(Taking a break)
I am a voracious reader. On a good week, with no video game in progress, I go through at least two to three books. I can do as many as seven to ten, if they're short. (For example I read four Perry Mason books this week as a part of my list. They are very simple, fast reads.)
I read all kinds of books. But, I seem to gravitate towards non-fiction, mystery, and fantasy/SF.
Keeping up with this pace is not easy. Particularly when you figure that my husband is about the same. We usually have a running pile from he library of between twenty to forty books checked out at a time. (Including stuff I've checked out for my parents.) I do buy some books - mostly used, but some new.
There are authors I love, whom I will buy when new works come out. I've followed a number of series paperback careers and been very loyal. But there comes a point, inevitably, when a good author will stop being a paperback author and move to hardback.
I understand why - they must get more money. But I wonder about the economics of this. Is it a good move for the publisher? Ultimately, aside from the extra money, is it good for the author?
You see, I buy one author in hardcover right now, and only one. (Terry Pratchett - and I pray there will be more books to buy.) Hardcovers are expensive and they are harder to store. (I re-read a lot of the things I like.)
If an author goes to hardcover, they lose my money. I may buy the paperback when it comes out, or not. Sometimes I'm disappointed after waiting for or getting it from the library, and I lose interest. Sometimes I'll get it used which means they still lose my money.
Am I weird? Does everyone else just move along and buy hardcovers? I can't imagine this is true - especially in today's economy. So how does this business model work in the long term? Is the profit on a hardcovers so high that it makes up for the drop in buyers?
Since I come from a library background, I looked at this side as well. One might argue that a more popular author, who had moved to hardcover, would sell more copies to libraries. But that doesn't seem to pan out, based on my experience. Libraries have to be careful about spending too. They will buy lots of paperbacks, but not nearly as many hardcovers. And they seem less likely to replace damaged or lost hardcovers.
Anyway, just something I was thinking about this morning as I noticed another good author had made the jump.
I am a voracious reader. On a good week, with no video game in progress, I go through at least two to three books. I can do as many as seven to ten, if they're short. (For example I read four Perry Mason books this week as a part of my list. They are very simple, fast reads.)
I read all kinds of books. But, I seem to gravitate towards non-fiction, mystery, and fantasy/SF.
Keeping up with this pace is not easy. Particularly when you figure that my husband is about the same. We usually have a running pile from he library of between twenty to forty books checked out at a time. (Including stuff I've checked out for my parents.) I do buy some books - mostly used, but some new.
There are authors I love, whom I will buy when new works come out. I've followed a number of series paperback careers and been very loyal. But there comes a point, inevitably, when a good author will stop being a paperback author and move to hardback.
I understand why - they must get more money. But I wonder about the economics of this. Is it a good move for the publisher? Ultimately, aside from the extra money, is it good for the author?
You see, I buy one author in hardcover right now, and only one. (Terry Pratchett - and I pray there will be more books to buy.) Hardcovers are expensive and they are harder to store. (I re-read a lot of the things I like.)
If an author goes to hardcover, they lose my money. I may buy the paperback when it comes out, or not. Sometimes I'm disappointed after waiting for or getting it from the library, and I lose interest. Sometimes I'll get it used which means they still lose my money.
Am I weird? Does everyone else just move along and buy hardcovers? I can't imagine this is true - especially in today's economy. So how does this business model work in the long term? Is the profit on a hardcovers so high that it makes up for the drop in buyers?
Since I come from a library background, I looked at this side as well. One might argue that a more popular author, who had moved to hardcover, would sell more copies to libraries. But that doesn't seem to pan out, based on my experience. Libraries have to be careful about spending too. They will buy lots of paperbacks, but not nearly as many hardcovers. And they seem less likely to replace damaged or lost hardcovers.
Anyway, just something I was thinking about this morning as I noticed another good author had made the jump.
So, What was I doing two weekends ago when I missed 
ee_nez's birthday?
I was in Portland. Some of you may know I am a librarian. (You don't stop being a librarian - you just stop getting paid for it. I wonder if there's a group for former librarians? We should organize - but I digress.)
