My nightstand, the area next to the nightstand, and under my bed have all become a book repository. I love to read, but I'm apparently pretty schizophrenic with my reading habits.
Occasionally I get a book and read it straight through and return it to the library or whoever loaned it to me, but more often than not I have multiple books going at once. I was curious as to what the ongoing book list looks like in black and white.
I'm actively reading:
Scarpetta, by Patricia Cornwell
A Breath of Snow and Ashes, by Diana Gabaldon (for the second time, getting ready for her next book because there are so many characters I can't remember them all)
Love and Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
I started reading, but have temporarily stopped reading:
Sensational Kids, by Lucy Jane Miller--I did get through most of it
Trinity, by Leon Uris--good grief, what was I thinking?
A History of London, by Stephen Inwood--I was all into reading about it before one of our trips and so Tara gave it to me for Christmas. I got to page xvi in the forward and became overwhelmed.
Nights of Rain and Stars, by Maeve Binchy--one of my fave authors so I don't know why it's taking me so long
I keep meaning to read (some of these are books people have loaned me and I've kept them for a rudely long time):
The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant
Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About, Kevin Trudeau
More Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About, Kevin Trudeau
London, by Edward Rutherford--Theresa loaned this to me years ago
Finn MacCool, by Morgan Llywelyn--also from Theresa
The Trouble With Boys, by Peg Tyre
Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach
Portrait of a Killer, Patricia Cornwell (I might be too scared to read that)
Parenting with Love & Logic, probably too late for that one
Between Parent and Child, ditto
On Becoming Childwise, we did Babywise and apparently I never read the sequel
Diana, by Andrew Morton (Melaney, have you been looking for it?)
How Israel Was Won, by Baylis Thomas--my dad says this will help me understand the conflict in the Middle East. . .if possible.
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause, by John R. Lee, M.D.--because it's about that time.
An Irish Country Doctor, by Patrick Taylor--yet another one I have from Theresa who is probably going to turn me in to the book police.
Mistress of the Sun, by Sandra Gulland--Eamonn got it at a silent auction and I was all like, "Hey, I can't wait to read that. . ."
The Melaleuca Wellness Guide, came free, I think, with an order, but like all things, I can't just shelve it.
Boyhood and Beyond, by Bob Schultz. Came free with a Timberdoodle order when I ordered a bunch of games to teach logic. I can't figure out any of the games to teach the boys.
Then I have a whole bag of magazines from nearly years ago that require actual reading vs. scanning, like I can do with People. No, these are magazines like Cooking Light, which I don't get anymore because I became overwhelmed by trying to keep up with them. For a year I received it, but never had time to read it. But I can't seem to get rid of them. So, I have this plan that one day I'll have a Reading Day and go through them all, cut out the recipes I want to keep and then just recycle the mags. Then my conscience will be clear.
I had thought Reading Day would be this spring. Now I'm targeting fall. And as for all of the unread books? I'm guessing 2020.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sore Loser
This weekend Declan's soccer team lost both of its games. Until then, the team had been undefeated. Suddenly I realized what the parents in Aspen, Silt and New Castle must have felt like over the past few weeks when our boys beat theirs and we sat cheering and celebrating.
The loss on Saturday was disapponting, but the score was only 2 - 1--a respectable showing, especially considering our team had to play the first quarter two men down (a family with three kids on the team was late and two other kids were sick or out of town).
It wasn't until Sunday, when we played another local team (from a much wealthier part of the valley--I'll leave it at that), that I discovered I am a sore loser. Miraculously, the score was only 5 - 2. But it seemed much worse and it also seemed like the game would never end. Thanks to some great goalie work (by our three different goalies), our team held theirs to just 5 goals. As if that wasn't bad enough.
I was supposed to be recording the game on one of the coach's cameras, but I found myself zooming in on annoying parents and giving a commentary on why I felt they were annoying (excessive cheering, coaching from the sidelines, parking their Mercedes and BMWs in more than one spot in the parking lot so I had to park in the grass). I hope I didn't miss any important plays during my fit of snide comments.
I can't believe how annoyed I was. I was even annoyed when they cheered for our team. We don't NEED your cheering (pity). I think I took the loss harder than the kids did. Frankly, our team didn't deserve to win this weekend. They were kind of lazy and they were playing really strong teams where that kind of play wasn't going to fly.
But it was a learning experience for me. I learned a lot about myself and how I need to improve my own attitude and behavior to set an example for the kids. And besides, we always kick this same town's asses in hockey so in the end, it didn't feel so bad.
The loss on Saturday was disapponting, but the score was only 2 - 1--a respectable showing, especially considering our team had to play the first quarter two men down (a family with three kids on the team was late and two other kids were sick or out of town).
