Silly Alphabet Learning/Reinforcement Game

My son started the game of biting pretzels into the shapes of letters, and we had to guess them. He has been doing letter recognition for a while, but I've not worked with him enough for him to know them all. (For shame, for shame, I know.) So, this week, we've been working on it.

Tonight, he came up with this game on his own, and we tried to make capital and small letters out of pretzels. It was fun and a bit challenging. These were mini hard pretzels in the classic pretzel shape. The game included identifying and making capital and small letters. Next time, maybe the rule will be to only say the sound that the letter makes.

Regina G

For Joy

In color, I see you
Laughing in brilliant hue
I laugh too
I love you

I feel your hand
Holding mine, touching sand
What do I say and...
Can you feel my hand?

The waves of the sea
Lap at you and me
I feel you slipping free
Falling into the sea

I can see your colors mute
No longer in living suit
I will miss that laugh like flute
Until our colors unmute

Regina G

Souls Borne

Borne on words is a soul, like breath on the wind
Once present has passed, thought cannot rescind

There is something for me here that I cannot surround
Keeping souls aloft, cannot let words fall to the ground

Breathe in, breathe out, souls are born and are borne
Breathe in, breathe out, we rejoice and we mourn

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 

***Spoiler Warning***

These are the things I'm jotting down as I read. It is concurrent, in spite of any possible correct guesses. Which, that claim is going to look really funny when all my guesses and predictions are wrong--*snicker.*

Be aware. If you haven't read the indicated chapter, I may spoil something.

***End Warning***

Don't blame me if you have read beyond and the plot was spoiled.

 

Chapter 1

• We have never seen Snape and Voldy together.
• Who the heck is Yaxley, again?
• OMIGOSH!!! He doesn't have Tonks!!! (The victim that is suspended)
• Prediction: Voldy still doesn't trust Snape's double-agent status, but is using it to try to gain advantage.
  • Snape is on his "right hand." Not a good sign.
  • So the Order believes Snape turned. Has he used Legilimancy against them? McGonagall?!
  • Who is right? Dawlish or Snape?
• Draco...did D'dore see good in him?
• The Malfoys are a bit subdued.

Chapter 2

• Significant cutting of right hand?
• The RAB locket? The one from Sirius's house?
• Does Snape have a horcrux?
• Yay! Aberforth!
• I was thinking before, that there would be some sort of surveying of the previous books -- actually I was thinking that we might revisit the titles in some way.
• Rita, Rita, Rita! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!

Chapter 3 (and more, so be careful--I made it through Ch. 5 before realizing it.)

• Dumbledore's eye? What is JKR on about?!
• Uncle Vernon said "Please?"
• "Solid dislike," not "hate." :) Harry would try to save the Dursleys.
• Uh-oh, was Snape right? :(
• Love the watch! "Hurry up!" LOL!
• Is Dudders going to miss Harry?
• Change of plan? To Snape's credit???
• Oh yeah! Does Bill change at the full moon?
• P 55 (top). I'm getting the feeling that one of the decoys goes missing. :( Fleur or Ron or Hermione. No, Fred or George.
• Stan Shunpike??? A Death Eater? Why weren't they pursuing?
• Ted Tonks? Yay!
• Snape. Either he's playing his part well or he really is evil. I'm holding out to the end, though. Snape will prove himself in the end. It seems to be that way with double-agents.
• P 77. Was Kingley's "pop" really a "pop?"
• Who is Snape's source? Again, McGonagall? Imperiused?
• Um, when did I start reading chapter 5?

Chapter 6

• I want Harry to save Ollivander. I like him.

Chapter 7

• Is there a memory in the Snitch?
• Observation: D'dore knew he was going to die.
• Does the Snitch open at Godric's Hollow?

I just had a thought. For Voldy's soul to be repaired, he would have to be remorseful. Ah. Maybe Snape "confessed" his sin of killing D'dore.

Anyway, I think he and Harry will couple and that Harry's love and remorse can undo Voldy. It will appear to be weakness to Voldy, but it will tip the scale and Voldy will begin to fade away, with Riddle-style horror. In true antagonist fashion, Voldy does little changing.

Back to the book...

Chapter 8...and apparently 9.

• p 168 (middle). I don't think Voldy or Snape are reading Harry's mind and finding out plans. Snape knew the plan before Harry, of leaving the Dursleys.
• I think that since the Death Eaters have control of the Ministry, they can detect disapparation--and found the trio by Hermione's deed. I don't think this will be such a bad thing, in the end. They gained some important practice, discovered new skill, and what a wise decision by Harry not to kill them. :)
• Draco has no choice.
• Harry can use the connection with Voldy to find out if Snape is good or evil. But, will he?

Chapter 10

• How long can Ginny be kept out of the fray?
• p 177 (top). Is there a horcrux in Godric's Hollow? I know that has been a guess. Perhaps it's something of D'dore's rather than Gryffindor's. Maybe D'dore is a descendent of Gryffindor...hmm...
• Lupin's skepticism bothers me. I have always admired his levelheadedness. Indeed, he was one of my favorites. I'm so happy he married Tonks (it's been my secret ambition to play her in the movies, but that's not me--hee-hee!). Anyway, it is understandable that he should doubt friends, particularly that it was his friend who betrayed his trust, also, and killed one of his dearest set of friends. And now, Snape, who had made his Wolfsbane (er, is that right???) potion.
• Of course, I think the Death Eaters were in 12 Grimmauld Place, but I also think that RAB had returned.
• Reading the letter to Sirius...If Bathilda is cuckoo, as Aunt Muriel suggests, is she being Imperiused???
• Oh, no! Was Lily's letter the source to Rita?
• "Choose what to believe." I wonder if this is a life lesson from JKR. Sometimes, you don't have all the evidence you need to make an informed decision, so you've got to do the best you can with what you have. There are times when some things will never bee fully known.
• This is getting long...did I jump chapters again? Ah, nope...REGULUS!
• His middle name is one of my favorite constellations to look for. Actually, it's a star.

