KC at the zoo

KC & Wendy went to the zoo yesterday. Wendy said he loved the monkeys, has a special fondness for the goats at the petting zoo and greatly enjoyed the water feature.

Roger Ballantyne 1943-2008

In Memory of Roger.

Where's Waldo?

In looking at these pictures, can you guess which one is NOT Harold Uible? And if/when you do, any guesses on who the young man would be?

A Thousand Splendid Suns and more books!

The sun may shine in Afghanistan, where this book is set, but it does not illuminate a pretty picture of life from a woman's perspective during the last 30 years during which this novel takes place. Nevertheless, this is a moving story of love, survival and hope, despite the hardships and horrors. The author, Khaled Hosseini, Afghan born, also wrote The Kite Runner, a semi auto-biographical novel set in Afghanistan and the US, which I read in 2005.
In other book news I've now finished #10 in Patrick O'Brian's historical fiction series about the British Navy around the time of the War of 1812. This one, The Far Side of the World, and the first one, Master and Commander, were combined in the movie version released a few years ago starring Russell Crowe. Now I'm debating whether to watch the movie now or after I finish the whole series of 21 books. One more and I'll be over half way done!

And in case you are concerned about whether I'm still keeping up with the youth book reading required to do my job well, don't worry -- also just finished a teen science fiction series, the Hungry City Chronicles; and currently reading a possible Newbery contender called The Underneath.

Sid, Serena & KC

Taken at the Eggery yesterday for brunch. Not pictured: Roberta, Wendy, Gerry & Catherine

Another Driver

Ginny got her license this morning with flying colors and promptly dropped me off at home to take the car to school! Hopefully she and Christian will make it home in one piece this afternoon....

Line Thai

Gerry and I met Wendy, Ken, KC & Serena at Line Thai last night for dinner -- they also had a big wedding event/dinner going on so it was a bit more crowded than otherwise. Food came out quickly but we had to wait longer for the bill. KC appreciated Serena's walking/entertainment service at the end of the meal. Sorry Roberta & Sid couldn't join us -- next time we'll look for a restaurant Sid likes better at a location closer to Wendy & Ken's! KC came home with us afterwards for an overnight visit and we plan to take him to the park/playground after he wakes up this morning. Before 8am it's not TOO hot. I have to work this afternoon so we'll take him home in the late morning.

Pictures, etc.

THANK YOU, Serena, for getting us started on the blog. I check it everyday to see if anybody else has posted anything new. Speaking of which, is anyone going to post pictures from the NE trip on the blog or their picasa web album??? hint hint...