Wylie picked up the Harry Potter Books in the summer and fall of 2014. He started reading them voraciously and non-stop. He would sit in the green chairs or in the corner of the couch curled up and just reading consistently. We were concerned with the Goblet of Fire book as it gets into the teenager subject matter and issues.
He put the book down for awhile and started reading lots of other books but wasn't keen on the Harry Potter books for some time.
It is now January 2016 and Harry Potter is back in the game. He's very excited about the story and yet again is ignoring the rest of the world to read about the boy wonder.
Ron Weasley is still the greatest character.
For Wylie this knocks off picking up a book he started but put down.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
The 2016 reading challenge
Reading is a big part of our life as is the library. Video games have not taken over Wylie's reading time nor has homework taken over.
2015 represented a year in which we faced many challenges with finding appropriate reading material for Wylie. He was reading at a much higher grade and comprehension level, yet appropriate subject matter and content was tough to find.
We relied on our local library to give us the access to tons of books that may or may not be interesting. Wylie self-selected to reading non-fiction books on particular topics of interest to him and fiction books that were semi-interesting to him. The librarians were incredibly helpful in recommending fiction books as well as helping Wylie navigate the library to go peruse the aisles of interest.
A blog that I notice (Literary Mama) posted a Reading Challenge for 2016. Wylie and I decided we are going to try to do this challenge which should be interesting.
Here is that challenge...
Read the following in 2016:
1. A book published in 2016
2. A book you can finish in one day
3. A book you've been meaning to read
4. A book recommended by your local librarian or bookseller
5.A book you should have read in school (Wylie is opting to make this a book suggested by school)
6. A book chosen for you by your spouse, partner, parent, sibling, child or best friend
7. A book published before you were born
8. A book that was banned at some point
9. A book you have previously abandoned
10. A book you own but have never read
11. A book that intimidates you
12. A book you have read at least once.
This should make for a book a month and an interesting year!
2015 represented a year in which we faced many challenges with finding appropriate reading material for Wylie. He was reading at a much higher grade and comprehension level, yet appropriate subject matter and content was tough to find.
We relied on our local library to give us the access to tons of books that may or may not be interesting. Wylie self-selected to reading non-fiction books on particular topics of interest to him and fiction books that were semi-interesting to him. The librarians were incredibly helpful in recommending fiction books as well as helping Wylie navigate the library to go peruse the aisles of interest.
A blog that I notice (Literary Mama) posted a Reading Challenge for 2016. Wylie and I decided we are going to try to do this challenge which should be interesting.
Here is that challenge...
Read the following in 2016:
1. A book published in 2016
2. A book you can finish in one day
3. A book you've been meaning to read
4. A book recommended by your local librarian or bookseller
5.A book you should have read in school (Wylie is opting to make this a book suggested by school)
6. A book chosen for you by your spouse, partner, parent, sibling, child or best friend
7. A book published before you were born
8. A book that was banned at some point
9. A book you have previously abandoned
10. A book you own but have never read
11. A book that intimidates you
12. A book you have read at least once.
This should make for a book a month and an interesting year!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Wylie recommended books...
An interesting writing prompt from a blog "The Literary Mama"
Write a review of one book you’ve read based on your child’s recommendation or urging. Why does he/she like it? Why were you hesitant to read it? Did your initial impression about it change? Why did he/she really want you to read it?
Write a review of one book you’ve read based on your child’s recommendation or urging. Why does he/she like it? Why were you hesitant to read it? Did your initial impression about it change? Why did he/she really want you to read it?
I've read many a book I wouldn't normally pick up and read or pick up and read to Wylie because he has gravitated toward it. This includes but is not limited to books on hero dogs, star wars characters, pirate school, and dinosaurs at school. There are books he wants to read or wants me to read to him that I would rather chuck in the trash mostly because the story is sappy and icky and rather poorly written. There are also the books he picks that end up being favorites that we sit and read together for over an hour at a time.
