Medb's Montage

Baking Cakes in Kigali

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Baking Cakes in Kigali
Gaile Parkin
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (August 18, 2009)
5/5 stars

Angel Tungaraza moved to Kigali, Rwanda from her native Tanzania when her husband took a job at the local university. An accomplished cake maker, Angel adds extra income to her large family and gives herself much joy by making custom-ordered cakes for friends, neighbors, and strangers who have heard the good word about her fabulous creations. In addition to being a "professional someone" (as she would call herself), Angel is Mama to her five orphaned grandchildren, confidant of friends and strangers, and a true example of a good woman.

Each chapter centers around one of Angel's cakes, giving the reader shorter stories inside the larger story. It is a story of family, of community, of all manners of love and reconciliation, and of course, of beautiful cakes. I wish I could explain the plot better, to show how desirable a read this is, but I simply can't. Suffice it to say that it is a surprisingly complex plot, despite this books benign face, with Angel facing several interesting ethical issues as well as the range of various good, bad and amusing situations.

Ms. Parkin uses the fact that Angel is an outsider to Rwanda to easily explain the current situation and the bloody past of this country. It never feels contrived; the explanations happen very naturally--as does most everything in this book. . . It all feels very natural. Customs are clarified, situations set up, the reader gently led here and there and yet, it just feels "real" and lifelike, always smooth and believable. Even the conversations, held in a manner so different from Western conversations, become so real that when a Westerner does appear, using typical Western speech, it seems brash and out of context.

This is truly a masterpiece, a first novel of the highest quality. It is a lovely, heartwarming book that sparkles with gentle wit, at times tugs the heartstrings, but is above all, a joyful experience. I can not recommend this novel highly enough. What a pleasure, what a delight. I expect to see much more of Ms. Parkin in the future.

The Dud Avocado

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:15:00 +0000

The Dud Avocado
Elaine Dundy
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: NYRB Classics; 2nd printing edition (June 5, 2007)
5/5 stars

The Dud Avocado tells the story of Sally Jay Groce, fresh out of college and ready to live life to it's fullest in Paris. Once in Paris, she goes "more native than the natives" trying to cram as much "living" as she can in two short years. Sally Jay's attempts to live it up lead her into many roles, from mistress to actress to homebody, and she embraces every role with gusto--usually with disastrous results.

Dundy's 50 year old classic is fresh and witty, and sometimes a bit racy, and her prose is as close to perfection as one can find. Add this to Sally Jay, a protagonist so alive and real, and it is easy to see why this book gained such a following upon publication.

Here is an excerpt from chapter 3, one of my favorite bits, to give an example of the delicious flavor of the Dud Avocado:

At eleven o'clock that night, in one of my dangerous moods--midnight-black, excited and deeply dreading (as opposed to one of my beautiful midnight-blue ones, calm but deeply excited), my nerves strung taut to singing, I arrived at the Ritz, only to discover all over again what a difficult thing this was to do. I tended to loose my balance at the exact moment that the doorman opened the cab door and stood by in his respectful attitude o f"waiting." I have even been known to fall out of the cab by reaching and pushing against the handle at the same time that he did. But this time, however, I had disciplined myself to remain quite, quite still, sitting on my hands until the door was opened for me. Then, burrowing into my handbag, which suddenly looked like the Black Hole of Cacutgta, to find the fare, I discovered that I needed a light. A light was switched on. I needed more than a light, I needed a match or a flashlight or special glasses, for I simply couldn't find my change purse, and when I did (lipstick rolling on the floor, compact open and everything spilled--passport,m mirror, the works) I couldn't find the right change. We were now all three of us, driver, doorman and I, waiting to see what I was going to do next. I took out some bills, counted them three times in the dark until I was absolutely certain that I had double the amount necessary, and then pressed it on the driver, eagerly apologizing for overtipping. Overcome with shyness I nodded briefly in the direction of the doorman and raced him to the entrance. I just won. Panting and by now in an absolute ecstasy of panic I flung myself at the revolving doors and let them spin me through. Thus I gained access to the Ritz.

I guffawed out loud so often throughout the Dud Avocado; I read parts aloud to my husband; I laughed at and cried with Sally Jay. . . in short, I lived this book. It was pure joy to read, and one that I will certainly read a second time.

The Child Thief

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:32:00 +0000

The Child Thief
Brom
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Eos (August 25, 2009)
3/5 stars

The Child Thief is a retelling, of sorts, of the story of Peter Pan. Peter, the Child Thief, steals children from this world to take into his world to use against his enemy in the long-going war in Avalon. To take a child through the Mist into Avalon, the child must go willingly with Peter, so he spends considerable effort winning the child over. Peter only picks the runaway, the abused, the abandoned child--the ones who would be eager to escape this life for the next.

The stories of the children he "steals" are full of violence and abuse (sexual, emotional, physical) and despair, all told in grim detail. While they are glad to escape from the lives, the new life Peter grants is not all that much better.

In this version of his story, Peter is not the typical hero, but is a selfish, complex, nearly amoral character. His back story is told in flashbacks through out the book, as the reader gradually comes to learn what influences have made him as he is.

Brom's writing is excellent, hence the third star. With his complex characters and thorough descriptions, he continued to propel me through the pages long after I had lost interest in the bleak, sometimes terrifying, plot. Despite not being able to enjoy this book, I would be interested in reading more by the author; his storytelling was just that good.

