-moody sixteen year old walked through the door: Home from a long day at school, excited about an 85 on a test in Spanish, a subject with which she's been struggling; Rosy-cheeked from Spring track drills under the exhausting tutelage of her coach who looks like a linebacker and also happens to be her Theology teacher; Satisfied with her weekly volunteer stint at the Greendale YMCA where she is making a difference though she doesn't realize it yet; Unapologetically wearing her older sister's boxer shorts regardless of the fact that she's been told, asked, threatened not to do so; and Safe from her first day of driving to school in her oldest sister's car who is home for Spring break and willingly using Nana's Buick bomber that in and of itself has been the subject of much cajoling over the past many months by the Duchess herself, and I think,

Yup, I be rich !

Got Milk?...

2009-03-18T18:27:00.006-04:00

“If a bullet should go through my head let that bullet go through every closet door.” H. Milk

Nana, Jessica, Rebecca and I hit up the Seelos: Amazing evening - on many levels.

Checked Out...

2009-03-17T14:55:00.011-04:00

The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Alison Weir

and I've calculated that if I read 15 pages every night I will finish it in six weeks. I just might be the seventh wife who loves to hate him.

Speaking of spouses:

He says: Hey kid, whatcha up to?
She says: I've been researching Mexican novelists for the past four days and I'm getting nowhere.
He says: What about The Good Conscience by Carlos Fuentes? I think it's in the garage.
She says: Only you could pull that one out of your... [How DOES he do that?]

My husband, the Genius - who just frantically called work, looking for his "lost cell phone" which he JUST MOMENTS earlier placed on his desk five feet from where he was standing, frantically calling work, looking for his "lost cell phone." I love him the best.

Henry the VIII be damned !

Still Obsessed...

2009-03-16T20:47:00.006-04:00

but I did get the vacuuming done...have no clue who did the dishes, and Harry's been shooting me the bird all afternoon. (I have amazing animals and a vivid imagination)

Anybody feed the fish?

I've Been Challenged...

2009-03-15T13:30:00.040-04:00

Over at my newest obsession, Goodreads. This is sooo much more enjoyable than entering e-bills. MY PICKS LOOK LIKE THIS.

Here it is THE SPRING CHALLENGE, lots of great ideas got thrown around this time so it was hard to pick but I think I have good mix of challenge. Some of the major themes of the challenge are travel, birth, & TNBBC favorites.

THE RULES
1. Anyone can participate and can join in at anytime from March 1st and through Midnight (EST) May 31st.
2. Each individual can set their own goal as to how many points they think they can earn in that time and if they want to they can reward themselves. The top 3 point earners will get to choose the 25 point tasks for the next challenge. **New to the challenge is a midway winner - the top point earner at the midway point - Noon on APRIL 15th - will get to pick a 50 point task for the Spring Challenge.***
3. Each task counts for points only ONCE and the same book can not be used for two categories.
4. Re-reads count (unless otherwise stated).
5. If you have less than 50% of a book you started prior to the beginning of the current challenge it may be counted towards your point total (if it meets the criteria for one the tasks). I.E. If you are on page 10 of a 200 page book on Feb 28th and it fits one of the Spring Challenge categories it will count.
6. Small adjustments can be made to the categories but try to stick as close to the task as possible...if you aren't sure feel free to ask.
7. In general small books (I'd say 100 pages or less) like children's books should be used sparingly and only for the 5 point tasks.
8. Audiobooks can be used to complete any of the tasks unless otherwise noted.
9. It's fine to change your mind about which books you plan to use for which task at any point...just let me know.
10. Other than that just have fun; post what you are reading (tell us if you liked it); and let me know what your point total is so I can update the leader board.

THE TASKS

5 POINTS
1. Read a Science Fiction OR Fantasy Novel. LAMB, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BIFF (CHRISTOPHER MOORE)

2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc. GRIFFIN AND SABINE (NICK BANTOCK)

3. Spring Cleaning: Follow these directions to find your book for this task... THE ALCHEMIST (COELHO)
- Go to your Goodreads bookshelf.
- Click on the All Books link
- Organize them by the Date Added (going from the earliest to the most recent)
- Go down the list and read the first book you come to that you HAVE NOT yet read.

4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Task – Read or listen to a book while you are on a plane, on a train, or in a car (or other mode of transport like a bus/combinations of transportation)
- For this task you can’t, for example, start a book in the airport and finish it on the plane...the book must be read entirely while inside one of those modes of transportation.
- But the plane/train/car etc. does not have to be moving the entire time for it to count – exe. you can start reading the book once you board the plane before it takes off.
- DOES NOT have to be read in one sitting. THE LADY AND THE UNICORN (CHEVALIER) - IN A CAR - WHICH IS WHERE I HAVE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF MY EXISTENCE FOR THE PAST TWENTY ONE YEARS, OR SO IT SEEMS

5. For Easter/Lent/Passover…
- Read a Christian Fiction novel, WHEN CRICKETS CRY (CHARLES MARTIN)
- A book about sacrifice, OR
- A book about something you would or are planning to give up.

