Plenty to read, turn the TV off!

I noticed I had blogged twice about how much I loved my presents. I guess that makes them rank right up there with my Chatty Cathy and my Candy Fashion. But, I need to blather about something different so I will. Right now I'm turning away from an Activia yogurt commercial and wondering why Jamie Lee Curtis, once an A list actress and considered to have the most perfect body in Hollywood, is so excited to talk about her digestive system. Jamie and I are about the same age I think, and I pray this never happens to me. LBC members, if I ever whisper a word about my digestive system I want you to take me by the shoulders, shake me real hard and slap me straight! Another thing, Tiger Woods. Why? You even had me watching golf, the most boring thing on television. But the thing I don't understand and am tired of hearing is "His wife Elin is a beautiful ex model." Would he be more justified in being a big fat lying cheater if she was only average looking? And another thing, thank you to the Hennes for putting Fort Collins on the map and being the number one stupid people in the news story for 2009, the poor little balloon boy has to live with you for a lifetime and thankfully we will forget you one day. I think I'll go back to my books, they're less offensive. I have "Olive" finished, "Edgar Sawtelle" is in the works, "Push" is a done deal but I'll want to read it again before February, "The Help" is inked in for February as well. Oh, "The Meadow" - I haven't started yet, better get busy on that, it's due January 23rd, "Devil in the White City", and I already have a May selection from someone, thank you! Entertainment Tonight is about to start and that will take me over the edge, where's the remote?

Not supposed to have favorites but..,

I had a great Christmas! The family! Kids, grandchildren, the tree, a fire in the fireplace, the food, but THE PRESENTS! I got the best presents this year for some reason! I guess either I have been especially good or they felt guilty for what they gave me last year. I was showered with beautiful things that I love. But the mother lode, my favorite, I have to admit is MY NEW KINDLE! It is such a cool little toy. I hope eventually it will become an important tool in my reading. Right now I just want to buy books. It is very cool and I want to stroke it like a mink coat (I oppose fur) but it feels so smooth to the touch and it is as thin as a - thinner than the pencil they compare it to in the advertising and, well I'll have to pass it around at the next meeting. What a fun toy, I mean tool, yes, tool for me and all the reading I have to do. I love books and their covers and the feel of them and all of the arguments you hear regarding ebooks but the fact that I have a dozen of books on this right now and I can carry it in my purse is amazing. AND it syncs with the kindle on my iPhone and I didn't even know it would do that - it just happened! I give it a thumbs up! My other favorite gift? My LBC bookmarks - you'll see those soon too! I am still playing with all my toys. I must have been a good girl or I just got lucky, probably the later, either way - Thanks family and friends!

Take down the lights, it's over for another year....

Another Christmas has come and gone. All that's left is the after Christmas sales, the remaining company, the holiday for some that had to be delayed and for me the gift I can't seem to find for my daughter than was exceptionally special. Where is it? I've done the whole retracing my steps routine but.., yesterday after all the opening of presents, I asked her, well? and she replied, yes? I said, you didn't get it? and she said , no... and I said, I did! Where is it! Worse has happened on Christmas Day I'm sure and it will turn up... since this is turning in to a material girls post I may as well say, I got the best presents! And you will see them soon. I LOVE them, they are high gloss and have our logo and byline and everyone will want one - if only they had my picture on it....how cute would they be then? AND...The best part, thank you everyone for rooting for me...I got my Kindle! It is a very fun gadget right now and I hope to make it a very useful tool soon! But seriously the thing on my mind is getting life back to normal. That is usually what I like to do after Christmas. I love it and everything, but I like order and routine and I want to see things back the way I'm used to them, and Book Club is one Big thing that I like having in apple pie order and it has been a fruitcake mess since the beginning of December. Now I enjoyed the Open House- don't get me wrong, but it did shuffle us up a bit and now I'm trying to get us back on an even keel and you all as well. Rumors are flying about Panera Bread being a preferred venue and I like the heart and soul of Borders Books and we will need to deal with that I suppose. So the holidays ruffled feathers in many ways that are best left alone. But we deal with it. Because we can, being so bright and beautiful and all, kind of like Christmas. See you all soon!

Hail Mary full of grace, help me find a parking place..."

Oy, what an airport run it was! The weather was snowy, single digit temperatures, worry about flight delays or even cancellations. The Passenger had to be picked up in Estes Park first as if things weren't bad enough. So a phone call to the cabin where the guest, we'll call her "Princess", was staying to inform an earlier pick-up time due to the weather, was the first order of business. Things were off to a bad start on the Longmont end, arguments with the Bob about should the Princesses Host, my son John, ride along requiring another trip back to Estes Park, and in his opinion risking harm to more individuals than necessary in inclement weather. Pish Posh I said, he is a hardy mountain boy I would want along if I was in trouble! Oh what a morning! But this was the least of it. Arriving at the cabin - no one was there? No one was packed for a trip home either. A phone call found Princess to be downtown buying Christmas ornaments. What the ? There's a blizzard raging and we need to leave, we even called ahead to say we were leaving an hour earlier. That hour would even give you time to clean up this mess you made of the place one would think. Moving along.... Returning to cabin, packed, we're on the road and even in Boulder County when Princess in the sweetest way possible asks "can we go to Downtown Denver to Chubbies and get Mexican food to take to my Mom?". Smiling and withholding laughter as best as I can, I say,"You want to take Mexican food to your Mom?". "Yes, I always do." On the airplane?" I respond. "Yes, it's our favorite, you can't get good Mexican food in Houston , well there's this one place, like, it's ya know, Tex-Mex, not really authentic....blah blah blah.."

Well, suffice it to say, my now very accommodating and sweet husband, took the Princess to "Chubbies" - getting off the toll road, through bad weather and closed roads we arrived at DIA with, the Princess , $64 in Mexican food, and our good manners in tact for a 4:55 flight at 4:25. She even got to kiss my son goodbye. I averted my eyes. Sometimes I've just had enough of a good time.

"That's the Spirit!"

The Longmont Book Club(s) had a lovely Holiday Open House. I'll say that even though it was at my house. I can say that because the people that came made it so lovely and special. The group of people belonging to that book club are really top notch! I can't imagine if I was to go out and pluck 40 people off the street they would be as entertaining and as intelligent and creative thinking, and fun! But they must be! This is a random group to some extent, right? Or is the LBC like a people magnet drawing only the best, the brightest and the beautiful as I always say? You know I think you guys think I say these things to be funny but I'm on to something... To the Best the brightest and the beautiful! Cheers!

