Saturday Morning Book/Movie Review

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

I know that this is supposed to be a book review blog today, but I have not finished any books this week, but I did watch the movie version of Ethan Frome, which I reviewed earlier, this morning. It stars Liam Neeson and it follows the book very closely. I thought that it was done very well and I highly recommend it. I have added a link on Favorites-Book Review. As usual though, if you can, you should read the book as well. There is no way that you get the same effect from a movie as you do from reading a book and seeing your own screening in your mind.

On the Knit/Crochet Front I have finished objects. The first is the yoga mat bag that I made the first week I was back at work. I am really enjoying my job and the people are great and the fact that it is with a University and I can practice yoga at lunch is just a bonus.

I crocheted this by loosely following this pattern http://www.joyfulabode.com/2007/07/05/shavasana-yoga-mat-bag/ . This is also a great blog, so check it out. I used some cotton yarn that I got on sale on our trip to New York and I changed up the pattern a bit by adding a round of cross stitching every so often. It was a quick project and I just love using it.

The next fo is a vest that my Mother commissioned me to make. We bought the yarn on the way home from our New York trip, somewhere in Tennessee. It was very nice to work with and as soon as my Mother returns from Florida, I will take more pictures of her modeling it.

Please send comments and join my group on Ravelry.

Peace,

Laura

I know that has been forever since I have posted, but life has been very busy since I have gone back to work. Lots has happened since we last visited. I finally got to start the yoga class at work. It is so great. Everyone moves and modifies for their needs, but our teacher includes some advanced stuff so that we know what we are working towards. She starts class with a great breath work and then ends with some great meditation and corpse pose. The Fitness Release Time that I get as a benefit has got to be one of the best benefits I have ever received at a job before. I can go to yoga and not have to watch the clock for a one hour lunch. We receive up to 3 hours per week to work out, but at the most, I will only need 1 1/2 hours per week. Oh and having my cute yoga mat bag to carry my mat in it great also. As soon as I get batteries for the camera I will take pictures and post.

On the Crochet Front Saturday I participated in the Houston area meet up of the World Wide Knit ( and Crochet ) in Public Day. It was held here at a local mall and we had over 80 knitters and crocheters. I think the local mall crowd wondered what had invaded their territory. I met some great yarn crafters, saw some beautiful yarn and found a new local yarn store. I can not wait until next year.

On the Weight Loss Front I am now exercising more regularly since I have more scheduled days and since it is encouraged at work. I have not lost any weight though and it is getting very discouraging. Maybe next week.

Let me know how it is going for all of you.

Peace,
Laura

This video is a little different than what I normally have on this blog, but to borrow a line from Larry the Cable Guy, "I don't care who you are this here is funny." And in some very sad ways true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mc3GQmGGms

These guys have a ton more as well and I am going to watch them later.

Peace,
Laura

Saturday Morning Book Review

Measure for Measure, by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare has done it again. Is it that human nature as always been the same or that he just knew the very souls of men. In Measure for Measure the message is an old one straight from the Bible; “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” (Holy Bible KJV 8:7) People should think about their own indiscretions, before they condemn others. I guess New York governor, Eliott Spitzer, never read this play, because if he had, he surely would not be in the trouble that he is in today. And, as always, you have to ignore Shakespeare’s treatment of women and look at the big picture meaning of the play. I have to remember every time I encounter Shakespeare that he did not know any better. This is the way women were treated and if we don’t continue to visit these classic works, we run the chance of forgetting how much progress we have made as women. We also need to remember that there are still places in this world were women are still treated as property with little or no rights. Measure for Measure is a great read and a good watch. I will add links to both the Folgers Classic version and the BBC video to Favorites-Book Review. You can also read it for free at www.gutenberg.org.

Peace,
Laura

I know that I have said this before, but I really thought that if Hillary wanted to be president she would be. I am truly stunned that it is over and she is not. Maybe we can now move forward and beat McCain. I want a change. This country needs a change. Let's make a change.

Peace,
Laura

I have made it through two days of work and I am still alive. I have to say that it has been kind of tough. My dear son cooked dinner this evening, it was very nice. I will hopefully get back into the blogging mode after the work life gets normal.

Peace,
Laura

OK, did the Dems figure out anything yesterday? I listened to most of it and the most intelligent thing I heard was from Carl Levin, I think, and he said something to the effect of, "the way we pick a presidential nominee is stupid." I agree. I am so afraid that if the Dems don't get their act together, McCain will win. Let us all start practicing our "OH Canada" and "Aye" so that we will be ready when we go to live there.

On the Weight Loss Front Tomorrow I start my new job and one of the benefits is 3 hours a week to work out. There is a fitness center on campus and a new Yoga class starts in one week. I am hoping to sign up tomorrow. It has been a long time since I have actually taken a yoga class, I can't wait.

On the Work Front (yes, a new front) I have organized my work clothes to the first part of my closet and, sadly, moved the jeans and capris to the back, but I am now ready for in the morning. I have not decided what I am going to do about cooking at night since I have gone back to being a veg and of course husband and dear son are not. I am going to address that another day. I think that I am ready and I am looking forward to learning new things and getting involved in the academic setting.