This is a dark, graphically violent and generally disturbing book, full of profanity and pain. In my opinion it is not one that should be given a general YA label; in fact, it is more appropriate for adults. I would advise parents to read it before giving it to a YA reader.

Anniversary by the River

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:37:00 +0000

We celebrated our anniversary a little early yesterday (it will be on Tuesday) with a lovely day down by the river, taking photos and then riding the riverboat. (click on the photos for full-sized images; it opens in this same page though, so you'll have to click back)

It was at this very spot, 8 years ago, that he leaned over and said, "Wanna slip off and get married next Saturday?". I don't remember exactly what I said or did, but it must've been an affirmative.

Three ladies on kayaks; the colors were just lovely on the river.

My newly colored (Shocking Blue by Manic Panic), wildly windblown hair.

Lovely summer blossoms:

This couple just struck me as cute:

Architecture and monuments are my favorite things to photograph.

I like ducks a lot. Not as much as bats or turtles, but a really big much.

They sell fish food at the steamboat gift shop, and believe me, the carp expect it! They begin congregating, coming from fathoms deep, as soon as people start walking over the bridge to the steamboat office. Feeding them was amazing; they are huge and there are so many of them it felt a bit like a horror movie. Stoney snagged a quick video with his camera; be glad there is no sound as it was really gross! The ducks give a good size reference. These monsters were HUGE! (Don't fault Stoney for the poor video. Every time we upload it anywhere, it gets stretched larger than it is and that makes it look bad. But, you'll still get the point!)

The riverboat was fantastic! So relaxing and so much fun. An immemsely enjoyable hour and a half! I was excited to see that the paddles really do propel the boat. They were fascinating to watch.

We passed under three bridges, twice each of course, allowing me a lot of bridge photography from an angle I don't normally get to see. That might have been my favorite part of the whole trip, the bridges. Well that and just enjoying Stoney's company in a new place. That is always fun.

A fellow passenger enjoying the river:

It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and I think we're going to make it an anniversary tradition.

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School
Laurie Halse Anderson (Author)
Ard Hoyt (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (June 23, 2009)
5/5 stars

In The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School , we meet Zoe and her lovely, wild, untamed red locks. Her hair is so voluminous that, as a baby, she needed two strollers; one for herself and one for her hair.

Not only is her hair plentiful and beautiful, it is also talented. Her hair can turn on the tv, pet the cat, pour juice AND play on the computer--all at the same time. . . while Zoe sleeps!

When Zoe started school, her Kindergarten teacher loved Zoe and her tresses, giving chores to the hair while the students napped. Unfortunately, one Zoe's first day of First Grade, her new teacher lets her differing views be known immediately. "School has rules," says Ms. Trisk, "no wild hair in my class." Naturally, this stirs up the rebel in Zoe's hair, and to Zoe's embarrassment, her hair does all sorts of naughty things to annoy Ms. Trisk.

Will Zoe, her hair and Ms. Trisk find a happy medium?

I'll go ahead and tell you: Yes! This book is about compromise and individuality, how both parties can give and take with a satisfying outcome. Though Ms. Trisk is in the wrong, there is never a question about Zoe, or her parents, following Ms. Trisk's instructions. I liked this, in that it isn't showing a rebellion against a teacher, rather a willingness to compromise.

The illustrations are lovely. Zoe's amazing hair is not a vivid, overpowering red, but rather a true to form orangey red that one sees on people daily. His illustrations are also light and engaging, adding more depth to the story.

I think this is a delightful book and could certainly give across a message of cooperation, especially if discussed afterward. For younger children, who might not understand such a message, the amusing story and lively illustrations will make a pleasure to read.

Another About Me List

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:10:00 +0000

I've been playing over on facebook, and this is one of the listy thingees I did tonight. Figgered I'd add it over here too. :) They are always fun to do.

1. What time did you get up this morning? Around 12 noon, don't pay much attention to clocks in the summer, which is not technically morning.

2. How do you like your steak? I don't eat red meat. I am as vegetarian as my body's needs will allow me to be.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? It was Wall-E, last summer with my best friend, Bee, and her hive of kiddos. Before that. . . Goblet of Fire or Matrix 2 or the Return of the King. Whichever came last.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Don't watch TV, but it would have to be the Prisoner from the 60's.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Alaska, preferably the southeasterb bits around Juneau.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Read number one; I didn't have breakfast. Unless the soy milk I had before I went to bed at 4 this morning counted.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Indian, the spicy the better, and my esophageal reflux just has to sit back and cry about it. (Believe me, it's worth it!)

8. What foods do you dislike? Red meat, mushrooms, mayonnaise, probably more stuff that I can't think of at the mo'.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? Mela in Asheville (EXCELLENT Indian), Tomato Head in Knoxville (nummy vegetarian)

10. Favorite dressing? Band-aids. I don't do salad dressing; should add that to my list of things I don't eat.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? We share an Escort and a Taurus, both plastered with "kill your tv" propaganda, as well as various other excellent stickers, like Marley, the Dead, "question the answers", and more of the same. I like our cars. I came with the Escort, all but about nine miles were put on by me, and my parents gifted us their Taurus when Mom got a new one.

