GRRRRRR!

These are some of the happy faces I saw at Friday night's performance of "Noises Off." A picture of my face would have been...cranky. Where was everyone? While the house was respectable, I recall times when the main floor was filled, along with one or both balconies. What is happening?

I know, I know...the economy....too tightly scheduled....too much to choose from....an occasional disappointing show...but really, when times get tough we all need to escape, and what better way to escape than through an evening with the arts.

"Noises Off" was a fine production - tough show for director, cast and support technicians, but they pulled it off with confidence. What impressed me most was that everyone on stage appeared to be having fun. As a theatre director, that is something of which I am acutely aware. When a cast is well rehearsed, and confident, the audience is more comfortable and more ready to suspend disbelief. A stronger energy exists when a cast if well rehearsed, and I suspect that this particular director did not buy into two of my most despised theatre myths: we don't want to peak too soon, and a bad dress rehearsal makes for a good opening night. To me, those are excuses, and...oh well, now I'm on my soapbox pretending to know what I'm talking about...so I will step down.

Suffice it to say I was disappointed in the number of empty seats. They should have been filled as we all celebrated and ushered in the Masquers' 80th season of working their behinds off to make us laugh, cry, think, and tap our toes. Hey, why not make it a point to take in at least two arts offering in the next year? Challenge your friends to do the same. Let's all work together to spread the word about the myriad of talent we have in our own backyard.

***My cranky face would also be an appropriate illustration of the book our book group as chosen for November - A Reliable Wife. The 58 pages I have read so far are chilly, and the main character's attitude toward women and relationships is beyond bothersome. Even though there have been enough hints dropped indicating that I am to keep my eye on the evil female character, I will be surprised if I find her as distasteful as the main male. You can see that I haven't warmed up to either enough to even recall their names right now. The book is an easy read; I expect I will be finished by tomorrow. For some reason, I find myself looking at the author's picture in the back of the book and wondering what anger in his past of led to the creation of these characters and situation.s I'll let you know if I am swayed differently after getting the whole story.

I better go before any more angst escapes. Have a wonderful week....I will make it a point to gush with happiness next week!

A Book, A Baby, and Some Theatre News

Well, this is my first attempt at sending a You tube video your way. I hope it works.

Over the past two weeks, I have been getting requests for Pete the Cat. When I finally asked why, a customer directed me to this video, discovered by an administrator with the MPSD. There's no denying the joy these two are getting from "reading."

Ironically, I recently read the results of a 20 year study lead by Mariah Evans, Associate Professor of Sociology and Resource Economics at the University of Nevada. Her massive study showed that being raised in a bookless home has as great an effect on the level of education a child will attain as having parents who are barely literate (3 years). By the same token, being raised in a home with a 500-book library has as great an impact as having parents who have a university eduction (15 + years of education). But, we are all readers, book lovers, and respecters of words, and we knew this,didn't we?

No worries with Angie and Kevin's baby...due in five or so weeks. Our book group had a little shower for Angie on Friday, and she got this funny onesie from Valerie...proof that this baby will not only be surrounded by books, but also by people who love books. We have officially invited him (no name yet...at least not one that Angie will share) to join our books group. Here's an interesting Angie-fact...she used to work as a chef for the Packers Organization and has some might fine stories about Brett Favre which I cannot now relate!

For October, we chose to watch the Anne of Green Gables mini-series starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst. I seldom watch a movie more than once (unless of course the there is a certain, compelling star!) but I have seen this series three times. For some reason, the first two times, I missed the segment where Matthew Cuthbert dies. I had already cried through three scenes, so what's one more, I guess.

True confessions! I never read any of the "Anne" books, so last weekend I started and finished the first in the series. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the movie. This is essentially a feel good story, but the author does not avoid difficult issues, and each character, in turn, struggles with some type of emotional catharsis. Anne is exuberant, spunky, strong, and silly; the others characters are also multi-layered; most of us have similar characters in our lives - an we are some of them! Will I read the rest of the Lucy Maude Montgomery books? Probably not! Too many other books calling...



*****

I am looking forward to the Masquers play this weekend - "Noises Off." I stopped at the CCC this morning, and while there, I checked out the set. Muli-level and two sided! What a talented designer and master builder they had for this show. "Noises Off" is a fast paced, door slammer type show, about show biz. I hear the local cast is having tons of fun with this complicated show, and I am sure you will too. Get there if you can.