I now have less control over the books he picks from the library as his school has a very well stocked library and has two librarians to help the students pick out books. What I really LOVE about this is that the librarians DO NOT BELIEVE in making children pick books at their reading level! This means Wylie is bringing home chapter books he loves, and is bringing home books that he will struggle to read certain words in but still loves the story. What is tough about this policy is that sometimes he brings books home that I would rather not read to him and secretly hope he forgets about quickly.
Wylie Reading Update
We are nearing the end of first grade and Wylie is reading off the charts. He is a very studious reader and a very eclectic reader as well. Each week his class visits the library at school and can bring home up to four books at a time. Wylie brings home everything from Magic Tree House books (covering Titanic, Rome, Greece, San Francisco, and Egypt) to National Geographic books (Tigers are the main interest) and Sports related books.
He is also reading among his books at home:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Geronimo Stilton
Book One in the Series of Unfortunate Events
Donald Duck Original Comics which are stories told in comic/graphic novel version.
His reading level based on school assessment is around 5th or 6th grade. His comprehension of non-fiction topics is around 6th to 7th grade. This means he is reading non-fiction science, astronomy, history, geography, and similar subject areas and understanding them. He is asking questions that involve making connections and considerations of the topic. He then if needed puts the knowledge into practice.
All of this is great except I miss him asking to be read to at night. He now likes to read on his own.
He is also reading among his books at home:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Geronimo Stilton
Book One in the Series of Unfortunate Events
Donald Duck Original Comics which are stories told in comic/graphic novel version.
His reading level based on school assessment is around 5th or 6th grade. His comprehension of non-fiction topics is around 6th to 7th grade. This means he is reading non-fiction science, astronomy, history, geography, and similar subject areas and understanding them. He is asking questions that involve making connections and considerations of the topic. He then if needed puts the knowledge into practice.
All of this is great except I miss him asking to be read to at night. He now likes to read on his own.
Neil Gaiman
I read Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" this weekend. It took me a bit to get into it, but then I just hit my stride and read the whole thing.
Initially I picked it up because of the author alone and my enjoyment of "American Gods," but this one straddles the fantasy and reality line so thinly that I really enjoyed it.
Here is my take on it:
1. If you have the time to block out the rest of the world and just read this book cover to cover in one sitting/breath DO IT.
2. It will absorb you in almost every manner of thought.
3. We ALL had a childhood of good, bad, or indifferent that involved grownups and life changing events. This is a view of that childhood from a child's point of view.
4. It is a child's point of view and memory of events, remember that as you read it as an adult. This is not simple adult version of a child's point of view. IT IS the child's point of view.
I really loved this book.
There are passages in which a young girl is leading the story and reaching out to lead you with her hand. She is not narrator but her voice is equally as strong in the story. The narrator is a middle-age man who has shed his age and returned us to his childhood. In particular just a few days of his childhood. He gives a background leading up to the events in the story yet seamlessly moves us from background to events to present day in the book.
There are parts of the book that are not just words but full images and memories of our own. Most of us had a point in childhood where our imaginations took us far into a fantasy world where we could be powerful and magical and our size and age did not matter. Neil Gaiman takes us into the world with his narrator. Instead of completely dissolving into the fantasy, he keeps reality and "this world" in tandem and along side the fantasy.
We can all say "it's just a fence covered with crows," but what we see is a crotchety being covered with carrion birds waiting to take our soul to another place. We see and know the "reality" but feel and experience the magical.
Fantastic book.
Initially I picked it up because of the author alone and my enjoyment of "American Gods," but this one straddles the fantasy and reality line so thinly that I really enjoyed it.
Here is my take on it:
1. If you have the time to block out the rest of the world and just read this book cover to cover in one sitting/breath DO IT.
2. It will absorb you in almost every manner of thought.
3. We ALL had a childhood of good, bad, or indifferent that involved grownups and life changing events. This is a view of that childhood from a child's point of view.
