Household Meme

I saw this one someone's blog, this early, early AM.  I'm not going to link to it, though, because... Well, I never comment on her blog (i.e. I "lurk"-- ooh, sounds so creepy, doesn't it?), I don't think she reads my blog, and I'd rather not draw attention to myself as a lurker. (g)

Haven't done a meme in a long while!

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now?
Never use the tub, so will shower do?  I just put a new bar of soap in there, but I have no idea what brand it was.  It was cream-colored; does that help? (g) It might be Dial...  I tend not to have brand loyalty when it comes to soap (or most things, really).  I just get whatever seems reasonably priced and "smells pretty".  There's also some Suave (pear and something-scented) body wash in there that I bought thinking it was shampoo.  (Oops.)  Oh, and another body wash for those who don't want to smell like fruit or perfume.. ;o)

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?
No way.  That stuff gives me indigestion, and Donald doesn't like it, anyway.

3. Is there anything moldy in your refrigerator?
I hope not, but I make no guarantees. I need to throw a few things out, yes, but I don't think they've gotten to the moldy stage yet...

4. Are there any dirty dishes in your sink?
Ha.  Why, yes, yes there are, as a matter of fact.  And on the counter-tops around the sink, as well.  (...Maybe this meme wasn't such a great idea, after all.  Some of us make poor decisions when we get up too early...)

5. What would you change about your living room?
Hm... It's really fine as it is...  I can't reasonably complain about its size, though with the configuration of doorways/openings, it can be a little limiting in how we can arrange our furniture.  Maybe I'd do away with the cable we have stretched across the floor practically all the time-- the one connecting the TV to the computer... We could do away with it and go wireless, and (barring some cataclysm) I'm sure we will, eventually, but it's not that important to either of us, at the moment. The cable serves its purpose.  I only notice it when I'm vacuuming or expecting visitors.  (If I were being funny, I'd add "neither of which happen all that often", but I do try to vacuum regularly.  You need to, with an Eskie in the house.)

6. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty?
Yes, you got me.  They're dirty.  (I'll run it later this morning, okay.  Good grief!  You're so demanding!)

7. Do you have a can of mushrooms in your pantry?
Does cream of mushroom soup count?  Donald doesn't like mushrooms much, and I have no desire to eat a whole can of them, either. 

8. White or wheat/brown bread?
"Healthy" bread for me, which usually means wheat/brown.  Donald sometimes likes white bread, though, if you count French/Italian-style loaves.

9. What is on top of your refrigerator?
Here, the other person answered "dust".  Heh, yeah, there's dust on mine, too, I'm sure.  There are also several decorative items-- a ceramic cow creamer, a polka-dotted (and be-daisied) ceramic cookie jar (cream with blue dots), a ceramic "watering can" tea pot painted with tulips (like this one), a cobalt glass ivy bowl, and a blue and white flower pot (also ceramic). 

10. What color is your sofa?
One is medium-dark brown leather.  The other (which has gotten 99.9% of our use since we bought both couches) is a very-slightly-greenish brown textured fabric.  It sounds ugly, but it's not.  (Well, I don't think so, at least.) 

11. What color or design is on your shower curtain?
In our bathroom, it's a solid moss/sage green with (tone-on-tone) machine embroidered vines and leaves/flowers. We've been using it a while, and it's starting to show signs of that.  A replacement is in order.  In the hall bath, it's a bright and cheerful striped affair that reminds me of the beach. 

12. How many plants are in your home?
Several, but most of them are either spider plants (creepy name, completely innocuous plant) or a type of succulent plant, the name of which I can never remember.  (Looked it up. I think it's a type of Huernia.) There's also a dumb cane-- and a "snake plant" that's spending the summer outdoors but will come back in when the weather gets cooler (if it has earned the privilege through good behaviour-- er, "behavior"-- apparently I am slightly British at 5 a.m.).

13. How many candles are in your home?
Too many to count-- or in other words, no way am I going to get up and count them all.  ;o)  There are many of them, though I use them more often in the cooler time of the year.  We have some tapers (though I rarely burn those), some pillars of various sizes, bags full of tea lights (my most commonly used type of candle), quite a few scented votives, and a number of candles in jars (some of which I never burn, but use on an electric jar-candle-warming plate). 

14. Is your bed made right now?
No.  Donald's still sleeping, like any sane, rational, non-waking-at 3 a.m-and-unable-to-fall-back-asleep person would be.  I will make it later, though.  That's one chore I do almost without fail (except for days when one of us feels sick / needs more sleep or the occasional lazy weekend).  It's quick and easy-- instant gratification and (mild) feeling of accomplishment. 

15. If you have a coffee pot, what color is it?
We have a white one (given to us by my maternal grandmother) for when company comes over.  Neither of us drink coffee, though I love the smell of it and wouldn't mind having a cup every now and then. I don't want to get addicted to it, though.

16. Electric or standard can opener?
We have both, but I use the electric one most of the time.  Hey, it's already standing there; might as well use it, right?

17. Comet or Soft Scrub?
Both.  Comet for the stainless steel sink, Soft Scrub (or something similar-- "Scrub Free... with Oxy") for the bathrooms (thanks to the fiberglass tubs/showers). 

ETA:  Er, apparently, Soft Scrub isn't what I thought it was. (g)  I guess I've never used it.  Obviously, the stuff I use on the fiberglass is meant to not be gritty or scratchy at all.  I have Comet for the sink, but I rarely need to use it.  Our sink simply doesn't get that dirty, I guess... Or maybe I have low standards of sink-cleanliness.  

18. Is your closet organized?
Kind of.  My personal clothing closet could use a tidying, but I know where everything is... And the coat closet has a jumble of things at the bottom that aren't exactly pretty to look at, but again, I know where things are, so I'm satisfied.  Donald and I have five (wooden, dining-room-type) chairs awaiting refinishing in our closets (yes, we have separate closets and are totally spoiled for closet space-- one of the really nice things about our house).  I'd like to deal with those chairs one of these days before too, too long...

19. What color is the flashlight that you use the most?
...We almost never use a flashlight.  The light that gets used most would probably be Donald's "headlight".  It was originally intended for running in the fading light of evening, but several times it has come in handy for more practical purposes.

20. What kinds of things are in your junk drawer?
Pens.  (Lots and lots of pens and other writing implements.)  Pocket knife.  Tiny measuring tape (at least I think that's still in there).  Rubber bands.  Cell phone chargers.  Scissors.  ...Actually, this isn't really a junk drawer at all, any more.  Not since I reorganized it, years ago.  No, I prefer to let my odds and ends of "junk" accumulate on the kitchen counter-top, where I can see and enjoy them all the time.  ;o)

21. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home?
We have a few plastic cups, but apart from one that Donald uses fairly often (and his water bottles for running), we always use glass, these days.

22. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now?
No, I haven't made tea in a long, long time.  Donald doesn't drink it, and (at home, and usually away, as well) I only drink water (except for the milk on my cereal).  I like cold, sweetened tea to a certain extent, but I just don't care to bother with it for just me... Also, I don't need the sugar, but neither am I crazy about the thought of artificial sweeteners.  Water is just easier.  Straight out of the tap.  (Hardly ever use ice anymore, unless I've been working outside and am desperate for coolness.)

23. If you have a garage, is it cluttered?
Alas, no garage.  (One of these days...)  If we had one, I imagine it would have at least a corner of clutter.  (There. I admitted it. Are you happy now, you mean meme-writer, you?)

24. Curtains or blinds?
Both, in several rooms.  (Well, if "sheers" and valance count as curtains.  They do, right?)  In our breakfast room, we have only blinds for the time being (and I like the new blinds so much, I may keep it that way).  Also, there's neither on our over-the-sink kitchen window, but I do plan to put a valance up, sometime. (There was one before we took everything down to repaint.)

25. How many pillows do you sleep with?
Actually sleep with?  One, usually-- and I'm very particular about which one it is.  (Aren't most people, though?)  I sometimes use a second pillow over my stomach if I'm feeling... ill.  (The slight weight/pressure and/or increased warmth lessens the discomfort.) 

