Shocking

Did you know that our children are exposed to profanity and inappropriate language, sexual content, violence and horror, and other atrocities in the books in their school libraries?

I, for one, am glad that courageous parents all over Texas are standing up for censorship and suppression of freedom by challenging such vile, suggestive books as The Emperor's New Clothes, which features an "illustration of the Emperor's rear" (see p. 13 of the ACLU's 10th Annual Report on Banned and Challenged Books in Texas Schools).

It makes me happy to know that other parents are watching out for my children even though they don't know me, working to create an environment where I will never have to be involved in my children's reading lives, since I know they will be shielded from the harmful influence of Lemony Snicket and Gary Paulsen.

Top Five - Books

I was recently accused of having no opinions or favorites. So, in an attempt to remedy that situation, here are my favorite five books (in no real order, since I can't be expected to go from having no opinions to picking a top favorite, just like that). Readers, feel free to chime in with your own favorites.

1. Persuasion - Jane Austen

2. Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery

3. Peace Like a River - Leif Enger

4. The Color Kittens - Margaret Wise Brown

5. Bad Mousie - Martha Dudley

Childhood Lexicon

Bunk Olympics - contest of strength, speed, and agility enacted entirely on bunkbeds

Fangy - finger

Iddy - little brother's derivation of big sister's given name

Mailbox - space between edge of bunkbed and wall, useful for passing items from one bunk to another

Sock - knitted foot cover or mechanical device used to secure a door

Stompers - split leather high top boots worn by toddler brother

Ignorance is Bliss

Despite my claims about being an "avid reader," I have a library book that's 13 days overdue, and I can't turn it in because 1) I haven't finished it, 2) it isn't renewable, and 3) there are 30 holds on it, which means if I put it on hold again, by the time my turn came around I would have forgotten what I already read.

My problem, of course, is that I put whatever I want to read on hold, darn the consequences and nevermind what else is going on in my life, and in this case, I didn't even start reading the book until two days before it was due, so I put quite a handicap on myself. Now, I start books and never finish them all the time, but for some perverse reason, I feel compelled to finish this one before I relinquish it.

Luckily, I'm not very good at doing math in my head, so I have no idea what the $0.25/day fine is going to run me when I finally turn in the book. Regardless, I don't think it will be as bad as it is for some of these people or for this guy.

The Wait Begins

I had my phone "conversation" with aforementioned university library this morning. It lasted 28 minutes, and the outcome could go either way (of course). I don't think I tanked it, but I don't have any strong feeling that it's in the bag. It will probably be two weeks before they are released to invite candidates to interview.

So, tune in two weeks from now, SBTSBC, and I'll let you know how it turned out.

(Just in case I get to take a plane trip sometime in the next month, I ordered samples of my beauty regimen products from Paula's Choice last night. Have quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag, will travel.)