Reading Reflections: A Book Meme from Noni

On Noni's Peacock Blue blog I found this great meme about books. It is fun to reflect on books I have read or want to read. Since it is an open invitation, give it a go yourself. I'd be interested to know your choices so let me know if you participate. . . I am always looking for new book ideas.

Four Childhood Books I've read:

1. The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
2. The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney
3. White Ruff by Glenn Balch and Dick Priest
4. every Nancy Drew mystery by Carolyn Keene

Four “So-Called Classic” books read and never forgotten.

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
2. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
   
3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
   

Four personal modern “Classic Novels”

1. Sophie's Choice by William Styron
2. Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
3. Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
   
4. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
   

Four authors I've read again and again

1. Anna Quindlen
2. Caroline Knapp
3. Jodi Picoult
4. Elizabeth Berg
   

Four authors or books I'll never read again... ever ( for me these were too sad or disturbing)

1. The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
2. Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule
3. Winter Range by Claire Davis
4. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Four books on my “To-be-read-list"

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
2. The Shack by William P. Young
3. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
4. The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer

Three Non-Fiction Books and One Fiction book I’d take to a desert island (instead of 2 each)

1. The Bible
2. The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron
3. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
4. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
   

Four Book recommendations I have followed (and loved)

1. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
2. Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
   
3. In the Wilderness by Kim Barnes
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
   

The last lines of one of my favorite books:
" Spring is unlatching its heavy doors, rousting old dusty hibernators from their sleep, and beginning a quiet fumbling with buttons, knots, and nubbins, and the bolting ribbons of time, light, and gore. As I walk down to the mailbox, enveloped in mist, birds snitch on twitchy feet in the aspens, morning ghosts between the houses, and the air tastes green at last. " - Cultivating Delight, A Natural History of My Garden by Diane Ackerman

A Thursday Thirteen Meme

Thirteen Mishaps That Happened Yesterday in a Three Hour Period of Time!

1) A student was walking by the front table of the classroom and hit the cord to the projector attached to the document camera. The projector hit the floor.
2) He picked it up and I tried it again... it seemed to work... but no light.
3)The tech guy came and couldn't fix it so he took it away.
4) He said it will be at least a week before a new bulb comes.
5) I got out my old overhead projector, dug out my dusty overhead transparencies, and tried to get ready to teach the sixth graders. They came in and one said ," I haven't seen one of those since fourth grade! "( two years ago.... we are talking "old school" here)
6) A few minutes into the lesson on writing color poems the bulb burned out.
7) I went to get the treats I had for two birthday students. For the life of me I swear those gummy bears grew legs and walked. They were nowhere to be found and I still haven't found them!
8) After class I went down the hall and picked up another older overhead projector. The glass on the top had come loose and it fell and shattered all over the floor. At this point another teacher backed away and said, " I don't want to stand next to you."
9) Some girls decided to use a bit more glitter than required to decorate their creative writing. As they were ready to head out the door before conferences I noticed glitter in their hair and on their cheeks, and also watched a trail form as they skipped down the hall.
10) Another overhead was found, but in setting it up the electric pencil sharpener fell off the table right before parent conferences were to begin and spilled shaving everywhere.
11) Juice was delivered to our room for refreshments and we were told " the container may leak a little" . Everyone barred me from going near the juice.
12) I went to hang up a few of the "glittery" papers and ended up covering myself with a sparkly mess also.
13) As I swept up glass, wiped off glitter and moved away from the juice three parents with children showed up a half hour early for their conferences. I tried to hide the dust pan and get the last of the glitter out of my eye as I smiled and greeted them.
What else could go wrong? From the corner of my eye I saw a student through the window that stayed after school to wait for his mom. He was aiming a handmade arrow held in a handmade bow he had made from a willow branch. I could only hope he was out there by himself.

Stories From the Kitchen: A Delicious Meme

My growing collection of cobalt blue glassware in my kitchen window.