I just remembered one of my old predictions re: Harry's green and Voldy's red eyes. Again, I think they will couple, and the battle will be observed through their eyes. I think that the green eyes will be a signal.

• P 187 (top middle).
• Did Regulus save Kreacher and despise Voldemort for it?
• P 194 (end). How did Regulus replace the locket? Who would have drank the poison for him? Perhaps he knew an antidote since he saved Kreacher?
• Oh! I like Kreacher! *grins from ear to ear*

Chapter 11

• I'm very proud of Scrimgeour.
• P 211, end. I already drew the conclusion, as I read Lupin's reply about Tonks. There is something very strange about Lupin, and I'm starting to wonder...is it really Lupin and when was he lost? I did not like his recitation to Harry. He rattled everything off so quickly. They are things he's used before. Things someone else could have found out. Like D'dore said to Harry in HBP, he would have researched and found out his favorite jam before impersonating himself. I hesitate, but wonder if he is the mole.
• P 218 (end). I wonder if there is another explanation for Ariana not being let out. Perhaps she was a very powerful witch and a danger to others. Maybe she had moments of lucidity, and being in one, recognized her threat and killed herself. Or maybe she was also a werewolf. Hmm...
• Uh-oh...Might Percival be a werewolf? I know, I'm chasing rabbits.
• I had another thought along the Percival = werewolf lines -- Greyback...?
• Oh, crap. Umbridge.

I'm laughing. I've been warned that I need to hurry up and finish reading.

Chapter 12

• P 225(end). OH NO! SNAPE!!! Okay, okay, okay...Um...I'm collecting my thoughts here. Dumbledore's picture is in the office. WHERE is McGonagall??? Is this so bad, though?
• Dun-dun-DUUUUUUUUUN...Smart is Hermione! Phineas Nigellus, I ask you! Hehehe!
• And Dumbledore. Is there another portrait...HHHHHAAAAAAA! (That is a shart intake of breath.) Lightbulb moment! A portrait in the Snitch? Okay, that's probably silly.
• Top of p 234. I think Harry must experience Voldy's murders, because it's part of the coupling and remorse.
• Wow. I'm at the end of Ch 12, now, and wow. Of course Harry gets the locket, but still...

Chapter 13

• I think Umbridge is wearing the locket, but that's just a hunch.
• I hope Harry still has some sort of contact with D'dore, by portrait.
• Chapter end. Uh-oh. I don't think that's Hermione's hand, though I hope it is.

Chapter 14

• Something Fred and George-ish about his face?
• I'm thinking that the boy is kind of impish in his actions--something like a Peter Pan.
• Blond...I'm thinking Creavey, but probably not, esp. if it happened years before.
• I don't think it would have been Arthur Weasley...if it was a horcrux, which I think it must be. And Mr. Weasley doesn't seem to be the thieving type. Besides, it was a blondie.
• I have no idea.

Chapter 15

• It seems so obvious now that the horcrux shouldn't have been next to Harry's skin. It is when one gets closer and closer to it that it can possess one. Can't believe I missed that.
• And the text says that it didn't take the heat from Harry. Yes it did. All the while, it was bonding with him. In chemical reactions, when a reaction absorbs heat, it cools the area; it doesn't heat up.
• Wait a minute...Umbridge was wearing it, too. Was she being possessed at all? We don't know how long she had it. Hmm...
• P 298 (top middle). Gryffindor's sword is in the Snitch!
• P 308 (bottom middle). I'm expecting Ted Tonks to bust into the tent with Dean, et al.
• Oh, dang. I'm extremely disappointed in Ron, but I do understand that he wants to check on his family.

Chapter 17

• P 337 (end). Is the person with Dumbledore, the thief, Aberforth?

Chapter 18

• P 351 (middle). Hmm...maybe there are several things inside the Snitch? Maybe a wand, too...maybe D'dore's wand? Doubtful.

Chapter 19

• I don't like to read the chapter titles before the chapter--they give too much away. But I accidentally saw this one while finishing 18. I guess that the silver doe is Ginny's patronus.
• P 373 (mid). Is the patronus McGonagall's????
• Okay, I'm proud of Ron. Yay!!!

Chapter 20

• Is the symbol that of Gryffindor's?
• Ron has splinched himself twice and he doesn't shy away from Apparating. He's either brave, or stupid. LOL!
• P 412 (mid). Did D'dore win the Elder Wand from Grindelwald?
• Top of 418...I'm getting a bad feeling about Luna. I have since the father said she was fishing. GRR!!! Xeno--is it really a Death Eater? Or is he a mourning father?

I've been just reading and enjoying, so haven't been writing.

Chapter 29

• Is Aunt Muriel's tiara the lost diadem? No way that it would be the horcrux...

Chapter 31, I think...I wrote it down on paper instead of on here, because my computer was in use, but I realized that Harry was going to have to die in the middle of D'dore describing how Harry was the final horcrux to Snape. I mean, we all knew it, by that point, right? Anyway, I exclaimed, "Crap!" Shut the book, and walked away.

But I had to go back.

 

Epilogue

• Does this mean that Teddy didn't live with Harry and Ginny? If not, with whom did he live???
• Professor Longbottom! AWESOME! Oh, I love Neville. He's great. I'm so proud of him. I think I cried when he slew the snake.
• I know I cried when Mrs. Weasley stepped in for Ginny, and bawled like a fat and bald little baby when she killed Bellatrix.

Finished...

I'm thoroughly unhappy about Dobby, and downright angry about Fred, Lupin and Tonks, but on the whole, a GREAT read.

I could write for hours on it, but I just don't have the time. I'm happy with some of my predictions, but feel silly on others--LOL! So glad my friend was right about Snape!!! So glad that my conviction was fulfilled.

I had a feeling that Snape loved Lily, but had read too much from MuggleNet, and that dampened my conviction. I wondered if that "disgusting boy" or however she phrased it, that Aunt Petunia referred to might have been Snape, but it could have easily been James, as well, and so I leaned toward James, not knowing that Snape was in the picture at that time.