4. It is a child's point of view and memory of events, remember that as you read it as an adult. This is not simple adult version of a child's point of view. IT IS the child's point of view.
I really loved this book.
There are passages in which a young girl is leading the story and reaching out to lead you with her hand. She is not narrator but her voice is equally as strong in the story. The narrator is a middle-age man who has shed his age and returned us to his childhood. In particular just a few days of his childhood. He gives a background leading up to the events in the story yet seamlessly moves us from background to events to present day in the book.
There are parts of the book that are not just words but full images and memories of our own. Most of us had a point in childhood where our imaginations took us far into a fantasy world where we could be powerful and magical and our size and age did not matter. Neil Gaiman takes us into the world with his narrator. Instead of completely dissolving into the fantasy, he keeps reality and "this world" in tandem and along side the fantasy.
We can all say "it's just a fence covered with crows," but what we see is a crotchety being covered with carrion birds waiting to take our soul to another place. We see and know the "reality" but feel and experience the magical.
Fantastic book.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Wylie and Reading
I haven't posted in a very long time.
Mainly because Kindergarten started and we have been very busy reading and learning and reading and doing maths and reading and doing science experiments and reading and learning new games and well TONS of reading.
In January Wylie had officially zoomed through and completed all the Kindergarten reading books in his class curricula. His book selections from the library moved from books to have us read to him to more non-fiction books that he could read and explore on his own. These ranged from the DK Eyewitness series to National Geographics. He also brought home books that he was reading in class and wanted more. These were the Henry and Mudge books.
It is now the beginning of May. Wylie is reading currently at a 4th grade level and his teacher is working to find curricula to engage He still trips over words and wants us to read to him. In fact he will get his pajamas on early so that he can enjoy a bit of television and still have time to be read to at bedtime. He doesn't give up his reading time and has been known to wake up in the middle of the night completely upset he didn't get his book at bed. Of course the waking up part is usually because it has been such a busy day he fell asleep before he could be read to!
We will share interesting books that we are reading soon.
Mainly because Kindergarten started and we have been very busy reading and learning and reading and doing maths and reading and doing science experiments and reading and learning new games and well TONS of reading.
In January Wylie had officially zoomed through and completed all the Kindergarten reading books in his class curricula. His book selections from the library moved from books to have us read to him to more non-fiction books that he could read and explore on his own. These ranged from the DK Eyewitness series to National Geographics. He also brought home books that he was reading in class and wanted more. These were the Henry and Mudge books.
It is now the beginning of May. Wylie is reading currently at a 4th grade level and his teacher is working to find curricula to engage He still trips over words and wants us to read to him. In fact he will get his pajamas on early so that he can enjoy a bit of television and still have time to be read to at bedtime. He doesn't give up his reading time and has been known to wake up in the middle of the night completely upset he didn't get his book at bed. Of course the waking up part is usually because it has been such a busy day he fell asleep before he could be read to!
We will share interesting books that we are reading soon.
Monday, August 6, 2012
David Sedaris and Ann Patchett
I was intrigued by a colleagues review of "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris so I hunted it down at the library. It starts off rather dull and only when he begins to explain his life in France and attempts to learn the language as well as the French reaction to his attempts does the book actually turn out okay. I'm not a Sedaris fan.
I also picked up Ann Patchet's State of Wonder--about a biotechnology scientist hunting down a field scientist in the Amazon. It is through travel and experiences outside our comfort and norm that we learn about how to view other experiences. In some ways you realize how inward looking the main character is and how self-centered she is although she views everyone else in that manner.
I also picked up Ann Patchet's State of Wonder--about a biotechnology scientist hunting down a field scientist in the Amazon. It is through travel and experiences outside our comfort and norm that we learn about how to view other experiences. In some ways you realize how inward looking the main character is and how self-centered she is although she views everyone else in that manner.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Library Fines and New Books
First it's been a long time since I wrote about our trips to the library. It is not that we haven't been to the library, rather that we have been reading so much and doing other things that I haven't taken the time to write.
