The Wonderful World-Wide Web (W4) ~ Aug. 31, 2011

Welcome to the first edition of The Wonderful World-Wide Web (or W4 for short).  My plan is to weekly post some of my favorite things from around the internet and blogosphere.  Some may be old links and some may be new.  So here we go...

::WARNING:  NERDY CONTENT TO FOLLOW::
This week's W4 is all about Classics and Latin.  I have a degree in Classics and studied Latin in high school and college.  And well, I think it rocks.  For those of you who haven't noticed (and I'm betting that you haven't noticed because you think Classics rocks!), Classics and Latin gets kind of a bad wrap.  I don't know how many times I've heard things like this:
"Latin?!?!  Isn't that a dead language?"
"Oh, you studied Charles Dickens and Shakespeare!  I love those guys."
"What on earth are you doing/going to do with that?"

The answers to these questions are:
1.  Latin is not used colloquially today.  There is no one who sits around and speaks Latin as their native tongue with their friends and family.  BUT...studying Latin and knowing Latin can help us with so many things.  It helps with our vocabulary (many words have Latin roots), spelling (and we all know I'm not very good at spelling), math, science, anthropology, history....it's endless!
2.  No, I don't read Dickens or Shakespeare.  Unless you are talking about the play Julius Caesar, to which I say "Beware the Ides of March!"
3.  What am I doing with my degree?  Well, I'm not doing either of the obvious things:  working on a PhD or teaching Latin/Classics at any level.  That is just not where my life has taken me at this point.  But I do work with middle schoolers.  This gives me ample opportunities to show them how languages help you decipher things you do not know in English, how history helps us understand modern government, and how just plain cool being nerdy is!

Anyway, those are my thoughts - it got a little longer than I expected.  Now, on to the W4.  This has been a conversation on many blogs that I read or have found in the last few weeks.  Here's a quick "round up" of best of the Classics/Latin debate on the W4!

• Rebrand Classics - Worst Professor Ever This awesome lady has started a brainstorm on ways we can re-brand Classics.  My faves include:  "My other thought is a subjunctive" and "Honk if you can read a dead language".  Warning:  post has PG-13/R rated language
• Latin? What are you going to do with THAT?!?! - MARGINALIA This guy is a high school Latin teacher.  He just sent his child off to college to study...Latin.  ::gasp::  Here is his take on how to respond to the dreaded question.
• Texting Abbreviations in Latin This is a pretty cool blog that lists some texting abbreviations that you can use based on Latin.  
• And finally, I turned my FB page to be read in lingua latina.  Yes, I am that much of a nerd.  No, it does not translate everyone's posts into Latin.  All the menus/commands/etc. are in Latin though!

Now that we are 4 days into the school year, I have to get onto a better blogging schedule.  I follow some blogs that use various themes on different days to help keep them going.  I'm contemplating this...more to follow.  I keep reminding myself that blogging regularly for a year is on my 101 Things to Do list.  Also, I enjoy it, so that is good motivation too!

I have to tell some stories on Miss Pup now.  We have registered her in the Corgi Races in a couple of weeks.  Our local rescue (who brought Miss Pup into our home) does a Dachshund Derby and Corgi Races as the major fundraiser for the year.  In support of the rescue, and because it sounds fun, we have entered Miss Pup.  We did decide that we should do some practicing before the race however.  We know the race is about 100 feet and that you can use a squeaker, but not food, as a motivator.  

On Saturday, we bought a 100 foot clothes line, attached it to the end of her leash and headed off to the park.  We had one of us and a squeaker on one end of the line and the other person with Daisy on the far end.  Things went something like this:
*squeak squeak*
Daisy looking around
*squeak squeak*
Daisy running with glee!!!!!!
It was awesome...AWESOME.  She had so much fun.

