What’s On Your Nightstand? October

October 29, 2008 at 12:28 AM (Confessions, Family Life, Laura Ingalls Wilder, What's On Your Nightstand)

I believe I may have confessed that I have always been a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I am pretty sure  I mentioned this little quirk.

I have read the Little House books many, many, times on my own, as well as to our children. “The Long Winter” is my very favorite. I even have some extra books that I have collected over the years.

I guess I am a pioneer wanna be. Well, Honey could tell you that I am NO pioneer.

While looking around  in the biographies at the library a couple of weeks ago, I spotted this

I have never seen this one! So I got it. And one about Benjamin Franklin.  Then I went and read the People magazine, while I waited for the Girls to finish. I am eclectic.

It was an old book. When was the last time we checked things out at the library with a check out card?

It didn’t have a ton of information that I didn’t already know, but there were some tidbits.

Like,  Laura was a little bit more of a stinker  than I realized. When she was in her early teens, she had a teacher that she didn’t really care for. I believe he would have been a CloseTalker, and he had bad breath. And  he was a hand toucher. So she put straight a pin between her fingers and when he squeezed her hand, well, he never did that again!

I also knew their moving around wasn’t exactly in the same order as the books. But I had no idea the extent of all the back and forth  that went on. In a covered wagon! It’s really was quite remarkable. Poor Ma!

I didn’t know that Ma’s brother married Pa’s sister.

I did not know that Laura had a crush on Cap Garland! I always kind of liked Cap myself.

And lastly, I didn’t know that Mary’s face had been disfigured by her stroke. The author mentioned that she had some surgery  to relieve some of the contractures on her face. I guess I was surprised that they were even able to do that then.

Last Sunday, while our family was on our way to church, our children were complaining. They do that on occasion. They were complaining because they all had to sit next to one another  in Ab-Cat’s little van. They said they were squished, and people were touching each other!   Oh, for pity sake!

They are used to riding in the comfort of our high top, conversion, party van. Where the girls have their own captain seats and The Boy has the entire back seat to himself. And they make good use of the VCR/DVD/TV combo.

When the whining got loud, I reminded them of Laura’s humble family, and how they traveled in a COVERED WAGON, for DAYS and WEEKS, and MONTHS on end, and had to entertain themselves, and saw NO ONE but their siblings! Our three couldn’t even ride the 7 MINUTES to church without carrying on!

And THEN, they had the nerve to tell us that WE made them this way. It was the WAY they were raised! They weren’t RAISED to be friggin’ pioneers. And WHY do I keep comparing them to the Ingalls anyway?

All I can say is that Ma and Pa would have NEVER put up with them.

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What’s on Your Nightstand?

June 6, 2008 at 7:46 AM (Honey, What's On Your Nightstand)

My last 5 picks from the library were less than stellar.

 I started one on the airplane ride home from Mrs. Schmenkmans. I finally told myself that I didn’t have to finish it, there was really no point.  The only reason I picked it up in the first place was a little review on the cover that said “the funniest Christian book I’ve read all year!”. WHAAAAT????  There was nothing remotely funny in the 100+ pages I read.

 I did actually finish 3 of them, but I can’t heap praise. I wouldn’t loan them to a friend. I don’t know if I’m getting super picky, or just having bad luck. So I guess I only want to tell you about books I can recommend. Therefore, I will you not tell you about any of those.

I really don’t like when books are too pat, or when characters are drawn so broadly that they just seem ridiculous. I find it hard to have compassion for them or even care one whit about their stories.  I understand that people do make mistakes, or handle things badly, but when they constantly make bonehead choices, and don’t listen to anyone  around them (like their trusted BEST friends or their wonderful  families) who are doing everything except throwing themselves off cliffs to get their attention? Well, I hear enough about those  kinds of stories in real life. I’m reading for entertainment here folks! A person can only handle so much stupidity.

