{Not} Living Vicariously

Who is Stanley Horowitz?

Words are very powerful in my life. I have a collection of them, single words and sentences. Sometimes of my own design, but often ones I pick up from other people. There is a quote I came across some time back, I have it pinned to my wall at work. It says: “Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”

Apparently some guy named Stanley Horowitz said this and it sums up everything I love about living in a place that has four seasons. I have always enjoyed the seasons, and wish I could have been brilliant enough to have said this first. No matter how cold it is here (not nearly as cold as some parts of the country, but very cold for a girl who still claims to be from Sunny California) my breath still catches while out walking the dog. The trees are beautiful up against the sky, an etching just waiting to be admired. And I know that in a few months I will see the watercolor appear, then an oil painting, and my favorite of them all – the mosaic that is the beautiful autumn colors.

However, who is Stanley Horowitz and why can’t I find anything about him on the Internet other than quote cites? I guess this is why I still believe in a brick and mortar library and am a librarian at heart. I’m going to have to look elsewhere to find out who this guy is/was and maybe even find out how he knows to speak the words I feel so deeply.

What words have you found that cause you to stop and feel?

Uncrated

When I adopted my dog almost three years ago, she had been under foster care as a rescue dog. She had also been adopted the week before by a couple that quickly found out they were allergic and had to return her to her foster mother after a few days. Poor baby was definitely in a state of confusion. Her foster mother told me that she was crate trained and did very well under those circumstances. I had never had a crate trained dog before but since I do not have a fenced in back yard (thus she was to be an indoor only dog) I thought it would make sense to buy her a crate. The veterinarian that we visited for her “new pet” checkup confirmed that she would adjust much more quickly by being in a familiar environment such as the crate. So I bit the bullet and bought her a crate. Let me tell you, these things are not cheap! She loved it though. Every morning while I was getting ready to go to work or wherever, she would get in her crate and wait for me to shut her in.

After a few years I stopped being quite so regular about it. If I were only going out for a few hours, I would tell her she was on “guard duty” and let her roam about the house. She has never had an accident, nor has she ever chewed on anything that did not belong to her. In fact, she is usually sitting on the window seat watching the outside world when I come home. Since there is a cushion there just for her to sit on, I’m pleased that she uses it as intended.

Well, my parents came to visit about a year and a half ago and my mother managed to break the crate. She turned funny, not expecting it, and fell into it. I’m lucky my mom didn’t hurt herself anymore than she did. And my dad was able to fix the crate so that it worked. It was no longer collapsible, but it was useable. I’ve moved it around since then but apparently something was working its way loose as when I went to move it yesterday while vacuuming, it fell apart. I looked at it and went, hmmm. I don’t think I care enough to fix it.

So this morning, I get up and get ready for work. I pack my lunch, give the dog her biscuit, tell her to be a good girl, and go out the front door. I didn’t get to leave straightaway, as I had to scrape ice off my windshield. Then, when I am ready to leave, I look up at the bedroom window while backing up out of my driveway. And there is the dog . . . wondering why she is not in her crate. I hope she has a good day and guards the house well.

Cussler Part Two

So I finally got to watch Sahara and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It helps that I wasn't expecting great moviemaking, just a fun 007/Indiana Jones type adventure movie. I thought the soundtrack was great, the special effects weren't too extreme, and it was just what I was looking for in the movie.

Funny story about Cussler and Hollywood. Like I said earlier, I used to read all of Cussler's books and thought they would make great movies for the same sort of crowd who enjoys 007. Another franchise out there, why not? I used to live and work in Los Angeles and met a lot of Hollywood wannabees over the years. While working in Palms-Rancho there was a gentleman who would visit the library regularly. He was about my age, and had a crush on me. I don't say this lightly but he made it very clear on more than one occasion that he was interested in me. He was from Canada and was trying to make it in the industry as a screen writer. He would bake me goodies and bring me scripts to read. It was sweet. But I wasn't stupid enough to ever let it go past the library doors. Anyway, he was bemoaning something at some time and I happened to suggest Cussler as a possible candidate for a screenplay. I was trying to occupy him so I could get some work done. He rejected it right out of hand, saying he used to read Cussler and there was no way. I probably got a bit snippy, I do that sometimes, and said that with all the fans of movies like James Bond and Mission Impossible I didn't see why it was impossible but that he probably knew best. Then I had a reference call and he wandered off. Several days later he came back in, having reread some of Cussler's stuff and told me I had a great idea and he was on it. Well of course there was the whole issue of Cussler swearing after Raise the Titanic that he wouldn't let Hollywood get their hands on his work again, but someone somehow changed his mind. I don't remember the guy's name, but wouldn't it be odd if it was because I suggested it? No I don't really believe it is because of me at all. But it would be funny . . .

Pitt, Dirk Pitt

Normally I have nothing but great feelings towards the wonderful folks over at Netflix. In the weird six degrees of separation, I actually feel a personal connection to them. After all, I work with a woman who has a son who is friends with (or friends with someone who is friends with) the people who started the company. That makes them only 3 or 4 degrees away from me. They allow me all sorts of watching pleasure and the opportunity to watch television shows that I don't bother to watch on tv because A. I hate commercials and B. sometimes I don't want to wait for the show each week or to come back from hiatus. I can watch the whole season at once. Or close enough.