What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?

This was hard for me because it seemed like I was always helping in the kitchen instead of doing it all by myself. One year for Christmas I got the pans that made a tiered cake (in fact I still have them). I am going to say I was twelve. I loved little black and white illustrations in the Betty Crocker cookbook and on page 147 in showed how to use these pans with a Silver White Cake. I think that is what I made.

Who had the most influence on your cooking?

If I would have spent more time with my two grandmothers they would both be on this list because each them had their own style, but both their cooking styles revolved around garden fresh vegetables, hearty desserts, homemade dill pickles, and delicious fruit desserts and cookies. I spent more time in the kitchen with my mom. She made homemade bread many Sundays, simple comfort meals like pork chops and meatloaf during the week, and great desserts like Lemon Fluff and brownies in her "spare time"! From my mom I learned how to explore cookbooks for unique recipes, clip recipes by Dorothy Dean from the Spokesman Review, and the art of putting a nutritious meal on the table within sixty minutes.

Do you have an old photo as "evidence" of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?

The picture above shows me between my parents cleaning up after dinner at my grandma's house in Spokane. I don't even remember Dad ever doing dishes, but I love this picture of all of us together. We probably enjoyed dessert after the kitchen was cleaned up.

Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?

Making candy and using a candy thermometer. Whenever I see words like soft ball and hard ball stage I shudder. I tried to make fudge once, but it was humid and I guess that changes the life of fudge. It was a disaster. I let other people make homemade candy.

What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown?

Valued appliance: My dark blue Kitchen Aid mixer.
Biggest letdown: nutmeg grater.... where do you find the nutmeg to grate and how do you do it without shedding some skin?

Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else!

When I was younger it was always a pack of Fisher's sunflower seeds with a can of Pepsi while reading a book. I don't think it is funny or weird, but I have always loved applesauce with any pork dish, particularly pork roast. I think it would be weird not to have the following combinations: potato salad with cold fried chicken, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, baked ham with scalloped potatoes. (notice a little potato theme beginning...it will show up again below!)

What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don't want to live without?

pasta with other additions, good cheese, and a warm,fresh loaf of bread

Your favorite ice-cream?

Butter Pecan

You will probably never eat...

liver and onions

Your own signature dish...

Mitford Orange Marmalade Cake

Any question you missed in this meme, that you would have loved to answer? Well then, feel free to add one! Here are mine:

Which meal is your favorite to prepare?

I really like to create breakfast for a group because we don't have fancy breakfast very often when it is just the two of us. I love trying egg dishes, overnight roll recipes and pastries.

What vegetable is your favorite to prepare?

Perhaps it is because I am from the "Famous Potato"state of Idaho that I love to collect and prepare potato dishes.

Which cookbooks are the favorites on your shelf?

The Barefoot Contessa series, the original Betty Crocker Picture cookbook, The Habitat for Humanity Partners in the Kitchen series, Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining, and Pacific Northwest, The Beautiful Cookbook.

If you decide to do this meme, let me know so I can come and savor your answers.

Writer's Meme

painting by Georgia O'Keefe

I found this meme on Rondi's blog May's Day. I thought it would be fun to try.

What’s your favorite genre of writing?

I really like to write memoir

How often do you get writer’s block?

Not very often because I have many books with inspiring prompts to use.

How do you fix it?

return to those books, walk in the garden, or go on a photo hunt

Do you type or write by hand?

I used to always write by hand. I still do in my journal, but other writing is word processed.

Do you save everything you write?

Yes, I do. I try to set a good example for my students because I have them collect writing. I still have pieces I wrote in classes twenty years ago!

Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?
All the time. I found a poem I had written about a box in the closet many years ago. I tried it again and used it in class.

Do you have a constructive critic?
Many... a friend Bev, my brother who was our visiting writer at the retreat last summer, a poet that willingly reads my stuff when I ask, and my students.