Well, Monday evening found us back at the park.  We tried a different spot because there were some parties going on.  Spread out again.  This time, we had a second plastic squeaker with us - more motivation.  Or so we thought.  She heard the new squeaker and ran to it.  Took it in her mouth and trotted off to chew it non-stop.  After we finally got it away from her, she had found a nice stinky spot in the grass, rubbed it with her feet to get it stinkier and rolled all in it.  And it stunk.  Bad.  Like we drove home with the windows down bad.  So Daisy earned herself a "yard bath".  We couldn't let her in the house smelling like she did (although she enjoyed it).

We get the three of us home and Miss Pup was in the yard and we got her soaked with the hose (on gentle sprinkle).  Then we rubbed "scent/dye free" soap on her and rinsed her.  She enjoyed getting patted dry with a towel.  I think it's because all four hands in the house were on her.  She did so well and tolerated her yard bath.  We are very proud of her.

But we don't do so well with the yard bath.  We've called the groomer and hope to get her in for a real bath....soon. 

Mantis

Friday night we discovered this mantis on our screen door.  We quickly grabbed the camera and took some photos.  The mantis was very obliging - giving us some great shots.  Thought I would share them with you.

 

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

In preparation for the release of the fourth novel in the series, I re-read the original.  Wicked:  The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire, is the tale of Elphaba (later known to all of us as the Wicked Witch).  I love this story so much and Gregory Maguire is one of my favorite contemporary fiction authors.  We are curious about the very young Elphaba.  We fall in love with her while she is away at school.  We are interested in her young adult life.  And we follow her middle age and see another side of the tale told by L. Frank Baum in The Wizard of Oz.  

During this reading, I noticed many of the lines/thoughts on the nature of being good or wicked/evil/bad.  This really gets me thinking some about the whole nature vs. nurture debate and the things that we teach our young people.  It's the first of a new school year and I wonder if that kid that gets along with everyone is really lonely and doesn't know who he truly is.  I wonder if that girl who gets laughed at behind her back is really just trying her best to live up to the expectations of those around her.  I wonder if it is our actions that are "bad" or our inner selves who are "bad".  Is bad/evil/wicked a honest term?  a nice term?  Should we examine people in light of their experience and see them with kindness and compassion?  


It is my belief that this much is true:  no one is truly wicked.  There are actions that we all commit that do not align with society's moral view.  But no person is all the way, deep down, totally wicked.  We all have good in us and we all should help promote the good in others.  We should learn about people, their situations and experiences, and find the good in them.  For good, and bad, is in all of us.


"One never learns how the witch became wicked, or whether that was the right choice for her - is it ever the right choice?...It is at the very lease a question of definitions." ~ Oatsie Manglehand, Wicked by Gregory Magurie

5Q Friday ~ August 26, 2011

Welcome to the "Back to School" edition of 5 Question Friday (brought to us by My Little Life).  Here we go...

1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?

3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore?

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?

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1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?

I just finished up on my school supply shopping.  A few extra things for the classes I'm supporting.  But I love school supply shopping.  It's the best!

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?

I've already been once, but I would love to go back to Sugarland.  It was an awesome concert and I really love their music.

3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore?

Most favorite house chore...I really enjoying cleaning the kitchen.  Something about getting everything put away and sparkling clean makes me happy.

Least favorite house chore...cooking dinner.  It just isn't something that makes me happy. 

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?

Clothes.  Lots of them.  They don't have to be super expensive, but definitely clothes.

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?

Miracle Whip.  

Teacher Days

I am blissfully tired after three very full Teacher Days.  We went back to school Monday and we have had many, many meetings which were very productive, worked on sprucing up classrooms, prepping for students and hosting the Kick-Off Carnival where students and parents got schedules, lockers, met teachers and played a few games.  It has been a long three days, but they have been very fulfilling.

Tomorrow is the first day of the 2011-2012 school year.  I am excited to get back into a routine, to get to work with an exciting group of new people this year and, hopefully, learn some new things myself.  Here is to an awesome year!

