Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome is a classic British comedy, very P.G. Wodehouse in style. Set in the late 1800's, it is the comical story of J. and his friends Harris and George who decide they need a vacation. So they go boating on the Thames. J. has his boisterous dog along too. J. is very Bertie Wooster like in his take on the world which makes for many silly situations. Lots of laugh out loud moments. The book is also a bit of a travelogue as the characters boat from town to town from London to Oxford (I think that was the final town). I don't have much of a familiarity with boating terms but I got to know what sculls and weirs were among other terms.
A very enjoyable and light read. Since I am dealing with a hurting back and this dreadful election period, it was nice to read something so humorous and diverting.
Two thumbs up! For more book reviews go to 52 Books.
BTW, I read this for free on my Kindle!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Egypt Game - Book 45
When I was Becky's age (eleven) or so my favorite author was Zilpha Keatley Snyder. I read a bunch of her books. Looking up the author on on the internet and seeing a list of all her books, she wrote a lot more after I moved out of the particular phase. Anyway, I got The Egypt Game for myself to reread after these many decades, but Becky spied it and asked if I'd read it aloud to her. So we did. She loved it!
The Egypt Game is mainly about two girls in 6th grade who become friends and develop a fantasy game in the fenced in backlot behind a store in their neighborhood; a game based on their fascination with Egypt. It is a little bit spooky, but also full of friendships, heartache and resolution. A story especially of the girl April coming to terms with life. The characters are wonderfully sketched in a rather sparse but still warm and gentle style. I enjoy the show not tell style, and the plot is wonderfully crafted. A very enjoyable book.
For more reviews see 52 Books.
The Egypt Game is mainly about two girls in 6th grade who become friends and develop a fantasy game in the fenced in backlot behind a store in their neighborhood; a game based on their fascination with Egypt. It is a little bit spooky, but also full of friendships, heartache and resolution. A story especially of the girl April coming to terms with life. The characters are wonderfully sketched in a rather sparse but still warm and gentle style. I enjoy the show not tell style, and the plot is wonderfully crafted. A very enjoyable book.
For more reviews see 52 Books.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Week in Review - 10/19/12
Monday - Becky and I went off to Aquinas Learning. Sean and Josh met with their math tutor. In the afternoon, Josh studied for his next Physics exam and Sean worked on math homework and Life Science. In the evening Sean translated a paragraph in Wheelock. Rick left around 4 to go to the airport - business trip to CA.
Tuesday - The teen that studies Gov't with Josh came over at 8:30 a.m. Since Rick wasn't here, he'd downloaded a lecture course from the Teach. Co for them to watch. He thought they would be able to watch 3 if they took short breaks. However, I think they took long breaks because they only watched 2. They were just beginning to watch the 3rd one when the mom arrived. Oops! I think the only thing that Becky did school-wise was listen to me read another chapter of Manners and Morals and then she did the end of the book practice test on Fractions. My goodness that girl doesn't like math! Sean watched a couple of Logic lectures from The Art of Argument dvd. We are really enjoying these. He read some of Hittite Warrior, his new assigned reading. He did a lesson in math and took a catechism quiz on line. I helped his study a bit for his Latin quiz. Josh went to Physics class and took his test. Sean watched the whole pres. debate. I watched bits and pieces. Josh was no where to be found even though he's the one studying Gov't. Sigh.
Wednesday - Math tutor came in the a.m. Everything seems to be going well in that department for the boys. Becky is practicing her math facts for the rest of the week. Our printer was broken so I couldn't print out any Aquinas Learning worksheets for her. Sean studied for his Latin quiz, read Hittite Warrior, and I can't remember what else! Both kids complained about going to historical swordsmanship. They do not like the two handed swords and since this was the last class, I weakly let them skip it. My back has been killing me all week and I just don't have any gumption right now! Rick came home and fixed the printer! Josh went to his CLC on Wed. night.