Did you ever write a novel?

No, I have never been interested in big projects like a novel.

What genre would you love to write but haven’t?

I would love to write travel pieces about the Pacific Northwest and places I have visited and informational essays on gardening.

What’s one genre you have never written, and probably never will?
Horror /scary stuff

How many writing projects are you working on right now?

I am always writing for my blogs, working on a cookbook project, poetry, and some professional writing.

Do you write for a living? Do you want to?
No and I don't want to because I am afraid I wouldn't enjoy it as much if my livelihood depended on it.

Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper?

I have written articles for both magazines and newspapers.

Have you ever won an award for your writing? No

What are your five favorite words?

glistening, hope, wondrous, serene, memories

Do you ever write based on your dreams?no

Do you favour happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers?Happy endings

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen? Yes, I did a series of exercises with poetry based on famous works of art like the one above.

Now ... this is enough writing for today. Try the meme. It will help you examine your own writing life.

4X4 Photo Meme: Bucket of Fire

I saw this meme in many variations as I visited blogs this week-end. My sister Silver Valley Girl sent it this way so I'll try it. The only difference with the others were the number of the folder and picture.

So here are the rules:

1. Go to the fourth folder where you keep your photos.

2. Post the fourth picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag four fellow bloggers to join in the fun.

All fellow bloggers.... join in and let me know so I can come peek!Here is my fourth picture in my fourth folder. This is not a new fireplace for our gazebo. When the weather was so cold the smoke stopped going out the top of the chimney. I thought I was doing something wrong in building up the fire when JEJ was gone. The whole sunroom filled up with an awful smoke. The same thing happened to JEJ. He took the burning firewood out of the stove, put it in a coal bucket and placed it in the snow. I had to take a picture of it because it did look like a bucket to warm up while shoveling or building a snowman. This cute fire burned a long time. The problem? When the weather was so cold the moisture on the mesh around the top of the chimney combined with soot froze and the smoke couldn't get out. JEJ hit it with a snow shovel while removing snow on the roof and once again the sunroom wood stove worked beautifully.

Sweet Comic Valentine: My iTunes Game Part 2

Yesterday I played Part I of the iTunes game passed on by my sister Silver Valley Girl. See it below. Here is Part 2:
“Put your iPod/iTunes on shuffle. Write down the first lines of the first twenty songs to form a poem. Exclude instrumental pieces as needed. Like so:

Sweet Comic Valentine

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time,
Singing in the rain, just singing in the rain.
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

Chestnuts roasting on the open fire.
My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine,
Silent night, holy night.

I remember all my life, raining down as cold as ice,
Ain't no miracle being born, people doin' it every day.
There you are looking just the same as last time I touched you.

Take to the highway,won't you lend me your name?
I don't know you but I want to,
Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens,
You don't know how you met me.

You can play the game, you can act out the part,
There's a spark of magic in your eyes.
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
Don't go changing to try and please me.

Her name was Lola-she was a showgirl,
Nobody does it better, makes me feel sad for the rest.
Honey, I'll always love you.
My Sweet Comic Valentine.

The only creative license I took was to repeat the last line as the title. Try this.... it is fun. I may try this with my students.

Someday: My iTunes Game Part 1

My sister Silver Valley Girl passed this iTunes game to me:

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG TITLE DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
Please feel free to play!