26. Do you sleep with any lights on at night?
There's a nightlight in our bathroom to help us find our way without stubbing any toes. 

27. How many ceiling fans are in your home?
I'll have to think about that... (It's probably going to sound like a lot to those of you who don't live in the South...)  Let's see... Bkfast room, main room, bed room, plus three more.  That would be six.  The dining room is prepped for one (even with a separate switch) in anticipation of a time when we use that room more (not as a dining room, most likely), and we may put one in the kitchen, eventually.  If we do, then ever single room in the house will have a fan, except for the bathrooms and foyer.  They make a world of difference in the comfort of a room and help the A/C work less.  (They also work in the winter, when you reverse their motion so that they force the heated air down from the ceiling.)

28. How often do you vacuum?
There's no set time, but fairly often, I think.  At least once a week, I guess, maybe twice a week, depending on circumstances.  (Please don't judge me because you're like that woman I saw on some reality show who makes her kids vacuum every single day.  Please?)

29. Standard toothbrush or electric?
Standard.

30. What color is your toothbrush?
I'm not sure... Mostly white with... red?  I don't really care about such things, because I am no longer nine years old with a "favorite color".  *eye roll* ;o)  Seriously, who notices these things?  And to think that I make (gentle, teasing) fun of Donald because he doesn't notice people's eye color! 

31. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch?
Don't really have a front porch.  I think there's a mat out on the... would you call it a stoop or a covered entry?  Honestly, our front door isn't very welcoming right now... Another of those outdoor projects I'm trying to put off until the weather improves.  We do have a mat outside the door we use most, though.  It doesn't actually spell out "WELCOME", but I think it's implied.  ;o)

32. What is in your oven right now?
Nothing.  It's not even 6 a.m., so I haven't begun the day's baking, yet.  Hee. (g) I don't bake much this time of year. I worry it will heat the house... I'm probably just being silly.  But no, we don't store pots or pans in our oven, so the only things in there are the two wire racks that came with it.  There may be more in the warming drawer, though... Possibly some cast iron skillets (which I never use these days) and a broiler pan?

33. Is your microwave clean or dirty?
I think it's pretty darn clean.  (Whew!  Or is it too little too late?)  I try to keep it that way by using those spatter-protection plate covers.  It's easier to clean those than the inside of the microwave.

34. Is there anything under your bed?
Not a lot of stuff, but yes, there are at least a couple of things.  One is a cardboard box with carpet remnants.  (We saved them from when the house was built, in case we ever needed to temporarily patch our carpet.)  I think my knitting looms are all down there, too, in another box.  Our bed frame is too low to the floor to allow much underneath, or else that's probably where I'd store some of our gift-wrap supplies.  (I used to do that, with our old bed.)

35. Chore you hate doing the most?
Aw, do I hafta choose just one?! ;o)  I don't know.  I hate so many of them!  Well, cleaning the bathroom is high on the list.  I don't imagine anyone enjoys cleaning toilets, and the fiberglass shower can also be a major pain in the behiney (as they say), especially with our super-duper mineraly water.  Then there's mopping and window-cleaning... oh, and practically anything outdoors (weeding, spraying)...  Keeping the floor perfectly clean is impossible in our house.  I realize this, and yet it still frustrates me to work hard to get it pristine, only to see a trail of grass, sand, whatever brought in the next time the door is opened.  *sigh*

36. What retro items are in your home?
If only you'd asked this before we got rid of our cool 70's sofa!  That thing was retrolicious! (g)  I have no idea, really.  We have some older things passed down from family, and we have some yard sale / thrift store finds that I suspect are also old (well, not new), but "retro"?  Not sure.  Maybe the Fruxo plates we brought from Sweden?  They look retro, at least.  We found them in a thrift store.  I can't find a photo to show you, but I can explain that Fruxo is a brand of Swedish candy.  (Of course.)  The plates are brightly decorated with the candy's logo and illustrations of various fruits.

37. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office?
Yes, but it's more "businessy".  Personal computing is done in the main room. 

38. If you have a yard, who mows it?
Donald does (I say guiltily).  I still haven't been taught how to operate this newer mower.  And the longer I can keep it that way, the better! ;o)  Seriously, I wouldn't mind mowing most of it, but I'm scared of mowing slopes, so he'd probably still get stuck with that part.  (I'm sorry, Donald...)

39. Is there anything on your kitchen floor right now?
Oh, you mean the inevitable dog hair and dust I need to vacuum / sweep / mop away?  Other than that, not much.  There's the IKEA stepping stool.  Its legs are touching the floor.  Is that what you meant? (g)  There are a couple of dog water dishes on the floor near the sink, too, waiting to be washed.

40. How many mirrors are in your home?
About three hand mirrors.  Probably one or two in makeup compacts. A few other small ones here and there.  One in each bathroom.  One in our bedroom.  One in the foyer, and one in the dining room.  Oh, and the plain one from our bathroom (before we got the nice, new one) is still in the house, too, "just in case".  (Just in case what?  I don't know...)

41. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home?
None of your business.  ;o)

42. What color are your walls?
Kitchen/breakfast room:  golden mustard yellow
Main room:  pale cream
Bedroom:  pale apple green
Master bath:  sand / beige
Dining room:  two shades of green (separated by chair rail)
Hall bath:  sky blue
Spare room (books, music, exercise):  periwinkle blue (two shades)
Other spare room (mostly craft stuff):  light sage green
Office:  yellow-orange
Foyer:  red
Hallway:  cream
Utility room:  mauve & green

43. Which rooms in your house have wallpaper?
None.  At all.  Seriously, look at all those colors of paint listed above.  Does it sound like we left a single wall free for wallpaper?  No, I didn't think so.

44. Do you have a peephole in your front door?
No.  Don't need one, though, considering that there's a window in it.  :o\

45. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home?
...Some of these questions ask a little too much.  Yes, we do.  I'll leave it at that.  (The element of surprise, you know.)

46. What does your home smell like right now?
Nothing much at all. 

47. Favorite Candle Scent?
I don't really have a single favorite, but one candle does come to mind as a favorite.  It's supposed to smell like cypress and bergamot, though I couldn't tell you exactly what cypress or bergamot smell like. (g) This candle's scent is difficult to describe-- somewhat sweet, slightly spicy, maybe woodsy, and masculine.  Donald doesn't like it as much as I do, so I only heat it (in a jar) when he's not around.  It can be a little too powerful a scent for me, too, so I use it in small doses. 

48. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now?
Hamburger dills.  Sometimes I get a little jar of sweet pickles, but they don't last long (which is mysterious, since I'm the only one in the house who eats cucumber pickles of any kind).  Donald does have some pickled beets.  I've never tried them, so I guess I can't claim that I don't like them.  I just get a strong feeling that I wouldn't like them.  ;o)

49. Who are in the pictures you displayed?
Family, ourselves, our dogs. 

50. What color is your favorite Bible?
Dark blue.

51. Do you have plenty of cabinet space in your kitchen?
I can't complain (not this once, at least (g)).  If I run out of space, it should just be taken as a sign that I'm mismanaging what I have and need to reevaluate what we really need and how best to organize it.

52. Ever been on your roof?
No.  Donald has, though, to replace some shingles that blew off in a storm. 

53. Do you own a stereo?
Yes, a couple.  One old one that I got back when I lived with my parents and sisters.  (That one's in the craft room.)  The one in our bedroom is newer, but we've had it several years, now.  (It doubles as an alarm clock.)  There are two smaller radios in the kitchen, too.  Why are there two, you ask?  ("How big is your kitchen, anyway?")  Well, the nicer, newer one very mysteriously doesn't pick up the FM talk radio station I listen to most of the time... and the other is an old, flimsy, beaten-up little radio that you have to turn a dial to tune from station to station.  It would be a pain to change it from 710 AM to 106.5 FM twice or more every day, so I keep both of them in there.  It's perfectly logical, I tell you. 

54. How many TVs do you have?
It's going to sound like we do nothing but watch TV, but we have three.  One is pretty small and rarely used.  (Mostly just when Donald exercises indoors.)  It and the second (also not large) one (which is in our bedroom) both had to have adapter boxes when they stopped broadcasting in analog.  (In other words, neither is new.) The third is our "main TV", in the living room. 