Green Harvest Festival and Fall Cleaning

This has been a busy, but fun-filled weekend.  I was able to rest and relax on Friday morning.  I did a bunch of reading and watched a little TV.  Friday afternoon and evening we did a bunch of Fall Cleaning.  About two hours in, I was asked where I was in my plan for world domination.  Makes me laugh.  But between Friday and some wrap up on Saturday I completed quite a long list:  sweep, mop, dust, dishes, clean the counters, vacuum the stairs, empty the pantry and sweep the floor, organize the pantry shelves, trim the dead leaves off the plants, pick up all the clutter and take out all the trashes.  whew!

We also were able to go downtown for the Green Harvest Festival on Saturday.  We took Daisy and she and I were part of the Pet Parade.  We ended up at the library and observed the corgi races demonstration.  Miss Pup heard a squeaker and that was the end of observing...we had to participate and try to get the squeaker.  She will do great in a couple weeks for the full races.  We were also able to wander around the many booths.  We ate a peanut butter twist, some samples of burritos from the new burrito place, bought peanut butter cookies from the cheerleaders, a new kitchen knife and a delicious peanut butter hot chocolate.  Also, baby pup got to meet lots of new friends - two legged and four legged.  It seems every person we passed wanted to squat and pet her and she was great with all the attention.  

Saturday evening we went down to the bandshell and listened to a local musician.  The music was good and we got to visit with a lot of people.  We also took Miss Pup to the concert.  She found something nice and stinky and rolled all in it.  Now, she stinks to us (but probably smells good to herself).  She earned herself a bath!  A storm started blowing in and she freaked out, so we headed home early to call it a night.  

Tonight, our church's praise band is playing at the park.  We wanted to record it, but alas we do not have the capability.  boo.  It should be a great concert anyway. 

Yard Work and a Bike Ride

Today I have been very busy.  I did a bunch of yard work including mowing, pulling weeds (half a dumpster can full) and weed-eating.  I learned today that parents were right when they told us to wear tennis shoes and long pants when working in the yard.  (yeah, yeah Mom & Dad)  You see, I was weed-eating some particularly nasty weeds.  They had stalks at least half an inch in diameter.  And they were tall.  I'm not joking.  As tall as ME.  Anyway, a stray piece went flying at my calf in capri shorts and cut me.  So, I learned a lesson.  When it is me vs. weeds - weeds usually win!  Oh, and Mom and Dad are right sometimes!  ;-)

The other exciting thing I did today was get the back break on my bike and went for a ride.  I went 1.75 miles in about 20 min.  It was fun.  Yes, I wore my helmet and took my phone in case of emergency.  But it was fun!  Glad to have another fun thing for exercise.  And my cheesy, 90s bike (it's teal and hot pink with a purple water bottle) still works!

Finished another book and looking forward to a new one...

Today has been a great day to relax and read.  I finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling.  This installment finds Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione in their 4th year at Hogwarts.  Harry gets mysteriously (and illegally) entered into the Triwizard Tournament.  The last few chapters are pretty intense.  A couple of twists and turns of the plot - a few expected and a few unexpected.  This installment (4 of 7) is longer than the first three, but still shorter than the remaining three.  

I am taking a hiatus from Harry Potter for a short time, however.  I am revisiting the Wicked Years, by Gregory Maguire.  The first book is Wicked:  The Life and Times of the Witches of Oz.  This tells the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.  I've just restarted this one tonight.  

The fourth and final adventure in the Wicked Years, Out of Oz, by Gregory Maguire, will be released on November 1st.  If you did not know, I am a big Wizard of Oz/Wicked fan and the release of another installment is very exciting!  I read the pre-released prologue and I should not have read it yet.  For, you see, I am WAY too excited for the book.  I think I may have to do a countdown until the release of the new book.  Thankfully, I have pre-ordered my copy and it will arrive on my doorstep on November 1st.  (I think that if Amazon doesn't follow through on that, I may loose my mind waiting.)  In the mean time - it's time for me to re-read the first three installments of the Wicked Years.

