Scaifea's 2014 Challenge - Thread #7

Welcome to The Seventh Thread!

This year, since I read a fair amount of children's books, I think I'll open my threads with photos of the work of some of my favorite picture book illustrators.

Those of you who have followed my threads may remember that we at Scaife Manor have wuite a soft spot for a certain bear named Paddington, and so I also have a gentle fondness for the original drawings that accompanied the stories, which were drawn by Peggy Fortnum:





Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-12 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Caldecott Honor books

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Stephen King's bibliography (in chronological order)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulizer list (in alpha order by author)

8. A bath-time book: I read aloud while Tomm gives Charlie his bath.

9. A book from my Classics shelves.

10. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

11. Book-a-year challenge: Last year at some point, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

12. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books, which Charlie and I read together. I only list picture books that I or we read for the first time - no repeat reads will be mentioned here (and they are legion).

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!

What I'm reading now:
-Lady Chatterley's Lover (Banned Books list)
-Diggers (Charlie book, Bromeliad series)
-Journey to the West (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life (Presidential Challenge)
-The Amulet of Samarkand (audio book)
-The Man in the High Castle (Hugo award list)
-Enemy of God (from the TBR shelves)
-The World of Pooh (bath-time book)
-The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Augustus (off of my classics shelves)
-Deity Yoga (buddhism list)
-My Man Jeeves (year-by-year book list, 1919 (1919 is the first year, going backwards from 2013, in which I've not read a book, so I'm starting here and working back.)
-The Life and Times of Paddington Bear (from the READ ME NOW pile)
-The Iliad (everyday audio book in the car)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

And here's my list for the Reading Bingo, which seems to be taking us 75ers by storm. Like many others, I'll not make an extra effort to fill it, but rather just see which of the books I read this year happen to fit what categories:

More than 500 pages:
Forgotten Classic:
Book that became a movie:
Published this year:
Number in the title: 45 & 47 Stella Street
Written by someone under 30:
Book with non-human characters: Odd and the Frost Giants
Funny Book:
Female Author:
Book with a mystery: One Came Home
One-Word Title: Truckers
Book of short stories:
Set on a different continent:
Non-Fiction: Buddhism for Beginners
First book by a favorite author:
Heard about online:
Best-selling book:
Based on a true story:
Book at the bottom of TBR pile:
Book my friend loves: Stories I Only Tell My Friends
Book that scares me: The American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
More than 10 years old: The Genie in the Bottle
Second book in a series:
Blue cover:

Books Read (see previous posts for previous reads):
FEBRUARY
85. (#8) 45 & 47 Stella Street (1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10
86. Under the Willow Tree (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10
87. 1 Is One (Caldecott Honor book) - 9/10
88. Locomotive (Caldecott Award Winner) - 9/10
89. Marguerite de Angeli's Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes (Caldecott Honor book) - 8/10
90. The Storm Book (Caldecott Honor book) - 9/10
91. The Thanksgiving Book (Caldecott Honor book) - 7/10
92. Journey Cake, Ho! (Caldecott Honor book) - 9/10
93. A Very Special House (Caldecott Honor book) - 7/10
94. Fly High, Fly Low (Caldecott Honor book) - 8/10
95. Crow Boy (Caldecott Honor book) - 7/10
96. Snowy Valentine (public library book) - 10/10
97. Owen (Caldecott Honor book) - 8/10
98. The Happy Day (Caldecott Honor book) - 7/10
99. Song of the Water Boatman (Caldecott Honor book) - 7/10
100. A Is for Amos (public library book) - 8/10
101. Word Bird's Valentine's Day Words (public library book) - 8/10
102. 1,2,3 in the Box (Charlie's school book) - 8/10
103. Best Valentine's Book (public library book) - 7/10
104. (#9) One Came Home (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10
105. (#10) The Bigfoot Mystery (CYOA series) - 8/10
106. Lifetime (public library book) - 8/10
107. The Emperor and the Kite (Caldecott Honor book) - 9/10
108. The Fox Went out on a Chilly Night (Caldecott Honor book) - 9/10
109. The Valentine's Express (public library book) - 8/10
110. Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Babboo! (public library book) - 8/10
111. Little Bear's Valentine (public library book) - 8/10
112. A Pocketful of Cricket (Caldecott Honor book) - 8/10
113. Anatole and the Cat (Caldecott Honor book) - 8/10
114. The House That Jack Built (Caldecott Honor book) -8/10
115. (#11) Funny Letters from Famous People (Blind Date with a Book choice) - 7/10
116. I Can See (Charlie's school book) - 8/10
117. Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine (public library book) - 8/10
118. Which Would You Rather Be? (Charlie's school library book) - 7/10
119. Math Fables (public library book) - 8/10
120. Some Monsters Are Different (public library book) - 9/10
121. How to Catch a Star (Charlie book) - 9/10
122. Penguin in Love (Charlie book) - 9/10
123. Extra Yarn (library book) - 10/10
124. Yummers, Too (Charlie's school library book) - 6/10

The Charlie topper:

And the Bonus Question:

Who was your first celebrity crush and how old were you?

I am going to avert my gaze and not see your previous thread; and I'm starting right here, right now, fresh and will keep up.

Mikhail Baryshnikov was my first real celebrity crush and oh! how he could jump, and move. He combined strength and grace and power. I was probably in my early 40s. I did not understand "celebrity crushes" before I saw Mikhail.

I just received an ER book today, and there was postage due! But I'm not complaining. I'm going to go read Cathedral of the Wild right now.

Sorcery and Cecilia? That one is a long shot I know. The subtitle is "The Enchanted Chocolate Pot: being the correspondence of two Young Ladies of Quality regarding various Magical Scandals in London and the Country".

Probably the Beatles. I never had the funds to get the celebrity magazines that a lot of girls my age had and so only heard the music on the radio of most celebrities. I was a little too young for Harriett and Ozzie's boys and Elvis. But the Beatles burst onto the TV scene on Ed Sullivan 50 years ago, and I was exactly the right age and an instant fan.

Wait, I came for the Big Reveal. What book did you get in your blind date?? :)

David Cassidy and I was six so don't hold it against me!

Sophia Loren and I was Fourteen and am still in love with her. Great new thread Amber.

New thread already?

I didn't have celebrity crushes when I was a teen -- I had crushes on fictional characters, of course, and various undeserving teenage boys, and a teacher, once. So my first celebrity crush was probably Alan Rickman, and of course that one started out with him playing Snape, but the movie that really cemented my crush is Truly, Madly, Deeply. And I was in my mid to late 20s!

Maggie: Hi! Postage due?! I would be well and truly miffed! Harumph! Nice crush, by the way!

Roni: Nope! But I do like the sound of that one... And the Beatles = classic. I've been able to see Ringo and Paul in concert and loved both (love the Beatles as a whole, too, of course).

Jim: Really? Is that all I'm good for?! Sigh. I'll do the reveal here in a minute - I wanted to give others a chance to guess, which I see that you *didn't* do... *ahem*

Roberta: Why would I hold David against you? (*snork!*) He's a solid choice and I'm pretty sure that you're far from being alone with that one.

John: Ah, Sophia! I'm not surprised by your elegant choice, John. :)

foggi: Alan Rickman! Love.

Alrighty then, here's my date:



I was worried at first, when I saw the editor's name, thinking it was the author and that the book would go right back to the library unread (I'm not a fan), but once I realized that his presence is only in the introduction, really, I was thrilled! I'm a great lover of epistolography, and in fact a large chunk of my research was on Cicero's letters. So, yay!

Oh wait! I remember. Richard Chamberlain in Dr. Kildare!

This will date me but Roger Moore as Ivanhoe when I was 9. He could lift one eyebrow when he wanted to give someone 'the look'. I practised the eyebrow thing for hours.

Louis de Funès, I was eight and he was so funny that I couldn't stop giggling.
Amber, congrats on your new thread. I love those Paddington drawings.

Roni: Dr. Kildare! Excellent1

tififn: Oho, Roger Moore is definitely a winner.

Barbara: Oh, I love that your crush was someone who made you laugh!

