Week #13 Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Banned And/Or Challenged Books That I've Read

1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling (I've only actually read the first 3 in the series)
4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
5. The Giver by Lois Lowry
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8. A Light in the Attic by Shel Siverstein
9. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
10. Where's Waldo by Martin Hanford
11. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman

I guess I've only read 11 from that list, but here's two more that I would like to read.
12. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
13. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

I see from the poster on the right that 1984 was banned once upon a time. That's another one I've read. There are some on the list I'd just as soon not read and there's some that probably don't need to be in elementary school libraries.

Banned Book Week is September 23-30. For more information and to see what books you've read from the list check out The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.

A Meme

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? If money was not an option, I would like to build in Jackonsville, Oregon. Close to the freeway, close to the ocean, close to mountains, close to Portland, relatively close to Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Only drawback would be the dry desert we'd have to drive through to visit family in Utah.
2. What's your favorite article of clothing? That's easy - blue jeans.
3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Hands, I guess.
4. What's the last CD that you bought? It's been awhile (2-3 yrs), but I think it was Simon and Garfunkel
5. Where's your favorite place to be? At home around the kitchen table playing games, or in my recliner reading, or in the family room in front of the computer.
6. Where's your least favorite place to be? In a meeting or in the desert
7. What's your favorite place to be massaged? My feet--my husband gives THE BEST foot massages. Aaaahhhhh....
8. Strong in mind or strong in body? This one's hard -- I guess, strong in mind
9. What time do you wake up in the morning? Without an alarm I wake up between 9:30 and 10:00. With an alarm 6:30.
10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? Dishwasher
11. What makes you really angry? Lying, cheating, inconsiderateness and students who think you're stupid because you're older. GRRRR!
12. If you could play any instrument what would it be? The piano.
13. Favorite color? Yellow, I guess, but I really like purples and pinks and blues and greens and peach. I'm glad we have all the colors.
14. Sports car or SUV? SUV, although I'd also really like an elegant and comfortable traveling car.
15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Yes
16. Favorite children's book? What Was That? and If I Were A Lion
17. What's your favorite season? Love spring because the flowers and leaves come back after that cold, bleak winter but I also like fall because it cools down again and there's the bounteous harvest.
18. What is your least favorite household chore? Cleaning the toilet
19. If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Speed reading
20. If you have a tattoo what is it? No tattoo
21. Can you juggle? No to both balls and life.
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? I wouldn't want to go back and talk to him, but I would like to talk with him now -- my dad who died over 20 years ago.
23. What's your favorite day? A productive one, that has a bit of tranquil quietness tucked in when I can read.
24. What's in the trunk of your car? Two sports bags filled with emergency stuff, a blanket, a sweatshirt, and a spare tire.
25. Which do you prefer-sushi or hamburger? Hamburger, please.

Week #12 Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things That Make Me Say "Ahhhh"

1. A baby's laugh
2. Sleeping children
3. Realizing it's my day off so I can roll over and sleep a little longer
4. A clean window
5. A just finished project that turns out well
6. Having my back scratched
7. A foot massage
8. Receiving a book in the mail or having one come in at the library
9. Learning something new or seeing something from a different perspective
10. Being complimented
11. Finding a box of mystic mint cookies
12. A lone and beautiful tree
13. Laying my head on the pillow at night

Week #11 Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things About September