55. How many house phones?
Hm...  I'm not sure if one or two are hooked up.  We have an old cordless phone that we use most of the time, then there's a simple, corded one for power outages.  Actually, we just ordered a new phone last night. We certainly need one. Our current cordless phone is so old that it interferes with our wireless Internet if it gets too close to the computer. 

56. Do you have a housekeeper?
No, I'm our housekeeper.  And I'm so good at it, too!  ;oP

57. What style do you decorate in?
Um, whatever I like that is reasonably practical and affordable?   So... eclectic?  Casual but traditional, with country farmhouse influences (in the kitchen, at least)?  I like to look at pretty rooms in glossy magazines, but I'm not interested in following a single "style" to the letter. 

58. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints?
It depends... I think I like something in between-- something mostly solid, or that looks almost solid from a distance, but with enough variation in color that it will camouflage the inevitable mishaps of life (stains, for instance). 

59. Is there a smoke detector in your home?
Yes. Multiple ones, in fact. 

60. In case of fire, what are the items you would grab if you only could make one quick trip?
Oh, I hate that kind of question.  I was thinking about this recently, though... I guess the first obvious answer is photos... but these days, so many of our photos are on the computer, so maybe I'd also include our external hard drives. The documents in our firebox are obviously deemed important, so maybe I'd try to chuck those outside, too.  Otherwise, I'd have a hard time choosing what to save.  Well, our dogs, of course.  They'd be first (assuming there are no people in the house). They're not really "items", though... (g) The cameras, maybe...

61. Do you know how to work your electrical box?
Kind of.

62. What temperature in your home is most comfortable to you?
If we're going on comfort alone, I'd probably keep it several degrees cooler in summer and warmer in winter than we really do.  In reality, at this time of year, I let the thermostat get up to 81 or 82 during the hottest part of the day, then (gradually) lower it to 78 at night to make sleeping more comfortable.  (Ceiling fans make this practice easier.)  I don't remember what numbers I aim for in the winter... We usually set it lower at night, since we're definitely going to be warm enough in bed, then try to keep it as low as possible during the day without sacrificing too much comfort.  (The space heater and layers of clothing help with this.)

...That feels like an odd question to end with, but so be it!  (g)

Am I a Hippie?

Rachel's latest entry about this possibly soon-to-be blog-meme made me wonder if I could even come up with enough pertinent facts about myself to do something similar. (I may find myself having to borrow some of your items, Rachel, since they're true for me, too.) So here it goes!

Is Michael a Hippie?

Pros:

1. I have an unconventional name (for a woman).
2. My hair is long and straight, and I hardly ever "style" it with a blow drier-- even less frequently with any other hair torturing device (a.k.a. curling iron, etc.).
3. I haven't used herbicide in our yard for well over a year.
4. I've never shot a gun at an animal.
5. I try not to waste food, electricity, and water.
6. I don't wear make-up on a daily basis.
7. My daily garb is very casual and laid back.
8. I owned a couple pair of bell-bottom jeans, back when they were briefly fashionable again (or maybe a year or two too late for the trend). I still find boot-cut and flare-cut jeans more comfortable than the high-waisted, tight-fitting jeans of my youth.
   
9. I go barefooted most of the time.
10. My husband has facial hair.
11. My husband plays the guitar and the recorder.
12. I love the beauty of nature.
13. I like some music that might be described as "psychedelic" or produced by "hippie bands".
14. I don't particularly trust the government. (I think many of those in charge have nothing more than their own power and glorification in mind, and even when it comes to the "true believers" among them, I don't have faith that they're acting in the country's best interest-- quite simply because I think they're just wrong.)
    

Cons:

1. My so-called unconventional name is extremely conventional for men. (I'm no Sunflower or Moonbeam-Dancer.)
2. I wash my hair every day and occasionally color it to cover my (premature and totally unfair (g)) grays. I have also taken to using Suave's leave-in anti-frizz creme product on a semi-regular basis.
3. The reason I haven't used herbicide in so long is a mixture of procrastination and laziness.
   
4. Once we get a "snake gun", I fully intend to rid our yard of any venomous snake I find.
5. I try not to waste things primarily because I like to save money, not because I think Mother Earth cries when I forget to turn off the lights.
   
6. I do wear make-up when I'm going into public. (Not because I think it's "wrong" not to, but because I'm more comfortable that way. If I had perfect skin, I'd probably never wear the stuff. Alas, my skin is not perfect. The make-up doesn't really completely fix that, but at least it helps.)
   
7. Though they are casual, I usually wear exceptionally normal (ha ha) clothes-- capris (or jeans, in cooler weather) and a (not tie-dyed) fitted tee.
   
8. I go barefooted (indoors) only because it's comfortable and because I can (since I'm home most of the time). When I go anywhere else-- or even just outside-- you can count on it that I'll be wearing footwear.
9. My husband keeps his facial hair neatly trimmed and is wonderfully non-hippie-ish in dress. (Think button-down shirts tucked into trousers.)
   
10. My guitar- and recorder-playing husband is also teaching himself to play the banjo.
    
11. I don't think man-caused global warming is proven fact. (Or, er, they're calling it "climate change" now, aren't they, since some studies indicate that we're entering a cooling phase?)
    
12. I eat meat every day, often twice.
13. There is a leather couch in my living room, and I have owned leather shoes and belts. I bought my husband a leather jacket last winter. Also, I own a coat with fur trim around the hood.
    
14. I remove body hair in accordance with Western tradition.
15. I wear deodorant. (What, do modern hippies wear it, too? Sorry if I've offended.)
    
16. I am politically, fiscally, and socially conservative and attended (the tail end of) a local Tax Day Tea Party, last April.
    
17. I have never used recreational drugs. (I stick with candy, chocolate, and ice cream. And Dr. Pepper.)
18. I believe it is important for our nation to keep a strong military.
19. I don't grow my own food (though I'd like to try growing a small vegetable patch, someday).
    
20. I love (the idea of) the past-- Victorian and Edwardian England, pioneering times in America, the Regency period, America in the first half of the 20th century, and so on. Period literature and mini-series are my favorite escape from reality.
    
21. I am a Christian. (That's not to say that some who identify themselves as hippies are not also Christian, but there seems to be a strong emphasis in hippie culture in general on embracing Eastern religions.)
    
22. I am essentially a traditionalist.
    

What a surprise! I seem not to be a hippie!

Incidentally, I wonder if there's something in the air right now, because just yesterday I read a blog post by someone in Australia (in a totally different circle) about how she embraces many of the principles and ideals typically be found in an environmentalist-- yet she doesn't like the idea of being identified as such. She'd rather people think of her simply as a frugal woman trying to do right by her family and God. I get the sense that quite a few people are feeling this way, lately.

CD Cover Meme

My parents sent us an e-mail, yesterday, with a fun meme for designing your imaginary band's first CD cover.

Here are the instructions (with our CD covers below):

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random.
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3.
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days.
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop, Powerpoint or similar to put it all together.

My band's CD cover:


Donald's band's CD cover:


And then I made one for the dogs. (g)
This is their band's CD cover:


It's kind of addictive! So, what does your band's CD cover look like? ;o)

Booking Through Thrursday: Why Buy?

Booking Through Thursday's prompt for this week:

I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?

Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?

If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?

There are a few reasons why I buy books, depending on the circumstances of the purchase.

• I know I love it (or I'm reasonably sure I'll love it because of experience with the author, or a really good review or blurb). If I love a book, it's worth owning (assuming I can afford a copy). I want to have it available for re-reads. I'd be irritated if I had to make a special trip to the library (or satisfy myself with reading off the computer monitor) every time I wanted to read an old favorite. And what if it was already checked out, right when I needed to read it again? That would be unacceptable.
  
• They are objets d'art. ;o) I sometimes enjoy just looking over my best-loved books, lined up neatly on their shelves. Even the tattered paperbacks I've had since middle school are collectibles, as far as I'm concerned, though I do tend to put the "pretty" books on display and keep the falling-apart ones on the lower shelves, behind closed doors. Not everyone appreciates the beauty of an old Bantam paperback the way I do.
  