Ard Schenk (speed skater) when I was 12

Happy new thread, Amber

Love Charlie's photo!

First celebrity crush was probably Will Robinson (Bill Mumy) on Lost in Space. How old was I? I dunno - 5 or 6?

I went to Trader Joe's this afternoon and one of those jars of cookie butter fell into my basket. (Or maybe I pushed it. Okay, I hunted all over the store until I found it and greedily grabbed it off the shelf and stuffed it into my basket.) It's heavenly!

Elvis Presley, when I was 10. Although by then he was old decrepit Elvis (this was 1974-ish), so my friend Kay and I pretended he was still young sexy Elvis (my mom had a lot of his early albums). I had moved away to another school district by the time he died in 1977, but Kay called to give me the news and we cried on the phone together for ages.

Okay, this will definitely date me as well, but when I was about six I loved the boy who owned Lassie, on the show his name was Jeff, I think the actor's name was Tommy Rettig.

Connie: A speed skater, eh? So are you watching the Olympics?

Carrie: Danger, danger! Adorable.
Ha! Some people shoot book bullet - I shoot cookie-butter bullets. Oh, yeah, that's how I roll.

Julia: I *knew* Elvis would show up eventually! How sweet that you and your friend Kay did some long-distance commiserating.

Judy: Good one! I've only seen snippets of the TV show, but I read the book a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it.

Some people shoot book bullet - I shoot cookie-butter bullets.
And crayon bullets. Thanks to your thread, I've also bought a William Morris coloring book and a box of 120 Crayolas!

Carrie: Yay! That's exciting!

Gosh, there are lot of celebrities I crushed on in the early 90s, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Daniel Johns, Billy Corgan, Johnny Depp, Leo Dicaprio . . . . to name a few. Some of them aging great, others not so much.

Okay so here's the kind of chair that Tomm picked out today:



And here's the TV stand we bought, too:

Tamara: Oh my, how could I forget about Johnny! *sigh*

Love your new purchases!

Hi, Pat! We do, too! We were joking that even though we're in our 30's and have been married now very nearly 10 years (it will be 10 in June), we're still slowly replacing our college/grad-school furniture with 'real' pieces. Ha!

I love that style of chair--we have an upholstered one like that, along with a matching couch. The only disadvantage is that you can't sit sidewise in it comfortably--but of course, when it is a recliner, you don't need to.

Happy new thread, Amber! I like that chair. I'm going to ask for a new reading chair for my birthday in April, I think.

First celebrity crush was Michael J. Fox, mid-80s version :-)

Roni: Ha! If it were a chair meant especially for me, I would have issues with not being able ti side comfortably in it sideways with my legs curled under me, which is a favorite pose for me. But as it's a chair for Tomm's study, and I love the way it looks, it's fine with me.

Katie: Yes! He was one of my first crushes, too! And I'm still quite fond of him, I admit.

So glad you took the blind date plunge.

Me, too, Lori! I think it's a great idea. My only problem was that I wanted to take *all* the dates home with me...

Read that one. Take it back. Get a new date!

Ha! Don't tempt me...

When I was in the used book store a few days ago, they had several blind dates available. I didn't buy any because I was afraid from the descriptions I would end up with Twilight or some other nonsense. Sadly, money is too tight to take that chance.

Threads are whizzing by! good grief!

Amber, I begin to suspect you are a bit promiscuous! ;-)

Stephanie: You're right about that - I wouldn't do it if I had to buy the book, but just checking it out of the library is another matter.

Kath: I know, right? Crazy round here this year.

Roni: *SNORK!*

Okay, so Tuppence on the last thread and it's only fair to feature my lovely Susie on this one:

Awwww

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of Susie before. She's beautiful!

Dang it, I go out to a movie and there's a new thread with FORTY-THREE POSTS!!!! What is up with that!?!?!

Paddington Bear! When I was in London a few years ago, the group I was with had no idea what I was talking about when I said I was going to have orange marmalade on my toast like Paddington Bear. It was a very sad moment. I think they wondered why I was in college and still referencing children's books. (No one knew where "They're changing the guard at Buckingham Palace/Christopher Robin went down with Alice" came from either. My childhood was just full of British literary bears.)

My first celebrity crush was Jean-Luc Picard. Not Patrick Stewart. Picard. (They showed an X-Men preview at my movie tonight and I was all like, "Why is Captain Picard in an X-Men movie?") I don't know exactly how old I was. Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered shortly after my first birthday, so I don't think I watched the first season, but I can never remember a time when I didn't watch Star Trek.

So yes, when I was a very young child, I had a crush on a fictional character who was almost old enough to be my grandfather.

Oh my god 44 posts argh!!!

I didn't read any of the posts, I confess.

I'm curious how to define celebrity 'crush.' I totally had a crush on a celebrity when I was just a few years old, but it was mostly just a weird infatuation that I didn't entirely understand. That was Melissa Joan Hart in the Nickelodeon show Clarissa Explains it All, in the 90's. I know absolutely nothing about her now, and just had to look up who it was because I had no idea of the actresses name. I just know when the show came on I would rush to the TV and stare in fascination. ;)

My first mature crush, which would have been at about the age of 14 or so, was Morgan Webb from X-Play - a video game review show - when it was on TechTV. Unfortunately when they moved to G4 she became a bit of a snarky elitest, but I think that was mostly a result of the dialogue that was written for her. In her more casual, non-scripted conversations she was still pretty awesome.



And no, I haven't visited the site that image is advertising. But I will now. :P

Edit: Wouldn't you know it - the domain expired a little over a month ago. Curses! :P

Good morning Amber, Susie is a beauty. I hope you have a lovely Sunday.

Stephen: Yay! I was particularly interested in your answer to this question, so I'm glad you came over to answer! I've not heard of her before, but she's a cutie in a bad-ass woman sort of way, and I would have expected no less of you. :)

Barbara: Good morning! Isn't she a sweetheart? I picked her out of a free box at a garage sale almost 16 years ago and she's been a good friend for all of those years.

Yes, the reason I posted a picture is because I figured most people wouldn't know who she is. Googling her is a pain because she did some modeling and those picture do NOT do her justice. She has a great smile and she scowls terrifically, but the modeling expressions are just bad. He best pictures are taken from when she was on-air, for sure. :)

I also had a crush on a porn star in High School, but I'll do you a favor and not post pictures of her work on your thread. :P

On today's agenda:

Tomm leaves in a little while for the airport, so it'll be just Charlie and I until Saturday. Which means that without Tomm here, today will feel more like a weekday than a weekend, routine-wise. A little cleaning, working through the bill stack, maybe some baking, sewing, reading. I need to do a bit of work for my etsy shop, too (pack up a couple of orders and get them ready for the post).
Tortellini with homemade tomato sauce for dinner.

I started my blind date book last night, and so far it's pretty good. It's just a collection of chunks of letters, but since letters interest me so much, I'm enjoying it. I am slightly annoyed that he doesn't give the entire letters, but I think that I'm likely in the minority with that complaint (the target audience here would likely prefer just the snippets and not have to work through the whole, probably sometimes quite lengthy, letters, as I would love to do).

I hope everyone's weekend is going/has gone well!

Happy Sunday, Amber. I'm sorry that Tomm is leaving again so soon. Sunday dinner sounds great, though. Have you ever posted a link to your etsy shop, or do you prefer not to?

Morning Amber- Congrats on luck #7! Love the Charlie topper. We got another 2 to 3 inches of the dreaded white stuff. Will it ever end?

Julia: I don't very often because I don't want people to think I'm advertising. I'll post it here for you, and if others want to have a peek that's fine, but please don't feel that you have to, of course:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/elizaandelectra

Mark: We were meant to get less than an inch yesterday and ended up with about 5. Sheesh.

I love Etsy... nice shop!

Thanks, Kath!
Yes, esty is a wonderful site.

Morning, Amber! Happy new thread! Love the photos of both Charlie and Susie. First celebrity crush...um...Scott Baio who played Chachi on Happy Days. I also adored Parker Stevenson from The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. I would guess I was in the 10-12 age range.

