For my birthday this year, my husband bought me a Nook from Barnes and Noble. I absolutely love it. There are some features that could be improved, but it was one of the first e-readers out.
We got a cover for it. This ingenious cover even helps the Nook stand up. This works great for me, as I capture notes from books to my computer.
I am a classics fanatic. I admit it. What else can I say? How I love those classics! But storing all those books is not easy, unless you have the library from the Beast's castle. Now, I store them on my Nook. And the best part of all is that the majority of classics were never copyrited, so I get them for free!
Libraries have begone to put their materials on line. I have already researched from the University of Utah Library and the Library of Congress from the internet. This is now accessible from my Nook. For us book lovers and obsessive readers, think of the endless possibilities. Plus newspapers and magazine subscriptions are available through the Nook, as is the web.
One of my favorite things about the Nook is its lightweight small size. No more carting a totebag of books where-ever I go. Just me and my Nook.
No money for an E-reader? That's ok. Right now, Barnes and Noble online will let you download a free e-reader to your computer and you can start your book collecting and reading. Down the road, if you get an e-reader, most will let you download the documents from your computer to your e-reader.
E-readers will take the place of paper. Think of the savings and the saving of our trees. And think of all the books you can own and never, ever have to dust or straighten again.
If you haven't got an e-Reader yet, I suggest you look into the many types out there and invest in one. True, they will be constantly improved upon, but electronic items don't last forever anyway. I will tell you that I consider my Nook and my private ever-growing library one of my prized possessions.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Impressed Again by Edgar Allan Poe
Last night, I read Poe's short story 'Never Bet the Devil Your Head' 'A Tale with a Moral'. I never cease being amazed by this man's writing.
Edgar Allan Poe was born Jan 19, 1809. He died on Oct 7, 1849 of causes unknown. During that time, he saw death grab those he loved and he often lived in poverty. Poe was the first American writer to try to make a career of writing, which accounts for his less fortunate years. He was the first American writer to be more liked in Europe than in America.
Not only was he a genius as a poet, he was also a writer, editor and literary critic. Poe wrote in several genres, often writing to please the readers. He is credited as the inventor of detective fiction. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said he based Sherlock Holmes on Poe's C. August Dupin. When I read that short story, it was Poe all the way dealing with the macabre and an unusual ending. Poe also wrote in Gothic, Sci Fi, Satires, Humorous Tales and Hoaxes.
Edgar Allan Poe was thin and pale with black hair and a black moustache. He dressed all in black, copying from the style of Byron. However, on Poe, it fit his dark writings. I have said many times that Poe was the first American Gothic.
Poe had a well-developed idea of writing and claimed to have stuck to it. First of all, he thought of his readers. Based on them, he then wrote in the appropriate style to get his ideas across. In one of his short stories, an editor states, "Hint everything. Assert nothing." This is obvious in his writings as he holds the reader captive until the end. Poe felt that 'writings with obvious meanings ceased to be art.' He felt that a writer should carefully calculate every sentiment and idea.
What impressed me with 'Never Bet the Devil Your Head' 'A Tale with a Moral' was his wording. This man was a genius, no doubt. In this short story, he repeatedly used some of the longest words in the English language, and used them skillfully. Somehow, they add to the overall story. His main character, a Toby Dammit, was always betting. Poe would often (writing in first person) talk to his friend starting with "Dammit, ..." Ingenious. Truly one of the worlds greatest writers, he is often left in obscurity except for his more macabre works. I stand in awe of this skillfull, talented genius.
Edgar Allan Poe was born Jan 19, 1809. He died on Oct 7, 1849 of causes unknown. During that time, he saw death grab those he loved and he often lived in poverty. Poe was the first American writer to try to make a career of writing, which accounts for his less fortunate years. He was the first American writer to be more liked in Europe than in America.
Not only was he a genius as a poet, he was also a writer, editor and literary critic. Poe wrote in several genres, often writing to please the readers. He is credited as the inventor of detective fiction. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said he based Sherlock Holmes on Poe's C. August Dupin. When I read that short story, it was Poe all the way dealing with the macabre and an unusual ending. Poe also wrote in Gothic, Sci Fi, Satires, Humorous Tales and Hoaxes.
Edgar Allan Poe was thin and pale with black hair and a black moustache. He dressed all in black, copying from the style of Byron. However, on Poe, it fit his dark writings. I have said many times that Poe was the first American Gothic.