Fun weekend and a busy week ahead

I took my final trip for the summer this past weekend.  Miss Pup and I went to Colorado to visit family, attend my 10 year high school reunion and enjoy the end of summer.

I got to go to dinner with my bro and my parents, do some shopping with my dad, take Miss Pup to the pet store where she picked out a Bobo that she loves, have dinner with my grandma and hang out with the family.

I also got to attend my 10 year high school reunion.  Unfortunately, there were only 8 classmates in attendance (with their families), but we had fun.  We went to a local park, had a potluck, the kiddos played on the playground, we took some pictures and got caught up.  It was fun.  Hopefully next time we get together, more people can make it.

This is the final week before school starts back and I've got a bunch to do.  I'm going to do some "Fall Cleaning" to get the house spic and span and ready for the school year.  There is some yard work, general weekly chores, touching up paint in the bathroom and getting everything from our various trips put away.  We have found another hornet/wasp nest in the front of the house by the bush that needs trimmed - so another round of the Great Hornet War of 2011 is on tonight.  It turns out, we must not be the only ones fighting the Great Hornet War because one of the local hardware stores was completely sold out of wasp/hornet spray!

Also, this coming weekend is the Green Harvest Festival.  There are various concerts/talks in the park in the evenings.  On Saturday, there is a pet parade where Miss Pup will walk with us, a demonstration for the upcoming Corgi Races and Dachshund Derby, an open air market and many other activities.  On Sunday, our church's Praise Band is playing a concert in the park to cap off the Festival.  We are doing a selection of old time gospel bluegrass music.  It will be fun, but I am thankful we have one more rehearsal this week!

Many Question Friday ~ August 12, 2011

So, our friends at 5QF are taking a hiatus, so in lieu of that, I've found this question list on the web.  Enjoy!

• When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?  At least my arm didn't swell too much.
• What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? floor, more, four
• Favorite planet?  Pluto - poor guy was a planet for so long, then they kicked him out of the club!
• What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?  Ukelele, it means my sweetie is calling
• Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?  I wore crocs today
• Bright or Dark Room? Bright
• What did your last text message you received on your cell say? "your Verizon bill is ready"
• Where is your nearest 7-11?  Cheyenne??
• What word (or words) do you say a lot? "beep beep" (for "excuse me"...I hang out too much with middle schoolers)
• Last furry thing you touched?  Miss Pup
• Do you miss film or does digital work for you?  I like digital.  You can see them instantly, take a million and only print the good ones and never have to worry about the film "expiring".
• What was the last thing you said that was funny?  "I broke myself playing with the pup...guess you can't take me anywhere because I keep getting hurt at home!"
•  If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? flying - could get anywhere with less hassle and maybe I could sell my flying "act" for shows and make some money.
• Who can’t you say “no” to?  Pretty much everyone, I'm a softie.
• The last song you bought or downloaded?  Glee Season 2 songs
• What time of day were you born?  early morning
• What’s your favorite number? Why? 5 because it's awesome

Victory!!! (with pictures)

 

 

 

 

VICTORY

Picture of the dead nest

That's right folks!  The Great Hornet War of 2011 is over.  We have victory!  The hornets have all passed away and we have destroyed the nest.  It's pretty gross how big it was.  The nest appears to be paper, so we are now thinking they were paper wasps.  However, I still will refer to these past 2 days as the Great Hornet War of 2011.  Here is to hoping we do not have the Great Hornet War Part 2!

 


 

Awesome online archaeology game

One of my favorite blogs,Powered By Osteons, cross-posted a link for a pretty cool online archaeology game.  The game, Dig It Up: Romans, is a game done by the BBC educational department.

The game is great.  You are an archaeologist in Brittan faced with a digging deadline:  if you do not find enough artifacts to make the case that this is a Roman site, they will build a road over the site.  You get so many chances to dig (9 total - 3 people with 3 digs each) for each level.  You can use the geophys survey to show where might be a good place to dig in the area.  But beware:  there may be just junk (modern trash)!