6. In Honor Of Women’s History Month…
- Read an autobiography/biography of a woman you admire OR
- A novel with one of the following in the title (woman, women, lady, ladies, female, feminine, girl, girls, maiden, madame). GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (CHEVALIER)

7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by…
- Reading an e-book OR
- Listening to an audiobook OR THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER (TAN)
- By reading a book and “recycling” it - giving it away to someone else like a friend or through an online book swap/trading site or by donating it to a local library or charity.

8. For April Fools Day…
- Read a humorous novel, a book of jokes, OR NAKED (DAVID SEDARIS)
- A biography/autobiography/memoir of a comedian.

9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title…
LITTLE BIRDS (ANAIS NIN)
- Rabbit or Bunny
- Bird (the word bird or any type of bird)
- Butterfly/Bees
- Lion
- Lamb OR
- A term for a baby animal such as kitten, cub, calf etc.

10. April Showers Bring May Flowers…
- Read one book with a Rain related word (rain, thunder, storm, shower, lightning etc. but not water) in the title OR
- Read a book with the name of A TYPE of tree or flower in the title. OLIVE KITTERIDGE (ELIZABETH STROUT) - OLIVE TREE

10 POINTS
1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland. THE GATHERING (ANNE ENRIGHT)

2. For Cinco De Mayo – Read a book by a Mexican author, set in Mexico, OR about Mexico.
THE GOOD CONSCIENCE (FUENTES)
3. For ANZAC Day – Read a book by an Australian author, set in Australia, OR about Australia. TIM (COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH)

4. Read a book by an author who was born in March, April, or May. OF LOVE AND OTHER DEMONS (GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ - MARCH 6TH)
- You can find a list that will help with this task at http://www.authdir.net/

5. March 24 is Harry Houdini’s Birthday – Read a book about magic, a magician etc. THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD (J.K. ROWLING)

6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun, World, Star or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title.
- Words such as earthly, sunset, lunar etc. are acceptable. UNACCUSTOMED EARTH (JHUMPA LAHIRI)

7. In Honor of Mother’s Day…
- Read a book where the author/main character shares the same FIRST name as your mother OR… MY ANTONIA (WILLA CATHER)
- Read a book recommended by/given to you by your mother.

8. In Honor of Memorial and Armed Forces Day – Read a book about a veteran OR someone serving in the military (fiction or non-fiction). THE THINGS THEY CARRIED (TIM O'BRIEN)

9. Read a book from the TNBBC Top Books list… THE BELL JAR (#9) (SYLVIA PLATH)
- The book can not be your own contribution
- The number that corresponds to that book must only contain numbers that can be found in the year you were born…i.e. if you were born in 1982 (like me) you could read 1, 28, or 89 but not 93, 15, or 22 (because there is only one 2 in the date) etc.
- The list can be found under the TNBBC Top 10 Lists!! Subheading
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7573...

10. Members of the TNBBC have great tastes in books - follow these directions to find your book for this task... ANGELS AND DEMONS (DAN BROWN) GIVEN A 5-STAR RATING BY DAR WHO ALSO JOINED TNBBC MARCH 14, 2009
- Start by going to the club’s membership list.
- Sort the member list by the Date Joined and Find Yourself on that list. (I chose the date joined sorting option because the page you will find your name on for the other options will change more often)
- Read a book that earned a 5-Star rating by another member who is on the same page as you.

15 POINTS
1. It’s Written In the Stars…read a book that corresponds to your astrological sign… (books can be fiction or non-fiction)...
- ARIES: Made me think of Ares the Greek God of War – Read a book about the Gods, Greek Mythology, Greece etc.
- TAURUS: The Bull – Read a western, a book about a cowboy, the rodeo etc.
- GEMINI: Read a book about twins.
- CANCER: Read a book about a cancer patient, cancer survivor, cancer doctor etc.
THE LAST LECTURE (RANDY PAUSCH)
- LEO: The king of the jungle – read a book about royalty.
- VIRGO: Read a book about a virgin, virginity or loss of, abstinence etc.
- LIBRA: Read a book about a lawyer, the law, a judge etc.
- SCORPIO: The scorpion – read a book that takes place in the desert, a wasteland etc.
- SAGITARIUS: The archer – read a book about an athlete or sports.
- CAPRICORN: is a cardinal sign which is associated with creativity – read a book about an artist or art.
- AQUARIUS: Read a book that takes place at sea, about ships etc.
- PISCES: Read a book about a fisherman, fishing, sea life, marine biology etc.

2. April is National Poetry Month – Read a book of poetry OR about a famous poet. THE GOLD CELL (SHARON OLDS)

3. Read a past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO (JUNOT DIAZ)

4. Read a novel that takes place in a location you plan to visit during this challenge OR have visited previously during spring break (does not have to be overly specific i.e. if you are visiting Paris this spring (LUCKY YOU) you could read a book that takes place anywhere in France). THE MYSTIC ARTS OF ERASING ALL SIGNS OF DEATH (CHARLIE HUSTON - LOS ANGELES COUNTY)

5. Read a book written by an author who won a major literary prize (Nobel, Pulitzer etc.) in the year you were born (it does not have to be the book they won the award for). TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (HARPER LEE - 1961)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lit...