12. What are your favorite clothes? My Chaco sandals, my loose and comfy hippie skirts, and my collection of humorous tees.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? After Alaska would come a literary tour of Britain.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Always half full, if not full. I have little patience for half-empties.

15. Where would you want to retire? If not Alaska, Hot Springs, NC.

16. Favorite time of day? Evening, when it cools down and the light is all red and purple.

17. Where were you born? St. Joesph's Hospital, Asheville NC

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? none, now, but of them all, I prefer hockey.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? This is a tag-free zone tonight.

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? See above.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Everybody's response. I'm curious to the point of nosiness.

22. Bird watcher? Sure, when I'm outside. Not as a hobby, though.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night, emphatically. When my sleep study was done, I didn't hit deep sleep until 4 or 5 am, if that tells you anything. My body rhythm is up all night, sleep all day.

24. Do you have any pets? Life without pets is a sad life indeed. We currently have three kitties. My most special kitty died in May and I miss her unbelievably. But, as it always is, the pain of the loss is more than made up by the joy of the memories.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I started a new Warrior over the weekend and am leveling him up right and left. . . Oh, not that kind of news huh? Naw, nothing new or exciting. I live a gloriously dull life and wouldn't trade it for an exciting one EVER.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? Detective!

27. What is your best childhood memory? Dad reading Dr. Seuss to me.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? I was a dog person until I married Stoney and he introduced me to the joys of being a cat mom.

29. Are you married? Blissfully. Stoney (Bryan) and I just about to hit the eight year mark and have been honeymooning every day of it. Being married to your best friend can NOT be beat.

30. Always wear your seat belt? Always and nag others that do not.

31. Been in a car accident? I've been hit twice, but minor both times--though one time it was while test driving an Infinity. LOL

32. Any pet peeves? Bad grammar and punctuation, bigotry, people that make decisions or have firm opinons when they have not educated themselves about the issue, people that park shopping carts in the parking lot instead of putting them up, anytime the rules are not followed. . . Look, I have Asperger's Syndrome, so I expect things a certain way and sometimes I have a hard time accepting when they are not, though I'm trying hard to be more tolerant. But, that means that I have a HUGE list of pet peeves. Be glad I don't go around with a notebook writing it all down! LOL

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? artichoke hearts, green olives, and black olives.

34. Favorite Flower? Daisies. I do so love daisies.

35. Favorite ice cream? Madagascan Vanilla, target's store brand Archer Farms, followed by nearly anything good ol' Ben and Jerry can produce.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? If I have one, I guess it's Petros, or maybe Chick fil a.

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? twice, maybe three times, it's been a while. But, in my defense, it IS hard to do a three point turn in a 1964 Mustang that doesn't have power steering.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Amazon.com

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Yup.

41. Like your job? Love it. I am one of the few people I know that can truly say they love their job with a passion.

42. Broccoli? Aw yeah.

43. What was your favorite vacation? The weekend we spent in Lexington, VA; we stayed in a lovely B&B and it snowed.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Depends on if you are defining "dinner" as the evening meal or the noon meal. Last evening meal was, of course, Stoney. Last noon meal was Bee and her hive.

45. What are you listening to right now? B is for Marley. . . he found it for me!! :D

46. What is your favorite color? Green, the lighter the better or limeish.

47. How many tattoos do you have? One but it is made up of seven individual bats. I am very proud of it and am strongly contemplating my next.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? See number 19.

49. What time did you finish this quiz? Well, there is still one more question, so I'm not actually done, now am I? But it is currently 12:06 and I assume it will only take me a few minutes to write my answer to the last one, so probably 12:08 or thereabouts.

50. Coffee Drinker? If it's sweet "frou frou" coffee, yes. Working man's coffee, no thanks.

Autism and Me: Sibling Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Autism and Me: Sibling Stories
by Ouisie Shapiro
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1, 2009)
Recommended reading level: Grade 4–6
5/5 stars

Autism and Me: Sibling Stories is a short, but lovely book, directed at the young siblings of children who have been diagnosed with Autism.

These one page essays are written by the typical siblings about their relationship with their brother or sister with Autism. In the essays, the children are generally quite honest--one admits to being embarrassed by his brother--but yet they all show that despite the differences these pairs still have a loving relationship. The amazing photos show the pairs doing activities that can be done by both, and show the maximum affection that can be shown in each case.

I work with children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and I know from personal experience that the typical sibling/atypical sibling relationship is a top concern for most parents--as well as the typical siblings. This beautiful little book would be a good one for the typical sibling of this age group to read (perhaps with the parent) so that he/she will know that his/her case is not unique and that others out there have succeeded in this same situation.

Granted, siblings older than this age group may not find it appealing, may feel that it sugar coats and may want a book that talks more about how to actually deal with a sibling with Autism. That is not this book, nor should the reader wish it to be. This book is directed at a younger audience, meant to give encouragement to that particular demographic who is wondering if brother or sister will ever really play with, or love, or even notice them.

I will be recommending this to the families of my preschoolers to read with older sibling in the recommended age group and I am appreciative to the author, and her niece and nephew, for the creation of this fine little book.

Edit: I am bowled over by the negativity that this book has gotten on amazon for the very reasons that I gave it a positive review, and by some who say they work with children with or have siblings who have Autism. Perhaps, as an adult on the spectrum myself, I am more inclined to see the need of a positive outlook? Regardless, I found this to be a wonderful book for the intended audience.