UW-Manitowoc is also rehearsing an ambitious show for November - "Rent - watch for dates and info.

Thanks for stopping by.

A Visit with Frankie and Barb

We had a nice visit with Frankie and Barb on Saturday. Frankie had an accident that left her back legs paralyzed. Vets advised Barb that Frankie had only a 30% chance of walking again. When it was determined that Frankie would not be one of the fortunate 30%, Barb began extensive research to find ways to make life as normal for Frankie as possible. Frankie was outfitted with a wheelchair. You should see her zip around in that little vehicle! There are also daily therapy, exercise and massage sessions. It all has paid off. I wish you could have been here to see how happy Frankie is.

Barb herself is quite an inspiration. She is a gentle person, who you just know would go to the nth degree in any situation before giving up. She speaks both emotionally and realistically about Frankie's situation. Frankie shares Barb's compassionate spirit, and together they visit schools and elder care facilities.

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Did I mention that I'm reading Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger? I grabbed it thinking it would be a light Halloween read, nothing special, but still appropriate for the season. Well, if you are a Bronte fan, particularly a fan of Wuthering Heights, I am sure you would like this book. It has just the right amount of mystery, and enough creepiness to keep the pages turning. Who can resist dark, Gothic homes, narrow, echoing hallways, and stern matriarchs wearing black veils of Spanish lace? Throw in an antagonist named Roderick and you have shades of Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher just to keep things interesting.

At this point, I'm not sure what the central issue is shaping up to be, but I suspect the story may revolve around a 14 year servant who wants to leave because the house troubles her. Of course, in good British manor mysteries, she has no where else to turn, so she has to stay with this unsettling family, in a house that no doubt will be revealing secrets shortly. I'll keep you posted.

Not much else to report except that I have been enjoying this exceptional weather and wishing it could stay like this until April.

Thanks for stopping by.

Some Notes, Some Books and a Movie

I have a couple unrelated items for you today...

Last week, a Lincoln High School history teacher called asking if she could buy some of the hydrangeas from the side of our building. She
puts flowers on her students' desk...makes the day merrier for them. I told her to take as many as she wanted, and, a few days later, she stopped by with a nice surprise. Her kids has written thank-you notes. Now, granted, the notes were teacher "inspired," but I appreciated them none-the less. Like the flowers on the desks, the notes pepped up my day because they were unexpected. They ran the gamut from required to sincere to silly. I enjoyed every one of them, and thought you might like some of them as well.

Let's start with a note from an old soul..."Hey, thank you for the flowers. They make me think of the good old days when things were okay."

"Your flowers make me think." Hmmm. About what, I wonder.

I like this one for the scentiment and the signature: "Thank you very much for the flowers. They make the room smell a lot better. Thanks a lot from a kid in our class.

I received notes about butterflies, deodorant, allergies, and welcome breaks from studying. Some even included tiny pieces of artwork - flowers and smiley faces, and bits of advice..." keep smiling no matter how bad things get."

Did you know that there is a celeb at Lincoln? It's true. Here's his note: "My name is Justin Bieber and I fricken love you 4 all the flowers."

Another student, who appears to know me began her note, "Beave..."..she was heading for Bev, I assume, and got sidetracked.

My favorite was short, simple and fresh, "Thanks Homie."

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If you're a regular "Fine Print" reader, you know that from time to time, my animal, Mrs. George Burns (GB) hijacks the blog and writes a post in what she calls "The Dog Blog." It seems she's not the only opinionated dog around. Chet, from Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie books writes his own blog. You can check it out athttp://chetthedog,com/.

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Have you ever had one of those experiences that leaves you knowing something has to be done, but not knowing what to do? Last night I watched "The Stoning of Soraya M," which left me with a beyond helpless feeling. The film is based on actual incidents involving an Iranian woman named Soraya. Her husband has been promised a fourteen year old girl in marriage, if he can help the girl's father escape the death penalty. Soraya refuses to free him from the marriage, knowing she will not be able to care for her children alone. The mayor offers her an indecent proposal, which she also rejects. Eventually, her husband, along with religious and political leaders, schemes to accuse and convict her of adultery, punishable by death.

That's the plot, but the underlying devaluation of women depicted is both stunning and sickening. I know reports say things are changing, but years will pass before any significant moves toward freedom, dignity and happiness are the norm for Middle Eastern women. This is where I get angry and confused. Is awareness enough? I think, had I gone to school at a different time in our cultural and political history, had I been instilled with a different mindset, and if I were a different and more courageous person, I would probably have carved out an activist lifestyle...living dirt poor, but trying to make a difference in some small way.