Snape and Lily-->best friends...interesting. I'm sorry that he died--very sorry that he died, but I'm not sure that he would have been very kind to Harry still. I don't think there could have been much of a relationship there. I love the care that he showed D'dore when he was injured, per his memory.

Tom was too haughty for his own good, wasn't he? Did he have the same "out of body" experience that Harry did when he tried to kill Harry?

Draco didn't change much, but at least he regarded Harry with some degree of respect toward the end.

 

Technorati Tags: Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Snape, Dumbledore, Gryffindor, Horcruxes, Voldemort

Harry Potter 7

In a few minutes, I will be leaving the safety of my home and heading out with the other crazed HP fans, to trade my $18 "ticket" for a brick of cellulose.

My pre-reading predictions will be contained, herein. I must note, though that I've had little time to review the previous books, and only made it through 9 chapters of HBP.

Still, I'm going to attempt this:

1. Snape is good. That is my conviction and my hope, and I think that he will aid in finding the final horcruxes. I think that he hoped to save Draco from becoming a Death Eater, and saw him like a son while at school.

I think my friend was right about why Snape killed Dumbledore, and yes, I think he's dead. I think D'dore gave his life to protect Draco and Snape. I think the look of disgust on Snape's face was one of deepest loathing for his having to murder D'dore and while I think he was irritated with D'dore at times, I do not think he hated him.

When he made the Unbreakable Vow, Snape twitched and paused before making the commitment. That tells me it was not something he wanted to do. I was a little surprised, though, because Snape is so silky, I'm amazed that he missed that beat.

I think that he is able to be a double agent because he is so adept at Legilimancy/Occlumency (corrected--whoops). I think that he may have worked with D'dore to alter his memories or remove them seemlessly so that the tampering would be virtually undetectable, unlike Slughorn's first memory.

If there are 3 GREAT wizards in these books, as far as power goes, I think they are Dumbledore, Voldemort and Snape. I think Snape is nearly as powerful as the other two, though I do not think that he could have killed D'dore if D'dore didn't allow it.

I'm curious as anything to know how he proved his "repentance" to D'dore, and wondering if he will do the same with Harry. I think that it will be Harry who believes him, first. Eh, maybe Hermione.

I'm not sure that Snape loved Lily, but I can't rule that out. I've suspected it, like others. There was a lot of bad blood between Snape and James without that, to boot.

2. Regulus is RAB and there was a particular reason why he turned on Voldy. Perhaps the woman he loved was a half-blood, or something. I think he was more important than Sirius knew.

3. I think Madame Pomfrey will be seen again. Perhaps curing everyone after the big fight.

4. I think Harry will be mortally wounded, but will not die. I think he will be saved. I hope Ginny doesn't sacrifice herself, but I wouldn't put it past Rowling. Maybe Harry saves others in the same way his mother saved him. Maybe his own love for others saves HIM.

5. I'm SO curious about Aunt Petunia. Obviously, she wanted to be a witch too. But if she was so bitter, why did she take Harry in, and if she loved him, why did she treat him so badly? At this point, she is almost as much of a puzzle as Snape, with potentially similar reasons for doing the things they do--jealousy, while being essentially good, not wishing harm, but not wishing good things on Harry, either.

6. I think Book 7 will be Ron's time to shine. I think all of our favorite witches and wizards will develop tremendous skill, particularly Neville and Ron.

7. Luna will be awesome.

8. Professor McGonagall will die? :( I love her.

9. Mrs. Weasley's greatest fear will not come true.

10. Percy will come around.

11. Draco will not die. Hmm...

12. I haven't a clue what the horcruxes will be. I know D'dore is usually right on his hunches, but I hope against Nagini, all the same. Are the portraits, esp. of the former Headmasters, types of horcruxes? I'm thinking Headmasters in particular. They are not formed in the same way, but D'dore is still there on the wall. That is what helped me cope after Book 6.

Okay, so I was wondering if, barring any other item available from Gryffindor, Voldy might use a portrait of him, instead. Or, perhaps he would make his horcrux an actual part of Hogwarts Castle.

13. The Deathly Hallows...is this a wooded area? Is it the caves where the one cave is?

Hallow means "to consecrate." So, I suppose it wouldn't be a place, but an action. Re: Halloween, it means "saints." The Deathly Saints? Are these the Death Eaters?

Ah, well...Gotta go.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I made some other predictions on Mugglenet.com as Conidia. I can't get to them right now. LOL!

Because of Winn-Dixie

YDD finished Because of Winn-Dixie. Classic! Love it! Cutest story.

Now, we're watching the movie--like right this very minute. Like it loads, except for the one expletive, so far, uttered by Otis.

Auto-biographically: I was a blondie, born and growing up in a tiny Florida town, until I was 6. Quaint. I love that this story highlights the virtues of small-town Florida living.

Except for there not being much work, besides for at the factory, or at the grocery store, and what-have-you, it was the best life--nature to see, friends and family everywhere you went, church, awesome food that someone you know grew. Not to mention, jumping out of the back of the truck to open the gate and jumping back in, so you can feel the bumpety-bump of driving over the cattle gap.

I honestly don't know why there are so many fewer hours in the day than there was then. Maybe it's because I'm older, or maybe because the city does that to ya. Suddenly, there is too much to do and not enough time to do it.

It will take me 45 minutes to drive to school this summer. I'd rather drive 15 minutes to town (from outside the city limits) or walk 15 to a nice big field with a gigantic oak to sit under...or in.

People don't like Florida, but these are the ones that don't know the REAL Florida. Gorgeous, time-honoring land that isn't about Disney or riding the movies, or visiting a whale, or going to the beach (though that's nice, too).

That is one of the biggest reasons I like this book. It's very wholesome, as is the movie. I like wholesome.