I was lamenting to Jip the Farm Dog about this very subject last week. She gave me a couple of names to try. One was James Patterson. So I picked one of those up. “Lifeguard”.  I have never read him. I really hope I like him. He has a LOT of books! It could keep me busy for a long time!

 I also picked up Ken Follett’s latest.  “World Without End”. It is a sequel to one of my favorites of his, “Pillars of the Earth”.

In the past, I have been a very big fan  of the Follett. His earlier books have been some of the best written spy thrillers ever. The last few years though? Not so much. The last 5 books or so almost seem to have been written by another person. Completely not the same caliber of story at all. One of them, “The Hammer of Eden”, I actually threw out when I was done. Hated it. Since then, I have not bought any, just checked them out from the library.

Looking at these, I realize this could be a bit ambitious. “World Without End” has 1014 pages. That alone could take me 3 weeks. Of course if it’s REALLY good and I can barely  put it down, it will take me less. Honey never likes it when I find a really  good book though. Because he likes a clean house and dinner. And if it’s a really  good book? I get a little side tracked and forget about things like that.

So what have you been reading?

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What’s on Your Nightstand?

May 11, 2008 at 7:05 AM (What's On Your Nightstand)

Another April post that didn’t manage to make it in it’s proper month.

Last month I read a book from the library called “Crossroads” by Carol Mosher. It was just ‘ehh’. She had some interesting ideas, but it just didn’t work for me. She also had a rushed ending, and that bugs me.

My next book was something The Boy gave me. He had a great day of sales at the bookstore where he works, and they rewarded him by letting him pick something from a basket. He insisted  that I pick. I’m guessing there was nothing he wanted. So he made me walk all they way through the store to the backroom. In my sleep pants. It was called “Bachelor’s Puzzle” by Judith Pella. After I read it, I discovered it was book 1 in a series. A commitment book. It was fine, a little generic, but I liked it fine.

I have not read a great book in a while. I have actually resorted to reading some great books that I have read before!  When we were on vacation, I ran across a guilty pleasure that I have read many  times. I found it in the clubhouse. It is called “Shanna” by Kathleen E. Woodiweiss. I believe it would be called a “bodice ripper”. But OH MY GOODNESS, that Ruark Beauchamp, what a guy! I didn’t have time to finish it, but that’s ok, because I have my own copy, bought at a garage sale for 25 cents.

  I have been thinking about re-reading Francine Rivers “Mark of the Lion” series. I think these have been some of my all time favorites, but there are 3 and they are pretty decent sized books. So it would be another commitment. I feel  I can say honestly that she is my favorite Christian author. Lots of history, that woman can research a time period.

The Girls and I went to the library yesterday, because it was, as Ab-Cat says, Fabulous Friday. I am pushing to change it to Terrific Thursday, because Thursday is not such a busy day. There is no physical therapy or CareGroup and it stays open til 9. As opposed to Friday’s , when it closes at 6, and really causes us to have to hustle.

So this is what I picked up yesterday:

It looks rather ambitious for 3 weeks. I know I will probably only get one or two read. But I have come home with only one or two books before , and sadly had them be duds. So now I come home in dud protection mode. I have never heard of book 1, 3, or 4, or their authors. Book 2 is a third in a series that I liked because she is a professional gardner. I have passed them on to my friend, Barbara Payne, cause she gardens as well. We like Mibby. Book 5 is the second in a series I started about 3 years ago. It took me so long because book 2 was always  checked out. Keelyody, the Walking Buddy, says there are many more in the series. Another commitment. To tell you the truth, I can’t really remember if I liked book one. Hopefully they will refresh my memory, if need be.

I’ll let you know how these turn out.

So, what’s on your nightstand?

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What’s on Your Nightstand?