Problem with a weekend away from the computer is trying to catch up again. It is sort of fun and tough at the same time.
Celebrity crush (wonder where that idea came from!)?

I have always had a fondness for the ladies and it is difficult to pick out one!
Perhaps Elizabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane in Doctor Who) and Anna-Fried the dark haired girl in Abba would just get edged out by Catherine Deneuve or Lesley Anne Down.

Hi Amber, I'm a few threads behind and need to catch up but have to chime in on my first celebrity crush - probably Jack Wild from H.R. Pufnstuf.

I'm too far behind to do more than say hello - I do like the look of that armchair though.

Mamie: Chachi!! Yes!

Paul: Sarah Jane, Abba and Deneuve are all lovely ladies, I must say.

Kerry: Wow, I haven't thought of H.R. Pufnstuf for a very long time...

Hi Amber - I'm amazed you can keep straight so many books at once. I'm mostly a one-book-at-a-time person.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Nice store.

Hi, Beth - thanks!

Celebrity crush - 1968 - Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet. Am not sure if he should really be counted because his movie career was pretty much limited to R & J, but in '68 he was the be-all and end-all to me.

Nice looking chair!

Charlotte: Oooh, yes. That was a particularly steamy version of R&J, no?
And yes, I love the chair. I'm happy that we found a recliner that doesn't look like, well, a recliner.

Cookies, anyone? Charlie made these, with minimal help from me. They're PB&J Cookies:

I'm happy that we found a recliner that doesn't look like, well, a recliner.

That's a requirement for a recliner for me too. And Charlie did a great job with the cookies.

Mmmmm. Those cookies look awesome! I'd love one. :)

> 21, Yes of course I will be watching. I'm Dutch. I can't do anything else ;-))

> 26, Very nice chair! Looks really comfortable.

Pat: It was a real issue with our first recliner - we looked all over and for a long time before we found one we liked. This one we found right away, so we were lucky.
Charlie loves baking and cooking, and we're finding more and more recipes for him to try out. I could see him becoming a chef someday...

Jim: Help yourself! :)

Connie: Ha! We don't have cable or satellite, so we haven't watched any this time around. I'm enjoying reading about it on the threads, though!
And the chair *is* very comfortable, or at least the one in the shop was - ours will be delivered in a couple of weeks.

I'm late to the party, Amber, but my first serious celebrity crush was when I was 11. I was convinced I was going to marry Leonardo DiCaprio. ;)

Yes, Amber, that Romeo and Juliet was the steamy one. It was a Zifferelli film and so beautiful. My cousin and I were absolutely besotted by it for months afterward.

Charlie's cookies are looking good. Too bad you all are not nearby. Would consider retiring my cookie sheets and making him my official cookie maker.

Micky: I think I was just the wrong age when he became popular - he just seems like an obnoxious kid to me. But public opinion is certainly on your side in this one... :)

Charlotte: He certainly loves to bake and cook. He's counting the days until I'll let him actually use the stove...and a knife...yikes!

Sorry for all the photos lately, but I just had to share my latest guilty purchase - little storage boxes made to look like books!

Oooh! I love that idea.

Pat: If you're interested, I found them here:

http://www.basbleu.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=DETAIL&ITEM=UH0162

Thanks for the link, Amber. I saved it for future reference!

That site is dangerous, though. Don't say I didn't warn you...

I actually just got a copy of their catalog from a friend but I haven't checked out the website yet. Hmmm. . . . read or go to Bas Blue website?

#72 LOVE!

Pat: Ha! That *is* a pickle!

Roberta: I know, right?

Got a copy of their latest catalog on Friday and threw it away without looking at so that I wouldn't be tempted. Your photo looks even better than the catalog!

I need to go hold up a liquor store....

Charlotte: *snork!*

Susie is a pretty baby. .and she looks like she's suspicious of the camera. :P

Tamara: She's pretty much suspicious of everything. She is a cat, after all. Ha!

I used to get the Bas Bleu catalog, but they didn't follow me when I moved to Iowa. Probably a good thing for my wallet ... I love those boxes!

Julia: I had never seen the catalog before and then out of the, uh, bleu, I got one in the mail last month. As I was looking through it the thought popped into my mind, "Whelp, it's a good thing Tomm just got a much higher-paying job..." Ha!

I think my first celebrity crush was probably Simon LeBon of Duran Duran. I'm not sure, but I think that pre-dates my crush on River Phoenix.

First celebrity crush...hmmm...it's so long ago I will have to rack my brain. Possibly Elvis I guess. Sorry, I've got nothing. I remember getting those old celebrity magazines though but can't remember who I looked for in them. And thanks a lot for a new website to suck away more of my time Amber;-) I'm talking about Bas Bleu.

Ursula: Oh my, yes. Simon LeBon. I've always had a thing for Sting and the Police, though, myownself.

Bonnie: *snork!* You're welcome!

107. The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen (Caldecott Honor book, picture book) - 9/10
The Emperor's youngest daughter goes mostly unnoticed because she is so small. But when her father is kidnapped, evil men take over his empire and his other sons and daughters do nothing to help, he soon discovers that small does not mean insignificant.
Oh, what a gorgeous story (I have a weakness for folk tales), simply and nicely told, with beautiful illustrations by Ed Young. Will certainly be ordering a copy for Charlie's shelves.

108. The Fox Went out on a Chilly Night by Peter Spier (Caldecott Honor book, picture book) - 9/10
The traditional song lyrics accompanied by Spier's wonderful illustrations. We're fans of Spier's other works here at Scaife Manor and this one is no exception.

109. The Valentine's Express by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
A couple of young bunnies - brother and sister - after learning about Valentine's Day at school, decide to make valentines for all of their neighbors.
A bit saccharine, but still an okay read.

First celebrity crush was Shaun Cassidy when I was 12/13 and I had it BAD. I had his records. I had two shirt boxes filled with photos and articles from Tiger Beat and other teen magazines. I had posters. I watched The Hardy Boys on TV, etc. For my thirteenth birthday, my mom got my concert tickets. I was DEVASTATED when it got canceled the day of the concert due to illness.

>72 scaifea: *drool* BUT, I am NOT going to look on that website. No, I am not. Really. (Ah, heck, I am so weak!)

My first celebrity crush? Hmm, I think it may have been Elvis, though I don't remember have a crush on him so much as just loving his music. Maybe the Beatles. Yes, I definitely had a crush on them! (That really dates me, doesn't it.)

Amber, If you haven't read Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, I highly recommend you find a copy, sit in a comfy chair and be prepared to be spell-bound.

--------------
My answer to your question -- My first obsession was Micky Dolenz from the Monkees. I would have run away with him in a minute. Alas, my mother had a rule that as a 12 year old, I had to be in bed by 9:30!

#52 Amber,
I'm not sure which but either myself or lunisea.photography is now following you ;-)

Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie. I was 5.

*lurk*

Morphy: Oh, how awful that the concert was canceled! You poor thing.

Mary: A fine choice, the Beatles. I think their wit made them more attractive than their rivals, really.

Linda: I have it on hold at the library! Have you finished One Came Home? I can't wait to see what you think of it.
In third grade, my best friend and I used to argue over the merits of The Monkees (her) vs. The Beatles (me). In the early 80's, even. Both are clearly timeless in their attraction.

Stephanie: Same here!

Hi, Steve! I love it when the guys weigh in, and Ms. Gilbert is a solid choice.

Hi, Roni!

On the agenda for today:

While Charlie's at school today I need to do some odds and ends maintenance on the etsy shop and try to get the new book magnets posted there. Then a few errands before picking him up (post office, drop some things off at the Thrift Shop,...).
Leftovers for dinner tonight, I think.

Today's calendar book: Blue Nights by Joan Didion. From the blurb: "If Joan Didion laid herself bare in The Year of Magical Thinking, her memoir of widowhood, then she flays herself down to the bone in this account of losing her daughter so soon after her husband's death." Hmm. I have The Year of Magical Thinking on my TBR shelves, but haven't heard of this one. Thoughts?

On days like today, I wish I were still on faculty at Kenyon: John Green is returning to his alma mater to give a talk. Dang.