Library Fines!
We had several of our favorite books out for too long and then forgot to renew them. Then we realized a few were "new" to the library which gives us even higher fines.
Total payment was...
$26.50!
OUCH.
I must admit we loved the books.
So what are the new books we are reading
1. What Makes Us Fat? Great review of several scientific studies from 1900-2010 looking at how fat is formed in our bodies, why the calorie in/calorie out theory does not work, what is it about where fat forms in our bodies is genetic but at the same time not always a food decision.
Two interesting points: 1. 20 extra calories a day adds up to 10 extra pounds very quickly. 2. As we age and grow our bodies overeat to allow for growth yet we do not gain fat but our gaining fat even when we eat little and exercise significantly has something that means there is another reason for gaining fat.
2. Wiley and Grandpa and BIGFOOT!
3. Lego Starwars Phantom Menace.
Library Fines!
We had several of our favorite books out for too long and then forgot to renew them. Then we realized a few were "new" to the library which gives us even higher fines.
Total payment was...
$26.50!
OUCH.
I must admit we loved the books.
So what are the new books we are reading
1. What Makes Us Fat? Great review of several scientific studies from 1900-2010 looking at how fat is formed in our bodies, why the calorie in/calorie out theory does not work, what is it about where fat forms in our bodies is genetic but at the same time not always a food decision.
Two interesting points: 1. 20 extra calories a day adds up to 10 extra pounds very quickly. 2. As we age and grow our bodies overeat to allow for growth yet we do not gain fat but our gaining fat even when we eat little and exercise significantly has something that means there is another reason for gaining fat.
2. Wiley and Grandpa and BIGFOOT!
3. Lego Starwars Phantom Menace.
Friday, February 3, 2012
New Books
I Spy Books
Scooby I can Read
Dinosaur Cove
SPSHDS
These are the books we love right now. Wylie can read by sounding out the words slowly but surely the I Spy books with a bit of help from Wyatt and I. He spells the word, sounds it out and then works to find the right pronounciation and then gets to find the object. In some of the bigger words we help him, but for the most part he gets the pronounciation right which is a big deal and makes him happy. Lower case u's and n's give him a bit of run for the money in that he reverses them continually. I wonder about that but not too worried.
The Scooby I can Read book has pictures for common objects instead of words and that makes Wylie very excited to be able to "read" part of the story to me and then add in the words that he knows by sight. In the back are the pictures he "read" with the words spelled out underneath. He then spells those words and puts the two together. Kind of cool.
Dinosaur Cove is a new series of chapter books we are enjoying about two boys who become friends while hunting for dinosaur fossils. Lots of adventure and lots of fun.
SPSHDS is just pure alien fun written by our favorite authors of the Time Warp Trio and Math Curse.
Great visit to the library and looking forward to a few weeks of great reading.
Scooby I can Read
Dinosaur Cove
SPSHDS
These are the books we love right now. Wylie can read by sounding out the words slowly but surely the I Spy books with a bit of help from Wyatt and I. He spells the word, sounds it out and then works to find the right pronounciation and then gets to find the object. In some of the bigger words we help him, but for the most part he gets the pronounciation right which is a big deal and makes him happy. Lower case u's and n's give him a bit of run for the money in that he reverses them continually. I wonder about that but not too worried.
The Scooby I can Read book has pictures for common objects instead of words and that makes Wylie very excited to be able to "read" part of the story to me and then add in the words that he knows by sight. In the back are the pictures he "read" with the words spelled out underneath. He then spells those words and puts the two together. Kind of cool.
Dinosaur Cove is a new series of chapter books we are enjoying about two boys who become friends while hunting for dinosaur fossils. Lots of adventure and lots of fun.
SPSHDS is just pure alien fun written by our favorite authors of the Time Warp Trio and Math Curse.
