Book Review Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich

Oh Stephanie - you're becoming rather predictable. I started reading the Plum series this summer and devoured them, one after another including the "between the numbers" books. They made me giggle out loud. But this one, it was just too hard to follow the unraveling mystery. It was a bit far-fetched. A photograph slipped into her bag, people trying to kill her those are typical but then when the photo is from a hacker who is trying to help his mother - but people think it's of him the story line gets a bit confusing. Plus there wasn't enough of Ranger, Morelli and Grandma Mazur. Something happened in Hawaii, yes we find out what it was, but Morelli doesn't and I thought he should be told. The best parts were when Joyce moved in with Stephanie. I laughed at those. In the end, I felt blah. It wasn't the usual Stephanie Plum - no cars were blown up, crushed, or smashed. Oh and I really didn't like the Lulu and Buggy thing - creepy. I hate to think think this, but maybe Stephanie should marry Morelli and settle down in the Burg and raise a bunch of little Morellies. She could chase bad guys with a diaper bag or just get a nice job in a bank.

Book Review: Dangerous Masquerade by Janet Dailey

This is the second Americana book I've read by Janet Dailey. I was going to read them for fun, something different than my usualy true crime/mystery or more techinical books, but after reading this one, I'm not sure I want to continue.
I know the book was originally written in 1977, but have times changed that much? Were women looking for ruthless, dominating men who bordered on crazed 35 years ago? I hope not, because I read my share of popular romance novels while in high school and if this is what I was digesting it's a wonder I didn't end up in a physically abusive relationship. Maybe someone should research what girls are reading in high school and then track how their relationships end.
Laurie is an orphan raised by her father's brother and his wife who dotes on their daugther LaRaine, never paying much attention to Laurie except to tell her what a burden she is. She moves out when she's 18, but when the bratty LaRaine wants to move out, the aunt guilts Laurie into moving in with her to help her out. LaRaine is a gold digger and wants to land a rich husband and be a movie star. She gets the opportunity to do both, but she is obligated to fly to Alabama to meet her fiance's old aunt. She convinced Laurie to pretend she is her and sends her off. The fiance is in South America on business. Of course, he returns and finds out the truth. Laurie offers him the explanation but he wants nothing to do with it and forces Laurie to continue the charade. At times, he grabs her painfully - leaving marks on her wrists and arms. One time he even grabs her by the throat. He threatens her physically and emotionally, but all Laurie can see is a strong man. The kind who will take care of her and ravish her in bed. Heaven help her if she is ever out of line in his opinion. While the writing is consistent, the themes of abuse hiding as love left a bad taste in my mouth.

Book Review: Northern Magic by Janet Dailey

This book was written in 1982 and because of that the reader will find things a bit primative - namely no GPS, no cell phones, and no mention of global warming. The story is set in Alaska when Shannon Hayes receives a one-way plane ticket from her fiance. No letter, no phone call, just the ticket. She packs her bags, tells her parents the wedding is that weekend and flies off to the Last Frontier. Upon arrival, she doesn't find her fiance; there is no phone number, no one has seen nor heard from him in 2 weeks and Shannon is stuck at a nice hotel. Obviously, she has unlimited resources because she offers to pay for a search party to fly around looking for him when it is discovered that he has crashed in the wilderness. During the search, she meets Cody Steele who in one look captures her heart. Really? The man is a rogue. He pursue her relentlessly and tells her he always gets what he wants. Husband material?
The book was short and I finished it in a couple of hours. It did keep my attention more because I wanted to find out if the fiance would be found alive or not. I guess I'm older and more cynical or times have really changed, but Cody Steele didn't steal my heart.

Curtain Close

For the past 8 weeks, I've been working with some of the most amazing high school students. They are kind and helpful and so supportive of one another. It makes me believe that their is hope for the future.

Tonight was the final curtain on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and these 23 wonderful kids pulled it off with aplomb. I'm so impressed with their dedication. I will transcribe my director's notes at a later date - but for now - Well done cast! I shall miss seeing you every day after school, laughing with you, listening as you voice your concerns - I will how you bounce through the doors with so much energy that it wears me out trying to get you to focus - but I loved every minute of it.