Questions:
1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Winter Dreams by Gary Lamb
2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
You're Gonna Hear from Me (from Inside Daisy Clover) by Barbra Streisand
3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
My Prayer by Harry Connick, Jr.
4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
At Last Kenny G., Arturo Sandoval
5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Forrest Gump Suite
6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Only You by Harry Connick, Jr.
7) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Somewhere in My Memory from "Home Alone"
8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Beautiful by Kenny G, Chaka Khan
9) WHAT IS 2+2?
Theme to Grace by Vince Guaraldi
10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Remembrance from Lucy and Linus by George Winston
11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Alfie by Burt Bacharach
12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
All I Want is You by Carly Simon
13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Fly Me to the Moon by Diana Krall
14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Water is Wide by James Taylor
15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
In My Life by Bette Midler
16) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
My One and Only Love by Yo Yo Ma and Joshua Redman
17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
O Tannenbaum Vince Guaraldi Trio
18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Beethoven: Symphony #6 in F
19) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Crying in the Rain by Art Garfunkle and James Taylor
20) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Disco Inferno
21) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Someday by Sugar Ray

Tag... I'm It Also: List of Seven Meme

I spotted this meme many times in visiting other blogs this week and thought I would give it a twirl.

Things I Plan To Do Before I Die
1. Write a cookbook
2. Visit the Olympic National Park in Washington state
3. Raise grapes that make good wine
4. Go on a train trip
5. Return to playing the piano and getting better at it
6. Volunteer to help animals in some way
7. Capture family stories and history in written form


7 Things I Do Now
1. Teach students wedged between childhood and teenage years
2. Grow flowers
3. Find new and different ways to can and preserve food
4. Write every day
5. Pray
6. Chronicle my life in photos
7. Read books and articles that make me think

7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex
1. Makes me laugh
2. Misses me when I am gone
3. Eager to learn new things
4. Loves animals
5. Appreciates the world around us
6. Loves the simple things in life
7. Kindness toward others

7 Things That I Say Most Often
1. How was your day?
2. Are you making good choices?
3. What do you want for dinner?
4. Thank You!
5. I feel blessed.
6. Are you going to town today?
7. What have you learned today?
7 Celebrities That I Admire
1. Paul Newman
2. Billy Graham
3. Ina Garten
4. Meryl Streep
5. James Taylor
6. Mary Oliver
7. Mary Englebreit

7 Favorite Foods
1. Homemade bread
2. Rib Eye Steak
3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
4. Orange Rolls
5. Coffee
6. Cherries
7. garden fresh green beans
7 People Who Need To Do This:
any of you that have time and are interested. Let me know in a comment or email that you did it so I can read it!

Moments in a Life

I read this meme on GreenishLady's blog today. I thought I would give it a twirl.

Here we present a list. Highlight those tasks that you have accomplished in your life . Then add a new task to the list of something memorable that you've done that isn't on the list yet.
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s nappy
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten tipsy on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse of both the sun and moon
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had/Have amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted a river
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in a Rocky Horror Picture Show
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over ( well.. not a city... remote area)
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept 30 hours in a 48 hour time frame
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read “The Iliad”
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
151. Organized a HUGE event!
152. Seen something you can't explain with science
153. Had a book published

and my addition is
154. Drove four hours in a snowstorm to choose Annie (above) from a litter of puppies

Give it a try and leave me a comment so I can come visit your blog and read yours!

Another Meme... All About Books

Dad reading to Raymond Pert and I.

I found this meme on Ravenous Reader's Bookstack site here. I love hearing about how people develop their love for reading and what books and authors they enjoy. If you choose to do this meme, let me know so I can come and read yours also.

Do you remember how you developed a love of reading? As far back as I can remember books were a part of my life. I remember being read to at an early age by my mother and father and watching my brother learn to read and wanted to be like him. The Early Reader series which included Dr. Suess books and The Fly Went By ( the first book I read by myself) plus others were mailed to us each month as a gift from my grandmother. I remember reading titles such as One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish ,Blue Fish and The Cat and The Hat over and over again.

What are some books you loved as a child? The Happy Hollister series, Nancy Drew mysteries, Signature Biographies ( especially Helen Keller and Clara Barton), the Katie John series, The Velvet Room, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series, and The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew.

