Of course there are no Thanksgiving scenes in any of Shakespeare’s works since that holiday was not on his creative road map. However, he did have several worthwhile lines about giving thanks. Feel free to share as you gather round your table on Thursday.
“O Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!” — 2 Henry VI
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” — The Winter’s Tale
a. At the store you see one aisle over that person from (fill in the blank) and want to say “Hi” but forgot their name, so you avoid their aisle and suddenly become interested in something to avoid meeting up with them.
b. You are watching a movie and an actor steps into the scene, you know who they are, and can even recall all the other movies you’ve seen them in, but their name is just out of reach.
c. You’re out in the garage looking for that one tool needed for your project and can’t locate it so you ask if anyone has seen it but right then you’ve lost the actual name of it so you invent a close facsimile like “air blower” for the “leaf blower.”
Any of these ring true for you?
I call them BMW moments. Not to be confused with this:
Not the BMW for now
It’s more like this:
Yeah, definitely
A BMW moment is what I have come to call “Brief Missing Word” moments. It’s where for a nanosecond (or sometimes longer) the name or term, that needed word that is hovering just out of reach cannot be reeled in by those little grey cells (Poirot no doubt had those brain glitches now and then).
In my younger days, about ten plus years ago, I noticed this would happen when I was teaching. I’d merrily be explaining something to my students and suddenly the word I needed evaporated right when I needed it. Most perplexing and vastly irritating.
My hubs eased my concern saying my brain is a computer and like a computer its memory files just needed some defragmentation. Plus being tired no doubt also affected my memory recall.
I bought it and learned to adjust becoming adept at word switching or talking around the missing word through descriptive embellishments.
Once retired, I thought with my mind less filled with lesson planning, grading, evaluation demands, etc. my brain files would have more space. And sleeping in, along with naps, meant being less tired. Right?
Nope, BMW moments were becoming more of a regular feature of my life. So, I naturally think dementia and go to my doctor. He gives the test.
I pass.
His comment is that I shouldn’t worry about those missing word moments unless I start forgetting the names of my children or husband or start putting my car keys in the refrigerator.
Okay. I can accept that. I’m learning to live with those brief missing moments.
Now as soon as I find my keys I can go to that one store so get that thing. Maybe what’s his face has seen my keys.
I reluctantly packed up my hammocks at the end of October which means entering into the long season of more indoor reading time. Reading by lamplight is not as fulfilling as reading by sunlight. My reading stats will definitely decrease. *Sigh*
Isola by Allegra Goodman
image: Penguin Books
Marguerite, a young French girl born into privilege, is betrayed by her protector, Roberval, who has mortgaged her wealth and lands to finance his travels to make a name for himself.
As an orphan, a a woman living in the misogynistic times of the Middle Ages, she has no choice but to obey her patron. When he demands she accompany him on his ship to colonize New France she and her maid reluctantly board, apprehensive of their future.
In a scheme to ensure her death, Roberval, in order to inherit her remaining assets, declares treachery against Marguerite and his secretary and abandons them on a wretched island.
The novel is based on a snippet of historical interest and is expanded into a tale of transformation and spiritual journey. Marguerite’s voice is stilted, representing the subservient attitude women had to adopt during that time period, yet she projects the independent attitude of a contemporary woman, angry at the injustice dealt her.
The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed
image: Amazon
Definitely not the usual YA read as it mixes together quantum theory with a coming-of-age romance along with a mystery plot, all based on a poem inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
At this point you are either in or out.
Fans of John Green and Dr. Who will appreciate the intelligent chaos that is interpersed with Aria’s humor.
Only 2 books rated five stars out of the 20 read in October. Some were, as Maxwell Smart used to say: “Missed it by that much.”
If you identify with parent of school age children, then I commiserate with you for the back-to-school shopping marathon. Well, yes, it is exciting getting the kiddos ready for another (or their first) foray into the classroom routine. But it is tiring and expensive.
If you are a student, you are either bummed or excited, or perhaps a bit of both, since it means put a pause on summer fun in order to focus on the mojo needed to get into the school routine.
As a teacher, you are no doubt either already back in the classroom (depending on where you teach) or bum-weary from having to sit through endless admin-led meetings while you would rather be preparing your room.
None of the above? You are probably then retired or an empty-nester or perhaps neither a parent or teacher, although you vaguely remember your September back-to-school days.