Thursday - Sean went off to Aquinas Learning. Becky studied some math facts and then baked some cookies. She did three of her Aquinas Learning worksheets. We finally got the AL visual aids posted on our kitchen wall of learning. Then I had to take Josh to the courthouse to get his official permanent license (they do that here in Virginia). Becky got to have a playdate with a friend who happens to live near the courthouse. Then Josh and I went and picked up Sean, then back again to pick up Becky all in rush hour traffic. By that time it was 6 o'clock already, so we wound up eating a quick dinner out. My back was killing me from all the driving. Josh got an email from the Physics teacher. He got a 92 on his test.
Friday - this day was taken up with dentist and doctor appointments and not much else! I think some reading, some videogame playing and some movie making went on as well. I am going out in a few minutes to a Mother's Night Out with the Aquinas Learning Center Becky is in (and I help run). I am not staying for long though. My back is still killing me and I just want to lie in bed and read my new book Three Men and A Boat.
Tuesday - The teen that studies Gov't with Josh came over at 8:30 a.m. Since Rick wasn't here, he'd downloaded a lecture course from the Teach. Co for them to watch. He thought they would be able to watch 3 if they took short breaks. However, I think they took long breaks because they only watched 2. They were just beginning to watch the 3rd one when the mom arrived. Oops! I think the only thing that Becky did school-wise was listen to me read another chapter of Manners and Morals and then she did the end of the book practice test on Fractions. My goodness that girl doesn't like math! Sean watched a couple of Logic lectures from The Art of Argument dvd. We are really enjoying these. He read some of Hittite Warrior, his new assigned reading. He did a lesson in math and took a catechism quiz on line. I helped his study a bit for his Latin quiz. Josh went to Physics class and took his test. Sean watched the whole pres. debate. I watched bits and pieces. Josh was no where to be found even though he's the one studying Gov't. Sigh.
Wednesday - Math tutor came in the a.m. Everything seems to be going well in that department for the boys. Becky is practicing her math facts for the rest of the week. Our printer was broken so I couldn't print out any Aquinas Learning worksheets for her. Sean studied for his Latin quiz, read Hittite Warrior, and I can't remember what else! Both kids complained about going to historical swordsmanship. They do not like the two handed swords and since this was the last class, I weakly let them skip it. My back has been killing me all week and I just don't have any gumption right now! Rick came home and fixed the printer! Josh went to his CLC on Wed. night.
Thursday - Sean went off to Aquinas Learning. Becky studied some math facts and then baked some cookies. She did three of her Aquinas Learning worksheets. We finally got the AL visual aids posted on our kitchen wall of learning. Then I had to take Josh to the courthouse to get his official permanent license (they do that here in Virginia). Becky got to have a playdate with a friend who happens to live near the courthouse. Then Josh and I went and picked up Sean, then back again to pick up Becky all in rush hour traffic. By that time it was 6 o'clock already, so we wound up eating a quick dinner out. My back was killing me from all the driving. Josh got an email from the Physics teacher. He got a 92 on his test.
Friday - this day was taken up with dentist and doctor appointments and not much else! I think some reading, some videogame playing and some movie making went on as well. I am going out in a few minutes to a Mother's Night Out with the Aquinas Learning Center Becky is in (and I help run). I am not staying for long though. My back is still killing me and I just want to lie in bed and read my new book Three Men and A Boat.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
{pretty}
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| Becky spotted this cardinal through the window and ran to show me. |
{happy}
This might better be categorized as 'goofy' rather than happy. Sean about to go off to his Aquinas Learning Center.
{funny)
Funny - Becky does about 100 handstands a day!
{real}
My house is so horribly messy right now. I need a bulldozer. Here's the lovely state of our dining room table.
For more {pretty, happy, funny, real} go here.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sense and Sensibility - Book 44
This was a reread, except I cheated and listened to it on audio*.. I think I last read Sense & Sensibility about 8 years or so ago. This was my third time through the book. The first time, I was still in the throes of my love affair with Pride and Prejudice and was just expanding my reading of Austen. S&S did not satisfy me at all. I thought Edward was dull and Willoughby a phony. I liked the movie better. Then I reread it a couple years later and just loved it! My favorite scene in the whole book is when Willoughby comes by during Marianne's illness and begs Elinor's forgiveness. It is a shame they cut that scene out of the movie (the Emma Thompson one is the movie I am referring to. I haven't seen the new BBC Sense and Sensibility). But I still am not completely satisfied with the ending. I think Austen spends too much time in the denouement of the book, tying up loose ends and yet the biggest problem I have is with Marinane marrying Col. Brandon. I just am not satisfied that she will really be happy. I feel like she gets pushed into marrying him almost like she is prize everyone thinks he deserves. And she, properly chastened, meekly goes along with it.