Not My Frivolous Usual

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:42:00 +0000

It's been a lovely relaxing day. Other than a trip to the yard for cats to nibble grass and barf it up, I've not left the house. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I really could be a hermit, you know. During the summer, it's nothing for me to go all week without opening the door.

Yesterday, was busier, though, and Thursday. . . Well, Thursday I felt like I was caught in a tsunami.

My great-aunt, a very special lady who has always treated me with great love and affection and has shown my husband the same, died Tuesday afternoon. She was an octogenarian, had lung cancer, and had chosen not to pursue treatments. We saw her in May, then again in about four weeks later, and it was obvious that she was starting to fail. It was also obvious that she was ready for death in a way that I have never witnessed. Most people won't understand this, but that's okay. She was ready, willing, for death. I have never seen a person that did not have something holding them back. Not her. And not in a morbid, "I just want to die" way either. She was very cheerful, and happy to live, but also, just as happy to die. I wish I could explain it better. It was so beautiful.

I got to participate in this death of hers in a way that I didn't anticipate, and would not have agreed to, had I had a choice.

Three of her grandchildren have been gifted with singing voices, and without meaning to be vain, I have been given that same gift. Not an operatic voice, or even a pop star voice, but the voice of my foremothers: an Appalachian, folk, or even bluesy voice. It's generally perfect for a capella, and I remember singing for my grandfather's graveside funeral, when it carried just perfectly.

I don't like to sing in public, though. Anxiety hits like you wouldn't believe and I'd rather just sing for Stoney and the cats and myself.

On the way to Althea's birthday gathering in June, I knew in my soul, my spirit, my inner most being, that I was to sing "Swing Home, Sweet Chariot" for her. No way, was my reaction. Not gonna do it. That is morbid.

If you don't know the words, it contains a reference to getting to heaven before me. . . much better for a funeral. Much better to not sing it at all, was my thought. And fought with that other part of me the whole 1 1/2 drive over that. Never mentioned it to Stoney. Too personal and besides, I was not going to do it.

She asked her grandson to sing, which he did marvelously. And I knew. I had to give her that gift, that song, or die.

I stood up, in front of twenty or so close and distant family members and told her how I'd been fighting it, but that I needed to sing her this song. I cried. I sang. Her daughters smiled and cried. She beamed at me, through the whole thing. Yes, I'll get there before you, her eyes said, and I can't wait.

I didn't want to be a part of that, but I was, and I was blessed as a result.

Her passing was quick; she was actually ill for only a week or so and then her heart just stopped. It was the most beautiful death I've ever encountered--and I generally find death ugly, and mean, and unfair. She set a new standard that I doubt I'll ever see again.

So, Thursday night, Stoney and I made a quick trip up to the funeral home. He was unable to get off work for the funeral on Friday, but we wanted to show support to her family, who are so good to us.

I've got stuff to tell about our yummy meal afterward, complete with pics, but it seems to frivolous, so I'll save it for later.

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:51:00 +0000

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People
Farahad Zama
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Putnam Adult (June 11, 2009)
4/5 stars

With The Marriage Bureau for Rich People, Mr. Zama brings the reader into the colorful world of present-day India, where some marriages are still arranged and caste and/or religion can still be a factor in deciding a good match.

Our protagonist, Mr. Ali is retired and his retirement has begun to weigh on both him and his wife. To fill out his free time, he opens a marriage bureau. This will function as a time saver and be more discreet for those who would like to advertise for a match for themselves or their children. Mr. Ali will do the advertising, screen the replies, and start a sort of "club" with a large base of eligible matches. It seems like a good idea, and it is. After a few months, his Marriage Bureau for Rich People is boomimg and his free time is free no more--from one extreme to another!

With Mrs. Ali's help, he hires a very pleasant, respectable young woman, Aruna, to help him as secretary and her story is added to the threads of the plot. Along with Aruna's very interesting story is that Mr. and Mrs. Ali with their son and several side stories of clients that lightly touch the main stories.

To begin with, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a bit slow, and feels as if the author is trying too hard. It is easy to see, in the first pages, that this is his first novel. But as it progresses, it becomes a charming, lovely little story with the feel of a Jane Austen novel. It is refreshing and a delight to the senses; it is also a pleasure to learn so much, in a positive manner, about caste and religion in present-day India. Reading about the marriage ceremonies was a pure delight.

I will be honest, I do not like romance novels, but the romance that was gradually slid into this novel was similar to that of my favorite author, Jane Austen, so I was pleased with it, and not annoyed.

Over all, despite it's slow start, I found this a delicious little book and give it a high recommendation. I had to give it only four stars, instead of the five stars that it emotionally elicited, due to the slow start and sometimes not perfect writing. I do hope to see more from Mr. Zama, as he has a wonderful way of bringing the reader into his world.

Curse you, Lord Cucumber!

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:53:00 +0000

It started innocently enough (as most things do), with a cucumber (as most things do not). A lovely, small, dark green, appropriately bumpy, beautiful cucumber. Now, I know that cukes generally give me indigestion, but, was I gonna let that stop me from eating this perfect specimen? Heck no.

I lovingly washed it, sliced it up in gorgeous, not quite circular rounds, loaded it with salt and ate it, making "this is SO yummy" sounds as I did so. I even offered some to Stoney. He had one measly piece, saying something inane like "I like cucumbers, but not how they taste later". I waved him off, and ate my delicacy.