Once you finish the level, you must move the artifacts around and then make a guess (multiple choice) of what the artifact is.  If you succeed, it shows you more about the area that those artifacts may be found (i.e. shop, military fort, home, etc.) and you go on to the next level.

I love this game.  It's simple, fun and very interactive.  I recommend that everyone go check it out.  Give yourself 20 min or so to play - 4 levels with 9 digs at each, plus assembly time.  And the British accents make me smile.  So, enjoy! 

Hornets vs. us: the battle (Installment 2)

The Great Hornet War of 2011 is going to be a prolonged battle.  We didn't have much spray left for round 2 (last night).  The hornets/wasps/yellow jackets (we really aren't sure and aren't looking too close right now) are slower, but definitely still there.  Here's a round up of today's battles.  


Round 3:  the lull
These guys are not too happy about the spray they received last night.  During the day today, any time we were outside (and probably when we weren't), they were flying around trying to find a new home.  Most likely it's because someone (me) doesn't want them living where they are any more.  But they didn't all die.  So, point to the hornets. 

Round 4:  Attack
They were sprayed again (new can).  That made them a little "drunk" and slowed them down enough so that the dumpster can could be pushed over.  We used a mop and stood as far away as possible.  They are definitely angry again.  There will be one more spray this evening, and since the can is over, we can hopefully get better aim into the nest.  Point for us.

All in all, I'd say the score is:  Hornets 2 - Us 2

Hornets vs. us: the battle

It appears that we have gained some hornets/bees living on our dumpster can by the street.  Today began what I am referring to as the Hornet War of 2011. 

Round 1
I went to flip the lid of the trash can back on this afternoon.  You see, after the trash men come and empty the can, the lid doesn't always get closed.  I don't particularly want our trash flying away in our Wyoming wind (although it's not windy now), so I usually go close it.  That is what I was trying to do today.  We were headed out to the store, I walked to the lid and flipped it closed.  Then I saw some things flying around and I honestly thought they were needles from the evergreen tree right by the can.  Then something hurt my ankle in the back (by the Achilles' tendon).  I tried to shake it off and move and the stuff was still flying around.  I moved a few steps and my arm hurt quickly followed by my wrist.  At that point, I looked up and saw Joshua and he's YELLING at me, "come HERE, come INSIDE....NOW".  Honestly, my mind just froze and I thought if I stay still, then it will stop hurting.  WRONG  


We got me inside and I started crying because of the pain.  I sat on the floor and we got ice immediately on the three painful parts.  Sure enough, I have three small sting areas:  ankle, wrist and mid-arm.  I took some Bennedryl and ibuprofin and sat with ice for a long time.  Joshua looked through the window outside and then went out and glanced from afar at the can.  He saw a honeycomb nest in the trash can.  

The hornets win round 1 for stinging me three times.

Round 2
This evening at dusk, Joshua went out and sprayed that nasty hive with Bee/Hornet/Wasp killer.  There wasn't much spray left in the can, so we may have to do a second round of spray.  But they were not too happy to have been sprayed.

Early score for round 2:  us.


I honestly don't have a problem with bees, except when they interfere with my life.  Such as, stinging me for closing the dumpster lid.  Unfortunately, they can not live on my dumpster and they have to be evicted.  My stings hurt, that's for sure, but I'll live.  No major allergic reaction or anything.

Books and weather

Today has been pretty quiet.  I stayed home today and read a bunch.  Finished one book and read another (short) one.

I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling today.  It continues the saga of young Harry Potter, and his friends Ron & Hermione during their 3rd year at Hogwarts.  The year is marked by Harry's lack of permission to go into the town (a privilege to 3rd years and older) and the man-hunt for the "Prisoner of Azkaban".  Of course, trouble ensues, some loose ends are tied up while more are untied and everyone is looking forward to next school year.