But I'm not feeling the love from them this week. I wanted to watch Sahara, a movie based on a Clive Cussler book. I have a few reasons for wanting to watch the movie. I used to be a huge Cussler fan and read everything he wrote. They actually made a movie of his Raise the Titanic years ago that was horrible and he swore they'd never make another one of his books into a movie again. So I was curious to see what happened when he changed his mind. Then of course we can talk about the cast, the plot, the special effects, all the things I enjoy in a movie. For some odd reason I did not go see it in the theatre. And have never gotten around to renting it. But I had it in my queue and it arrived. I tried to watch it on Monday, got about 40 minutes into the movie and it died on me. I tried cleaning it. I tried it in multiple players. I tried skipping the bad chapter. No go. So I reported it damaged and sent it back. They had a new one out to me that arrived Wednesday. I was all set to watch it Wednesday night, pulled it out of the envelope, it was cracked in two. Um, guys, I don't think this one is going to play either. I had to report that one damaged as well. They have a 3rd copy on the way to me. It should arrive tomorrow. I really hope that it arrives in good condition and that in 24 hours I will be enjoying seeing Sahara. I don't expect great filmmaking. I just want to enjoy the show . . .

The Other Harry

So I watched The Dresden Files last night. I had dvr’d it from Sunday evening’s broadcast. Partly because I was busy watching something else and partly because I hate to watch commercials. This way I could speed through them. While I’m not a rabid fan of the books, I’ve always enjoyed the premise and I have to say that, for me, The SciFi Channel has done it again. Brought together a great supernatural mystery show, combining two favorite genres. If the ads piqued your interest at all, I highly recommend you watch the first episode. I’ll admit, I’m looking forward to next week’s . . . on my dvr. After all, I don’t do commercials very well.

Newbery!

So ALA has announced the winners of the awards for oodles of things. Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, etc. Things that I find very exciting, but people not in the book world, not so much. I am extremely excited to say that this year's Newbery winner is Susan Patron from the Los Angeles Public Library. I have worked with her in the past and she is an extremely talented person. Yay Susan! In other awards, I'm not surprised at the winners. Not necessarily my choices, but not surprised. For more information go to ALA's website.

A Freezer full of Food

That is what I have. I love to cook, but hate to eat the same thing over and over and over. As a single person, this can often happen since most recipes make 4-6 or 8-12 servings. I don't want to eat something, no matter how much I love it, that many times in a row. So I subscribe to the OAMC mentality (once a month cooking) but don't need to do it once a month. In fact, I only do this about once a quarter, and supplement with other recipes that I have been able to scale down, eating out, and cooking with friends throughout the rest of the quarter. So I spent yesterday cooking with my friend Jenn who is interested in doing more of this as well. This was our second time cooking together and we spent about 6 hours prepping and cooking in my kitchen. After running my dishwasher 3 times, my kitchen is almost back in order and I have stored in my freezer the following: lasagna, meat sauce (great for sloppy joes), chicken divan, taco meat, chicken chili, sausage tortellini soup, italian beef, and more chicken prepped for poppyseed chicken and king ranch chicken down the road.  Like I said, I have a freezer full of food! The only problem is deciding which to eat first . . .

Four times a year

would be how often I give blood. I know it is a good thing and I should do it more often. After all, we are eligible every 56 days or something. But the Red Cross comes to my workplace once a quarter and that is when I'm willing to give blood. Now if they would come more often . . . I'd give more often. They also come to my church four times a year and I'd be willing to give there as well, except for the fact that they come the same month and I'm not eligible. I think the Red Cross must only go out into the field in January, April, July, and October. At least in Nashville. Because all over town, at churches and other public buildings, the signs are up - Red Cross Blood Drive, Please donate. Somehow that doesn't seem the most efficient to me. But I'm not in charge of that. Anyway, I donated today and I feel good about that. And the best part of donating would be the Little Debbie oatmeal snack cookie I got to eat after it was over. Yum I do like those. Anyway, for those of you willing to give a little this time of year . . . why not give some blood?

I admit it . . .

I get excited over things some people find unimportant. There was a press release this week that announced that Harcourt will be distributing Full Cast Audio. I cheered. Not only do I love my Full Cast Audio crowd . . . but I think Harcourt will be a great match for them. Harcourt has done some absolutely wonderful stuff over the years and I think this is a great business move on both party's parts. Now, my fondest wish is that this will free up FCA to do more books. Bruce? Will it? Tell me that I'm getting a larger list and I won't just cheer, I'll squeal. Luckily you'll be too far away to hear me!

For my non-audiobook friends, please treat yourself to the joy that is one of their productions. I know most of you are into children's literature. You're my friends after all. I think once you hear one of these titles, you just might find yourself looking for another one.

Okay, off the soapbox selling stand . . . I'm starting to sound like a one man band for FCA. I promise that I'll talk about other audiobooks in the future. Bruce and Dan will understand.

Tea for Two (or Four or Six or Eight)

I live in the south, but I'm not a tea drinker. My mother is a huge fan, not me. Iced tea, sweet tea, not my cup of tea. But I have a friend who loves to go to "tea" for her birthday. She doesn't live in Nashville anymore, but a few years ago I went for the first time to celebrate with her. And I discovered a new passion, Miss Mable's in Dickson. First, I do like hot tea, the British way, lots of cream and sugar, especially this vanilla flavor I discovered. Second, the food they serve, yummy! Scones with devonshire cream could make me happy morning, noon, and night. Then the cute little finger sandwiches, some delectable comfort food, and plus dessert stuff. Hello WW, I'm taking a mini-vacation. I am a happy person while having "tea".

I have another friend who is passionate about tea. She loves tea. Any time you see her, she has tea with her. She decided that we needed to visit Miss Mable's and introduce a few other friends to the tradition. So this past weekend, four of us took the drive out to Dickson and had tea. It was so much fun. Especially as one of the girls was there, um, under protest. She loved it so much she thinks we need to go back for my birthday. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to it.

So, do you drink tea?