• They are souvenirs. (This reason ties in with the previous one.) They can be traditional souvenirs-- bought while on vacation-- or they can be souvenirs of periods of my life (adolescence, college) or even souvenirs of people or events. Looking at, touching, and smelling these books is a trip down memory lane. A library book just isn't the same for me.
  
• I prefer to read my own copy. I like to feel free to read at my own pace, taking as much time as I like, stopping for days or weeks, then picking it back up again whenever I want. I don't like knowing that there's a deadline. Also, I just like the feeling that "this is mine" and knowing that I can write in it, take it wherever I like, and so on.
  
• Sometimes buying is cheaper than the gas and time to go to the library. If I can get the book cheaply enough (at library sales, for instance), I'll take more of a gamble on unfamiliar titles or authors.
  
• I can't (easily) get it at the library. This is actually an issue, sometimes.
  

And I think that about covers it. :o)

Booking Through Thursday: Book Meme

I haven't participated in Booking Through Thursday for a few weeks, but this week's set of questions looks interesting:

What was the last book you bought?

That would actually be a handful of books I ordered at the same time from Amazon, but to name just one, I'll give the title of the one I started reading first: To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis.

Name a book you have read MORE than once.

For one, Jane Eyre. I haven't kept count, but I've probably read all the way through it from start to finish at least four or five times, and I've read my favorite passages many more times than that.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

Yes.

One again? Ok. . . Well, this one book symbolizes (for me) the whole series, plus even more by the same author: Anne of Green Gables.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews?

In general, I go by summary. Recommendations and reviews are nice-- and I like to use recommendations as starting points in book hunts-- but even if I like a person and sometimes like what s/he likes, I often find that our tastes can differ greatly from book to book. As for cover design and title, they might catch my eye, but I usually try to look beyond that before making my final decision. Some of my favorite books have hideously unappealing cover art, and plenty of books with tantalizing titles turn out to be duds.

If I'm buying, I'm pickier than if I'm just browsing the library. And if I'm paying for a new book, I'm pickier than if I'm paying 50 cents for a used copy. So for a 50-cent book, I might let myself go on "instinct", but for full price, I look at everything and try to make a more informed decision.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

For sitting down and reading? Fiction, usually. I also like crafts books, but I don't really read those in the same way. I see them more as references and instructional works. I do occasionally read non-crafty non-fiction, but even that is typically related to fiction-- biographies of favorite authors, for instance.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

I'd say that plot is more important than beautiful writing, if it comes down to deciding between the two. Of course, a blend of both is best, and if I don't care about the characters, I'm not going to love the story, no matter how gripping the plot or how beautiful the writing.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

I don't know which is my most loved (or memorable). . . It's probably Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester, or someone from L.M. Montgomery's novels (Anne? Pat?).

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

To Say Nothing of the Dog (currently reading)

Looking for Anne of Green Gables (waiting to be started)

The Jeeves Omnibus, vol. I (reading w/ Donald)

Webster's New World Collegiate Dictionary (looking up obscure mythological figures and Victorian things referenced in To Say Nothing of the Dog)

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Finished? Anne of Windy Poplars, by L.M. Montgomery. I can't remember exactly when I finished it. . . Sometime in September.

Still in the process of reading? To Say Nothing of the Dog (again), last night in bed.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

I've given up before I got halfway in. A couple of times, actually, with The Hunchback of Notre Dame. (Incidentally, I have never managed to seriously crack open Les Misérables, either. Some sort of Victor Hugo phobia, perhaps? (g)) I'm sure there are others, but that one in particular stands out, because I've kept my copy, and every so often, I look at it (and a few I've never even started, like Les Mis) and wonder if I'll ever actually read it. . . (They were purchased back in my teenage "classic-reading" phase. Now, I've mostly lost interest, but maybe someday I'll feel ambitious.)

Saturday Six -- Episode 221

I think this is last week's set of Saturday Six questions, but I'm in a memey mood, so. . .

1. You order a plate of wings: what’s your first choice: mild, hot, inferno or teriyaki?

Probably hot. I generally like spicy things to be spicy-- but not so hot that it's less of a flavor and than a burning sensation. But I don't honestly know, as I don't think I've ever ordered a plate of wings. We're not really interested in wings. Too much trouble for too little meat. (g)

2. Which makes the best base for barbeque sauce: mustard, vinegar or ketchup?

I'm not a barbeque sauce connoisseur, either. . . In my experience, the best base for barbeque sauce is barbeque sauce right out of the bottle! ;o) If I had to make my own, I'd probably use both ketchup and mustard, but keep the vinegar far, far away from me.

3. If you could learn the eleven herbs and spices used in Kentucky Fried Chicken, how likely would you be to attempt to make it yourself? Why?

I might give it a try, just for curiosity's sake. If I didn't try it, it wouldn't be for ethical reasons (g) but more because neither of us eat fried chicken that often as it is. Why get ourselves hooked on another food we really ought not to eat?

4. Take the quiz: Which condiment are you?

You Are Barbeque Sauce

You are a social person. You enjoy cooking for other people. You are both skillful and competitive. You enjoy mastering hard tasks. You appreciate complexity more than simplicity. Your taste in food tends to lean toward interesting flavors. You appreciate exotic spice combinations. You tend to like cutting edge, fusion cuisine. You get along with all personalities from a distance. Except salsa personalities, who always seem to annoy you.

What Condiment Are You?

Hm. . . Not really. (g) I hardly ever cook for more than just the two of us. I enjoy the company of some people, but I doubt that makes me a social person. I'm definitely not into "cutting edge, fashion cuisine". And I actually eat much more salsa than barbeque sauce. Shocking how such a scientific quiz could be so very, very wrong! ;o)

Well, ok, the getting along with personalities from a distance is probably about right. . . I'm not sure about the complexity vs. simplicity thing. I just like what I like-- though maybe I like rich foods more than very plain ones. I am competitive, and I'm not without skill, though when I'm "mastering difficult tasks" I tend to become frustrated if the "mastering" takes longer than expected.

5. Of the condiments currently in your refrigerator, which would you say you have used the least in the last year?

Mayonnaise. I use it in only one or two recipes, and neither of us touches the stuff, otherwise.

6. After months of unsuccessful attempts, you finally get the recipe for a food you enjoy. When making it for the first time yourself, you discover an individual ingredient that you hate in everything else. Would you still make the dish with that ingredient, or would you try it without?

This happens with mayonnaise, from time to time. I still use the ingredient (though I may use less of it than is called for, in some cases).

On the other hand. . . We had a very bad experience with cumin, earlier in our marriage. We made up a big batch of something that called for (way too much) cumin, and because it needed to simmer all day, we were suffocated by the smell for hours. By the time we were supposed to eat it, neither of us could stand the flavor. (That smell still haunts me. . . Like the odor of those sharks we had to dissect in marine biology in high school. . . Ugh.) So these days-- even though I know it's in many of the prepared foods I eat-- I'd probably be hesitant to add it to recipes. Maybe I'd wait and see if it tasted like it needed it.

3x Thursday

Questions from this week's 3x Thursday:

1. How come we have to put so much effort into keeping our bodies healthy? Has it always been this hard?

I suspect that part of it is that we're just more health-conscious, these days. Maybe I'm mistaken, but I get the feeling that we focus more on health-- eating the right diet, getting enough exercise, taking vitamins and other supplements, going to doctors for exams, etc.-- than previous generations did. Not to say that we all actually carry through on these things, but most of us know that we're "supposed" to. We're constantly bombarded with health-related information. (Personally, I hate health news. I don't want to have to think about health stuff every day of my life. I'd gladly leave that for doctors and nurses and pharmaceutical types.)

Believe it or not, people today (or at least those of us in modernized countries) have more leisure time than in any other period of history, which means we also have more time to worry about things like health. For most of the past, the majority of people were busy enough just making sure they had the food and other necessities for survival.

Of course, easy access to food tempts us to overindulge. Paired with our "sit-down" lifestyle, this leads to all sorts of health problems.