What is your favorite genre? I like contemporary novels, mysteries, memoir, cookbook memoirs, and poetry

Do you have a favorite novel? I don't know if I can name a favorite, but I can list books that have stayed with me long after I read them. Not all on the list are novels.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls :her amazing memoir of survival blew my socks off
In the Wilderness by Kim Barnes: memoir about growing up in the area of North Idaho close to where my mother was raised
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom: a book filled with lessons about life
Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd: a well-written beautiful story about mothers and home.
The Color of Water by James McBride: a moving memoir about an incredible man and the influence of his mother.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer: I felt like I was climbing Mt. Everett while reading this.
Open House by Elizabeth Berg: actually any novel by Berg keeps me reading and reading until done.

Where do you usually read? In bed before I sleep or in a chair in a quiet room.

When do you usually read? Always before I go to bed and whenever else I can find time.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Yes. I always have a novel going, but then a book of poetry and something nonfiction.

Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? Not really.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library? I always try to get them at the library first, especially novels. If I know it is a book I will continue to use as a resource I buy it used if I can. I have a friend that has the same tastes as me so we trade books back and forth. I also ask for books as gifts, especially my cookbook collection.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? I keep about half of them to read again or use for reference. The other half I pass on or donate to the Habitat Thrift Store.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? I don't have children of my own, but with my students as read alouds or group novels it has been all books by Roald Dahl, joke books, variety of poetry books, The Giver, Number the Stars, Devil's Arithmetic, The Outsiders, Hatchet, Mississippi Bridge and White Grizzly Bear's Legacy: Learning to Be Indian just to name a few.

What are you reading now? I am reading Blood Oranges by Drusilla Campbell and The Writing Diet by Julia Cameron.

Do you keep a To Be Read list? Yes, I do. I have two Reader's Journals that I am always filling with lists when I read about a book or get a recommendation from someone.

What’s next? The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas (sent home with me from my friend Bev as a "must read") and The Whole World Over by Julia Glass.

What books would you like to reread? On Writing by Steven King, The Bible, Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg, and The Fountainhead by Ann Rynd

Who are your favorite authors? Anna Quindlan, Jodi Picoult, Julia Cameron, Mary Oliver, Lois Lowry, Anne Lamott, Caroline Knapp, Elizabeth Berg, Sherman Alexie, and William Stafford to name a few.

I hope others of you try this meme so I can learn about even more books and authors to add to my reading journal.

The 8 Meme

I found this meme on i beati's blog and thought I would give it a try. The above is created with Wordle.

The 8 Meme

Eight Books I Have Read Recently
1-Home to Holly Springs- Jan Karon
2-Her Last Death- Susanna Sonnenberg
3-Friday Night Knitting Club- Kate Jacobs
4-A Poetry Handbook-Mary Oliver
5-Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
6.-Lost and Found by Jacqeline Sheenan
7- Old Friends from Far Away by Natalie Goldberg
8- Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein

Eight Movies I Have Seen Eight Times
1. American President
2.Sound of Music
3. When Harry Met Sally
4.It' A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
5. Big
6.Muppet's Christmas Carol
7.The Way We Were
8.On Golden Pond

8- Eight Things I Have a Passion For
1-Flowers
2-Cooking and recipe collecting
3-Writing/Reading
4-Family
5-Poetry
6-Camping
7-Teaching
8-Photography

Eight things I say a lot
1. Really!
2. Ummmmm! That's Interesting
3. Amen
4. Have you made a good choice?
5. You're kidding!
6. Do I snore?
7 . I'm going to bed.
8. Do you want a treat?

Eight Things I Would Like to Do Before I Die
1- Learn to knit
2- Play the piano well
3- Go to Yellowstone National Park
4- Take my mom back for a trip to the Oregon coast
5- Bring all my friends from different places together for a retreat
6- Take a road trip through the back roads of the Pacific Northwest
7- Visit the Thousand Islands in New York
8- Take a workshop from a photographer to learn more about the craft

Catching Up on Memes Pt. 2: Pet Names

Crafty Green Poet tagged me with the Pet Name Meme. In case you aren't familiar with The Naming of Cats, in the Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot, cats all have three names! (or you can use any other animal here) Here are the rules:

You must link to the originator of the meme ( that is Tara ), list the following rules, and then tell:

1-The name that the family uses daily (such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James ).