Morning Amber- I have Blue Nights on my To-Read list. I loved The Year of Magical Thinking. I also loved an early essay collection of hers. She's a heck of a writer.

I had a crush on Shaun Cassidy......kidding of course.

Hi, Mark! I think I need to bump YoMT up on the list, then.
*snork!*

Oh this is so embarrassing but Luke Halpern of Flipper was a bad crush, also Herman of Herman's Hermits, not to mention even at 11 I totally 'got it' that Clint Eastwood was .... the ne plus ultra of sexy..... I was MAD for Rawhide.... I can sing you the theme.

I like some Didion's early essays, but .... The Year of Magical Thinking didn't - how to say it - I didn't feel included which doesn't quite capture it, but I ended up not finishing it.

>98 scaifea:: yep, my student is very jealous and bummed she's not on campus this term!!

Lucy: I don't really see anything embarrassing about a young Luke Halpern...
I think I get what you're saying about the Didion - I've felt that about other books before.

Laura: Ha! I bet she is!

Good Morning, Amber!

Morning, Mamie!

When I took Charlie into his classroom today, there was a Scholastic order waiting for us! Yay! Here's our new books:

Penguin in Love
How to Catch a Star
The Day the Crayons Quit

That last one we had checked out of the library and it instantly became a favorite for both Charlie and me. I didn't tell him I had ordered it, wanting it to be a surprise, and he jumped up and down and shouted "YAY! I LOVE THAT BOOK!!" when he saw it in his little cubby hole this morning. Ha!

How fun that you got to surprise Charlie with a favorite book! And of course it's about crayons after all our recent discussion. :-)

awww @ Charlie :P

Nothing to say, but good morning!

Julia: *snork!* I know, right?! So timely.

Hi, Tamara!

Hi, Katie!

Okay, I heard a little kid joke this morning I thought Charlie might like:

What is an Owl's favorite nail polish?

Hoot-enamel

I don't know why but I got the giggles for like 5 mins after that one.

Tamara: *SNORK!* Love it! We're big fans of silly jokes, so thanks for that one!
Charlie's favorite right now is:

-What's a ghost's favorite fruit?
-Boo-berry.

Starts all sorts of giggling every time.

Oh, Amber, I'm just getting to your thread 112 posts in! Love the photo of Charlie up top, and Susie is just too cute for words!

Answer to your Post #3 bonus question: First crush . . . very first, so young I can barely remember except for my mom talking about it, was some guy on the old TV show Hawaiian Eye. I do remember that the first time I wished on a star, it was to meet him. The first one I really remember was Batman. I wrote him a fan letter once. My mom never stopped kidding me about the last line of that letter: "So pack your bat-cape and come see us sometime!" :) My age on both is a bit fuzzy.

First celebrity crush: Davy Jones. I was, I guess, seven-ish. I wrote and asked him to a sleep-over. My mother was, to put it mildly, nonplussed. My father grunted and ignored it. My sisters, I seem to recall, weren't told, which wouldn't be a surprise since they were in high school and wouldn't have cared a jot anyway. But they mailed the letter....

Ok, help! For reasons I can not figure out your thread has vanished from my home screen. I tried unstarring and restarring it to no avail. In fact, when I sort by recent messages it doesn't show up either. Any ideas?

Check to see if you also accidentally hit the red X to ignore the thread!

That was it! Thanks so much! Of course now I am three threads behind for you Amber.

Rather than look through to find the answer, I will just ask - has Charlie seen the Lego Movie yet? If not, it was very cute (though it was a bit more weighted toward father/son than mother/son).

Terri: Ohmygosh, that last line is *adorable*!! Love it! There is something about a man in a mask and a cape, no?

Richard: Aww, so sweet (you and your letter, I mean). And, hey, at least they mailed it, eh?

Erik: You red-ex-ed me?! The nerve! *snork!* I'm glad you've got it sorted now - it's awfully good to see you here.
We haven't yet, but the Lego movie is on our schedule for next weekend. All three of us are going, and it will be Charlie's first time to a movie theater. We're all pretty darned excited, I have to say.

Jim: Thanks for the help, Superman!

I haven't seen it yet, but I bet the Lego movie is a perfect first movie-theater-movie for Charlie!

Nora: That's what we thought, too. And both Charlie and Tomm are huge Lego fans, so I think it'll be a hoot.

I've been working all morning on these. The trouble is, I kinda don't want them to sell - I want to keep them all! I have problems, I know.

Amber, take it as sign that I pay attention to you. At least with you I found myself wondering "why hasn't Amber been posting?" and went looking for you only to find several thread that I missed. Now I am worried that I accidentally "X'ed" other people too and I won't be able to find them again.

Erik: You could always look down through the threadbook list to see if any names jump out as ones you haven't seen in a while...

My favorite 4-year old's current favorite joke is:

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Cat.

Cat wh-

An interrupting cat!! (Yelled at the top of his lungs).

Oh, to be 4 again...

Katie: Ha! Ours is an interrupting chicken!

Amber, I just can't keep up with your thread!

I want "CHAPTER I Puma Charge!"

How much?

>98 scaifea: Oh man, that would be awesome. Do you watch Vlogbrothers, Amber?

Connie: It isn't easy, it is? Apologies.

Richard: Isn't that one a hoot?! I'll PM you...

Micky: I tune in occasionally. When I do, though, I love it.

I can see how chicken would work better as it's longer and gives more time for interruption. Half the time, Peter waits until the question is fully asked and then shouts "An interrupting cat!" before dissolving into hysterics :-)

Okay, my favorite kids' joke is super silly and makes me cackle insanely.

Why was 6 afraid of 7?
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Because 7 8 9!

Our interrupting animal was a cow:

Knock-knock

Who's there?

Interrupting cow.

Interr---

MOO!

This was fun until he discovered that any situation -- not just knock-knock jokes -- could be made hilarious with a spontaneous "Moo!" Fortunately, that phase didn't last long.

See if Charley likes this classic and one of my long-time favorites:

What goes ha-ha-ha-THUMP!?

Are you ready?

Here it comes...

Someone laughing his head off!

Katie: Ha! Adorable.

Stephanie: Good one! Charlie and I like going back and forth with this one:
-I one an elephant.
-I two an elephant.
-I three an elephant.
(and so forth up to...)
-I eight an elephant! (at which point the other person says,)
-You ate and elephant?!
Fits of giggling ensue.

Steve: Ha! I like the cow version, although I do enjoy a cook interrupting chicken noise...

Roni: Oh, my! Very graphic. *snork!*

110. Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Babboo! by Charles Schulz (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
Sally gets upset when Linus doesn't send her a Valentine and Charlie Brown accidentally punches Lucy in the face.
Apparently Charlie feels that Peanuts is the height of sophistication and humor. He laughed until I thought the tears were going to run down his leg. I myself have never really cottoned to the tortures that Schultz put Charlie Brown through, although I have always had a fondness for Snoopy and Woodstock.

111. Little Bear's Valentine by Else Holmelund Minarik (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
Little Bear makes valentines for his friends, finds one for him from a secret admirer, and tries to discover who the admirer is while delivering his own valentines.
Not quite up to the standard of the original tales, but still very enjoyable.

112. A Pocketful of Cricket by Rebecca Caudill (Caldecott Honor book, picture book) - 8/10
A young boy takes a leisurely route to bring the cows home in the evening, filling his pockets with all sorts of treasures, including a cricket, which he befriends and takes to school on his first day.
A wonderful story - I remember doing many of the things the boy does when I was a kid on my parents' farm. I'm not a fan of the illustrations, though.

113. Anatole and the Cat by Eve Titus (Caldecott Honor book, picture book) - 8/10
Anatole is a cheese inspector, but his boss doesn't know that he's a mouse. He comes into a spot of bother when the boss leaves his cat in the office at night (when Anatole works), but he solves the problem quite nicely.
An interesting story with nice illustrations.

114. The House That Jack Built by Antonio Frasconi (Caldecott Honor book, picture book) -8/10
The traditional story, but this time presented in both English and French, which is a very neat idea.

