Olden days

When I was younger, I read every book I could get my hands on. This is because I lived in the country and there was nothing else to do. My friends did not live nearby. My siblings were too young to be of any use. We didn't have cable. Books were my life.

I remember reading the Little House on the Prairie Books - our neighbor loved to buy me books and she bought the whole box set, which I still have. I read Little Women in fifth grade (though I didn't understand or appreciate it until many years later). I even read my fair share of Nancy Drew And then there was L.M. Montgomery - I started by devouring the entire Anne of Green Gables series before moving on to some of her other books.

My question is - do kids "these days" still read these books, which I consider to be classics? And, really, do they read at all? Or are they too busy with shiny games, interwebz, television.

I'm not much of a gamer but I definitely spend more time in front of the tv or on the computer than I should. I have to make a very conscious effort to read books even though I love reading and enjoy getting lost in the stories.

I like to fool myself that when I'm online, I'm writing. But, really, am I? Yeah, I puke up a post each day but how often am I actually "writing"?

My most recent "Cate's Book Club" selections have been great reads but also rather depressing. Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen, is the true story of a serial killer during the turn of the century Chicago World's Fair. My next two books were The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, both by Khaled Hosseini. Fascinating fictional accounts of life in Afghanistan. Horrifying and eye-opening and I'm so glad I read both books but they were not light fluffy reads.

The rest of my current library pile includes two books on Buddhism, a James Patterson book (#7 of the Women's Murder Club - I find his books to be great for travel or appointments because of the short chapters), and a David Sedaris book. I think I'll hit the rest of my borrowed books but then I'm very much considering revisiting the worlds of Laura Ingalls and Anne Shirley.

Oh, to be a kid again. Am I too old to be reading these books again? And am I too young for a midlife crisis?

Chef Cate

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  It was also Tuesday.

But not just any Tuesday.  This was National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day!

Blech, I'm not really a fan.  Raisins are weird and chewy.  Yet I don't have a problem with Craisins.  Go figure.

Good thing I don't have an issue with Craisins because yesterday (Monday), the spinach in my salad was not exactly edible.  This meant that instead of salad I had a nutritious lunch of Craisins and feta cheese.  Yum yum!  I am truly a culinary marvel. Wanna come over for dinner tonight?

P.S.: Obviously still working on getting my groove back.
P.P.S.: If you're one of the weirdos awesome people who blog the night before and set up for early morning publishing, do you get all confused with the today/yesterday/Monday/Tuesday stuff? Or is it just me. Like, do I break the 4th wall or not? Man behind the curtain and such.
P.P.P.S.: This made a lot more sense to me last night when I wrote it. Oh well, too late now!

Bits and bobbles

Turns out I have absolutely nothing of interest to say today.  My mind is so wrapped up on one particular topic that I can think of nothing else.  And since I'm not up for sharing about that topic right now, all I can do is stare at the blank screen.  I guess you're just going to get whatever random shiny bits pop into my mind.

• I have too many projects in the works.  I need to get back to my word and FOCUS.  
• My grocery store arranges their wine by type (Cabernet, Chardonnay, etc) and by region (France, Spain, Local).  Can anyone explain to me why there is an "Australia" section but then also a combined "South Africa/New Zealand" section?  Wouldn't it make more sense to group New Zealand with Australia?  Also, Argentinian Malbecs are for some reason shelved with the wines from South Africa/New Zealand.  Someone at that store seriously failed geography class.
• Taking a day off from the blogosphere was nice but results in a lot of "work" once I return.  I threw up a quick post yesterday and then did my best to ignore everything to do with that account.  This morning?  It took two hours to catch up on everything.  Still, I think I'm going to start pre-blogging for the weekends.  Then I can blog if I want to and read a bit if there's time but I don't have to feel obligated.  
  
• Is this what depression feels like?  It's not anxiety or panic.  I just don't seem to have the energy to care.
• Also, why is it that no matter how strongly a medication assures you it is non-drowsy, it completely knocks me out?  I took an OTC allergy pill this morning that swore up and down it was non-drowsy.  Whatever, I say it lies.  Maybe this is why I have no energy.  
  

Yep, that's all I've got I guess.  I can't seem to pull anything deeper out of the rocks in my head.  Please excuse me while I work out of this funk.  I'll try to be your warm fuzzy Cate soon.  I've been a downer too often lately.

Day of rest

Main Entry: Sun·day
Pronunciation: \ˈsən-(ˌ)dā, -dē\
Function: noun
1. the first day of the week
2. the day of the week between Saturday and Monday
3. Christian Sabbath, an extension of Jewish Shabbat, a day of rest

Main Entry: time–out
Pronunciation: \ˈtīm-ˈau̇t\
Function: noun
1: a brief suspension of activity : break ; especially : a suspension of play in an athletic game
2: a quiet period used especially as a disciplinary measure for children

I have a confession to make... No post today. Way too much on my mind.  I'm burnt out and I need a day off. SomeMonkey insists and I know better than to argue with her.

Probably back tomorrow with something. No idea what, but something.  

Six Word Saturday

Simple concept: describe your life in six words. More info by clicking here.

Flowers bloom, birds chirp, pollen ACHOO!

Please share your six words either in the comments or on your blog - be sure to use Mr. Linky below so we can all visit!  And here's the code to link back with the shiny button if you like:

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" /></a>