My favorite character, besides Elinor herself, is Mrs. Jennings. She is so kind and clueless. I also really like the portrayal of John Dashwood. What a spineless milquetoast. Austen's use of vocabulary and precision in expressing the slightest nuance of character and feeling is so fantastic. I just revel in her turn of phrase, sentence after delightful sentence.
This time around I listened to the book on audio while driving kids hither and fro. The reader, Donada Peters, was excellent. She did all the character voices perfectly. This was an audio CD set that I got from my local library. Now I am without a 'car read.' I am thinking that I might listen to Moby Dick next and then perhaps the whole Lord of the Rings Trilogy after that. How luscious audio books make driving around in traffic! Really, I think they are a godsend!
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
* This is not the version I listened to but I bet Juliet Stevenson is pitch perfect at reading it! I love that actress!
My favorite character, besides Elinor herself, is Mrs. Jennings. She is so kind and clueless. I also really like the portrayal of John Dashwood. What a spineless milquetoast. Austen's use of vocabulary and precision in expressing the slightest nuance of character and feeling is so fantastic. I just revel in her turn of phrase, sentence after delightful sentence.
This time around I listened to the book on audio while driving kids hither and fro. The reader, Donada Peters, was excellent. She did all the character voices perfectly. This was an audio CD set that I got from my local library. Now I am without a 'car read.' I am thinking that I might listen to Moby Dick next and then perhaps the whole Lord of the Rings Trilogy after that. How luscious audio books make driving around in traffic! Really, I think they are a godsend!
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
* This is not the version I listened to but I bet Juliet Stevenson is pitch perfect at reading it! I love that actress!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Waging Heavy Peace - Book 43
Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young is the singer-songwriter's recently released memoirs. Neil Young has been a presence in my life since childhood. My older brother had the Buffalo Springfield Again album. In my teen and college years, I listened to Young's albums After the Gold Rush, Harvest and Rust Never Sleeps over and over again. I remember one winter afternoon listening to the song Pocahontas again and again. "Aurora Borealis, the icy sky at night. . . " I love that song! I went to a CS&N concert once and I remember thinking that my favorite one, Y, wasn't there! I missed him. I never have seen Young in concert.
I didn't really keep up with Neil. I wasn't a groupie or anything. I just loved his music, whether it was acoustic or electric. He just was so creative and classy somehow. I had read an article one time about him and then at another time seen a bit of a movie about him, where they mentioned his disabled sons and how he'd invented something for them. But I really only knew bits and pieces of his life story. So when I somehow stumbled upon this book (cruising the internets somewhere) I immediately was curious and thanks to the wonders of the Kindle was able to download it right away.
I enjoyed this read. At first Young's writing struck me as childlike. He seemed like an old rocker who was stuck in the 1970's or something and had never grown up. I think I either had to get use to his voice or he actually began to write better as the book went on, because the simplicity of his writing style grew on me and I think it got more nuanced too. He's no intellect, and in a way he's stuck in that sex, drugs and rock n roll worldview because that's what he was in the thick of in his formative years. So he seems a bit arrested in his maturity in a way. However, not everyone has to be an intellect (I'm not!) and this isn't to say that he doesn't come across as intelligent, sensitive and passionate. I quite liked him. And his writing style, which is very direct and like he is breezily chatting with you, has an air of intimacy which makes it absorbing. And at times he is very funny too! I was a bit sad, though, that so much of that great music was a result of being stoned. That kind of took away some of my pleasure in it. However, Young, the man, is full of projects, reflections, memories, questions, creativity, gratitude and love as he looks back on his life and that made for really compelling reading. In a way this book reminded me of extended liner notes they used to put on album sleeves. He is so thankful to everyone who worked with him over the years. He has an uncanny memory for names and wonderfully describes little vignettes of people and places, cars and guitars, recording sessions and travel that he has known or experienced over the years. He loves his wife and kids, his music, his home in Northern CA and in Hawaii, and his current projects which are myriad.