Great visit to the library and looking forward to a few weeks of great reading.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Full Dark No Stars
Stephen King is back to who he was before he started writing just to make money. Okay not a totally fair assessment but for awhile he lost me and it felt like he was writing a bunch of junk that was a neat idea for the back of the book and then had maybe a 50 page story that his editor convinced him to turn into a 500 page book.
This is the macabre and dark writing that just mystifies me. It is the reality that you know can and does exist in very normal people. It is the reality turned on its side ever so gently and then wham you start looking at people a bit differently.
He explains where it came from and how it got to where it ended.
A quick read similar to his short stories from the early writings and he even writes that they remind him of his very early writings such as The Long Walk.
It was a happy read.
This is the macabre and dark writing that just mystifies me. It is the reality that you know can and does exist in very normal people. It is the reality turned on its side ever so gently and then wham you start looking at people a bit differently.
He explains where it came from and how it got to where it ended.
A quick read similar to his short stories from the early writings and he even writes that they remind him of his very early writings such as The Long Walk.
It was a happy read.
Death Comes to Pemberly
Thank you P.D. James!
Finally an author who captured the simplicity of Austen with the devilishness of the author's own style. It wasn't just a continuation of Austen but it was the story we wanted to know yet the story that was in P.D.James not in our heads necessarily.
I loved the twist even if there was a bit that was WAY too obvious.
I love that Darcy is still an idiot at times and that Lydia is still a flit.
I think though Elizabeth wasn't as solid as she could have been but then again maybe it is a side of her we never saw fully as a single woman?
It was a wonderful read by one of my favorite authors.
Finally an author who captured the simplicity of Austen with the devilishness of the author's own style. It wasn't just a continuation of Austen but it was the story we wanted to know yet the story that was in P.D.James not in our heads necessarily.
I loved the twist even if there was a bit that was WAY too obvious.
I love that Darcy is still an idiot at times and that Lydia is still a flit.
I think though Elizabeth wasn't as solid as she could have been but then again maybe it is a side of her we never saw fully as a single woman?
It was a wonderful read by one of my favorite authors.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
E-Books, My Kindle, and the Library!
So our local library has the literature out to program your library card and kindle to check out e-books. I'm very excited about this as the books have internal "bombs" built in so that they just disappear when the due date comes and you have no fines! YES! They have online resources as well that can be found here in their Overdrive system.
I also found out that if you are an Amazon Prime member (cost around $70 a year) you can borrow books for the Amazon Kindle for free at a rate of about 1 to 2 a month. You must return the book to the Amazon lending library before borrowing a new one and it is permanently erased from your Kindle but still a good idea. This resource is available for new books as well as older titles. I have "tried" the beginning of two series through this method and now will most likely buy the next book in the series. Yes I will BUY the next book in the series.
So why am I interested and excited about this and what is the concern?
Interest One: Way to get access to more books with more portability
Interest Two: Possibly way to avoid the ouch factor of my ever existing library fines. $30+ this time!!!!
Concern: The libraries keeping up with e-demand and keeping up with the stodgy and freaking publishers. The article by the Washington Post on the issue can be found here.
The publishers need to learn that if you give me something to try at the library for free or to read then the library will buy more and I will eventually buy more. The libraries can eventually charge a minor cost for the access or will actually see the shift in their costs from just hard bound to the e-book licenses. In either case more people reading is a good thing.
I also found out that if you are an Amazon Prime member (cost around $70 a year) you can borrow books for the Amazon Kindle for free at a rate of about 1 to 2 a month. You must return the book to the Amazon lending library before borrowing a new one and it is permanently erased from your Kindle but still a good idea. This resource is available for new books as well as older titles. I have "tried" the beginning of two series through this method and now will most likely buy the next book in the series. Yes I will BUY the next book in the series.
So why am I interested and excited about this and what is the concern?
Interest One: Way to get access to more books with more portability
Interest Two: Possibly way to avoid the ouch factor of my ever existing library fines. $30+ this time!!!!
