A Literary Rant

    I am a pretty easy going gal, almost always with a smile on my face for everyone. There are a few things that just plain piss me off. One of these is a bad book. Of course it's just my judgement that it's bad, after all someone somewhere (mistakenly)  thought it was worthy of publishing.


    So far in my life there have been four books that I have deemed totally unworthy of my money and time. The first three I don't remember the names of, but one was written by a best selling author. I read that one while on vacation in the late 70's. I remember we were camping, and when I finally finished reading that awful book, I took the walk down to the lake and threw it in. It was a paperback, so not a huge monetary investment. But I had to force myself to read it, hoping against hope that it would get better. It didn't.


    The second one was about an old German lady who told her life story. That one was awful as well. I remember that when I finished that one, I literally tore it up and threw it away. I was at work, and I remember the looks I got from other people in the break room at the time. It was also a paperback, if that makes any difference.


    The third book I have written about before, the one about the werewolves that was so badly written that I thought it was either written by a child or (very) badly translated from its original language. I never even finished reading that book. In fact I'd like to find it and try reading it again, this time with a highlighter so I can mark all the horrible grammar and literary offenses.


    Those three books were actual paper books, purchased at stores. This newest bad book is on my nook. I thought the cover looked interesting, and the story blurb sounded like it might be as well. I was wrong. I am once again forcing myself to read a book . But when I'm done, I won't be able to have the satisfaction of ripping it up, or throwing it in a lake. The name of this book is The Cambodian Book of the Dead. It's author is a man named Tom Vater. I am currently on page 202 of 259, so I'm nearly finished with it. I did have a thought that maybe my Hubs would like it, so it wouldn't be a total waste. If he does read it, I'll let you know what he thinks of it. 


    I am still knitting on the knitted super secret project. As long as I remember to stretch my shoulder out I remain pain free. YAY!

Hoisted!

    OK, I'm still reading Lasher by Anne Rice. At least I'm more than half done now. BUT in the meantime, the newest Iron Druid book is downloaded to my nook. And driving me even more insane, the newest Anita Blake book is also!! They are both there, taunting me to hurry and finish.


    I just want this book to be done already!! Since I've made the commitment to read it, I'm going to finish it, but I'm finding myself skipping paragraphs, even skimming and sometimes skipping whole pages in an effort to be done with it quicker.


    And I still can't find that stupid ribbon yarn. Dag nabbit. Just so you know, the title refers to "hoisted by own petard".

I think I was knitting too much, is that even possible?

    My yarn finger hurts. It's actually sore! I may have been knitting too much, even though I doubt it's possible. So I have therefore decided to cease and desist the pain causing activity for a few days.


    Watching myself knit, I realize that I hold the yarn with my index finger and throw it with my middle finger. I don't know if that's normal, but it works for me.


     It just so happens that I downloaded three new books on my nook, and I've been reading them. They are a series, The Iron Druid Chronicles, by Kevin Hearne. They are named, in order, Hounded, Hexed and Hammered. I've finished the 1st, and started the 2nd. I am enjoying them immensely.


    I feel much better today, well enough that I went to work. I put in my four hours and then came home. I still enjoy working at the Awesome Store! Then I will turn  around and do it again tomorrow. Since the Hudson Valley Marketplace has closed, we are at the original flagship store in Hyde Park, on 9G. That's where they do all the cooking and pickling and stuff. It's fascinating!


   

I Collect Some Stuff.

    I collect things. It's not gotten to an extreme, yet, but I collect some pretty odd and unusual things. For starters, I collect gavels. Yup, the kind the judge uses. I don't have many, since I got them all on ebay, and I quit ebay after getting my identity stolen, TWICE. After the second time, that's when I quit. Anyway, I have a lucite gavel, an ebony gavel, and a ceramic one too. There is one that is hand painted with flowers and things that was owned by a female judge. Most of the rest are just plain wood.


    I also collect sand. I have sand from around the world, even Russia. Well, technically it's dirt, but it's from a river bank. I have sand from Ireland, Grenada, and other places that I can't recall right this minute. Here are a few photos of some of my sand.

    Right now they are all on a shelf in the den. After my craft room is finished, they will have a nice shelf, all to themselves, where everyone can see them.


    I also have a liking for gargoyles. I can only afford small ones, but someday I hope to have a big one, out by our pool. I even have one that rides with me in my Jeep.


    Then there are the hedgehogs. I like them too. I have mostly stuffed ones. Here is a photo of some of them.

    I also, as you can see, collect books. I have five bookshelves, all overflowing with books. I also have a rocking chair that no one can sit in because it's piled with books. These bookshelves will be moved into the new craft room. That way, Hubs gets his den back.


    And of course, I collect yarn. It's so bad that I have two stashes, one here at my house, and one at my friend Bonny's house. It is under control, I swear. But to go with the yarn I also have many, many crochet hooks, and knitting needles! And tiny scissors, and yarn needles, and tiny tape measures, and stitch markers, etc. etc. etc.....


   And patterns too!! I have two huge three ring binders filled with crochet patterns, and one smaller one with knitting patterns. The crochet notebooks are all divided into catagories and everything.