tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47730318674695131932024-03-13T05:49:17.799-07:00BAKING LIKE A TOASTED CHEESERSay Cheese!Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-47339788649861533922015-02-25T11:37:00.000-08:002015-02-25T11:37:30.613-08:00100 InchesThe post title refers to the amount of snow that has fallen in the past month in Boston, but if/when Ryan checks our blog, "100 inches" might make him giggle. (Reader, please note that I am holding my thumb and index finger approximately two inches apart in our family's trademark "six inches" gesture. We are a classy, classy group.)<br />
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Nobody likes a whiner, so it is for the best that I haven't posted since blizzards started pelting Boston with snow and the entire city fell apart. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/opinion/bostons-winter-from-hell.html?_r=0" target="_blank">This article</a> captures the Armageddon-like atmosphere here over much of the past month. The good news is that each day is a step closer to spring, a season that I will treasure in 2015. (Okay, I will probably will not officially start "treasuring" spring until the threat of flooding passes and the mucky mud season wraps up.)<br />
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Last night, one of my all-time favorite shows ended. "Parks and Recreation" was a funny and sweet sitcom with delightful characters. I was sad to see "Parks and Rec" end, but I have decided to take the opportunity to tie a photo of one of the world's most celebrated carnivores, Ron Swanson, to an announcement. Like "Parks and Recreation," my three-year stint as a vegetarian is coming to an end. <br />
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-84916041226176287062015-01-29T14:40:00.001-08:002015-01-29T14:40:17.969-08:00Are you pulling my dick, bro?!The above blog title is one of the best lines from the TV show, 'Always Sunny in Philadelphia'. Danny DeVito delivered that line a few seasons back and cracked me up. OK - time to blog:<br />
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A while back I saw this BS clip about Sam Smith ripping off Tom Petty and brushed it up as nonsense. <br />
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Due to being out of town, I'm just catching up on B.Wills dominating the National News, and come to find out Sam Smith is paying Tom Petty for writing credit for this ridiculousness. Wow, really shocked and quasi heated. <br />
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<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-523576126784503752015-01-04T18:33:00.003-08:002015-01-05T05:46:04.332-08:00Holiday Wrap UpHoly smokes. Baby Bro has posted to the blog four times since I was last on here. It is a holiday miracle! Hopefully he will keep it up in 2015, as I find his posts entertaining and I am missing any solid gold material he is generating on Facebook.<br />
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When last I posted, the most wonderful time of the year was still ahead of me. Now it is over and DANG. January through March are such garbage months. My dad just called to tell me that it is going to be very windy and cold tomorrow and to make sure to pack my warm weather accessories. (He should know that as his daughter, I am usually well prepared for the cold weather. He used to always make us pack a hat and mittens when we visited people in the winter in case the car broke down.) So I am back to reality tomorrow with a five-day work work week and most likely a long and frigid wait for the bus. But first I will post a few highlight shots from Christmas, which was truly fantastic in 2014.<br />
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USteve hosted a lovely holiday dinner on December 22. He provided a delicious vegetarian feast that catered specifically to me and thus was a dream come true. USteve's edit of a family-famous book title provided some of the biggest laughs of 2014. Since USteve, Jeff, and Christine did not spend Christmas in Maine, I am very grateful to USteve for hosting such a fun gathering and giving us all the opportunity to be together around the holidays.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan sporting some new ornaments for his and Christine's tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum, Jeff, and the host extraordinaire, USteve</td></tr>
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Ryan and I spent Christmas at my parents' house this year and they also did a killer hosting job. Nineteen family members gathered at their home on Christmas day. My parents deserve a ginormous thank you for opening up their home and bringing the family together on Christmas. I had a blast seeing everyone on my favorite day of the year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cousins Sarah, Nicole & Lynn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad, Nana & Uncle Bri</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pman/Uncle Pat & Aunt Norleen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum, Gretchen & Norleen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two more cousins, who I will not name as I am not sure that it is kosher to post photos of kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad is one of six brothers and the next generation includes six male cousins</td></tr>