I remember commenting to myself an hour or so later "Hey, no burps! Must be a burpless one! No indigestion from THIS baby!" and smiled to myself thinking how wrong Stoney was, how badly he missed out, but that's okay 'cause that meant more for me.

I went to be early, with a good book that I shall review later, and read till this side of midnight (or maybe that side, who knows really) and settled in for a lovely sleep. I was so proud of myself. Bed early, sleep at a decent time. . . That meant I would be up at a good time and accomplish a LOT of my needs-to-be-done-this-summer list.

But, oh, that cucumber had it's own agenda.

I don't know what time the dreams started, but I awoke around 2 am, in misery from a dream about having severe reflux--the kind that sent me to the hospital a few summers ago. It was a relief to wake up from that painful dream. For about 0.2 seconds until I realized the reason I was dreaming such a dream was that my esophagus was on fire.

Did I say on fire? I wish I could convey how it really felt. You'd have nightmares just READING about it.

"Curse you Lord Cucumber!" I muttered as I stood up. As soon as attained uprighness, I belched. What an understatement. I mean I BEEEEELLLLLLCCCCHED. It was like a baking soda volcano had just let loose. Remember Charlie and Grandpa in Willie Wonka's factory? When they drank that soda pop they shouldn't have? THAT is what it was like!

I walked about ten steps and WOAH, there went another belch. I was rather proud. If I could do that on command, I'd be ever so popular with the middle school crowd.

After that overture, it was a let down not to puke or die or anything, but I just took my reflux med, drank some soy milk, ate 4 generic tums dealies and went back to bed. Stoney had awakened and congratulated me on my belches. Even he was impressed, so you KNOW they were good.

Then, it was time to build Mount Pillow. THE most uncomfortable way to sleep. Next to sleeping flat on my back when reflux is flaming. So, I built the pillow mound, and spent the next few hours fitfully trying to get comfortable.

Result? Once it finally died down, and I was able to climb down from Fluffy Mountain and sleep in the bed like a real person and get some good sleep, it was late. Real late. So, I either sleep right through the alarm or failed to set it last night (anything is possible) and didn't get up until afternoon and had to rush around to accomplish SOMETHING today. And it's all the fault of that little innocent looking cucumber.

I sent the other two with Stoney to his work today. Let those demons find someone else to torture.

>.< Ooo! Cupcakes!

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:43:00 +0000

Friday was a lovely day. Stoney was off work, so we had lunch out and did some grocery shopping. Lunch was at my new favorite restaurant, which has The Best hummus EVER. It is so garlicky, it's still fighting with my tongue when it hits my stomach. YUMMY!

After that, it was the local organic farmer's market. Oh, how I wish I had taken my camera. The colors were amazing! It just seemed that Friday the flowers and vegetables were more colorful than ever before. The little eggplants, in particular, stand out in my mind. Still young, not a deep purple, but a lavendery color. Gorgeous. As always, there were vegetables that I had heard of, but never actually seen, and certainly couldn't cook and probably wouldn't eat if I could. But that's part of the fun.

We've decided maybe we should raise chickens. Home grown eggs get a good price. How hard could it be?

I know, I know. . . but seriously, when we have our own place and can be a bit self-sufficient, I think we'll try chickens. Not for us to eat; neither of us like farm eggs (I can barely stand eggs in the best of times) but other people just seem to love them. Plus, I think it would be fun. It's part of our running away dream anyhow.

After admiring everything and then buying some tomatoes and a few cucumbers (can you believe that I PAY for indigestion??), we headed over to Earth Fare, our local health food (but so much more store). Got more of that Thai Chicken soup that Stoney is in love with at the mo and I found some super yummy Vegetable Curry out of their deli. Had it for lunch today. Yowza! We got some naan too, so lunch was incredible today, with his soup and my curry and the naan, followed by the last half of my cupcake from their bakery. Luckily, except for the cupcake, it will be repeated tomorrow.

Sad about the cupcake. Wish I had more. I love cupcakes more than any other sweet, if they are good cupcakes. I don't like a light, fluffy cake. I like a dense, moist cake. Think homemade pineapple upside down cake. That kind of cake. And Earth Fare makes their cupcakes just like that. Totally heavenly. The icing is good too. I always get a cupcake when we go. Like a kid getting a cookie at the grocery store. It's part of the trip. I look forward to it from the time it is decided that we're going and I wonder, in the back of my head the entire time until I am actually in front of the bakery case, just what flavor cupcakes they will have today. Strawberry cake is my favorite, when they make it. Oh, to die for! Friday, it was yellow cake with chocolate icing. Still, worth a major felony.

Then comes the long, interminable ride home until I can actually EAT the cupcake. We had to stop at the regular grocery store to pick up a few other things (namely my favorite brand of cheese and some olives for salads and a bag of ice because you can't drink ice water unless you have ice, now can you?) so that made the wait SO much longer.

I try not to throw the groceries down and dive into my cupcake. I have to have SOME maturity. So, it's put up the groceries--an unbelievably long process--change into comfy clothes and then. . . ah yes, then, with the soy milk on the table beside me, fork in hand, I eye it up for just a minute in the sweet certainty that the cupcake is MINE! Then, it's nom nom nom.