'Blue For Black Friday"

There is nothing like a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving. Or Christmas. And every year I keep trying to have one. I come very close to perfection with the kids, the grandkids, the food is great, and here we sit in a cozy cabin in Estes Park. What more could you ask for? After writing about missing Thanksgiving especially. Well I will tell you what I want now --- there is always something out there I want - Black Friday! I have never been "home" or available for retail on Black Friday and dang, I'm itchin' to snag some bargains! To even sneak some of those low priced goodies for myself. To read my favorite "book" that comes out tomorrow - the Target ad! Many times I've not even been close to a newspaper. I feel what it must be like to quit smoking or worse! I need to see those circulars! What am I missing? I'll let you in on a secret. The rush to Christmas that I whined about being such a terrible thing, did kick start my shopping early and I'm almost done. I want more! I want to be standing in line at 4AM at Kohls for something I don't even know what it is yet! My daughter and I could make a list, a road map of sorts, where to go, in what order, who opens first and where's the best stuff? Maybe she should get in one line and I in another? This could be a Christmas miracle for me. I was able to do it with out missing Thanksgiving. So maybe this early start isn't so bad. I did finally see the generic Thanksgiving commercial. Now Christmas will come and I'll be ready, and I imagine I'll do it all without getting involved with Black Friday. I'll turn my attention to something else. I can focus on the once a year, not to be missed Holiday Open House for the Best, the Brightest, and the Beautiful. Our Book Club members. I'll be shootin' for a Norman Rockwell Open House, did he paint one of those?

"Missing Thanksgiving!"

I covered Halloween, but this is serious. Where is Thanksgiving this year? This is the first time I've ever noticed it's complete disappearance. I haven't seen a single commercial for a Butterball Turkey. The Rockwell family gathered around and those boys fighting over the last crescent roll. We truly did jump straight from Halloween to Christmas with nary a gobble. Now there are some things I like about it, I have to admit. I fell into their trap. It's hypnotized me into a state of thinking I need to shop. So I've already started my Christmas shopping - early. But when I walked into Target a week ago and they had snowflakes plastered on their windows and Merry Christmas written on them I was thinking " Shame on you!". I could hop on the Merry-Go-Round and go for the Christmas ring and make Thanksgiving a glitch in the week, but something won't let me. I like Thanksgiving. For one thing it gives me a trial run at the turkey again. But I like the family around without the fuss and gimme presents that goes with Christmas. Fortunately my kids have outgrown that gimme stage. But I put a lot of pressure on myself to have the perfect Dickens Christmas. It's a lot of work but I don't want to change anything. Thanksgiving really does make me feel thankful for my family and for making it through another year and taking stock that life is pretty good. I need that right before the Christmas race starts, I think we all do. So come on Network Television, put that Butterball turkey ad on and those boys fighting over that last Pillsbury crescent roll (relax, we know mom has more in the kitchen!) and let us make that grocery list and plan a time with our people. Then we can race to the finish line for the perfect Christmas, the tree, trimmings, meal, gifts, and most of all some time with the people you care about that you just saw a month ago.

"A 5 Star Day"

First I must say we had a great meeting on Saturday! What a great group of people to spend time with and I consider myself lucky to get to do so! A good book discussion, Two mini "Happy Birthday party's for Nan and Maxine with a fun lunch at Oskar Blues. I give Oskar Blues ...... how many stars shall I give Oskar Blues? I was facing the wall. Like four feet from it......., not their fault, I think the atmosphere was fun, I heard laughter coming from outside our table. I'll give them five stars for atmosphere. The wall in front of me was pleasant enough to look at. But it was still a wall, so let's sit on that a minute. The menu was fun bar food and what I ordered was yummy. But I ordered a Turkey Roll-Up, it was good but I wouldn't have ordered it if there had been what I consider to be a good salad on the menu. Oddball salad menu, I'm not hard to please in that department. Don't get the wrong idea! They probably had salads you might like! So do I give them + stars for the Turkey Roll-Up or - stars for the sub par salad menu? So, where are we? We started with 5, minus oh, half a star (I'll be nice) for staring at the wall. Not everyone can face the direction they want to. Subtract a whole star for the lacking salad selection - that's fair I think. Service was a bit slow but they just opened, have a new wait staff, it was the busy lunch hour, all the excuses, I mean reasons. We're now at 3.5 stars. But wait! I had a great time! I really liked what I had to eat, I enjoyed the whole experience although I'm sure it was enhanced completely by my dining companions. So what's with the star system? We have it in the book club. I even pay attention to it and get all happy and excited when things are running straight fives for a day after the meeting. Then maybe someone will rate the meeting and the rating dips to an OMG 4.86! What did I do wrong! Did I let the meeting run amok? Was there inadequate lighting? Was a member unruly and I didn't rule? How did I lose those .14 points? I want them back! I want a perfect meeting! I want to know who, I want to know what, I want to know where did I go wrong? It's frightening and just plain unhealthy. So I spank my inner brat and tell myself that Oskar Blues can have a line of people waiting to get in , waiting to order a sub par salad and face the wall while eating it and it's the hottest spot in town. They do this with out being a perfect 5. The LBC meetings may never get a perfect 5, I think the book club has never gotten a mark as lowly as a 3.5 (how humiliating, I'd shut it down!) so according to my math and maybe even Gerty's, that makes us the hottest thing in town! So I forgot for a minute ..... I'm all better now.