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You can see Ryan sporting his Christmas 2014 jammies in the photo above. Here are a couple shots from the PJ photo shoot that night:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad, Mum, me & Ryan, featuring Sophie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGfORrFEi5U/VKnuAnWSS2I/AAAAAAAAA2E/61lkr5hqirc/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGfORrFEi5U/VKnuAnWSS2I/AAAAAAAAA2E/61lkr5hqirc/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad, Mum, me, Zach & Ryan, featuring Boots & Neville</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1enUueQN1PA/VKnt3_LWGqI/AAAAAAAAA00/daHOsY24LxQ/s1600/IMG_6821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1enUueQN1PA/VKnt3_LWGqI/AAAAAAAAA00/daHOsY24LxQ/s1600/IMG_6821.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional Mike & Frank shot - Take 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take 2</td></tr>
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Coming back from Christmas in Maine would have been a big disappointment if I hadn't had the pleasure of Mum's company for a night and a quick 3-day work week to return to. I am in the final hours of my second consecutive long weekend and although the New Year weekend could not compete with Christmas (because really, what can?), it was still a nice break. My friends the Michaleks invited me over for a tasty and fun New Year's Day lunch and yesterday I finally caught the third Hunger Games movie with Ryan and Christine after being stomped by both of them in Boggle. Ryan actually announced, "Come on! You're embarrassing me!" during one round. It is my plight in life to be routinely crushed in Boggle competitions. Jeff has mopped the floor with me many times.<br />
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It is just about time to hit the sack if I am going to face an alarm clock tomorrow morning. I can never fall asleep at a decent hour on Sunday nights, so I will probably crank through a few episodes of "Parks and Rec" for the seventeenth time before nodding off. I know this is the time of year to make resolutions, but I am going to take a step back to November and say that I am so very very thankful for my wonderful family and friends. God bless us, everyone.Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-61338356338363088052015-01-02T13:41:00.000-08:002015-01-04T17:40:54.580-08:00Steve JobsNever knew Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple, was such a dbag. I watched the movie, 'Jobs' last night on Netflix. Ashton Kutcher displayed some solid acting as Steve Jobs, all the way down to his walk. I will be reading the book in February once I get through 2 books I have in my queue. If you have Netflix, check the movie out on Netflix Instant.<br />
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<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-46892065163899526052014-12-31T09:32:00.003-08:002015-01-04T17:40:42.843-08:00Mad Men = ehhhhhhhhhhStarted watching the TV show, 'Mad Men' this week. I'm 7 episodes into Season 1 and I still can't get over the amount of smoking, drinking, drinking and driving, etc in the show. I've been Googling how realistic this show is for the 60s and a lot of folks say they downplayed it a bit.<br />
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Right now I would give the show 6 out of 10, but I am going to finish Season 1 and see if it moves up to an 8, which would make me continue on to Season 2.<br />
<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-13353786282735301482014-12-23T12:37:00.002-08:002015-01-04T17:40:42.839-08:00EntourageThe new Entourage movie trailer is out and it reminds me how much of my life post college was dedicated to this show. I've seen every episode from Seasons 1 through 5 at least 3 times each. Great show that died out a bit on the last 2 seasons. Hopefully they can start fresh with this movie. Click on the link below to check it out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz2HyCgUWh4&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Official Entourage Movie Trailer</a><br />
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Can't wait to catch this movie in 2015!<br />
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<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-29951309327333645432014-12-15T08:31:00.003-08:002014-12-15T08:31:37.756-08:00Gingerbread House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This masterpiece was 100% my idea and handiwork. Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-8336649873994694182014-12-15T08:18:00.001-08:002014-12-15T08:18:51.220-08:0069 Gingerbread LaneThis past Saturday, the four Bergie/Flem cousins (plus significant others) got together for our annual holiday dinner. I have always treasured the opportunity to spend time with Ryan, Kyle, and Molly, and the addition of Eric and now Christine has only made the group more fun. Kyle had the great idea to bring a gingerbread house kit, so here are a few photos of the assembly and decoration of that house:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will note that Eric and Christine are patiently and carefully assembling the house while the four Donovan descendants are nowhere to be seen. (Okay, there is a twenty-year-old photo of the four of us looking down at them from the wall.) We were mostly scarfing down the candies that were meant for decorating the house and giggling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly murdered a gingerbread person. In cold blood.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cousins. We weren't very helpful when it came to constructing the house, but we know a photo opportunity when we see one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the house. The activities on the front lawn got too weird to post.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These reindeer cupcakes have nothing to do with the gingerbread house, but they are a personal baking triumph.</td></tr>
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-68052640329588320832014-12-01T06:47:00.003-08:002014-12-01T06:48:08.319-08:00Photo FailI had a very nice Thanksgiving and holiday weekend up in Maine with my family. My parents did a great job hosting and I had the chance to visit with a lot of family members while I was in the Pine Tree State. (Thanks for taking the time to hang out, Nana Flem, Uncle Pat, Aunt Norleen, Daniel, Isiah, Zach, Nicole, Dan, and of course Mum, Dad, Ryan, and Christine!) Unfortunately I totally blew it on the photo front. I left my camera at home and only remembered to take out my mum's camera on Saturday when we had lunch at Central Maine's finest dining establishment, <a href="http://www.big-g-s-deli.com/" target="_blank">Big G's</a>. <br />
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I do have photos of a couple of the weekend's biggest accomplishments-- my parents' Christmas tree and my Christmas tree. We put my parents' tree up on Saturday while watching <i>Home Alone</i> and I put my tree up yesterday while watching <i>Elf </i>and <i>Christmas Vacation</i> (the process takes longer when it is a one-woman job.) Here are the finished products:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7naPZNzFHzs/VHx-a9CPpFI/AAAAAAAAAwA/rjavMZ800DI/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7naPZNzFHzs/VHx-a9CPpFI/AAAAAAAAAwA/rjavMZ800DI/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" height="400" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents' 2014 Christmas tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUC_LvXfu2M/VHx-axFwE9I/AAAAAAAAAwE/tYa8ejpjZnI/s1600/IMG_6726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUC_LvXfu2M/VHx-axFwE9I/AAAAAAAAAwE/tYa8ejpjZnI/s1600/IMG_6726.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2014 Christmas tree</td></tr>
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Ryan and Christine picked out their tree last night, so I am looking forward to seeing it up and decorated with the ornaments and decorations Nana and Mum shared with them this past weekend. I have a few to contribute as well. (When you only have a 5.5' tall tree, ornament real estate is scarce.)<br />
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Happy December!Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-73278074536713142482014-11-25T08:32:00.003-08:002014-11-25T08:33:00.001-08:00The Last Five (or Six)I have been doing a weak job posting to the blog lately, so in an effort to get some new content up, I am defaulting to more book reviews. Since last I posted about my reading list, I have finished five books. I am nearly done a sixth and as long as the ending is not a big letdown, <i>Ordinary Grace</i> by William Kent Krueger is my favorite of all the books in this post.*<br />
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<b><i>Mandy </i>by Julie Andrews Edwards</b><br />
As has been documented on this blog, I am a serious Julie Andrews fan. Her children's book <i>Mandy</i> reminded me of <i>The Secret Garden</i>, which I loved as a child. I enjoyed <i>Mandy</i>, but probably would have enjoyed it more had I read it 25 years ago. <b><br /></b><br />
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<b><i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</i> by Ken Kesey</b><br />
I really liked the Jack Nicholson movie based on this book, so when I saw the novel on clearance, I picked it up. The character of McMurphy is original and entertaining and the plot is compelling. The book is narrated by the Chief, so it spends more time floating around his brain than the movie does. I found the sections of the book that delved into the Chief's psyche less interesting, but overall <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</i> was worth reading.<br />
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<b><i>Someone Else's Love Story</i> by Joshilyn Jackson</b><br />
One of my coworkers recommended this book and lent it to me. I have never read a Danielle Steel book, but <i>Someone Else's Love Story</i> was like I imagine those books to be. It is a romance novel with a main character named Shandi who calls her mother "Mimmy," so I could never be fully on board. On the plus side, it was a quick read and reasonably entertaining. (Although I thought the conclusion was lame.)<br />