April 8, 2008 at 6:27 AM (Confessions, Laura Ingalls Wilder, What's On Your Nightstand)

I finally finished “A Proper Pursuit”, by Lynn Austin. It seems like a long time ago, but I do remember liking it quite a bit. Ms. Austin is one of my favorite authors for many reasons, but one thing I especially like about her is that she ties up all of those loose ends. And I appreciate that, as loose ends bug me. Another thing that I like about her books, is that with each one, she jumps to different era’s. So I feel like I am getting a little history with my entertaining book. In this book I learned a bit about the dating practices of 1893. And I realized that it was all about presentation . And not really  saying what you really  think. And I think  I probably would have ended up a spinster. Because I am fairly certain that when I was younger, my presentation  would have not exactly been what the Grandmothers and Mothers were looking for . And they were the ones orchestrating all the dating. Also that last part, about the not saying what you really think? That has never been one of my strong suits either. And in some circles, that can be seen as a positive, not a negative. So I seek membership in those  circles. Cause those who know me well, could tell you that I have been known to say what I think. Cause I believe that honesty is the best policy. And I have never lived in a make believe world. So I reccomend this book. You get to go to the Chicago World Fair as well. And that made me nostalgic for Laura Ingalls Wilder again. Cause in her later years she went to a World Fair. It may have been in San Francisco, but who cares?

 Now I have to make a little confession here. I have always been a fan of the Little Pioneer Girl. The books. The TV show? Not so much.  But even I would not have guessed how often she would make an appearance on the blog! I guess she has just always been woven into the fabric of my life.  I heart the Ingalls Family ! There, I have said it. But I’m guessing  that the person I stood by at the Psychadelic Furs concert 20 some odd years ago, might not have been able to see that fabric. It probably was my presentation. 

The second book I read was “The Prodigal Comes Home” by Michael English. He was an up and coming Christian singer in the early 90’s with a truly amazing voice. And he took his life, and basically threw it away with both hands. He had an affair, that was the last straw for his marriage, and then fell headlong into drug addiction. But it is an amazing  story of failure and redemption. Oh my, there are consequences for our sins. He is very honest and humble and I liked him even more after reading it.  On an aside that I thought was funny, on the first page, he talks about a concert at Temple Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan in the spring of 1994. This was evidently a turning point in his career in regards to fan worship. And I told Mousey, “Oh my goodness!  Daddy and I were at that concert, in the second row! And I was pregnant with you!” We weren’t involved in all the fan worship, I assure you. But I do remember thinking he was a nice looking man.

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What’s On Your Nightstand?

March 5, 2008 at 8:57 PM (Laura Ingalls Wilder, What's On Your Nightstand)

Last week I finished  a new book. Well, new to me. I had heard about it quite some time ago from a nuclear medicine technician (doesn’t that sound like an awe inspiring, powerful  job?) doing one of Mr Jiggy Fly’s scans. That would have been when he was in 8th grade. He is a junior this year. Yes, we move at the speed of snail around here. I had always intended to read it, and had even checked it out before, only to return it . Unread. But this time I was more successful. The book was “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd and it was just alright. I liked some of the story, but the whole Mary worship business had a high ick factor for me. I was going to read her next novel called “The Mermaid Chair” and give her a second chance, until I read a recap of it on the back of the Bees book . It has something to do with a disillusioned woman and a struggling monk and the word erotic was used. Now I don’t know about you, but erotic monks are just not my cup of tea. The hair-do alone would send me into fits of giggles. So I’m going to have to pass on that one. I would rather read about the Ingall’s Family twisting hay into fuel and waiting on their Christmas barrel. You folks that are confused are going to just have to break down and read “The Long Winter”, those “Little House” books are low on the erotic, but those pioneers know how to struggle  with real peril.

I am now reading that Lynn Austin book ” A Proper Pursuit” that I told you I was going to read last month. For some reason I was having a hard time getting into it. But then I carried it somewhere to read while I was waiting for something (that happens a lot ) and I had no choice but to persevere, because their selection of magazines was supernaturally boring. And I am liking it much better this time. She is always  a good story teller and one of my favorite Christian authors. Not just because  she is a Christian, that is just a bonus, cause she is a darn good writer!