He is working on two big projects: creating something initially called PureTone but subsequently changed to Pono because of copyright issues. This is something that will give music from ipods and itunes studio sound quality. Young is a true artist and the quality of the sound is very important to him. This struck a chord (pun!) with me because my own son, Will, who is studying guitar and composition at Berklee College of Music was blown away the first time he listened to music off an album on his father's old stereo system. The sound is just so much better than a CD and the sound is further corrupted via ipods and itune downloads. So Young is grappling with embracing new technology and at the same time being true to the aesthetic value of music. Young is also working on an electric/biomass car. He loves big old cars from the 50's but also is an environmentalist who wants to cut down on pollution and make our country energy independent. I thought that was really interesting and admirable.
He also has other ongoing projects like finishing up films he started long ago, finishing albums, organizing his archives, rebuilding cars, doing fundraising for The Bridge School and Farm Aid. At the beginning of the book Young talks about the fact that he's given up drinking and weed under doctor's orders. His own father suffered from dementia and the doctor has seen some anomaly on Young's brain scan that has him frighten. Young has a lot of lovely memories he shares about his childhood in Canada. He also has witnessed the deaths of many friends and had his own struggles with health, epilepsy, his sons' cerebral palsy, etc. The last chapter of the book is bittersweet.
I enjoyed this book very much. And now I want to download all the old Neil Young albums on my new ipod. Ironic! But I promise to get Pono the minute it is available!
For more book reviews go to 52 Books.
I didn't really keep up with Neil. I wasn't a groupie or anything. I just loved his music, whether it was acoustic or electric. He just was so creative and classy somehow. I had read an article one time about him and then at another time seen a bit of a movie about him, where they mentioned his disabled sons and how he'd invented something for them. But I really only knew bits and pieces of his life story. So when I somehow stumbled upon this book (cruising the internets somewhere) I immediately was curious and thanks to the wonders of the Kindle was able to download it right away.
I enjoyed this read. At first Young's writing struck me as childlike. He seemed like an old rocker who was stuck in the 1970's or something and had never grown up. I think I either had to get use to his voice or he actually began to write better as the book went on, because the simplicity of his writing style grew on me and I think it got more nuanced too. He's no intellect, and in a way he's stuck in that sex, drugs and rock n roll worldview because that's what he was in the thick of in his formative years. So he seems a bit arrested in his maturity in a way. However, not everyone has to be an intellect (I'm not!) and this isn't to say that he doesn't come across as intelligent, sensitive and passionate. I quite liked him. And his writing style, which is very direct and like he is breezily chatting with you, has an air of intimacy which makes it absorbing. And at times he is very funny too! I was a bit sad, though, that so much of that great music was a result of being stoned. That kind of took away some of my pleasure in it. However, Young, the man, is full of projects, reflections, memories, questions, creativity, gratitude and love as he looks back on his life and that made for really compelling reading. In a way this book reminded me of extended liner notes they used to put on album sleeves. He is so thankful to everyone who worked with him over the years. He has an uncanny memory for names and wonderfully describes little vignettes of people and places, cars and guitars, recording sessions and travel that he has known or experienced over the years. He loves his wife and kids, his music, his home in Northern CA and in Hawaii, and his current projects which are myriad.
He is working on two big projects: creating something initially called PureTone but subsequently changed to Pono because of copyright issues. This is something that will give music from ipods and itunes studio sound quality. Young is a true artist and the quality of the sound is very important to him. This struck a chord (pun!) with me because my own son, Will, who is studying guitar and composition at Berklee College of Music was blown away the first time he listened to music off an album on his father's old stereo system. The sound is just so much better than a CD and the sound is further corrupted via ipods and itune downloads. So Young is grappling with embracing new technology and at the same time being true to the aesthetic value of music. Young is also working on an electric/biomass car. He loves big old cars from the 50's but also is an environmentalist who wants to cut down on pollution and make our country energy independent. I thought that was really interesting and admirable.