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<b><i>An Uncommon Education</i> by Elizabeth Percer</b><br />
I bought this book because the author is a graduate of Wellesley College and part of the book takes place at Wellesley. Unfortunately the setting was not enough to win me over. Aside from noting several familiar on-campus locations, I did not recognize the main character's Wellesley, where most students were cold and/or competitive. The plot of <i>An Uncommon Education</i> never grabbed me and the characters were not memorable enough to salvage the book for me. <br />
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<b><i>The Alchemist</i> by Paulo Coelho</b><br />
Apparently <i>The Alchemist</i> is a widely-read and beloved book. One of the reviews on the jacket likened it to <i>The Little Prince</i>, which is a favorite of mine. <i>The Alchemist</i> not only failed to live up to the high standard set by <i>The Little Prince</i>, but actively ticked me off while I was reading it. Goofy self-help philosophies (I'm talking about you, Oprah's <i>The Secret</i>) offend me and the "personal legend" philosophy laid out in <i>The Alchemist</i> really offended me. I felt that this book was neither entertaining nor deep. The characters Santiago encounters during his journey were forgettable, unlike the characters in <i>The Little Prince</i>. I was expecting Santiago's treasure to be revealed as love or family, which would have been predictable and hokey, but even worse was that the treasure was. . . treasure. His "personal legend"/purpose in life was getting his hands on a bunch of dough. I strongly disliked this book. <br />
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*I finished <i>Ordinary Grace</i> this morning (a day after starting this post) and I stand by my recommendation. The story is told from the point of view of an adult looking back on a very dramatic summer when he was 13 years old. In that way, it reminded me of <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, one of my all-time-favorite books. The narrator Frank's pastor father Nathan had a bit of an Atticus Finch vibe, which is probably the highest compliment a fictional father can receive. By the end of the book I was very attached to Frank, his little brother Jake, their father, their family friend Gus, and a number of other members of their community. I tend to value character development over plot, so appreciating so many of the characters that William Kent Krueger created pretty much guaranteed my love of this book, but the plot was compelling as well. (And made me cry on the T more than once.) I would usually avoid a book that was described by author Dennis Lehane as "a pitch-perfect, wonderfully evocative examination of violent loss." I am glad I didn't skip this one. <br />
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-51772444905563117452014-11-17T08:39:00.001-08:002014-11-17T08:39:50.253-08:00The Big Nine-Oh<div style="text-align: justify;">
Grampa Donovan's 90th birthday was this past Saturday, so our family gathered to celebrate his special day as well as my grandparents' upcoming 65th wedding anniversary. I am extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to travel to and attend the celebration. My mother's cousin RJ delayed his return flight to Tanzania just to be there. Her cousin Bob and his wife Sarah woke up at 2am to fly up from Florida. Happy tears had already been shed that day, but my mum lost it when Bob and Sarah surprised everyone by walking into the party. The ten cousins of my mum's generation had not all been together in a long time, so it was a nice reunion. I wish I had taken more pictures, but there were so many people to visit and the day went by in a flash. The photos are limited, but it was a fun celebration and I was pleased to see both of my grandparents so happy. (Grampa was especially delighted to see his sister Lillian and his sister-in-law Anna). Here are a few shots from the party:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oHV-SVjBWE/VGoeyNHw2VI/AAAAAAAAAvI/8QTJv8CpNj8/s1600/Donovans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oHV-SVjBWE/VGoeyNHw2VI/AAAAAAAAAvI/8QTJv8CpNj8/s1600/Donovans.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana & Grampa with their four children</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuewl-3f3oY/VGoexcg9CWI/AAAAAAAAAu8/Y2a80JdCZh8/s1600/Donovans%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuewl-3f3oY/VGoexcg9CWI/AAAAAAAAAu8/Y2a80JdCZh8/s1600/Donovans%2B3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana and Grampa with the Belchertown Donovans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCUwi8PavGk/VGoeyGOkUcI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/iwNhNdTa32k/s1600/Duquettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCUwi8PavGk/VGoeyGOkUcI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/iwNhNdTa32k/s1600/Duquettes.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana & Grampa with the Duquettes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya0m-UujRHQ/VGoeyjgf3eI/AAAAAAAAAvU/e9_dd6YVfm8/s1600/Grandkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya0m-UujRHQ/VGoeyjgf3eI/AAAAAAAAAvU/e9_dd6YVfm8/s1600/Grandkids.