115. (11th non-picture book read this year) Funny Letters from Famous People edited by Charles Osgood (Blind Date with a Book choice, 228 pages)) - 7/10
A collection of excerpts of letters written by, well, famous people.
Meh. The collection wasn't great, and honestly, I'd like to read the whole letter, please. I did bookmark a few that were quite good (I'll list them below). All in all, though, I don't think I'll be going on a second date.

116. I Can See by Julie Haydon (Charlie's school book, beginning reader) - 8/10
Another simple sentence book that Charlie brought home to read to me.

117. Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine by Herman Parish (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
Amelia Bedelia mades valentines to take to the Valentine's Day party at school, loses them, makes new ones just in time, and then makes a friend.
This is the first Amelia Bedelia book that Charlie and I have read; I keep re-shelving them at the library, so they must be quite popular and I thought Charlie and I had better check them out. Cute story, and Amelia seems like a good character. Reminds me a bit of a slightly tamer version of Beverly Cleary's Ramona.

118. Which Would You Rather Be? by William Steig (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 7/10
Two children, a giant rabbit, a magician's hat and magic wand all sit together on each page, and the rabbit poses the question, "Would you rather be a ____ or a ____?" varying the 'blanks' on each page.
Weird. Even Charlie thought it was weird. It's an interesting idea for a children's book, but not very well done here. I'm not really surprised that I didn't care for this one - I've not read a Steig book yet that I've actually liked. He's just not my style, I suppose.

The letter selections that I liked best:

1. "In 1883, when Punch magazine described them as gossiping in public about Sarah Bernhardt, (Oscar) Wilde fired off this telegram to (James Abbott McNeill) Whistler:

Punch is too ridiculous. When you and I are together, we never talk about anything but ourselves.

Whistler cabled back later that day:

No, no Oscar, you forget. When you and I are together, we never talk about anything except me."

2. "Dorothy Parker sent the following telegram to a friend who had just had a baby after enduring a long, widely publicized pregnancy:

Good work, Mary. We all knew you had it in you."

3. "When the celebrated humorist Robert Benchley visited Venice, Italy, for the first time, he immediately dispatched a telegram to a friend. It has since become a classic:

STREETS FULL OF WATER. PLEASE ADVICE.
ROBERT BENCHLEY"

Love the Dorothy Parker one, as usual. Man, I would love to have had a beer with that lady!

Julia: Me, too! Although part of me is terrified that she'd hate me, or think I was an awful bore. *sigh*

Having met you, I am very confident in saying that is extremely unlikely. And the three of us together ... whew!

*snork!* That would indeed be a hoot!

FAR behind!!

Susie's gorgeous!! Love the picture!

Love the etsy store! Rock on, you!

First crush... before I knew enough to repress? Wonder Woman -- Lynda Carter! Later, when I was in full on repression, it was Kirk Cameron. :)

#141 You can't really go wrong with Lynda Carter, pre-repression or post. She looks Hot even now!

Tina: Piyush is right - Lynda Carter is amazing. When I was little, I had a set of Wonder Woman Underoos (anybody remember those?), which I would put on and then prance around the house with my imaginary lasso, spinning in circles. I loved her. I also had a huge crush on Kirk Cameron, which I had forgotten about until you mentioned him! "As long as we've got each other..."

Piyush: Agreed!

On the agenda for today:

Busy, busy day here at Scaife Manor. Charlie and I have a PTO meeting to go to at 10am to plan for the spring book fair (yay!) and then a couple of errands to run before heading home to bake a cake (carrot) and possibly some bread for this evening, when we've been invited over to friends' house for a play date and dinner.

Today's calendar book is A Partial History of Lost Causes, which I think I remember seeing floating around on peoples' threads last year? The blurb says that it's about an former chess player running against Putin for the presidency and about a young woman who is an English professor and is suffering from a fatal disease. Their stories become entwined somehow along the way. Sounds interesting...

I mentioned earlier that John Green was speaking yesterday at my old workplace/his alma mater, Kenyon, yesterday. Several of my friends were there, and one of them posted this on Facebook last night after the talk (she's the coordinator of commencement ceremonies at Kenyon, an incredibly challenging and often over-looked job):

"Kenyon alum John Green appeared at Rosse hall this evening and gave a lovely speech. He was also very nice to meet back stage... when I introduced myself to John and described myself as the "graduation lady" at Kenyon, he responded, 'Wow. I just met the 'graduation lady' at another college and learned about all the things that go on behind the scenes - and the wild personalities you deal with every year. You have a *really* hard job!'"

What a sweet heart!

John Green is so cool. My hubs and daughter went to an event / book signing in NYC around the time TFiOS was published. Hubs was impressed at how genuinely nice he was with every single person who passed through the very long line to get books signed.

Only a whole thread behind... coulda been worse! EeeP!

In brief, lovely Charlie pic - love the table behind too , my daughter would go batty for something like that. LOVE the boxes, love the buttons. possibly get enough of the jokes at home... my girl is seriously bad at telling them though!

Laura: I know, he seems like such a lovely, nice person, no? It's funny, too, that his mannerisms tag him as a Kenyon student for me. Ha!

Bekka: Tomm made that table for Charlie - neat, isn't it? I think he picked a perfect height - Charlie can comfortably stand at it now, but later we'll be able to sit round it for puzzles and such.

Morning Amber- The Didion essay book was called Slouching Towards Bethlehem. An insightful look at the 60s.
I also had a crush on Lynda Carter, (like, duh!) but I also had a crush on Lindsey Wagner. I saw her on a Rockford Files, while in Oregon, (of, course) and she was such a doll.

I can't believe no one else liked Shaun Cassidy.

*Whew* An Olympic runner I'm not, but I just streaked through this whole thread at record-breaking speed. Love Charlie and the Legos; love Tomm's new chair (Mission style---always classy); love Susie; love the pins (would FIGHT RD for the Puma Charge! one).

My first celebrity crush was probably Paul McCartney. Unless it was that guy in my grandmother's soap opera (he played a character named Mike Carr; don't know who the actor was), or possibly Andy Griffith.

Amber your thread is so much fun! The jokes are hilarious and a great way to start the day!
My son always shares jokes with me...........but I can never remember them..........I've always had that problem. He told me a good one last night about elephants, a refrigerator and a mini cooper but he's gone to school and I just remember the punchline. :0}

Soooooo, I'll go right on to celebrity crushes. My first was Tom Jones! Yup, I didn't mess around, at 7 I knew sexy! How I went on to Bobby Sherman after Tom, I'll never know. Oh wait, maybe David Seville and the Chipmunks were my first crush, but not officially.

Now at 52, I have a crush on your pins!

Suzy has such gorgeous and loving eyes!

Like the new furniture alot!!!! I like clean crisp lines.

Good morning, Amber! I have yet to read a John Green book (I intend to, certainly) but I happened to see a video he made explaining the American health-care crisis and was blown away by his skill and attitude. He is a very effective public speaker, very engaging and personable. It made me want to read his books even more.

Mark: Wagner - another excellent choice. Thanks for the title - I'll add it to the pile!

Linda: Yep, we're fans on Mission-style furniture - classy, indeed. And McCartney is a cutie, although I think Harrison gives him a run for his money. Isn't the Puma Charge one funny? It's - as you likely know - the title of the first chapter of a Hardy Boys book.

Lynda: Anytime someone mentions Tom Jones, I giggle, remembering Dana Carvey's bit about him ("Tom and his Jones"). Ha!

Julia: I've seen that video, and he is *very* good, isn't he? A credit to Kenyon, for certain.

Everyone: I'm so glad so many of you like the magnets (they're not pins)! They're a hoot to make, although, again, it's hard to part with them. Ha!

>151 Carmenere: I remember Bobby Sherman! I loved Here Come the Brides, especially Jeremy & Candy. And the theme song!

Carrie: Aw, bringing people together via mutual celebrity crushes = my specialty. Ha!

Hi Amber! Good luck with your busy day! Mine is pretty laid back, since I have it off. But I'll probably spend the entire day cleaning and reading Job Interviews for Dummies. :p

ETA: And, no, that's not because I actually have an interview scheduled - it's because I'm hoping I'll have one soon! :)

Amber dear, Latin question based on last night's nightmare: Is quisquam the nominitive or the genitive form? Cuiusquam SHOULD be the genitive but I was given a dose of ipecac in the dream for saying it was.