"Sneaking Around"

I have a person in my life. Her name is Tal. She is from Israel. She is cute, I enjoy her accent and speech patterns and tend to imitate them when we are together, twice a week. I tend to imitate any accent I hear, I get a huge kick out of that but perhaps the person with the accent doesn't, HHhmmm, note to self...., consider this. Well Tal, has gotten a little high and mighty. I made an appointment with Gerty (member in good standing) to discuss important book club business, over lunch at one o'clock. Now Gerty, if you don't know this, is a Mathematician of the highest order. And if you don't know this, it has gotten to the point that we need a mathematician of the highest order to figure out who gets a turn in book club picking out a book. There are only twelve picks a year. I want new members to get a chance, but longtime (members in good standing) haven't had a chance in over a year! What is fair? So I gave Gerty a list of all members, told her how I was working in the new people and gave her time to study this. I was pleased she agreed it was a difficult issue. This is where Tal comes is. She is a whip-cracking ball buster who makes me do athletic things I'd rather not. When I emailed her and told her I had confused my appointments and needed to reschedule, (Of course I didn't tell her it was lunch with Gerty (member in good standing)! She had the nerve to tell me no! I was to be there at one o'clock sharp! Now very few people get away with telling me no. In fact I can't think of anyone at the moment. Least of all Tal! But she has got me! I can't tell her I'm sick now! I don't want to spend a tortuous hour with her and be a brat! That vile woman! The choices I have to make are almost to much to bear! Book Club chat lunch with Gerty (member in good standing) or beaten by Tal for an hour! Life is so unfair and why do all the worst things happen to me (sarcasm)? Tal is mean and I hate her! I think I'll barf on her Nikes! I am going to pout my way through that hour and she will rue the day she said "no" to Julie Masterson! Unless I can come up with something before one o'clock....... anyone? anyone? Email me quickly @ jmasterson7@yahoo.com

"That's a Darth Moll in the background in case you were wondering..."

"My Shy Superman!"

What has happened to Halloween? I do all the things I'm supposed to do. I spend way to much time trying to decide what kind of candy the little kids will want this year. Will I have good candy? What will they think of my candy? I put it in a festive dish buy the front door. I leave on my porch light. My two favorite trick or treaters come by early - Maddox and Nate. Who/what is a "Darth Moll"? A Star Wars guy? That was one, and good old standard Superman was the other. And I hate to say this..., that was it. Two. As in 2. 1 + 1. Other than my two blood relative Grandsons, I was SHUT OUT! What if, I was thinking, it's assumed that me and my surrounding neighbors are considered old and the kids don't bother with us? They all think I went to bed at 8:30? Living in a Town house area surrounded by houses with young families, we are the older folks. We are mostly couples, no kids. That is a logical assumption, but I'm not going down that road today. Or tomorrow either. I'll take the two I had over the whole neighborhood. What more could you ask for than your own Darth Moll and Superman?

"Mama said there'd be day's like this...."

Some days just lend themselves to hunkering down with a good book. This is one of those days. I have several to chose from, with all the Most Excellent Book Groups we have with the book choices and not to mention reading my phone........ so I'm going to start some soup simmering and snuggle in with my bff (doggie) and do the only thing this day expects of me. Oh no! Snow plow just went by - expectations of me just increased! We'll ignore that....

Zippy

Recently the third Saturday group read She Got up off the Couch by Haven Kimmel. For some reason I cannot stop thinking about this book or maybe it is the book club discussion I can't stop thinking about. Either way, I feel there are things about this book I want to discuss further and my husband, son and dog have no interest in talking about it with me.

The biggest sticking point for me is that I found this book very funny, laugh out loud funny in some parts. However, there was a portion of the members at book club who did not find the book funny at all. I ask myself am I insensitive, did I miss the point, is my sense of humor gone? Zippy is a fun and interesting character. In some parts I thought I was reading my own biography. In other parts I wished I had been as daring and sassy as Zippy.

Another point I want to discuss is how other people related to the book in a less serious way. What I mean is not that many of us are from humble beginnings or challenging families of origin but that most of us grew up at a time when as children we could roam a bit. Personally, I would often leave the house in the mornings and return only for meals. I would wonder in the woods, crash at friends houses, swim in the one above ground swimming pool in the neighborhood, play in the cow pasture, ride my bike everywhere, and come home covered head to toe in dirt. And no one wondered where I was or looked for me. I loved it. I was free.

The other key ingredient to this book was Zippy's relationships in the community. I loved her tales about adventures with friends. I had a childhood friend just like Rose. She was perfect and her family seemed perfect. It never occurred to me to be jealous of her; I only felt love and admiration. It also never occurred to me to ask why my friends's parents always so willingly allowed me to come spend the nights at their house instead of their children coming to mine. I preferred it that way.

I guess the thing I loved about this book was the tone of the book was one of a child experiencing her life with only a small amount of adult perspective. So often it seems memoirs written about difficult childhoods are just depressing (don't get me wrong, I love to read a morose story about a bad childhood). But I appreciate that this story is funny and made me reflect on the happy times of my childhood. And a take away message that where we end up is not completely determined by where we start.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a "Disgrace"and that's no "Catch 22" I have no idea what I'm supposed to be reading.....

I'm off my schedule. Saturday would mark the day when I should begin reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" with gusto. Well, wait a second, I started it earlier and took a break and read something else (off list!). I've hit a wall I'm afraid. I found a book I'm loving and I'm not wanting to read book club books for now and this is the first time this has happened. I've been a good girl up to now. For 18 months I read the book I was supposed to and honestly with everything else in my life I rarely had time for another. Book Club #2 came along and I squeezed that one in. Now I never get to read something I just pick out myself. I'm not the speed reader some of you are, and I have a complicated lifestyle that doesn't allow a lot of time for reading these days (It used to). So back in June we read The "Elegance of the Hedgehog", and group #1 read it in August, thereby freeing up reading time for a book of my own choice. The joy! The sheer delight of it! It spoiled me. I listen to you speak of all the books you read and I envy you. Now I am having trouble jumping back on the Book Club wagon. I must. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is considered the best book ever written in a book poll of the librarians of the United States. Did you know that? I've read it before, seen the movie umpteen times and absolutely love it. But I discovered a - hold on here - you've seen the commercials...there are more that 85, 000 aps for an iPhone and one of them is Kindle. That reading thing - I don't even know what to call it exactly. But I'm not even caught up in reading a book - I'm reading my phone right now, and I better hurry. First Editions meets in two weeks and I better be ready for it.

"Can't find anything to read?"

I had so many great book titles emailed to me I was going to print them all here to have space for them all. But changed my mind. I thought more of you would read an email and get to see what each other reads. There are more books here that I haven't read, than I have. That is why I am the organizer and you guys are the members. I procure a venue and gather a crowd, and you people read the best books! So here is a partial list on the side bar of what you folks have sent me so far. Many of you have love for the same classics - To Kill a Mockingbird being a number one pick among most, and there were many I had never heard of, but plan to look for. There is a lot of great reading here and we should never have to say I can't find anything to read! There are still lots of beautiful days left, grab a book and a place outside!