So tell me, what’s on your nightstand? Or coffee table, what ever the case may be.

We are having the predicted “SNOW DAY” today!!!!  I can hear Honey out there plowing. I have already turned on his side of the heated matress pad and put the kettle on to make him a cup of tea to break the chill. Cause I can be thoughtful at times. And I am very thankful he is doing it and not me.

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Not So “Wonderful Tonight”

February 17, 2008 at 8:43 PM (What's On Your Nightstand)

I think I mentioned that I was looking forward to reading this book written by Pattie Boyd, the former wife of George Harrison AND Eric Clapton. Well, I am sorry to say that it was supernaturally boring. She is quite possibly one of the worst writers imaginable and , most surprising of all, she had very little to say. Which makes me wonder all the more why she felt the need to say it. Can you say YIKES! The saddest part of all is it seems like such a wasted  life, in more ways than one. That girl needs the Lord, along with everyone else she has EVER met, cause they had no meaning in their lives.  I guess I was hoping for a more informative look into her years with the Beatles, but she didn’t feel the need to go there. Oh no, she felt the need to tell us about her great love of cooking, how everyone around her( oh, and I don’t mean to imply that she wasn’t )  was stoned most all of the time, and her horrifyingly dysfunctional family.  She was a world class enabler.  There was also more than a tad  bit of self involvement when we were treated to her remembrances of how she was a muse to the gods. No little fun facts to wow your friends with there.

I still have the new Lynn Austin book that I received for Christmas. She is always a pleasure to read and I have yet to feel the need to shower after finishing one of her stories!

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What’s On Your Nightstand?

February 7, 2008 at 8:20 AM (What's On Your Nightstand)

Yesterday I told you what I have been reading.  Today the Ab-Cat picked up a book for me that was on hold at the library. It’s called “Wonderful Tonight” and it is an autobiography by Patti Boyd, who was married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton. As a former Beatlemaniac, I am interested in what she has to say. Tell me what you are reading. And is it good ?

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Reading Material

February 6, 2008 at 6:00 AM (The Ab-Cat, What's On Your Nightstand)

I am thinking that I must have stated in the “About Capri Kel” column that I love to read. At certain times during the year I am able to read more than others. This is the time of year that I read the least. Probably because BSF (the Bible Study) is in full swing and that requires some time, and another factor could be because there is usually a lot of television going on . Of course, this year , the writers strike has thrown off our groove. For some reason though, I have still not read much. Nothing captured my attention.

So I was very excited to receive this as a Christmas present from my friend the Saint (aka Lucy’s Mama). She had told me about it in November and it reminded me of a conversation I had with the mother of one of Ab-Cats many  roommates when she was in the hospital this summer. She was also a hairdresser and commented on Ab’s beautiful curls.  Now I don’t know how she could have known too much about what her hair looked like , cause it was in two Pippi Longstocking braids for the entire two weeks we were there, but she proceeded to call her a “Curly Girl ” and told her to stop washing her hair with shampoo. I was completely  not buying a word she said. Fast forward several months and here is Saint talking about the exact same thing! But she explained it better. And in more detail. And it sounded more interesting. It didn’t make me scratch my head.

It is an unusual concept. But upon reading it, I understand where she is coming from and I have talked the Ab-Cat into into giving it a whirl. And let me tell you, talking that girl into anything  concerning her hair is a major accomplishment. The author really encourages her readers to accept their curls (I am always telling her to make friends with her hair!) and find out how to make them look the best that they can. With lots of conditioning. And no shampoo. And NEVER brushing.  She also has a good idea to cut the curls at the top of each “C” .  The author has seriously embraced her inner Curly Girl. I’ll let you know how this works out. I know you can hardly wait. Thanks Saint, it gave me a lot to think about!

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