I just read a poem by an irish guy on a blog about tango

I know most people hate poems, but check this out anyway: Lesson From the Irish Peace

A reader's confession

I have purchased and read Oprah's book club books. Some of them I have even enjoyed. Others I thought were pretty lame.

Which of my new books should I read first?

Please, tell me.

Yet Another Mystery

A lady at the pool suggested Elizabeth George. I picked up A Traitor to Memory at the library for my mom. She could use it for a weight-lifting program. It's got to be at least 800 pages long. I picked out the abridged version (4 cassettes) of the same title for my drive to the new job. There were a lot of characters to keep straight, but I soon got into it.

It was alright, but I'm going to stay away from mysteries for awhile.

I must quit bringing these books home! Sometimes we get some books in that are just too intruiging. These are the ones I bought today.

a tale of a ladies man falling for a married woman, actually it sounds like he may fall for alot of things.



You had me at alien abduction, what sealed it though was that the author wrote Thank You For Smoking, which I did not read, but I loved the movie.

Travel book about Australia, which I have seen before and been intrigued by.


Bestselling nonfiction from awhile ago, have always been curious about it, but will probably put it near the bottom of this pile.


Humorous essays about how weird and screwed up Florida is.

I fell for the title. Then on the back cover I read this:
"the ensuing drama involves blood, money, sex, vengeance, and a cross-dressing rancher.
Since those are my favorite things, naturally I will read this one first.

A book I bought in 2007, and have yet to read.

Where the Lightning Strikes, The lives of American Indian Sacred Places, by Peter Nabokov.
I bought it at the bookstore at Wall Drug when I was not busy posing with the statues of cowboys, whores, and jackalopes.
It sounded interesting, the author writes of the history of many places many of us would be somewhat familiar with, and quite a few that are more obscure. I will get back to you on this one, should I read it. I really should read it, it is probably very good.

When I need some wisdom, and I need it fast...

I turn to these adorable "Springs" books. This is the one I have turned to most recently. The books are lovely in appearance, and at only 3x5 inches, quite portable. Perfect for to carry with you in case of a wisdom emergency, or just to gain some extra wisdom while you are waiting to get your teeth cleaned. This volume features luminous rice paper and illustrations on each page. The wisdom is in the quotes that are offered. A few of my favorites include:

The day of decision is the day to act upon it.....

After 3 years even disaster can prove a blessing.....

For those few days, the hills are bright with cherry-blossom. Longer, and we would not prize them so.....

Love lives in cottage or castle......

What? Another Ondaatje Writer?

Reading up on Michael Ondaatje, I discovered he had a brother, Christopher. What an interesting character. Christopher emigrated to Canada in 1954 after his alcoholic father lost the family fortune, causing Christopher to forego his final year at University. He proceeds to become a stockbroker, owner than seller of a Pulishing company, olympic bobsledder, millionaire, adventurer, writer, and philanthropist. Darn it. Now I'm going to have to read one of his books, too.

Remembering the English Patient

Punching "Ondaatje" into google search brought me to this interview with Michael Ondaatje, author of The English Patient. I considered that one of the best books I ever read at the time. I remember liking the movie, but feeling like too much was missed. This interview touches on the differences of film and print as media in general and on Ondaatje's story in particular.

I also remember my friend Charles, in an apartment in Sarajevo, who had just seen Casablanca again not long after viewing The English Patient, saying the difference was (forgive me for messing up the quote) "The problems of 3 people don't add up to a hill of beans." and "Compare to the problems of 3 people, the rest of the world doesn't add up to a hill of beans."

Nice Story in the Port Charlotte Herald

A male bald eagle was found uncounscious on the ground. He was treated, got better and was released. He flew back the nest to help with fledgling care. This was a good thing, not just for him, but for the whole eagle family. Had he not been able to return, the mother eagle may have ended up having to abandon her offspring.