Bonus Book Report July 2014

I’ve been on a reading binge lately, so decided to split July’s book report into two parts.

The Crack in Space (1966) by Philip K. Dick

Overpopulation and no work has led to people voluntarily having themselves frozen for long-term storage until things get better. Then a malfunction in a space shuttle leads to an apparent opening into another Earth that is uninhabited. Perhaps that will solve the problem. But it’s never that easy…

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The Day of the Triffids (1951) by John Wyndham

This movie gave Sarah nightmares for YEARS. Walking plants! OMG! I had no idea the trauma she suffered over this until years later. The movie was based on this book, which was quite different. I think I would’ve enjoyed a movie straight from the book better. And since it was written in the 50’s, it all came down to this: IT WAS ALL RUSSIA'S FAULT!! There were still the walking plants, but there was a lot more to contend with.

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Tower of Glass (1970) by Robert Silverberg

Simeon Krug created a way to mass produce worker androids to free humans from drudgery. He didn’t know that these androids viewed him as their god and worshiped him as such. When he turned out to be only human and fallible, the androids revolted like you wouldn’t believe!

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Consider the Season (1968) by Reuben Merliss

Interesting novel about a man’s journey in med school. What made this a bit different is that it didn’t deal exclusively with hospital stories. It really focused on the future doctor. His studies, his interactions with other students, the people around him. Very enjoyable.

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Rebecca (1938) by Daphne du Maurier

I saw an excellent adaptation of this book on PBS some years back and truly enjoyed it. Didn’t get around to reading the book until recently. Rebecca was the “perfect” first wife of Maxim de Winter, and her memory haunts all who came into contact with her, as well as with Maxim’s second wife.

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Mrs. de Winter (1993) by Susan Hill

This sequel to Rebecca takes place about 10 years after the events of the first book. Max and his wife tried to escape the people and memories associated with Rebecca by living in Europe. But her personality was so strong, it still haunts them.

Placating the Muse

I've really been having a battle with my muse Myrtle lately. For quite a while, in fact. She’s been poking me and nagging me to get my artistic butt in gear and create something. I had actually gotten my craft room in a navigable state, but “life” stepped in and the encroaching chaos took over again. It seemed there was always something that needed doing NOW, and “when I finish (whatever it was), THEN I can get back to my art.”

So I’d finish whatever it was, and try to get the momentum going again, only to have something else come up. It was always a case of just getting past a certain point, then I’d be free to do something. And the months went by.

After my mother-in-law died, I felt at loose ends. I’d always over-seen her care and managed her affairs and doctor appointments. Now I suddenly have NO upcoming duties. I’d always done these things out of love, of course, and I don’t regret anything regarding mom’s care. I just sort of feel superfluous now. Of little use. I took care of my kids until it was time to start taking care of my parents and mother-in-law. Now the kids have their own lives and all the parents are gone, and I’m not needed.

So I have finally taken on a real project and have been doing the prelim stuff. It’s an altered book for a friend, and these things take a tremendous amount of thought before even physically getting started. The thought part is pretty much done. I know (sort of) the direction I’m going. Myrtle always puts her own ideas in that I have to deal with, but I think I've at least gotten things off the ground. Now the grunt work begins in getting all the pieces together. Once that is done, then the part I love most in the world takes place: putting the book together. That is the most joyous work in the world to me.

I’m also giving myself a deadline this time. One full week. Seven full days. I’m going down to Fresno again on the 19^th, and it will be for a 2 week visit. So if I don’t get this baby put to bed before I leave, it will be 2 weeks before I can get back to it. That is a killer absence when you’re working on a project. It WILL die if left alone that long.

So here I go, Myrtle! Wish me luck!

Book Report July 2014

A Tower of Steel (1943) by Josephine Lawrence

At the beginning of the war, Thalia, Leis, Frannie and Bon all work in a law office. Their boss, who had planned to retire, leaving the business to his 3 nephews, has to continue working when all the nephews go into the service. I learned some interesting things about life during that time, one of the biggest being the coupon use. I had no idea that America had the coupon system going during the war. I knew Europe did. The 4 women in the book had the usual trials and tribulations of being “working women” instead of marrying and having children. I thought the book ended a little too soon. I would’ve liked to learned more of what went on in their lives.

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The Grave Gourmet (2010) by Alexander Campion

Never heard of this author before getting this as a free e-book. Fun! Capucine is a young, beautiful police woman married to an older man who is a restaurant critic. She is bored with the desk job she has and longs to do REAL police work. Her wish is granted and the fun starts. This is the first in a series, but is self-contained.