Now I can't get the damned thing out of my head!

quisquam is the nominative singular M/F form (quidque is the nominative singular for neuters). And, yep, cuiusquam is the genitive singular (for all three genders).

Latin nightmares, eh? Huh. That's something. (*snork!* Sorry, just couldn't resist.)

Rachel: Best of luck with the interviews (both getting them and then nailing them)!

>158 scaifea: *whew* I frequently have nightmares about being tortured for making mistakes in Latin class. Had them in school as well.

Bad pun. Bad. Badbadbad.

>160 richardderus:: Ha! That's the very best kind of pun (a bad one)!

Uhhh, waving **hi**

Hi, Connie!

Hi Amber!

For anyone interested in the John Green talk at Kenyon last night, here's a link to it (many thanks to Laura for sending it my way):

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/7106882/events/2751898

Latin nightmares? You mean like Javier Bardem marrying Penelope Cruz?

150: Oh dear! A streaker! Eek! *Blushes and averts eyes*

>167 Ape: He he he...you better not look...it'd blind you. And not in a good way. Don't look, Ethel!

Oh man, so much great stuff on your thread!

My first celebrity crush: Alan Alda aka Hawkeye Pierce from MASH. I was under ten at the time and MASH was Dad's favorite show. Then as a teen, Bruce Willis circa Moonlighting.

Underroos: OMG I loved underoos. However, I did not want the *wimpy* girl ones, I asked for and received the boy ones, specifically Spiderman, and wore those boy underpants all over the house! I was quite the tomboy and still am I suppose.

I love the Charlie thread topper. He is one handsome dude!

You're welcome Amber! I haven't watched it yet but am really looking forward to it.

Paul: Penelope Cruz is a nightmare all by herself. Ick.

Stephen & Linda: *snork!*

Heidi: Alan Alda and Spiderman Underoos! You go, girl!

Dinner at our friends' house was a delight. Plus, she gave me a book! Woot! Joining my other dear friends on my TBR shelves:

What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew

119. Math Fables by Greg Tang (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
A rhyming book of stories about 1-10 animals doing various things that break up the group into smaller groups, focusing on the numbers and subtraction.
S'okay, but the sing-songiness of the rhymes grated a bit.

120. Some Monsters Are Different by David Milgrim (public library book, picture book) - 9/10
Another in the 'It's Okay to Be Different' vein, and this one is done quite well. I very much appreciate these books, especially the ones that try to bring across the idea that it's okay to be a bit shy and reserved (it bugs me when adults try to 'bring out' shy children. There's nothing wrong with being shy!).

> 172 - Ooohhh... I love social history books like that one!

Lori: I know, right? I'm excited.

Ok I'll file Penelope with Ralph Fiennes.

>142 PiyushC: & 143: Thanks, Piyush & Amber! You made me feel better about admitting my Lynda Carter crush! And Amber, I do remember Underoos, although I don't think I had any. Boo. :(

Now I have the Kirk Cameron show theme song in my head... can't remember the name of the show... Growing Pains was it?

Here is a song for you and Charlie! If you haven't heard any of John Lithgow's songs for kids, they are a treat.

barney67: She's the one that you want, eh? You have nice taste, friend - she *is* lovely.

Paul: Wait, do you have some sort of folder on me...?

Tina: Growing Pains, yes!

Stephanie: Thanks! I'll have to wait until Charlie wakes up to listen to it, but if it's John Lithgow, it must be good!

On today's agenda:
It's Wednesday, so Charlie and I will be heading to the library this morning, with stops at the PO and possibly the vet - I'm nearly out of Sentinel for Tuppence. Otherwise, a bit of cleaning, some sewing and hopefully some reading.

Today's calendar book: A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War
The civil war as examined through the eyes of a British historian? Sounds pretty interesting...

That's great a visit to the library :-D

I'm so embarrassed. I even saw the movie Xanadu in the theater, although in my defense I was also a ELO fan and still am to some degree. ELO did some of the soundtrack, which I think I still have buried somewhere.

About five years ago I saw Xanadu on TV. It was the easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen. The worst. A movie about roller disco. ONJ plays Terpsichore, the Muse of dance and…ah, forget about it.

I hate to date myself here, but my first girlfriend, when we were 12, was a similarly doe-eyed blonde who reminded me of Olivia. A couple years ago she published her first novel. The next year, I also had a crush on a doe-eyed blonde in school. Even in college…a doe-eyed blonde.

In July my brother married a doe-eyed blonde. She is pregnant. If the baby is a girl, they are going to name her Olivia.

I swear.

I have since moved on. To doe-eyed brunettes. Zooey Deschanel, Katy Perry.

*waves* Hi, Barbara!

barney67: Why are you embarrassed!? Xanadu is one of the best worst movies of all time! I'm a huge fan.

And Zooey Deschanel? Gorgeous. I love her.

For Charlie, my favorite of all time little kid joke:

What is Brown and Sticky?

A Stick!

cue rimshot :)

Tamara: *snork!* I'll pass that one along!

Our house hold went through a long interrupting cow phase. The kids were not particularly good with the timing on the "Mooo!" It left me wondering if they are humor-impaired. They certainly didn't think so.

Charlie has timing issues, too. I think it's par for the childhood course...

I'm a little late to the bonus question, but let's see. My first proper celebrity crush (where I crushed on the celebrity himself, not just a character played) was probably Tom Cruise when I was twelve or so (which is interesting because he basically gives me the heebie jeebies now). I had a number of character crushes earlier than that, like Disney's Robin Hood (yep, the fox), Robert Petrie from The Dick van Dyke Show (both when I was six or seven), John-boy Walton (nine-ish), and Captain Kirk (eleven-ish). Gosh, I must of watched a lot of third-run TV repeats.

Laura: That's funny about Cruise - I feel the same way. If we had only known then what we know now, eh? And John-boy! Yes!
Cartoon characters? Guilty. It's worse now, because I weird myself out by being attracted to characters in the cartoons that Charlie watches. *cough* Handy Manny *cough*Pitch Black*cough*

Hope you're having a good Wednesday, Amber! A visit to the library will surely help with that. I'm home now from a morning of doctor's appointments, after which I treated myself to lunch out. Sitting down. In a restaurant. It was quite a treat. :-) Although now I'm bummed I didn't think to go to Steak 'n' Shake, but it was snowing and that is clear out on the west side of town. Next time!

Julia: Oooh, where *did* you go for lunch?
I hope the appointments went okay...

The appointments were all good, although I'm waiting on the results of the lab tests. But everything else was good.

I ended up at a barbecue joint named Bandanas, which is pretty good. Pulled pork and chicken, baked beans and sweet corn. The only flaw is that they serve garlic bread instead of cornbread — seriously, who ever heard of a BBQ place that didn't serve cornbread?!

Julia: That is weird about the cornbread (and now all I can think is "cornbread...yum..."), but pulled pork sounds amazing right now. There's a place in Columbus, OH that I miss, called Hoggies, of all things, and they had great BBQ. Also, City BBQ, also in Columbus and also amazing. The OSU Classics Dept. used to have City BBQ cater their speaker lunches and such, and they'd let us poor grad students divvy up the leftovers and take them home. We'd eat like kings and queens for a couple of days, and then it was back to the ramen and rice. Ha!

Look what that lovely UPS man brought for me today:

What a beautiful coloring book. That UPS man sure knows what you like. :-)

Woot for coloring books! My UPS guy brought me a stack of coloring books (mostly Victorian and Edwardian fashions) just the other day. Having great fun with them.

Julia: *snork!* He sure does! He's a magic man.

Laura: Hooray! I'm excited.