"If Lyn can do it, in the wind on an iPhone, so can I"

What a special late afternoon it was for me! I got an invitation (generic email) to join the Steven Colbert Forum whatever it would be called and I wanted in on it! I filled out the form. Everything was going swimmingly...until the section where I had to put in my password. It insisted I didn't know it. It insisted over and over until I wasn't sure myself. I then tried to join using a different email address. I became obsessed with this inability to remember my password. I tried every password I could possibly have used. I failed my security question. It was now dinner time. I quickly threw something together and my husband ate it. Success! Ever onward! The quest wasn't over yet. I was more determined than ever. I spelled my password so many times I 'm not sure I could spell my name if I had to. It became a situation of is my first name my last, my last my first? My password my username? My username my maiden name? By 8:00 I was fried and I decided Steven Colbert didn't deserve me. At least not today. But tomorrow I begin anew. I will not be brought down by this password battle. I will be one of Steven Colbert millions of minions and proud of it. All I need is the right password. Then there is probably the secret handshake and the pledge. If anyone knows this please email me with it - and my password - please tell me my password - I want in this club dang it!

"Yikes! Only one of these is on the reading list!"

What a great response we're getting from people and their favorite books! I've read many, but there are a lot I can't wait to read and have never heard of. I hope I can stretch time, as my Mother used to say, and find the time to read them all. The problem with book club, and it's a big one , is there are only twelve months in a year - only twelve chances to pick something wonderful to read. That's why I suggest you join as many groups as you can, to get in as many books as you can read in a month, and still get in your own personal list (pile by the side of your bed) read. It isn't easy, but we must get it done as our quest for the written word grows, so does this pile by my bed.

Omnivore's Dilemma

Has one of the book club selections had a strong enough impact on you to lead to changes in your life or behavior? The recent selection, Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver had an impact on my life. When I first saw the selection I thought it would be a preachy book about how we should all love the earth more. I was expecting a far left fanatical book that would leave me resentful. Instead I found an informative and easy to read book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

After reading Kingsolver's book, I read Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food on the suggestion of Aaron. I found both books much better than Kingsolver's book. The stories in the books were more interesting and the information about the food industry was more complete.

So how did this change my life? My family eats differently now. Before, I never bought organic and I ate whatever animal products I wanted. I did not think much about the source of my food (other than I got it at King Soopers). Also, it never occurred to me to think about how my purchasing decisions could impact the food industry. Really, I just wanted the least expensive food that still tasted good.

After reading these books my goal is now to have at least 50 percent of my family's food be organic and/or local food sources. Almost all animal products in our home are now organic and/or local. I get our meats from Rocky Plains and buy organic milk and eggs. Also I used the farmer's markets way more this summer and make most of my son's baby food from the vegetables there.

Now some may say, 50 percent, that isn't very good. But I believe in moderation in all things: thoughts, beliefs, politics, religion, exercise, finances, and yes the food I eat. For me the Kingsolver book club selection created a lasting change in the way I think about food. I am happy to have discovered a new way to look at the world.

""Tiki Time"

It was a meeting of a different sort. A lot of late cancellations. A book that, while we liked the subject and thought it well written, left us dry and as dusty as the writer who hitchhiked across the 7.000 miles of Australian Outback. But it was a shoot from the hip, sort of time that I have occasionally and I guess I get to have one of those every now and then. A totally unorganized meeting. You see, we had a present to give Annika, for her baby that is on it's way. Sounds simple doesn't it? Well, it isn't as it turns out. We (Jon, our party planner and I) wanted to spice things up a bit, and then I didn't know what order to have things, and of course we always want it to be a surprise..... Pretty soon there were doilies all over the table, Jon insisted there be doilies, and he brought great chocolate, and I brought his next demand which became a craft project of sorts - tiki huts - personal take home size. Then there was the gift unveiling. Fun, fun, fun. Book discussion! The reason we're there, remember? Whew! We of the Longmont Book Club are nothing if not party people. We take an oath to never pass up an opportunity to have a good time/meeting! Tiki time!

"We'll Call It My Pet Project"

"Book Club Day" tomorrow. I've been preparing for some time now. This one is particularly special. I can say why because I'm pretty sure no one reads this blog, so I can say almost whatever I want to and no one will see it. What freedom! Our member in good standing, Annika, is very pregnant and we are giving her a baby gift tomorrow and she doesn't know this. I try to keep it a surprise. In fact if she or someone who reads this and knows her - keep it a surprise but tell her to come to Book Club. As usual I now have the fear she won't feel good, as pregnant women tend to do, and won't come tomorrow. This time has been made even better with the help of Jon, Our newly elect Official Party Planner. He has had a lot more input than I ever expected he would want to have (to say the least), and I have been running around trying to keep up with his demands. Of course he is the one I delegated this to, right? HHhmmm.. something's not right here..... there is a backwards thing going on...... Later on I'll print out a "guest list" try and find a reading guide or something like it online and print it out. I'll wrap Annikas presents which have all been personalized with a certain book club "something". If you've ever received one you know what I mean. I'll type up our notes and announcements of which there are many, but we just don't have time for all of this and still have a meeting! I have reports of members behaving badly! A scantily dressed woman, a picture from the paper, just might be a book club member - needs further investigation, and an "ales for females" article, just who is on the membership list of this organization? Definitely needs looking into. Note to self - check with Alan on this. Much goes on behind the scenes. These meetings just don't happen by themselves! So it's my "Book Club Friday" and a special one with a party planned. See? I have a life!

"Too Hot and Icky"

Sometimes I like something that is an odd thing to "like". Like really hot Mexican food. So hot you practically can't taste the food, only the "hot". Sort of like something is so ugly it's cute. Well, it can be that way with a book sometimes. Sometimes I can really "like" a book that is really a bad story. A story of violence or war or hunger and poverty. I don't think that makes it a bad book. One of the books coming up soon, "Disgrace" is written by an pretty hot author right now. J.M. Coetzee. He's been around a long time, but is getting a lot of notice lately. Disgrace is not a nice story, and the male lead can be decided by the reader what they think of him, that's not the point. But when I first started reading it, what first came to my mind, even though it's nowhere in the beginning of the book was "oh yea, people are living in cardboard boxes in South Africa..." I think every now and then we need to be reminded of things like that. It wasn't violent or perverse but it was probably a negative I needed to have in my head, at least for a while. I need to remember there are people that live in cardboard boxes, as a way of life in South Africa, in Longmont they have the luxury of living in them just in the winter. So if you think a book is just "too negative" or "awful" to have in your head - maybe you need a kick-start in your head for a reason. I'm not saying what it is or even if you do, just to consider it for a moment before you rule it out, maybe there's a reason it's been put out there for you.....