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The Wayfarers (1945) by Dan Wickenden

Another book taking place at the beginning of WWII. Norris is a man who lost his wife 10 years ago, became an alcoholic, had an epiphany, and then tried to make amends to his children and become a part of their lives again. There was a reasonable end to the book, but it was a real downer in parts.

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Singing Waters (1946) by Ann Bridge

Interesting book. In 1936 a rich widow meets a famous writer in Albania. The writer has traveled all around the world, writing about the lives and conditions of people. She shows the rich woman that you can find happiness in an otherwise empty life by helping others. The rich woman decided to stay in Albania and use her wealth to help a small village. This book was supposed to be semi-autobiographical about Ann Bridge. 

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All That Seemed Final (1941) by Joan Colebrook

This concerned the lives of a group of friends in London at the beginning of WWII. Nobody seemed to be very happy. I did not enjoy this book. Too much angst and stress APART from the upcoming war. After the war started, things REALLY went down the toilet.

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Darwinia (1998) by Robert Charles Wilson

When this book first came out, I was really interested in reading it. I found it in a thrift store and was chuffed. Then I started reading it. Meh.

It involves a parallel Earth, filled with demons. Yucky stuff happens. Lots of people die. Very graphic. Crappy ending. Don’t bother…

Dot's Mandala Madness, aka DMM (1)

I like mandalas. I like the shape, beauty and symmetry of them. I do NOT go along with the spiritual mindset of the philosophy or religion that is often connected with them. I’m strictly about the art of them. I think they’re fun. I enjoy making them. I enjoy seeing the different materials that people use for making them. Lia and I do them a lot when we’re together. Sadly, I’m not very artistic, but I’m working on it.

On a side note, I like unusual playing cards. I’m always on the look-out for interesting or weird decks. That includes Tarot decks. Again, I do NOT get into anything other than the art of the cards. I have a couple of beautiful decks of cat Tarot cards. And everyone who knows me, knows how I feel about cats…

Sooooo….about this particular mandala. It’s made from a deck of Hanafuda cards. I’ve forgotten how I came across the game, but was immediately enchanted by some of the beautiful decks. I found an online version of the game to play, but it’s all in Japanese, so I’m only guessing as to how it all goes. Same with the instructions that came with the deck. Doesn’t matter. I got my deck strictly for the designs. 

When I decided to start posting some of my mandalas, I decided to start with one done on the coffee table with my Hanafuda cards. So here is DMM (1) for you viewing pleasure. You'll have to click on the image to get a better look. Art for art’s sake. Just don’t tell Art…. ;-)

Revamping 1

Remember Myspace? Remember Tom? That’s his pic at the left. He was the default “friend” when you first signed up on Myspace. Remember Bulletin Boards? I’ve been going through some of my old blogs from Myspace and found a meme from the bulletin board that I decided to share and make changes where needed. I’m not including ALL the questions, just the ones that aren’t stupid. I can’t believe some of the drek that was going around back then. And at first, I didn’t know how to add pictures to my blog, so now I can here. Although I really loved the old Myspace…

Survey from 2006

Have you ever been given roses?

Yes. From Marv for various occasions. And while Paul was still in Kuwait, roses arrived from him for my birthday. That’s what I’m holding in the picture.

What’s your all-time favorite romance movie?

OMG. I originally said it was Stealing Heaven…can’t imagine why…it was SO DEPRESSING. So I’m changing my mind. And really, there are so many great movies out there I love that this is just what came to my mind quickly. If you want modern and fun, go with Four Weddings and a Funeral. Moulin Rouge! has great music and tears at the end. If you want classic and fun, it’s gotta be Paris When it Sizzles, although Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a real close second.

Those were the only questions worth mentioning. The rest were pretty sophomoric and probably intended for junior high kids.

So go and see some of those movies now. Except for Stealing Heaven. That was depressing.

English Food

Being an Anglophile, I’ve read a lot of Brit lit, and I’m familiar with certain traditional English foods. I know most of the following dishes can be made here, but it just wouldn’t be the same as having them in a real English pub, or a lovely garden, or the drawing room at the manor. Here is my list:

Bangers and Mash ~

Pretty much self-explanatory. Also called sausage and mash. I love sausage and I love mashed potatoes, so I’m pretty sure I would enjoy this hearty meal. It’s a good example of what is called “pub grub.” The term “banger” came from the fact that in earlier times, the sausages had a lot of water in them, and would explode if not tended carefully. I prefer my meals to just lie on my plate and not attack.  

