Reading List

 I never got a summer reading list whilst I was in school.  I never needed one.  I was the type to be told to go play outside instead of reading my books.  I would then go outside, move the lawn chairs around a bit, then sit and read in the middle of the yard. 

Because I've never truly had a reading list, I've made up my own.  Some books on there are classics, some are just fun, and all of them hold and interest for me for whatever reason.  The titles are from all over the world.  The United States is most prevalent, but I've got a title from India, some from France, and some from Russia.  England is the next most prevalent behind the United States.   And as I type I can think of at least three more titles I should add to the list:
Don Quixote by Cervantes
Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Nervous Conditions by Tsi Tsi Dangarembga

The problem, if you can call it that, is that I just added 18 more titles to my reading list.  At this rate I'll never get through it.  That's the glory of a list though: You can add or subtract titles (which I've never done) at your whim.  It shows a number of titles you've read throughout the years.  This list is not comprehensive by any means.  Usually I'll read a book from the list and then that turns into many offshoots from that one book.  Once I get done with the offshoots (or tired of them, as the case may be), I go back to the list and try another book.

Currently I'm attempting to get through some Russian literature by reading "The Karamazov Brothers" by Fyoder Doestevsky.  Now that I'm finally into it a ways, it's easier reading.  At first I was just trying to get all the characters figured out.  The only book I've not been able to figure out so far is "The Silmarillion" by Tolkien.  That is one book that requires a flow chart and frequent stops to consult it. After the Russian Lit I may try some English Lit again, or maybe I'll pick up one of the books I listed above.  Who knows?  That's also the wonderful thing about a list: If you have it written down you can consult the list instead of asking yourself, "What was that book again?"

All hail the book lists!

Creating

I create. 

Many things.

I created dress and tank top patterns for Kirstin.  I'm still in the sewing phase of that.  I just don't really think about it, I just do it.  Sometimes things turn out.  Other times I waste a lot of time on something that just doesn't look right. 

I often create random dishes and ideas for something that may taste good.  If they don't turn out, well, hopefully the dogs will eat it, so all the food doesn't go completely to waste. 

And then tonight: I created music. 

I have a later learner book.  The end song in that book is Variations on the Theme from the Celebrated Canon in D. 

It's a very pretty song.  However, I know I have to go back and practice some of the lessons in the book, as my fingers just can't do what the music says.  I've adapted as I've played it, until it was almost unrecognizable to what was really on the page.  So, through an open source program kind of like Finale, I redid it to what I usually play.  It turned out pretty good. I saved it to a PDF file and printed it.  Now I just have to wait until tomorrow to try it out on the piano. 

My next creation?  A gnome fantasy land in my yard.  That's still in the drawing up phase, and a gnome still needs to be procured.  I found a couple at Menards, but they were too brightly colored for my taste.  He/She/It will have it's own home in my yard where currently some day lilies are living.  There's a stump there and I have a couple of logs from a downed branch.  I'm going to paint and seal all of it so it lasts for a while out there, and there will be a little gnome garden and such.  I'll teach Kirstin about gnomes, and help her keep her own fantasy land for as long as possible.  Mostly because those are good excuses to have a gnome in my yard.  The best excuse I can find though: I'm not allowed to get pink flamingos.  Matt won't let me.  He says they're tacky.  So gnomes it is.  Instead of tacky they're kitschy. 

And now it's time to create a world in my mind as I read my book and relax before bed.  What wonderful days!

It's Not Astrological

Here we go again.  Another round of passive-aggressive bullshit.

If people could just come out and say what they mean, this stuff would be over so much sooner.

Background: We spent the weekend at my folks' place.  Things went pretty well, all things considered, but once again, my husband and my sister-in-law did not get along. 

Usually they just ignore each other in a live and let live way, and that's what happened this time around.  However, in a very public manner they have started up.  I have no idea what's going on.  I mean, I know from Matt's side because he tends to be very vocal.  He has always said, "I am who I am and if you don't like it that's fine."

And it is, but I'm not sure exactly what's going on with Erin's side.  And in an effort to stay out of it, I'm not sure I really do want to know.  But I am confused as to what some of things she's written on my DAD'S FACEBOOK page mean.  (Matt is going to apologize to my father later on for his part in it, he's at work right now).  I know some things didn't go as planned this weekend.  Like we had a child meltdown in the middle of the night and had to take care of it, which led to Matt yelling and swearing once at Kirstin.  At about 2:00 a.m.   None of us like how that turned out, but no one else really knew what was going on in the room, and without that knowledge can actually judge what happened.  That, and no parent is perfect and keeps patience constantly, nor should one pretend to. 

The way these two act and react to one another has to be a nature/nurture thing or something.  I know it's not because of birth dates.  My sister-in-law and I share a birthday.  Is it just the different ways we've grown up?  I really don't know.  I just know to keep my nose out of it and let whatever will happen, happen.  I just wish there were more clarity in the statements made. 

"I am pissed off because..." makes so much more sense than talking about something else entirely.  Confrontation is rarely pleasant, but damn, if something is bothering you, say it and let it out there so people know and don't have to try to read your mind.  Anger is anger.  It's not a sin.  Blood pressure rises when you bottle it all up.

Thank you.