He also has other ongoing projects like finishing up films he started long ago, finishing albums, organizing his archives, rebuilding cars, doing fundraising for The Bridge School and Farm Aid. At the beginning of the book Young talks about the fact that he's given up drinking and weed under doctor's orders. His own father suffered from dementia and the doctor has seen some anomaly on Young's brain scan that has him frighten. Young has a lot of lovely memories he shares about his childhood in Canada. He also has witnessed the deaths of many friends and had his own struggles with health, epilepsy, his sons' cerebral palsy, etc. The last chapter of the book is bittersweet.
I enjoyed this book very much. And now I want to download all the old Neil Young albums on my new ipod. Ironic! But I promise to get Pono the minute it is available!
For more book reviews go to 52 Books.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Week in Review - 10/12/12
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| We had just sung him Happy Birthday! |
I wasn't able to post about this before because sometimes my dear husband reads my blog! But on Saturday we had a big surprise 50th birthday party for him. Since the beginning of the academic year a lot of my emotional energy has been distracted by this event. It went well and I feel a sense of relief! Our two college age kids flew in from their respective schools. My son brought along two classmates. Together the trio provided music for the party which was at a lovely restaurant located on a farm. The food was delicious and the weather was perfect so we could have our party out on their beautiful big patio. We had 60 plus people. We had 4 distinct groups of people: his extended family, my side of the family, people from his work and homeschooling/church families we've known for some years. (I didn't include photos of them because some are not happy about being on the internet, so I'm playing it safe.) In truth, I don't have a lot of pictures to begin with. Hannah took some, but not as many as I thought she would. My niece, Cindy, who is always the official picture taker at every family event because she's so into it, took lots of photos but she hasn't sent them to me yet. So here's one of Rick with the music trio. Will is on guitar, Grant on sax and Mason on cello/bass.
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| Rick listening to the trio. Our son Will (or Eli as he prefers - his middle name is Elijah) and his two buddies. |
Whew! So that's over!
I spent Sunday and Monday recovering. I was exhausted because in addition to getting ready for this party, my stomach and my back have been really giving me problems. My back has been killing me! I spent a large portion of this week lying down and helping Sean with his Aquinas work from a reclining position. When I wasn't lying down, I was cooking!
Due to Columbus Day, we didn't have Becky's Aquinas Learning, so we just gently plugged away at finishing up Week 3 work. I've been reading The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder out loud to Becky this week (while I am lying in bed). I loved this author when I was her age. She likes the book too. It is a great trip down memory lane for me. Becky has had a very hard time focusing on math this week. I just wish I could find a way to inspire her math-wise. Her eyes glaze over the minute we start on the subject. Her brain shuts down. I just need to engage her in a better way. Today, Saturday, Becky sat down and did her IEW work. Last year, we struggled so much with IEW and really disliked it, but this year, things have been going just fine with it.
Sean had to do his first oral presentation at his Aquinas Learning Center on Thursday. He was nervous, but he said it went well. He did it on Pangaea, something he's been really intrigued with for a while. He knew his stuff, so mostly it was nerves getting in the way. He is working so well. One day this week I walked by the dining room and he was in there quietly working away on his math. Last year he would spend almost all day struggling through one lesson. He would daydream and pace and stall for hours. Now he just sits down and does it. It struck me anew just how different things are this year. Miraculous!
It has been a lighter week for Josh because they had no math on Monday and he had no Physics on Tuesday. He did have Government on Tuesday morning with Rick. Josh went to the 9:15 Mass on Friday and then afterwards we met to watch a history lecture on Benjamin Franklin. He didn't get his composition or grammar done Friday, so he's working on it today (Saturday). Even though he had a slower week academically, Josh has been so much help this week with my back being so troublesome. He's done lots of stooping and lifting for me as well as run lots and lots of errands.
I popped some Advil and took myself to my first Scripture study at church Thursday evening. I haven't participated in a group study like this in a couple of decades. It's on the book of Wisdom and I think it is going to be really interesting. This weekend I have to plan for my Religious Ed class as well as Aquinas Learning on Monday.
Sean's homework this week for his logic class was to watch the VP debate. He really enjoyed it. He watched with Rick. Rick, however, was despairing over the state of politics in this country. I personally am trying not to think about it too much! Poor Rick's despair continues because both the Nationals and the Orioles lost and won't go on to the World series. Poor dear.
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