2. Why do you think some people put things like work and 'having nice things' before just being a happy person?

A number of things come to mind:

• They think that they'll achieve happiness through work and "nice things".
• There are problems in their lives, and working/getting new things is a distraction.
• Their parents modeled this behavior, so they don't know how else to "be".

Of course, it could also be that they enjoy their work. As long as you derive satisfaction from your job-- and don't work yourself sick-- work can be part of being a happy person. And everyone likes getting something nice from time to time. It's all a matter of moderation and keeping things in perspective.


3. How come human beings in general are so selfish? Don't you think we should be helping each other out instead?

Are we that selfish? I mean, yeah, I know that basic human instinct is to take care of #1, but I believe that most of us are willing to help those we see in real need.

I believe we should all strive to take care of ourselves and our own families first. ("Charity begins at home.") If everyone did that to his honest best ability, there would be few left in need-- and those few could easily be provided for through the generosity of others.

Unfortunately, these days it seems that more and more people expect a handout from the Government, which really means a handout from The Rest of Us-- and this makes some of us less likely to feel in a charitable mood.

When we see people with their hands constantly out-- people who squander what they have-- who refuse to live frugally and give up extravagances (alcohol, cigarettes, video games, name brand food and clothes)-- who continue to create children they have no intention of supporting (physically, emotionally, or spiritually)-- who seem uninterested in finding a way to contribute to their own up-keep-- we rightfully question where charity ends and entitlement begins. Yes, it is that feeling that some people believe they are entitled to your hard-earned money-- money you traded some of your precious life to earn-- it is that sense of entitlement that withers the generous impulse in the human heart.

I'm willing to do something of my own free will to help people in genuine need, but I don't think it's any one else's place to tell me what I "should" be doing. It's not selfishness to realize that you earned what you have, and that it's up to you to decide how and where and when to use it.

For anyone who believes that we're a selfish nation, I recommend this article by John Stossel: "Are Americans Cheap?"

Give Me Five

I woke up early this morning, couldn't get back to sleep, and now have a little time to waste-- er, spare. ;o) So how about a meme?

This week's Give Me Five theme is "Give me five ways to fit exercise into your life."

The gist seems to be particularly "little things" or even "tricks" that we can do-- so "park further out in the parking lot and walk" or "take the stairs" vs. "run five miles a day". Because let's be honest. That last one's just not going to happen. (I hate running long distances. Sprinting, ok, but I'm not really a marathon-running type girl.)

1. If you have pets, young kids, or pets/kids you can "borrow" for half an hour or so, take them out in the yard-- or to the nearest park-- and play with them. Maybe their energy will inspire you to keep moving just a little bit longer.
   
2. If you sit at a desk all day, try putting something you need on a fairly regular basis (wastebasket, telephone, filing cabinet, etc.) further away from you so that you have to get up and move a little when you need it. (Of course, the boss might not like this idea if it keeps you from answering the phone promptly. (g))
3. If you enjoy watching TV, try doing some exercise during your favorite program(s) every week. Run on a treadmill, jog in place, lift small weights, etc.
   
4. Here's another one for us TV addicts. ;o) Make it a "rule" that whenever a commercial comes on, you have to do some little exercise or series of exercises. Maybe decide that you "have" to get up and clean the room until the commercials end.
   
5. Grow a lawn-- or a flower garden-- or a vegetable garden. Keeping it mown, weeded, and otherwise maintained provides weekly exercise-- especially if you're more diligent than I am. (g) Of course, if time is already an issue, this may not be such a great idea. In that case, and alternative #5 might be putting on some music with a good beat and "speed-cleaning" when you do daily chores. Can you beat your previous record of sweeping the floor in 3 minutes flat? ;o)
   

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that these little things may not be quite enough of a cardiac workout to take the place of the regular aerobic exercise we're all supposed to be doing. (Well, unless you run with the dog or kids. . . or if you work up a good sweat biking or jogging in front of the TV set. ) However, even little things like adding a few extra steps between the computer and the telephone add up and help.

Well, it's time to go get the day started! :o)

Mad Lib-ish Meme

Sometimes it seems all I do is meme! ;o)

Yep, here's another 'un!

This time I spotted it here: One for Sorrow, One for Mirth.

There are lots of "instructions" for this one. I'm going to list those first, then put my "answer" at the end. (This one could be fun for kids, but you'd want to change some-- eh, most of the options, first...)

Instructions:

Before beginning, pick a friend, any friend,
and then choose the correct answer, and fill it in the blanks in the message at the bottom.
Enjoy.

1. What's the color of your shirt?
Blue - Our romance is over
Red - Our affair is over
White – I’m joining the Convent
Black - I dislike your eyelashes
Green - Our socks don't match
Grey - You're a pervert
Yellow - I'm selling myself for candy
Pink - Your nostrils are insulting
Brown - The mafia wants you
No shirt - You're mean
Other - I'm in love with your cat

2. Which is your birth month?
January - That night you picked your nose
February - Last year when you peed your pants
March - When your dwarf bit me
April - When I tripped on peanut butter
May - When I threw up in your sock drawer
June - When you put cuffs on me
July – When you smacked my ass
August - When I saw the purple monkey
September - When we skinny dipped in the bathtub
October - When I quoted Forest Gump
November - When your dog humped my leg
December - When I finally changed my underwear

3. Which food do you prefer?
Tacos - In your apartment
Lasagna- In your car
Pasta - Outside of your office
Hamburgers - Under the bus
Salad – As you were eating Kraft Dinner
Chicken - In your closet
Kebab - With Jean Chrétien
Fish - In a clown suit
Sandwiches - At the Elton John concert
Pizza - At the mental hospital
Hot dog - Under a street light
Annat- With George Bush and Stephen Harper

4. What's the color of your socks?
Yellow - Hit on
Red - Insult
Black - Ignore
Blue - Knock out
Purple - Pour syrup on
White - Carve your initials into
Grey - Pull the clothes off
Brown - Put whipped cream on
Orange - Castrate
Pink - Pull the pants off of
Barefoot - Sit on
Other - Drive over

5. What's the color of your underwear?
Black - My boyfriend
White - My father
Grey – The Catholic Priest
Brown – Your ‘My Little Pony’ collection
Purple - My corned beef hash
Red – My knee caps
Blue - My salt-beef bucket
Yellow - My illegitimate child in Ghana
Orange - My Blink 182 cd
Pink – The Montreal Canadian’s goalie
None – My prized statue of Michael Jackson in the nude
Other - The elephant in the corner

6. What do you prefer to watch on TV?
Scrubs; Man
O.C.; Emotional
One Tree Hill; Open
Heroes; Frostbitten
Lost; High
House; Sly
Simpsons; Cowardly
The news; Scarred
Idol; Masochistic
Family Guy; Senile
Top Model; Middle-class
Annat; Ashamed

7. Your mood right now?
Happy - How awful you are
Sad - How boring you are
Bored - That Santa doesn't exist
Angry - That your smell makes me vomit
Depressed – That we’re related
Excited - That I may pee my pants
Nervous - The middle-east is planning their revenge on you
Worried - That your Ford sucks
Apathetic - That you need a sex-change
Ashamed - That I'm allergic to your earlobes
Cuddly - That I get turned on by garbage men
Silly - That there is no solution to you being a dumbass
Other - That your driving sucks

8. What's the color of your walls in your bedroom?
White - Your toe ring
Yellow - Your love letters to me
Red - Your Elton John poster
Black - Your pet rock
Blue - The couch cushions
Green - The pictures from Vegas
Orange - Your false teeth
Brown - Your nose hair clippers
Grey - Our matching snoopy underwear
Purple - Your old New Kids on the Block blanket
Pink - The cut toenails
Other - Your car

9. The first letter of your first name?
A/B - Your photo with the moustache drawn on it
C/D - The oil tank from your car
E/F - Your neighbour’s dog
G/H - My virginity
I/J - The results of that blood-sample
K/L - Your left ear
M/N - Your suicide note
O/P - My common sense
- Q/R - Your mom
S/T - Your collection of butterflies
U/V - Your criminal record
W/X – Your glass eye
Y/Z - Your credit cards