6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language (i.e. it could be from Swedish to English or English to Italian etc.). ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE (GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ - SPANISH TO ENGLISH)

7. In honor of both Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2) and Mother Goose Day (May 1) find and read two books with rhyming titles. By this I mean that there is a word in the title of one book that rhymes with a word in the other book’s title.
- Example: You could read The Scent of Sake AND The Red Tent MANIC (CHENEY) and PANIC SNAP (REESE)

8. Get To Know The Author - Read a book by an author AND then either attend a reading by that author OR read/listen to an interview with that author. AN EXACT REPLICA OF A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION. SEE: INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH MCCRACKEN (AUTHOR) AND ANN PATCHETT AT WWW.BLACKBIRD, ARCHIVES, FALL 2005, VOL. 4, #2

9. Read a book with a color in the title AND eat a meal that includes at least 2 foods that are that color (you don’t have to cook it yourself). BLACK BOY (RICHARD WRIGHT); FOODS T.B.I.
- I.E. if you read Stephen King’s The Green Mile (you could have a mixed green salad and pasta with pesto sauce; or a kiwi and a bowl of mint ice cream for dessert).
- Feel free to share recipes with the group if you do make something yummy for this task.

10. March, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year JAMES PATTERSON'S THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB BOOKS 3/4/5
- Read the third, fourth and fifth books of one series OR
- Read 3 books with the numbers 3/4/5- three/four/five - 3rd/4th/5th - third/fourth/fifth in the titles (books do not have to come from the same series in this instance)
- You can't mix and match these though...exe. 3/four/fifth is not acceptable

25 POINT TASKS
1. KAREN’S TASK - As we are all totally completely addicted to GR (Goodreads), let's read…
- A book which title starts with the letter G AND THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY (SHAFFER AND BARROWS)
- A book which title starts with the letter R. THE REIVERS (FAULKNER)
- Books like The Gargoyle or A Raisin In the Sun – that have titles beginning with A OR THE followed by a G or R word are acceptable for this task.

2. EL’s TASK - Read a Non-Fiction book about OR by a noted diarist from This List http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dia... who lived prior to the 1900’s. A MIDWIFE'S TALE; THE LIFE OF MARTHA BALLARD BASED ON HER DIARY 1785-1872 (ULRICH)

3. ANGELA’S TASK - Look for your first post in the Official Spring Challenge. Once you find it, look at the person below you and go to their profile and pick TWO books to read off of their shelves. If their profile is listed as private, go to the person below that person. SHADOW GAME & NIGHT GAME (CHRISTINE FEEHAN)

4. ROS’ TASK - Read a book that’s on the big reads list. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100... THE SECRET HISTORY (DONNA TARTT)

5. BONNIE’S TASK - Read a book outside your normal genre(s). Example: Bonnie usually reads YA, fantasy, nonfiction and classics so she'd have to read short stories, plays, mysteries, etc. WESLEY THE OWL (STACEY O'BRIEN)

6. JON’S TASK - H.M. Queen Elizabeth II is 83 on April 21st, read a Non-Fiction book of at least 400 pages relating in some way to the British Monarchy past or present. Write a short Goodreads review and post a copy on the Spring challenge thread. ALISON WEIR'S THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_En...

7. DARLA'S TASK - Read a book you've either seen in a movie or heard referenced in a movie.
THE LOST WEEKEND (CHARLES JACKSON ) SEEN IN THE MOVIE - EDUCATING RITA.

8. CASSIE'S TASK - For her friend Melissa (who told her about goodreads and is a YA Librarian): Read two young adult novels. TOBY ALONE (deTOMBELLE) & CORALINE (GAIMAN)

9. SARA'S TASK - Read a book that has a title of 12 or more words. SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME: A MODERN-DAY SLAVE, AN INTERNATIONAL ART DEALER, AND THE UNLIKELY WOMAN WHO BOUND THEM TOGETHER. (HALL & MOORE)

Welcome Home, Dane...

2009-03-12T21:38:00.002-04:00

12:23 p.m.
8 pounds
19.5 inches
Big, beautiful and healthy.

Life is Good.

The Secret Life of Me and Nana...

2009-03-11T20:09:00.006-04:00

included a movie getaway at 3:00 this afternoon. What a perfect way to hit Wednesday right between the eyes. And it was free. Say it again, f.r.e.e...So cool! One of the colleges in our ten-college consortium has a brand new theater located on the first floor of a beautifully refurbished building circa 1843. The movies are considered third-run, but they are nonetheless desirable and we plan on enjoying this hidden gem to the fullest. The Secret Life of Bees today, Doubt in two weeks and The Reader after that. Five minutes from home, free films and regal surroundings - fabulous. Spending three hours with my Mom AND forgetting my cell phone in the car...outstanding.

Cardiology Lesson 101...

2009-03-10T19:38:00.009-04:00

Me: Class today? I need a you fix.

She: I am studying today with my friend. Huge cardiac test Monday.

Me: In the left - out the right - don't smoke - love sucks.

She: In the right - out the left - [learning] what Afib, Vfib, etc. look like on a strip.

Me: Afib is a lie...Vfib isn't.

Class dismissed.

I Am An Only Child...

