My Favorite Book

I was tagged by HappyGirl to write about my favorite book. Selection was easy, writing a bit more challenging.

Scenario: Books are scarce in the world. They are illegal in some provinces. Books are difficult or impossible to replace in most circumstances. If you can replace a book or buy one, it is usually through the black market at astronomical costs that you cannot afford. Yet you have been able to maintain one of the best collections in the world. If your entire library was about to burn up (think of the firefighters in Fahrenheit 451 invading your home) and you could only have one* book to take with you other than the Bible, what would that be and why?

Simple Rules: Answer the question. Offer one quote that resonates with you. Tag five people whose response is of genuine interest to you and inform him or her that they have been tagged. Cheers!

*And it cannot be an entire series of something, that’s cheating.

The book I’d save is a first edition of Steamboat Gothic written by Frances Parkinson Keyes. Copyright 1952. I was introduced to this author when I first read this book as assigned reading during my senior year at high school. Though, over the years, I read all this author’s books Steamboat Gothic remains my favorite. The setting for Steamboat Gothic is the River Road in Southern Louisiana, not far outside New Orleans. It chronicles life along the Mississippi River beginning in 1869. The 560 page book weaves an intriguing saga of Clyde Bachelor’s life as a gambler, land owner, devoted husband, father, and grandfather spanning many years. It spins a tale of Clyde’s life from a young man rejected by a mother of questionable morals to his life as a respected gentleman.

“He (Clyde) saw, beyond an abrupt bend in the road, the house toward which he had so persistently been heading. In fact, it came into view so suddenly as to give him the triumphant feeling that, leaving aside all question of “spells,” luck was with him at last; for here before him, gloriously unaltered in the midst of the prevailing change, was the object of his heart’s desire.” (Clyde’s first sight of Cindy Lou, the steamboat gothic mansion that he made his home.)

It’s difficult to explain exactly how this book became my favorite. The short answer is that, though nothing is perfect, we can build a perfect life for ourselves in the middle of turmoil, strife, and heartbreak. This is a complex book that is well written with understanding of the time and setting.

Instructions are to tag five people. I'm going to invite everyone who has a favorite book they'd like to share with your readers to accept this challenge. Who knows, you might find a new favorite among those of fellow bloggers.

Changed Plans

Hump day just drifted away in almost a ho-hum way. Today was to be golf day. We were walked out the door to get in the car and BOOM - a thunder storm was on us. We should have looked at weather predictions before making prep for golf, but, well, we didn't. Morning was sort of a "walk around an wait" but the weather didn't get better. This afternoon Harry read to me for almost 3 hours while I crocheted. Aren't we Mr and Mrs Excitement? Maybe not exciting but it made for a warm, content afternoon for two old farts.

HappyGirl tagged me to write about my all time favorite book and I'll do so tomorrow. The book is in my night table next to my bed and Harry is sleeping. I don't want to wake him - he might growl at me. Of course I know the name of the book, the author, and can tell why it's my favorite but I can't quote my favorite lines without looking. I've only read this book at least 10 times, after all.

It's late and I need to get some sleep - tomorrow is play day and I always look forward to that. The boys will come through the sunroom door with big smiles and both talking a mile a minute. I absolutely love it.

Sending happy thoughts to each and everyone of you.

Long Live the Mockingbird

This morning Harry asked me three times (at least) if I was upset with him about something. I wasn't and didn't know of any reason I should be. Guess he thought that because I was more quiet than usual. Have you ever had a day when it just seemed like too much of an effort to make light conversation and be cute? This morning was my morning.

I did clean the bird feeders and restock them with different foods. I have suet for woodpeckers, small cracked grain/seed for small song birds, sunflower seed for the Cardinals, and thistle seed for the finches. Birds were lined up in the trees and on the fence watching me and waiting. There's a family of Mockingbirds that decided the suet and dried fruit are just the thing for a growing family. I don't know if you are familiar with Mockingbirds for not but they can be pretty aggressive when they have young -and this couple have two. It may prove the answer to my squirrel problem. The squirrel started to climb then jump onto a feeder and Mrs. Mockingbird was not amused. She actually flew after the squirrel and pulled hair out of his tail. The squirrel ran away - long live the Mockingbird.

It's late and I'm getting silly. Night, night to everyone who chances by this way.

Monday Slipped Away

I think today was Monday but it went by so quickly that I can't be sure. Tomorrow is trash and "lawn stuff" pick-up day and I didn't get the hedges and various bushes trimmed. I'll wait a few days now because I don't want the brush on the curb all week. Trimming is a Monday job.

