childhood reading

Booking Through Thursday

1. They say that books read as a child make more of an impact on a person than books read at any other time in life. Are there any books that you particularly loved, that shaped the way you think when you were little? I'm not asking if you believed in fairies then but don't any more. I'm asking about patterns of thought, morality--something that made an impact.

   I am a child of the 1950s, and my memories of books reflects it: Cinderella and Little Women come immediately to mind. I remember reading lots of Bobsey Twins and then later, Nancy Drew. Lots of fairytale books, too, mythology and folklore. I think my favorite author in my teens was Francis Parkinson Keyes. I read everything of hers that I could find. I discovered Kahlil Gibran in highschool. I still own many, many of the books from my childhood

2. And, of course, examples, please!

   I was, and perhaps still am, a fantasy girl. Led a sheltered life even up until college. I still tend to live in my own little world. But, I basically quit reading pure romance a long time ago... just too unrealistic and too predictable, like they were all written from the same outling! I haven't looked at a FPK book in ages; I might not care for her now. However, I still love mythology and fairytales. Perhaps because there isn't always a happy ending, eh?

3. Also, did you read this book/these books more than once? Many times? Even if that's not a usual habit of yours?

   Yes. Yes. And, yes, it is definitely a habit of mine, as is revisting places I love rather than traveling to some place new.

well, shoot...

I forgot part of my point/question, and why I would be surfing the diabetes sites: what to do about the late-night carb craving?

carbo fog (whining ahead)

    Is there such a thing? Or is it just a lack of caffiene??     I feel SO bad today, that carbo-fog is the only thing to which I can attribute it. I went to bed at the regular time, and even though I *heard* a neighborhood dog barking, I don't actually think it kept me awake or woke me in the night. Felt DH get up once in the night, but not snoring. And finally my bladder got me out of bed at 4:45 am and I couldn't get back to sleep (yeah, mostly the dog this time, and knowing the alarm was going off at 5:30am anyway).     Usually, even if I wake up sleepy-headed, by the time I finish my shower, I am fairly wide-awake and alert. Not today. It's 8:30am, and I'm still feeling groggy. The aches in my hand, shoulder and hips are not helping.     If it's a lack of caffiene, I'll just have to adjust. I know I am consuming way too much of it, and intend to cut back. But oddly, that usually just gives me a headache, and that's one thing that's NOT hurting this morning!     Everyone have a wonderful day. I will have lunch with a former classmate (and future travel-mate to Tibet) later today. Looking forward to that; she is such a sweetheart. In between that and work, think I'll wander through some diabetes sites.

and then,

sometimes, you just have to do it! Rissa probably could have written this.

bared cubbie

I promised pictures of my workstation:

Needs a little warmth, don't it?

I sort of wish it was left-handed instead of right, but for now it will be fine. I have asked for a different keyboard. One with the curved area for your hands and a touchpad on the right. Having to use a mouse on the desk and the keyboard on a tray has given my shoulder fits! The workstation two spots away from me has a tray that swivels. I may try to get that moved to my spot, too.

In case you are wondering, the three discs are three blank CDs that are supposed to help me see people walk up behind me. It does a little, but I still jump. It's so quiet in the department, and we all sit with our backs to the opening of the workstations, so everyone gets startled. I'd really rather have a long thin mirror hung there. I think the discs look pretty silly, but I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the co-worker who brought them to me.

I have some picture frames I want to take, and hope to get the photos for them pulled out and in place tomorrow. The holiday weekend hasn't gone exactly like I planned (i.e., I didn't get done all the things I meant to get done) but it has been restful.

As Scarlett says, "Tomorrow is another day!"

colorful lives

Taggin' off Rissa, again. 1. Closest red thing to you? The wool blanket over my legs. 2. Has anyone ever cheated on you in a relationship? Probably. 3. The last thing to make you angry? Being disappointed by one of my sons. 4. Are you a fan of romance? Definitely. 5. Have you ever been in love? Was, am, will be. 6. Do you have a temper? Yeah, but all bark & no bite.