It wasn't until Sunday, when we played another local team (from a much wealthier part of the valley--I'll leave it at that), that I discovered I am a sore loser. Miraculously, the score was only 5 - 2. But it seemed much worse and it also seemed like the game would never end. Thanks to some great goalie work (by our three different goalies), our team held theirs to just 5 goals. As if that wasn't bad enough.
I was supposed to be recording the game on one of the coach's cameras, but I found myself zooming in on annoying parents and giving a commentary on why I felt they were annoying (excessive cheering, coaching from the sidelines, parking their Mercedes and BMWs in more than one spot in the parking lot so I had to park in the grass). I hope I didn't miss any important plays during my fit of snide comments.
I can't believe how annoyed I was. I was even annoyed when they cheered for our team. We don't NEED your cheering (pity). I think I took the loss harder than the kids did. Frankly, our team didn't deserve to win this weekend. They were kind of lazy and they were playing really strong teams where that kind of play wasn't going to fly.
But it was a learning experience for me. I learned a lot about myself and how I need to improve my own attitude and behavior to set an example for the kids. And besides, we always kick this same town's asses in hockey so in the end, it didn't feel so bad.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Into the Caves
So yesterday I had my massage and trip through the vapor caves in Glenwood. The massage was nice, but I think I was more wow'd by the caves.
Glenwood Springs is known for its hot springs and the caves surrounding the area. A big tourist draw is the Fairy Caves where you can go on a tour through these caves with amazing formations. We've been twice--once before we lived here and then again when some friends came to visit (hello, Lindseys!). The caves are pretty cool.
The caves I went to yesterday were the vapor caves, which I had never been to before. The spa is built over the caves. These caves have natural underground hot mineral water steam baths. Hot mineral waters flow through the cave floors at 125 degrees F (there are all sorts of signs warning you not to touch the water) to create natural geothermal steam baths. The vapor caves consist of three adjoining underground rock chambers. From inside the spa, you go down a set of stone stairs and pass through a stone corridor into the caves.
I have to say, as cool as it was, it was a little bit freaky, too. First, it's pretty dark and I wondered if someone was waiting in there to murder me. These are the types of thoughts you have when you descend into a cave after reading Patricia Cornwell books. But really, all I could think about was Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher being hunted by Injun Joe.
The first corridor you descend into isn't that hot, but as soon as you go around the corner, it was like hitting a wall of humidity. It was immediately like I had stepped out of a pool--I was soaking wet. the air is that heavy.
Second, they talk about the "natural steam vapor in the warm, dimly lit cave chambers." Let's be honest here: it's not warm, it's bloody hot and it's pretty stinky. Not in a "I'm about to gag up my breakfast way" but it's a pretty sulfuric smell. It definitely wasn't a good smell, but it wasn't unbearable. And supposedly it's good for you. My sinuses did feel better down there than they have in a long time. In fact I pondered for about 1 millisecond whether I could get Finn in there to soothe his sinuses. The answer is no. And besides, it would make his hair go crazy.
Cave temperatures average 110 -112 degrees F. They recommend you stay in there only 10 - 12 mintues at a time and they have plastic tubs that you can fill with cool water and keep next to you if you want to splash some cool water on you. As a cave virgin, I didn't know about the little tubs or that you could also get a eucalyptus spritzed washcloth at the desk to really get your sinuses on full alert.
So I was in a cave--a real live cave--wondering around. There are stone benches all over the place where you can sit and hang out for your 10 - 12 minutes at a time. I sat down in the biggest room, just because there was no one in that particular room, and looked around. Pretty amazing and weird to think there was an entire building and part of a mountain over my head.
My thoughts:
-I hope there aren't any bats in here.
-I can hear the water running down the crevices of the cave and across the floor. Is it going to burn me? How do you NOT touch the water in here?
-Where is Injun Joe?
-What if I dose off and evaporate?
-What if the cave suddenly collapses?
You know, because I'm such a positive thinker that way. I had all of those thoughts in the first 60 seconds or so and then I relaxed and sniffed the sulfuric air.
The weird thing is though is that even though it wasn't busy, this is the off-season here now, you'd walk through the caves and people would just be in these alcoves or rooms and it felt like I was totally invading their privacy. I wasn't sure what the cave protocol was--do you just join people in the various cave rooms? Do you try to find your own alcove or cave room? What is the cave ettiquette? So after blundering upon several people, I ended up in the biggest room on my own. I wanted to explore around a little more, but again, it felt weird going in and gaping around while people were in there trying to relax. And while everyone is supposed to wear a bathing suit, I later heard someone say, "That guy just walked up the step totally naked!" I think that would have sent me over the edge. Remember, modesty is my hallmark.