I also read today Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes.  This is the classic story of a young man who undergoes neurosurgery in the hopes of tripling his I.Q. of 68.  It is a lot shorter than I remembered it.  Was there ever a longer version of this book?  But it was good and I enjoyed it.


In weather news - we are currently under a tornado watch until 9pm local time.  Just a watch - no biggie.  However, Miss Pup has lost her mind, is super clingy and reached Freak Out Stage 5 tonight.  So, I missed Praise Band practice because I couldn't in good conscious leave her here alone in her kennel at the tail end of her freak out.  She's still pretty clingy, hasn't eaten her dinner and tired.  She'll be ok and she and I will just hang out tonight. 

 

Thoughts on Grief

Please note, this post is my personal thoughts and process of grief in dealing with tragedy.  I hope you can share what has been helpful to you and find some food for thought below.

I haven't taken much time to write about the tragic shooting here or my personal and our community experience in the grieving process.  However, I came across this article tonight (Condolence notes and casseroles) and it got me thinking about the grief process and how we all deal with things.

The first thing that struck me was this thought about what had been helpful to people who were grieving:  "rituals that brought people to collectively mourn together—i.e., wakes, burials, shivas—had been deeply helpful".  I thought about how true this has been for me.  After learning of the deaths, I was in shock.  How could this happen here?  To someone I know?  Someone who was so good and innocent?  Then came the feelings of compassion and trying to understand.  Can we be compassionate to the accused?  What can we do to help our young people and ourselves?  Why would this happen and what can we do to keep something like this from happening again - both here and in the larger world?

I've been reflecting on what has been helpful for me during all of this.  What are my goals and what is my purpose in all of this?  First, I want to be a model of good, healthy grief - for the young people, for the community.  Secondly, I want to understand what I can do to help others who are hurting.  Finally, what can I do to keep others safe?

What has been helpful for me?  The memorial service was immensely therapeutic.  I went there, not quite knowing what to expect.  I was able to sit with a friend/colleague who also knew the same young man that I did.  The eulogy was spot on in describing him.  We chuckled at his insistence in being called his full, given name...so like him.  But the hardest, and most helpful, thing was as I was leaving I saw that the urns were there.  Somehow I had missed that the entire service.  I finally had a good long cry and I talked to the young man I knew.  I told him how sorry I was, how I hoped he didn't hurt or suffer and how I would do everything I could to keep that from happening to anyone else.

But there is another thing that has been very helpful - talking with those in our community who knew the boys, who are struggling to make sense of it all too, and who have the same goal to be a healthy model of grief.  The sense of community that is talked about in the article - that is the thing that has been the most helpful.

I know that the coming weeks with school resuming will be difficult.  But we will be together - as a community, as a school, and an extended family of those who love and care for one another.  It won't be all "sunshine and roses" (as I am often saying now a-days)...but we can do it together.  And we will all become stronger, better, more compassionate people through all of this.

Busy Saturday, Busy Sunday

I only have time for a quick post this morning.  There will be pics, etc. probably on Monday from this weekend.

Summer is sure busy!  Saturday was an especially busy day.  We started the day with a trip downtown to see the Fair Parade.  It was quite a long parade lasting about 45 min.  We ran into a bunch of people we know, had some lemonade and watched horses, a drum line, cars, fire trucks and little kids grabbing candy.  It was pretty good.

Saturday afternoon we went back out to the fair, saw a few of the exhibits and then watched part of the Dog Agility Trials.  It was fun to watch the dogs.  One of the youth at our church was competing with a dog and we got to see her pup.  He "fouled" the ring and was disqualified, but it was fun all the same.

Then we headed over to the baseball fields to help out with the Carey Jo Thomas Memorial Softball Tournament.  Carey Jo is the daughter of members of our congregation.  She was killed in a car accident after texting while driving.  This is the 3rd year for the Tournament.  Last year's tournament raised $16,000 - 4 times the amount raised in the first year!  This year promises to be a smash hit too!  I worked for 2 hours in the concession stand.  Good honest labor (or something like that).  We then ate concession stand food and watched the end of a game before it started sprinkling.  
 

