A Little Night Music - Kristine Kathryn Rusch

A Little Night Music
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
WMG Publishing
Copyright: February 20, 2014
B00IK8F73O

The amazon.com product description:

Andrew has problems fitting in. But for a change, he’d like to stand out for something he does well. If only the adults in his life will let him.  

Another one of Kristine Kathryn Rusch's short stories. This one's shorter than most (Amazon lists it as being only nine pages long), but extremely beautiful and thought provoking. I'm just not too sure what I can say without spoiling it, aside from "I really think you should read this".

I certainly enjoyed reading A Little Night Music, and will probably read it again.

Teaching myself to knit

I've decided, after several years now of crocheting that it's time to teach myself to knit. Mainly because I want to knit socks (Thanks Elizabeth Moon for constantly posting those progress reports on your blog, it's extremely inspiring). Not to mention the numerous other beautiful patterns I keep seeing. This is no slur against crochet. From the moment I first tried crocheting, it felt right, and I plan to keep it up.

Anyway, I've tried learning to knit at least twice before - once as a kid, and once again in the last ten years or so (after I started spinning). The last time I gave it a very brief try was last year - didn't even go a day before giving up.

This time though, I'm going with a different book. Last time it was the Dummies knitting book, but this time I'm going with one that a former co-worker recommended several years ago: the Stitch'n'Bitch Knitters Handbook. At the time, the store didn't have it in, but did have the Crochet book, so I went with that with quite a bit of success.

The recommendation was backed up today by the two workers at my local yarn store, so I decided to go for it. Enough talk about learning to knit, it's time to actually go through with teaching myself.

So, I'm working on trying to remember how to cast on. Which I seem to have succeeded at, although right now it's driving me a bit nuts (second try). First try ended up too tight, and I have the feeling that the second try is going to do the same thing. I'd go to a larger needle set, but I'm working from a miscellaneous collection gifted to me from a couple of different sources. As a result, I've got a lot of fine and medium (many of which have no size markings) and then it jumps to quite a bit larger. Guess I might end up doing some poking around at the Salvation Army Thrift Store next time I'm there.

Of course, that issue doesn't help with the bad habit of the loop I'm working with slipping off the needle every now and again - usually taking the next stitch with it too, which slows me down even further.

Still, I'm remembering how to cast on, which makes me happy as the only method at the beginning of the book is the one I've been told is the long-tail cast on: Debbie Stoller calls it the double cast on.

Reflecting on Droplets

Or, I've been playing with photography again. This time, thanks to the snowy weather over the last few days, combined with sunshine today, I've been having some fun with my macro lens. These two photos are the best of the resulting shots.

Droplet 2 by Endaewen on deviantART

The above photo was taken yesterday while it was still snowing.

Droplets 3 by Endaewen on deviantART

What a difference the sun makes. Both shots might have been even better had I been using a tripod instead of merely hand-holding the camera, but I'm happy enough with them for now - a.k.a. I'm too lazy to want to take my tripod out in foot deep snow and then have to clean it up again.

Cute Cats

I've been on a bit of a humor/cat photography book kick of late. For the sake of my (and your) sanity, I'm just going to group the books I'm referring to here in one post. I just don't think there's enough to them to be able to do them justice in solo reviews. At the same time, I still want to say something about them.

First:

Cat's Cradle
Ron Spillman, Jack Ramsay, Paul Dehn
Copyright: 1961

An oldie and a goodie. I've been reading this one for years now - it was given to my Mom when she was young. Every time I read it, it brings a smile to my face - especially now when I've had two kittens (now cats). The antics that the kitten and puppy get into in Cat's Cradle are exactly the kind of things I found Maddie and Jenny doing when they were kittens (and still do to some extent, though it's less cute now they've grown up).

The black and white photographs in here are sure to bring a smile to any cat-lover's face, as is the text, although some of the references are a bit dated.

Second:

Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir
Tony Mendoza
Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2001
978-0811829632

The amazon.com product description:

Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir was first published by a small Santa Barbara press in 1985. By all accounts, Ernie was a phenomenon, selling an estimated 100,000 copies. Photographer Tony Mendoza had captured the mercurial character of that irascible, self-possessed, utterly lovable cat, telling the curiously moving story of their relationship in the voices of both himself and Ernie. Our beautifully produced hardcover edition of this classic tale is poised to charm legions of new readers. Featuring never-before-published pictures, and a few more private thoughts from Ernie himself, Ernie is sure to steal hearts all over again.