This marks my fourth September I will not be returning as a teacher, yet I found myself back on campus anyway. My retirement days are centered around books: I’m either reading them, writing them, or doing something with them that is library related. Today I dropped off a box of donated of books to a couple of schools, one of which was where I formerly taught English.
Yes, it was strange.
No, I didn’t miss it.
Yes, I briefly said “howdy” to some former compadres. And yes, I delivered my usual line of “I highly recommend it!” when asked how I like being retired.
Okay, fine–I do miss some aspects of being a teacher, such as getting to know my students, watching them catch the spark of appreciating literature, lunch time sessions with teacher chums, and staff meetings (just kidding on that one).
So, here is hoping your back-to-school blues aren’t severe, and hoping the school year is fabulous, whether you are in a school desk, behind the teacher’s desk, or planning a cruise since everyone else is back in school.
I’ve experienced Shakespeare plays (one experiences his works, versus watches them—a bit pompous sounding,sorry) in a variety of forms: live on stage (several as an audience member and once as Horatio—very brief); large screen theater; small screen TV; reading, and teaching.
One favorite form is watching a performance in the park, as it is open air, much like a Globe performance. Plus there is the anticipation of lively audience response, the atmosphere being one of shared spaces and camaraderie. And the plays are usually free, at least the one that comes to our fair city is.
Every year in August the Montana company arrives and performs one of Shakespeare’s popular plays in a local park. This year they presented a As You Like It, which is one of Shakespeare’s more popular comedies.
Laughing Out LoudBard in the Park
Arriving at the park 40 minutes early I discovered the space already teeming with people, but no matter since I prefer the back for that quick exit to avoid the parking lot tangle.
As the sun drifted behind the trees the temps cooled down and the stage action heated up with runaway sons and daughters, tangled romance, and character arcs. As You Like It is a fun romp and the audience showed its appreciation with plenty of applause and laughter.
Bard in the Park signifies the transition from summer fun to back to school readiness. And Jacques mentions going to school in his famous “All the world’s a stage” soliloquy.
Anyone catch a Shakespeare in the Park performance this summer?
Today is Cow Appreciation Day. And I really appreciate our bovine friends. They are noble, as well as humorous. They are inspiring with their ability to placidly spend their days grazing while they are producing milk for the masses.
Cows are so amazing they deserve the Pulitzer Prize for being outstanding contributors in their field.
Next time you quench your thirst with a cold glass of milk, or sprinkle some cheese on your pizza, or dip into that bowl of ice cream be sure to thank a cow.
I have been a library fan since elementary school. I think my high school year book proclaims I wanted to be a librarian when I grew up. Although my degree ended up as a writing teacher I was a librarian for the first half of my work career and when I switched into the classroom reading and library skills were part of the curriculum.
Now that I am retired I’m a Friends of the Library volunteer and I’m there two-three times a week working with donations.
When I go on vacation I always check out the library. Hawaii, Washington DC, Seattle, Okinawa—I visited all of them.
So, I’m combining National Library Week with National Poetry Month with a POM (Poem of the Month). Emily D recognizes how books are like a ship that sails us to different shores.
There is no Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away, Nor any Coursers like a Page Of prancing Poetry – This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll – How frugal is the Chariot That bears a Human soul.
January remained cold, yet snow free and blue skies which that helps me get through the winter wobblies. Some people might feel cozy, safe, and warm as they sit by the window overseeing that whitened landscape. Not I. It’s claustrophobic to me. Like being trapped in a snow globe.
This winter has been unusual with its lack of snowy days. And I’m appreciative. Seeing nature’s colors unfettered by snowfall, enhanced by clear blue skies, even though it might be in the single or low double digits, is a tonic compared to the dreariness of accumulated snow.
I’m more inclined to read in my recliner by the window when it’s sunny, snow free, although it’s freezing out since the sun reminds me winter is waning. A snow-laden view prompts me to curl up under the blankets and hibernate until the crocus debut.
Well, so much for that rant.
Moving on to book highlights for January, those five star reads:
Checkmate to Murder (#25) by E.C.R. Lorac
image: Amazon
E.C.R Lorac’s Inspector Macdonald of Scotland Yard is both competent and likable in his approach to solving a crime. He isn’t quirky or pompous and projects an “everyman” persona as he goes about his investigation. This particular murder story involves an assortment of characters and the plot moves along at a slow and steady pace, so much so that it almost appears that the investigating becomes filler. This is the underlying method of the author: cast a wide net and then slowly let all the dross screen away until the solution is obvious and ends up being so clever and in front of the reader throughout the story.