1. Closest green thing to you? Shirt I'm wearing. 2. Do you care about the environment? Yes, but I care about people more. 3. Are you jealous of anyone right now? Not a soul...see next question. 4. Are you a lucky person? I think so, or perhaps only serendipitous. 5. Do you always want what you can’t have? Hardly, only anxious for the next goal to be achieved. 6. Are you Irish? Scot-Irish only, no matter how much Son#1 wishes differently. 1. Closest purple thing to you? A handknitted scarf I had around my neck earlier cause my house was cold and I was the only one who couldn't get warm. 2. Like being treated to expensive things? Hmm... sort of. I like most any gift, expensive or not. Even better an expensive thing for a small price, i.e., BARGAIN. 3. Do you like mysterious things? Yes. I didn't used to think I did, and although I don't read mysteries, per se, when it comes to TV/movies I find they are my favorites. All things mystical I find fascinating. 4. Favourite type of chocolate? All kinds. Now, though, whatever's got the least amount of sugar. 5. Ever met any royalty? "Life is too short to be anything but Queen." 6. Are you creative? Yes. Not as artistic as I would like to be, but unwilling to invest the time to do anything more about it at this time. 7. Are you lonely? Rarely. 1. Closest blue thing to you? The jeans I'm wearing and my coffee cup. 2. Are you good at calming people down? No, but I try. Perhaps best with my children? 3. Do you like the ocean? Definitely. Water is my element. 4. What was the last thing that made you cry? This. 5. Are you a logical thinker? When I'm not over-emotionally invovled or stressed, yes. 6. Can you sleep easily? In my own bed, usually. 7. Do you prefer the beach or the woods? Beach, unless there's a lake in the woods. 1. Closest yellow thing to you? Weird. There's no yellow near me. Ah, a pencil. 2. The happiest time(s) of your life? I hope it hasn't happened yet. 3. Favourite holiday? Before my mother passed away, it was Thanksgiving. Now, I guess any one that I have off from work. 4. Are you a coward? In the sense that I avoid confronation at most any cost, yes. 5. Do you burn or tan? Generally, I burn. When a kid, though, my dad called me "Smokey." But then I spent lots of time outside, in the water. 6. Do you want children? Have two sons; DH has two daughters, one neice, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and three grandneices. I'm hoping for a granddaughter -- someday, but not too soon. 7. What makes you happy? Simple things really. But, I also believe happiness is a choice, not an event; with an internal not external source. 1. Closest pink thing to you? The nose of my favorite cat. 2. Do you like sweet things? Yes, but not that I've had to give them up they can be nauseating. 3. Like play-fighting? No. And not arguing for arguing's sake either. 4. Are you sensitive? Excessively. 5. Do you like punk music? No. 6. What is your favourite flower? Gardenias. Lilacs. Roses (Queen Elizabeths & Don Juans). 7. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope not. To me a crush is insincere, too close to infaturation, and a less valuable form of love (See Robert Sternberg's theory). However, they are certainly fun. I get them now and then, but on my new toys, or unobtainable objects. 1. Closest orange thing to you?A container of tropical fruit IceBreakers. 2. Do you like to burn things? Candles. 3. Dress up for Halloween? Only by puting on orange & black. 4. Are you usually a warm-hearted person? Yes. 5. Do you prefer the single life or the security of a relationship? Security. 6. What would your super power be? Enlightenment? 1. Closest white thing to you? Paper. 2. Would you say you’re innocent? I'd say I led a sheltered life. 3. Always try to keep the peace? Peacemaker is my middle name -- I always feel in the middle. 4. How do you imagine your wedding? I've had two. The dream-come-true one didn't take. 5. Do you like to play in the snow? Only until my toes get cold... and really only walking in it, or making snowmen, not snowball fights or shoveling. 6. Are you afraid of going to the doctors or dentist? Nope. Neither bother me any more... only the COST at the dentist because I don't have dental insurance! I do still have to turn my head when I get blood drawn or have injections. 1. Closest black thing to you? Sweater I'm wearing. 2. Ever enjoy hurting people? NO. And hate the thought that I do it unintentionally. 3. Are you sophisticated or silly? It would be super-silly to think I could carry off sophisticated. 4. Do you have a lot of secrets? Can't keep them, so there's no point in trying. 5. What is your favourite colour(s)? Always loved purple. Seem drawn to pink lately. Any color I like tends to have blue undertones. 6. Does the colour you wear affect your mood? Only if I think it looks good/bad on me.