Another of Mom's books, and another one that will bring a smile to any cat-lover's face. The photos in this book are amazing and yet again you'll see your own cat in Ernie. The dual perspectives in the book are amusing too, as the text is a combination of Tony Mendoza and the thoughts of Ernie, the cat.

Centaur Photomanipulation

On occasion I like to post my attempts at either photography or photomanipulation to my blog. In recent months, it's been more photomanipulation than photography, and I realized I hadn't yet posted my most recent attempt.



In A Hurry by Endaewen on deviantART

To be honest, I'm not completely happy with how this one turned out. On the other hand, I'm not too experienced with blending yet, so next time should work out a bit better. I know I need to work on getting the lighting of the two images to blend a bit better in the future.

Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey

Dragonflight
Anne McCaffrey
Ballantine Books
Copyright: 1968
978-0345335463

The amazon.com blurb:

HOW CAN ONE GIRL SAVE AN ENTIRE WORLD?

To the nobles who live in Benden Weyr, Lessa is nothing but a ragged kitchen girl. For most of her life she has survived by serving those who betrayed her father and took over his lands. Now the time has come for Lessa to shed her disguise—and take back her stolen birthright.

But everything changes when she meets a queen dragon. The bond they share will be deep and last forever. It will protect them when, for the first time in centuries, Lessa’s world is threatened by Thread, an evil substance that falls like rain and destroys everything it touches. Dragons and their Riders once protected the planet from Thread, but there are very few of them left these days. Now brave Lessa must risk her life, and the life of her beloved dragon, to save her beautiful world. . . .

Dragonflight is the first book in the Dragonriders of Pern trilogy. The sequels are Dragonquest and The White Dragon, all three of which are gathered together in the Dragonriders of Pern omnibus edition.

To be honest, I was trying to read the whole trilogy - it's only the omnibus edition that I own, but I stalled out again on Dragonquest, even though I really enjoyed my re-read of Dragonflight and I want to re-read The White Dragon. I think it's something about the omnibus edition making me feel as though I have to read all three at once rather than take breaks for other books in between. So. I'm treating the three as separate books this time around.

My re-read was inspired by reading the book of tributes to Anne McCaffrey: Dragonwriter. As a result of that read, I was noticing a lot more of some of the elements of the story - especially the lyrics at the beginnings of each chapter as well as descriptive and character elements.

This is definitely a trilogy that's stood up well to the test of time, I have to say: the original copyright for Dragonflight is 1968 and there's nothing about it that feels dated almost fifty years later - at least not that I noticed. A couple of quirky things that contradict later canon, but I think you almost have to be looking for them to notice them though.

Despite my trouble at the moment with continuing on in my read to the next book, I definitely enjoyed re-reading Dragonflight and would recommend it easily.

Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern - Todd McCaffrey

Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern
Editor: Todd McCaffrey
Smart Pop Publishing
Copyright Date: August 2013
978-1937856830

The amazon.com product description:

When Anne McCaffrey passed in November 2011, it was not only those closest to her who mourned her death; legions of readers also felt the loss deeply. The pioneering science fiction author behind the Dragonriders of Pern® series crafted intricate stories, enthralling worlds, and strong heroines that profoundly impacted the science fiction community and genre.

In Dragonwriter, Anne’s son and Pern writer Todd McCaffrey collects memories and stories about the beloved author, along with insights into her writing and legacy, from those who knew her best. Nebula Award–winner Elizabeth Moon relates the lessons she learned from Pern’s Lessa (and from Lessa’s creator); Hugo Award–winner David Brin recalls Anne’s steadfast belief that the world to come will be better than the one before; legendary SFF artist Michael Whelan shares (and tells stories about) never-before-published Pern sketches from his archives; and more.

Join Anne’s co-writers, fellow science fiction authors, family, and friends in remembering her life, and exploring how her mind and pen shaped not only the Weyrs of Pern, but also the literary landscape as we know it.

Contributors include:

• Angelina Adams
• David Brin
• David Gerrold
• John Goodwin
• Janis Ian
• Alec Johnson
• Georgeanne Kennedy
• Mercedes Lackey
• Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
• Lois McMaster Bujold
• Elizabeth Moon
• Charlotte Moore
• Robert Neilson
• Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett
• Robin Roberts
• Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
• Wen Spencer
• Michael Whelan
• Richard J. Woods
• Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

From the time I first heard about this book - probably last August or September, I knew I wanted to read it. Probably not for quite the same reasons that other readers may have jumped on the book when it came out though. I wanted to read it mostly for the essays by Mercedes Lackey and Elizabeth Moon, two of my favorite authors.