10. The last letter in your last name?
- A/B - Told my psychiatrist about the bruises
C/D - Never will forget that night
E/F - Always wanted to break your legs
G/H – Hate your cooking
I/J – Mocked you behind your back constantly
K/L - Will tell the authorities that you did not steal that whale in the back yard
M/N - gave my confession today about the moose poaching
O/P - Was interviewed about the car you stole
Q/R - Always will remember the pep talks
S/T - Get sick when I think of your feet
U/V - Will try to forget that you broke my heart
W/X - Haven’t showered in a month
Y/Z – Am better off without you

11. What do you prefer to drink?
Water- Our friendship is ruined
Beer – you should stop picking your nose
Soft drink – I’m off to lead a new life as a lemur
Soda – I will haunt you when I’m incarnated as an Eskimo
Milk - ...the apartment building may be on fire
Wine – Thanks for the Cocaine
Cider – I have a passionate interest for mice
Juice – I love Oprah Winfrey
Mineral water – You should get that embarrassing rash checked
Hot chocolate – Your Cucumber-fetishism is weird
Whisky - You ruined my attempts at another world war
-Other – I'm scratching my ass as you read this

12. To which country would you prefer to go on a vacation?
Thailand – Warm tingly sensations
Italy -- Ciao, baby
USA - Greetings to your frog Leonard
England - Good luck in jail
Spain - Go drown yourself
China – You make me sick
Germany – Please don’t hurt me
Japan - Go milk a cow
Greece - Your everlasting enemy
Australia - Best of luck on the sex-change
Egypt – Kiss my ass
France – With tears of sadness


Now, FILL IT IN ..

Dearest (Friend's Name) ,

I don't really know how to tell you this, but ___1___. I think I realized it ___2___ ___3___ and I saw you ___4___ ___5___. I'm sure you're ___6___ enough to understand ___7___.

I'm returning ___8___ to you, but I'll be keeping ___9___ as a memento.
You should probably also know that I ___10___ and ___11___.

___12___,
(Your Name)

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Ok, and here's my "answer":

Dearest Donald,

I don't really know how to tell you this, but your nostrils are insulting. I think I realized it last year when you peed your pants at the mental hospital and I saw you sit on the elephant in the corner. I'm sure you're high enough to understand how awful you are.

I'm returning the pictures from Vegas to you, but I'll be keeping your suicide note as a memento.
You should probably also know that I will tell the authorities that you did not steal that whale in the back yard and I’m off to lead a new life as a lemur.

Good luck in jail,
Michael

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Hee hee. (g)
I may have to "re-do" the "options" and basic framework, sometime-- make my own version of this. . . It's a nice change from the usual Mad Lib. . .

Photo Mosaic Meme

Seen on Rachel's website.

Instructions:

* Answer each of the questions below.
* Surf over to Flickr (set up an account if you don’t have one — it's quick and easy) and type your answers (one at a time) into the search bar.
* From the choice of pictures shown only on the front page, click on the one that moves you.
* Once the page with your picture opens, copy the URL.
* Surf over to the Mosaic Maker, set up your mosaic, and paste your URLs.
* Click “Create!”

Here are the questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. Where would you go on your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. Choose one word to describe you.
12. Your Flickr name?

Here's my mosaic:



Photo credits:
1. Michael in the morning light, 2. Shakey's Pizza, 3. Spring @ Eden_Z13512, 4. Mallorca 2007 -- Waiting for summer (Part 2), 5. T R A G E D Y, 6. Offering to the Gods (who must be crazy!), 7. G´day.., 8. HAPPY BIRTHDAY (found at a thrift store), 9. Mom at the enlarger, 1949, 10. Andalusia Landscapes 2, 11. Shadow Dance, 12. peace, hope, love magnets

Another Meme!

The Ten on Tuesday subject for this week is "Ten Inventions That Have Made Life Easier"

I think I can easily come up with ten. (Some of them duplicate Yano's, but I can't help it that some of the best answers were already taken, can I? (g)) I'm including inventions that have made life more comfortable. (Being comfortable does make life easier.)

1. "Climate Control"-- Air conditioning in summer and heating in winter. Where I live, I consider A/C a must-have. I don't see how people lived without it. Maybe you get somewhat used to life without it, after a while, but I don't think you could ever be truly comfortable in sticky heat.
   
2. Computers-- Not just the personal computers we use for work and play, but computers everywhere. They do so much of the hard stuff-- and the boring stuff-- for us. I just hope they don't try to take over the world, someday. ;o)
3. The Internet-- Makes it so easy to find information on almost any topic, keep in touch with people all over the world, buy and sell goods without leaving home, etc.
   
4. Digital Camera (and Photoshop)-- Makes photography so much easier and cheaper! I can take photos and process them myself in almost no time. If you have the right printer and paper, you can even print them off at home! And you can take as many photos as you like without worrying that you might be wasting film.
   
5. Washing Machine & Dryer-- I don't think I want to imagine having to heat water and scrub clothes by hand. . . What a labor-saver!
6. Dishwasher-- Not a necessity, but it sure is nice to have one!
   
7. Cell Phones-- Again, not a necessity, but when leaving the house, I feel safer knowing that I have a means of calling for help (without having to walk to find a telephone).
   
8. Refrigerator/Freezer-- An "oldie", but have you ever stopped to consider how much harder life would be without one? It keeps our food safe and preserves it for days-- weeks-- months (in the case of the freezer).
   
9. Airplanes-- I hardly ever fly-- and I don't even really like to fly-- but they do make travel faster. . . and I guess that qualifies as easier. However, I still think someone needs to invent some type of teleportation device. ;o)
   
10. CDs and DVDs-- It's hardly a "big deal", but I like not having to fast-forward or rewind things to find the song or scene I want to see.
    

Manic Monday

Because you can never have enough memes ;o), here's another one-- Manic Monday.

Are you a talker or a listener? Is it ever possible to really be both?

Depends on who I'm talking to and how I'm feeling at the time. With most people, I think I'm usually more of a listener-- unless I'm in an "information-gathering" mood.

I imagine that I strike my readers (you, my vast reading public ;o)) as more of a talker-- but that's because I find it easier to write than to talk, in general. Besides. . . you can't really "listen" on your own blog, can you? (g)

I think it's possible to be both a talker and a listener, if (like me) you have different tendencies based on who's around you at the time, your mood, etc. I think very few of us manage to do both equally well with everyone. (I know I don't.)


Do you think God has a sense of humor?

Yes. There seem to be instances of it everywhere. Besides, I don't think we could have a sense of humor, if He didn't.


Do you believe in love at first sight? Have you ever experienced it?

I believe in instant attraction. I also believe that two strangers can make an immediate connection with nothing more than an exchange of glances. Both of these things can lead to friendship or even love, but I don't think people can really truly love one another at first sight. My idea of love requires that you know one another a little more deeply than that.

Since I don't believe in love at first sight, obviously I haven't experienced it. ;o) Immediate attraction and a feeling of knowing that I'll like someone? Yes.

Friday's Feast - #194

Here are my answers to this week's Friday's Feast questions:

Appetizer
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?

I'm going to be a bit boring-- but honest-- and choose Europe. (Not to say that Europe is boring, but you know what I mean. (g)) My second choice would be Australia.


Soup
Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?

Firefox.


Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?

I never know how to answer these "scale" questions. . . I'll say seven. I may be grading myself a bit too high, here. I know I've forgotten a lot that I once knew-- and there's plenty that I know I don't know.


Main Course
Finish this sentence: Love is. . .

Love is a choice we make every day.
Love is a touch of the divine to give us hope here on earth.
Love is what makes life worth living.


Dessert
Have you ever been in or near a tornado?

Not in, but near. More than once, I think. Of course, these tornadoes were not the huge monster ones that you see on TV. Usually, tornadoes in this part of the country aren't as big as the ones in the central US. They're still scary, though-- especially since few people here have cellars/basements to go to when there's a tornado warning. We just have to go into a small room (bathroom, usually) in the middle of the house and hope for the best.