2009-03-09T19:54:00.023-04:00

and today is my sister's birthday. The daughter of my father's sister and just a hair of a year older than I, Sis is the closest set of female hormones I will ever have to a sibling, and that works for me. When still chubby with baby fat and wearing cats-eye, prescription glasses in neon colors, we tap-danced our way to fame in Beverly Ann's production of The Wizard of Oz - we were bluebirds, we were, dressed in itchy blue sequined body hugging tutus. Over the years we were decked out in pink feathers and purple fringe and bright yellow and turquoise satin with mexican sombreros. Sis and her family lived upstairs from our grandparents in a large multi-family whose stairs I so fondly remember rolling down, ass over tea kettle, ever so gracefully, in response to my father's beckoning whistle signaling that it was time to roll on home...I still take everything literally. Every Saturday Dad and I climbed into one of our many oversized Buicks with the leather interior and headed out to visit the family in that big, old, green house with the awesome front porch. Aunts, Uncles and cousins, fifteen in all, arrived in various groupings to sit in Nana and Grampie's smoke filled kitchen and catch up. Coffee was always brewed and polanta and pastry were abundant.

Eventually, puberty brought us all to the loading docks behind the bowling alley to hang out with Sis' friends in the hood, but back then we didn't call it the hood because that would have been an appendage of an article of clothing and that would have been silly, but not as silly as wearing our jeans with the crotch seam down around our knees - chyeah, the bell bottoms would have ripped. One evening, while hanging at the proverbial loading dock, one of Sis' friends introduced me to little green and pink men dancing on the hood of his car, but since chemically induced hallucinations neither lift nor separate and therefore serve no valid purpose in the grand scheme of things, I'll move on...

Twenty-five years ago Sis married an honest, hard-working guy, from right off the boat, who has proven to me that she is the luckiest woman in the world and after years of tears and trying, they've produced three of the coolest sprouts whom I adore. She cooks and cleans and works really hard taking care of sick people; she smokes - too much - but she doesn't drink and she can throw down a mean game of Texas Hold'em right in the middle of her husband and four brothers-in-law all conversing in Italian at a decibel level strong enough to cause bits and pieces of the ceiling to lightly dust the over-sized kitchen table that used to be in her dining room until her husband decided that they needed, without delay in time for the Super Bowl, a wrap around couch the size of a cruise ship and a large screen t.v. within which I can sleep along with a twin size mattress and a box spring and a small Volkswagon.

She believes in her family - at all costs - and our once a month get togethers aren't nearly enough. Her blood is my blood. And Sis, my blood is still one year younger than yours!

You Were Due at the End of the Month...

2009-03-08T21:12:00.014-04:00

So there was plenty of time to attend to all of my unfinished business - pack a bag, make arrangements for your sister and tie up work-related loose ends. Imagine my concern when at midnight I started thinking that you started thinking the end of the month was too long to wait. I thought it was the spicy fish from the Chinese restaurant the next town over...or maybe some leftover blood pressure adjustments given our flight from Florida two weeks earlier. As is always the case whenever I go into denial mode, I went to bed. That lasted thirty minutes. Then I worked on some files - yes, yes, Type-A has to make up for Last Minute Lucy - then I thought I had better pack s.o.m.e.t.h.i.n.g. for the obligatory twenty-four hour hospital rotation. Looked for this, looked for that, screw the packing, I decided to shave...my legs...couldn't see them, but went for broke regardless. All creamed up and on to the kitchen to call anesthesiology. The nurse on duty gently suggested that I wanted to call my obstetrician, but no, I insisted, I called anesthesiology ON PURPOSE and I wanted the anesthesiologist ready and waiting for my arrival. (They talked about that one for months.) Then I called next door to let them know that I needed a responsible adult to attend to your sleeping two year old sister because I was heading to delivery. Twenty minutes later, Auntie asked "Who was that?" and Uncle responded "Amy..." pregnant pause (pardon the pun, but it WAS 2:30 IN THE MORNING) then, leaping forth, excitedly announced "We gotta go - we're having a baby." WE? Look it guys, I'm all about equality, but I gotta draw the line when it comes to passing a seven pound bowling ball through a space the size of a straw. There is no WE. There is me and one ubiquitous, let's-get-this-show-on-the-road uterus. And the anesthesiologist. But I digress.

While subjecting Uncle's hand to the death-grip with each mounting contraction - and every woman throughout the history of humanity who has entered into labor unmedicated KNOWS what I mean - we watched as Dad backed down the driveway, without us, drove back into the driveway and ran into the house howling "I gotta pee like a racehorse." ( Don't know...never saw one ) By 3-ish we were in the birthing suite, where apparently nobody in anesthesiology took my humble request with any seriousness as the anesthesiologist was no where to be found as he was busy, attending to a slew of needy accident victims in the E.R., imagine...and I was refusing to breath feeling less than important...Get over it, I know, I know. However, I was waiting for the anesthesiologist and that was that.

You were not.

At 4:45 a.m. you spontaneously erupted into the arms of the half-dressed obstetrician who literally caught you by the leg, at the ankle, with one gloved hand and clogs on his feet - with no socks. I haven't worn clogs without socks since. He was wonderful. You were perfect. We relaxed.

The anesthesiologist arrived at 5.

Happy 19th Birthday My Middle One - You are so very special and I love you the most.

P.S...

