For today, just a few snapshots.
Book hoarding and abandonment
I have become a book hoarder over the past months. I don't remember if I've mentioned that. I hear about good books and put them on hold at the library. Then they come in, sometimes all at once, and I add them to a big stack in my den. And I haven't had any time to read them for months. So I just keep renewing them at the library over and over and until they can't be renewed any more and my stack keeps growing. Recently I have begun winnowing away at that stack. I have found a few books which I have really liked. But I have found a LOT, more than ever before, that I abandon after awhile. I give a book somewhere between a few chapters to half the book and it doesn't capture my imagination or interest, I move on to the next book in my stack. I have never, ever abandoned so many books, and I believe that says more about my life right now than it does about the books themselves. I only will give time and energy to a book that I really like. And some books that others really like just aren't working for me right now.
Summer homework
Who had the dumb idea to give teenagers summer homework? What happened to really being blissfully free for a few months in the summer, rejuvenating before heading back into the next year? Aubrey has the most ridiculous summer homework, for the third year in a row. This year she has to read two classic novels and write a 5 page paper, do a powerpoint and a stack of notecards for another class, memorize the periodic table, do a calculus assignment, and write 26 one-page papers (for AP Comparative Government and Politics). It is ridiculous and has cast a serious pall on our summer relaxation plans. To her infinite credit, she has set daily homework goals and is working steadily through her summer homework list, trying to get on top of it before she is involved in several camps and a play in July and August.
Summer movie marathon
Dan and Aubrey just watched all 5 Pirates movies, and Aubrey discovered she is a big fan of them! And Dan and I are watching one Harry Potter movie per night, looking for scenes shot in London or Scotland, in preparation for our very exciting trip coming up soon!
Entrepreneurs at last
Joseph and his friend Matt have begged me for at least 5 years to let them do a lemonade stand. I could always think of at least 10 good reasons why it was not a good idea. Today that pathetic streak came to an end, and they spent a fun 2 hours at Felida Park selling their wares (both regular and strawberry lemonade) to children, yard maintenance staff, and adoring middle school girls.
Fish Killers
For the last 10 days we have been in charge of babysitting Alex Kartchner's goldfish while they were in Utah. This is a miracle goldfish which has somehow survived for 3 years! And two days ago we saw the fish floating ominously in the bowl. Yep, we killed the unkillable goldfish. You might not want to entrust us with any other living things.
