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

The Floral Hatter

 My Easter “dress” is actually a rather casual split-skirt jumper. Exuberantly floral, it makes up in enthusiasm what it may lack in formality. I will get a lot more use out of it than I would a traditional church dress. The thing is, can you wear an Easter hat with a less formal outfit even if it is exuberantly floral. I’m leaning towards yes, but the next issue comes up. Can you wear an Easter bonnet to Vigil Mass? I love attending the evening Vigil Mass that is celebrated on Saturday. You get extra goodies in the liturgy, and you can sleep in Sunday. I have seen a hat or two in years past. I’ll just have to see how I feel.

Cross Stitcher

 

It’s been a while since I posted any cross stitch. This piece is going slowly because I keep making mistakes and having to pull things out. I found my feet again today and made some good progress, but I’m trained to be cautious in my optimism. The piece is The Mad Hatter by Mrs. Pegotty on Etsy. I think when I get rolling this will be a fun piece. It’s been a little stubborn so far.

Uzzein Sheerah

Well I remember the way my mother laughed when I asked her to give me an afro. The beautiful ball of hair that framed women’s faces captivated me, but alas my hair was coarse, thick and stick-straight. More quietly I began to nurse other hair dreams that also proved unrealistic, the most persistent of which was Shera hair. I didn’t really like the cartoons, but the flowy hair surrounding her face and trailing behind her seemed a reachable goal. Yet again my stick-straight hair would defeat me. It hung like a heavy curtain on either side of my face. It flowed nowhere. I would pin it up with barrettes. For a few minutes after I removed them there I’d be with Shera hair, but only long enough to ruefully watch them flop down on either side of my face again.

With age comes lots of surprises. I couldn’t find anyone to cut my mom bob when I moved to Saline. Butchered hair cut after butchered hair cut finally led to just letting it grow. The thing is I’m going grey, but more than the color has changed, my new hair is finer and wavy. It’s Shera hair! All these years and now here at the beginning of the end Shera hair.

Sheerah is a little known Bible character. A woman who during the settlement of Caanan built three cities. There are no complaints or aspersions about her gender just the simple facts of her accomplishments. Her moment is small, but not forgotten. Her cities held up well over time.

If you’d like to know more about this sparkling life from ancient times, here is an inspirational and informative post.

https://www.wilgafney.com/2012/05/20/she-built-a-city-sheerah-the-biblical-city-builder/

Claire Fenby-Warren, Book Maven

 

When I was trying to restart my reading habit I set aside my foray into Book Tube. I was overwhelmed by the books I already own and want to read, all these other choices flooding in made it feel impossible. I’m back on track partly due to my triple TBR lists, the hint of spring in the air and my new zettelkasten, so it was time to try again.

It helps to go with a friend and Ariel has been friends with Claire for many years and hairstyles. Claire’s taste in books is similar to mine which keeps the exploding Goodreads list at bay. She doesn’t mind repurchasing books in new editions, something I don’t do because I always have so many books that I want but don’t have. It is nice though to be caught up on the stylish editions. When I get better organized I might do a small collection for fancy’s sake. Something like John Donne in tobacco leather would be good or Enheduanna in gold leaf.

Claire is frequently joined by her husband Ben who is charming and seems perfectly suited to her. The bookish adventures they go on are enticing. Bath, York, London she is always at home. You might feel at home on her channel.

http://www.youtube.com/@Claire_Fenby

A Little More Global

 This is the latest addition to my collection of books about books. I’ve been particularly looking for books that recommend a course of reading for those of us who wish to be well-rounded. Choosing texts for my history through literature curriculum has been greatly aided by these books, but they fell short, generally when I expanded my interest out to the wider world wanting all cultures to be represented as much as is possible. Somehow I was connected with The Library of Humanity, and it has a much broader base especially of Asian books. The selection loses it’s inclusive flavor in the middle, but regains it, splendidly, in the modern sections.

I have expanded my list of books I want to read, and discovered many books I hope to recommend. This is a practical, direct resource. Each book or poem gets a page and then we roll on. If you are looking for a great books list that works hard to include Asian texts this will open many doors. If you just like to see what's out there, it’s a great window. This book will not waste your time.

Might read again.

Zettelkasten Castle

 Some things are meant to be. Two days ago I bumped into a short video about Zettlekasten. It basically outlined the types of cards. It instantly made sense to me, and it is so compatible with how I work. You tuck a 4x6 card in the book you are reading as you underline and make marginalia you note that on the back of the card. The basic information about the book goes on the front. I am recording the ISBN so that if I ever lose my marked up copy I can buy a replacement of the exact edition. You then wait a few days and transfer the items you feel will have lasting relevance onto cards of their own that will go into the permanent section grouped by topic.

I’ve only made twelve or so cards and my Crowhook lesson is hugely improved. It’s amazing. The only thing is now I want to reread everything to get it all into the box.

Darren does a good job of explaining things here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2zY7l2tzoQ

Prepare to be Captivated!

 Captivating the King is one of the most beautiful shows I have ever watched. The characters, the actors, the period sets and costumes, the plot twists all come together to make the most soothing world in which to live for 16 episodes. Bad things happen, truly bad things, but everything comforts you with a certainty that things will be made right. 

It even made me think about learning baduk aka “go”.

Greg Cohen: Muggle Wonka

 I’ve watched and watched Greg make his image candy, and it amazes me every time. Starting with a boiling cauldron of death sugar, he adds colors and flavorings, and then works it to the right consistency and temperature. Using giant, metal scissors he cuts apart the mass and then fashions the parts into a cylinder. The cylinder gets pulled smaller and smaller into rods which are then broken into pieces. Inside each piece is an image, roses, flags, Frankenstein. 

He also makes other forms of candy as well using antique machinery he has restored himself. Watching that happen is fascinating and fun, especially when he drops the sheets at the end and they fall into individual pieces. 

If I’m ever in Tallahassee, I’m stopping in at Public Displays of Confection, and I hope I catch Greg making magic.

https://www.youtube.com/@LoftyPursuits