Poe had a well-developed idea of writing and claimed to have stuck to it. First of all, he thought of his readers. Based on them, he then wrote in the appropriate style to get his ideas across. In one of his short stories, an editor states, "Hint everything. Assert nothing." This is obvious in his writings as he holds the reader captive until the end. Poe felt that 'writings with obvious meanings ceased to be art.' He felt that a writer should carefully calculate every sentiment and idea.
What impressed me with 'Never Bet the Devil Your Head' 'A Tale with a Moral' was his wording. This man was a genius, no doubt. In this short story, he repeatedly used some of the longest words in the English language, and used them skillfully. Somehow, they add to the overall story. His main character, a Toby Dammit, was always betting. Poe would often (writing in first person) talk to his friend starting with "Dammit, ..." Ingenious. Truly one of the worlds greatest writers, he is often left in obscurity except for his more macabre works. I stand in awe of this skillfull, talented genius.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Where Does the Time Go
Everyday, I look at the clock and wonder where my time went. I spend my mornings doing household tasks. I have a small window in the afternoon for writing and updating. Then there is family time, dinner, and that's the end of the day.
There are other days when I have more time to write and work on poetry and books. But the days where time-consuming tasks must be done take up much of my day, besides tuckering me out. I don't like to write at night because TV's are on and people are moving around and talking.
When I work, I like it quiet. I've always been like that. I can think so much better when it is quiet. Did you ever try to write a rhyming poem when a TV commercial jingle comes on? Impossible.
Lately, our internet has decided to be slower than the oldest internet service. Who knows why - updates are part of it. Well, that sets my day behind. Then I do my chores. Now I'm really running behind. Of course, there is an email from a friend or relative whom you haven't talked to in forever. There goes some more time.
I am grateful to have family and friends, so very grateful. But trying to become a published author while doing housework, baking and cooking - it just doesn't seem to work. All those story ideas waiting to be developed and I have to put them as 2nd in line. If I ever become a published author, perhaps then it can move to first place on my list.
Today, I organized all those little note papers that I write thoughts on and divided them into the proper stories. I labeled envelopes and filed them that way. It's a start to making writing my first priority. However, I don't know any housewife/mother who doesn't stop what she is doing to clean up dirt or a mess. So for now, I must remind myself to be grateful for two things: 1) a family and 2) a talent and love for writing. Keeping it simple. Keeping it simple. The rest will fall in place.
LHR
There are other days when I have more time to write and work on poetry and books. But the days where time-consuming tasks must be done take up much of my day, besides tuckering me out. I don't like to write at night because TV's are on and people are moving around and talking.
When I work, I like it quiet. I've always been like that. I can think so much better when it is quiet. Did you ever try to write a rhyming poem when a TV commercial jingle comes on? Impossible.
Lately, our internet has decided to be slower than the oldest internet service. Who knows why - updates are part of it. Well, that sets my day behind. Then I do my chores. Now I'm really running behind. Of course, there is an email from a friend or relative whom you haven't talked to in forever. There goes some more time.
I am grateful to have family and friends, so very grateful. But trying to become a published author while doing housework, baking and cooking - it just doesn't seem to work. All those story ideas waiting to be developed and I have to put them as 2nd in line. If I ever become a published author, perhaps then it can move to first place on my list.
Today, I organized all those little note papers that I write thoughts on and divided them into the proper stories. I labeled envelopes and filed them that way. It's a start to making writing my first priority. However, I don't know any housewife/mother who doesn't stop what she is doing to clean up dirt or a mess. So for now, I must remind myself to be grateful for two things: 1) a family and 2) a talent and love for writing. Keeping it simple. Keeping it simple. The rest will fall in place.
LHR
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Astrology - Virgos
I love the study of Astrology personalities. I am a Cancer and the definition fits me perfectly. One thing about any water sign is that we are emotional - Cancer, Pisces, Scorpios. We are also highly intuitive and often connected with the Other Side.
Cancers have a tendency to overworry. We have to run our problems through as many sources as possible. I worry about everything and anything. I am a walking bucket filled to the brim with worries.
Virgos tend to be hermits, detailed thinkers and deep thinkers. But the quality I love most about Virgos is that they are the counselors of the Universe. When I look back at my life, I have had more Virgo friends than any other sign. One day, in appreciation for all the counseling Virgos have given me over the years, I wrote this poem.
LHR
Cancers have a tendency to overworry. We have to run our problems through as many sources as possible. I worry about everything and anything. I am a walking bucket filled to the brim with worries.