Looking forward to searching out the other Inspector Macdonald stories.
The Fortnight in September by R.C. Sherriff
image: Abebooks
Written in simple yet elegant prose readers follow the Stevens, a British family, during their annual two week seaside holiday. The story is deceptive in that it lulls one in thinking nothing exciting is happening as each member goes the quotidian aspects of a vacation; however, each person is experiencing moments of inner speculation which defines who they are. They are living life, which is exciting overall as realizations are made that don’t seem profound but actually are.
The father comes to accept his lot in life will not include a promotion and decides to embrace what he has instead of become bitter at what he never will obtain.
The mother willingly goes along with the charade that she enjoys this annual excursion since she loves seeing her family’s happiness.
The daughter, on the cusp of love and independence, takes a small step in moving out of her home to create her own life.
The son, recently graduated from school and now at his first job, works out his resentment at having to be middle class, resolving to be better, not bitter.
The youngest, still in the throes of childhood, provides the joy of discovery of experience and the security of family.
Written in 1931, a relatively calm time, the story is a lovely, satisfying balm to the complicated times of today.
Only two books made the five star list; on the other hand they were excellent reads. In fact the Sherriff novel had written across the cover “highly recommend.” And I agree.
January 29th is going to be a puzzling day. Literally.
It’s National Puzzle Day. And we are finding puzzles have found their way into our lives.
I grew up with puzzles. My dad had a special table set up and would spend hours piece by piece putting together some scenic masterpiece. I wasn’t too interested in doing puzzles then and barely acknowledged them over the years.
When my hubs sprang his knee skiing it looked liked the long winters were going to get a more tedious since heading up to the slope would no longer be a viable option.
Of course I brought him books from the library. On a whim I brought home a puzzle because why not? There is a free puzzle exchange on the lobby.
As Hemingway said “One puzzle leads to another.” Well, he kind of said that.
We have now been puzzling for several years and we have come to realize there are some etiquette aspects:
Borders first. Creating the perimeter makes it easier to get the picture in perspective.
Sort pieces. A half dozen plastic picnic plates do nicely in separating out the many pieces into a manageable order.
Clean Hands. Yeah, learned that one day while eating my almond butter with honey toast.
No Pets. Cat hair. Dog hair. Not good companions with puzzle pieces.
Track Pieces. Drop a piece. Oh, oh. Better find it. Or at least mark “piece missing” on the box. Don’t forget to circle the place.
No hogging. Sharing is caring. Set a timer if needed. *Oh no, honey. That a general comment—no worries*.
Break down. Just like the last person to use the milk replaces the milk, the last person to finish the puzzle breaks it down and puts it in the box.
Those are the basics. Did I miss any?
Happy puzzling.
Hometown are faves. Liking all that detail.Ugh. Sky. An unspoken rule—leaving the sky last is, well, ugh.
I really like January. It’s the start of a new year, and like an Etch-A-Sketch, the slate is wiped clean, ready for fresh beginnings.
No batteries needed
That’s one reason why January 1st was the day my husband and I chose to get married. We wanted a day that signified a fresh beginning together. It’s also an easy day to remember.
This year marked 43 years together. It might be one of the only we have spent apart since I was in Okinawa helping out with our new grandson. FaceTime is handy in that regard, although my January 1st was my husband’s December 31st.
Another anniversary to celebrate is my time with WordPress: 13 years, so said the little pop up sent to my inbox. Wow! Really? That’s a long time, almost more impressive than being married over four decades, since a quick AI info grab indicates most blogs last about 2 years, and first marriages last roughly 21 years.
Surpassing the odds is an excellent way to start out 2025.
January is also when I begin anew my Goodreads reading challenge. I always plunk in 101 as my base goal with hopes of squeezing in twice that amount. The best I’ve achieved is 171.
As of today I have already read 8 books so using some quick math—8 books read in 15 days means the possibility of reading 8 more books in a month of 31 days which computes to an average of reading 16 books a month times 12 equals 192 books. Hmm, this could be the year of 200.
I’d finish this post but I have get down to the library to check out more books.
Pam Webb 