Harper Collins publishes a bestselling children's book series based upon cat clans. There are six books in the original Warrior series that chronicles the rise to power of Firestar, a former kittypet, to the forest culture of Thunderclan, one of four cat clans that inhabit a foreign forest. I read the series to my youngest child beginning when she was in the 2nd grade. We have just completed Book Two, Moonrise, of the second Warriors series, The New Prophecy.
These books, written by Erin Hunter, are a wonderful way to engage boys or girls. The plots introduce topics that are ripe for discussion and application to young persons: a common code of conduct, the care for the young and elders, service to community, and problem-solving.
I use the books for bribery. I can get clothes folded and put away, the dishwasher unloaded, the floor swept, etc. by my kids SO LONG AS I continue reading another chapter.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Scotland of the Mid-18th Century
In anticipation of a new book coming out this summer from Diana Gabaldon, I decided last November to listen to the Outlander audiobook series from the beginning. The unabridged audiobooks (which is the only way to listen to or read ANY book) are 36 to 46 hours long EACH....but oh so worth it.
I am no less hooked than I was when I originally read the series. I just completed Dragonfly in Amber, the second in the Outlander series. For those of you unfamiliar with Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser - you should be! It is a love affair for the centuries, literally. The series began at the end of WWI with Claire Randall visiting Inverness with her husband, Frank Randall. Claire stumbles upon a thin space in time and is transported to the 18th century. In her quest to return to Frank, she meets Jamie.
The plot is complicated, intricate and presented at a firecracker pace. It is all consuming. My husband and kids are now accustomed to me wearing a bag about my neck with my Kindle inside and headphones on my head. I listen while cooking, cleaning, folding clothes, driving, doing puzzles, etc... The books are addictive.
I have learned a great deal about Scotland of the mid-18th century. Here is a small sample:
I am no less hooked than I was when I originally read the series. I just completed Dragonfly in Amber, the second in the Outlander series. For those of you unfamiliar with Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser - you should be! It is a love affair for the centuries, literally. The series began at the end of WWI with Claire Randall visiting Inverness with her husband, Frank Randall. Claire stumbles upon a thin space in time and is transported to the 18th century. In her quest to return to Frank, she meets Jamie.
The plot is complicated, intricate and presented at a firecracker pace. It is all consuming. My husband and kids are now accustomed to me wearing a bag about my neck with my Kindle inside and headphones on my head. I listen while cooking, cleaning, folding clothes, driving, doing puzzles, etc... The books are addictive.
I have learned a great deal about Scotland of the mid-18th century. Here is a small sample:
- Women's shoes were very uncomfortable.
- Wintergreen mint could not completely cover the smell of rotting teeth.
- Scots could/can handle cold and pain with a zealous sense of humor.
- "Sassenach" can be an arousing term of endearment when said by the right person
- Heather grows on wet bogs; you can't run though it.
- Oats for breakfast every morning will keep you regular.
- Bonny Prince Charlie wasn't so bonny.
- Kilts have multiple, useful purposes besides covering men's privates.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Chicago in January
My family and I spent three days in Chicago early this month. Although we had arrived in Chicago from Wisconsin and the temperatures were higher, it felt MUCH colder by comparison. However, the pain would only last for about a block; by then, our legs and faces were numb. No matter which direction you face in Chicago, you are heading into the wind.
I love Chicago. I lived and worked there for a short time over a decade ago. It is the most beautiful big city in America, in my opinion. I wanted to share it with my children. So what to do in Chicago when you have two days with kids and it is freezing cold.....
(1) Eat. Chicago has fabulous food. You can walk into a dive and not be disappointed. We ate Italian at Rosebud on Rush (family style, fresh pasta). We ordered Giordano's stuffed pizza, a style unique to Chicago - three inches high with loads of cheese and the sauce on top. We enjoyed cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory below the Hancock Building. We walked into a chain "Hot Wok, Cool Sushi" and enjoyed better Asian food than can be found in any restaurant in Texas. We ate dim sum in China Town, a comparatively easy place to find cheap parking. I wanted Greek food, but could not find the time to get to Greek Town. I tried Pegasus at the Midway Airport, but for great Greek food, you must visit Greek Town.
(2) Visit Millenium Park. Known officially as "The Cloud", it is generally referred to as "The Helmet." There is no better photo opportunity in the Windy City. Its reflective surface provides fantastic views of Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan. The curves make it even desirable to take a self-portrait or two. Next to "The Cloud" are fountains created by glass blocks that transform dots into multi-storied videos of random faces. (This is even better in the summer when the faces spit water on dodging kids.) And when the cold is too much to bear, your kids are now willing to enter the Art Institute without a bribe so that you can take a look at some of the best artwork in the world. Choose carefully, because kids warm up quickly and you will have only a hour at most.
(3) The Magnificent Mile. There is something here for everyone. My family's favorites include the decadent drinking chocolate and ice cream fountain at Ghirardelli's near The Water Tower. Hershey's is directly across the street. My youngest loves American Girl, and while it costs a fortune to buy anything there, the sightseeing should be enough. Before entering, I just make clear that they must use their OWN money, not mine. Kids use much greater discretion with their own funds. Window shopping at Cartier is nice, and looking up you can see great Gothic architecture towering over the shoppers.
(4) The Museum of Science and Industry. It is out of the way, but well worth the trip. Plan for a full day, and age isn't an issue. Young and not-so-young will find the exhibits provocative, engaging, and inspirational. Best of all - it is big competition for a teenager's attention when otherwise bent on texting.
(5) Visit Friends. Always a good idea.