2-The name that is particular, a name that is peculiar, and more dignified ( such as Munkstrap, Quaxo or Coricopat )

3-What you are doing when you are thinking of the name only you know, and will never confess, that deep inscrutable name?

Then tag a cat ( or other creature) to give us his/her names.

My cat's answers:

1. Kit

2. KitKat WhiteSox (more peculiar than dignified!)

3. Snuggling up and napping with my best friend Annie.

All you pet lovers out there can try this meme. I won't tag anyone this time.

Catching Up on Memes Pt. 1: Book Meme

I have been slow at getting to memes. Here is a book meme from my blog friend Nonizamboni over at Peacock Blue.

1. Pick up the nearest book.

2. Open to page 123.

3.Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

The book I just finished is Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon. If you are familiar with the Mitford series by Karon, this is the first installment of her new Father Tim series. In this book Tim goes back to his birthplace and meets old and new friends. Here is what was found on page. 123. It is a meeting with his childhood sweetheart Peggy.

“The room wasn’t greatly changed from his visits many years ago, though the overall spirit of it was brighter. They sat in high-backed velvet chairs in the bay window, at a table furnished with a silver tea service and a vase of roses. Three petals had fallen onto the white cloth; a small cake, ornamented with a curl of shaved chocolate, was displayed on a crystal stand.
“After I wrote the note, I was sorry to have used chocolate at a bribe.”

This first book in the new series gives a foundation to the character of Father Timothy in the Mitford series. I find it interesting that she went back to his childhood in the new series. There was a certain intrigue in this book that kept me reading long into the night.

I now tag Silver Valley Girl at Silver Valley Stories, Yolanda at Perfectly Imperfect, Shelby at Time With Shelby, Marcy at My Knitting and Other Stuff,and Becca at Ravenous Reader.

I've Been Tagged by Firefly Nights!

Firefly Nights tagged me last week to post 10 weird, random facts, or habits about myself. Since I just returned from camping I decided to list 10 habits of mine when I travel.

1. I always study maps. I am obsessed with routes, roads, and mileage. I never just "take a route on a whim." I have to know where I am going and how long it will take.

2. I panic mildly each time JEJ lifts up the hood of the truck. I try to take The Worse Case Scenario out of my head hoping it is only an oil check or low windshield wiper fluid (in this case it had to do with shorted wires and blinkers and back-up lights).

3. I take more pictures that I could ever need or want, even before I went digital. This goes for a ten-mile road trip around home or a journey to another state.

4. I have not learned the concept of taking small amounts of ingredients for meals when we camp. If I am making something that calls for a teaspoon of mustard, I bring a whole bottle.

5. I am always afraid the Campground Rule Police are going to jump out from behind a tree when as we set up camp and that I need to fill in my form, pay, keep the dogs leashed, and begin quiet hours before we go to the restroom.

6. I love to read all information when we arrive at the campground. I read that board that tells about boating rules (even though I've never owned a boat), camp hosts, summer programs, trails, bear warnings, courgar sightings, and whatever else might be posted.

7. I always want a campfire when we camp. If it is 90 degrees in the shade I really think we need a campfire at night. What is camping without a campfire? JEJ claps his hands when fire restrictions start.

8. I can never decide what book I want to read on a trip so I take five or six.

9. The car cannot move forward more than forty miles without having a good coffee drink in the cupholder.

10. When we arrive home from a trip and I put away the food we didn't need, the books I didn't read, the bedding that wasn't used, the CDs I didn't play, and the maps we didn't open I forget all this when I plan the next excursion. Oh well.... I sure love to plan and pack for a trip.