From the vapor caves Web site:
The Ute Indians who originally inhabited this region visited these caves for centuries, and regarded them as a sacred place of healing and rejuvenation. Visitors today still honor that tradition. The Vapor Caves purify body and spirit as they soothe away aches and pains. The Indians had done much to spread the fame of the hot mineral springs as a wonderful healing source. Early settlers used holes scooped into the ground and shielded by pine boughs as their bathtubs, an idea copied from the Indians who brought their sick to the springs for treatment.
These are the only known natural vapor caves in North America ...others are manmade excavations.
**********************
So I don't know how pure I was when I came out, but it was quite an experience. And in the end, I didn't see Tom, Becky, or Injun Joe. Or Patricia Cornwell.
Glenwood Springs is known for its hot springs and the caves surrounding the area. A big tourist draw is the Fairy Caves where you can go on a tour through these caves with amazing formations. We've been twice--once before we lived here and then again when some friends came to visit (hello, Lindseys!). The caves are pretty cool.
The caves I went to yesterday were the vapor caves, which I had never been to before. The spa is built over the caves. These caves have natural underground hot mineral water steam baths. Hot mineral waters flow through the cave floors at 125 degrees F (there are all sorts of signs warning you not to touch the water) to create natural geothermal steam baths. The vapor caves consist of three adjoining underground rock chambers. From inside the spa, you go down a set of stone stairs and pass through a stone corridor into the caves.
I have to say, as cool as it was, it was a little bit freaky, too. First, it's pretty dark and I wondered if someone was waiting in there to murder me. These are the types of thoughts you have when you descend into a cave after reading Patricia Cornwell books. But really, all I could think about was Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher being hunted by Injun Joe.
The first corridor you descend into isn't that hot, but as soon as you go around the corner, it was like hitting a wall of humidity. It was immediately like I had stepped out of a pool--I was soaking wet. the air is that heavy.
Second, they talk about the "natural steam vapor in the warm, dimly lit cave chambers." Let's be honest here: it's not warm, it's bloody hot and it's pretty stinky. Not in a "I'm about to gag up my breakfast way" but it's a pretty sulfuric smell. It definitely wasn't a good smell, but it wasn't unbearable. And supposedly it's good for you. My sinuses did feel better down there than they have in a long time. In fact I pondered for about 1 millisecond whether I could get Finn in there to soothe his sinuses. The answer is no. And besides, it would make his hair go crazy.
Cave temperatures average 110 -112 degrees F. They recommend you stay in there only 10 - 12 mintues at a time and they have plastic tubs that you can fill with cool water and keep next to you if you want to splash some cool water on you. As a cave virgin, I didn't know about the little tubs or that you could also get a eucalyptus spritzed washcloth at the desk to really get your sinuses on full alert.
So I was in a cave--a real live cave--wondering around. There are stone benches all over the place where you can sit and hang out for your 10 - 12 minutes at a time. I sat down in the biggest room, just because there was no one in that particular room, and looked around. Pretty amazing and weird to think there was an entire building and part of a mountain over my head.
My thoughts:
-I hope there aren't any bats in here.
-I can hear the water running down the crevices of the cave and across the floor. Is it going to burn me? How do you NOT touch the water in here?
-Where is Injun Joe?
-What if I dose off and evaporate?
-What if the cave suddenly collapses?
You know, because I'm such a positive thinker that way. I had all of those thoughts in the first 60 seconds or so and then I relaxed and sniffed the sulfuric air.
The weird thing is though is that even though it wasn't busy, this is the off-season here now, you'd walk through the caves and people would just be in these alcoves or rooms and it felt like I was totally invading their privacy. I wasn't sure what the cave protocol was--do you just join people in the various cave rooms? Do you try to find your own alcove or cave room? What is the cave ettiquette? So after blundering upon several people, I ended up in the biggest room on my own. I wanted to explore around a little more, but again, it felt weird going in and gaping around while people were in there trying to relax. And while everyone is supposed to wear a bathing suit, I later heard someone say, "That guy just walked up the step totally naked!" I think that would have sent me over the edge. Remember, modesty is my hallmark.
From the vapor caves Web site:
The Ute Indians who originally inhabited this region visited these caves for centuries, and regarded them as a sacred place of healing and rejuvenation. Visitors today still honor that tradition. The Vapor Caves purify body and spirit as they soothe away aches and pains. The Indians had done much to spread the fame of the hot mineral springs as a wonderful healing source. Early settlers used holes scooped into the ground and shielded by pine boughs as their bathtubs, an idea copied from the Indians who brought their sick to the springs for treatment.
These are the only known natural vapor caves in North America ...others are manmade excavations.
**********************
So I don't know how pure I was when I came out, but it was quite an experience. And in the end, I didn't see Tom, Becky, or Injun Joe. Or Patricia Cornwell.
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