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana & Grampa with six of their grandchildren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5nv3xK4JeM/VGoexWzCEkI/AAAAAAAAAvA/LiMryjTKe_I/s1600/Cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5nv3xK4JeM/VGoexWzCEkI/AAAAAAAAAvA/LiMryjTKe_I/s1600/Cousins.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ten Donovan/Duquette cousins together for the first time in years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdWYIUHRs7c/VGoexdnOwUI/AAAAAAAAAu4/l2Ov0269DxU/s1600/001%2Bcollage%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdWYIUHRs7c/VGoexdnOwUI/AAAAAAAAAu4/l2Ov0269DxU/s1600/001%2Bcollage%2B(1).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grampa as Up's Carl Frederickson</td></tr>
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-44591992342275399142014-11-13T12:04:00.002-08:002014-11-13T12:04:59.019-08:00Two WeeksThanksgiving is two weeks from today and my family has locked down our plan for 2014: We will be celebrating at my parents' house again this year. As the Queen of Nostalgia, I am quick to remark that the holiday may never again be as amazing as it was for the majority of my first 26 fourth Thursdays in November when my dad's entire family gathered to celebrate at my great-grandparents'/grandmother's home. Having EVERYONE together in Turner was wonderful and I am grateful for the amazing memories. Our current tradition is to celebrate at my parents' house or my Uncle Pat and Aunt Norleen's house. Even though the group is smaller, we still have fun playing games-- and turning nonsense into games.<br />
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Here are some highlights from last Thanksgiving:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXDTJPCaG8Q/VGUKk_EDBqI/AAAAAAAAAt8/LC9sZouMuic/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXDTJPCaG8Q/VGUKk_EDBqI/AAAAAAAAAt8/LC9sZouMuic/s400/table.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner for Ten</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff0V0jLWklQ/VGUKlRqNrbI/AAAAAAAAAuE/HLpBFBkG8y0/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff0V0jLWklQ/VGUKlRqNrbI/AAAAAAAAAuE/HLpBFBkG8y0/s400/turkey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought my parents this roasting pan because I am the BEST vegetarian daughter ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kg9ZfPRmq8/VGUKj_wId6I/AAAAAAAAAt4/uWWdUpb_Q9U/s1600/gals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kg9ZfPRmq8/VGUKj_wId6I/AAAAAAAAAt4/uWWdUpb_Q9U/s400/gals.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies post-dinner. Chef Trish has already changed into sweats. Let the party begin.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KfazIawcUA/VGUKjsq0tRI/AAAAAAAAAtc/_tCqLA5DRWo/s1600/flex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KfazIawcUA/VGUKjsq0tRI/AAAAAAAAAtc/_tCqLA5DRWo/s400/flex.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the flexibility challenges begin.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zbod4Vs9kM/VGUKjOyFK7I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4zCXsPioS94/s1600/chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zbod4Vs9kM/VGUKjOyFK7I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4zCXsPioS94/s400/chair.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the flexibility challenges continue. (I can't overstate how much mileage we got out of this chair activity. The house was completely filled with laughter.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PUN1MPTrKE/VGUKkNUXVKI/AAAAAAAAAto/VuIxFpy0AQI/s1600/nana%2Band%2Bsons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PUN1MPTrKE/VGUKkNUXVKI/AAAAAAAAAto/VuIxFpy0AQI/s400/nana%2Band%2Bsons.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo of Uncle Pat, Nana, and Dad cracks me up. (It cracked Nana up too.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nR6QZHC17M/VGUKjOpp8wI/AAAAAAAAAtU/mrkVy0Kml2k/s1600/boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nR6QZHC17M/VGUKjOpp8wI/AAAAAAAAAtU/mrkVy0Kml2k/s400/boys.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The annual dude cousin shot. They get weirder every year.*</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLiyFegqyT4/VGUKjPiIMDI/AAAAAAAAAtY/QLQGH90wMS0/s1600/cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLiyFegqyT4/VGUKjPiIMDI/AAAAAAAAAtY/QLQGH90wMS0/s400/cousins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvyxrNPqt4k/VGUKl7QEupI/AAAAAAAAAuY/kN7Qe4QcBUc/s1600/pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvyxrNPqt4k/VGUKl7QEupI/AAAAAAAAAuY/kN7Qe4QcBUc/s400/pyramid.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any family that doesn't end Thanksgiving with a human pyramid is celebrating wrong.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_MpmZFtZO8/VGUOjywvCVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/1VzSn84VlaM/s1600/2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_MpmZFtZO8/VGUOjywvCVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/1VzSn84VlaM/s400/2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Another classic Thanksgiving bro/cuz shot. Ryan's creepy 'stache stole the show in 2012.</td></tr>