If you have ten weird, random facts or habits you want to share, please do this meme. It is always fun to learn new things about our blog friends.

The Friday Five Meme

Five things on my to-do list:
1. Go through check list before our departure to the Columbia Gorge tomorrow.
2. Back up all my pictures on my computer.
3. Plan spring cleaning.
4. Propagate cuttings for summer planting.
5. Secure the house.

Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. banana at morning break
2. roasted almonds
3. cheese
4. dark chocolate
5. popcorn

Five Things I Would Do If I Became a Billionaire:
1. Pay off my house.
2. Build a bigger library in Kettle Falls.
3. Help with the college educations of my nieces and nephew.
4. Hire a person to clean my house.
5. Put in a sprinkler system on my property and landscape more areas.

Five Blogs I like to visit:
1. Twaddle Everyday Rubbish for laughs and tears.
2. Carver's Site for beautiful photos.
3. Colors of the Garden to get a glimpse of country life in upstate New York
4. My Knitting and Other Stuff to continue to see how alike we are!
5. Loose Leaf Notes to read incredible writing.

Five of my bad habits:
1. I don't drink enough water.
2. Sometimes I drink too much caffeine.
3. I get obsessed with stuff and can't move on.
4. Forgetting to take vitamins and supplements.
5. Procratinating stuff I don't want to do.

Feel free to do this Meme any day of the week. TGIF!

Fun Friday: A-Z About Me

I saw this meme on another blog and thought I would again challenge myself using an A-Z format.

Rules: List ONE word for each letter of the alphabet that describes you.

Artistic

Baker

Collector

Driven

Encouraging

Flutist

Gardener

Humorous

Insightful

Jolly

Kind

Learner

Memorykeeper

No-nonsense

Observant

Photographer

Quick-witted

Reader

Sentimental

Talkative

Understanding

Valentine

Wordsmith

Xanthochroid

Yahoo

Zealous

Try out this A-Z meme. It is really fun! I did have to get out the dictionary for a few letters.

Give Me Five Monday

Becca's Buzz hosts Give Me Five Monday each week. Today's five is: Give Me Five ways you like to de-stress, relax, wind down or kick back.

For me I like to :

Sit in a handmade chair in the recycled brick, recycled fireplace, gathered rock, inexpensive gazebo designed by JEJ.

Sip tea in the morning while sitting on the deck.

Go camping to a quiet place surrounded by trees, quiet, my dogs and husband.

Take the camera on ten-mile road trips around the area and capture peaceful photos.

Read a good book in complete silence.

To go to the home of the Give Me Five Monday meme go here. Feel free to participate.

A Meme from JBelle:Six Habits About Me

The Rules:- Link to the person that tagged you.

I got this meme from JBelle at Notes from the 'Kan EWA

Post the rules on your blog.

Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Let's go:

Number One Habit: I am a fact finder and researcher. Before I buy something electronic, take a trip, get a new appliance, or decide on a book to read I check out consumer information, recommendations, and do research. I can't just go buy something on a whim!

Number Two Habit: I am now obsessed with red shoes: casual, dressy, flats,waterproof, athletic... you name it.

Number Three Habit: Planting flowers in a bed by height. I hate it when tall flowers block out shorter flowers in the landscaping arrangement.

Number Four Habit: Giving young adults another chance. I feel like many older adults write off young adults. I try to start fresh with them every day, allow them to make mistakes, and move on.

Number Five Habit: Doing away with digital alarm clocks: I suffered insomnia for many years so I cannot use digital clocks at all. I spent too many nights watching the minutes change and change as I stared wide awake at the clock. I even bring my own clock to a hotel.

Number Six Habit : I have finally come to terms with the fact that I need down time. For many years I tried to " do it all" , work nonstop, and attempt to solve everyone's problems in a day. I have learned that I need to save my energy for what is important.

Feel free to do this meme, but I am tagging Raymond Pert, Silver Valley Girl, Myrtle Beach Ramblings, Pinehurst in My Dreams, and Marcy.