However, on finishing my read of Dragonwriter, I have a new appreciation for Anne McCaffrey and her books - as well as a burning desire to do some re-reading, including those books I don't own, such as The Ship Who Sang, which a lot of the writers in this book were writing about (including the above-mentioned essay by Mercedes Lackey).

Dragonwriter includes essays from Anne McCaffrey's family, people who knew her from conventions such as Dragon*Con, Michael Whelan (who did the cover art for many of the Pern books), musicians who wrote music to go with the lyrics that Anne included in her books and other authors.

Every essay essay was beautiful, be it on Anne McCaffrey's life, her writing, or the impact that both her books and she herself had on the people who knew her. I was left with a lump in my throat on reading Dragonwriter, and a desire to go out and find some of the books by the other authors who wrote these essays - most of whom I've not read.

Honestly, I'm trying to pick out a favorite essay or two to give especial mention to, but I'm having a really hard time doing so. They're all favorites.

I think that all I can say is that if you were a fan of Anne McCaffrey and the Pern books, and you haven't taken the time to read Dragonwriter, you really should. I'm off to see if I can manage to find my copy of The Dragonriders of Pern omnibus edition, which I can't remember if I've seen since my move.

Ever Wanted To See Middle Earth From Space?

Now it's possible thanks to the Middle Earth Digital Elevation Model Project. It's still a project in progress, but what they've created so far is pretty amazing.

What's more, they're working from Tolkien's texts, both finished and unfinished, as well as his notes, and not so much (at least from what I've read) from the movies.

For those of us who are slightly more technically minded, it's even possible to download a simulation of what they've created so far. Personally, I'm not quite game, at least not right now, but I definitely like some of the videos they've made available as well.

I'm definitely impressed!

Reading Slump

I know, it's been a very quiet month here. No, I haven't abandoned All Booked Up, I'm still loving this blog, even after as many years as I've been posting to it. However, I just haven't been reading much of anything since before Christmas.

Not through lack of interest though. I'm picking up books and intending to read them, but I'm just not getting very far with any of them.

So far, the list includes the following books:

1. Elementary - edited by Mercedes Lackey
2. There and Back Again: The Origins of The Hobbit - Mark Atherton
3. Eleanor of Aquitaine - Alison Weir
4. Indexing Names - edited by Noeline Bridge
5. The Lady In Medieval England 1000-1500 - Peter Coss
6. Growing Up In Medieval London: The Experience of Childhood in History - Barbara Hanawalt

I think the main issue is stress-related. We moved in October from a condo to a house. Almost right away, we discovered a few issues, the biggest one being water in the basement. First thought was that it was the hot water tank. Instead, it turned out to be water coming in from outside. That problem has been ongoing ever since. Every time we've thought we had it figured out and fixed, a couple of weeks later it came back (turned out that part of the problem was that the sink and shower drain pipe had gotten separated just outside the basement.

Now though, it turns out to be a groundwater/perimeter drainage issue. This morning we got up to discover that the water issue was worse than ever - halfway across the room. Out came the shop vac, which worked wonders. First time we'd had to use it for water - where it excelled. One emergency call to the person we'd called earlier in the week and he's coming with the heavy machinery first thing in the morning. Thank goodness!

Back to the water issue - painted cinderblock foundation wall. For the most part, the water's been oozing in - a few drips here and there only, so manageable with towels, from the grout-lines. Today, it was visibly dripping down, in a couple of places, with enough water pooling that we were using the shop vac every 10 to 20 minutes or less.

Frantic searching online ensued for something we could use to seal the grout-lines that would be easy clean-up (both today and in terms of removal tomorrow or soon after) and that could be applied to a wet surface. Hydraulic cement was a maybe, but we weren't too certain because of the paint, but more because of the need to gouge out the holes and cracks in order to fill them. Couldn't find much - at least not that was available in stores nearby. So, brainstorming.

Ended up trying chewing gum. I had to chew five or six pieces in short order to have enough to cover the worst spot, and I don't even really like gum. The occasional piece now and again, but not like I was chewing them today. We were lucky to even have that much around. Guess what...