5Q Friday ~ August 5, 2011

Courtesy of My Little Life.

1. Do you have siblings and are you close with them?

2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?

3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?

4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?

5. Pool or Ocean?

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1. Do you have siblings and are you close with them?  

I have one brother and when we see each other we talk and get along...but we don't generally seek each other out.  I can text or call him if something is up and we can count on each other to keep the other informed.  Pretty good for being in our mid-late 20s if you ask me.

2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?

I would say under because it is easier to say you can't gain weight even though you eat as opposed to saying you don't work-out or can't lose the weight.  There is no happy medium though.

3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?

It's not summer until you've had your snow-cone/shaved ice!  I had a snow-cone at the 4th of July and a shaved ice today at the county fair.  Gotta love summer!

4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?

No kiddos in my house, but since I work at the school...  I am ready to go back and I am ready to see the kids.  It's boring sitting at home (I sure am glad I took that summer class) and I'm ready for more socialization!  Plus routine will be good.

5. Pool or Ocean?

Pool.  It's more controlled, I know there are no slimy things swimming in it and I won't get pulled under by currents and tides.

The Girl Who Kicket the Hornet's Nest

Today I finished reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson.  This is the third and final book in his Millennium series.  The book follows up on where the second book left off.  It follows the investigation and trial of Lisbeth Salander.  She is accused of attempted murder of her father and other crimes.  She does not speak to police or doctors on principle and we come to see why she is so wary of those in authority positions.  The book wraps things up pretty neatly and doesn't leave you hanging too much.  Books 1 & 2 were both cliff hangers, so having a neat package at the end is good.

This is a good book and a good series.  It can be a bit graphic at times, so it is not for the faint of heart.  The first book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is a bit dense in the beginning since it is giving a lot of economic and political background for life in modern day Sweden.  Once you get past those first 100 or so pages (each book is around 400-500 pages), it's hard to put it down.  If you have read the first part of this saga, I DEFINITELY recommend the final book.

There will be no more in the Millennium series, or any other new books by Steig Larsson, however.  He passed away shortly after turning in his three manuscripts.  I guess if there are other works that he completed that can be published post-humusly, then we will get more.

There is also a Swedish film version of the first book and the American movie industry is working on an American version.  The Swedish version is, of course, in Swedish, but is subtitled.  The American version is in English from what I understand.  I haven't seen the Swedish version...I'm waiting until I don't have to read subtitles!

Crinkle Crinkle Squeak Squeak

All the toys are MINE!

"Crinkle Crinkle Squeak Squeak"  Those have been the sounds in our house this afternoon since we gave Miss Daisy a new squeaker.  This bone (also a Dollar Store find) both squeaks - which Daisy thinks is the best ever - and crinkles when it is touched/chewed on.  She loves it.  We have put Crinkle Bone up against Squeaker Bone (blue and makes a LOUD squeak...from her Grandparents Deems) and she currently likes Crinkle Bone more.  That may change, but that is the lay of the land as of now.  We haven't put Crinkle Bone against Mr. Monkey as he lives downstairs and she hasn't had Crinkle Bone down there yet.

Tired from 2 Squeaker Fetch

Crinkle Bone

As you can tell from this latest round of photos, Miss Pup is having a blast playing with us.  She is getting pretty good at two squeaker fetch.  She enjoys running and playing and chasing the toys.  I'm not sure if she's still mad that I went away for 4 days, but she loves playing right now!

A Crime Solving Dog

Yesterday I finished reading Dog On It, by Spencer Quinn.  This is the first in the Chet and Bernie Mysteries series.  Chet is the narrator, and a dog.  He and his partner in the Little Detective Agency, Bernie Little (human) are hired to solve a missing persons case.  Chet gets into some trouble, but is saved by their new friend who is a reporter.  Of course, Chet solves the mystery before Bernie does, but do they solve it in time?  Only one way to know...you should read it!