Virgos tend to be hermits, detailed thinkers and deep thinkers. But the quality I love most about Virgos is that they are the counselors of the Universe. When I look back at my life, I have had more Virgo friends than any other sign. One day, in appreciation for all the counseling Virgos have given me over the years, I wrote this poem.
LHR
Monday, August 2, 2010
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens has written some of the most beloved characters in fiction. When I was in school, Great Expectations was required reading. I have never forgotten that book or its main characters. I am re- reading A Tale of Two Cities right now. When Dickens does drama, he does drama. And again, his characters are well-written. Charles Dickens is a little difficult to read in our modern day, because of words and phrases that are no longer in use.
A Tale of Two Cities starts out with 'it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' I have read this book before, but I cannot remember the ending. However, it is tedious to read because of his in-depth descriptions of everything. I think if it were written today, so much of it would be edited out, that we would end up with a pamphlet. Although I am enjoying this book, there are times when I feel I am trudging through piles and piles of words to get to the meaning in the paragraph.
His A Christmas Carol is one of the most loved stories of all time. This story has been made into plays, movies and musicals. My favorite is the one done by the Muppets. I can't help it. I love it. Michael Caine plays Ebenezer Scrooge. He does this character well. A Christmas Carol is one of those stories that written by anyone else but Dickens, it would not have been the mixture of happy/sad, gloomy/cheerful - the opposites he often used in his stories. Dickens wrote so many wonderful stories, too many to mention here. They are treasured because he used all the words he felt he needed to build the story, the place, and the characters.
Charles Dickesn has always been one of my favorite classical authors.
LHR
A Tale of Two Cities starts out with 'it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' I have read this book before, but I cannot remember the ending. However, it is tedious to read because of his in-depth descriptions of everything. I think if it were written today, so much of it would be edited out, that we would end up with a pamphlet. Although I am enjoying this book, there are times when I feel I am trudging through piles and piles of words to get to the meaning in the paragraph.
His A Christmas Carol is one of the most loved stories of all time. This story has been made into plays, movies and musicals. My favorite is the one done by the Muppets. I can't help it. I love it. Michael Caine plays Ebenezer Scrooge. He does this character well. A Christmas Carol is one of those stories that written by anyone else but Dickens, it would not have been the mixture of happy/sad, gloomy/cheerful - the opposites he often used in his stories. Dickens wrote so many wonderful stories, too many to mention here. They are treasured because he used all the words he felt he needed to build the story, the place, and the characters.
Charles Dickesn has always been one of my favorite classical authors.
LHR
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Home Altars
Webster defines an altar as a raised structure where sacrifices are made. I disagree. Altars can be made of any material. What you place on them is up to you. It is how you connect to the Other Side. Sacrifices? I think Webster needs to redefine the term. Seems to me this type of altar is used by cults. But what about us who use an altar to help us meditate or pray. I can guarantee I don't sacrifice anything. I feel guilty when I kill an insect.
I have two altars I use. One is in my bedroom. It has a statue of my beloved Jesus holding a lost sheep and 3 angel statues. I have a small basket there and when I feel I need extra help, I offer my prayer, write on a piece of paper what I need and I throw it into my God basket. It is a ritual. That's all. A ritual to help me overcome my mortal fears, anger, hatred.
I have another altar that I use daily. It is used for me to center myself, including doing mantras for my chakras. Altars need not be fancy or contain certain artifacts. Many people in today's modern world don't even use altars.
Years ago, when I first watched that old Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr movie (you all know which one I mean) I fell in love with the concept of altars when his grandmother had that beautiful one just off her garden. I believe we can use whatever means - good means- we need to in order to connect with God and the Other Side.
As one of my dear friends always tells me, "from your mouth, to God's ears." My altars led me to write today's poem, 'At my Little Altar.'
LHR
I have two altars I use. One is in my bedroom. It has a statue of my beloved Jesus holding a lost sheep and 3 angel statues. I have a small basket there and when I feel I need extra help, I offer my prayer, write on a piece of paper what I need and I throw it into my God basket. It is a ritual. That's all. A ritual to help me overcome my mortal fears, anger, hatred.
I have another altar that I use daily. It is used for me to center myself, including doing mantras for my chakras. Altars need not be fancy or contain certain artifacts. Many people in today's modern world don't even use altars.
Years ago, when I first watched that old Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr movie (you all know which one I mean) I fell in love with the concept of altars when his grandmother had that beautiful one just off her garden. I believe we can use whatever means - good means- we need to in order to connect with God and the Other Side.
As one of my dear friends always tells me, "from your mouth, to God's ears." My altars led me to write today's poem, 'At my Little Altar.'
LHR
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