1. Summer ends: I know that I look forward to summer for nearly four months every year, but it's nice that it comes to an end.
2. Family reunions are past: Love to get together, visit, laugh, eat, etc. with people you love but don't see often, but it sure takes a chunk out of available weekends.
3. Cooler temperatures: Open the windows and doors and freshen up the house. It's pleasant to lay out in the hammock again and watch the clouds.
4. School starts: My daughter and I are able to see Myke in the mornings. We all have to go to bed a reasonable hours and wake up and get going every day. I get to see my students and help them learn.
5. Abundant harvest: There's corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes for BLTs. And the tomatoes taste 'real' not like polyester as those from the grocery store. Cucumbers and summer squash. Peaches and pears and apples for homemade applesause. Grapes for bottling grape juice. YUM!
6. Change: One of the things I love about seasons is the change, not just in the weather but in the activities. About the time you get tired of moving sprinklers, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden the season changes. Right now all those activities have slowed because of the cool temp. Soon will come shoveling the sidewalks. There's change in wardrobe,too. Bring out the sweaters and sweat shirts. Oh, and all those beautiful scarves we crochet last winter.
7. Soup: Every fall, just like clockwork, I develop a taste for homemade soups. Bring on the corn chowder, brocolli and cheese, clam chowder, white bean and hamhock, chili and chicken noodle. Oh, and the urge to try a few new soup recipes.
8. Fall menus: September is the perfect month to go back to making the comforting dinner of meatloaf, baked potatoes, acorn squash, and apple crisp that all go into the oven together and produce tantalizing aromas.
9. The colors: The different shades of green leaves turn into yellows, oranges, reds, maroons, and browns against a background of greenand brown grasses. A wish I have is to visit the Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont in Sep.
10. The smells: There are smells in the air that different in the fall. One is the smell that comes when you step on fallen leaves or rake the lawn. But there are other subtler smells, too.
11. More tranquility: September brings the renewal of more time at home alone. Awwww.
Time to walk through empty rooms and appreciate the quiet. Time to sit and quietly read without being interrupted. The feeling that for a little while, at least, no one is clamoring for attention, no one else needs you. You're your own person.

A now a couple of 'not so good' things about September:
12. School starts: lesson plans, meetings, whining students, and some of the control-freaks in the administration.
13. Summer ends.

Five Foods You Really Must Try

I've been tagged by Lotus Reads. The foods she's listed are so exotic and sound so yummy. Mine are going to be much more mundane, but definitely family favorites.

1. Hamburger Rolls: This is a recipe from my grandmother, that my mother, my daughter and I still make regularly. I grew up on this delicious main dish. And it's so easy to make. Make up a batch of bisquits (we use bisquick). Roll the dough into a rectangle, about 10 x14 " or so. Crumble raw hamburger over rectangel except for one long edge. Pat hamburger down a bit. Sprinkle with salt and grated Parmesan cheese. Roll up, jelly roll style. Slice every 3/4", lay rolls on cookie sheet. Bake at 400* for 20-25 min, until golden brown. Serve with 1 can cream of mushroom soup diluted with 1/4-1/2 Cup milk. Also, drizzle ketchup over the sauce.

2. Cream Tuna on Crackers: Already you are all feeling sorry for my family, right? The reason I'm including this is because you shouldn't knock it til you try it. Make a white cream sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper. Add tuna. Serve over Ritz crackers or toast.

3. Summer Squash Sandwich: This is a recipe I created this summer. My daughter has requested it 3 times since. All three of us love it, but I haven't served it to anyone else so if you decide to try it you do so on limited recommendations. If you like veggie sandwiches and squash, I think you'd like this. You'll find the recipe here.

4. Naimo Bars: Over 35-yrs-ago a housewife from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Canada submitted a recipe for these delicious chocolate bars. The recipe won a prize. I was given this recipe years ago from a neighbor. Now they are an annual Christamas treat at our house. A few summers ago Myke and I ate nanaimo bars in the quaint little village of Nanaimo. Indescribable experience. You can find the recipe here.

5. Tuxedo Brownies: Worth the cost - every penny! I found this recipe only 2 years ago in a Pampered Chef cookbook. You make a store-bought brownie mix. Spread some raspberry jam on top. Then fresh raspberries (or frozen). If you're lucky to get raspberries from Bear Lake, it will be just that much tastier. Then you top it with a creamy mixture of Cool Whip, melted white chocolate and cream cheese. Delicious.