Just finished reading ..."Seriously, I'm kidding"

This is the third Ellen DeGeneres book; I haven't read the first two yet. I was a big fan of her TV sitcom - and not just because of the setting - and was disappointed that it was cancelled. But that was back in the days when I still watched TV.

I did enjoy this book very much. The humor was gentle and witty. But in comparison with some of my other favorite humor authors (eg PJ O'Rourke and the late Erma Bombeck) , it was a light read in more than one sense.

What was particularly interesting was the physical interaction with this book. I'd bought it as a present for one of my daughters (at her request), and borrowed it from her after she'd finished it. Interestingly, it was handed over with a set of verbal instructions that included not to open the pages too wide, as that wrinkled the cover down along the spine. Which in fact is true; I experimented with a new book in a store that shall remain nameless. I'd never considered this aspect of borrowing from a professional librarian perspective.

Which is in itself interesting; the former Warrior Librarian proofreader pointed out a few recent 'typos' and asked what kind of librarian did I think I was? So I shared with her my current worksite manager's perspective. I am apparently not a librarian at all, I am a teacher. Which is why I must close the library at recesses and go supervise the girls' toilets. Geez, and there I was putting all that effort into getting my library qualifications and everything ...

Have I digressed? Or am I marching firmly down the middle of the concourse?

Foolish Beliefs

Is "Warhorse" an 80 year belated film tie-in?

The movie Warhorse may not be for everyone. For some, there will be not enough blood and guts on the battle field; for others, there may be too many tear-jerking moments. For me, this was a hugely spooky experience; the plot had so many parallels with one of my most precious of my childhood reads, My Horse Warrior.

As an aside, I remember the flaming I got for belittling the prose style of some of the writings of the Horse Story genre in modern Children's Literature. I was told (amongst many other things) I didn't understand the bond between adolescent girls and horses. Pfft! This is the person who nearly dropped out of university because I completed a Diploma of Riding Instruction before I finished my science degree. I wanted to be a riding instructor more than a geologist. Long story. I ended up doing a few years of both, together with some other stuff that isn't related in any way to Librarianship.

Anyways, I still have my first edition My Friend Flicker. And also my beloved book My Horse Warrior; written by Lord Mottistone (General Jack Seely) and published in London in 1938 by Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. Illustrations by Mr A.J. Munnings, R.A. Sadly, I don't have the first edition (yet), but a 1938 reprint.

Those of you who have seen the movie will note the similarities to the scanned images above. Even the countryside in the sketch above is almost identical to the locales used in the movie. The sample page from the forward pretty well sets the scene for much of the book.

My copy is a little water stained on the spine, which shouldn't worry anyone but me because it isn't for sale. Enjoy the movie if you haven't already seen it. I'm going back for a second look - but more particularly at the credits.

The Craft Room Makeover ...

... is 95% finished. Just some fine tuning to go, like finding somewhere to put the clock - without which, time starts to lose meaning in this room. But in a good way. Total cost of shelving approx AUD$300.

The Craft Room

Yep, you have to click on the image to be able to read the whole thing. I'm not saying that everyone is going to find it worthwhile, but indulge me. I'm experimenting here. Enjoy!