2009-03-07T15:54:00.002-05:00

I am sad that you were sad after we spoke.
I thought of it as the start of a new beginning.
Our personalities are what they are and that may explain why we handle things the way we do.
You know that I, too, was heavily invested in our friendship which may explain why I reacted so strongly.
I have never discussed our breakup with anyone and when asked I said that my time commitment with sun was the reason.
I am glad that you have friends who support you and who knows -- maybe I can still be one.
I wish you peace, happiness and prosperity.
I remain as always...

She Heard...

2009-03-06T21:11:00.005-05:00

I was glad we spoke today.

It did bring back better times.
Hope everything works out.
Speak to you soon.

She Said:

Hey. I actually felt really sad after we spoke. I do understand your reasons, but leaving the way you did, both times, hurt - alot - and I have never been very good at letting go of the parts of my life that were as important to me as our friendship. I'm still not...but I remain surrounded by those who saw me through the past four years for who I am, not someone they wished me to be, and because of this I won't have to let go.

Though still a work in progress, I am better now - in many ways - but there will always be only one beachfront property in Paris.

Be at peace and prosper, Yesh, for that is your choice and you deserve no less.

As I Look Out My Window...

2009-02-27T11:34:00.008-05:00

All I see is gray. Now don't get me wrong. I like gray. It is the color of elephants - happy, fat and wise. But I am ready for some of this:
Can't you just smell them blooming? I think I'll close my eyes and breath in the idea of Spring...and go eat pizza with my Mom.

The more things change...

2009-02-13T20:50:00.006-05:00

you know the rest. It has been one year, to the day, the Friday before President's Day, that life crashed. My health, my work, my sanity - all lost, for a little while. Months of convincing myself that I was in here somewhere and, after returning to my professional comfort zone - surrounded by the most amazing, intelligent, and creative professionals - I returned. Still chasing my future, but grounded in the present. Still anxious, but working on it. Still waiting for the gargoyle's other foot to drop. Man, she is the b.i.t.t.e.r. in my coffee.

Free At Last...

2008-01-21T13:04:00.000-05:00

or at least for the day. Teaching gives a whole new meaning to Monday holidays. My daily to-do list is actually manageable: Status upcoming weekly plan; Print rubric for Personal Narrative; Print Peer Review Sheet; Print upcoming Daily Oral Language and Vocabulary Quiz and Test; Print Mango Street activity; Create new Vocabulary Board Sheets because I haven't liked the one that has been in use for the past four months; Print out this week's vocabulary activity sheet; and, last, my favorite - Redesign Bulletin Boards.
Check; Done; Done; Getting There; Ditto; Done and Done.Coffee time for Ms. Productive.

From now on I am going to...

2008-01-20T15:16:00.003-05:00

After five months of teaching I finally have my head around my purpose. Amazing, actually. Thirteen years of elementary and secondary school, four years of college and four years of law school PLUS graduate classes in education did very little to imbue me with the confidence for which I was so desperately searching to kick-start the belief that I knew what I was doing in my classroom every single day - as a classic A-type personality, waiting wasn't an acceptable option. Watching, asking questions, head-butting with one or two inordinately stubborn souls (ridiculous, really - if I may be so honest), asking more questions - and a huge dose of common sense and survival skills helped me to begin lining up my ducks. Now, I'm not sitting here thinking I've mastered the art and craft of teaching, that would be silly, Silly, but at least I have grabbed on to a reference point.

The whole idea in a proverbial bread basket is as follows -and relax, there's only four, not eighty-eight:
(A) Assess and know your State's curriculum framework and what is expected of you at your grade level;
(B) Before you begin, decide exactly what it is that you want your students to learn from the particular lesson at hand;
(C) Create a dynamic, challenging plan developed from your own understanding of the material, coupled with the classroom text chosen by your administration, and other assorted sources of information (do not fear the internet - I've found some amazing material to tweak to my liking) to meet the objectives that you set out in Essential (B), then last but certainly not least,
(D) Drop back ten and punt - to a certain extent your students will guide you with respect to pacing and level of conversation/discussion/exasperation, but never lose sight of the ultimate purpose of the plan and G.E.T. T.H.E.R.E. Sounds easy, right? I've got my head around the rest of the year and time to start planning for six weeks of lazy days at the beach and nightly bubble baths, right?

Not exactly - But at least I am no longer sleeping less than a newborn between the hours of midnight and five a.m.

My next Unit is scheduled to begin on February 4th and I've got the butterflies All Over Again.
(1) What am I going to do?
(2) How am I going to teach this?
(3) What was I thinking - am I absolutely crazy giving up a lucrative law practice for this???

To Ms. I-Need-To-Worry-About-Something-Because-I'm-Italian,
I say:

(1) Pull up your big girl panties and figure this out - now - go - make it work.
(2) One day at a time - with lots and lots of preparation beforehand (sorry you last-minute-Lucy's, a truly effective teacher, and one who values her sanity, cannot avoid this. TRUST ME, I tried).
(3) Nope, not one teeny-weeny bit.

Life's good...I'm one smart chick :)

Cat Haiku...

2007-12-23T19:22:00.002-05:00

Roxie Rules the Realm
She's Just Knocked Over Sam's Tree-
Snow Men Every Where

Run and hide yourself well, Roxie - the Duchess will Not be happy with you when she finds out.