Another Blogger?

Julie offered me the opportunity to add posts to the Longmont Book Club blog. I am very excited to add to the discussion! Since Julie is an expert and offers wonderful insights on her life and the goings on of bookclub members in her posts, I think I will try to stick to the topic of books.

In case you do not know me, I am April Driver and am a member of the third Saturday group. In December my first child was born, a son named Jack. He is now nine months old and is into everything. I am married to Christian and live in Erie. We moved to Colorado five years ago. I love the Colorado summers but as the fall rolls in I miss my South Carolina native land with its warmer climate.

I love to read. It is really my only hobby and I will read almost anything. My two favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird and In Cold Blood. A few of my other favorites are: The Red Tent, The Road, Charlotte's Web, The Glass Castle, and anything by Dorthea Benton Frank. I could list at least 20 more books.

I really enjoy being a part of the book club and all the varying opinions on life and books that are discussed. If anyone is up for it, I think it would be fun to continue those discussions here.

I look forward to future posts. If anyone has any suggestions of topics you would like to see covered, please post your ideas in the comment section.

"Good For A Laugh!"

An old friend found me on facebook. An old friend. It's really scary. I knew him when we were both in our early twenties. Now our age has doubled and fortunately, while my IQ is probably the same, Charlie may have lost a few brain cells. Don't get me wrong, he was a blast, still is, probably. The picture you are looking at is one of the funniest people I know, and I know a lot of really funny people. I worked in radio, writing commercials. Some of the funniest people are found there too. But Charlie could always make me laugh, and that was my favorite thing about him. A friend who can do that is someone really special. Hang on to them for life! So, I hung around with Charlie, this was before he looked like Jeremiah Johnson - I just killed a bear- Mountain Man. For a couple of years we had a great time. But the problem was he started looking like - "I just smoked too much weed" - so I moved on. Then he found Jesus (not that there's anything wrong with that) and became a fundamentalist Minister and got married to a sweet young girl from Iowa, and started having children with Biblical names and schooling them at home. He would call me every couple of years, this is how I know this. He always said, and I love this part, "You are the standard I measure all woman against". Every time he called he had another baby on the way. Every couple of years another baby on the way.... so that means, are you counting with me? The man in the picture who is about my age is about to have his 9th child. His youngest is 4. Imagine me, with a 4 year-old. I can imagine me with a 3 year-old. His name is Nate and he is my Grandson. Now he isn't a Minister any more, he's moved on to other things. The last time I talked to Charlie I asked him, he with the baby due in November, if he was going to have any more. He said, oh, yea, whatever the Lord wants... AARRGGHH!! This is not my business, thank the Lord, but it still makes me go AARRGGHH!! I guess there's a reason I moved on, I wasn't built to be the mother of nine children, THAT I know for sure! But he really made me laugh!

"First Editions Has a First Anniversary!"

Today was the first Anniversary party for the First Editions and I get excited about that kind of thing! To think that an off shoot has been successful, and I was afraid to start a Book Club in the first place, thrills me to death! Anybody that knows me, knows I love a party so, we partied a little before our usual segment when we talk a lot! I hope they liked it. I like doing it and I hope the book club will last forever. My daughter will have to wheel me in in my wheelchair through the doors of Borders - still in business despite the bad economy, and all the regulars will still be there. All the babies that everyone is having will have started there own Jr. Chapter. We'll have to change our name to Old Editions or maybe Rare Editions...I like that one.

"Ladies Who Lunch"

The other day I was wanting the opinion and advise of a friend. I thought about who to ask. I realized all my friends are book club friends. That didn't alter who I could ask. Their opinion was just fine, I didn't have anything to hide from them. It made me grateful that I had made so many good friends from what started out with four women , one of them my daughter, forced to go out of my fear and shyness. Now, I won't kid anyone, I don't know everyone as well as I do some, but I feel like I could meet anyone of them on the street and have a conversation. That's not bad for someone who lived and worked here for six years and didn't feel like I had a friend I could ask to lunch. Pathetic isn't it? Well, no more! I got it goin' on! I'm one of those women sitting in a restaurant surrounded with others laughing and it's somebodys birthday. I got in on the fun! The Book Club is for more than just reading. It can be a birthday, a baby shower, help when you're moving, a party for Christmas or ... men and mostly Ladies who Lunch.

"Serve it up?"

In case anyone should go looking for it - it's not there anymore. The Christmas poll. The "poll setting" gadget on this Blogger has a very cool built in feature that automatically sets the poll to run for a week. And it counts down to the hours left to go! I can't even cancel it before the week is over because I remember trying one time. So it ended with 7 people voting. 5 for Let's go ahead with the party at Lori's and 2 for Let's have a casual no meeting Holiday gathering at Panera Bread. That's the final poll Tally folks! Now let's see if Lori is still willing. She's such a good sport, I imagine unless a family reunion has decided to descend for the holiday she is still up to the task with a little help from the rest of us. Hey of they've all read the book, or not, every one's welcome , right?

Just for fun

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

"Bratty Cat"

I bought the book even though I didn't plan on going to the meeting. With two Saturday's already committed to Book Club, a third one makes my husband a little cranky, although I'm a little cranky at missing one. HHhhmmmm...., dare I ponder that? In The Woods by Tana French sounded so good I snagged a copy while doing a little Amazon shopping (no wonder Borders is hurting, hey everyone, buy your books at Borders so we'll always have a meeting place!). But I didn't get a chance to read it, Someone else got to it first and I couldn't get her to let it go. It must be good, it scored a 3.9 on the book scale, above average. Janet Elway has good taste in literature. Now I imagine she'll take a nap.

"Looking For The Light"

(Me, not On Chesil Beach....)