Concern: The libraries keeping up with e-demand and keeping up with the stodgy and freaking publishers. The article by the Washington Post on the issue can be found here.
The publishers need to learn that if you give me something to try at the library for free or to read then the library will buy more and I will eventually buy more. The libraries can eventually charge a minor cost for the access or will actually see the shift in their costs from just hard bound to the e-book licenses. In either case more people reading is a good thing.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Dangerous Books
Two books that will soon be in our library...
The Dangerous Book for Boys
50 Dangerous Things You Should Do with Your Children
The Dangerous Book for Boys
50 Dangerous Things You Should Do with Your Children
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time Warp Trio, Wiley and Grandpa, Neil Gaiman
Wylie and I have been very big users of the library recently. Very big users.
We really like our local library which is the Kings Park Library.
We've been dropped off with the stroller and our book bag by Wyatt in the evening only to use the stroller as our book bag carrier as we were laden down with 25 books and walked home.
We've found a librarian we love there.
We have found out that there are LEGO creations by patrons there.
We have found out that they have a full set of TIME WARP TRIO books and a new series of books...
WILEY AND GRANDPA CREATURE FEATURES.
That last one is really important.
Wylie is really into chapter books. We read two to three chapters at night. So we now get two to three books from the library. We also get our DK/Eyewitness books but it's the chapter books that rock our world.
Wylie was most excited when we read "Summer Reading is Killing Me" as it had reference to so many books but he had actually read and remembered the characters in three of the books. He asked if we could get them again from the library.
We now are building a reading list for him. He's also starting to read again. :)
As for me. I'm back to my 40 for 40 list.
Neil Gaiman "American Gods" Great book. Not science fiction but not quite reality. Not quite drama but not quite anything. It's compelling and makes me look at people outside a bit differently. Loving it.
We really like our local library which is the Kings Park Library.
We've been dropped off with the stroller and our book bag by Wyatt in the evening only to use the stroller as our book bag carrier as we were laden down with 25 books and walked home.
We've found a librarian we love there.
We have found out that there are LEGO creations by patrons there.
We have found out that they have a full set of TIME WARP TRIO books and a new series of books...
WILEY AND GRANDPA CREATURE FEATURES.
That last one is really important.
Wylie is really into chapter books. We read two to three chapters at night. So we now get two to three books from the library. We also get our DK/Eyewitness books but it's the chapter books that rock our world.
Wylie was most excited when we read "Summer Reading is Killing Me" as it had reference to so many books but he had actually read and remembered the characters in three of the books. He asked if we could get them again from the library.
We now are building a reading list for him. He's also starting to read again. :)
As for me. I'm back to my 40 for 40 list.
Neil Gaiman "American Gods" Great book. Not science fiction but not quite reality. Not quite drama but not quite anything. It's compelling and makes me look at people outside a bit differently. Loving it.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Library Fine Confession
Okay Wylie and I must confess and we admit our sin...
$10.25 in fines! 8 books at 25cents a day! But as the librarian said we must have loved those books and to be honest we did.
We also pointed out that the library now had enough money to buy a new book.
So this is a good thing right?????
Ah well, back to remembering to return our books.
$10.25 in fines! 8 books at 25cents a day! But as the librarian said we must have loved those books and to be honest we did.
We also pointed out that the library now had enough money to buy a new book.
So this is a good thing right?????
Ah well, back to remembering to return our books.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Silver Linings
Today is a grey and rainy day. The kind that begs for a good book, a good blanket, a comfy chair and a cup of something yummy. It is a good reading day.
As a child days like these were seen as silver lining days by my mom. Here are a few glimpses of her silver linings...
1. Summer at the beach and a full on chilly rainy day. No house work, no beach time, no outside play time. The perfect day to do what you do on vacation...Relax. Pick up a book and find a good chair to read in. It would be quiet for hours before someone would yawn, stretch and ask "what's for lunch?" At which point we'd either all pile into the car for some exploration of the boardwalk which would be empty of tourists due to the rain OR we'd make grilled cheeses and sit at the table and play games.
