Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns . . .

Sometimes I read a book that sticks with me for various reasons. Sometimes I just have to share when I read such a book, or in this case "books". So for what it is worth, here is my recommendations for reading.



I just finished "Kite Runner" and then "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. Now both of these are not for the reader looking for some "light" nor "comical" reading. Both books are about war and horrific challenges that face the characters in these books. They both are set in Afghanistan through the fall of the monarchy, Soviet invasion, and the regime of the Taliban.

If and when you read the books, I suggest you read them in the order of "Kite Runner" and then "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Not that you have to read them in that order to follow either story. They are actually two different stories of the same horrific events. It is just that is you do read them in that order you should pick up how the two stories cross each others paths. Then let me know if you found the links too.

I warn you again, the books are not easy to read and not feel the horror of the events. I teared up at various times in both books. They are excellently written novels I recommend them highly.

Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Days

Of non-smoking . . . which calculates to be roughly $2421.90 in some savings, figuring one and a half packs a day at $5.40 a pack. (Yep, cigs are expensive in Michigan, and remember, it's been 299 days since I've purchased, so the price may be higher!) Course the $$ isn't really in my pocket per say, but my new car payment doesn't really hurt so bad, and well, I do have a few new art supplies here and there . . . and well, the diner does make some pretty great coconut cream pie . . .


love ya,

ja-who-dee

Skedaddle

I’m sad.
I’ve been sad for what seems like forever now.
It’s really only been weeks.
It’s not easy having the grief monkey on your back.
I’ve never had the little fellow hang around so long.
I’ve always before mourned and then moved on to fond remembrances that would make me smile and perhaps form a brief tear in my eye.
It now seems as if I move in a fog of tears.
It’s as if the sadness magnifies and seems bigger than life.
It seems to make me see molehills only as mountains, hurdles to big to overcome.
I’m sweating the small stuff.
I catch myself with free time, only to waste it with mindless activities not dealing with the tasks I need to get done.
I don’t want to start a project, as I’m afraid I won’t find the joy I used to feel when I allowed myself to submerge into them.
I wish the grief monkey would scoot away . . . shoo, be gone, it’s time for you to take your sad organ grinder tune and skedaddle.

My Momma . . .

always told me if you don't have anything nice to say, then you shouldn't say anything. Therefore I am going to wait a while longer before I blog. Things have just been frustrating for me and I don't want to post something publically that I might wish I didn't later, and since that one issue is on my mind . . . well . . . well . . . well . . .

I will just zip my lip until another time :*) :*)

Just wanted to let ya all know I haven't forgotten to blog!

Love ya,

ja-who-dee

Get Rhythm . . .

I always hate the thought of leaving you all hanging for days on end. So, I thought I would give you some Johnny Cash to get your toes a tappin' and blast a grin upon your face!


Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Yes a jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues

Little shoeshine boy never gets low down
But he's got the dirtiest job in town
Bendin' low at the peoples' feet
On the windy corner of the dirty street
Well, I asked him while he shined my shoes
How'd he keep from gettin' the blues
He grinned as he raised his little head
Popped a shoeshine rag and then he said

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
It only costs a dime, just a nickel a shoe
Does a million dollars worth of good for you
Get rhythm when you get the blues

Well, I sat down to listen to the shoeshine boy
And I thought I was gonna jump for joy
Slapped on the shoe polish left and right
He took a shoeshine rag and he held it tight
He stopped once to wipe the sweat away
I said you're a mighty little boy to be-a workin' that way
He said I like it with a big wide grin
Kept on a poppin' and he said again

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock 'n' roll feelin' in your bones
Get taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues

Stuart Little

Hazel started 4th grade yesterday. My baby is growing up quickly, too quickly I should add. I'm sure many of you know that feeling with your own children and time. Somedays you wish they would grow up and then the next day you are sad they are growing up so quickly.

Anyway, back to Hazel and the 4th grade. This year Hazel's teacher is Mrs Hoffman. My niece Sarah had Mrs Hoffman when she was in the 4th grade also. She really has rave reviews about her. I brought up Sarah at the teacher meet and greet . . .okay, so the school calls it the "Ice Cream Social", but I like the way meet and greet sounds . . . and Mrs Hoffman said, "Oh yes, I remember Sarah well. I gave her a Stuart Little doll when she graduated so she would remember what is important in life".

Okay, I admit it, I've never read Stuart Little. I of course know who
Stuart Little is, we do own the movie with Michael J Fox being the voice for Stuart Little. I've watched it a couple times, probably coming in and out of the room during various parts, but I couldn't tell you for certain why Stuart would remind any one what is important in life.

Then Hazel comes home yestereday after noon and hands me a letter from the teacher. (It rather makes me sad there is no longer that minugraphed smell on papers from school anymore, I'm sure many of you remember that smell!) and Mrs Hoffman is going to be reading them the book throughout the year.

Okay, so now my curiousity is peeked. I've now ordered Stuart Little by E.B. White to figure out what it's all about. It should be here in a few days. Then I should know . . .

what the heck the important things in life are too!

love ya,

ja-who-dee

Honey I'm Home . . .

Well, my vacation is over. I'm sure it flew by more quickly for me than it did you . . . smiles . . . I would love to be on vacation for longer . . . as in . . . never have to go back to work . . . okay, reality check . . . glad to have a job, don't get me wrong, but it sure would be nice not to have to have a job know what Imean bean?

It's not like Haze and I did a lot on vacation (Dale was working) . . . we pretty much gadded around here and there and did the girly shopping and hair diddling thing . . . but it was so nice to do what we wanted to when we wanted and not have to worry about schedules and such. Now that was a grand thing.

perhaps I shall stop and buy a lotto ticket on the way home tonight. That would be the answer, win the lottery! Then I could retire early and have enough money to keep me gadding around it style . . . yeppers, that would be so grand . . .

after all, I'm a Thursday child with far to go . . . I do need the funds to get there!

love ya,

ja-who-dee