Anyone who knows me, knows I 'm a Drama Queen. I don't do light very well. I've been looking for "light" for almost a week and I can't find it. In a book. "Light" books are either children's or Chick Lit and they are a no go on our what we read list. So I keep looking for something and I'm finding so much I want you to read with me! Ian McEwan and On Chesil Beach, Enduring Love, Saturday, all excellent books, not really heavy, but not very happy story's. Colm Toiban, another great author, how can I let you miss out on these? I would be a bad organizer if given the chance to share these good books and I didn't....wouldn't I? I may be on to something. The hunt is on..... I'm off to Borders for a personal inspection of a possibility. You think maybe I take this stuff too seriously? What I really need is to find some light on this beach I'm standing in!

New Rant, Different Pony

Not book club related but time for a quick new Rant! Pretty Girl on Horse (August 25 post) rates higher than Mom who has made dinner every single Tuesday and Wednesday for three years! He cut off his pony tail! His foot long, two years in the making beautiful blond pony! The little red-headed "High Maintenance Miss Thing" asks him to cut his hair and he says "how short?"! He did memorialize it , as he calls it, and donated it to "Locks of Love" but still.... Now most Moms are probably wanting a nice reasonable haircut on their boy, but I loved the Norwegian Thug look it gave him. At 6'4", 210# it rounded him out in a nice way and he even looked great in a suit. Oh well, it's only hair, it grows, as does the love for Pretty Girl on Horse.

Rant and Rave? I'd rather Rock and Roll 'baby!

Every now and then everyone is entitled to do it. They have that right. They deserve it. They've earned it, one way or another, you can bet they have! A Rant! A Rave! Losing it! Going off! As my daughter refers to it. So I ranted a little and I raved a little and I lost it a little at the last meeting. Why? I got tired. Tired of having good intentions questioned. Questioned and doubted. If you don't think I don't research a book up and down and inside out you are very much mistaken. If I have decided to take a turn at choosing a book, which I haven't done since May 2007, our first book club choice, by the way, you can bet I've looked deeply into that choice. So you see, if I've picked something out, I don't want my selection doubted. You will see me rant and rave and lose it. So, those that didn't come to the September 19th meeting , missed it. AND I've retracted my book pick, my turn that never was. And it's okay. There are enough people in the group that need a chance to pick and I am fine with that. It would have been nice to have my thought respected. Ergo the ranting. But I'm over it. Let the book roll call continue with the next person up - pick a book and get back to me, as soon as possible please.

This is what I'm always talking about.......

It's Monday morning, Labor Day, and whether it's a holiday or whether or not I'm in a full body cast, what I'm doing is going to Estes as you've heard me talk about many times. I see my children. They live there. They finished High School there (Oh what I could tell you about the Estes Park School System and it's high number if ex-Administrative Employees who are now doing jail time!). They are old now. High School is over now. John on the left, is eighteen, Andy, on the right is twenty-one. You have met or seen pictures of my daughter, Lynsey, who just turned thirty. She may not want me to tell you that. So, Dear Book Club members, I have hit the tri-fecta. 18, 21 & 30. YIKES! I don't know how my kids got so old, when I stayed so young but somehow it happened. I digress. My point- John is hustling, and trying to figure things out in a hurry at the moment. Andy is a Hot Shot , a Wild Fire Fire Fighter, as he likes to say- he's out saving babies - from April through November and eventually wants to become a Smoke Jumper. But these are my boys. The children I go see (although Andy isn't around right now, the saving baby thing, ... ). Monday and Tuesday for as long as they are willing to have dinner with their mother, I will go to Estes. It can be a pain in the ass. Get groceries, gas up the car, get cash, pack a few things, take the dog, etc.. I may have other things I want to do. This is not a Book Club issue, but something I never shut up about in Book Club. I'm going to see my youngest baby boy today and tomorrow. No matter what trouble it takes to get there, it's still a "Yippee!" for me, and probably an "Oh boy, I get dinner!" for him....yous takes what yous gets sometimes, and be glad yous gets it!

"Girl On A Pony"...? Please, no!

This is part of my collection of what I call "Desperate Mountain Women" books. Not a great picture for which I apologize. As the Third Saturday group probably knows better than the others, I bring my personal life story into every meeting. These books and more that couldn't fit into the frame - it would take a very wide lens - represent a birthday, an anniversary, Christmas, usually a holiday of which my ex-husband thought a story of some poor, long suffering woman who lived a life struggling in a mountain cabin would somehow cheer me from my own lifestyle of cabin life where heating with green firewood (doesn't work), a bad well (not enough water) nary a TV channel nor a regular phone call could be had. I often voiced my displeasure. These books did not cheer me. They were good books. I read them all. They didn't make me want to continue to live in the mountains. They didn't even make me count my blessings (well, they probably did that) but the reason I am writing now is this. They were reasonably good books, and maybe there is one or two in there I really like and would read again, but would I ask the book club to read it? Life of an Ordinary Woman is somewhat of a Mountain Classic. He really missed the mark with Two Women, Two Model Ts, and the American West. It is not a book club choice. I have 56 books in my "Desperate Mountain Woman " collection and I could probably find a something in it that might appeal, but they are not in keeping with what I think are our good standards. They aren't bestsellers, well, maybe in their genre there are some in there. They are not award winners, there is probably an award winner in their genre I could go looking for as I have for other choices. They aren't written by authors we have heard of, or who have sold or written award winners . Most of all, as it says in the last sentence of our handbook, they probably are not going to have appeal to most of the people that have to read it. So my point for this Blog is to remember, as we usually do, to pick books most of your group in your opinion - and it is a difficult thing to do - will find readable and appealing.

Illustrius & Most Worthy Post Original & Exalted Oregon Member

Meet Stacie! If you don't already know Stacie it's time you did! Stacie was our fourth (?) book club member back in the early days and I was ever so glad to see her walk into Borders! Back then Borders was unaware they had a book club meeting there every month because we met in the cafe or on the comfy sofas and I put out the MEETUP sign and hoped for the best. And the best always showed up. I made my daughter Lynsey come with me, the Devastatingly Beautiful Woman with Two Adorable Children(?), that's her, and another lovely lady that I still see on Facebook, Andrea, and Jean who didn't RSVP but came anyway, God love her. Then it was Laura, then Stacie, then Danine...No! Keri and Aaron, then Danine and she had a six week old baby then who is now a two year old! But Stacie came faithfully, driving from Broomfield and always adding her insight and confident in opinion. Sadly, she had to move to Oregon in a sudden career move and it was a happy surprise to hear from her just before I left for a brief trip to OR/WA to see friends and I got to add Stacie to the itinerary. She - get this - says "she has yet to find a passable book club in Oregon"! So I guess that means the LBC is the best book club in at least two states! And she is our first online member! Welcome back Stacie, and we hope to hear from you every month when you read our great book list and give us your thoughts and summary and don't forget to "rate the book"!