For many people awareness is enough. Far too many individuals simply need a good kick in the butt once in a while to open their eyes so they stop complaining and start appreciating what they have. I'm still stuck with the question about what do those of us who already know how wonderful our lives are...what can we do for those who don't? So, last year I promised myself to obsess less and laugh more. Looks like my personal goal for the coming months dropped in my lap last night. We'll see where this takes me.

******

What am I reading? I started a ghost story called The Little Stranger by Sarah Walters. Looks like it will span several generations...the characters' generastions, not mine.

Chet is Back!

Chet and Bernie are back, and I couldn't be happier! Because I am a pathetically slow reader, I seldom get caught up in a series. I just don't want to devote that much time to a single author. Several people in my book group are acolytes of Janet Evanovitch, and they constantly dangle her books in front of me, laughing over each plot. They can even quote from the books. OK, I have been tempted, but haven't yet bit.

But Chet and Bernie - that's a different story. First, these are dog stories in which the dog does not die. I figure Chet will never die since he is a partner in Bernie Little's crime solving adventures. So...the dog dies, the series dies. Second, I can read one of these books in an afternoon. They are the perfect pallet cleanser after a more challenging book...Shadow of the Wind Comes to Mind!

Spencer Quinn's first book, Dog On It deals with a missing person case. Book two, Thereby Hangs a Tale finds Chet and Bernie hired to guard a fancy dog show champ. In this new book, Chet's in aromatic dog heaven when a circus comes to town. This circus is a scruffy one, but Bernie's son,Charlie, is nuts about elephants, and Bernie has two free tickets, so they decide to go.

However, Peanuts, the star pachyderm has gone missing. How does an entire elephant vanish? Why do Bernie and Chet decide to hire Popo the Clown to assist with the case, and who would like to see the trio dead? It's all good fun. Chet narrates, adding to the silliness. Chet's neighbor dog pal, Iggy, is still in the picture, although he appears to be under house arrest. They communicate by running from window to window in their respective houses, Iggy often showing off the latest piece of wearing apparel he has destroyed.

There was also a bit of silliness in Moon Over Manifest, a young adult novel. This lost-soul-seeking-info is loaded with colorful characters, plenty of secrets, and some old fashioned game playing. Here's my favorite example: During basic training, Ned coaches a "slower" soldier in the basics of German. He tells him that, if he is ever confronted with a gun pointed in his direction, he must shout "Put down your weapon" in German using these words - "Ich habe widerlich footen." The truth is that phrase means "I have stinky feet." Funny, huh?

*****

I had a nice opportunity to have dinner Friday night with friends and former co-workers from Valders High School. Nancy still teaches English at Valders, and Lucinda is in the Spanish Department. Margarette is teaching English at Lincoln, and working on her Masters, despite three charming and inventive young men under seven in her household. Alison taught Special Ed, but is now staying at home with Clayton, Andi, Molly and Patrick. I get to see them all often, so it was especially nice for me that Becky came from Green Bay to catch up. Becky might have been my biggest reason for closing the teaching door. When she started, she had that fire and passion that all teachers should have. Her lessons were solid and creative, and, on a daily basis I watched her in awe, knowing I had to move on to something where I could be a sparky as she. It was great seeing her, even though Margarette and I were both totally disturbed by the fact that Becky still looks like she's 16.

Relaxing at the Pub that night reminded me that I promised to make more time to stay in touch... in person, by email, phone, covered wagon, dogsled...whatever it takes. I hope you all will be able to do the same.

Home Again/Olive Kitteridge

As you certainly suspected, I didn't go fishing as my last post title suggested. I took Labor Day off, and then Steve kindly popped up with a review. So, I"m back, with a couple stories, comments...the usual. Let's dig in.

I took my traditional day before Labor Day excursion to Door County and stopped at The Garden Door, on highway 42 North in Sturgeon Bay. Tucked away on the grounds of the Peninsula Agricultural Research Station, you will find a wonderful secret garden maintained by the the Door County Master Gardeners group. The gardens are plentiful and unique - rose garden, butterfly garden, annual, perennial, water, grape...and several children's gardens. If you go, don't forget to look under the evergreen trees, and around every corner. You never know what you'll find hidden there.