It worked. The water leak has been slowed to an absolute trickle. Enough that we can leave it and go to bed.

The great water leak saga isn't the only thing causing stress though. The other large part of things is that I'm both trying to find a job and get my new indexing business, Quill and Ink Indexing Services off the ground. Mostly I've been focusing on the latter, working on the website (which still has a couple of bugs), cold-calling and e-mailing publishers and creating my business cards.

Another Photomanipulation

I've done another photomanipulation to ring in the new year. This one's done for one of the contests on the dA site.

Tragic by ~Endaewen on deviantART

Unread Books 2014

Here's the 2014 incarnation of my Unread Books list. It's just as scary as it has been every other year I've posted it too. For every book I read from the list, I seem to add at least one to the list again, and usually more than one. The titles with a line through them are currently sitting in boxes. I think there's only one box left to unpack, but to be honest, I'm not completely sure what's in it now.

One of these days I really need to go through this list and my book collection and give it a proper update. I know there are books that aren't on the list, and others that are but that I've sold on. I try and work from memory most of the time and it's definitely not a hundred percent accurate.

1. Star Wars: X-Wing Omnibus 3 - Michael Stackpole - Fiction (Graphic Novel)
2. The Children of Hurin - J.R.R. Tolkien - Fiction (Fantasy)
3. On Faerie Stories - Ed. Verilyn Flieger - Non Fiction
4. The Tolkien Legendarium - Ed. Carl Hostetter - Non Fiction
5. Splintered Light: Logos And Language In Middle-Earth - Verilyn Flieger - Non Fiction
6. Life In A Medieval City - Francis and Joseph Gies - Non Fiction (History)
7. Life In A Medieval Castle - Francis and Joseph Gies - Non Fiction (History)
8. The Histories - Herodotus - Non Fiction (History)
9. The Peloponnesian War - Thucydides - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
10. The Name Of The Rose - Umberto Ecco - Fiction
11. The Eagle - Jack Whyte - Fiction
12. The Battle For Middle-Earth - Bonnie Rutledge - Non Fiction
13. The Ring Of Words - Jeremy H. Marshall - Non Fiction
14. Greek Lives - Plutarch - Non Fiction (History, Biography, Primary Source)
15. Roman Lives - Plutarch - Non Fiction (History, Biography, Primary Source)
16. A Flame In Hali - Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross - Fiction (Fantasy)
17. The Fall of Neskaya - Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross - Fiction (Fantasy)
18. Zandru's Forge - Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross - Fiction (Science Fiction)
19. Ravens of Avalon - Diana L. Paxon - Fiction (Fantasy)
20. Ancestors of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley - Fiction (Fantasy)
21. God's War - Christopher Tyerman - Non Fiction (History)
22. The Eagle and the Raven - Pauline Gedge - Fiction
23. Tolkien: A Celebration - Joseph Pearce - Non Fiction
24. Beowulf - Trans. Seamus Heany - Poetry (Primary Source)
25. Job: A Comedy Of Justice - Robert Heinlein - Fiction (Science Fiction)
26. J.R.R. Tolkien: A Reader's Guide - Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull - Non Fiction
27. The History Of The Hobbit: Mr. Baggins - John Rateliff - Non Fiction
28. The History Of The Hobbit: Return To Bag-End - John Rateliff - Non Fiction
29. Masters Of Fantasy - Anthology (Fantasy)
30. Lives of the Twelve Caeasars - Suetonius - Non Fiction (History, Biography, Primary Source)
31. The Annals - Tacitus - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
32. An Imperial Possession - David Mattingly - Non Fiction (History)
33. The Peloponnesian War - Donald Kagan - Non Fiction (History)
34. Augustus: The Life Of Rome's First Emperor - Anthony Everitt - Non Fiction (History, Biography)
35. Cicero - Anthony Everitt - Non Fiction (History, Biography)
36. The Dark Champion - Kinley MacGregor - Fiction (Romance)
37. Caesar - Adrian Goldworthy - Non Fiction (History, Biography)
38. The Fall Of The Roman Empire - Peter Heather - Non Fiction (History)
39. Xenophon's Retreat - Robin Waterfield - Non Fiction (History)
40. Isabella - Alison Weir - Non Fiction (History, Biography)
41. Anthony And Cleopatra - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
