The Walking Dictionary

 The Walking Dictionary was my elementary school nickname. I did not appreciate it as much as I should have because it is unwieldy. No one said! “Hey, Walking Dictionary, come hang out with us.” the way you might say, “Specs, over here.” I have grown into it since, though by now the people who gave me the name have forgotten it. I still love words for their own sake. I especially love medieval words. They are so mellifluous. I recently found a treasure trove of medieval words in Everyman and Medieval Miracle Plays. The plays are a treat in themselves. The homemade feeling of the plays takes me back to the amateur productions my church and school put on. I can imagine talking them into putting on a show from the book after I explained that it was ok that the plays aren’t Biblically accurate. I’m simply loving this book so much more than I thought I would.

New Medieval Words

selcouth/wondrous

swink/toil

losel/scoundrel

pottle/bottle

lorn/lost

McDonalds Coke

Coke from a can isn’t worth drinking. Coke from a plastic or glass bottle is pretty good, but if you really want Coke at its best, go to McDonalds. I don’t know what they do or why no other vendor or packaging options can match the perfection of McDonalds Coke. Do they have special machines? Secret recipe ice? I don’t know, but when I want a Coke I go to McDonalds.

I go to McDonalds for lots of things, small celebrations, consolation, nostalgia. It’s the home of so many early memories not just for me, but also for my children. It was my first job, and I killed the fry station. Three buses at once? Bring them on, I knew how to fast food. I still eat well-prepared fries with pride.

I’m hooked McDonalds. You’re my ride or die fast food. I get around, but I know where my home is. You can count on me, and my children to keep coming even if you have to change things up, like the fries. Maybe it’s time to diversify the sides menu so we can have better practices for producing potatoes. It might be fun. Imagine purple potatoes in the Happy Meals. Could be a good place to start.

Vanessa and the Dogs

 My mother is afraid of animals, even cats and dogs. I had a puppy for a year that I treasured, but had to be given away when we moved into a house on a highway. I still remember the experience fondly, and lately a YouTube channel has been stirring things up. Girl with the Dogs features a dog groomer taking filthy, occasionally badly-behaved dogs and bringing them into a renewed charisma. You can forgive the struggle when you see them get their spray of bubble gum dog perfume. 

The dogs come in all sizes and breeds. I’m learning all about coats and nails and nervousness levels. I’m actually surprised by how little trouble she has. Vanessa is after all a stranger. Professionalism really makes a difference in every profession.

Thank you for all the fantasy dog time. My husband is seriously allergic so we have a turtle. The turtle does not require grooming. Pity.

https://www.youtube.com/@GirlWithTheDogs/videos

 

The Land of Counter Pain

 I’m a little stressed out. Raising my children was a full out juggernaut. Each night’s sleep was like a drop in the bucket of what I really needed. I assumed that the weary lack of energy would subside when the strain subsided, but here I am, generally lethargic with big ambitions and meager follow-through. It has become worrying. How much longer will this go on? I have things to do, books to read, people to meet. 

The worry has become a contributing factor to my slow recovery. Every choice and the energy with which it is greeted is noted and overanalyzed. I need a respite. Organizing my books seems to be just the thing. The wifi isn’t reliable in my office, so I haul a laundry basket full of tomes into my bedroom and gradually transfer them from basket to bed and back again. It feels like tagging birds to trace their migratory paths. Fly little books and take me with you.

Intellectual Cavities

 

As I march along entering my books into Library Thing, I am beginning to feel a little sick to my stomach. It could be that I am reentering the world of sugar after abstaining, mostly, for all of Lent. I am prone to self flagellation and either over indulgence will do. The candy, with five young people to help it along is evaporating as we speak. The books belong on my shelves even if there are more than I thought there were. 

The chocolate bunny that has me queasy is The Library of Essential Writers. I bought all of them from Barnes and Noble several years ago (except for Lovecraft. I don’t do scary). All of the included authors were touted as classics and important that I mostly wasn’t allowed to read. I thought I’d just dive in and catch up on all of it, back before I had a real understanding of how vast all of it is. Crowhook has crammed my shelves with not just primary texts, but a growing collection of secondary texts about my texts. When everyone else was choosing a specialty I was trying very hard to look stupid which is generally an easy task. I want it all, but I’m a decade or two, too late.

My library probably won’t ever sing the way I hoped it would, but it may cast enough light for someone else with greater time or talent to get started. It’s worth a little brain ache.

The Thing!

 

 I have just finished entering all my Ancient History books into Library Thing. The total for one small bookshelf is 146. These are my working books for my Crowhook History through Literature Project. It is amazing how rejuvenating a deep dive into my shelves can be. Half-formed projects step up and demand to be finished. Books you loved and thought would be crucial to the project are haughty with their feelings of abandonment. “Oh, book do not fear I will get to you someday.” Roughly a third of my ancient history books are on my “To Read” list. I was surprised by that I try to keep things within a certain tolerance and not to buy books I won’t, can’t get to, but Crowhook is a broad project. I’ve been through ancients the most, so plans change and resources are discovered and dropped. I also shop second-hand. Yes, on Amazon, but more effectively at the library store, yard sales, thrift stores, and anywhere else you can pick up books for a buck. I know what I’m shopping for, but the “weeds” that pop up at these sales are sometimes more of what I need than items I’ve carefully researched and bought online. I am prone to duplicates. I was so relieved that I could get through Plato by using The Death of Socrates that I absent-mindedly bought three copies. I will find them good homes do not worry.

I will say I am loving Library Thing. If you like to organize your books and keep track of what you’ve accrued, you will enjoy this tidy but intense organizer. It looks like and functions like the professional card catalog at my local library. It carries a significant amount of information for each entry and two systems for organizing by your preferences. My favorite bit has been that you get the exact cover of the edition you have, so you can say “Oh, there it is” whether looking through the shelf or the app. This is a grown up tool, and I’m the bookish amateur to make good use of it. 

Paging Nate Morrow

 The fist time I walked down the diaper aisle at Sam’s Club and knew I didn’t need to buy anything, I raised my fists in the air and quietly said, “I’m going to Disney World.” Now we had six children by then, and other priorities for family funds, but it was the right feeling even if I wasn’t going to fulfill it literally.

We are coming up on another family milestone. Soon three more of my children will graduate college leaving only one fellow left. Five down, one to go, and once again my heart says, “I’m going to Disney World!” But we won’t they’re all grown up.

So I found another way to visit Disney World, YouTube Disney dedicated content creators. I can’t imagine Disney having any secrets left as the property is scoured by YouTubers. I like them all, but my favorite is “Paging Mr. Morrow.” Nate wanders the park he has chosen for his new vlog and while there is a plan it’s loose and easy. You feel like you’ve met up with a friend who knows Disney World inside out, whether it’s the rides or food or holiday theming, Nate knows his stuff. If you want to relax at the happiest place on Earth, but you don’t have the time or cash, crash with Mr. Morrow he’ll make you feel like an annual pass holder. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO_tAHinw-M