Regi dG

Complete Idiot's Guide to Microbiology

Well, I haven't completed the overview of this book, yet, but it seems solidly consistent with what I learned in Biology 2. I'm taking the college course in Microbio in the fall, so I'm not too worried if I don't finish.

I've read 4 chapters, and the narrative is funny and full of information. Additionally, it is fairly easy reading, if you've learned about biology before. Everything is defined, so it's a great reminder, if you are feeling a little bit rusty on your biology.

I thought about taking notes, but I need to brush up on my organic chem before I enter OC 2 in the fall.

This is why I'm not too worried about not finishing.

I hope you will forgive me.

Regi dG

The Road to Reality

The full title of this book is "The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe," and it's by Roger Penrose, friend and colleague to the eminent Stephen Hawking.

I picked it up at the library and it looked so fascinating that I bought it with my birthday money. Um...impractical, yeah. Hehehe.

I started reading, and even chapter one has ideas out of my grasp. I prefer to "do" math rather than read, but this isn't just a math book. Rather, it is a complex description of the Universe's laws and theories about them, that we know now. So, maybe it's not so bad that I find some of this to be difficult reading.

Also, it seems to be a discussion of the construction of mathematical proofs, which I stink at. I can "do" proofs, but not construct Proofs. I have difficulty stating the obvious, which is my downfall in organic chemistry with mechanisms. I skip steps and others want to see Every. Single. Painstaking. Step. They make quite a meal of one.

I think it's rather haughty of me to not bend to this desire of others. It's me saying, "I don't need to see that step separately; it's obviously included." It's a lack of patience, as well. Don't you think?

I learned Calculus from the James Stewart book; the man left off many steps, and it was difficult for me to follow, a lot of times, since it had been 8 years since I took a math class. I can see how it would be helpful to include as many steps as possible to others reading my work.

I will rethink this.

Regi dG

Cross-posted to http://spiritedmenagerie.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose, universe, calculus, chemical mechanisms, organic chemistry, James Stewart, math, mathematical proofs

Off the Shelf

This is the list of current reading for my children.

family:

Indian in the Cupboard

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

DD1:

Nancy Drew

DD2:

Nancy Drew

DS:

 

See old lists here: http://livingliterature.blogspot.com/2007/07/previously-off-shelf.html

Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden

I have watched Fushigi Yugi (FY), through all except Ova. I would say that Genbu Kaiden has a maturity that FY doesn't. That is to be expected, and it is much appreciated. Mangaka Yuu Watase is no newbie at her art, and it shows in Genbu Kaiden.

There are definitely "mature" ideas in it, but in spite of some questionable material, the characters are just as, or more, loveable than those from Fushigi Yugi. The priestess, Takiko, is more demure and ladylike, and it's easier to see why Uruki falls for her.

Even though we know the characters and their story in a small amount from FY, the question remains if the story is the same because time seems rather elastic. Probably a silly notion, because FY is already written, and the writer is, presumably, unable to travel through time, but within the story, I think it's possible that some changes may occur to depart from what we know in FY.

I'm gonna have to review.

Anyway, for literary style and art, Yuu Watase remains the best in the business.

Regi dG

Clue to "On The Night Stand"

If you look at my sidebar, you see a link titled "On the Night Stand." This is where I will keep a list of books I'm currently reading that doesn't include children's books. It may take some time before a book comes off the night stand, but I will be reading these as the mood strikes, or until they're due at the library if I don't own them.

Once a book is off the night stand and I have completed it, I will mark it on "My Reading List" as (read). Unfortunately, I will probably slip in getting the book on the reading list in the first place. I hope you will overlook my oversight.

There will also be a repository for old "On the Night Stand" lists, here: http://livingliterature.blogspot.com/2007/07/books-previously-on-night-stand.html.

Regi dG

Patriotic Media for Independence Day

Children and Family:

America is... children's book by Louise Borden

Sergeant York classic film

Paul Revere's Ride poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Gettysburg film (parental guidance is my note, for on-the-spot censoring)

Duck for President children's book by Doreen Cronin (a FAVORITE!!!)

Adults only (my opinion):

Flags of Our Fathers film

The Patriot film

Regi dG

Technorati Tags: patriotic, July 4, America, Independence Day

Reading Novels With Children

I've been reading chapter books with the kids, and overseeing their reading of other books. I thought I'd brief you on the list as it currently stands:

My son, 6, is having "Charlotte's Web" read to him, and he just bought the "Surf's Up" chapter book, so we'll be starting that soon.

Younger daughter, 8, is reading and having read to her "Because of Winn-Dixie" and has brought to me Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World" to finish reading. We just finished chapter 8, which is half the number of chapters. Woohoo!

My oldest, 10, is reading, alone, her second Nancy Drew mystery book, "The Hidden Staircase." Yay! Along with, she's doing a report on hurricanes, a subject that is very important to her, having "survived" Charley, Frances, and Jeanne when she was 8. She's also reading a book about horses and ponies, about her 50th one, but she hasn't finished them. I'm trying to get her to finish this one.

It was a celebration when my oldest finished the first Nancy Drew, because she has never read a complete book by herself. A little late for that, but so much has been going on. Maybe she'll be like in Disney's Mulan and I can say, like Mulan's father, "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful flower of all."

May God bless them...

Regi dG

Technorati Tags: Because of Winn-Dixie, Nancy Drew, Charlotte's Web, Surf's Up, The Lost World, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, hurricanes, Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances, Hurricane Jeanne

Previously Off the Shelf

Here is where the previous "Off the Shelf" books will be listed that include my children's reading lists.

7.5.07

This is the list of current reading for my children.