tangled webs

    Do you ever get to wandering through the internet, or blogland, then forget later how you found something or got somewhere that *now* you want to return to? Happens to me all the time. All. the. time.     Like the November calendar photo posting by Deb at Chappysmom. I saw it before I started my new job, and the first time I saw the calendar hanging in the employee lounge, I thought about it again. Of course, I only today remembered to take a photo of it: along with another November calendar page of a co-worker that is just so pithy.... Burnout: Attitudes are contagious. Mine might kill you.     Now, Deb's blog wasn't on my reading list (is now), but I obviously got there from somewhere and I didn't know if I could find it again. Fortunately, I stumbled across another reference to the calendar photo event tonight and... oh, nevermind (I'm too late posting my photos anyway). The point is, Deb states on her blog that her library has 2,797 books!     My first thought was how close I could get to that number if I took time to count, then my eyes fell on the next line in her sidebar: "Number unread: 27" !!! She's not kidding with her nickname, bookworm.     And actually, I'm still not to my point... farther down in her links is one to Booking through Thursday. Turns out that Deb is half the team, Laura being the other. Yes, it is a weekly meme site, but as a library employee and a future librarian, I think I will start following this one.     For this week, they didn't really present any questions, so I'm going to back up to the last two, which were related.

Reading List - Part 1
1. Do you keep a list of books to read? Several, actually.
2. Where do you keep your list (computer, PDA, paper, etc.)? I keep a small spiral book in my purse. I also have several Excel files on my computer and my PDA. Then there are all the little pieces of paper that I accumulate working at the library. Just before I went to back to work, I was trying to get all the little pieces of paper transferred to the PDA. There is still a small pile hiding on the desk under the laptop.
3. How often do you refer to your list? Every time you go for a new book to read? When book shopping? Or? As I carry it with me always, you would think I refer to it all the time, but I don't really. Still you never know when you'll come across a great used bookstore and need to know the title of that illusive book you need to complete a series -- or begin one! My list is more of a shopping or reference list, and it comes out often when I am strolling through the Big Box bookstore or preparing to research for a paper or class.

Reading List, Part 2
1. So, last week we asked you if you kept a list of books that you're interested in, wanting to read, wanting to buy, etc. This week, we want to know--do you keep a list of the books you've READ? Regrettably, no... perhaps I'll begin one. Problem is that I start many books, or read parts of books, more than I finish.
2. If so, how? In a journal? A notebook? On the computer? I think, that having MS OneNote on my computer I would probably use it, but then again, I'm just anal enough to want to do so in an Excel file. A hand-written journal would certainly be something to treasure, though.

    I took photos of my poor little bare workstation today, too. Will post those shortly. Right now, it's past my bedtime, holiday or no.

unexpected

    I doubt I could have picked a better time to begin my job -- not that *I* picked it, actually. We will have eight workdays off at Christmas/New Year's and the next two days for Thanksgiving. So, about 10:00am this morning rumor turned to fact, and the word came down that the university president was letting us have the afternoon off. Woo-hoo!     Being my usual compulsive self, I didn't leave right on time as I was trying to get something finished so I wouldn't forget to finish it when I return to work on Monday. I get a SEVERE case of swiss-cheese brain after days off! Anyway, I missed my appointment with the chiropractor, but enjoyed a Basil Chicken wrap at Roly-Poly, and then I made a B-I-G mistake. I went to Wal-Mart -- because I didn't want to go over the holiday weekend.     Whoa! I was getting panicky by the time I got out of there (even thought it was less than half an hour). Even the self-checkout registers were backed up. But the young woman working that area took pity on me, with my arms piled high, and motioned for me to come to her to be checked out. I was extremely grateful! I hope SHE has a fabulous holiday and something wonderful happens to/for her.     Now, I'm going to relax and enjoy the sunshine, some X-Files and maybe some DVR.... and knit.