Harry and I went out to visit our new grandbaby this morning. Sarah is doing really well and Baby is just a dream baby. This was the first day Buddy had to work and he had trouble leaving. He will work this week and then be home the next. Baby went to doctor to be checked today and he's doing well - gaining weight and all tests are perfect. Blessings are upon us. Mommy and Daddy plan Baby's first outing to be to Nana's house for Mother's Day. If all the kids -both big and little - can be here, I'll be a happy old woman. I don't much like lonesome Sundays.

We shipped three boxes of live coral this afternoon. They are packed in plastic bags containing tank water, then in insulated boxes, and shipped FedEx overnight. I have to say that FedEx has done an excellent job for us. Only once did the coral have to lay over and that was due to a blizzard. Certainly not the fault of FedEx.

It's late and I'm beat. Harry has been in bed sawing logs for over an hour. I think I'll join him and have a snoring contest. I hope everyone is having a good evening/night. Later, my friends.

Not a Routine Sunday

The past week was certainly different. A lot of good things happened and a couple of not so good things. We have a new grandson. Buddy's grandfather passed away. Sarah and Baby went home from the hospital. Sarah's follow-up appointment with the doctor went well. Baby's first appointment went well, too. Oldest grandson developed a mean stomach virus. Keith is finally through school and is starting to catch up on small repairs and refurbishing around their house. Joe is at his new job and it's going well. Harry and I are just doing what old folks do - nothing.

This day just doesn't seem like Sunday. For the first time in a looooong time we won't have a gathering and I feel lost. Everyone who can is going out to see Baby and do other things. Golly, gee, I hope this isn't a new trend but young families have many obligations and we don't want to become another. As long as everyone is well and reasonably happy we will be content. After all, Harry and I don't fight when we're alone. Sometimes he'll read to me while I crochet, sometimes we watch a movie - always NASCAR, we look forward to planning our next meal, part of the time we're each doing our own thing, we talk a lot (at least Harry would say so), and each is just happy that the other is there. We are both reasonably healthy and not so senile that we can't manage to function. For what more can we ask? Perhaps a yardman and full time housekeeper? New cars and a million dollars? Naaah, I don't think so.

I've spent my morning catching up with blogs and commenting. It's been over a week since I managed to do that. I've appreciated your visits and comments to the disjointed postings I've put out there. Thank you for not forgetting me. Let's "talk" more another time. Have a happy afternoon.

He Will Be Missed

My hubby, Harry, left the following comment on my blog. I feel the things that Harry writes but I don't seem to have the capacity to express myself the way he does.

"As a side note, two days after he (Baby Hooper) was born, his great grandfather passed away. This man had come up through some hard times. He served his country in WW2. He married a beautiful young bride. He worked hard and raised two children. They were inseparable until two years ago she passed away. Thursday he joined her. One day we rejoice, and then the next day we mourn and grieve. I reflected on this yesterday and was reminded that for all of us this is the path we must trod. This is the way it has always been and the way it always will be. The green leaf that buds this spring will fall to the ground this autumn."

I first met Mr. Bullock at Buddy's (his grandson) graduation from college. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He attended every celebration for his grandchildren that he possibly could. In short, he loved his wife and family. Yes, Mr. Bullock was a true gentleman. He will be missed by his entire family and many friends. Harry's words (above) say it all.

The Faster I go The Behinder I Get!

I seem to be getting behind with my blogging. I'm paddling as fast as I can but I just don't seem able to catch up.

Today was play day with the "big boys" as I've been informed they are now that the baby is here. They are still babies to me. We had a mid-day picnic on our screen porch and enjoyed watching a blue jay (bird) chase a cat. The boys thought it was a wonderful floor show just for our enjoyment. I hasten to add that the cat didn't catch the bird and the bird didn't pull all the fur out of the cat's tail. It doesn't take much to entertain us. After our picnic we played with cars and Legos then watched a Noggin (TV) show. As you can see, I tried for calm activities today. It was a slow and easy play date. No one cried, had a problem, or skinned a knee. Yep, it was a good day.

I haven't seen Baby Hooper today. He's well taken care of by mommy, daddy, a grandmother and grandfather. I need to ask what Sarah's parents will have the baby call them. My time with the baby will come when the grandparents who live out of town have to go home - then he's all mine. Well, I can dream, can't I?

We had a short power failure earlier this evening and it caused a problem for Harry's work. A few minutes ago he told me that he won't be through until almost midnight. I hope he ain't scared to be up by himself 'cause I think I'll fall asleep with my face on my keyboard before long. I had two small squares of chocolate earlier. Those who know me know chocolate is not my friend but I love it. For those of you who don't know, chocolate is like liquor when it hits my system. All I can say is that I'm a cheap date - and a lot of fun.

Enough of this. I need to get some rest. Hope everyone is happy and having a nice evening. Hey Jamie, NASCAR's Busch cars are running tonight and the Cup cars are on track tomorrow night.