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-78403522997683533982014-11-10T07:53:00.002-08:002014-11-13T11:36:23.370-08:00Death Comes to PBSToday I came across <a href="http://www.avclub.com/article/we-all-feel-sad-big-bird-when-sesame-street-confro-210997" target="_blank">an article about the "Farewell, Mr. Hooper" episode of <i>Sesame Street</i></a>. The start of the article mentions that the actor who portrayed Mr. Hooper, Will Lee, passed away on December 7, 1982. I have a clear memory of watching that episode at my grandparents' house and being upset by it. I was surprised that I could remember an episode that aired before I was three years old. Then I read that the episode aired on Thanksgiving day 1983, making me a little over three years old. (The holiday airing also explains why I remember watching the episode at my grandparents' house with my cousin David.) The comment section for the article includes memories by many people around my age who vividly remember watching "Farewell, Mr. Hooper." It is kind of amazing how many people were affected by the episode.<br />
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The article reminded me the "Butterflies" episode of <i>Today's Special</i>, another children's show that aired on PBS in the '80s. <i>Today's Special</i> took place in a department store and the cast included two humans and two puppets. The elderly night watchman, Sam Crenshaw, was the reason I refused to be called "Sam" during elementary school; I was convinced Sam was a "boys' name." <a href="http://todays-special.schuminweb.com/todays-special/episode-guide/1984/butterflies.php" target="_blank">The plot of "Butterflies" is outlined on this page</a>. Muffy the mouse befriends a monarch butterfly named Hazel. I went into a full meltdown when Hazel died near the end of the episode. I still feel queasy when I think about the song Muffy sang at Hazel's funeral. "Butterflies" aired in 1984, so not long after "Farewell, Mr. Hooper." I wish I could state that after three decades I am better equipped to handle death (at the very least on TV), but if I were to rewatch these episodes today, I would be a mess. It is probably a good thing that I can't find a clip of Muffy singing "We Love You Hazel," as I would be openly weeping in my office if I were to hear it.Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-25807173707148079262014-10-31T05:21:00.002-07:002014-10-31T05:27:25.384-07:00Trick or Treat!My roommates adore dressing up for Halloween. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imTD7jT_ya8/VE_31MY-qzI/AAAAAAAAAtA/9ON7HpHf3JA/s1600/Costumes.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imTD7jT_ya8/VE_31MY-qzI/AAAAAAAAAtA/9ON7HpHf3JA/s320/Costumes.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a>Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-20063508280426725322014-10-30T06:11:00.000-07:002014-10-30T08:51:15.413-07:00Anne + Gilbert 4Ever<a href="http://www.jessicazaisblog.com/weddings/anne-of-green-gables-wedding-inspiration-photos/" target="_blank">This blog post</a> from a Canadian wedding photographer who staged an <i>Anne of Green Gables</i> wedding shoot is phenomenal. I LOVED Anne Shirley, both in L.M. Montgomery's books and Kevin Sullivan's movies. These photographs make me want to go home, reread my <i>Anne </i>books, rewatch my <i>Anne </i>movies, and book a trip to Prince Edward Island.Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-88684512009146123652014-10-28T07:31:00.002-07:002014-10-28T07:34:42.439-07:00Halloween Flicks<br />
Since I am too much of a scaredy cat to have ever enjoyed horror movies, my go-to Halloween entertainment is of a tamer variety. I have watched three of the following four movies in the last few weeks. One more to go by Friday.<br />
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Real Talk: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is not that great. Blasphemy, I know. I watch it every October and am reminded annually that this is far inferior to "A Charlie Brown Christmas." A good chunk of this special is devoted to Snoopy's imagined World War I flying ace adventures and I have been rendered bored during those parts since I was a toddler. But I am nothing if not a slave to tradition, so I will continue to watch Linus get boned by The Great Pumpkin each autumn.<br />
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E.T. was the first movie I saw in the cinema and it holds a special place in my heart. It was also the first VHS movie we owned. I have long questioned the sanity of Elliott's mother as she is easily tricked into believing a squat alien with giant feet is Drew Barrymore dressed as a ghost for Halloween. Lay off the sauce, Elliott's mom! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, "Gertie"/E.T., and Elliott heading out for tricks and treats.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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E.T. is the movie on the list that I haven't watched yet this month. Looks like I have plans on Halloween after all.<br />