DD1:

Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene (book 2)

Horse & Pony Breeds by Sandy Ransford

Hurricane Force by Joseph B. Treaster

Weekly Easy Reading:

Magnus at the Fire by Jennifer Armstrong

The Rainbabies by Laura Melmed

The Wild Little Horse by Rita Gray

New Baby Train by Woody Guthrie

Hurry and the Monarch by Antoine O Flatharta

Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Susan Meyers

Story of a Dolphin by Katherine Orr

DD2:

The Lost World (chapter 9, slowly, but surely) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Illustrated Directory of Dinosaurs edited by Ingrid Cranfield

Weekly Easy Reading:

Curious George Learns the Alphabet by H.A. Rey

When Sheep Sleep by Laura Numeroff

Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer

The Berenstain Bears Go on a Ghost Walk by Stan & Jan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Battle by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton

Airplanes by Byron Barton

Boats by Byron Barton

Trains by Byron Barton

The Berenstain Bears' Funny Valentine by Stan & Jan Berenstain

DS:

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

A Treasury of Curious George by Margaret & H.A. Rey

Weekly Reading:

Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting

Franklin and the Hero by Sharon Jennings

Franklin and Otter's Visit/ Franklin and His Friend by Sharon Jennings

Franklin Forgets by Sharon Jennings

Henry's Show and Tell by Nancy Carlson

6.30.07

OD:

YD:

Because of Winn-Dixie

High School Musical

DS:

On the Night Stand

Bible (Sermon on the Mount)

Failure Is Not An Option, Gene Kranz

Out of the Silent Planet, CS Lewis

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, CS Lewis

Complete Works of O. Henry

Complete Works of Jane Austen

Complete Works of EA Poe

Programming with Java in 24 Hours, Rogers Cadenhead

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide (Read: Book 1, started book 2)

Old "On the Night Stand" lists are here: http://livingliterature.blogspot.com/2007/07/books-previously-on-night-stand.html

Books Previously On the Night Stand

Previously published on June 30, 2007

Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden (read all current publications)

How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur

Kare Kano Volume 4 by Masami Tsuda (first name is last, I think)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Microbiology

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide

Latest Reads (November 16, 2006)

I've been very active at the library, lately.

I'll list them, and then tell you my impressions, without giving anything away. How's that?

Crisis ~ Robin Cook
This is my first experience with Robin Cook. I enjoyed his style, and the story, but I couldn't get past the abuse of the little girl. I have a soft spot for children, having been one myself ;p, and I did not like his descriptions of her. If it was a woman...nah. I don't thik I'd have taken that well, either. To me, children are children and are not to be exploited for our artistic pursuits. Thumb up for style and story, thumb down for exploitation of a child within that story. BTW, I thought John was the most intriguing character in this story, and he's the lead. Usually, that's a no-no for me, unless the character is really cool. I was wondering why he didn't fall for the Boston lab assistant. RATS! I think the rich guy, Jordan Stanhope, was also an interesting cat.

Brave New World ~ Aldous Huxley
Okay, again with the sex and children, but it wasn't quite as exploitive (?) as with Crisis. I read this with a group, and it was interesting. I'll have to pull my comments and bring them here. John and Helmholtz were interesting. John's innocence with Lenina's lust reminds me of Alyosha and Grushenka.

First Light ~ Bodie Theone
Peniel, Peniel, Peniel! He was great! :) Of course, Jesus is supposed to be the favorite character, but He's not predominant, and we already know Him.

In the middle of Big Bang ~ Simon Singh
I am thoroughly enjoying this book!!! I want to get more read, but it's great! I love the historical aspect of it. That was unexpected, and it seems very fair.

Interestingly, I'm starting to get into manga, Japanese comics. I have enjoyed reading Fruits Basket and FullMetal Alchemist.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

These are posts I made to a book club I read this work with. I read this book at the same time I began reading "Crisis."

Part 1:

To those who are struggling to understand, is it the technical talk? There is quite a bit in chapter 1. Perhaps we could help out with understanding.

I had the same immediate reaction to ____. I had to read the brief bio of Aldous Huxley (I knew it was a classic, but...) and was amazed at the dates. My jaw dropped.

I'm not really weirded out, though I find the ideas to be strange, certainly. Some of it I find immensely fascinating. I mean, can there be such manipulation?

Now, let me explain my position when looking at experimentation. That is over-the-top, IMO. I do not support it at all. I'm looking at the biology he's "predicting" and going, "Wow!" But I think it must be a fictionalized treatise on psychology. (I'm into chapter two. If I didn't have other reading and responsibilities, I would probably have read it all by now.)

I also find the narrative rather humorous in spots. (My copy is in the car riding around town at the moment, or I'd quote.)

I'm trying to remember...the people in the labs who care for the zygotes, are these Deltas or higher up? They seem to have been extremely experimentally tampered with, having that coloration of a person with lupus.

Okay, yes, I admit I was weirded out with the babies(Ch. 2). How cruel was that? But in chapter 1, I wasn't so much weirded out. I was still marveling over the fact of this man in this time period writing something that was so prophetic.

In contrast to Robin Cook, I hate to say, his style is crisp and well-edited, which also reflects his time period. (There are scads of annoying mistakes in "Crisis," but the story line is engaging. I enjoy his word-choice.)

I'm going to reserve my decision for after I finish the book, but I think this should be required for AP English 2 over "A Clockwork Orange" (I hated that book) or "1984." This one just has such an elegance about it.

Part 2, defining some terms:

I think viviparous is a term referring to a mode of reproduction, especially that of a child in the womb rather than an egg that is laid. I remember it from a presentation one of my fellow bio students presented regarding sharks. Some are viviparous.

I think indefatigable refers to something being unwavering, untiring.

As for inculcate, I remember studying the word, but it was a long time ago. It's not used very much. I think it's a verb and the connotation I'm deriving is something like induce, but I'll have to look it up.

To the general group,

One chemistry term I thought others may have some difficulty understanding (though I'm certain I could be wrong) is the reference to "liquor." Now, Huxley does refer to alcohol, and there may be alcohol present in the liquor, but that is not the only meaning, especially in chemistry. As we've used it, we've described the term as "mother liquor" which is appropriate to Huxley's lab (as a pun).