On the Green Front I thought that it would be easier at check outs since all stores are not selling their own reusable bags. I went to Target this afternoon and I even have a Target bag and the poor checker still had no idea how to just had me my items so that I could put them in my own bags. Oh well Rome wasn't built in a day so I guess we just adjust on checker at a time.

Send comments.

Peace,
Laura

Saturday Morning Book Review

Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton

Before listening to Ethan Frome, the only book I had read of Wharton’s was The Custom of the Country and Frome is very different. From the beginning you just know that poor Ethan just never has a break in life, even his name sounds depressing, but you hope and you do glimpse into his happier moments. I think that one of the messages you get from Wharton’s writing, is to be double and triple sure before you marry. Marriage is for life, and for better and worse, so try to pick a partner that is going to give you a life of more better than worse. This is another work I listened to on Librivox. It was read by the always talented Elizabeth Klett and really does not take that long to listen to. You can find the recording at www.librivox.org or you can read it for free at www.gutenberg.org. I will also add a link for purchase at Favorites-Book Review. Get out there and read or listen to some of these classics, they are so well written and although you can find lessons in them for today, they also take you back to a different time where there were different values. It is always good to know how our societies have either evolved or maybe slid backwards.

Peace,
Laura

Happy Memorial Day

Let us all take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives to protect our freedoms. We owe them everything we have today.

On the Green Front Remember to use reusable items at your cookouts today. It does not take that much time to wash dishes in the dishwasher when you get back home. No paper, No plastic. Also recycle what you can. Enjoy the outside if it is not too hot and, most of all, enjoy the loved ones and friends that you are with.

On the Crochet Front I still have not taken any pictures. I know that you are about to give up on me or think that I really have done nothing, but I will get my act back together soon.

I have spent the weekend enjoying the sales since I have had to put together a work wardrobe after 9 years of wearing denim capri pants. I found some really great deals and I think that I am ready to hit the new job running.

Send comments. I know you are out there, let me hear from you.

Peace,
Laura

On the Green Front I am so excited, our town finally gave out recycle bins for plastic and cans. I even dug out of my current trash to find the items that could be recycled. This is such a large step for our very none green town. I feel like I am now part of the rest of the world.

Starting June 2 I will be going back to work since being out of the work force since 1999. It is accounting, but a different specialty so I get to learn totally new things. I am trying to get everything in order at our house, and it will be interesting to see how things work. I do know that as long as I am employed, I will never clean my house again. That is the best part.

I still have not had time to take pictures of all of my vacation yarn stuff, maybe this weekend. I still have not washed all of our vacation clothes and I think the family would rather have clean undies rather than me having great blog pictures. I just don't understand their priorities. lol

Let me hear from you.

Peace,
Laura

We are home and I am buried under a mountain of laundry. Hopefully by tomorrow or Wednesday I will have things more in order and will be able to do a post with pictures of all of the great yarn and things I got while we were gone.

Peace,
Laura

We have one more day on the road and we will be home. Yesterday I could not blog because the internet connection was less than perfect. All we did was drive though. Today I was surprised by getting to stop at a local yarn shop in Tenn. I am not sure what the name was, but it was great. I got some sock yarn and my mother bought the yarn for the vest she wants me to crochet for her. I also got a bamboo crochet hook. This is the first one I have ever had and I love it. I told everyone in the car that that is what I want for all presents now are bamboo crochet hooks to replace my plastic ones.

We are at a less than perfect hotel tonight in Arkansas, a Super 8. I have stayed in Super 8s before that have been fine, but my husband even went and bought Clorox wipes and has cleaned the sink and bathroom. Mother picked. Hopefully we will live through it.

I hope to be blogging from home tomorrow with my kittys all around me. I miss them very much. Of course then the real world returns and I have to do mounds of laundry and clean the house. I am sure certain friends and family will be glad to hear that (you know who you are) as the last time I really cleaned house they all got to come over for dinner (I'm not promising anything).

Peace,
Laura

Today was fun. We visited another local yarn store, Homespun, and I picked up a great sale on some cotton for my stash. I also got some more great sock yarn. We had a fun picnic at Buttermilk Falls (see picture in post below) although today they were doing some clean up work there and we had the picnic while watching a back hoe in front of the falls. It was quite interesting. We also went to a park near some water and there were hundreds of baby geese. They were so cute and fuzzy. We fed them the rest of the bread from our picnic and I think we were the hit among the flying creatures in Ithaca. We are heading home tomorrow and I will be sad to leave. This is a great place to visit, I just don't think I could ever make it through a winter.

Peace,
Laura

Today I visited a great local yarn shop recommended to me by my friends on the Ithacan Ravelry group called Knitting Etc. It was great. I got some bamboo sock yarn in a yellow/gold colorway. I also met some really nice people. We ate at Moosewood today as well and I got the Moosewood Deserts Cookbook on this trip. I will add a link to in on Favorites-Book Reviews. Here are some pictures of some of the sites we have seen:

This is me posing with my next car (lol) at the Corvette Museum.