no surprise here

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

pizza

    We had an "interest" meeting about the Tibet trip over lunch today. I had four (center) squares of cheese pizza, diet coke, and a very small cookie (26g in 5). This was between about 12:30pm and 1:30pm. I just checked my glucose and it is 93!     I won't do it often... but I *do* miss pizza. Usually I have a salad when I do indulge, which I would think would be even better glucose-wise.     Thank you, Glucophage.

argh!

    Here's the worst part of doing work on a library cataloguing system: seeing too many items you would just like to pull off the shelf and have a look at, much less all the ones you want to READ!

word

Lunchtime. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word. No. Explanations.
1. Yourself: unoriginal
2. Your spouse: loveable
3. Your hair: thinning
4. Your mother: dead
5. Your Father: remarried
6. Your favorite Item: book
7. Your dream last night: typical
8. Your favorite drink: pepsi
9. Your dream car: gifted
10. The room you are in: quiet
11. Your Ex: liar
12. Your fear: childlessness
13. What you want to be in 10 years? debtless
14. Who you hung out with last night? cat
15. What you’re not? comedic
16. Muffins: pumpkin
17. One of your wish list items: Aurora
18. Time: irrelevant
19. The last thing you did: chewed
20. What you are wearing: sweater
21. Your favorite weather: mild
22. Your favorite book: overdue
23. The last thing you ate: shrimp
24. Your life: changing
25. Your mood: contented
26. Your best friend: trustworthy
27. What are you thinking about right now? macros
28. Your car: comfortable
29. What are you doing at the moment? eating
30. Your summer: exciting
31. Your relationship status: committed
32. What is on your TV? candles
33. What is the weather like? bright
34. When is the last time you laughed? anoche

i'm IN!

    DH did not get the mail yesterday or I would have known last night, but this morning when he put out the trash he brought it in and I just happen to see it on the table as I was rushing out the door for work...     I have been accepted into the School of Library Science Graduate Program at the University of Southern Mississippi -- and the best part, of course, is that as an employee, I get to take 6 hours per term at no cost! So, in two years, I can complete my masters.     Today is the last day to get fitted for cap & gown, so I have that to take care of over my lunch break. AND, I found out last night that my sister is going to be here for graduation and the holidays. Work is going well, and everything seems quite rosey right now.

woo-hoo!

    The first item in my checklist this morning was a doozie! So I wrote out what I thought the info I found meant, what I thought the fix was and sent it to my supervisor... I was right, and got a "Good job!"     Let's hope I don't lose it with an "Uh-oh!" this afternoon! Everyone have a good day.

driving pleasures

    One of the major adjustments in going back to work is getting up and out of the house so early. Even when I had 8AM classes, I didn't get up until 630AM. Now, I'm getting up at 530AM (before DH) to be at work before 730AM -- including time to pick up coffee, of course.     The good news is that, at least for right now, I enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets, like the one tonight: looking west looking east     I am sorry the photos are so blurry; I just wanted to give a little hint of how pretty it was this evening -- after a day that began quite stormy. Of course, I had to be walking around campus in-processing all morning! I did manage to get a few other important errands done as well.     So far, so good with the job duties, too. Now to get past that overwhelming mid-afternoon sleepiness!     Speaking of being sleepy... I won't be up too long tonight either, but I would like to get a few inches on the WWII scarf. December 10th will be here lickety-split. And my blue socks are crying for me to return to them.

progress

    7th day on the job and I finally got to do something beside read manuals. I probably spend to much time on each entry overthinking, but it was going faster at the end of the day. Tomorrow my supervisor will go over what I did and we'll see just how badly I messed it up.     The best part is that I do not feel so sleepy tonight... of course, it IS early yet.     A couple days ago I started my scarf for Knit Your Bit. Mine is navy and cream: 18 stitches wide, 4 rows of each color. The cream yarn is Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool; the navy is Berella/Spinrite Banff, a bulky merino. I using the LB double-stranded.     My thesis due date has been postponed. Now to finish my Mesoamerican religion paper before graduation! For now though, it's laundry and supper.