Oh my giddy aunt! I have missed this and your last whole threads. I am sure I was only 'away' a week and look at this place- posts everywhere :)

I haven't a hope in reading them both, so will pretend this is where I left off. How about them Seahawks!?
;)

> I had a colouring in book made by the same publishers with quilt patterns on the pages. As a kids I loved recurring patterns and thought this book so special I barely coloured any in! What a drongo.
But I rectified that in later years by entering colouring in comps when the kids do. Well, the last age category was 10+...I am 10+!! (*fingers crossed I win*)

Megan! "Oh my giddy aunt!" - I *love* that expression! And it's so good to see you here.
I'm excited to try out my coloring book, but I'm not sure when I'll get round to it. Soon, hopefully. Best of luck beating out those 10+ers for the title! Ha!

121. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers (Charlie book, picture book) - 9/10
A boy wants a star for his very own, and so sets out to try to catch one.
Oliver Jeffers can do no wrong. I love his stuff, and this one is no exception.

122. Penguin in Love by Salina Yoon (Charlie book, picture book) - 9/10
Penguin sets out looking for love and finds a lost mitten instead. This leads him down a path that in turn sets Bootsy (his friend) down another path, which, along with Penguin's, in the end leads to each other.
Adorably-drawn penguins who knit fashionable knitwear for their friends and fall in love while doing so? Yes, please.

123. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett (Caldecott Honor book, picture book) - 10/10
A girl has a special talent and love for knitting, and knits sweaters and cozies for everything in sight, all out of her tiny knitting basket. People covet her basket full of yarn and try to buy it from her, but she isn't interested in selling what she loves. The Big Baddie steals the basket, only to find that it's empty. When it finds it's way back to the girl, she takes up her knitting right where she left off.
A beautiful story of generosity and magnanimity, illustrated spectacularly. Go read this one and you can thank me later. I've already ordered one for Charlie's shelves.

#190 -- Oh, Disney's Robin Hood was definitely one of my early character crushes!

*squee* the mandala coloring book!

Oh my giddy aunt! and drongo Clearly I NEED to hang out with Megan!

Your thread is so fun, Amber! I am all caught up now, and I laughed out loud doing it.

Amber, I totally agree with you regarding the children's books of William Steig. Often, I find images wherein some creature is brandishing a knife. I have no idea why! I really don't want to read any more of his works.

foggi: I didn't see the Disney Robin Hood until I was no longer a kid, but I do see the attraction factor. I mentioned above that I have a bit of a thing for Pitch Black from Rise of the Guardians (what an amazing movie, too!), but I've also shed a sigh or two for the Easter Bunny in that movie - what is *wrong* with me?! Ha!

Roberta: I know, right? And I mean that in response to both statements. I've also caught myself thinking, "Man, Megan is awesome. I'd love to hang out with her." Although she'd likely think me a twit, because I'm sure I'd be giggling silly most of the time.

Hi, Mamie! That's funny, since I do the same thing over on your thread all the time!

Linda: Whew! I'm so glad you feel the same way about Steig. You know, when I write a less-than-favorable (mini) mini review of a picture book - especially if it's a Caldecott - I always worry that it may be one that you really liked, and I worry that you'll read the review and cluck your tongue at my clearly unsophisticated taste. At the same time I know I'm being silly, but I can't help it. Ha!

Amber, I love the colouring book! I used to have some similar ones in the early 80s, but not by Dover. They were mandala designs, though, and I loved them.

The "in" expression in London at the moment (among the yoof, at least) is "Oh my days!" According to Wiktionary, "days" is used instead of "God". I'd heard it in TV comedy things, but I was talking to a group of high school girls a few weeks ago and heard it a couple of times during the group exercise. Just like on the TV!

On today's agenda,

We have a busy day ahead: Once I take Charlie to school, I need to hurry back home, jump on the treadmill for a bit, shower, then pop some popcorn and divvy it up into treat bags for Charlie's school Valentine's Day party this afternoon, head back to school early for my volunteer work in the library, then straight from the library to Charlie's class for the party. Whew!
I can't imagine that I'll be in any mood to cook this evening, plus I'm still hungry for Hot & Sour Soup from the soup chat over on Kath's thread, so I suspect we'll order Chinese.

Today's calendar book is pretty obscure, and I'm not at all certain that any of you have heard of it. Believe it or not, I *have* read it, and I suppose I can recommended it, but only if you like seeing your favorite friends (characters) mercilessly killed off, one by one (I only have two favorites left kicking!): A Dance with Dragons. Read the series if you must, but just remember: Don't Get Too Attached.

In other reading news, *sigh*.
I don't know what's happening this year, but I just don't seem to find the time to read much anymore (beyond with Charlie, of course). I get a handful of pages in most days, but that's all. It's starting to make me sad. I hope I can fix this soon, because I miss reading!

Susan: Oh, I like that one, too! Tomm listens almost exclusively to BBC1 radio (he's a complete anglophile), and I catch him using British slang sometimes, just because he hears it a lot. Funny. Charlie has picked up a couple of phrases, too, but his come from watching the Wallace & Grommit movies. It's pretty funny to hear him talking like Wallace. When I give him a cheese stick as part of his lunch or snack, he'll say, "Oh, I *do* like a bit of Gorgonzola." *snork!*

I love Wallace & Gromit; we quote them a lot chez Lindsay as well and we swear our dog Woody makes Gromit faces. We listen to BBC Radio 3 (classical) all the time.

Laura: We're all also big fans of Shaun the Sheep and have, I think, all of the dvd's of that series. I think they're making a movie? If so, we all hope that it comes across the pond to our theaters!

Morning Amber- I didn't realize you read all the song of Fire & Ice books. I loved the 1st 3 but the last one became a bit of a slog.

Mark: Yep, I'm a Martin Veteran. Ha! I think I'm too wrapped up in worring whether the next page will bring a horrible death to one of my guys to be conscious of the slog factor. I've convinced Tomm to read them, and he's most of the way through the first one; I'm afraid that I'm taking a troublesome amount of glee waiting for his reaction to certain upcoming events...

Morning, Amber! I have only read the first Martin book, but I loved it - luckily, I had been warned ahead of time not to get attached to the characters. And they were so NOT kidding! Hope that Thursday is kind to you - Chinese sounds so good, might have to indulge in that tonight at the Pecan Paradisio.

I love Martin's willingness to lop the heads off of beloved characters. I hate to see my favorites go, but it makes the ride amazing.

>208 susanj67: How funny! My other-mother used to say "Heavenly days!" or "day of glory!" when she needed to swear.

Oooo! Hot and sour soup is my go-to food for when I'm feeling icky and congested! Good for other times, too!

Mmm...hot and sour soup. Too bad I'm snowed in...or will be by suppertime.

>217 richardderus: My grandmother said "heavenly days!" and "WHAT in the name of heavenly glory!" My mother was fond of "Ye gods and little fishes!"

Charlotte: Yes! I agreed whole-heartedly.

Richard: Now that sounds completely southern, to me. :)

Mary Louise: I'm already so hungry for a big bowl of it that it's not even funny.

Linda: Ha! Love it. My mom has a wealth of wonderful sayings that *her* mother used to say, such as, about someone who thought too much of themselves, "I wish I could buy her for what she's worth and sell her for what she thinks she's worth," and, about someone who wore too much lipstick, "Her mouth looks like a bird's ass at pokeberry time," or, aimed toward her particularly forgetful children, "You'd lose your ass if it weren't attached!" I've been the object of that last one from my own mom on several occasions...

Charlie taken to school - check.
Treadmill treaded - check.
Another 2-3 inches of snow fallen while said treading was in progress - check.

Wait, what?! What the WHAT!? NOT in the forecast for today. But there it is. Pardon my Spanish, but, well, Shitballs. Add 'shoveling snow' to the already-too-long To Do list today.

*grumblegrumblemeanwhileTomm'sinSunnyCaliforniagrumblegrumble*

Skipped Mamie's post - check.

*SNORK!!* So sorry, Mamie! I blame it on my snow tizzy!
Will you continue with the Martin books?
I love the idea that we may be eating the same foods tonight! Is that weird...?

Sorry about the more snow. Bummer. Yes, I will continue with the Martin books - loved the first one and really meant to get to the second one last year, but... This year for certain! I don't think it's weird that you love the idea that we will both be eating Chinese tonight, but then again, I think it is "simply charming" that we will be sharing a meal! So perhaps, I'm no the best judge of weird! LOL!

birdsassin*bwaaaaaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaa*oh owww owww*bwaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaa*

Amber! Snow is bad enough when you expect it but when it just starts falling out of the sky with no warning — UNACCEPTABLE! Shitballs, indeed.