I can remember a couple of specific times when we had a tornado warning while I was in school. We had to crouch in the hallways (in a very awkward "head-protecting" position) to wait it out. . . Not fun!

Booking Through Thursday: Flavor

This week's Booking Through Thursday writing prompt:

Think about your favorite authors, your favorite books . . . what is it about them that makes you love them above all the other authors you’ve read? The stories? The characters? The way they appear to relish the taste of words on the tongue? The way they’re unafraid to show the nitty-gritty of life? How they sweep you off to a new, distant place? What is it about those books and authors that makes them resonate with you in ways that other, perfectly good books and authors do not?

I love authors who write in depth about their characters, giving me at least a glimpse (if not the whole picture) of life from those characters' eyes. I love authors who constantly make me say, "Yes! I know exactly what you mean! I've thought the same thing so many times!" or "You're right. I've never seen things that way before, but now that I read this, I know you're right." I love authors who know how to make me smile-- even laugh. I don't mind crying a little, but for me to love a book best, it can't be one sorrow after another. I love authors whose descriptions are so perfect that I feel as though I'm living the story myself.

From time to time, I "visit" authors with a gift for readable poetic prose-- but more often I prefer a good sense of humor. Tight plots that keep the pages turning are good, but the books I love and return to on a regular basis tend to be slower-paced. (They're more character- than plot-based.) Books I love best are set in the real world-- though usually in another period of history-- and their version of "the real world" often comes with a few unrealistic bits.

I love books that are rich enough (in characterization, plot, setting) that they envelope me and melt away real life, for a while.

ETA: I forgot to answer the last part of the question!
I think the reason that some books with these characteristics resonate with me more strongly than others do lies partly with timing (meaning I first read them at just the right time of my life-- or that when I re-read them, I'm taken back to a pleasant time in my life), but mainly with the "recognition" factor. (The part above about "I know just what you mean!") If I find myself frequently "recognizing myself" in a book's characters or narrating voice, I tend to like it. It may sound conceited, but I don't think it's unusual. Most of us gravitate toward like-minded people. Why should it be any different with books and authors?

Friday's Feast - #193

Here are my responses to this week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

Neither, really. (Guess that makes me a realist? Ha!) I can sometimes be a pessimist, certainly, but I don't think I go around with a perpetual thunder-cloud hovering over my head. I hope for the best, and though I often fear the worst, I don't really expect it to happen all the time. (Most of the time, there's something worse that could have happened, even if things don't turn out perfectly.)


Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?

Assuming I have a choice, I prefer black ink. Blue is ok, but it's just not as attractive to me. Red is also alright, but it's harder to read. Green, purple, and other colors are ok for jotting notes and things, but I find that purple ink tends to bleed pink through the other side (maybe I've just had bad luck). I like the old-fashioned stability and versatility of black ink. (Of course, when I was a kid, multi-colored ink was fun. I loved those pens with a choice of four colors of ink!)


Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I'm very low maintenance as far as things like this go. I trim my own nails as they need it. I pretty much never wear polish because when I've done it in the past, it just hasn't looked that great. Besides, it doesn't last long enough to be worth the effort, I think. If someone wanted to give me a manicure or pedicure for free while I relaxed at home, I wouldn't object ;o), but I don't have the money or time to waste on a trip to the salon. (And yes, I would consider it a waste, since I'm perfectly happy with my plain nails.)


Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

I can't think of anything I've won online. . . Nothing comes to mind.


Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

The newer, faster computer is in our home office. The older computer is in the "main room" of the house (family room/living room), and that's the one I use most of the time. I prefer the openness of this room, most of the time. Besides, when Donald's using the computer at home, he works in the office. I hate not having the "stuff" I need on the computer I'm using at the time, so I find it's easier if I just stick with this one for most things, as it's always available.

Friday's Feast - #192

I missed yesterday's Friday's Feast, so I'm answering now instead. :o)

Appetizer
When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

I never buy it in a bottle, these days, so my options are really can or cup/glass. I usually pour it in a glass. If I've chilled the can in the fridge, I probably won't add any ice. If the can hasn't been chilled, I usually put three or so ice cubes into the glass and pour just a little of the drink at a time. (I don't like watery coke!) Pouring it out a little at a time helps me enjoy it more, I think. I'm trying not to drink as much cola as I used to. :o(

Soup
What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

Lost, I guess. It's not late-late, but in it's most recent time slot, it doesn't end until ten, and that's late for me to watch something other than the local news, sitcom re-runs, or late-night comedy/variety shows.

Salad
Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

I hardly ever think of or refer to people, places, or things as "brilliant". You see, I'm not British. ;o) No offense to the British. (g) It does rather irk me, though, when people constantly say "brilliant" and you can just tell that they're doing it because they think it makes them sound cool. Ugh!

Anyway, when I hear the word "brilliant", I think-- "brilliant scientist", "brilliant diamond". . . and that's about it!

Main Course
Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

As I'm not working outside of the home, I have a hard time answering this. (Of course, unless someone has worked on both schedules, I guess no-one truly knows which they'd prefer. The grass is always greener, etc.) I think I'd be ok with 4 10-hour days a week instead of 5 8-hour days, but it would depend on the job. In some cases, those two extra hours might be too much.

Based on discussions I've had with Donald (my husband), I think he would prefer a shorter work week with longer hours-- or even some arrangement whereby he could work from home one day a week. Unfortunately, from what I hear most companies are unwilling to go this route. Maybe that'll change soon. (Saving commute time and headache might be as much of an incentive as saving gas, for many people.)

Dessert
If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

It would depend on my super power. ;o) I think I'd just "do my thing" and let the world decide what to call me. No decent superhero has the time (or the ego) for sitting around, sorting through names.

Booking Through Thursday: Trends

This week's prompt from Booking Through Thursday:

Have your book-tastes changed over the years? More fiction? Less? Books that are darker and more serious? Lighter and more frivolous? Challenging? Easy? How-to books over novels? Mysteries over Romance?

Yes-- and no.

Explanation of "yes":
I definitely read more "new-to-me" how-to books than new-to-me fiction, these days. When I do read fiction, I'm less likely to pick up a heavy "classic" than I was in high school. This may be partly because the new-to-me classics I have ready at hand just don't interest me that much, right now. Excuse for book shopping? ;o)

Explanation of "no":
When I read fiction-- not that often, lately-- I tend to turn to the same books over and over and over again. It's the same collection of books I've been reading since middle and high school! So I guess my tastes haven't changed much since then. . .

10 Ways the World Has Changed Since I Was in School

This week's prompt from Ten on Tuesday is "10 Ways the World Has Changed Since You’ve Been in School". I'm going to say that means "since I was in high school". I graduated in 1997, which already makes me feel a little frantic at the speedy passage of time. (I can only imagine what it'll feel like when it's been thirty or forty years since I graduated!)

10 Ways the World Has Changed Since I Was in School

1. A new millennium has begun.
   
2. "9/11" happened.
   
3. The whole global warming thing has risen to hysteria levels.
   
4. My area was hit by the worst hurricane (Ivan, 2004) since the one that hit the year of my birth (Frederic, 1979).
   
5. Technology continues to improve. Flat screen TVs are becoming the norm, the iPod (launched in 2001) and similar devices are everywhere, and it is even possible to take photos and access the Internet on many cell phones.
   
6. Almost everyone (including many children) has a cell phone, now.
   
7. The issue of cloning has (temporarily) moved out of the limelight.
   
8. Organically grown food is "all the rage", and some are willing to pay a hefty mark-up for everything "organic".
   
9. Same-sex marriage has become legal in five countries since 2001.
   
10. Public awareness of illegal aliens-- particularly the huge numbers entering the country through our border with Mexico-- has risen, but as yet, not much has been done to address the issue.
    

Those were the first to come to mind. I'm probably missing some of the biggies, though. . .

Four for Friday

The "chef" behind the usual Friday's Feast meme is on vacation, so I've found another meme to help me waste a few minutes. ;o)

Four for Friday:

Q1 - Cookies: The Oreo cookie is an American favorite, whether drenched in milk chocolate, loaded with extra creamy filling or dipped in a glass of milk. Now the Oreo is headed overseas to Britain where it's manufacturer, Nabisco, hopes to please the British palate (can you say "Oreos and Tea"). In any event, what is your favorite type and/or brand of cookie?