2. Rainy winter days during the holidays. Perfect day to pull out old cook books and make cookies or holiday treats and read quietly with the heat on. Relax. There were many a day to rush through traffic and worry about many things but the days that involved us all at home were sometimes just days to read. Some of those days my dad would read out loud to us. Silver was to be found on those days to.
So what are my silver linings for today which could only be described as a less than perfect day...
1. I have my rain gear for my motorcycle which keeps me warm and dry for the bike ride to the train which also gave me exercise and vigor this morning.
2. The rain actually stopped for the 15 minutes while I had to walk from Charles St to Pratt street because the buses still aren't running on Pratt.
3. My colleague will give me a ride to the train station on the way home.
Final silver lining for the day...finding new Christmas patterns for my kindle to review on the ride home.
As a child days like these were seen as silver lining days by my mom. Here are a few glimpses of her silver linings...
1. Summer at the beach and a full on chilly rainy day. No house work, no beach time, no outside play time. The perfect day to do what you do on vacation...Relax. Pick up a book and find a good chair to read in. It would be quiet for hours before someone would yawn, stretch and ask "what's for lunch?" At which point we'd either all pile into the car for some exploration of the boardwalk which would be empty of tourists due to the rain OR we'd make grilled cheeses and sit at the table and play games.
2. Rainy winter days during the holidays. Perfect day to pull out old cook books and make cookies or holiday treats and read quietly with the heat on. Relax. There were many a day to rush through traffic and worry about many things but the days that involved us all at home were sometimes just days to read. Some of those days my dad would read out loud to us. Silver was to be found on those days to.
So what are my silver linings for today which could only be described as a less than perfect day...
1. I have my rain gear for my motorcycle which keeps me warm and dry for the bike ride to the train which also gave me exercise and vigor this morning.
2. The rain actually stopped for the 15 minutes while I had to walk from Charles St to Pratt street because the buses still aren't running on Pratt.
3. My colleague will give me a ride to the train station on the way home.
Final silver lining for the day...finding new Christmas patterns for my kindle to review on the ride home.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Kings Park Library Branch
New Librarian Love!
Wylie walked shyly up and asked for a DK Pirate Book. This is one of those eyewitness series books that we've loved in the past on Mummies, Egypt, Bugs, Food etc. She not only walked us over to the area where the book could be found but pulled out a super awesome Piratology book with a compass on the front for Wylie to read. She then also asked us if we were familiar with a few other pirate books as Wylie was obviously a big fan.
We also found chapter books for the Time Warp Trio Series! We loved the television series but this is a whole new ball game of fun with the books as they offer detail and imagination the television show cannot add.
We found one more fun book that was such a good book we read it cover to cover in one sitting. It was purely for fun and worth every moment.
"Wiley and Grandpa" (and yes Wylie did point out they spelled his name wrong). Not every day you find a book written about you!
That was our library love this week.
Wylie walked shyly up and asked for a DK Pirate Book. This is one of those eyewitness series books that we've loved in the past on Mummies, Egypt, Bugs, Food etc. She not only walked us over to the area where the book could be found but pulled out a super awesome Piratology book with a compass on the front for Wylie to read. She then also asked us if we were familiar with a few other pirate books as Wylie was obviously a big fan.
We also found chapter books for the Time Warp Trio Series! We loved the television series but this is a whole new ball game of fun with the books as they offer detail and imagination the television show cannot add.
We found one more fun book that was such a good book we read it cover to cover in one sitting. It was purely for fun and worth every moment.
"Wiley and Grandpa" (and yes Wylie did point out they spelled his name wrong). Not every day you find a book written about you!
