Speak -Laurie Halse Anderson

I read the book and watched the movie.  I have to say the book won.  The movie wasn't bad, and it was true to the book for the most part.  It had a lot of stiff acting and characters that seemed like cookie cutter representations of types: the bad mom, the artist, the mean friend, etc..  The actors just seemed like they were going through the motions and Kristen....well, she doesn't have a lot of depth.
The book is powerful and a story for all young women to read.  It captures the pain and loneliness of rape.
It also gives hope to all women who go through this.

My Spring Break - Things I did

I cleaned for my spring break.  100 years of mess coming out of that house.  It is hard to get rid of things that tie you to the past, but once you start, it does free your soul.

Get a dumpster.  $152 for a week and a good size one. Call  TUBS, Inc.

612-825-TUBS

http://www.tubsinc.com/

I saw great theater:

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster boy

http://www.childrenstheatre.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=315&Itemid=431

Tender, funny and sad.  An absolute joy.

Coco's Diary
http://www.historytheatre.com/2011-2012/coco’s-diary
Funny and so endearing.  My Mom and I enjoyed it tremendously.  Even if you are not into old St Paul, you'll fall in love and laugh out loud!

The trials and tribulations of a 13-year-old girl never seem to change: sibling rivalry, boys, school dances, boys, homework, and… boys!

Young Clotilde “Coco” Irvine, is the daughter of a lumber baron living in a fashionable Summit Avenue mansion during the Jazz Age. For Christmas she is given a diary in which she faithfully chronicles the ups and downs of the roller coaster that is her thirteenth year of life, 1927. Coco’s Diary leads audiences on a winsome romp alongside our smart, adventurous, mischievous heroine surrounded by the beguiling music of the 1920s. It is charming, funny and delightful entertainment for the entire family.

Volleyball at Scheffer Rec

I am coaching again and it is fun! We won our first games against Hillcrest Rec.  I had a lot of fun and liked the girls a lot.  They are fun and optimistic about the team.  It should be fun.

Reading

Metamorphosis by Kafka

I was set to hate it, but I actually thought it was sad and endearing.

The Things They Carried Tim O'Brien

A Mac kid - brilliant writing! So spot on and dignified.

Margaret Atwood - I cannot remember the name of the story, but it is about a girl who dies at camp.  I liked it, but hated that there was not a satisfying ending.

Mary Higgins Clark - A Cry in the Night

You can read it in an hour and enjoy the mystery and excitement.  I love an author who knows a formula and can crank out a great story.  I didn't put down the book and that is a great sign!

Stuff

Can't wait!!!

First Day of Vacation:  Cleaned the basement out with Bear's help.  Lots to throw out.  Maybe I will get a dumpster.  Ryan came and it was a blessing to have his muscles.

I went for a walk through the Summit mansions and then down the sneaky hidden staircases of the hill.  I walked the 35 trail with Bear to Auntie Mary's and stopped in for a chat.  It was Grandma's birthday and I wanted to see Mary and hear all about her trip.  Mary was great and beautiful.  She is so welcoming and warm. I heard stories and saw pics. She swam with the dolphins and snorkeled with the fish. I saw great pics of her holding hands with a dolphin!!!!  I SO want to do that. And bonus, I also got to see James.  A handsome nephew who I am so proud of!

I ran a couple of miles at the Y and my ankle didn't give out.  Hopefully it will stay strong and not start bothering me again.  I worry that all these breaks and tears will bother me in the future as they have in the past.  It was fun at the Y running again.

g

I wore some bad pregger clothes, but where is her Mom to say, 

"Do not leave the house no matter how entitled you thing y'all are."

Judy would of locked me up

.

GCB!  I love Annie Potts's character, Gigi.

• "Cut the commie crap. My grandchildren are going to church so they can go to heaven. End of story. Amen." - Gigi Stopper

Next Quote

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

Historical fiction with a twist!!!! What an exciting premise to find an obscure famous person and embed romance, danger, and intrigue.  CLEVER - I love a good story with the truth tucked in now and then.
Melanie Benjamin did it first with Alice in Wonderland and did it better with Lavinia.
BRAVO!  It made me spend an hour researching every photo I could, and haunts my dreams every night.  What a powerful and brave woman. I am so glad to have known her.
“Never would I allow my size to define me. Instead, I would define it.  
XXOO to you Mrs. Tom Thumb!

I am in a Truman Fixation

After reading To Kill a Mockingbird, by Capote's neighbor and friend Harper Lee, I craved more southern lit.  Then, in my lit theory(bore the living daylights out of me and kill a story class) I was bored and was perusing my class text and read Miriam, by Capote. CREEPY!!!!  I copied it for the 8th grade and they liked it.  We watched a short film based on it and they liked that even more.  They are so visual.
So then I had to read and read....
Breakfast at Tiffany's - better than the film!!! Grittier and Holly is painted in a different light all together

Then it was on to more...

I like his southern and Gothic themed eeriness to all his stories.  He was a master of the short story.

Read him.  He was an odd soul, but a talented one indeed.

Cool Student Video

We just finished reading, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie.
Such a honest, funny book. I read it out loud because I had to censor the language, but the greatness came through still. I love the graphics too.