One of my favorite stops in DC is a huge, architectural antique store. The owner spends part of each year collecting statuary, carved embellishments, stained glass and other relic type items from estates and mansions throughout the U.S. and Europe. I can spend hours wandering through the history he has assembled.

My visit this year was a little different. Were you lucky enough to read Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" in high school or college? If not, here it is in a nutshell. A scary old man is sitting outside a wedding reception hall and, as guests arrive, he invades their space, usurps their time and tells them a creepy story. His tale is a moral one about a pirate ship manned by dead souls. There is a stern warning at the end.

On this particular day, the store owner was the mariner, and I was the wedding guest. He stopped me as I attempted to leave and began some small talk, for some reason recognizing me from previous visits. Eventually, the conversation progressed to details of his work resume, including a gig as a business professor at an Illinois college. His animated style and Jimmy Buffett persona carried the stories nicely, and I was happy to listen. Then things turned. He explained that, prior to opening his shop, he ran a demolition company employing ex-cons and Huber law workers. How did he keep them honest? Well, he claims to have "connections" that can teach people a lesson in a big hurry if needed. At that point. he put a firm hand on my shoulder and, equally as firmly said, "Nice to see you again. Next time you stop in, spend some money." I'm sure there won't be next time!

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Our book group discussed Olive Kitteridge on Friday night. We were divided; the bulk of the group did not enjoy the book. I thought that might happen since that is the feedback I have gotten from customers. I was on the minority team, and will advocate for this book any chance I get. 'Olive' is a series of connected short stories focusing on a character so complex it would take me multiple posts to sort her out, and I am sure I would lose you all in the process. These are slice of life stories, none to happy, with no traditional story arc or resolution. We learn about Olive's life over thirty stormy years. She is an honest woman who speaks her mind, but needs an editor.

This is a book about secrets, brief encounters, powerful sadness, and scant moments of happiness. I know, I know, this sure doesn't sound like rewarding reading, but the writing is rich, and I found Olive so familiar that the book absorbed me from page one. If you chose to read the book, you may not like Olive, but you will certainly recognize her, and the others filling the pages. Perhaps, as I did, you will find pieces of yourself as well.

What am I reading now? I just started a young adult novel, Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. I know I will like this one. Abilene Tucker's father put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend, -who claims to be a minister - while he worked a railroad job. Having heard stories about her father's childhood in Manifest, Abilene is determined to learn what he was like in his youth. Early on, she finds a box of old newspaper clippings and, along with two new friends, decides to follow up a leads buried in the newsprint. That is, until a mysterious note turns up warning her to "Leave Well Enough Alone."

*****

Heart-A-Rama report...not much happening. The musical is nearly done. We meet tomorrow to write lyrics to the last song. Then on to a tweener. Fun!

Sam Spade's Back by guest blogger Steven Head

For people of a certain age, I'm talking gray hairs here, the mention of The Maltese Falcon will bring a half smile. The 1941 film with Humphrey Bogart in the role of Sam Spade, along with Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sidney Greenstreet, and Elisha Cook, Jr., is a classic tale of treasure hunting. This film was John Huston's directorial debut, for the film fans who keep track of such trivia.

Dashell Hammett's Sam Spade only appeared in 3 short stories and the novel of the same name. While there were a number of Bogart films where he portrayed Spade-like characters, Hammett never penned another adventure for this detective. And that is how it has remained until now.

Hammett's sole surviving child, Jo Hammett Marshall, who has resisted attempts to revive the Spade character, agreed to Joe Mores' proposal to write a prequel to The Maltese Falcon, titled Spade and Archer. The title references Spade's detective agency partner who is discovered shot dead, gun still in his pocket, in the early pages of the book and frames of the film. Spade and Archer starts in 1921 when Spade decides to go independent, leaving a national detective agency to set up shop in San Francisco.

In the first segment of the book we meet the young Effie Perrine, the secretary who Spade teaches to handroll cigarettes. We also learn of Spade's romantic involvement with Ida Nolan before going to war in France, only to return and discover she married Miles Archer 3 months after Spade's departure. But there is heat in the embers of that romance. Besides Spade's history, we follow him on a simple case of finding a rich kid with eyes on foreign ports that tumbles into a larger gold heist and a big fish that gets away, leaving dead sailors in his wake. Plus the first of Spade's clashes with the obnoxious Sergeant Dundy and the likable Tom Polhaus from the SFPD.