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Ryan and I went through a phase in the late '80s during which we watched Beetlejuice A LOT. Our mum recorded it for us and we probably wore out the tape watching the two Harry Belafonte dance sequences over and over. I had not watched this movie in its entirety in easily over a decade until I caught it on TV this past weekend. I had forgotten that Ryan used to do impressions of Michael Keaton's titular character. This was around the time that he was also honing his Pee Wee Herman impersonation. Weird times at 8 Victor.<br />
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I saw The Addams Family at the movie theater with a group of friends in sixth grade. I think it was the first movie I ever saw at the cinema without an adult chaperone. When this flick came out on video, we bought the VHS as McDonald's. Buying a movie and dining at McDonald's were life events back then, so I remember that night well. My current Addams-Family-related life goal is to adopt a female black cat and name her Wednesday. Too bad I'm at maximum feline capacity or that dream would become a reality by All Hallows' Eve.<br />
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<a href="http://www.jibjab.com/view/JFp5i1gulo61rkHYOVHA?utm_source=StrongMail&utm_medium=email_share&utm_term=email&utm_content=Fri,17Oct201413:26:18-0700&utm_campaign=tx_jj_email_ecards_default_recipient_notification" target="_blank">Happy Halloween</a>!Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-23804045402592291432014-10-27T10:39:00.001-07:002014-10-28T06:49:37.153-07:00Weekend Movie Viewing"The Fault in Our Stars" = 3 out of 5 stars<br />
"Neighbors" = 4 out of 5 starsRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-8555514264889379412014-10-24T07:33:00.004-07:002014-10-24T07:35:05.210-07:00Baby RhinoOne of our uncles used to call Ryan "Baby Rhino" so it appropriate that this video of a baby rhino trying to prance like a lamb has amused us both today.<br />
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I have watched and giggled at the video multiple times this morning. When I sent it to Ryan, I got the following response:<br />
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"Oh God, I haven't LOL'd that much at an animal video since 1995's Babe the pig fell off the stoop."<br />
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Remembering 13-year-old Ryan dying laughing at the little pig falling off a ramp in the trailer for "Babe" made me laugh. So this one is for you, Bro:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yuzXPzgBDvo" width="560"></iframe>Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-34855112555032613452014-10-15T09:20:00.001-07:002014-10-15T09:22:24.286-07:00I'm freaking out, man!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08655423799525219573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-58920536820356060672014-10-09T11:21:00.002-07:002014-10-09T11:22:19.565-07:00To Do ListThis weekend: <a href="http://www.lakesideorchards.com/index1.html" target="_blank">The Apple Farm in Fairfield, Maine</a><br />
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Next weekend: <a href="http://www.allandalefarm.com/home.html" target="_blank">Allandale Farm in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts</a><br />
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Growing up, Mum used to take Ryan and me to The Apple Farm every fall to choose pumpkins. Back then, we could buy apples and carrots to feed to horses on the property. Those horses no longer reside on The Apple Farm (or probably on this plane of existence), but I still love going there with my mother each autumn. Mum and I will be carving jack-o-lanterns in a matter of days. "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" will be viewed. Pumpkin cookies and apple cider will be consumed in large quantities. Fall truly is the best time of year. <br />
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-81554783805206770622014-10-08T07:27:00.002-07:002014-10-08T07:28:13.320-07:00A Favorite, RemadeThis morning I came a across a new video of one of my favorite songs, "God Only Knows." I do not recognize half of the people in this rendition and it cannot begin to compete with the Beach Boys' original song, but I still found it interesting. <br />
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<br />Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-81176763484582162102014-10-07T07:37:00.000-07:002014-10-07T07:38:47.817-07:00I'm So Scared Right NowEven though it freaked me out, I watched The NeverEnding Story frequently in the '80s. Dum's "On & On" music video might be the source of a new wave of nightmares for me. Thirty years after the movie was released, and with the addition of superimposed creepy faces, Artax still bites it in the Swamps of Sadness. I didn't realize when I was a kid that the horse was succumbing to depression. That is dark, but then SO IS THE NOTHING.<br />