Spotted Dick ~

A type of pudding that is always good for a laugh. I love puddings, especially thick doughy ones with raisins. The raisins are the “spots.” There are several guesses as to where the name “dick” comes from. A corruption of earlier words, or even the fact that it’s the German word for “thick.” So many jokes, that I cannot make…

Anyway, it’s common to serve this with custard, which I also love. And I was tickled to find out that it also comes in a can (even MORE jokes I cannot make) and is microwavable! I’ll bet Miss Marple never dreamed of that sort of thing!

Yorkshire Pudding ~

Made with eggs, flour and milk. Usually as a side dish with roast meat and gravy. I’m a big fan of roast and gravy, and think this would be just a tasty as having mashed potatoes. The drippings from the meat can be used to make the batter. Without the drippings, it can be served as a dessert with some kind of sweet sauce or syrup.

Cream Tea ~

A light afternoon meal consisting of tea, scones, clotted cream and jam. Do NOT ask how many calories this is!! It will make you cry! Just sit back, listen to the birds in the garden, hold that pinkie out and enjoy…

Bacon Butty ~

Simply put, a bacon sandwich. Another term is bacon sarnie. It’s a roll with butter and a pile of bacon. It’s served hot with ketchup or brown sauce, if desired. The word “sarnie” is a colloquialism. As for whether I’d like it or not…it’s BACON!!! What do YOU think??? I don’t think I’d care for ketchup or anything else though. Another dish where you don’t ask about the calories.

Pub Crawl ~

I know, this isn’t a food, it’s an activity. My dad would always joke about going “bar-hopping,” which is the same thing. But I’d want it to be at REAL pubs. You know, with funny signs like the one at the left. And even though I’d probably not make it much past 3 or MAYBE 4 pubs before having to be carted home, I’d like to give it my best shot. Maybe a brisk walk between pubs would help clear my head.

Cheerio! Back to the colonies….

Book Report June 2014

Highway of Eternity (1986) by Clifford Simak

One of my favorite sci-fi authors. This is a time-travel book, but done the way I like it. No weird paradoxes to make your brain hurt. Tom Boone has a talent that enables him to avoid personal catastrophe by “going around a corner.” That’s the only way he can explain it. He uses his talent to help a group of refugees from a million years in the future. There’s quite a lot of back and forth with time, but again, it’s not tiresome trying to wrap your brain around it.

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Miss Buncle’s Book (1934) by D.E. Stevenson

Total fun!! I love cozy country English books. Miss Buncle is a spinster of limited financial means, living in a small village in the English countryside. Of the few options open to her, she decides to write a book about the townspeople, disguising names of course. She even uses a pseudonym so they won’t know that she is the author. Her book is published, and quickly becomes a best-seller. When the townspeople start reading it, though, they know immediately that the book is about THEM. Miss Buncle has included herself in the book, to further mislead them as to the real author. Delightful all the way through.

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Assignment in Eternity (1953) by Robert Heinlein

I’ve read several Heinlein books. Some I liked, some not. He was a freethinker and a proponent of free love, and it showed in his books. I liked the stories, but kind of got tired of all the group sex. This book had 4 short stories/novellas from his earlier years, and I like them quite a lot. Good plots and no sex. What little there was, was only between 2 people, not a group.

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Mona Lisa Smile (2003) by Deborah Chiel

This book was based on the movie, which I never saw. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. It takes place in the 50s at Wellesley. The new art history teacher has some radical ideas about a woman’s role in life. She tries to get the idea across that marriage and motherhood are not the only choices a woman has. She has to battle the powers-that-be as well as some of the students.

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The Duchess Disappeared (1979) by Barbara Cartland

The formula is about the same, but still enjoyable. English orphan Fiona and her niece Mary-Rose are brought to Scotland, as Mary-Rose is the last in the line of a Scottish clan. As a Scot, Mary-Rose is treated well, while Fiona is simply viewed as a servant to her niece. There is a happy ending, of course.

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Kildee House (1949) by Rutherford Montgomery

This YA book tells the story of stonemason Jerome Kildee, who retires to the redwoods. He builds a small cabin and lives peacefully amongst the wilderness. He doesn’t want any connection to people, but welcomes the raccoons and skunks that come around to live in and under his house. The nearest neighbor is quite a long walk away, but the young girl of the family starts coming around to see the animals and strikes up a friendship with the old man.