whirlwinds and cyclones and hurricanes

Overgrown
Originally uploaded by jocieposse (aka skid ho)

I have a weakness for stories of Appalachia. Fred Chappell's book Farewell, I'm Bound to Leave You has me in a dreamy and dazed state. Its all about family tales passed down and strong women. I can't recommend this book enough. It's beautiful.

Take this quote from the final story:

"The light was grainy, dusty; it looked like the Milky Way had spread from the top of the sky all down the west, and the tented shapes of the mountains were huge and satin black against it, and the ridgeline trees made a filigree of onyx. The wind had increased but not cooled; the promise of full summer was in it. And when Dr. Barcroft turned from the west to look again at the house, he was hardly surprised to see that it had begun to turn like a wheel upon a vertical axle as the silhouettes of the dancers raced past window after window. It was as if their dancing, the female slide and shuffle, the masculine drum and thunder, propelled the house behind them; it had become a merry-go-round, turning steadily and stately as the music went just a little bit faster, just a little more, and he could tell there were furies in it, whirlwinds and cyclones and hurricanes that Quigley's fiddle barely held in check, that his calling could barely control. "

I'm a dunce

So ever since I changed my email (erm way back in May), I did not realize that I failed to change the blogger setting that lets me know when someone makes a comment. So here' my embarrassed and awward wave to all you commenters in the last 3 months. I wasn't ignoring you all. I was just clueless as to all the nice comments you all were leaving.

I fixed it and now I will be much much better and more aware in blogland.

Ranting and some reviews

Yes, I read Breaking Dawn. Meyer may not be a great writer but she spins a story that can hold your attention. I devoured the book pretty fast but I have lots of quibbles with it. Avoid the next few spoints if you want to avoid spoilage.





1. Creepifying conservative agenda marketed to teens. Messages I picked up from this book - Teen pregnancy is good. Abortion is bad even if the baby will KILL you. Marriage at 18 is a good idea - no way you'll change your mind when your older.





2. In a continuation of the creepifying conservatism, there are absolutely no same sex couples in this book. This is something I may not have noticed except there are like a bazillion couples in this book. A bazillion and not a one of them gay.





I realize this book is fiction. I could ignore all this if I wasn't pretty horrified at this being marketed to teens. I love teen books that take on hard topics. This however seems to spoon feed teen girls some alarming ideas about life and relationships and personal choices. One of my nieces is reading this story. It is a fun read and all, and I'm all for just reading for fun. However, I shall be sending my 15 year old niece some smarter YA books and taking some time to call her up and discuss the book with her some. I'm curious if any of the creepyness was at all noticeable to her or if its something that only stands out to worried twenty-something liberal feminist aunts of 15 year old nieces.

All spoilage done.

Instead of the Meyer books, I will happily be sending my niece a way smarter YA book called Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. The characters are interesting and avoid stereotyping. The main character, an awkward and overweight teen, is best friends with a girl with horrible burn scars on her face and hands. Their friendship is born of their equal standing as outcasts. Really really good read! Funny and moving and multi-dimensional.

I like reading Dan Savage's personal anecdotes. He's funny and his book The Kid is one of my faves. However in Skipping Towards Gomorrah, there are too few anecdotes and too many political rants. While I agree with a lot of what he says, I had to skim the rants. I don't need any convincing just more laughing.

I watched Stagedoor on Netflix the other night. Its all about a camp for kids who want to be actors. The instructors are pretty unintentionally hilarious. When they interview the kids though, its pretty easy to see the awfulness that is being a teenager. All that awkwardness makes me cringe for the kids who appear in this.

Happy findings

I got the nicest package today. A box full of felt that came all the way from Canada from a generous and crafty girl who shall soon be off on a great adventure. You know those moments when you just want to chuck everything and run off to explore the world? Well brave miss jen is actually doing it. Follow her adventures here.

Best of luck on your travels! When you return to our side of the ocean, I shall send you something lovely and felty!

Reviews upon reviews

Pardon my summer lazing, but things have pile dup a bit round here. Here's what's been red or watched:


I lurve the Dexter books. Dexter in the Dark is the third in the series and very good. Maybe I liked book two a smidge better though.

Dingo was fun and I love the addition of Australian "cousins" to the de Lint world. Sometimes his music and tv references seem a wee bit like trying too hard with the younger crowd though. But I can forgive de Lint anything.

A Countess Below Stairs was so much fun! I love YA books that avoid cliches and stereotypes.

My first Dorothy Sayers novel - Whose Body? was fun. Not gripping, but I think I'll stick with the series and see why all the rave reviews.

We watched 3:10 to Yuma, and I liked it. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe aren't always my favorite actors, but they are both pretty incredible in this one. And no stupid pointless romances thrown in just because. (I've been on a bit of a rant lately. I like romances, but I like them to be thought out and not just a side story thrown in cause a lot of filmmakers stupidly believe that every movie needs it.)
Went and saw Dark Knight with the hubby. I seriously think had I not taken him to this one, there would have been some marital strife. I liked it but....
1. It was too darn long.
2. Why are there no super tough women in the last two films?
3. I'm sick of the movie making dough and hype out of Heath Ledger's tragedy.

However, I do have to say Ledger did a terrific job and the motorcycle was awesomely badass.


Stop Loss is such a stinker of a movie. Not even cute boys can save it, it smelt bad.

Flowers and celebrations

I finally added some new flowers to Bandit Queen (which stupid blogger won't let me share pictures of). Guess you'll have to check them out in the shop.

And today's my birthday! I'm gonna sit on my porch with the hubby and pooches and eat pizza to celebrate. The actual party is Saturday. Cheers!