Fast forward to 1925, Spade's business has flourished and with it his reputation. In this section Spade takes on a couple of clients wanting to know more about the sudden death of a prominent banker, plus a girl friend of Effie's, all entangled with the big fish from section one. The details of the dead banker are revealed but Effie's girl friend meets the mortician.

The final section moves on to 1928 where Spade has taken in Archer as a partner to satisfy a client. This time a young Chinese woman needs Sam's help as she attempts to track down treasure her late father has hidden. During these pages we discover Ida and Sam are still an item, Sergeant Dundy is still a jerk, and Miles Archer is not the kind of man Spade wants as a partner.

In the climactic pages of part 3 Sam arranges a showdown with the elusive big fish that got away, settling more than one score. In the final scene Effie announces a Miss Wonderly wants to see Spade with the observation, "You'll want to see her anyway: she's a knockout." The launching point for the falcon story.

I enjoyed this book, learning of Spade's skill at detection, his network of information peddlers, and a basic moral fabric that allows a little adultery in the tight weft and warp. The most striking aspect of the book is how Mores has captured the language and cadence of Spade. It is easy to imagine Bogart delivering the lines, handrolled cigarette and all.

If the Spade/Bogart character holds interest for you then Spade and Archer might be worth your time and energy.

***Thanks Steve...one more book to add to my pile!

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What am I reading? Last week I dug out a raggedy old copy of King Row. Very old fashioned soap opera like story. I'm well into Olive Kitteridge. This is an awfully powerful book, told in a series on interrelated short stories. Olive is annoying, eccentric, brazen...and ever so honest. But the real star of this book is the writing itself. More next week.

Cry me a river...please! for a number of reasons, I have decided not to attend the booksellers annual trade show in St. Paul this year. There is no changing my mind. Registration is closed. So, today I received an email update on a last minute additions to the lineup. It seems that Garrison Keillor is hosting a cocktail party for all trade show attendees at his Minneapolis bookstore. Now are you crying me a river?!?!?!

Gone Fishing!

No post this week.

LaDeDa will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

I will be at home reading Olive Kitteridge and.....

working on our Heart-A-Rama musical...we have a great start, and fun characters.

Take some time to relax.

A Funny Book...by Guest Blogger Blue Alice

I am Blue Alice. I told you about myself last week. This is a funny book about a governess that comes to take care of three odd children. They are called Cassiopeia,Alexander and Beowulf. The man who owns the house found the children in the woods and brought them home. He kept them in the barn until Miss Penelope Lumley came to teach them. She has to get them to stop howling and showed them how to wear clothes.

One of my favorite parts was when Alexander wore his pants on his arms because he never had pants before. She teaches them how to dance a little so they can go to a fancy party that Lord Fredrick and Lady Constance are having. At the party, they act a little like animals again. Lady Constance gets mad, but it is really funny. Other people at the party liked the children.

The book reminded me of the books by Lemony Snicket, which I like a lot. There will be another book by the same author who is named Maryrose Wood.

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Thanks Blue. I hope you will keep reading and stop in to write more comments for us.

This is what I have for you today: I have never been a fan of fairs, or any event that includes things that spin, but from the looks of it, this year's Manitowoc County Fair was a success. We often get hit by rain that week, saddening both carnival workers and little kids hoping to spin until ill.

A second hand spinning story came my way last week...worth sharing...some of the details may have gotten mixed, changed, and twisted in the retelling. A Heart-A-Rama friend, Chris, was returning home one night, when she noticed a small carnival in the parking lot of Park Plaza. That last detail should give you a time context. Chris enjoys a good carnival ride, so even though it was the last night, and some of the carnies had begun dismantling their rides, she stopped with the intention riding whatever was still in motion.

The guard rails around the Octopus had already been removed, even through the ride was running. Chris got too close and was bumped in the head by one of the ride's cars, knocking her to the ground. She was out for a few seconds, and when she opened her eyes. a carnival worker was standing over her. Carnie workers from that time period are probably responsible for the stereotype that unfortunately stays with them today. Anyway, Chris said her first thought upon opening her eyes was, "Oh by, I'm going to die, and the last image I have is of this guy!" The adventure continues. Chris was taken to the hospital, where she made several brave, but futlie attempts to explain to the German, on-duty emergency room doctor what had happened. He managed to treat her, and send her home, never fully understanding how she came to be attacked by an octopus!

