What makes a GOOD book?

“Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.”                              - Winnie the Pooh

 

Too true! As are blog posts.  I refuse to offer excuses when I don't post as of' as I would like.  To be sure, this is my thoughts laid plain is it not?  So I can post as I see fit!   I also hate it when I have post upon post of grocery lists and inner dialog that is of no real consequence.  True, it has it's own purpose.  But it then starts to look too much like your average blog.  And we can't have that!  

So what is new in my life?  Well, I am in the middle of reading a romance novel.  Yes, I know!  Terrible no?  Well, it was highly recommended by a dear friend of mine, she in fact begged me to read it.  When I agreed I had no idea it was a romance.  But as I had agreed to read it, I couldn't very well go back on my promise.  I try very hard to always keep my promises!  I searched and searched in the bookstore.  Not finding it, I dared venture to the romance section.  I place I have never been!  And low and behold, there it was.  No, it is not one that has half naked people on the front clutched in an embrace that may or may not actually be humanly possible.  It simply has the name of the book and the author on the front.  Encouraged by this fact, I decided I would give it a try....goodness I can not type today!  I am going back over half of what I am writing fixing letters. For instance, it took three tries to correctly write "fixing." Truly embarrassing to be honest.  So I apologize if this post has more typo's then normal.  I don't always have time to go back and edit.  

Anyway!  I bought the book.  It took a little to get into it.  As my normal genre is closer to fantasy or science fiction this whole "real people in real life" thing was just a little odd.  At first it was alright.  The romance didn't start right away.  I suppose it needed a good amount of time to build up.  Well, now I am half way through the book and I am afraid it is in full throttle.  I will finish the book.  But I am aware that this is one of MANY in the serious.  I don't believe I will read any others.  I could say there is not enough blood and gore, no magic or things to stretch the imagination...but if I am being perfecting honest there is just too much sex!  Now again, I could claim that I just don't want to fill my mind with things of that nature.  That I am above that, my sense of morality tight and pristine.  But to be perfectly honest I enjoy it a little too much, and it is exhausting!  I don't get my housework done, I get frustrated when my kids get up from rest and I want too much to go find my book to read it more.  As Joey from Friends so cleaveryly stated it when he found a book of this nature in Rachel's possession (yes I did go there.) "You've got porn!" I don't think it is really good for me.  

I suppose, avid reader as I am, it is actually pretty good to make it to 28 without having read a real romance.  The thought of one has always rather bored me.  I have read a few innocent pseudo romances, and I have read my share of books that have some in them, but the book is not centered entirely around it.  Perhaps I just don't feel old enough to read something like that.  Which is laughable in theory since as stated before, sex is one of my favorite topics!  Perhaps it bothers me because it is not real.  I have often said I hate chick-flick movies because I know the people are not real and I get personally offended when the movie expects me to cry and care about these obviously fake characters.  I have never felt that way about books, until now.  My rebellious nature starts in, and then I get frustrated with myself when I start looking foreword to reading my book.  Which means I then will go days without reading it because I don't want to feel at all addicted to something that I know is not really good for me.  I hate the "I am so looking foreword to reading this, but sooo can't wait until it is finished" conundrum.  My middle ground?  I will finish this book, but only this book.  I like the writing style, the author is very talented.  I will attempt to read it as a work of skill rather then an otherwise un-tapped fantasy of sexual imagination.  I will not, however, buy anymore of them.  I don't think I can handle it.  And certainly my house, including the mountainous pile of clean laundry in need of folding can't!

I will admit though, in my ever going quest of learning who I am - I have certainly been entertained watching myself through all this.  I suppose I have always wondered how I would react to a book of this nature.  But again, my rebellious nature would never have allowed me to pick up a book of this nature on my own.  I will not be THAT person!  Pining away for far away imaginary lovers, getting frustrated at my husband for not living up to the storybook fantasy.  Neglecting my house and family for an escape into a world that does not exist.  Though let me add, I don't actually know anyone who fits the above mentioned situation - but I know myself.  And if I were to throw myself into these books there is a chance it could be me. Instead, I find the urge to throw down and run away irresistible.   As it should be!  Hmmmm, perhaps I should try my hand at writing a romance?  "As she gazed into his eyes she felt herself burning with a desire for...for.....!"   No, I can't do it!  It makes me laugh just to even think!  Perhaps that is another reason I have trouble with this book.  I simply can't take it seriously.  