I love Chicago. I lived and worked there for a short time over a decade ago. It is the most beautiful big city in America, in my opinion. I wanted to share it with my children. So what to do in Chicago when you have two days with kids and it is freezing cold.....
(1) Eat. Chicago has fabulous food. You can walk into a dive and not be disappointed. We ate Italian at Rosebud on Rush (family style, fresh pasta). We ordered Giordano's stuffed pizza, a style unique to Chicago - three inches high with loads of cheese and the sauce on top. We enjoyed cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory below the Hancock Building. We walked into a chain "Hot Wok, Cool Sushi" and enjoyed better Asian food than can be found in any restaurant in Texas. We ate dim sum in China Town, a comparatively easy place to find cheap parking. I wanted Greek food, but could not find the time to get to Greek Town. I tried Pegasus at the Midway Airport, but for great Greek food, you must visit Greek Town.
(2) Visit Millenium Park. Known officially as "The Cloud", it is generally referred to as "The Helmet." There is no better photo opportunity in the Windy City. Its reflective surface provides fantastic views of Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan. The curves make it even desirable to take a self-portrait or two. Next to "The Cloud" are fountains created by glass blocks that transform dots into multi-storied videos of random faces. (This is even better in the summer when the faces spit water on dodging kids.) And when the cold is too much to bear, your kids are now willing to enter the Art Institute without a bribe so that you can take a look at some of the best artwork in the world. Choose carefully, because kids warm up quickly and you will have only a hour at most.
(3) The Magnificent Mile. There is something here for everyone. My family's favorites include the decadent drinking chocolate and ice cream fountain at Ghirardelli's near The Water Tower. Hershey's is directly across the street. My youngest loves American Girl, and while it costs a fortune to buy anything there, the sightseeing should be enough. Before entering, I just make clear that they must use their OWN money, not mine. Kids use much greater discretion with their own funds. Window shopping at Cartier is nice, and looking up you can see great Gothic architecture towering over the shoppers.
(4) The Museum of Science and Industry. It is out of the way, but well worth the trip. Plan for a full day, and age isn't an issue. Young and not-so-young will find the exhibits provocative, engaging, and inspirational. Best of all - it is big competition for a teenager's attention when otherwise bent on texting.
(5) Visit Friends. Always a good idea.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
New Years in Wisconsin
I woke January 1, 2013 in Portage County, Wisconsin, very far removed from my home in Texas. The annual holiday trip north is to visit my in-laws. At full capacity, there are 16 of us sharing 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. Three generations, ages 5 to 68, gather together to welcome the new year.
Cultural distinctions abound between Wisconsin and Texas. Here is a short list of the many differences:
(1) There is slush on the back porch in Wisconsin. I don't mean ice, although there is plenty of that. Slush is an alcoholic concoction that is as unique as its maker. The recipes vary to include vodka, brandy, rum, every form of fruit juice, and Caribbean spices. The ingredients are mixed together in a large container (my in-laws use large empty ice cream buckets), then left on the porch to freeze. The alcohol content will not allow the mixture to become solid, so it remains...slush. I like slush.
(2) Ice cream comes in buckets in Wisconsin, but no Blue Bell.
(3) The liveliest place in Portage County on New Year's Eve is the bowling alley. I joined my family at Point Lanes to ring in the new year. We drank champagne from small plastic cups and used our best efforts to get a strike in order to win a free drink. Black lights made our white socks glow.
(4) Wisconsinites eat summer sausage in winter.
(5) Wisconsinites have no idea that it is good luck to eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day. Next year, I need to pack a can to take along.
(6) In Wisconsin, disposable products are reused, many times.
(7) Like Texans, football is a religion for Wisconsinites; they cheer for the Packers and Badgers. They have not caught on yet that high school football can be equally holy.
Cultural distinctions abound between Wisconsin and Texas. Here is a short list of the many differences:
(1) There is slush on the back porch in Wisconsin. I don't mean ice, although there is plenty of that. Slush is an alcoholic concoction that is as unique as its maker. The recipes vary to include vodka, brandy, rum, every form of fruit juice, and Caribbean spices. The ingredients are mixed together in a large container (my in-laws use large empty ice cream buckets), then left on the porch to freeze. The alcohol content will not allow the mixture to become solid, so it remains...slush. I like slush.
(2) Ice cream comes in buckets in Wisconsin, but no Blue Bell.
(3) The liveliest place in Portage County on New Year's Eve is the bowling alley. I joined my family at Point Lanes to ring in the new year. We drank champagne from small plastic cups and used our best efforts to get a strike in order to win a free drink. Black lights made our white socks glow.
(4) Wisconsinites eat summer sausage in winter.
(5) Wisconsinites have no idea that it is good luck to eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day. Next year, I need to pack a can to take along.
(6) In Wisconsin, disposable products are reused, many times.
(7) Like Texans, football is a religion for Wisconsinites; they cheer for the Packers and Badgers. They have not caught on yet that high school football can be equally holy.
Introduction
Since 1995, I have maintained a list of every book I read, the date I read it, and rating. It has been a wonderful resource for myself, as well as for many of my family and friends who are also book lovers. I have altered my rating system over time, and now also include audio books. As of the end of 2012, the list contained over 600 entries. Accordingly, it has proven difficult for me to recreate my list for blogging purposes, so I start fresh with the new year.
My passion is travel. I realize that reading is an extension of that passion to experience foreign cities, times, cultures and ideas. For me, travel and reading are one. The intended format of this blog will be a travel guide to the places I visit, both literal and literary.
My passion is travel. I realize that reading is an extension of that passion to experience foreign cities, times, cultures and ideas. For me, travel and reading are one. The intended format of this blog will be a travel guide to the places I visit, both literal and literary.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)