The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst

There are so many things I could say about this book. The thing I must say is that it is not one of my favorites, although there were many things I liked. The book's premise is interesting: a woman falls out of a tree and dies - there is one witness. The family dog. Was it an accident? Was it a suicide? Only one living soul knows, and she won't talk . . . or will she? This is widower Paul Iverson's quest, to teach his dog to communicate and unravel the mystery of his wife's last day living.

Fascinating. Until you have to wallow through Paul's recollections of his relationship with his wife. The completely unbelievable relationship between this educated, sweet, sensitive man and his off-the-rocker wife ruins every beautifully written passage in this book. Carolyn Parkhurst effectively captures this man's deep feelings for his wife, his immense grief over her death, and his struggle with making sense of it all. And yet, these feelings don't really seem to coincide with his actual relationship with his volatile wife. The author works so hard to prove that Paul Iverson is no idiot, and yet he acts idiotically time and time again.

A harrowing, haunting, annoying tale.

I was relieved when this book was over.

2 stars.

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

If you want to read a story about Captain Ahab, read Moby Dick. The Role he plays in this novel is a small one. Una starts her narrative "Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last," and from there goes on with the story of her life, which unsurprisingly has little of Captain Ahab in it. Often out of order, a little disjointed, but always poignant and vivid, Una's story of whaling, shipwreck, love, death and deceit does not disappoint. The writing is so rich, you want to hold it in both hands and take a delicious meaty bite. This is the double cheeseburger of literature. Yes it is 700 pages long, but not one word is wasted!

Whoosh, got a little carried away there. I loved this book. And if you are a serious reader, you will too. Be forewarned! This book cannot be taken lightly. It cannot be read in one day (maybe two, if you don't have kids!) and it cannot be plowed through. Rather than a "good read," reading Ahab's Wife is much like discovering a new friend, who then becomes a good friend, and then an old friend.

And much like an old friend, this book will leave you feeling happier, sadder and wiser.

5 stars.

Oscars anyone?

I love the Oscars. It is Denice's fault. I don't think she even watches them anymore, but I do, and this year I was pleased to actually have seen many of the movies and known who many of the nominated actors were. But every year I am more than happy to critique everything that everyone wears. And since I have no sense of style, no taste to speak of, and no expertise, it is always a lot of fun.

You had to either love or hate robert downey jr. in his giant blue bow tie. I loved it. If anyone could pull it off it was Sherlock holmes/ Tony Starke. I feel bad for his date though -- someone fed her gown through a paper shredder.

Sandra was absolutely gorgeous and elegant in her gown. Tasteful and beautiful and I pretty much would have loved her in a potato sack.

Guess who I didn't love in a potato sack? Yep. Sarah Jessica Parker.

This might have possibly been my favorite gown of the night. Absolutely stunning! Or maybe it was just Demi Moore. Who knows.

You can order an exact replica of Jennifer Lopez's dress here . Or ask Andy Samberg and Lady Gaga to design something similar for you.

Kathryn Bigelow dressed for Prom Night 2010, Tina Fey dressed for the '80s and Hillary Swank forgot to get dressed.

For once Kristen Stewart forwent dressing as a Lady of the Night (gorgeous!)

while miss Sigorney couldn't pass up dressing as Lady Liberty.

And the Best dressed at the Oscar's goes to......

Vera Farmiga, who, in my most humble opinion, chose a dress daring enough for Hollywood, yet elegant enough for the Academy Awards.

And the worst dressed? Miss Charlize Theron.

mmmm. Cinnabon.

Well, those are my best and worst of the Oscars. But really, who am I to judge? I was in my pajamas. And for some strange reason, craving cinnabon.

Enjoy some pictures!

Juliet's first (unprompted) prayer:

Heavny Fadder.

Tane-too for Bensen.

Tane-too for daddy.

Tane-too for. . . . daddy.

Tane-too for white.

Tane-too for potty.

Tane-too for fish.

Jesusname Amen.

The Once and Future King by T.S. White

"I read this book every two years or so. I love it because no matter how old I am or what I am going through there is something in it that reaches out to me." -Someone whose favorite book is The Once and Future King

Read the synopsis on goodreads here.

If you have ever seen Disney's animated movie The Sword in the Stone then you are at least a little familiar with the first of 4 books that comprise T.H. White's The Once and Future King. The only major difference (that I can remember, I haven't seen the film in ages) is that Arthur (lovingly named Wart) was more than loved by Sir Ector and his household. He had a wonderfully happy boyhood where he and Kay were tutored by Merlin. It is a whimsical world where witches live in gingerbread houses, bumbling knights good naturedly joust (with tea planned afterwards) and being tutored by a magician is about as ordinary as apple pie. (mmmmm . . delicious apple pie) Everyone loved the Wart, an orphan they took straight to their heart and home. I also fell in love with the young King Arther, which makes the tragedy of his later life even more potent.
If you know the story of King Arthur you know that it ends badly. The most notable history of King Arthur, Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory actually means The Death of Arthur. It is inevitable that the Future King must eventually become the Once King. T.H. White will make you laugh and giggle and love the young Wart, and then in no time at all he turns it all around and you will find your heart breaking with your now beloved, aging King. I have to disagree with anyone who feels like White's writing in the light and whimsical Sword and the Stone does not reconcile with the last sorrowful 'book' The Candle in the wind. It is this contrast that most honestly reflects life. Where youth is young, hopeful and laughable, the end is often bleak, heartbreaking and full of regrets.
I had only two real issues with the book. The first being length. White doesn't ramble too often, but when he does ramble it takes the desire to trudge on right out of you. Press on! It is worth it. The other real issue was Guenevere. As much as I loved Arthur, and even the terribly ugly Lancelot, I hated the Queen. Someone who enjoyed the adoration of two of the most noble characters in history surely had to have one redeeming quality. I found her to be wretched and selfish.
Overall a beautiful, whimsical, sorrowful story. Absolutely classic.
4 and 1/2 stars

We got photoshop!

So. I have to say, there has been this really trendy photography going on where portraits and what not are really contrasty, or overlaid with this yellow or blue filter. And I'll tell you what, I tried everything to recreate some of these pictures. And finally, I asked a trendy photographer.

It's photoshop. It is allll photoshop. I was so very disappointed.

I know some of these effects can be achieved with a holga camera. Which is a very untrustworthy camera. That I don't own. SO. I was oh so very disappointed since I am not the biggest fan of photoshop. I just want to keep photography pure, you know

Well Brett bought photoshop. And so I have been playing around.

And it is a lot of fun.

Enjoy!! (these are before and after, if you couldn't tell!)

What do you think? And don't lie, you won't hurt my feelings.

P.S. I obviously did not take the bottom two photographs.