I read children's books and am not ashamed to say so. No, not just Harry Potter - but a whole host of other cool things. Basically, if it's well written, I read it. And that occasionally includes picture books.
I started reading Brian Lies with his last book "Bats At The Beach." It tells a wonderful story about bats going to the shore at night for an excursion. The prose is enchanting, but the illustrations are what really make it special. Bats in the moonlight, moon-bathing and playing vollyball. Bats sailing and having picnics. Bats roasting marshmallows with bug bits sticking out of them! It is absolutely adorable. And there's one little baby bat with floaties, who steals the show.
Recently Mr. Lies came out with a new book: "Bats At The Library." I would not have thought it was possible that you could do something more charming than the previous one, but I was wrong. My friend with cancer brought a copy to work and the whole work team was "ooo"s and "ah"s.
This time the bats come in to read and explore a library at night. You have bats reading fibonacci. Bats sending email. Young bats photocopying themselves. And just when you think it can't get any better, several pages of homages to the classic children's books, with illustrations in the style of those books - with bats: Little Nemo, Goodnight Sun, Pippi Batstocking, Winnie the Bat, my personal favorite - The Velveteen Bat, and many more. Floatie bat is back too. Clearly, these are labors of love by a gifted artist, who loves libraries, bats, and books.
Two weekends ago I got to meet and talk to him.
He was doing a signing at Powells in Portland. We drove three hours down from Seattle and I got to talk to him before his presentation for awhile. He signed my books. (And one for my friend, who has cancer.) And he drew little bats in them! We also got to meet his wife, who was really nice.
It was a small crowd - there were about 20 adults with assorted kids in tow. He read the book, spoke about putting it together, and even showed some of his original paintings. It was a wonderful experience. He says there will be another one about baseball. I can hardly wait.
It was a long drive, but it was worth it. (Hubby likes the books too. What can I say? We're a house of librarians.) It's always special to be able to talk to someone about their art. Not only do you have the art to enjoy, but you gain more understanding about it.
If you would like to see some of the pictures - check out his website here: http://www.brianlies.com/.
Then go out and buy his books - or at least get them out of the library. I promise you won't be disappointed.
ee_nez's birthday?I was in Portland. Some of you may know I am a librarian. (You don't stop being a librarian - you just stop getting paid for it. I wonder if there's a group for former librarians? We should organize - but I digress.)
I read children's books and am not ashamed to say so. No, not just Harry Potter - but a whole host of other cool things. Basically, if it's well written, I read it. And that occasionally includes picture books.
I started reading Brian Lies with his last book "Bats At The Beach." It tells a wonderful story about bats going to the shore at night for an excursion. The prose is enchanting, but the illustrations are what really make it special. Bats in the moonlight, moon-bathing and playing vollyball. Bats sailing and having picnics. Bats roasting marshmallows with bug bits sticking out of them! It is absolutely adorable. And there's one little baby bat with floaties, who steals the show.
Recently Mr. Lies came out with a new book: "Bats At The Library." I would not have thought it was possible that you could do something more charming than the previous one, but I was wrong. My friend with cancer brought a copy to work and the whole work team was "ooo"s and "ah"s.
This time the bats come in to read and explore a library at night. You have bats reading fibonacci. Bats sending email. Young bats photocopying themselves. And just when you think it can't get any better, several pages of homages to the classic children's books, with illustrations in the style of those books - with bats: Little Nemo, Goodnight Sun, Pippi Batstocking, Winnie the Bat, my personal favorite - The Velveteen Bat, and many more. Floatie bat is back too. Clearly, these are labors of love by a gifted artist, who loves libraries, bats, and books.
Two weekends ago I got to meet and talk to him.
He was doing a signing at Powells in Portland. We drove three hours down from Seattle and I got to talk to him before his presentation for awhile. He signed my books. (And one for my friend, who has cancer.) And he drew little bats in them! We also got to meet his wife, who was really nice.
It was a small crowd - there were about 20 adults with assorted kids in tow. He read the book, spoke about putting it together, and even showed some of his original paintings. It was a wonderful experience. He says there will be another one about baseball. I can hardly wait.