Maybe she won't!
Thank goodness for CVS and super glue.

Quiet...

2007-12-19T19:59:00.001-05:00

really quiet, my house, right now - all of the machines stopped whirring at the same time - strange, given the number of two-legged and four-legged occupants usually pounding around and splitting plaster from my ceiling and knocking pinecones and ornaments from the Christmas trees. Strange - like every other day this week - today, my favorite all-around good guy, eighth grade ELA teacher extraordinaire, gay but built like Adonis friend blew his stack. Spilled over, actually, from yesterday. UnBeLievable. Apparently the atmosphere at school is not just frustrating/confusing/pissing off the new people, but the very rocks that this institution has been built upon for the past six years. The best of the best have had it. They're dropping like flies...leaving. My friend put it bluntly, "Something has to be done, now, we're hemorrhaging." I do not want these teachers to leave, but I have no say. I do not want inconsistent discipline handed down from on high, but I have no say. I think there are too many indian chiefs and, here, I do have a say. I am going to stay safely in my classroom, leading my troops through the battle. Here I was trying to stay off of the radar screen - now I'm praying I dodge the bullets - or the arrows, or whatever the hell it is that's getting thrown around. This can't be normal...

Ok...

2007-12-18T19:25:00.002-05:00

so I'm feeling totally conflicted. As I sit here typing this, I am relaxed - knowing that I am prepared for tomorrow - the rest of the week actually, but not for the reasons you'd think. The curriculum coordinator was asked by our superintendent to meet with me one hour a week for four weeks to lesson plan. A decision I sought - though not as vigorously as I could have for fear of appearing incapable - and one that I relish. Somehow this has now morphed in to this incredibly intelligent, long-standing educator teaching my classes - all day, everyday, apparently for the next three weeks. Here's the conflict: I want this - I need this - not having progressed through the traditional student-teacher model of educator preparedness and all, BUT, I do not believe this individual likes kids - in fact, I've observed his downright loathing of them. After speaking with several of my colleagues, I have learned that he left the classroom, twice, over the past two years. The reasons were unabashedly offered and, quite frankly, hold no interest for me, but as I sat in my mentee position the pain in my head increased exponentially throughout the afternoon. This educator operates from a position of fear and intimidation - I can't help but personalize some of the comments - yes, comments - many of them, all day - as insidious underminings (let's just live with this word for now) of what I have been doing for the past four months. Getting past the ego bit, however, the bottom line is I cannot, no - will not, speak to my students - my 7th graders - in what seems to be the pervasive tone of this school, exclusive of my superintendent and principal - militant barking. I certainly have no intention of embracing their attention via explosive outbursts. If this is what these students need, what shot do I have? I can only imagine the Monday I will be left to deal with after my esteemed colleague moves on to his next project. What happened to effectiveness on low volume?

Sleighbells ring...

2007-12-15T21:23:00.001-05:00

are you listenin'?

Shining stars...

2007-12-14T06:29:00.001-05:00

my students, each and every one of them. D. with the flashpoint temper and beautiful eyes. A. with handwriting so neat and soooo small, just the way she is. C. with the inability to print, but a wealth of ideas to share and talk about. S. who can hardly remain in his seat, yet always seems to produce quality work when you least expect it. C. who is so lost and unguided that he must be as scared of himself as he has made his peers of him. M. who sits in the veryvery front so that when she speaks I can barely hear her, but when she dances..oh, when she dances she's larger than life. In school today, with the balance of your peers, and not with me thanks to a lingering cough that has me plain worn out. Listen today - stay in your seats - do your work - believe in yourselves - I've got my eyes on you !!

Prepare for Monday...

2007-12-09T16:28:00.001-05:00

Pray for Snow. My new mantra. Never in my life have I been so grateful for an ice storm on a Sunday evening. The thought of spending the day at home, warm and cozy, reading or writing or watching a movie, has never held the special significance that it now does given my foray into middle school education. Over the past several weeks I have begun to get into a real rhythm within my ninety minute block - silent minute, then 10 minutes of reading the class novel (currently "Hoot"), next Grammar - two sentences of the week's Daily Oral Language skill and ten minutes of practice. What is supposed to follow is 25 minutes of a writing prompt or a writer's workshop, but I just can't seem to get my urban students to attend to this task successfully. They would rather talk, dance, sing, talk to the outlet, go to the bathroom - bubbler - nurse or get thrown out of class, talk... They have quickly learned that I tolerate very little of all of the above except for the talking - teacher-led, of course. We then have a break wherein I check their daily agendas for parental signatures (less than 25% success here) and entry of homework assignment(s) - almost 100% here. Our last 40 minutes consists of vocabulary and reading - whatever the unit may be - currently: House on Mango Street (L.O.V.E. this novel !!!) Bottom line - They Do Not Want To Work. They would rather be Told what to do, Read to, or Other. My heart goes out to these children - they do not appreciate structure - they fear it, challenge it, break it. What they know is exactly the opposite - many of my students do not know who is going to be home at 3:30, let alone in a week or a month. I am wrestling with "Do I want to be there for these kids who only have school to keep them safe?" vs. "Do I want to be in a classroom with supportive families in order that I may hone this craft called teaching?" I'm afraid I may be leaning toward the latter.