getting paid for this? cool

    First, I hope everyone exercised their right to vote today -- but only on issues/folks they knew something about. Doesn't make much sense to poke around in the dark, eh?     I'm still reading about bibliographic control, and trying to stay awake, and not getting those nagging little things accomplished that everyone has to take care of on new job. My work email still isn't set up. I thought they would do it this afternoon (I had a problem, well, I didn't really, but I thought I had a problem concerning the password for my student account), but they didn't. Unfortunately, discovering that I didn't have a problem involved walking halfway across campus (after first going to where I thought the tech service office was only to learn it had moved). Then I walked just as far to get lunch (and back to work). And then, to the other side of campus after work to deliver an application form. Plus climbing up and down the stairs three times each way.     I'm not really complaining, really. I have been missing the walking I would get to do on campus going to classes. This was just not a great day to do so much of it, as I did not sleep well last night after all.     On a (very) positive note, the welcome meeting with the department head was pleasant and helpful. My co-workers are friendly and helpful. And my workspace is shaping up. I take a few personal things each day. And this afternoon I rearranged the computer setup. The department head said I could have whatever kind of keyboard and mouse I need -- I was very glad to hear that as I was hunting up my old trackball this morning without success. And I loved my old IBM Natural Elite, so I'm hoping they can find me something comparable. Now if I can just figure out how to adjust the keyboard tray!     When I couldn't sleep early this morning, I worked on the blue/green sock. I have stopped working on the light/dark green one until I get the remaining yarn weighed, but I wish I had thought to bury the ends of the gold scarf! Oh well, Scarlet, tomorrow is another day.     Pictures. I need some pictures on my workstation walls. OH! Everyone remarks on the Tibet photo I use as my computer background. It is so peaceful. Very meditative. Although I used an UDLA background while I was in Mexico this summer, as soon as I returned, the Drigung valley went back up.     Even though I am too tired, I know I must go get something to eat. I must make sure it is not something that is going to keep me awake tonight, though. I will be glad to move from sitting and reading to actually doing work. My hands and elbows are aching -- which reminds me: I need to wash my Hand-eze gloves. Both pair are embarrassingly dirty!     It's always something. Thank goodness, cause as Methos said, "The alternative is unthinkable."

easy day

    No real surprises on the job today. One of the ladies gave me a thorough tour of all the library offices and introduced me to just about everyone on staff. Many I knew already, but most were new to me. The rest of the day I spent reading the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition. Thank goodness I was indulging in caffeine today. Seattle Drip is (sort of) on my way to work, then I treated myself to a Diet Coke at lunch and walked out with a huge Go-Cup to boot. I stopped drinking it early enough that I don't think it will keep me awake, or awaken me from sleep. Getting up at 5:30am will do that to ya!     I did managed a few rows on the green sock tonight while I waited for Son#2 to get out of guitar class. I need to do some weighing of sock and remaining yarn, then do some figuring. Here's a try-on shot:     Sorry it is so washed out. The yarn is pale and the room is dark. At least you get Nero's "moon-glow" eyes, in honor of the full moon.     That's it for tonight. Maybe I'll stumble to the back room and see if I can find my navy and cream wools for Knit Your Bit.

anticipating change

    Tomorrow begins a new phase of life for me as I return to work. I'm looking forward to everything but the getting up early. And so, I am heading to bed much earlier than I would choose. First I wanted to post that if the scarf pattern at the Knit Your Bit website is a little to plain for you, perhaps this one in the new issue of MagKnits would be more to your liking. I've got navy and cream wool yarns (always partial to the Navy boys anyway), and think I'll try out this one myself.     And to apologize for not getting the photos made and uploaded; I have been quite the lazy-daisy today. The day sort of just slipped away -- though the two and a half hour nap might have a little something to do with it, eh?