It was a long drive, but it was worth it. (Hubby likes the books too. What can I say? We're a house of librarians.) It's always special to be able to talk to someone about their art. Not only do you have the art to enjoy, but you gain more understanding about it.
If you would like to see some of the pictures - check out his website here: http://www.brianlies.com/.
Then go out and buy his books - or at least get them out of the library. I promise you won't be disappointed.
OMG! What a horrible freestyle routine choice! I can't believe Marie's partner LET her do that. She didn't really dance at all. If she'd started out stiff, and then got good, it might have worked. But, wow, that sucked.
I liked Mel. I've rooted for Mel all season. But she didn't wow me either. This was really her chance to shine and it just wasn't there for me.
I expected things to be much closer but the way is clear for me now. I'm giving all my votes to Helio.
I liked Mel. I've rooted for Mel all season. But she didn't wow me either. This was really her chance to shine and it just wasn't there for me.
I expected things to be much closer but the way is clear for me now. I'm giving all my votes to Helio.
Well, best laid plans and all that. Hubby's had the tail end of a cold for a few days. Last night my throat started to hurt. I've fought it off several times over the last week and may have again. But hubby is pretty sick this morning. And he has one of those weird reverse fevers he gets. His temp is 97.6. I'd already decided to abandon the cooking idea but now thatI've gotten a good look at hubby, I think we will have to skip going to my parents house for Thanksgiving as well. Mom has said I can come over and pick up some food later.
So a quiet day for us. Have fun everybody! :)
So a quiet day for us. Have fun everybody! :)
Picking out Thanksgiving recipes.
This one will be for Mom - all the dairy will have substitutes:
Pumpkin Rice Pudding
From Diana Rattray,
Brown sugar and vanilla combine with cinnamon to flavor this wonderful rice pudding. Use Arborio or short-grain rice in this recipe, and garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar or chopped dried cranberries and pecans. This is a great recipe to use up that extra 3/4 cup of pumpkin in a can.
INGREDIENTS:
o 1 cup Arborio rice or short-grain rice
o 3 cups whole milk
o 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
o 3/4 cup canned or mashed pumpkin
o 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
o 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
o Pinch salt
o 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
o cinnamon or whipped topping and pecans for garnish, optional
PREPARATION:
In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, combine the rice, 3 cups of milk, and brown sugar. Cook, stirring, until the mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until rice is tender and most of the milk is absorbed.
This will take about 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin with vanilla, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt. When the rice is done, remove from heat and stir in the pumpkin mixture. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. To warm the pudding, stir in about 1/2 cup of milk or half and half and warm over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Serve with a sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar, or top with a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping and chopped pecans and chopped dried cranberries.
Serves 4 to 6.
-----
This will be for the rest of us. I might change the kind of alcohol, and I'm still debating the addition of chocolate...
(Reading through comments on the site where I got the recipe - some have noted cooking time should be closer to an hour.)
Spirited brown sugar pecan pie
Bon Appétit | October 2005
Judi Kerr, Mendham, NJ
The filling for this pie contains no corn syrup, which gives it a rich, dense texture.
Prep: 10 minutes; Total: 55 minutes
Servings: Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Ingredients
1 refrigerated pie crust (half of 15-ounce package), room temperature
2 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon Scotch whisky
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups pecan halves
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch glass pie dish with dough. Crimp edge decoratively. Whisk sugar, eggs, butter, Scotch, vanilla, and cinnamon in large bowl to blend. Mix in nuts. Pour filling into dough-lined dish.
Bake pie until filling is slightly puffed and set in center, covering edges with foil if browning too quickly, about 40 minutes. Cool pie completely at room temperature. Cut into wedges and serve with whipped cream.
This one will be for Mom - all the dairy will have substitutes:
Pumpkin Rice Pudding
From Diana Rattray,
Brown sugar and vanilla combine with cinnamon to flavor this wonderful rice pudding. Use Arborio or short-grain rice in this recipe, and garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar or chopped dried cranberries and pecans. This is a great recipe to use up that extra 3/4 cup of pumpkin in a can.