My friend Danine, Zippy & what gives?

This is Danine. We all know her in Third Saturdays. She is the one who first coined the phrase in reference to us "We Rock!". Actually what she really said is "We So Rock!". And we so do! Danine is one of the most creative people I will probably ever know. She hides it a lot at book club. I've heard her referred to as "the one who knits". She is a multi-tasker. She recently told me she makes copies of all the books we read. Not "copies". I'm talking about art. Cut out images of the covers. A cut out of fabric, or some such material, image of the girl on the cover of the Hedgehog book. That sort of copy of a book cover. Very creative. She has a two year old daughter, a husband, and another job besides those two and gets more done in a day than a team of ten. At book club she might be quiet, or make an occasional comment, but always knitting like a fiend. But read her Blog! Or her Facebook page, her book list puts most to shame. She sometimes lowers her standards and we lunch together. She is my therapist. Lucky her. Lucky me!

AT ANY RATE, she is the one who chose our book for September, "She Got Off The Couch......" the sequel to "Zippy" by Haven-oh dear I'm away from my desk, Haven something. What do we think of this book? I bought them both, was on Amazon, able to buy Zippy for an additional dollar or something, you know those deals, and so I did read Zippy first. Didn't have to read it, I do tire of always having to read only what is on the reading list due to the time between meetings. Both books, I thought, were the sort you can pick up and read randomly. I won't say much about them because that is what our meeting is for. But I did keep looking for what the book was about. When I decided to just enjoy it, I liked it much better. Was she neglected? She seemed like a happy child. What was the deal with that family? Where is the explanation? Perhaps like an art house film there isn't one, or maybe one of you can tell me, you are an insightful bunch.....

The Typical Blog Reader?

Here is a picture of the typical Blog reader and Blog poll voter. Nice person, good intentions. Now I really appreciate those of you that take the time to read my meanderings and have voted. But this is my daughter, and I guarantee you she hasn't read it or voted. She is no longer my favorite. Right now it's John. I can write that because I know she won't see this. Pretty bad, huh?

I've got a lot to blog about and don't know where to begin, so I'll just start with whatever is right off the top of my head which is usually where all my conversations begin and end. I see in the "poll box " which I love , by the way that the "No's" are winning. That is "No" to allowing new members in to Third Saturday. That means that the No's won with a total of 10 votes. Kind of a bummer for those that voted "Yes" I'd say. Also kind of a bummer for me, proving once again that no one is reading the Blog well, the 10 people that voted. Another reason it is so important to Blog daily. If anyone opens this page and sees that same bunch of tulips they are going to also know that there is nothing new on the horizon. So today I may try to blog more than once. I have a new poll I want to post - isn't it cool that the poll clocks itself? Right down to hours. Right now there are 13 hours left to vote. Kind of fun, I think. It's cut down on the emails. Maybe an email this morning - an outcry for votes in the next 13 hours. And watch this space for an import poll regarding a book choice vote. Coming up shortly!

I am a sleepless wonder! Well, I am sleepless...

I have trouble sleeping....I know you want to know the details of my life. So from two-thirty eight (don't you just love digital ?) on, I lay there awake and by four I thought I might as well get up and play on this machine, as the hub gets a little tired of me being glued to it. He feels it's a distraction, I'm disconnected....he may be right. BUT THERE IS GREAT NEWS! You guys know I love all caps emphasis, I have a title for almost everyone! Almost everyone I think except for the members I haven't met yet or just don't quite know well enough yet - but I will! I promise! Very soon! I also over punctuate! So I'm sending myself some flowers because I did such a good job! Well, I don't know how great the titles are, you may not love your title, but I did come up with one and that's saying something, isn't it?

Titles, Names, a second look - hold me back please!

My son John's girlfriend......... I don't have the right camera with me....... sorry...! I'll call this -

"Pretty girl on horse that better not break my son's heart!" Not exactly inspired..... but I'm saving those for you guys!

I'd like to say a few things about titles. Titles started out as something fun and silly. I think I threw one someones direction just because... and then one lead to another. Now it's become a great challenge. I had said earlier, I don't remember if it was an email or a meeting, that only members from 2007 would get the first titles. With 2008, and 2009 following as that made sense to me. First Editions, being a year behind had different rules. Well, I hit a nerve. The really raw exposed kind, so I've been working hard at coming up with a title for everyone.. It has been fun. Now keep in mind, some of you I don't know that well, and it will take me a little longer to come up with the proper one. As I told Aaron, I would like each title to reflect each persons intelligence, beauty and giftedness, not to mention skill set, and I have to do this in about 36 characters. That is why our Statistician became "Visually Stunning", Aaron didn't feel his title reflected his beauty. (Aaron's name keeps coming up, doesn't it? I think he was sitting by me that day.) Do you think I spew these out in about a minute? I spent 35 minutes the other morning on one. Trying to find a 5 letter word for Commonwealth or a 3 letter word for All Knowing just doesn't fly off the top of my head like you think it would. Keep in mind, Whiner First Class is still available and I hope stays that way. For those of you who wonder why you have the title you do, it's because I have you under observation and a job in mind for you! If any of you are so strongly opposed to your title and you just don't feel you can live with it, please let me know and I'll see what my staff and I can do about this. I certainly don't want anyone unhappy about something they will wear forever.

And with the subject of titles I might as well mention "naming things". I love to! And you may have noticed 1st Saturdays is First Editions and 4th Saturdays is Fourth Editions. The tiresome thing with this project was that with each notion that popped into my head, I had to go in and "try it on" each page to see how it looked and that got so tedious, but I had to know! You don't want a funny looking page any more than I do! But I think we have something we can live with, and that makes perfect sense.