So, Friday was a fantastic day, what with hummus and cupcakes and the like.

Until the pipe broke under the kitchen sink, but I've already told you how awesome Stoney is about stuff like that. Takes it in stride and good humor, no problem. At least once a year we have a holiday disaster; if this is our holiday disaster, I'll take it. We just put an empty kitty liter bucket under it, mopped up the floor and Stoney fixed it this morning. Easy done.

Today has been a lazy day. Other than his venture to Home Depot, we've stayed in and gamed all day. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

And now, today is really tomorrow, and he's asleep and the cat's are asleep and I SHOULD be asleep, but I just keep thinking about how much I wish I had another cupcake.

Addendum. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:34:00 +0000

to previous post.

I'll have you know that I just showered. So, in case you thought I was dirty or lazy, I have showered TWICE in TWO days. See!! And for no real reason either. So there.

Mainly About Showers

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Yesterday was a totally wasted day. After not sleeping at all Tuesday night (seriously), I finally fell asleep sometime after 5:30, while Stoney was getting ready for work. Threw the whole day off. When I did get up, all I did was brush my teeth, step in a hair ball, drink some water, run through email/twitter/blogs, write a post and then eat breakfast. By that time, Stoney was home, so I took a shower. Which took about half an hour. You know how it is, when you've not showered in a coupla days. Just seems to take forever to get all the grime--

Wha? You don't know? Well, then you're A) not a gamer geek, B) not afraid to shower behind a curtain you can't see through or C) not all of the above. I am C. I'll admit it. I go days without showering--but only if I'm at home. I won't go in public without a bathe. That's too hippie even for me. (Notice I didn't say ANYTHING about shaving my legs.) We're especially bad about it on the weekends, Stoney and I, as we'll start gaming as soon as we get up and game until we collapse 12 hours later, sleep and repeat.

Of course, given our current shower curtain condition, I can't shower without him home anyway. I MUST have a clear shower curtain. Oddly enough, this phobia developed long before I saw Janet Leigh get sliced and diced; that just clinched it. Our actual curtain is clear--a lovely clear curtain with black and white designs from Target, totally diggable--but when I bought this last liner, I just wasn't paying enough attention. It's so opaque Jobba the Hutt could be outside it and I'd never know.

Granted my tom cat, General, usually guards me when I'm in the shower. Really, he does. He takes up a post on the rug in front of the heater (I prefer to think he's guarding me, not waiting to trip me up or just soaking all the heat from the heater) and stays with me until I leave the bathroom. But honestly, what good is a 9 pound fluff ball gonna do against a determined psycho killer? He might put of a vacillating one, but if the psycho is determined. . . There is a chance that General MIGHT accidentally trip up the would-be-murderer as s/he makes a lunge for the curtain, causing the knife to fall and then I'd be able to grab it and defend myself, but most likely, s/he'd be using a gun instead and just shoot me from the door (which I NEVER shut when I'm showering no matter if the curtain is clear or not!) so I really shouldn't count on it. It's just better to have a clear shower curtain. That has magically deterred any would be attackers for all these years. But right now, my curtain is NOT clear, and I have to wait until Stoney is home to shower. Which is what I did yesterday. And it took, like, half an hour, cause I hadn't showered in a coupla days.

Happily, Stoney never mentions when I don't shower. That is generally because he hasn't showered either, but during the summer when I'm home and he's not, he still doesn't notice because he smoked for 20 years and his sense of smell is kinda dead and I have to be really ripe before he could smell me and believe me, I will have showered by then.

It's not that I don't LIKE to shower. I do. I use Zum bar soaps from Indigo Wild and that makes every shower a lovely experience. I like the Tea Tree-Citrus the best. Very potent stuff! Stoney likes the Sea Salt and the Rosemary. The Grapefruit is yummy too. Warning: don't get the Cinnamon or the Peppermint to use for anything but your hands. IT BURNS! I bought some of it at Christmas and YOWSA! I'm still using the last half bar of Cinnamon for hand washing in the bath room. It's great because my hands smell like cinnamon for a long time afterward and that makes me think of spicy desserts.

Thinking of which is making me hungry. I go eat now. (Looks like I've wasted another day. . . )

Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Classical Comics (January 6, 2009)
2/5 stars

Though very easy to read, and engrossing (due to the original story), Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel owes a lot of flaws to its medium. The darkness and style of the art (typical graphic novel art, I might add) was only appropriate for some of the novel and made it seem much more dreary than it is.

Also, due to the format and need to make the story fit into a smaller book, much (and some of it important, to a frequent Jane Eyre reader anyway) was left out. This made the book seem, to me, choppy and not fully explained. I wondered at times if I would understand the action or reasons if I had not already read the full book many times.

While this might be a nice introduction to a classic for some younger readers, I really would not recommend it.

Is it already Wednesday?

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Nearly broke the key off in the door going out to feed the Outside Critters. Worrisome moment. I don't feed them as often as the kitties, but they certainly eat well when I do. Today they have French herb Quinoa which wasn't as herby as it smelled AND I cooked it too long, some black grapes that weren't up to snuff and left over creamed corn from a restaurant last week that I just never got around to eating. If I put it out early enough, the birds will get to eat some, they'll like the grain and maybe the grapes, before the night shift comes in to demolish anything left. We have possoms (my favorites), raccoons (Stoney's favorites), skunks and even an occasional fox. Makes for lovely night watching; we have a large window over looking their feeding place. Sometimes we can hear the raccoons when they come visiting. Sometimes we'll look once and the food'll all be there, look a short while later and it's all gone. I like to think of our home as an animal sanctuary. Find peace, all who enter these grounds.