Cleaning the coffee grinder

My husband loves coffee and when we got married, my sister introduced him to grinding his own. Thanks sis. Now we have even bigger messes. Coffee grounds all over the counter. I'm not a big coffee drinker - an occasional cup from 7-11 in which I blend fake French Vanilla with Hot Chocolate. Mmmm.
So when my husband said his coffee tasted funny, I didn't know why. It was fresh - I only buy enough beans to last for a week or two. The coffee pot gets cleaned. I know how to clean it - ice and salt does wonders. But I was still puzzled as to why his coffee might be tasting odd. Today, I discovered it probably is the grinder. I've never cleaned it. But how do you clean an electric gadget that doesn't come apart. I contemplated tossing it in the trash - it only cost $10 and Ken has used it every day for almost 3 years. But it still works well. Today, I learned something new - how to clean the coffee grinder. Uncooked rice. Empty out the grinder the best you can, add rice and grind. The rice will absorb the odors and oils leaving the grinder looking like new and odor-free

book review - Secrets in the Cellar

This book isn't for the faint of heart. Josef Friztl grew up with a domineering single mother during WW II in Austria - not far from a death camp and just down the street from a "clinic" that committed war autrocities. Even with this backdrop to his childhood, it is no excuse for the horrors he inflicted on his family and others. Convicted of rape in the late 60s, he served only 18 months before being released and after 15 years, his record was expunged. In public he became a model citizen, but behind closed doors he was a monster. Although his friends knew of his sexual appetite in Thailand, they never looked closer at what may be happening at home. The local prostitutes refused to service him, but never went to authorities about his devient behavior - letting this monster imprison his daughter in a cellar dungeon for 24 years and fathering her 7 children.
The book is mortifying to say the least and Glatt is pretty straight forward in his recounting of the story. He doesn't go into detail about the attacks, or Friztl's perversions. I did find that he repeated himself at times - sometimes within pages. I'm not sure why these repetitions weren't taken out during the editting. They weren't necessary to move the story forward nor were they key points. Although the story was horrifying by it's very nature, I, personally wanted more detail - more humaness to make me hate him more. The book went to print before any final conclusion has been reached - I hope that Fritzl gets his just punishment - but this book won't tell you if he does, unless Glatt puts an addendum on it.

Book Review - The Sign of the Twisted Candles

This is the ninth book in the Nancy Drew mysteries.

Nancy is at it again - solving crimes, making friends and saving the day - or in this case another orphan. Orphans play a big role in the series. But this time, Nancy has to solve the mystery without the help of her trusty side-kicks - Bess and George. They're mad at her for interferring. The case revolves around an old man and his will - of which Bess and George are named. In the end - the orphan finds family members, the will is no longer contested and the bad guys and girls are in jail.
Ned Nickerson makes a brief appearance - but does little to help Nancy in this case. It's a fun trip back in time before cell phones and computers - because there is no way Ned would leave Nancy alone at a creepy old inn with bad people stalking her to go get the cops nor would cut phone wires be a problem- they'd just whip out the cell phone. Also Nancy wouldn't have to make so many trips to check on clues - she could just google everything she needed to know these days. But the fact that she doesn't have these modern day convienences makes it a bit more creepy.

2011 - A New AMERICAN Christmas Tradition

My dad sent me this and I really like it. I can't claim it as my own, but it reflects my thoughts as Christmas approaches and I'm left wondering what do I get for each person on my list and I found that I've been doing some of this, but I could do a whole lot more.
I make a lot of my gifts whether it's gifts from the kitchen - many of our friends are too busy, widowed, or just don't cook - so I make batches of fudge, breads and cookies - I need to start baking soon.
This year I'm even going to attempt to make my own cards - need to start that this weekend.
You might say - but Tami - you're crafty and you have the time to spend on baking and crocheting. True - but read on - there are plenty of ideas for those without time. As for the talented part - how much talent does it take to make a coupon book for shoveling a driveway or making a recipe book? If we want our economy to flourish - spend the money at home.


As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high

gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --

merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This

year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine

concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift

giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes

there is!



It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in

a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates

from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some

health improvement.



Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned

detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a

book of gift certificates.



Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down

the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift

receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or

driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.



There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift

certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about

a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this

isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town

Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.



How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or

motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?



Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a

local cleaning lady for a day.



My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is

struggling to get his repair business up and running.



OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin

their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery

and beautiful wooden boxes.



Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave

your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at

your hometown theatre.



Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.



Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese

lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about

fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to

burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.



You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that

China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about

US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow

their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our

communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

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