knit your bit

My DH and I were just wondering the other day [oops! Rissa reminds me in the comments that it was she and not my DH & I!] how the WWII museum had fared since Katrina, then yesterday I saw this in Creative Knitting magazine's newsletter: National WWII Museum Sponsors Knitting Effort "The National World War II Museum in New Orleans has introduced a national, grass-roots program, the Knit Your Bit campaign, that coordinates donated, hand-knitted scarves for WWII veterans in appreciation of their service to our country. Knitters can donate completed scarves which will then be distributed to individual veterans through V.A. Hospitals and other veterans' organizations. "The program will continue through the winter into 2007, but scarves sent to the Museum by December 10, 2006, will be distributed to veterans as holiday gifts this year. Every knitter that donates a scarf will receive a certificate of participation. "For more information, go to their website where you will find a simple scarf pattern that can be downloaded. Two color combinations are recommended: khaki green with cream stripes, or navy blue with cream stripes." (button added to sidebar)

a last hurrah

    I feel like I've been in a whirlwind for the past three days, but a fun and somehow peaceful whirlwind. I had a great time going to the TVR meeting in Huntsville with Rissa--by way of Birmingham's Superior Grill & Knit Nouveau, then home by way of Little Barn. Topped off with a lovely evening of Mediterranean/Lebanese food and Mid-Eastern dancing last night, some bargain clothes shopping and delicious lunch today, it was perfect 'girls only' mini-vacation. The only thing missing was Lisa, and Rissa's DH was good company at meals last night and today.     While at the knit shop in Birmingham, I discovered an affinity to Artyarns products. Seemed like every skein that caught my eye was by Artyarns. However, I don't think I overindulged. I only bought two skeins each of two sock yarns: Brown Sheep's Wildfoote in Columbine (SY16, much prettier in person) and Artyarns' Ultramerino4 in 132 (a blue and turquoise colorway). Oops! I forgot about the ball of JaggerSpun Zephyr in White, a a 50/50 Tussah silk & merino blend.     Late this afternoon, Rissa gave me my first spinning lesson. Well, actually, in spindling. The spindle is so cute and small, and if I concentrate on the sequence of steps I can actually manage to do it! I doubt I'll get a lot of time to practice this week, but the Harvest Festival is this weekend, and I'll get to do some more then for certain. (Rissa posted a photo of me spinning on her blog.) I think that it will be a real treat to be able to sit and spin with the women in Tibet on our trip next May. Maybe they will get a kick out of it, too!     As for my own knitting... I ran out of yarn for the meditation scarf while in Richmond last week, but I finished it just a day or so after I returned home -- well, except for those darned tails! I managed to get the (short-row) heel turned on that green Senso sock,* as well as break one of Lisa's Brittany 0s while I was working on the ribbed leg! One of my bamboo 0s had been broken this summer either when the TSA searched my checked bag or later as a result of their repacking. Whichever it was, I didn't notice it was broken until I got home from Mexico because I never even worked on the sock while I was gone. So... while I was at Knit Nouveau, I bought new size 0 bamboo needles, and two Inox circulars in size 0 too. Now the green sock is on the two circulars, and coming along nicely. (I'll post a photo tomorrow; just too sleepy tonight to drag it and the camera out.)     While I was in Virginia, I took time to rent a car and drive to DC to visit two friends. One toted me to a yarn shop, The Yarn Barn where I bought a beautiful skein of Lana Grossa Meilenweit Mega Boots Stretch in color 704, a blue and green colorway. I worked a short-row toe and really like the way it knits and looks. Then I set is aside and tried to concentrate on the green sock (and my EGA class stitching--which I'll try to remember to talk about tomorrow). Now, though, I have got to go to bed; I can hardly hold open my eyes! *Seems I never posted about this sock before, even though I knew I took photos of it. Turns out that the photo is of the sock before I tore it back to the toe and then worked a different pattern for the body of the sock. So, no-can link to picture or blog entry.