Except ants of course. They aren't animals, and they don't count in the "all". I hate and fear them. Sprayed around the door while letting the cats eat grass this morning ("this will make EXCELLENT barfs!") and so of course, I came in with one on my neck just now. Mean, NASTY critters. I hates 'em! They're very fast and they'd run all over me before I could stop it. And they bite and sting and get in my food. I hates 'em!

Posted a comment over at the Bleat. Lileks recently watched Lolita and I tried to convince him of the need to read the book. (my review is here.) If I ever teach a college lit class (unlikely given my predilection for special ed preschoolers), I will assign Lolita. Then maybe, just maybe, one or two will actually READ it and see it for what it is. An AMAZING novel. Or if I ever find a lamp genie or magic wand (more likely than the lit class) I'll wish for educated people with a bent (notice I did NOT say prejudice) against it to suddenly decide to read it. I bet that 75% or more would come away just awed by it, and in love with Nabokov's writing, just like I did. Every time we go to the used book store, I buy anything by him I can. The man has such an amazing way about him.

I should be reading some of the Nabokovs I have stacked on my to-be-read shelf this summer, but instead I have been sating myself in the world of Vlad Taltos by Steven Brust. Good fantasy stuff. He has built a fabulous world that I have completely bought into and love. Vlad is an assassin, witch, tough talking, loud mouthed, very real fella living in a world that doesn't necessarily appreciate his qualities. He has some great friends, some great enemies and a wise ass, killer familiar. Jhereg is the first in the series if you're interested. I like how Brust doesn't tell all about his world, or even Vlad, in one go. You just get hints sometimes, sometimes he backs up the series and gives up a book out of sequence, but it's all good. Great series. I'm reading his latest Vlad book right now and sad that I'll have to wait and see when the next one comes out. There are two more short series I can read though, in the same world. Good stuff.

Matter of a fact, I like Vlad so much I made a Mii for him on the Wii. Looks just like I imagine him. Except for being a Mii, of course. Made one of Severus Snape too. Proud of those. Here, I'll show you. That's me beside Severus and that's Lady Teldra (from the Brust novels) beside Vlad.

I miss Severus. I would go back and read the HP books, but then I'd eventually get to the last one and he'd die again and I'd be all sad again, so what's the use. And don't tell me to watch the movies. I quit after number 3. They aren't cannon, Snape doens't look like Snape and the costumes. . . DIDN'T YOU GUYS READ THE BOOKS????

I could go on, but I've not had lunch, General is stealing food from the girls and the horrid Mii music is still playing and needs to be turned off.

Clover Tiwg and the Magical Cottage

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:31:00 +0000

Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage
Kaye Umansky, author
Johanna Wright, illustrator
Roaring Brook Press: 18 August 2009
Ages 9 and up
4/5 stars

Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage is the U.S. publication of Ms. Umansky's novel that was called Clover Twig and the Incredible Flying Cottage upon publication in the UK in April.

In it, we meet Clover Twig, an unusually neat and responsible pre-teen who is applying for a job with the town witch, Mrs. Eckles. It is obvious at once that Mrs. Eckles needs Clover's housekeeping skills and Clover's large family would certainly benefit from the wages. Clover and Mrs. Eckles take a liking to each other, she is hired and the adventure begins.

Mrs. Eckles has an evil sister, who covets Mrs. Eckles' ramshackle old cottage, simply because it is not her own, and has been trying for years to steal it. Clover, the cat Neville, and the extremely clumsy delivery boy Wilf find themselves in a battle to keep the cottage for Mrs. Eckles, while she is away at a Fair.

When spelled out like that, the plot doesn't sound like much, and some of it is fairly standard children's fantasy--as well as bearing a likeness in some parts to at least one of my favorite authors. On the other hand, there are some good laugh-out-loud bits, the children are likable and when Ms. Umanksy writes about cats, well, it is obvious she knows cats! Also, just when I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, I received a plot surprise here and there which rounded out to a pleasant story, with an amusing and gratifying ending.

On the whole, as an adult who sates herself in fantasy as often as possible, this wasn't an exceptional book. However, I would think that a child, still fresh to the genre, would be enchanted and thoroughly amused. I would certainly recommend it to the young pre-teen, especially female, reader.

The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:39:00 +0000

Brennan Manning
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; (March 1, 2009)
5/5 stars

Manning's writing style in the Furious Longing of God is very personal--sometimes it feels too personal, as though he were a very intimate friend talking straight to me. This fabulous little book is not centered around any one denomination, only around the love of God, for us little ragamuffins. It is a profound book, a moving book, a much needed book for those of us buffeted by doubt and in need of trust.

This is not be Manning's most polished book, and at times it seemed a little bit choppy. However, he still brought all of it together so that the ending pointed back to his beginning so beautifully.

I highly recommend this, or any Manning book, to Christians not bound by religion and looking for a true relationship with a loving God.

A Good Day

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:43:00 +0000

I have the best husband in the world. Not just because he willingly inspects all the odd topical skin dealies I worry about. Not just because he plays board games and computer games with me. Not just because he laughs at my jokes and makes jokes so that I will laugh. Not just because he understands me in a way that no one else has or ever will.