Mother liquor is what is left after some mixture is distilled, and I imagine it could refer to other extraction procedures which leave behind some fluid. Maybe ____ could clarify.

Going to look up "inculcate."

I found inculcate at dictionary.com:

in¡Ecul¡Ecate  /ɪnˈkʌlkeɪt, ˈɪnkʌlˌkeɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-kuhl-keyt, in-kuhl-keyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

¡Vverb (used with object), -cat¡Eed, -cat¡Eing. 1. to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly (usually fol. by upon or in): to inculcate virtue in the young.
2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually fol. by with): Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

Not really to induce, but not too far from it, either. I think I'll make it my word for the day. ;p

This is a really short, rather non-technical article about refining sugar that also uses the term mother liquor: http://www.sucrose.com/rboil.html

I think mother liquor may be rather arcane. I had a professor for Organic Chem who preferred calories to joules and made no beans about it. ;p I think that the newer generations of chemists may lean toward energy measurements in joules. My textbook used joules predominantly, although measurements in calories were included along with them.

So anyway, back to the term. It was in my lab book (can't remember the original print date, but it was several editions before the current textbook edition) and I had to search and search for other uses of the word. I think it's similar to "pot residue" except that there is more mother liquor, which is definitely liquid.

Part 3:

From Ch. 2, I took away the alpha's crossing themselves to "Their Ford." ROFL! We were wedding shopping that day and everytime I saw a ford of any make/model, I crossed myself. ;p

I read Ch. 7 this morning.

I think that Huxley is doing a mental social experiment with this one, not just making a political statement.

Someone mentioned communism in the first couple of chapters, and I honestly wasn't seeing it. I think Huxley appropriately describes it as a caste system, where communism only has 2 classes. Well, true communism, like that of the Native Americans, has only one. Funny, but Marx's idea of communism more mirrored that of the tribal peoples who all worked together and all shared the spoils together, if I'm remembering correctly. The leaders are the ones that spoiled it, creating a divide between the rulers and the workers. I don't think it's a coincidence that Marx and Lenina seem opposed in their idea of how civilization should be.

One thing I'm wondering about is, does Lenina genuinely care about these people, or does she raise herself up above them? I think that is not clear to me at the moment.

So the experiment that I think Huxley is trying to make is the one about conditioning. Some claim that we have our morals and find our roles in society due to conditioning. That may be so, but in his book, it takes a great deal of de- and reconditioning to level it all out so that women are basically men with some slight physiological modifications.

It's funny how, the things that women complain about in our society are the things the MEN complain about in the Brave New World. Anyway, I think that's the gist of it. It's basically topsy-turvy, which is not a foreign idea, even within the book.

Jumping to ch. 7, so spoiler warning:

Now, there seems to be a biblical reference in Linda's situation. It reminded me of Sarai's maidservant who was cast out. She was pregnant and established a new nation, the Arabs. John is clearly not in line with the "civilized" brainwashing.

The ideas of consumerism that Huxley talks about...hehe! It is gluttony, but gluttony of food is the evil of this society, not gluttony of...age-fighting scientific miracles, gluttony of products which drive the market and keep the society in equilibrium, gluttony of control of human destiny, of thought or belief.

There seems to be an element of "The Truman Show" derived from this work. The human spirit, a strong mind that is, longs to break free from the limits of this realm, to break the equilibrium. And even the weaker minds have difficulty handling it, such that Soma is the coping mechanism. (I believe there is a current drug named Soma.)

Soma keeps the spirit obedient. I suppose it's the "opium of the masses."

Notice that the religion is rather demystified, but the religion Bernard Marx longs for is not the one being attacked by the attitude of the narrator and contains an element of mystery. He seems to enjoy the chaotic nature of the Native American people, the slow onset of decay, the wildness of their traditions.

I find it funny that Bernard says they haven't heard of Their Ford, and yet, in all likelihood, they have. Maybe this is an oversight on my part, forgetting the history of the Native American people and their exposure to our modern conveniences at this time, but it seems silly of me to assume they hadn't heard of Henry Ford at this time in history, or that Huxley would not anticipate their discovering that knowledge.

I guess that's all for now. (I've probably written about as much as Huxley, by now.)

I understand now. Yes, there is a communal "thing" going on with the idea that everyone belongs to everyone else.

I've been waiting for Huxley to redeem the promotion of sexuality in children. I can't really figure that out at the moment. Unfortunately, the reader either has to accept that as part of life in the world he's devised, or wait for some explanation for it. I think it's a bit more acceptable within the story because there isn't a crossing of age lines. The children are generally the same age. That doesn't excuse it, and there is so much more to it and it is rather disturbing, but I keep thinking it is symbolic of something else. Maybe it's not, which would be disappointing.

What you say is what I learned. Marx didn't intend for communism to be what it amounted to in practice. But, ____ pointed out that in Huxley's book, Marx loved Lenina.

Lenina thought of herself as a piece of meat, and B. Marx hated that about her. Could Lenina stand for Russia, and not the leader Lenin?

Part 4:

It may be that that is what Huxley is trying to show with the sexuality, but I've been unsure about that. I think there may be more to it.

I think it may lend to the horror of this world, self-satisfaction without having to pay the price of birthing a child or caring for it. Since there are no families, there is no responsibility except to one's pleasure and work. It is totally an autonomous society. But one must bow to the beliefs of the society in order to remain individual and "happy." But obviously, not everyone is happy. The individual sometimes wins out over the conditioning.

The sexuality then may be part of that strive for happiness, er, instant gratification, despite the individual's preferences. The boy who didn't want to play erotically with the girl was...what? We're not privvy to whether he was punished or not, but he was removed from his peers.

I'm finding the soma thing rather interesting. I am still marveling at Huxley's foresight, but maybe I should marvel at my lack of knowledge of his era. I keep getting this nagging feeling that I've forgotten the timeline (sure of it, in fact) of certain advances and insights of knowledge.