INGREDIENTS:
o 1 cup Arborio rice or short-grain rice
o 3 cups whole milk
o 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
o 3/4 cup canned or mashed pumpkin
o 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
o 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
o Pinch salt
o 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
o cinnamon or whipped topping and pecans for garnish, optional
PREPARATION:
In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, combine the rice, 3 cups of milk, and brown sugar. Cook, stirring, until the mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until rice is tender and most of the milk is absorbed.
This will take about 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin with vanilla, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt. When the rice is done, remove from heat and stir in the pumpkin mixture. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. To warm the pudding, stir in about 1/2 cup of milk or half and half and warm over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Serve with a sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar, or top with a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping and chopped pecans and chopped dried cranberries.
Serves 4 to 6.
-----
This will be for the rest of us. I might change the kind of alcohol, and I'm still debating the addition of chocolate...
(Reading through comments on the site where I got the recipe - some have noted cooking time should be closer to an hour.)
Spirited brown sugar pecan pie
Bon Appétit | October 2005
Judi Kerr, Mendham, NJ
The filling for this pie contains no corn syrup, which gives it a rich, dense texture.
Prep: 10 minutes; Total: 55 minutes
Servings: Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Ingredients
1 refrigerated pie crust (half of 15-ounce package), room temperature
2 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon Scotch whisky
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups pecan halves
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch glass pie dish with dough. Crimp edge decoratively. Whisk sugar, eggs, butter, Scotch, vanilla, and cinnamon in large bowl to blend. Mix in nuts. Pour filling into dough-lined dish.
Bake pie until filling is slightly puffed and set in center, covering edges with foil if browning too quickly, about 40 minutes. Cool pie completely at room temperature. Cut into wedges and serve with whipped cream.
Dancing With The Stars continues to startle me with music choices. A tango to "Personal Jesus?" It was fun to see them use Harry Potter music, though. Too bad they didn't costume for it.
I think Jennie is going tonight - but I've thought that for several weeks now. She just isn't as good. This was the week I really felt Mel and Helio pulled away from the pack. I was glad to see Marie do two credible dances - she must have been low on time. But they were really too short.
I think Jennie is going tonight - but I've thought that for several weeks now. She just isn't as good. This was the week I really felt Mel and Helio pulled away from the pack. I was glad to see Marie do two credible dances - she must have been low on time. But they were really too short.
Warning - you could die from teh cuteness. Baby meerkats!
http://www.nbc11.com/slideshow/news/145
http://www.nbc11.com/news/14543989/deta
http://www.nbc11.com/slideshow/news/145
http://www.nbc11.com/news/14543989/deta
More jokes from my Mom:
A man was walking home alone late one foggy night, when behind him he hears:
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him
FASTER...
FASTER...
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.
However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket
clapping
clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...
The terrified man runs. Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.
With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.
Bumping and clapping toward him.
The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is
a bottle of cough syrup!
Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...
and the coffin stops.
( behind a cut for a swear wordCollapse )
A man was walking home alone late one foggy night, when behind him he hears:
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him
FASTER...
FASTER...
BUMP...
BUMP...
BUMP...
He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.
However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket
clapping
clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...
The terrified man runs. Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.
With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.
Bumping and clapping toward him.
The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is
a bottle of cough syrup!
Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...
and the coffin stops.
( behind a cut for a swear wordCollapse )
In the news today:
The LA Times posts "7 Clues Dumbledore Was Gay"
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/ne
samatha_vimes was right. Marie was having breathing problems due to smoke on Dancing With The Stars.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2145911
The LA Times posts "7 Clues Dumbledore Was Gay"
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/ne
samatha_vimes was right. Marie was having breathing problems due to smoke on Dancing With The Stars. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2145911
Small Harry Potter fan makes unfortunate costuming choice
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a
Poor kid. His Mom will be bringing those pics out for his first date.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a
Poor kid. His Mom will be bringing those pics out for his first date.
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