Today illustrates why I have the best husband in the world.

We were on our way home from shopping at three different stores. I'm a vegetarian, he's not, and grocery shopping for us both can sometimes take a while. We're on the interstate and our car starts vibrating like crazy. We both began to do the "ahhhhh" routine, letting the vibration make our voice go, well vibratey, and laughing like hyenas over it. Yeah, he knew there was something wrong with the tire, but he knew he could probably get us home safely before disaster struck. He stayed chipper and we got off the interstate just a few miles from home.

We made it soooo close to home (a mile? less?) when the tire just couldn't take it any more and *insert horrid noise here* let us know. Stoney, still as cheerful as ever, pulled off the road and started changing the tire. I got out, not wanting to sit in the AC while he was out in the sun sweating, changing a tire, and tried to make myself useful. He starts jacking up the car, looks over his shoulder at me with that mischievous grin I love so and said, "What, no photos? You're not twittering this?" We both did some more hyena action, I grabbed my phone, took and twittered this:

He did all the hard work, while I twittered and took photos, including our Towel Day 2009 photo:

We ALWAYS know where our towel is--in the car in it in the trunk in case of emergencies, like today when it was used a LOT!

Stoney put on the spare, making jokes and being his wonderful self and we packed up the trunk to go. Only to discover that the blasted spare was leaking! What did he do? Did he get sullen, or mad, or mean? Nope! He just said, "Well, we're close to home, we should be able to make it."

It was bumpy ride towards the end, but he never faltered, never got frustrated, annoyed or mean. We pulled into our drive way, chuckled about our latest adventure and took in the groceries. And while he showered off the grime and dust and sweat, I thought, I'm so lucky: even having a flat tire is a good day with him. Yeah, I sound sappy, but I have the best husband in the world.

Haiku

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Stoney wrote this beautiful haiku for me, one evening on the way to pick me up from work. It's the most beautiful poem ever!

Riding in my car,
Her fingers keeping the time,
Her hair is purple.

From the Amos Photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Visited my best friend, Bee, and her hive of children and pets today. I pulled out my phone to show off a pic of Cleopatra and the kids started to beg to have their photo taken "doing this". Which started a massive photo session of kids and pets. There are two dogs and two cats, and one cat in particular, Amos, takes a lot of grief very good naturedly. What a cat!

Amos being made to hug the dog.

Amos playing air drums.

Howdy Ma'am!

Cowboy pin-up Amos!

And my personal favorite. . . Is he bemoaning the fact there are two girls in this family?

Let Them Eat Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Patra helped me bake a cake tonight. Well, let me clarify. . . she helped me clean up the batter afterwards.

Free Games Daily

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:31:00 +0000

If you're a gamer (casual and otherwise) like me, this might interest you. Game Giveaway of the Day really does give away a new game daily. It came recommended from a site I trust and when I tried it, all worked as it should. They have had some really good casual games in the past, as well as some okay ones. I'm going to keep my eye on it!
Game Giveaway of the Day

Buttons

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:57:00 +0000

The Coraline site has a fun and eery thing to do. . . Add buttons to your eyes. Just like the Other Mother. This was the only photo of me glasses-less, and I don't think it looks quite scary enough, but it was still such an icky-yet-thrilling, rather sick thing to do, I had to share.

On a side note, if you've not read the book, do! Especially before you see the movie. It should be totally creepy and tons of fun. The book terrified me in parts but I enjoyed the terror. I'm interested to see how it follows through in a movie.

Oh, and while we're talking about creepy and buttons. . . Let Neil Gaiman tell you about them. He does it so much better than I:

Twittering

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Thanks to a link to an article on Neil Gaiman's blog, I discovered that both he and one of my favorite actors, Stephen Fry, use Twitter! The article lists the top 50 followed celebs (that do their own twitting) on Twitter. Quite interesting!

I've been saying for a while, that I need to find a better app, mod, what have you, so I can have twitter running and not have to go to the the web page to read my twits. I have good friends (like Deb) that twit a lot and it is so nice to see what's going on. It would be fun to follow Gaiman and Fry, as well, a little free entertainment, if you will. I'll add looking for mods on my list of things to do. . .

By the way, the Gaiman twitter in the article is just great. “Clues you're twittering too much : during an interesting dream, you think "I must twitter this", and start looking in dream for your phone.”

Completely off topic, can you imagine just how hard it is to type when you have a kitty sleeping on your chest?

The Graveyard Book

noreply@blogger.com (Medbie) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:14:00 +0000

Gaiman's Graveyard Book just won the Newberry Award!! Woot! Now in the past, I have had quite a bit of disagreement with them over their choices, find some of the winners just plain losers as far as books go. This one, however, they got right. The Graveyard Book is sweet and sad, it's about life and death and growing up. The few places that did work as well as others were totally made up for by the vast and overwhelming grace of the rest of the book. Told in short stories, instead of chapters, it is the story of Nobody Owens, who toddles his way into the graveyard away from his family's murderer and is taken in by the Owens (a wonderful dead couple) in particular and the entire graveyard in general. What he learns of life and love and the world is a wonderful lesson for us all. It's a five star book and deserves this honor. I'm so pleased!

Read Neil Gaiman's excited response here.