That's it for today....Teachers and students, have a wonderful school year. Please keep in touch. Tell me what you're up to and what you're reading.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sheriffing in Sun Valley by guest blogger Steven Head

Earlier this month a friend told me about an interview on NPR's 'Crime in the City' series with Ridley Pearson. I confess ignorance when it comes to the mechanics of podcasts, but I was able to read the transcript on-line. Pearson talked about his Sheriff Walt Fleming series. It was interesting enough that I stopped by the library and picked up Killer Weekend, the first in the series.

Pearson is no stranger to the mystery genre, having written over 20 novels, including the Lou Boldt series. At least that is what the dust jacket says. He has also written books for young readers as well as two books with Dave Barry, Peter and the Starcatchers and Peter and the Shadow Thieves. But he was new to me so I looked forward to a western mystery adventure.

Pearson is a part-time resident of Sun Valley, Idaho, and he has decided to use this well known setting for his new crime series. In Killer Weekend, we are introduced to Deputy Walt Fleming, who starts the novel by saving New York Attorney General Elizabeth Shaler from an intruder with murder on his mind. Following Chapter One there is a fast forward eight years to find Fleming now Sheriff, and Ms. Shaler a candidate for President of the USA. She plans to announce her candidacy at a media conference surrounded by the rich and famous, but there have been threats against her life.

We quickly learn the identity and thought process of the attacker, and the level of violence and mayhem this person can create. The real mystery is who ordered 'the hit'. We know Ms. Shaler has enemies but little attention is given to potential suspects. Along the way we experience inter-agency rivalry between the Secret Service and the Sheriff's Department, the sibling rivalry of two brothers, the infidelity of the wife of an older rich man, and a gruesome murder set in the mountains.

Of course that only scratches the surface of this action driven mystery. Add in the gratuitous mention of Hemingway and film stars of the 1950's, one of Walt's deputies fooling around with his soon-to-be ex-wife, and tortured father-son dynamics to fill in the spaces around the mystery.

I could not stop reading the last 50 pages of this book. The level of action and tension interrupted my known ability to fall sleep anytime, anywhere. I will not reveal the ending of the book although it follows the prescribed formula, along with another dead body.

The comparison of Craig Johnson's Sheriff Walt Longmire series with Pearson's Sheriff Walt Fleming books is the difference between character driven and action driven mystery. By the end of a Johnson book you feel you know a cast of characters and want to see them again. In the Pearson book most of the characters are disposable, other than the Sheriff. They exist to serve the needs of the action, often having serious moral shortcomings.

I have a trip coming up at the end of September and I am hoping to listen to at least one Walt Fleming book on CD during the drive. The bubbling action and intrigue will keep me awake and concentrating on driving. (OK...honestly, it's not me...this blogger program is acting up again, and won't put spaces between this last few paragraphs. GRRRRR)

Thanks Steve. I am happy that you have resurfaced!

The truth is that Steve has been doing some of his own writing. I have been the honored (and sometimes shocked!) recipient of a two or three of Steve's short stories. As you know, SS is my favorite genre, so they worked well for me. I wonder if Steve when Steve will begin sending query letters to publishers.

Watch for our new guest blogger, Blue Alice.

She has written an introduction for you.

Hello. I am Blue Alice. That is my writer name. Blue for my favorite writer, Blue Balliet, and Alice for a poem by the same man who wrote Winnie the Poo. I like poems that rhyme and have a beat because I play the piano.

I also like to read and so Bev asked me to tell you about some good books. The first book I will tell you about as soon as I get to the end is The Incorrigible children of Ashton Place Book 1 The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood.

I am in fifth grade this year. Bev helped me pick out this picture to be my trademark. She called it a different name but I can't remember it.

*****Thanks Blue. I hope to hear from you soon. By the way, I am quite sure she meant Winnie the Pooh, but you never know.

*****What am I reading? I am into my first ever Jeffery Deaver mystery called The Vanished Man. My friend Karen read in on the back of a Harley while she an her husband took a loooooog ride from Manitowoc to Alaska. She thought I would like it because it is about magic, and she knows that our friend, Chris, worked lights and sound for a magician for a while after college. Chris is one of the most honest, trustworthy people I know, and even though the document he signed in blood way back when promising not to reveal any magic secrets surly has vanished, he refuses to tell. Well, I did pry one trick out him...and he was right, it makes magic shows less magic-y for me now.

Hey, if you're going to the county fair, bring me some teeny-weeny donuts, OK, inso, hey!

Thanks for stopping by.