That was our library love this week.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Nourishing Traditions-Sally Fallon
The full title of the book is "Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats"
Through a local (Loudon County) farmer Chicama Run Farms I found this book. It's part cook book, part nutritional history, part college education text book, and part lifestyle/homemaker book. YES all of those things in one. AND YES it's quite thick so I have to say I'm glad it was a soft back and on sale and available through Amazon Prime. :)
The author has about four pages of references and nutritionists, dieticians and doctors as well as historians at the end of her introduction alone that give her credibility above and beyond most of the diet or "diet lifestyle" books out there. She refers to valid clinical trials as well as historical realities. She does get preachy at times and there are recipes and areas in which I think "Well, I'll substitute good old refined white sugar or turbinado sugar" instead of her recommendation of rapadura or something similar.
She has a section for each of the parts of nourishment that we as humans take in. This isn't a way of justifying poptarts or demonizing butter. It is pointing out proteins in all their different forms and counterparts, vitamins and their uses and in some cases overuse issues, minerals, carbohydrates (here she includes fruit and veg), dairy, fats, beverages-I love that she makes this a category of nourishment, enzymes, spices and salt.
She then breaks "food" into three categories, nourishing traditional foods, compromise foods, and "newfangled" foods. It really makes you realized that the more your basic meat, fruit, veg, grain, water, spice, salt is messed with the less it is good for you NO MATTER WHAT ANY ONE SAYS.
The other fun part of the book is that throughout she puts up the ingredients of products that are relatively common in the local grocery store without putting up the name of the product. This is a fun challenge as I have read a few of these to my 4.5 year old and he thinks I'm making up names and that it can't possibly be part of an actual recipe for a food item. When we find out what it is he is shocked and I am appalled and that item is promptly listed as NEVER COMING INTO OUR HOUSE AGAIN. In some cases we are pleasantly suprised with the small ingredient list and how it is something we really love. With no reason to wonder why!
I haven't made a recipe out of the book. Mainly as I still have all of my kitchen items in storage as we are still living with the in-laws until next week. After that I cannot wait to get the kitchen set up and the cooking to begin.
I hope you take the time to read and enjoy the book as much as I did.
Through a local (Loudon County) farmer Chicama Run Farms I found this book. It's part cook book, part nutritional history, part college education text book, and part lifestyle/homemaker book. YES all of those things in one. AND YES it's quite thick so I have to say I'm glad it was a soft back and on sale and available through Amazon Prime. :)
The author has about four pages of references and nutritionists, dieticians and doctors as well as historians at the end of her introduction alone that give her credibility above and beyond most of the diet or "diet lifestyle" books out there. She refers to valid clinical trials as well as historical realities. She does get preachy at times and there are recipes and areas in which I think "Well, I'll substitute good old refined white sugar or turbinado sugar" instead of her recommendation of rapadura or something similar.
She has a section for each of the parts of nourishment that we as humans take in. This isn't a way of justifying poptarts or demonizing butter. It is pointing out proteins in all their different forms and counterparts, vitamins and their uses and in some cases overuse issues, minerals, carbohydrates (here she includes fruit and veg), dairy, fats, beverages-I love that she makes this a category of nourishment, enzymes, spices and salt.
She then breaks "food" into three categories, nourishing traditional foods, compromise foods, and "newfangled" foods. It really makes you realized that the more your basic meat, fruit, veg, grain, water, spice, salt is messed with the less it is good for you NO MATTER WHAT ANY ONE SAYS.
The other fun part of the book is that throughout she puts up the ingredients of products that are relatively common in the local grocery store without putting up the name of the product. This is a fun challenge as I have read a few of these to my 4.5 year old and he thinks I'm making up names and that it can't possibly be part of an actual recipe for a food item. When we find out what it is he is shocked and I am appalled and that item is promptly listed as NEVER COMING INTO OUR HOUSE AGAIN. In some cases we are pleasantly suprised with the small ingredient list and how it is something we really love. With no reason to wonder why!
I haven't made a recipe out of the book. Mainly as I still have all of my kitchen items in storage as we are still living with the in-laws until next week. After that I cannot wait to get the kitchen set up and the cooking to begin.
I hope you take the time to read and enjoy the book as much as I did.
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