Shelby's Meme of Five

Crafty Green Poet tagged me, Shelby the Australian Cattle Dog to answer some questions about myself. My owner, Inland Empire Girl, is typing for me so blame her for any mistakes.

Here are the questions:

A) What are your five favorite songs?

Walzing Matilda... it's an Australian thing!

Theme from Man from Snowy River... ditto about the Australian thing.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Walking On Sunshine... the hotter the better!

Annie's Song... in honor of my mate Annie

B) What are your five favorite toys?

1. My red ball

2. Inland Empire Girl's snowman pillows..... ooops!

3. An empty plastic jug that bounces on ice.

4. Any toy that belongs to a cat

5. A boomerang if I had one mate!

C) What are five things you love to eat?

1. people food in any shape or form

2. canned cat food

3. dog bones

4. anything off the barbie...

5. and lollies... it's another Australian thing

D) What are five of your favorite activities?

1. Herding the cats... it is a tough job, but I am born to herd

2. Riding in the car... around the driveway, down the road, or all the way to town

3. Digging for treasures in the dirt (when it thaws)

4. Waking up Inland Empire Girl in the morning my jumping on the bed

5. Trying to clean up the rabbit droppings in the rabbit hutch... I am helping!

E. What are five of your bad habits?

1. Begging... I know, but it is so hard not to.

2. Getting excited and jumping on people I love... sorry Silver Valley Girl... I can't resist

3. Barking at deer on the hillside... I know, I know... they aren't hurting me... but why are they there?

4. Grabbing things I am not supposed to then trying to play chase with grown-ups... not good... they give me the frowny face.

5. Doing my " this is my property... stop now" bark when the utility, UPS, or FedEx bloke comes to the gate. I'm sorry..they could be a robber hiding behind that uniform.

Now I am supposed to tag others. I don't know which of my pet friends' owners have blogs, so feel free to do this meme if you want to. I hope I get another chance to dictate answers on Inland Empire Girl's blog. This was fun. G'day!

ABC Meme

My blog friend at Dog's Eye View had this meme posted and I thought I would give it a try.

A - Age: 53

B - Band listening to right now: Chicago (still love them after all these years)

C - Career future: teaching and writing and perhaps publishing

D - Dad’s name: Raymond Pert

E - Easiest person to talk to: my friend VE

F - Favorite type of shoe: Land's End All Weather Mocs in red

G - Grapes or Grapefruit: Grapes, grape jam, grape juice, wine, and raisins

H - Hometown: Kellogg, Idaho

I- Instrumental talent: Flute and piano (kinda)

J-Juice of choice: fresh squeezed orange

K - Koala Bear or Panda Bear: Panda Bear because I think they are amazing animals

L - Longest car ride ever: to central California with a 36 hour stop on top of Mount Shasta because of the road being closed

M - Middle name: Ann

N - Number of jobs you’ve had: let's see, babysitter, camp counselor,at a newspaper, in a store, drive-in restaurant, a gym equipment room at U. of Idaho, janitor assistant, lifeguard, teacher and writer

O - OCD traits: location of plants in garden beds and specific pots we put things in

P - Phobia: heights

Q - Quote: "Each moment of the year has its own beauty... a picture which has never been seen before and which shall never be seen again." Ralph Waldo Emerson

R - Reason to smile: My husband warmed up the car , carried out my stuff, and opened the gate in subzero temperatures this morning.

S - Song you sang last: Drift Away by Uncle Kracker with some students today

T - Time you wake up: On work days, usually around 6

U - Unknown fact about me: I can't back up very well in a car.

V - Vegetable you hate: I only hate mushy canned peas.

W - Worst habit: procrastinating

X - X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, mammogram

Y - Yummiest food your belly likes: That is a tough one... my belly does love a good steak.

Z - Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

You may also enjoy this meme!