One day at a time, I suppose.

Beautiful...

2007-11-27T18:03:00.000-05:00

simply that.

Just finished...

2007-11-24T18:21:00.000-05:00

my first SLC's - report cards in laymen's terms. I am impressed by the overall sense I've had of all of my students - their mastery of content grades are right where I believed they would be given my independent observations in class coupled with how their work has been progressing. I really ride up and down with these kids - this past Tuesday I Could Not Wait to come home for a five day break and now I'm getting excited to return on Monday. Pretty cool. Happy Holidays to all.

Did I ever mention how I feel about...

2007-10-27T08:50:00.002-04:00

roller coasters? Love 'em, hate 'em, I just Have to be in the Front. Since starting to teach two months ago (it's only been two months?) I have not stepped off my own personal coaster. I think I've figured it out and then...BAM...I'm back to feeling as though I'm on information overload and none of it is coming out for the benefit of my kids. Adjusting to "office politics" is also rather unpleasant. I am a strong believer, and supporter, of my administration - They are dedicated, intelligent, creative people - and to put it bluntly, really nice to boot - and I continuously hear griping and bemoaning about almost every single step they take - it's ridiculous. Now to know me is to understand that I am an extremely opinionated individual, and for the most part, twenty years of practicing law did very little to curb my enthusiasm for putting it out there and getting to the core of the issue. Well some of these teachers top any attitude adjustment that I ever needed - and they're half my age. I realize that I knew everything until I was thirty, and apparently these individuals harbor the same belief. They Are Awesome at identifying problems, they pick Every Single Battle, but when it comes to discussing/proffering solutions they're gone - doing whatever it is they're doing that has them so p'd-off at our administration for "putting too much stress on them" and suffering from "what more do they expect me to do?" I actually had a conversation yesterday wherein I was told "this is the process, it's our job to assist with your lesson planning" to "you should have felt restricted by [our administrator] coming into class" and offering assistance (directly and indirectly - it was wonderful by the way.) IRONY - I relish the support and suggestions - it is what a new teacher needs and benefits from - but when one asks these certain individuals for guidance they look at you as though you should be sweeping sidewalks. I've decided - this is their issue, not mine. They need a dose of confidence and positivity. I will not be brought down - I am a professional - notwithstanding a preaching one at the moment, but I'm getting over it - we've got a soccer game at 2 !!! Go Life - Go Rachel - Go Sox !!!!!!!!!

My confidence is blossoming...

2007-09-22T18:50:00.000-04:00

You couldn't have paid me to believe this just four short weeks ago. I am slowly allowing myself to BE myself - trying to teach Just Like Somebody Else didn't work when that somebody else wasn't inside my head. Every now and again one particular teacher will come into my room to do something - I'm not really sure if it's observing, or helping, or "other," and my chi gets thrown all out of whack. NO, my students' chi-s get thrown all out of whack. This particular individual is super good at what she does, but her style is the polar opposite of mine and it shuts down my class because it's coming out of left field in MY classroom. I'm rolling with this, however, because a lot of what I've learned from my conversations with her has been so beneficial in helping me get to this point. I will not risk losing this resource so I will embrace it... and speaking of - To my friend who advised that I "embrace the authority that goes along with my position," THANK YOU. Man are those words now making sense. I can do this - and to prove it, I'm about to go and write this week's kick-butt Writing Workshop Lesson Plan - gotta love descriptive writing !!

Three Days in the Berkshires...

2007-09-09T16:13:00.001-04:00

with 54 seventh graders, hiking, climbing, dancing, sharing sleeping quarters, earns major credibility points. This past week I was no longer the new English teacher, but the cool English teacher. Once I hit 'em up with actual curriculum this coming week I anticipate the loss of this status. It was nice while it lasted :) Now... if I can only figure out what happened to my iPhoto automatically opening when I select browse in order to upload some corresponding photos, I'll be back in business.

"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." (Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 1872-1970)

What a month...

2007-09-02T16:02:00.000-04:00

I am no longer a brand new high school english teacher - yep, I've done it, I've taken the plunge - into middle school. Out of nowhere, on the day we returned from an awesome week in the Vermont mountains, I had an email waiting - formally offering me a position as the new 7th grade ELA teacher at a K-8 school in my county. Without hesitating, for fear I would get into something I wasn't sure I was ready for, I respectfully declined letting the superintendent know that I'd already entered into a contract with another school, made some headway and owed the current school the fairness of hanging in there - notwithstanding that middle school (8th grade actually) was always my first choice. She didn't go away. We entered into a week long dialogue and, amazingly, all of my requests were met. The first week of August I went through a week of new teacher training and met a dozen others all entering the school as new teachers, teacher aides or other staff. Next was a solid week of all-faculty-professional development - here I met all of the teachers that I would be working with on a daily basis in the J.A. as well as the other houses. I was ready to rock. School started August 22nd and ..... My Head Just Stopped Spinning. HOLY SMACK - I was not ready for Any of this. The inner-city heterogeneous population I get..the surging hormones of 11/12/13 year-olds I get..the smallest room in the building with pubescents literally sitting within inches of each other I get (and I'm really okay with this at the moment - if the room were any larger I'm afraid I would actually be overwhelmed by covering the wall space to please some faction or another)...the curriculum framework I get. Ready? WHAT I CANNOT BELIEVE is the fact that I have to put together 90 minutes of lessons, everyday, for the next 190-plus days with absolutely no roadmap except my textbooks (one reading, one writing), the internet (way too much information at the moment) and my own creativity. I'm feeling like this sucks. But I want this to work. God Bless my husband - but for him, I would be hiding under my tomato garden. I'm going to make every effort to blog at least weekly - more if the moment strikes me to purge, share or procrastinate. ALL AND ANY LESSON PLANS WILL BE GLADLY STOLEN WITH PROPER CREDIT GIVEN. Keep me in your prayers. A