Has anyone read "The Brothers Karamazov" in whole or in part (any part)? John reminds me, a bit, of Alyosha/Alexei. Both seem so pure, so devoted to their ideals. However, I have to say that John seems less ideal than Alyosha. Alyosha is more of a presence than, excuse me for saying so, a man, so far as I've read. But I'm no expert.

I'm on the fence about whether there would be some alphas who couldn't adapt. That was why I asked the question about Lenina. We already see how Linda has handled the situation. She virtually popped, but she made it. Now, she's just not able to cope at all.

I suppose we may view alphas as the intellectual elite comparable to our current society. While these tend to be a little more stable, there is still a truck load of psychological upheaval.

Isn't Lenina described as having the Lupus look? And isn't this a characteristic of Beta's? I should look it up, but I've moved on to manga. LOL!

Argh, okay! My sensibilities are getting the best of me.

I forgot the color of Gammas was green, and Lenina wears green. So is Lenina a Gamma? And then, Linda has the same skin coloration, and Linda's a Beta.

I think Bernard was scared off his rocker by the lives of the so-called Savages. Plus, his personal desires and willingness to remain "happy" overrode his personal convictions. He reminds me of Cipher in "The Matrix."

Okay, if I say much more, I risk spoiling the plot. I'm returning my book today, so I won't have it for reference in the future.

I was very disappointed by John's death, but I suppose it was inevitable. He had nowhere to go. He could have been exiled to where there is proper progress, but his education was probably not up to scratch. He'd burn out before long. An assumption on my part, I know.

I just was sure, until I realized where he was going to live, that he was going to beat the problems. I thought there was even a chance for him and Lenina, but I suppose there really wasn't. Lenina was too steeped.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. If you haven't read the book, or are planning to use this in place of the book, I'd advise against it. Although I don't approve of everything in it, I think it is a fascinating read, on the whole.

Regina G

Big Bang by Simon Singh

I have to say that I learned LOADS from this books, about the physics greats and the history, even some of their convictions about science and their own beliefs. I learned some things about the physical laws, too, but not nearly as much as I would have liked.

This was a fun way to explore science history, reviewing certain facts and learning new ones. My favorite figure was...Tycho Brahe, I think, while I found Hubbel to be infinitely fascinating and enigmatic.

I hate to say that I began to get bored, and since the due date was upon me, and I had renewed the book so many times, I didn't finish reading it. But I would like to. I postponed writing anything about it for that reason.

All in all, it was a GREAT book, and I don't think it will be hard for me to finish it. I think I just needed a little break from the pressure of reading it. Why did I feel pressured? I have no idea.

Regina G

PS. I began this entry before I returned, back in November. I have not finished the last chapter, though I was fairly close.

Discussion of Dostoevsky's Grushenka

Grushenka proves to be a rather silly girl, doesn't she? She's so flighty, and yet, she seems deeply intelligent and pragmatic. I wonder if she and Ivan would have made a good couple. Hmm...

I did not, at first, enjoy Grushenka at all. She was no puzzle; she had no moral standard and seemed only interested in making men succumb to her. Even to the end, she treated Rakitin this way.

But now, I think she was distraught, rather than an intentional man-eater. She loved and hated the Officer. She hated him for not wanting her near. The other men were incidental and she took her fury out on them, rather than on the man she loved. She says this to Alyosha/Alexei about why she wanted him to come to her home. She wanted to ruin him, but the moment she gets him in her home, she does not continue, because her pain was lifted--her Officer now wanted her to join him. Ha! Probably saved from death as well...but I'm not there yet. I have, up to this point, expected Dmitri to kill her. I really thought that's how Dmitri would end. But Grushenka has flown, and unless she comes back, or Dmitri hunts her down, he will not have the opportunity to kill her.

This deed, of course, would have been tragic for Grushenka and Alyosha...and the other brothers too, because I thought old man Karamazov would have been killed with Grushenka, but Dmitri is nuts; he has just enough sense to be culpable for his crimes.

I have to review because it was a while ago that I read this book, and out of the blue, I just picked it up again and tried to start off where I left off.

Regina G

Severus Snape - Harry Potter Series

Right now, the most intriguing character in fiction that I find is Snape from Harry Potter. I'm sure that I'm not the only one on pins and needles waiting to find out if my guesses are right. FYI: I don't believe in spoilers, so I haven't read any regarding book 7, and I won't be posting any. What follows are brainstorms between my husband, my friends, and myself, but they are based on the previous 6 books, so if you haven't read them, please skip.

Snape is GOOD postulate:

I have heard, "Maybe Dumbledore and Snape had an agreement in order to save Malfoy." This is a good one, and I fully WANT this to be the case. I think Snape should just be a "harmless" grumpy guy, but beyond being harmless, Snape is a significantly powerful wizard. (But notice that he and Voldemort often make the same mistake in underestimating Harry--and that's when Harry kicks butt.)

In the end of Book 6, see how everyone believes that Snape is bad because he killed Dumbledore? Is this a tip-off that Snape ISN'T bad, but an author's trick? JK Rowling has used them before. *wink*

Beyond that, sure Voldemort wants to kill Harry himself, but Snape could have easily killed Lupin while he was at Hogwarts. The question then is, was Snape just biding his time or is this evidence that he is good? Yet, Karkaroff...Hmm...Karkaroff went to Snape because he was scared of Voldemort. He trusted Snape. Why would he trust Snape if Snape was still in cahoots with Voldy? Then, he ends up dead, Karkaroff. Hmm...

Snape is BAD postulate:

Let's face it, he KILLED Dumbledore. He mustered all the hate he ever felt for Dumbledore and did the deed. Snape could have died, himself, by not fulfilling his vow, and Dumbledore WOULD have overtaken care of D. Malfoy.