I had received an idea from a member in good standing who shall remain anonymous at this time. I'm hoping she will run with it, I think it sounds like a lot of fun and could be a big hit! I only mention it now because, if given a nudge, she may be forced out of hiding and go for it! I named it - "2nd Page, Another Look-Watch the Movie, Read the Book! This idea is still under construction, but watch this space or pay attention and you will hear more about it! (She may want to name it something else, my names may be tapping out...until my next creative surge!)

So now names are all I think about, when I'm driving, doing dishes, you can't say you all aren't on my mind. It's just that now you're Executives, and Supreme Seductresses or Anointed ones, it all started with our Sweet as Pecan Pie, Southern Belle. And who can blame anything on an innocent Southern Bell Charmer?..........somebody stop me!

Welcome to the Crazy House

This is the crazy house - the place you receive those "extra" emails from. Sometimes I call it the cabin or going to Estes or I'm in Estes. It really is a log cabin, built in 1947, but it has plumbing and all the modern conveniences. It's even kind of cute inside, if you ask me, because if you ask me, I was the interior decorator. But it can be a scary place. It has a big basement. Big enough that someone can sneak into and live while I'm not here, and set up house and stay awhile, like, while I am here. Thanks to my son John and movies like The Haunting of Connecticut" and that genre that he brings over to share with his Mom (what a thoughtful boy), I fear there are dead people in the walls ( a convenient hiding place. And an escaped knife wielding psycho, - my other son Andy ?, No...) living down there and I can't hear him, so it's John's own fault he has to go look every time he comes over. That's fair I think. At least the frig doesn't go "thunk" anymore which I didn't notice in the daytime but in the night it sounds exactly like someone pounding on the window. We replaced that sucker . It needed it anyway, your frig shouldn't "thunk".

So, with the beautiful weather I've tried to take more walks downtown. Estes is famous for #1. no, not tourists in my mind, the wind! #2 of course, is the little shops for coffee (Kind coffee - I had no idea my usual coffee was so mean, - Starbucks, a great little shop called Mary Jane's' - no, no, not that kind of Mary Jane, all you aging hippies, Shame! Cute stuff, a place Men would hate, and usually with no problem you can find a store that's going out of business so the bargains are great! Oh, and a new doggie supply store called "Estes Bark" a little play on words, I noticed it right off! Usually walking helps clear my brain and helps me think of emails I want to write. I'll keep working on it....... (less email, less email , less email)

I really do lose sleep over this.....

Well, it may not look like it, you may not understand it, but I'm exhausted. All of this book clubbing is wearing me out! Not that I don't enjoy every minute, but naming everything and everybody and answering emails and book lists! How do you decide how to share the book picks?What if someone just had a turn in one group? What if their join up date makes it their turn the next month in group #2? Fair? New member isn't going to get a turn this year it doesn't look like! I 'd kind of like new member to see the possibility of choosing a book sometime in the somewhat near future. But there are some benefits to being a "Senior" member. (Hey, really, take it from me, being a senior isn't a benefit...). What is going to keep everybody happy? Do they even care? Why am I losing sleep over this? AARGGGHHHH!!!! A plan is in the works and will be posted, discussed or emailed. Our ever growing member list is what is making this a problem I'm glad to have. I never dreamed we would grow the way we have --thanks everybody! I'll deal with my "exhaustion". It sure beats the days when I didn't have a thing to do!

A Rose by any other name doesn't smell as sweet, I don't think...

Everything changes yet stays the same. I have driven myself batty with the book club the last two days in my obsessive compulsive way I decided they needed names that didn't sound so alike, multi-syllabic and tongue tripping and I wanted something more creative. All this came in a fleeting email - one of those that fly by in such a second that all I saw or remember of it was too many Saturdays to keep track of or something like that and I felt the same way. Giving me the excuse I needed! I love to name things! Other peoples babies! Pets, projects, whatever - I'll put a name to it and this will be the August Answer to the Already Named Book Club. With three groups now really don't you agree three distinctive names for each one is better? FirstSat, ThirdSat and FourthSat, come on... I am not proud of that! You shouldn't be either! I know the emails were a bit much. If you all would look at this once in a while you wouldn't be so sick of those!! PJ and I could have prattled on back and forth last night about fourth chapter vs chapter four to our hearts content without filling up any one's mailbox. That's the idea anyway... and it may come to pass. You all can write on here and post,.

I was noticing and thought it interesting, the posts on here from a year ago by Lisa are still as timely today as they were then. She is a good writer. Meanwhile you are stuck with my ramblings. I like the names so far, we will try them on, but I think they fit.

Another 46 cents

Yesterdays meeting was fun, fun, fun for me as it always is. I always like to see my book club buddies and I have to tall ya whether you like it or not, you're almost like family. I probably won't let you see me in my jammies any time soon - we're not that closely related but I do like y'all. And the meetings are not just an enlightening discussion of a book for me. Okay dokey enough schmaltz! The 3rdSats were not as impressed with The Elegance of the Hedgehog and the 1stSats, and I found that interesting. I didn't have to do hardly anything at that meeting. But yesterday I had to read off of the only crummy reading guide that wasn't even a reading guide that I could find, and it didn't even hold every one's attention. EGAD! My every horror realized! But the group seems ro forgive me and I think still feels they got their 46 cents worth. Whew!

Test Site Stage II

With tomorrows meeting looming before me there is always the temptation to dream up something a little outrageous to garner a reaction out of you. Yes, it's that pathetic. I sit around and think about book club pranks. I could sleep, walk the dog, do dishes, foster relationships with people even. But no, I scour the computer and thesaurus for words and ideas for something that you might find entertaining. I think it may be time to join Danine's knitting group. Or study Buddhism. I've been meaning to do that. I have the iPhone ap. It's a good thing this is still in the test site stage.

No Way! Way!

The web site is connected to the link is connected to the blog...!

Everything except what you are reading right now was written as you can see, about a year ago--- before it was easy to access the Blog. But now there is cause for great celebration for I now have a place to gab to my hearts content, save you from unfortunate emails and generally blow off steam. And you can read it here or not, it's your choice!

The blog link is now posted on our web site and if you don't think that is a huge advance in our book club technology than it's time you learned something about us! Watch this space for something more fun than this because surely it will improve! It's been awhile since I've used this space and I have to learn it again but now I need to sleep! Thank you Blog Gods for getting me this far!