“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I'd just been myself.” Brittany Renée

I did it...Part II

2007-07-12T16:38:00.000-04:00

Persistence really does pay off - and a lot of self-help via google and the internet. I have learned how to insert a link into this blog (see previous post - Kal's a constant source of inspiration - Go See Her Blog, You'll See.) Yay for me.

I've also learned that I've got my own classroom - Room 227 - on the second floor with the majority of the English faculty which means if I need resuscitation during our twenty minute lunch period they will all be free to breathe with me. This is a good thing B.E.C.A.U.S.E. I have also been given my class assignments - two tenth grade level ones, one twelfth grade level one and two twelfth grade level twos, one being an inclusion class. My understanding is I may have an aide for my inclusion class and an extra prep period every other day..for reflection?? I'm ready - let's bring it on.

I did it...

2007-07-11T20:19:00.000-04:00

My " 'I am grateful for' list, times 46" is done. And I promise to post it as soon as I can sit down long enough to type it. In the meantime, I wrote these three things about me at the prompting of one of my favorite artists from Canada. Her name is Kal Barteski and her gift is G.O.O.D. Thank you, Kal !!!
1. - I trust - I trust my friends, my family, to do the right thing - to understand - to be there.
2. - I live - outloud - I can laugh myself to tears when life is funny and cry when it hurts.. I have a flaming red temper, when necessary and, unfortunately, occasionally, when it isn't necessary - my home is filled with the color green - bright and bold and in abundance - No Pastels.
3. - I share - my thoughts and ideas and photos and stories and opinions - I share my heart, my time..there's always room at my dinner table.
If you are here, try this. It feels Awesome.

July 5...

2007-07-07T20:00:00.000-04:00

is, has always and forever will be my birthday. As I was so lucky to spend the entire day and night in New York City with one of my best-est girlfriends, I've decided to think about all that I am grateful for, times 46.. Pics and post coming soon. Here's to being Happy.

This morning I read...

2007-07-03T08:34:00.000-04:00

Ali Edwards' blog about Miksang - a style of photography that gets one looking - no, seeing - what pieces make up the whole that is us - today - all around. Perceiving - discerning - no good, no bad - just "is." It got me thinking about my present Is. It is patently obvious that I am a brand new English teacher - I've told everybody at every opportunity. I am also an attorney - making a career change after nineteen years and to say that I am not apprehensive would be an understatement. I'm torn between hitting the ground running and never looking back and being practical and safe. I don't want to be safe. I want to throw it all in and go for it - and I will. But I can't - just yet. I have too many responsibilities and obligations - and I'm okay with this. I just want to know when I will get to a place of confident acceptance. I've never been there - I'm confident...I'm accepting...but rarely at the same time - I'm always thinking three, five, ten steps ahead - how I can change this and that to make it better, smoother, easier, cleaner, more understandable. I've got lots of goals and ideas and a bazillion paths before me to go down to get there. I've even changed the template of this blog more times than I can count and I've only been posting for a few weeks. I want it quirky - with a simple style all its own, but with a message, a point, an objective. Hmm - see a consistent life theme developing here? Today - this week - I am going to practice what I often tell my girls - one step at a time...at least I'll be moving forward. This, I can confidently accept.

The most precious gift...

2007-06-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Just wondering how...

2007-06-14T09:05:00.000-04:00

he sees the world.

Last Day of School...

2007-06-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

for my soon to be English faculty peers. Twelve exhausted and excited high school teachers gathered at our department chair's house to celebrate the end of another long and challenging year - and to allow me to get to know each of them individually. Our ages range from early twenties to sixty-plus - some have been teaching only two years while others more than thirty - but all were eager to share their stories from this past year with humor and, for sure, a healthy dose of relief. What a blessing for me to have been afforded this opportunity to begin a new career surrounded by such a diverse and intense set of professionals - and though I fully appreciate that Summer's respite is necessary to recharge, I'm so ready for August!
Giving time its due, we ended the day fishin' -
- and he says looking skyward "Hmm, yep, that would be the bobber" as she smiles...

Straightened Out...

2007-06-11T21:32:00.000-04:00

and flyin' right...
I'm just getting started and already I'm hearing refrains
of neglect...Being wanted - feeling needed - life is ducky.

Brand new...

2007-06-11T12:28:00.000-04:00

blogger, English teacher, and baby chicks at our house. Here's to praying that at least the teaching gets going in the right direction...