July 31, 2007

• Books, Tea Party and Photos (LE)

  Halie, Eden and I have read or are reading the Harry Potter books.  When they were with us this past week, (arrived late tuesday night and left Saturday morning) the first thing we did, when we headed out for the day, was buy a scholastic hardback copy of “The Deathly Hallows”, final book #7 of the series.  In the four days they were here, someone was reading or thinking of reading in the book closing it at night with 3 markers in it.  The $18.00 was well spent for this third copy, and cheap entertainment as it entertained 3 readers over the four days.  I had another copy on hand but as it is the special edition I didn’t want it all fingered up and my Library edition I had ordered didn’t make it here from Amazon.com until yesterday, the 30th. Wouldn’t you know, they sent me a scholastic copy, not the library binding I had ordered,   SLOPPY MISTAKE.  Having to return things is such a nuisance but it will go back to them in the morning and I’ll wait, again, for my library binding copy. 

  I have, however, finished reading Book 7.  I won’t say more than it was exciting.  I did feel some disappointment in the two final chapters as they were, to me, very anticlimactic.  No matter what I think; the book sold millions, lots of kids are better readers, the fanatically devout have added it to their banned book lists long ago and in spite of who thinks what, JKRowling is, after the fact, one of the wealthiest women in the world through her use of her tremendous imagination I wish I had a portion of.  ”The Deathly Hallows” sold more copies in a single day than any other book in the history of book selling.  So, who am I to criticize?  I can barely write a decent blog entry.

  I am so glad
  I have survived
  the pitfalls / addictions of “the computerized world”.
  I am reading again.

  My family left early Saturday morning after making plans for John and I to visit them over the Christmas holidays.  I look forward to it.  A friend has suggested some other exciting reading, ”Lord Foul’s Bane (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 1)” by Stephen R. Donaldson and ”Northern Lights” by Phillip Pullman.  I will carry at least one of them to cover the drive.  I first have to catch up on some other reading on my list.

   

  We did a lot of photo taking while Halie was here.  We visited Reading, Ohio, the little city I grew up in (I have displayed photos from the area before).  We reminisced in a few spots with a bit of food, drove familiar streets that are not quite as familiar as they used to be and drove past my school (kindergarten through high school) and some of the parks where festivals were held and some of the best fireworks displays were set. 

  My old neighborhood has aged.  It has its cracks and missing parts and is in great need of a face lift.  I have no idea if any of the residents have familiar surnames.

  

  This is the house I was raised in.  It was a good spot.  I have lots of memories, some sad but I was glad to go back to take photos that have brought back many good ones.  The corner by the stop sign was my spot to sit while the sun came up.  I was the only one out and the only one feeling its warmth creeping in the early morning hours.  I loved early mornings and sat there every morning in the summer.   The grass in the right front is where I would lie on my back and study clouds for animal formations and pick clover to weave into crowns to wear.  The little stoop on the left side was a spot to play and mom had Iris growing at the bottom of the steps.  Old fashioned Roses grew on a fence at its side and there was a large box elder tree with honey suckle circling it.  It was a perfect spot to play.    Lots of nice shade was lost when that tree was cut.  The windows face West and the sun comes in hot.  The view of sunsets is magnificent.

  

  Looking down the street to the right of the house, half way down is where the broken glass sliced my foot.  It’s hard to think of a broken bottle then.  There was money in collected bottles.  Broken ones were worthless as there was no recycle.  People didn’t have yard sales, just threw what they didn’t want anymore into the trash if no one else wanted it. 

  

  At the very bottom of the hill, in the park I played in, stands this tree.  Many a plaster mold was poured at tables sitting under it.  The park supervision, the paints and materials were provided by the city but on thinking about it I believe mom may have paid a small fee.  It would have amounted to very inexpensive child sitting.

  

  This is the park today plus some bare ground behind where I am standing taking the photos.  The pool I played in was foreground of the shade.  I don’t recall any branches shading the pool.  The water was cold enough without it.  The swing set that nearly killed me is no longer in the park, gone the same way as the pool.

  Halie gave me a gift certificate for Mother’s Day to Miss Annabelle’s Tea Parlor and Gift Shoppe!  for a Tea Party.  While she was visiting, we made the reservation and so enjoyed the tea party together including husbands and grand daughter.  My tea choice for the event was ”Buckingham Palace Garden Party” and it was very nice, quite royal in taste.  

  Each of our teas was served in cute little pots and cups and we had a large assortment of goodies from scones to cookies to finger sandwiches to chocolate covered strawberries. 

   

  I am not photogenic like the rest of my family but for what it’s worth a collage of me.  It’s doubtful I will ever display one again.

  

  I’m sorry to say, they do look like me.  I reserve the right to hate the darn things.  All of the shots were taken during discussion and eating at our very special “Mother’s Day tea party in July”.  It was a nice time.  The tea was very special and the scones were the best I have eaten and the chicken salad which I usually don’t like was very good.  I would like to have the recipe.  Thank you Halie for such a nice present.  I loved it.

  There are times I am so ashamed of myself. 
   NEVER FORGET, http://www.xanga.com/USA_troops_aide .

  Enough, Be well everyone. 

  Becca

   

  • 9:16 pm
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