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There are two positive things that I took away from my repeated viewings of The NeverEnding Story. One is that even though I am a full-fledged cat lady, I would still like a puppy that resembles the Luck Dragon Falcor. The second is that my family and I somehow find ways to insert the phrase, "It's my scientific speciality" into conversations.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WYEBuF-0vlU" width="560"></iframe>Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-5311974085134573522014-10-02T13:11:00.000-07:002014-10-02T13:11:21.756-07:00The Most Thrilling Headline Of All Time<div class="heading">
<a href="http://www.avclub.com/article/pizza-hut-expands-book-it-program-adults-kind-210001" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pizza Hut expands the BOOK IT! program to adults, kind of</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy schnikes-- I just got super jazzed when I came across that headline. Ryan and I ate so many delicious personal pan pizzas at the Waterville, Maine Pizza Hut thanks to the Book It program. He got pepperoni, I got hamburger, we both got root beer in red plastic cups. Dang were those good times. I had a large Book It pin on my acid washed jean jacket for several fabulous years. Reading books and eating pizza were two of my favorite things in the '80s. Spoiler alert: They remain two of my favorite things several decades later.</span></span></div>
Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-68934272104769925022014-10-02T06:46:00.001-07:002014-10-02T10:38:42.710-07:00The Last Five<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I took a month off from blogging and still I don't feel that I have anything pressing to share with you. Just to try to get back into the habit of posting, I am going to write about books again.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Since I last posted about my (always fascinating) reading list, I have finished five books. Two were loaners, two I selected on my own, and one was recommended by a friend. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Unbroken </i></b>by Laura Hillenbrand</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I bought this book as a present for Ryan a few years ago. He and our dad read and enjoyed <i>Unbroken </i>and Ryan then suggested that I read it. He loves reading about World War II and I do not, so I repeatedly declined. I am happy that Ryan finally convinced me to read this book, as the true story of Louie Zamperini was entertaining, inspiring, and almost unbelievable. He was an Olympic runner who became a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II. For a theatrical glimpse into Zamperini's life, you can view the trailer for the upcoming movie based on this book:</span></span><br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls</i></b> by Anton DiSclafani</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">USteve loaned this book to me, remarking that the story of a young woman attending a Southern boarding school during the Great Depression included some spicy material. I am sad to say that although this book was set at a women's school, it did not remind me of my Wellesley experience at all. I now realize that I did not spend enough time riding horses or seducing administrators. What a waste of four years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Kitchen House</i></b> by Kathleen Grissom</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was a good but very dark book, which is not surprising as it takes place on a plantation in Virginia and depicts the brutality of slavery. I enjoyed the characters that Grissom created, though I often felt frustrated by the lack of communication between them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake</i></b> by Anna Quindlen</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I picked this book up thinking that it might be similar to Nora Ephron's <i>I Feel Bad About My Neck</i>. Both books were written by successful and wealthy women "of a certain age", so the lives they explore are not entirely relatable to me. (More because of wealth than age.) This book lacked the humor of Ephron's work, and humor goes a long way with me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal</i></b> by Christopher Moore</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A friend told me this was one of the funniest books she had ever read. Thus I started reading <i>Lamb </i>with unreasonably high expectations and was disappointed. This humorous reimagining of Jesus's life was only okay for me. Ryan is reading my copy of <i>Wonder </i>and told me last night that I over-hyped the book so now it is a bit of a letdown. Will this vicious cycle never end?</span></span>Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773031867469513193.post-22660116865855090962014-09-08T06:39:00.002-07:002014-09-08T06:41:07.885-07:00Grandparents' Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was Grandparents' Day and fortunately I was able to chat with both of my grandmothers last night. I know how lucky I am to have my grandparents in my life at my age. Cheers to the four people who helped make my parents who they are and helped shape my life too: Nana Flem, Grampy, Nana Donovan, and Grampa Donovan. Best wishes for good times with your favorite granddaughter in the coming year!</div>
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Herselfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13627469861603450026noreply@blogger.com1