They made some changes at Blogger, but I and they have tried to keep things as much the same as we could. If you notice something that's totally wonky, leave a comment here. Meanwhile, stay tuned for Christmas updates!
The Crabbes are ready!
And out: 
As Emilyn started to read real books, I thought: Wouldn't it be great if I had written down in a notebook the title of every book as I had read it, and the dates I started and finished it?
For me and the rest of you serial readers out there, can you imagine how many notebooks we'd have filled by now? And how such an accomplishment would feel, if you were able to look back on it and have such a concrete record of what you'd read?
Well, we can't do that now, can we? And I read pretty much only trashy suspense novels, anyway. BUT, I'd still love to keep track, so I'm starting today -- digitally. It'll be a way for me to remember what I've read, by who, and recommend books to anybody out there who gives a darn... You can use the comments section to do the same for me!
I just finished "One False Move," by Alex Kava. Pretty mediocre tale of a bank robbery gone awry. Lots of divergent characters converging; it reminds you of a 1970s disaster movie. But Kava is a good writer, and I'm tearing my way through her series with Maggie O'Dell, FBI profiler. Which leads me to recommend "A Perfect Evil," the first Maggie O'Dell novel. Good book, and creepy. With a hunky sheriff and a nasty priest!
Stay tuned for my next review, the second Maggie O'Dell book, "Split Second." So far, I like it!
And check out this new feature, below... You'll be able to click on "Jennie's Book Chat" and read them all. Someday. When there are lots more to read.
Dad used to crack himself up -- and me! -- every Christmas by pretending to misunderstand Christmas carols... He'd holler "Don Wenow!??" as if it was a person's name, not the lyrics of "Deck the Halls." I remember Christmas a few years ago, when he and Mom drove up, I bellowed: "Well, if it isn't Don Wenow and his lady friend, Ancient Yuletide Carol!" Anyway, it was a game of ours to dig through Christmas carols to try to come up with funny names... Here are a few more choice ones:
Shep Ardsinfield
Harold Angelsing
Mary Measure
Round John Virgin
So, this year, as a nod to Dad, why don't you all take a crack at it! Run through all those lyrics yourself, and see if you can come up with a few funny ones. We'd love to hear what you've got!
Hip dysplasia? Joint infection? Toddler's fracture? Bone cancer?
What scary things we think of when our boy suddenly won't get up and walk. When he cries and favors his right leg.
So, we panic and call the doctor, of course. And, of course, Allen is up and walking just fine as soon as we hit the waiting room. It's like when your car won't make that noise for the mechanic!
Dr. Cohen said he likely stepped on something and got a "stone bruise," the kind of bruise you get on the bottom of your foot when you step on something! Like a stone! Anyway, it hurt for him to put weight on it, so he stayed off his foot, apparently. And, apparently, it doesn't hurt anymore!
Whew. Thank goodness, my good little man.
Isn't it every boy's dream to work outside, amid Earth's natural splendor? And big damn airplanes?
Here's something cool that Daddy taught Allen: Whenever we dine out, and remember to bring his cup, Allen wants to click cups with everyone, as you do when you toast! We say "Tink!" to him, and he says it back, in his own, vowel-less way. And he grins from ear to ear. Maybe he'll be a toastmaster some day. Or, at least, he'll be in great practice by the time he's somebody's best man and has to do the deed.