This is Buttermilk Falls

I can't say or spell the name of this Fall, but it starts with a T.

This is Ithaca Falls and it is right in a neighborhood. It is so big and beautiful.

It rained on us some this evening, but the guys were able to play golf.

One a personal note, I was able to access my grades tonight and I made A's in both of my classes, even Literary Theory.

Peace,

Laura

Today we went to Cooperstown to the Baseball Hall of Fame. My husband was in heaven. I actually saw one man knell down to the Babe Ruth sculpture. I guess I should not be too hard on them, I did drool over some yarn yesterday and I did tell God that he could take me home after I visited the Hershey Plant in Hershey, PA. I figured at that point I had been to my Mecca so I was ready to go. Anyway the weather has been great and it is so beautiful up here. The flowers and trees are unbelievable with color. Tomorrow we are eating at Moosewood and I am going on a yarn crawl. I have also picked up some good books along the way so be ready for some great Saturday Morning Book Reviews.

Peace,
Laura

Yesterday was a total travel day and now we are in Ithaca. We saw 4 waterfalls and did a 1 hour hike today. It was so fun, but I am not sure my mother will be able to move in the morning. We ate at a restaurant on Seneca Lake today. It was in Watkins Glen and reminded me a lot of Bar Harbor. We also visited a Local Yarn Store in Watkins Glen as saw and felt of some great locally dyed wool. I wish I had an unlimited yarn budget. I did purchase the Summer Interweave Knits Mag. We also visited one winery and drove around the Cornell Campus.

On the Weight Loss Front I have walked everyday that we have been gone. Yea!

Peace
Laura

We have made it to outside of Columbus, Ohio tonight. We are planning on visiting the Ohio Amish country tomorrow. I have always been fascinated by the Amish and when someone did the family tree on my father's side of the family, we came to America from Germany because we were Anabaptists and could not practice our religion. So, if my ancestors had not left Pennsylvania, I could today be living in a house with no lights and wearing plain clothing. At times I think that might be a better life.

Peace,
Laura

I have lots to tell. Yesterday I went for my first job interview in 9 years. It was not bad at all, in fact I think I did well. It is for a Research Accounting position at the university I received my bachelors degree from and where I have started my masters. If I get the job I can continue to go to school and have a real job as well. It will be funny because if I do get the job, it will mean that I will be going back to work as soon as I graduate my dear son from home school, now I wonder how many moms have done that. I will have been away from work just long enough to school him. The group seemed really nice and I think it will be a great place to work.

On the Crochet Front We left this morning for our family vacation. I have either slept or crocheted since 6:00 am this morning. I have the back of the vest I am working on 3/4 of the way finished. I hope I don't run out of yarn before we get to Ithaca because I won't be able to find Ty Dy yarn until we get to a real yarn store. I am planning a yarn crawl in Ithaca and I can't wait. I hope the weather holds out because we have a lot of outdoor, walking things planned and of course my dear husband and dear son want to play lots of golf. Lots of golf means lots of yarn stores and book stores and organic coops, I can't wait.

On the Green Front We are doing nothing green since we are driving all the way to Ithaca, but we do have 4 people in the car. I did bring a reusable mug and I take it into the quicky mart at the gas station with my tea bag and get hot water to make tea and I have not had to pay anything all day. This is great, I wish I had done this sooner. Free tea with every stop. Try this tip and also take your own water mug as well. I know these are little things, but little things really add up.

Send comments.

Peace,
Laura

School Is Out For The Summer

On the Crochet/Knit Front I finished my sweater and here it is:

It is made out of Lion Brand Wool Ease Grey and I think it is going to be very nice for our upcoming vacation to Upstate New York. I am so excited, my first knit garment and it actually looks like a sweater.

Send comments.

Peace,

Laura

Saturday Morning Book Review

Persuasion by Jane Austen

I listened to Persuasion by Jane Austen as a Librivox recording read by the very talented Elizabeth Klett. This is an Austen book that I have not read and I just loved it like I do all of her novels. I so wish that I could have lived then, but only if I had a high social status and money. (Maybe not though, had indoor plumbing been invented yet? I draw the line at time periods where I would have to go outside to the bathroom.) Like most Austen novels the heroine, Anne, has a high social standing, but her family is not as wealthy as they should be. This novel follows Anne through her trials at finding love because, like any Austen heroine, she is of high moral fiber and will not settle for just anyone, no matter what his name is or how much money he has. The words are beautiful and the civility is unlike anything that we could hope for today. If everyone would read Jane Austen on a regular basis, I just know that we would all start having card parties, think before we speak, and just treat each other better. I am not saying that all Austen characters are saints, I am just saying that the world would be better if we tried to be civil and thoughtful and appreciative to one another.

If you have not visited the Librivox site yet, it can be found at http://librivox.org/ . All of the books are read by volunteers and all of the works are in the public domain just like the Project Gutenberg site. I am sure that you can find a copy of Persuasion to read at http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page , and I will add a link to Favorites-Book Review of the book and the movie.

Happy reading,

Laura