Okay, fine...I'll do it. Regina G's Bad Idea #347 - There are how many remaining horcruxes? Harry thought Nagini might be one. I don't think so, though I could be wrong. Nagini is a very smart snake, but is that the case only when she's being possessed? Would Voldemort put part of his soul in such a despised creature that, happening upon humans, would most likely end up dead? Besides, book 5 expresses that she is possessed by Voldemort, like Ginny was. Now, here...there is a case for snake = horcrux. But, Ginny, being among the most intelligent of all creatures (humans) was totally blanked out when possessed, and she was possessed by a fraction of Voldy's soul, not even the full fraction donated to the horcrux. How much less a fraction would it take to possess a snake?

Anyway, Harry and D'dore discuss the possibility of a living creature being a horcrux. What if it IS a human? What if it's Snape? Snape would be an obvious choice. He's extremely talented, particularly in potions. He's obsessed with the Dark Arts. He's a half-blood and his father was a jerk. In Book 5, while Harry sees him in his memory taking the O.W.L.s, he doesn't seem particularly talented, but by the time Harry gets to his potions book, there are all these notes in it that reveal a mastermind.

/end bad idea #347

Interesting Book Characters

Following are some of my favorite characters of all time. For snips of thoughts, I will just post them here. If I end up writing much more about the character or another character, you will see links. If there is a place that seems like there should be a link, pass over it with your mouse to check it out. I'm still working on the styles here, and I apologize for any inconvenience.

Harry Potter Series:

Severus Snape

Brothers Karamazov

Here's a nice segue...The Riddle house from Harry Potter reminds me of the father's house in Brothers Karamazov, but to me, while I love Alyosha, the most interesting character isn't even one of these brothers, although the whole concept of the father's personality being represented in his four sons (how he had Alyosha, then, I'll never know) is intriguing. But one of the characters that keeps me pondering is the man to whom Alyosha tries to make amends. I'll have to review. Anyway, the man was dirt poor, but Alyosha was taken up with "rich people." When Alyosha gave the man money to amend some wrong done to him, at first, he was grateful for the money, but before Alyosha's eyes, the man changed tacts in such a strange and sudden way. I think the point was that he couldn't be bought, but he was in such desperate need of money! Their LIVES depended on it. I keep thinking of the folks in Christy, "We won't be beholden to anyone." The man's pride seems insurmountable, even in the face of his childrens' deaths.

Read about the character Grushenka here.

Lord of the Rings' Gandalf

I can't help it...I LOVE Gandalf, and Sir Ian McKellan nailed him. I think Christopher Lee would have done Gandalf justice as well, but he was oh, so good as Saruman. I like to try to choose obscure characters, but Gandalf does it for me. He's so wise and smart. His love and care for Frodo and the Hobbits is overwhelming. His wisdom is unsurpassed. Gandalf makes sense, to me. I suppose I should add that I enjoy Dumbledore too, as I think they are similar characters (if not JKR's version of Gandalf, though I'd hate to insult with that).

Of the Elves, I loved the book version of Glorfindel and the "Flight to the Ford," though the movie version was also awesome. Frodo in the book was much better than in the movie, but again, I say the movie was very well-done.

Chronicles of Narnia

I crushed on Digory. :) The Magician's Nephew was the first book I read. I last read Prince Caspian. I think there is a parallel between Digory and Edmund, but I'm still thinking about that. In addition, Digory is a wonderful character in MN and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, even if he's not as prominent.

Sense and Sesibility

Colonel Brandon

Keep checking back...

Regina G

Created June 28, 2006

Confession Time

I enjoy manga. If you didn't know, previously, manga is the Japanese version of comics, very much like anime (similar style art).

Among my favorite series are Fushigi Yugi and others by Yu Watase, Fruits Basket (Fruba or Furuba), I still haven't fully gotten into Full Metal Alchemist yet, but I would like to read some more, along with Full Metal Panic. At the library, I saw Kare Kano and picked it up.

I enjoyed the first volume and the next week, they library was selling some of their copies for $.50 each. WAHOO! I picked up what they had, which was five volumes, out of order, of course. LOL! But at a 95% savings, I'm not crying.

If you need a silly pick-me-up, and to learn something about Japanese culture and the language, check out the graphic novels section in the library or bookstore.

Regi dG

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Really Living the Literature

Lately, we have read more books than I can recall. I have my son check out 5 books a week, one for each day. I should start a reading list for him, here. He really enjoyed the series about Henry ("Henry Builds a Cabin," etc.) which are children's stories about Henry David Thoreau. I think the biographical page at the end of the story is wonderful. These books are by D.B. Johnson.

My second daughter bought the High School Musical book and read it in about 3 days. I've never seen her so excited about reading, although she does enjoy it. She hasn't finished "Because of Winn-Dixie" yet, although we've been working o

n it for a little while. I decided that she needed some additional reading practice and review, and it's easy for her now, so I think that will add to her confidence.

My oldest is trying to do something besides school work tomorrow, so she is learning the art of "making up before the fact." The student ministry at our church has a number of activities through the summer that she'd like to attend. I think it's a good idea.

Right now, we're trying to get the kids school ready, because I'm going to be attending school full-time. I couldn't really say how far behind they are, and I'd love to continue home schooling, but it's unreasonable to do both my degree and home school, I think, unless I take really light loads as I have been.

Of course, the school that we're zoned for is in a bad part of town (because that is where we live), and I am sorely unenthusiastic about sending any of our children there. I attended that school and it wasn't so great when I was there.

My reading...well, I've been trying to get through Kay Arthur's "How to Study Your Bible," but mostly I just read the book my Sunday School class is on and study the Scripture the way I study my narrative text books. I get so much more out of it, that way.

I have a happy laundry moment to report: I noticed it was getting a little dark, so I pulled my drying rack out from in the sun, went to the shed to switch loads, and just as I walked in, it started to rain. Hahaha! Which reminds me, I need to do that again.

That has nothing to do with reading, but...

Technorati Tags: High School Musical, Henry David Thoreau, Kay Arthur, Galatians

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Making a move...

I have been shopping for a place to land this blog since Blog-city pulled the plug. It's a matter of time--isn't it always?--but I will be copying my posts here.

Regi G