I hope the rest of your busy busy day goes smoothly. I also hope that you and Mamie enjoy your "shared" Chinese dinner tonight. I'm not a huge fan of Chinese with a few exceptions, so I will pass. Although, come to think of it, I did bring a bowl of brown rice, grilled chicken and mixed veg for my lunch today, so ... almost?

Mamie: You can take your time with the Martin books - it's not as if he seems to be in a big hurry, either. Ha!
Also, I would like please a run-down on what you order tonight...Let's compare menus!

Richard: Oh, I've got tons of them, if you're interested and I can remember them.

Julia: Oh, yum, that lunch sounds good!

Aaaaaand, the sun's out again. Weird, weird winter.

I forgot to say that some of your mom's sayings are new to me, but I've definitely heard the "you'd lose your ass if it wasn't attached". Also, "you couldn't find your ass with both hands and a flashlight" which really puzzled me as a little kid. My mom also had some very salty saying that I won't defile your thread with — she was in the Army during World War II and I think she picked up some of their language!

Now I am hungry for Chinese food...

My sympathies on the additional snow. We are supposed to get sunshine and above-freezing temperatures here for the first time in weeks, so I am hoping a little bit of the snow melts, though we might get a bit more tomorrow to replace it. And next week our temps might climb as high as 50! Break out the shorts and t-shirts! ;-)

Ugh on brown rice. Yummo on Chinese!

Well, I can tell you right now that Rae will get the sweet and sour chicken - that's what she always gets! I am leaning towards the teriyaki chicken with vegetable fried rice - the place we like has the best veggie fried rice that I have ever had - so yum. Or maybe the Kung Pao chicken. What I am missing is something so hot that it makes your nose run - I love hot! Back in Indiana, we had a Chinese place that made a hot and spicy chicken that was to die for - so wonderfully spicy. Haven't found anything that spicy here yet.

Julia: I love the flashlight detail! Ha!

foggi: It's actually going to get above freezing here, too, for a couple of hours! Exciting!

Richard: Yeah, I'm sort of with you on that, unless it's accompanied by the right stuff.

Mamie: We'll definitely be getting veg. fried rice - the place here in town does it really well, too. That's all Charlie will have, supplemented by some homemade applesauce and raw sweet red, yellow and orange pepper strips (one of his favorites - weird child) and yogurt, which he always has with dinner. I'll have the soup, of course, plus some pot stickers and either chicken fried rice or sesame chicken. Oh, and chicken-on-a-stick, which is *excellent* the next day cold as breakfast! Yum!

>121 scaifea:: John Donne and Shakespeare magnets? Oh my!

#202 Have you read his Stuck? It's BRILLIANT! All about a boy who gets his kite stuck in a tree adn starts throwing things up to get it down...

Bekka: Yes! I think I've read all of his stuff now. We love him lots.

tiffin: I'm so glad you like them!

News, everyone!

The librarian at Charlie's school will be out next Thursday and has asked me to substitute for her! I get to be librarian for the day!! Reading stories to the kids, checking out books for them,... I'm so excited!!

I haven't eaten take-out Chinese in more than a year - you guys are making me so hungry!

My mother's contribution to the ass saying was "He couldn't find his ass even if it was on fire." Many of her other sayings are unprintable. She wasn't in the army; she was just a foul-mouthed old so and so.

Her grandmother used to say of the extremely self-satisfied that they were 'highly permooched". For a long time I thought that permooched was an actual word, but my grandmother assured me that it was something that Sylvia made up.

Woo-hoo! Amber the Librarian in the house!

Charlotte: What is it about asses and forgetfulness?

Julia: I know, right?! So excited.

Oh, how fun! Um...don't let Mark give you any wardrobe tips!

A favorite of my father's for someone particularly clueless: "He wouldn't know his ass from his elbow."

Yay for being librarian for the day!

Mamie: *SNORK!* Oh, that thought is disturbing on so many levels...

Katie: My grandma's version of that one is "ass from a hole in the ground." Ha!

I have nothing to add right now, but I have had a truly enjoyable time reading the jokes and crushes and latin help and all just now.

Hi, Lucy! I've been lurking over on your thread, too, enjoying but with nothing interesting to add.

>204 luvamystery65:/207 :=)
I can turn on the colloquialisms when I need to. I have to think about if they qualify or not though, seeing as I am used to them myself.
It was rather funny to hear little Lenny (2½) come out with "Oh my giddy godfather" the other day though! Apparently I also say that :)

Megan: Ha! Love the Lennyism!

Loving all the colorful sayings here! I am another huge fan of hot and sour soup. But sadly for me the nearest Chinese restaurant is 30 miles away so as they say no soup for you.

Its snowing here too. We are on the coast so only forecast to get 4-8".

Congrats on getting to be official librarian for the day.

I had shrimp fried rice and hot and sour soup for lunch today. Mom's caregiver was a real doll and went and got if for me. I must be pitiful with this cough.

Amber you must think of making all these awesome saying (including Megan's) into magnets. I'd buy the whole lot!

Heidi: 30 miles?! Oh, that's sad. I've never tried making my own, but maybe that's a possibility?

Roberta: Yay for Chinese takeaway day! Ha!
I like where your head's at with the sayings magnets. I've thought before about cross-stitching them into bookmarks...

I've thought before about cross-stitching them into bookmarks… I'd buy the whole lot. Seriously!

Hello Amber Librarian :-)

Roberta: Hmmm. Now, to find time actually to make them...

Stephanie: Hi! *waves*

124. Yummers, Too by James Mitchell (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 6/10
A pig eats her turtle-friend's popsicles (he's trying to start a popsicle stand business, apparently) and only then reveals that she has no money with which to pay. He makes her take the cart out and try to sell enough to cover his losses, but she ends up eating the lot, crashing the cart into a health food shop, eating half of the contents of said shop,...
Ugh. In what way did making light of over-eating 'pigs' seem like a good idea for a children's book?! Avoid this one, I'd say. It was Charlie's pick from school, so we read it tonight, and I'm happy to say that he didn't find it funny, either. I didn't say anything to him about it, but if he'd indicated that he liked it, I may have ask him to describe why he liked it and gone from there. Sheesh.

oh wowza, I've missed too many of your threads! How did you get to number seven already?!

Congrats on the librarian for a day gig! Sounds like a great day!

Sorry you are in a slow reading slump. Hopefully you get over it quickly!

So many wonderful things going on in your life...the reading will always be there. As long as you feel sorry about not doing it, you'll get back to it.

Librarian for the day = FUN!!!

Hi Amber! I, too, am guilty of thread stalking. You'll have to tell us all about what the school library looks like from Behind The Counter. I have pretty fond memories of my school librarian.

Chelle: Hi! Are you back home now? I need to track down your thread to see how the baby shower went!

Linda: Thanks for that. I did manage to sit down after dinner last night and read a healthy chunk, thanks to Charlie wanting to watch a movie - Wallace & Grommit & the Were-Rabbit.

Lori: Yes!

Christina: Well, I know that I'll be completely knackered by the end of the day - Thursday is her busiest day with nearly non-stop Story Times with various classes, but it will be a happy kind of exhausted. I explained to Charlie last night about it, and he's totally excited about me being the "Check-Out Lady in the library." Ha!

One of my father's favourite expressions, used when he found something one of us had "lost forever" (sob sob) was "What's this - a pork chop?"

Susan: Ha! Whenever any of us lost something, including himself, my dad would say, "Well, I guess the piss ants carried it off..." What exactly 'piss ants' are, I couldn't tell you.

Please come and join me over here on the new thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/169261

>262 scaifea: According to Wikipedia, "pissant is an epithet for an inconsequential, irrelevant, or worthless person, especially one who is irritating or contemptible out of proportion to his or her perceived significance."

Sounds like someone who would run off with your stuff.

casvelyn: Ha! Nice.