Even though I don't usually eat that many cookies, these days-- or rather, because I do eat them right up when they're in the house, I rarely buy or bake them-- I can't limit myself to a single favorite. So here are a few favorites: "my" glazed sugar cookies (sometimes flavored vanilla, sometimes almond, sometimes both), Thin Mints (and similar cookies), and Voortman Almond Krunch cookies. I tried to find a photo of the Almond Krunch cookies, but I had no luck. Anyway, they're absolutely delicious, if you like almond. And I do. :o)

Q2 - Music: Helping to alleviate pain and stress in premature babies could be as simple as offering them a few verses of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" -- at least that's what a new study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children shows... that music could help premature babies get out of intensive care units sooner. What role or impact if any does music play in your life or in the life of your friends and family?

These days, it plays less of a role in my life than it did when I was in Band (middle and part of high school). My father always really enjoyed listening to music. I'd say it's one of his main hobbies. My maternal grandfather, who has always been fond of "picking" on the guitar, has been more heavily involved in music for the past several years, even joining groups. (You can listen to one of those groups-- called Southern Sounds-- here and here.) Donald (my husband) also plays guitar, though he does it less these days than he once did.

When I do take the time to put on some music-- maybe even sing or hum along-- I always feel better for it. It helps me let go (a little) of whatever might be bothering me. I can certainly see how it would soothe premature babies. It seems obvious to me that it would help. It's one of those "why did they even waste time and money studying that?" type of things. I do wonder how it helps, though-- and why. Why does music have such calming power?

Q3 - You: What do you think is the biggest misconception about you?

This isn't something I've thought about much, recently.

Maybe they think I'm smarter-- or more knowledgeable on certain subjects-- than I actually am. It seems that a lot of people assume you're smart if you happen to wear glasses. I mean, I think I'm intelligent enough, but every day I learn more about what I don't know.

For every possibility that comes to mind, I begin wondering if people are thinking the opposite. (g) For example-- maybe they think I'm happier than I am (because they don't know all of my personal doubts and issues). But then again, because I grumble about things here, maybe they get the impression that I'm less satisfied with life than I am!

Q4 - Spending Your Own Money: Jared Polis, a 30-something Internet generation entrepreneur--who together with his parents founded and then sold an online greeting card website (bluemountainarts.com) for $780 million back in 1998--is now running for a seat in the United States Congress (2nd Congressional District--Colorado). According to recent reports, Polis, who legally changed his last name in the late-90s from Schutz to Polis, is said to have already self-funded his campaign to the tune of nearly $3.7 Million, which according to the Boulder Daily Camera is three times as much money as he has raised from contributors, and dramatically more than any of his opponents have been able to raise or contribute themselves to their own campaigns. Do you think it's okay for people to self-fund their race for public office in such large amounts--like Jared Polis and other wealthy American politicians have done over the years--or, should limits be placed on the amount of money people are allowed to pour into their own campaigns?

This is another subject that I haven't given much thought. Maybe I'm missing something, but here's my gut reaction:

Candidates should be allowed to spend as much as they like of their own money. From what I can remember, spending lots of your own money on a campaign doesn't guarantee success. Unless the voters like the message, it doesn't matter how many times a politician flashes it across the TV screen.

Besides, if they don't pay their own way, they "have to" get money from other sources, and when they get that money in large chunks from campaign contributors, people suspect them of making shady deals and back-room promises. Which is worse-- someone you know is (or was!) fabulously wealthy or someone you suspect of being in someone else's back pocket? (Or both! And for the record, shadiness is not restricted to the fabulously wealthy. There are plenty of poor and middle class shadesters out there. (g))

On a bit of a tangent, what do they spend it all on, anyway? TV ads? Most of those are pointless. They all have a website, these days, but that needn't cost so much. Just buy a domain and get a few geeky supporters to get it up and running. ;o) I guess they have to pay for all the people who work for them, doing who-knows-what. . . And they fund their "campaign trail" expenses, I suppose, as they rush to make speeches, shake hands, and kiss babies in the crucial days and weeks before elections.

Ideally, it shouldn't matter how much money a candidate has to spend. The media should cover all sides fairly and equally. Debates should be the voter's window into the mysterious workings of those politicians' brains. We should be able to form opinions without the aid of catchy slogans emblazoned across so many posters and backdrops. Unfortunately, the world is not an ideal place, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the political arena.

And on that cheerful note ;o) I wish you all a pleasant Friday and a relaxing weekend! :o)

Booking Through Thursday: Manual Labor Redux

Oops. Got delayed by bad weather (and then forgetfulness). . .

This week's Booking Through Thursday expands on last week's question:

Scenario: You’ve just bought some complicated gadget home . . . do you read the accompanying documentation? Or not?
Do you ever read manuals?
How-to books?
Self-help guides?
Anything at all?

Manuals--
A complicated gadget, eh? I probably won't read the manual-- if I think I can "find my own way" without damaging the new toy. Sometimes I refer to the manual after several fruitless tries to get it to do whatever it is it's supposed to do. ;o) Sooner or later, I skim it to see if there are any cool functions I haven't already found on my own. And I definitely keep the manual (along with the receipt) in case I run into problems down the road.

I've read through at least certain sections of the various manuals that came with the car, and I learned a few useful things. (I was curious about all the different settings for the A/C and vent, how the passenger side airbag sensor thingy worked, etc.)

For "some assembly required" type things, yes, I read (and follow) the directions. I'd rather take a minute to read the instructions than ruin something by rushing through it.

Note to authors/editors: Manuals should be written in very short paragraphs or bulleted lists. There should be plenty of photos or illustrations. Seriously, you're lucky if I read it, even then. (g)

How-to books--
Yes, these I read. On a fairly frequent basis, actually. I read how-to books on crafts and gardening, especially. Now, I may not read them cover-to-cover, page-by-page. Most I dip into now and then or treat as references, but there are a few that I'll actually sit down and read. You know, like a real book. ;o)

Lately, we've been skimming through a variety of "do it yourself" style books on the subject of patios and other similar structures. I'm not sure how much Donald's been reading of them. I mostly look at the photos and read just the parts that seem relevant at the moment-- parts about placement and related considerations (shade, privacy, wind, and so on).

I guess cookbooks count as "how-to", as well. These I mostly skim until I find the recipe I want, but then I pay very close attention. Growing up, I had a couple of cooking/baking disasters where I used water instead of milk and put in the wrong measurements of things. I learned my lesson the hard way, but at least I never burned down the house. (g)

Note to authors/editors: How-to books need photos and/or illustrations. Without them, I'm just not interested. Oh, and when you refer to photos in the instructions, please be sure they are correctly labeled. Place the relevant text as near as possible to the photo. (Thank you! ;o))

I do a lot of my "how-to" reading online, these days. Yes, there's unreliable info out there, but if you're careful, you can fairly easily determine what's good and what's not.

Self-help guides--
I don't think I've read any self-help books. . . None come to mind, at least. Oh, well, maybe one. It was one of those "different genders come from different planets" relationship books. Somewhat interesting, somewhat "oh, give me a break!" It's certainly not a genre I frequently read. When I need help, I prefer to suffer in silence. Or suffer loudly, if anyone's around to listen. (g) (Just kidding! Kind of. . .)

Anything at all--
Food labels (especially one or two of the "nutritional facts" that I'm always keeping an eye on), subtitles (in foreign films-- or if Donald or I can't understand a heavy accent-- Sometimes we have to have them, but then I end up reading the dialog instead of watching the movie or program, because text draws my eye), medicine labels (dosing instructions), catalogs (sometimes, mostly I skim them), the occasional magazine (preferably those with no health articles, because I hate those things with a very passionate passion, to the point that I'd rather not even look at the magazine at all), my own notes (of which there are way too many floating around the house = I need to sort through them, consolidate the "good" ones into a few categorized stacks, and toss the rest), blogs, "twitters", comments on "my stuff" (my blogs, my photos at flickr, etc.), and so on.