So what I ask of you dear reader, is another book!  I need something that better fits me.  I am ok with a little romance, even a little sex.  But only a little.  And if it is not there I am ok with that!  Something that will grasp tight my attention for the right reasons, but not so intriguing that I can't put it down without trouble in order to take care of those around me in REAL life.  Any ideas? 

 

 

On a very different note, the girls went to their first football game this last week!  Want to see?

 Taylor and her best friend Abby

My little one!

They LOVED watching the cheerleaders and were so sad when we had to leave.  I think we will go again, there is lots of room for kids to run around.  And it is fun for mom and dad too.  

Oh my, Ayla's show is over.  So for all my beloved readers? May your books be full of innocent romance and your games slow and covered in flowers!   

Around the corner, Or whistling down the river?

I have some amazing news.....ready? 

It is fall!!!!!!!!!!

I know, it technically has been for a while.  But when the weather is still 100 degrees and you feel like you can't breath the moment you step outside it is NOT fall.  But today?  Well, it rained during the night.  And the weather is deliciously crisp this morning.  The windows are open and I am cold! The trees are being gently tossed by the mischievous breeze.  The sun is out, but there is a lovely spattering of clouds in the sky and a dark shade looming off to the side that suggests rain could come at the drop of a hate if lady nature so decided.  It is fall!    Oooh, to celebrate I believe I shall go get myself another cup of coffee!

I have had a song in my head of late...see if you know it:

Could be!
Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!

I love that feeling.  When you are excited for another day - not for any particular reason.  But just because it could have something exciting in it.  A feeling like this gives me motivation.  It is stronger today and I would bet money it is because of Fall being here.  I have felt like life is on hold.  I even started two or three blog posts in the last week and they never got further then a paragraph or two.  Oooh, I copied one of them...I wonder if it is still in my "paste"  Shall we see?  Heehee, this is kinda fun!


Oops, nope it isn't.  I have the lyrics from above there now.  Oh well, though if I remember correctly it was somewhat sad and dismal.  Perhaps even a little whiny.  You see, last week I was focusing on how miserable I was in the hot weather (I know, pathetic.  Weather is of such little consequence in the grand scheme of things.  But be that as it may, I was still wallowing) I have no excuse.  I refuse to make excuses when the only reason is to make me feel better about my self pity.   Goodness!  I think I need a new desk stool.  I have almost fallen off now twice in the past 5 minutes! You see, it is not feeling exactly in the right place in relation to the desk and I keep trying to move it.  But sadly the person who designed it ordered screws too short to secure the top to the legs so the legs are just popped in to the spots.  This makes it very unstable.

You must forgive me.  I am in one of those random moods where I basically write everything that pops into my head.  My mother and older sister have informed me many times about how when I was a young child they used to live in fear of what I would say next.  A filter was something that had to develop with time (and something I often still struggle with).  This means I have all too often said things I wish I could take back, and makes John Mayer's song "My Stupid Mouth" really more painful then funny.   And just now while looking for those lyrics (I couldn't remember them there for a moment and it was bothering me) I now am fighting the urge to go back to google and discover if it is really possible to play a quick game of chess with salt and pepper shakers. 

A short post today.  I don't believe I can sit still long enough for anymore.  But before I go today I have a quick request.  Our playroom is in a state of disorganization.  The girls clean it most days, and I help them about once a week to make it actually clean...but that was done just two days ago and it is horrid today.  Most of it is because my lovely 2 year old has a new game.  Find a bag (or anything with an empty inside - I have since hidden the bags but she is a creative one!) and fill it with pieces of blocks, mr. potato head, Lincoln logs and leggo's.  This results in all of the above being mixed together and dropped in piles on the floor.  Add to that dress up clothes and books it is a land-mine in there and something needs to change.  I think the small toys may need to go away until this state is over.  But how?  I don't have lots of small boxes to keep them all separate.  Do I buy them and keep them out of reach, taking them out one at a time?  Help!  What has worked for you?  We have this at the moment: 

But everything is still out in the open and so grab-able anytime by small hands.  At the moment most of those bins are empty and the floor is covered.  And this can happen in the blink of an eye.  Anyone have advice?  I would really prefer not to spend lots of money...if possible.  But we need to change something!

Alright beloved reader.  On that note I take my leave.  My coffee is gone and there is grocery shopping to achieve this morning.  To end?

 Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,

Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight...