Kathy's comments (member since Nov 05, 2008)

Kathy's comments from the Constant Reader group.

OK, my favorite word is one that reveals the mischievous (as in a playful way). The word is "seminal," as meaning in an originally creative or initially developmental sense. As I quite often edit my husband's writing he has to do for work (I won't tell what work that is, because it is too funny and I just can't--suffice it to say that it was in a room full of men), and I inserted the word "seminal," as it described quite nicely an idea or approach he had taken. He was asked about the word "seminal" and bluffed his way through it. I'm the word nerd in the family. Need I tell you what that room full of men sat there thinking when they heard that word. I laughed and laughed when he told me about it. However, we have an agreement that I will give him notice of any future words I dramatically change in his materials.

How perfect! I just read an article in our local newspaper today about the problem Jane Austen's estate was having with people placing the ash remains of a loved one on the property.

I just finished a wonderful YA book last night, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. What a witty, allusion-filled, fun book! I am starting Company of Liars by Karen Maitland today. It deals with one of my favorite subjects, the Black Plague in the Fourteenth Century (the year being 1348 at the start of this book). This historical fiction novel is described as "a dazzling reinterpretation of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales--an ingenious alchemy of history, mystery, and powerful human drama." I'm close to drooling over this book already.

Dottie,
I'm glad you enjoy those two poems, too. Before my father-in-law died two years ago, I took a copy of Little Orphant Annie out to the rest home where he finally had to go because of his Alzheimer's. He used to tell this poem to my kids, his grandkids, when they were little. I read the poem to him and stopped when I got to the part, "An' the Gobble-un 'at gits you Ef you Don't Watch Out," and my dear father-in-law said the line with me. The poem was contained in a 1963 copy of The Book of Knowledge by Grolier.

One of my favorite old books is a copy of A Christmas Carol by Dickens. It is a small, leather covered copy with an inscription to a lady that was like my grandmother dated 1918. The publisher was Barse and Hopkins (I think, the scrip is rather hard to read), New York. I can't find a publication date. I, also, have a book of James Whitcomb Riley poems entitled, Riley Love-Lyrics, published in New York by Grosset & Dunlap, 1905, and it include old photographs as illustrations There is a book jacket on this book in pretty good shape. Although my favorites by Riley are The Raggedy Man and Little Orphant Annie, I delighted to own this collection of love lyrics. I have a couple of Little Colonel books by Annie Fellows-Johnston from 1901. I'm pretty sure that I have some older books, but I just am too lazy to go check them right now.

Thanks Ruth. It's nice to know that the canned milk will work just as well as the half and half. I don't usually keep half and half on hand.

Anne, if you want a recipe for a pecan pie, I have a great one from the Shaker's cook book that I've used for years.

Yep, Lee, I had to print your recipe, too. I think my daughter and her husband would love these.

Yum again, Pamela. I had to print out your recipe, too. The oyster dressing sounds delicious.

Yum, Molly. I just copied your spinach salad recipe. I've already decided what dishes I'm taking to Thanksgiving dinner, so I will save this one for another time. Thanks.

Yes, Ruth, I do use soda crackers. It's really so easy. Oysters, crackers, butter, salt, pepper, and half & half. When I was growing up and my mother made it, I thought the oysters were "gross," but I loved the cracker filling. Of course, now I appreciate the whole dish.

I am going to my daughter's in-laws for Thanksgiving this year. My husband is overseas serving in Quatar at present and won't be home for Thanksgiving, so my son, my mother-in-law, and I will head out to my daughter's new family for the big meal. It's going to be a little different, since they are serving either beef or pork tenderloin (can't remember which she said) and fish as the meat dishes instead of turkey. But, I'm open to new ideas, so I can live without the turkey. I am taking scalloped oysters (my daughter insists on this traditional item from my holiday dinners growing up and hers growing up), corn pudding (another staple, probably more Southern), and pecan pie. I usually make and take the pumpkin pies, but the hostess requested pecan because her husband doesn't like pumpkin. Of course, he hasn't had my pumpkin pie. Ha, ha. I'll probably take a bottle of wine, too. My mother-in-law is taking her broccoli salad. I'm not sure what else will be on the table.

Christmas will be more traditional with the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, etc. I still have to make scalloped oysters. Even if you don't like oysters, the cracker filling is delicious.

Sandy, I went with a couple of friends last night to see Changeling. I agree that it was a very well-made film and Jolie was superb. It was, however, definitely not for the faint-hearted. It was, to say the least, a very powerful story and movie.

Sherry, I have been thinking about the Kindle and have learned so much about it from this discussion. I am still balking at the price at present, but I might overcome that objection by Christmas.

I, too, was saddened by the death of Michael Crichton. I thought he was an excellent writer, able to spin a story that flowed smoothly. I especially enjoyed Timeline, and I only wish that the movie had done justice to the novel. This fine author will be missed.

Hello all. I'm Kathy R. from Kentucky. I have taught English and writing (working as a writing portfolio coach), and a couple of years ago finished my Masters to become a librarian. I am currently a substitute teacher, some long-term subs in English as well as the occasional fill-in. I would love to find a position as a high school librarian, or library media specialist (guess I should use the current terminology), but those positions are very scarce around my area. If I could find my absolute dream job, it would, of course, be to have someone pay me to read all day. As it is a dream job, the reading choices would be entirely up to me. I am a compulsive buyer of books. Apparently, I must have run out of books to read in a previous life. Ha, ha. I think the only rooms in my house without books are the bathrooms. Hmmm, I must rectify that situation today.