42. Romeo And Juliet - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
43. Richard III - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
44. The Comedy Of Errors - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
45. All's Well That Ends Well - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
46. Troilus And Cressida - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
47. Henry IV Part One - Shakespeare - Fiction (Primary Source)
48. The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer - Poetry (Primary Source)
49. The Saga of Grettir The Strong - Fiction (Primary Source)
50. The Conquest Of Gaul - Julius Caesar - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
51. The Annotated Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien - Fiction (Fantasy)
52. Rome And Jerusalem - Martin Goodman - Non Fiction (History)
53. The History of Britain - Simon Schama - Non Fiction (History)
54. Metamorphosis - Ovid - Poetry (Primary Source)
55. The Medieval World - Eds. Peter Linehan & Janet L. Nelson - Non Fiction (History)
56. Europe And The Middle Ages - Edward Peters - Non Fiction (History)
57. The Age of the Cathedrals - Georges Duby - Non Fiction (History)
58. A History Of Private Life I - Non Fiction (History)
59. A History Of Private Life II - Non Fiction (History)
60. The Peasantries Of Europe - Ed. Tom Scott - Non Fiction (History)
61. Law And Life of Rome - J. A. Crook - Non Fiction (History)
62. The Temple And the Lodge - Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh - Non Fiction
63. The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception - Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh - Non Fiction
64. The Battle Of Salamis - Barry Strauss - Non Fiction (History)
65. The Knights Templar - Piers Paul Read - Non Fiction
66. The Lost Tomb Of Alexander The Great - Andrew Michael Chugg - Non Fiction (History)
67. Greek Lyric Poetry - Trans. Sherod Santos - Poetry (Primary Source)
68. Khubilai Khan's Lost Fleet: In Search of a Legendary Armada - James Delgado - Non Fiction (History)
69. On Sparta - Plutarch - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
70. A History Of My Times - Xenophon - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
71. On The Prowl - Anthology (Romance)
72. Knight Of Darkness - Kinley MacGregor - Fiction (Romance)
73. Sword of Darkness - Kinley MacGregor - Fiction (Romance)
74. Sword and Sorceress VIII - Fiction (Anthology)
75. Sword and Sorceress XV - Fiction (Anthology)
76. Sword and Sorceress XIV - Fiction (Anthology)
77. Sword and Sorceress X - Fiction (Anthology)
78. Sword and Sorceress VI - Fiction (Anthology)
79. Sword and Sorceress IX - Fiction (Anthology)
80. Rocket Ship Galileo - Robert Heinlein - Fiction (Science Fiction)
81. The Real Middle Earth - Brian Bates - Non Fiction (History)
82. Roman Poets Of The Early Empire - Poetry - (Primary Source)
83. Readings In Medieval History - Patrick Geary - Non Fiction (History)
84. Troilus And Criseyde - Geoffrey Chaucer - Poetry (Primary Source)
85. Falls The Shadow - Sharon Kay Penman - Fiction (History)
86. The Reckoning - Sharon Kay Penman - Fiction (History)
87. Eleanor Of Aquitaine - Alison Weir - Non Fiction (Biography)
88. Growing Up In Medieval London - Barbara Hanawalt - Non Fiction (History)
89. The Lost Capital Of Byzantium - Steven Runciman - Non Fiction - History
90. Charmed Destinies - Anthology (Fantasy)
91. The Ties That Bound - Barbara Hanawalt - Non Fiction (History)
92. Making A Living In The Middle Ages - Christopher Dyer - Non Fiction (History)
93. The Art Of Medieval Hunting - John Cummins - Non Fiction (History)
94. Medieval English Prose For Women - Eds. Bella Millett & Jocelyn Wogan-Browne - Non Fiction (Primary Source)
95. Sword and Sorceress I - Fiction (Anthology)
96. Sword and Sorceress V - Fiction (Anthology)
97. Sword and Sorceress VII - Fiction (Anthology)
98. Against The Odds - Elizabeth Moon - Fiction (Science Fiction)
99. Dictionary Of Mythology - Non Fiction
100. Hadrian - Anthony Everitt - Non Fiction - Biography
101. The Inheritance Of Rome - Chris Wickham - Non Fiction (History)
102. Josephus - Non Fiction (Primary Source)
103. Women in Early Medieval Europe 400-1100 - Lisa M. Bitel - Non Fiction (History)
104. An Illustrated History of its First 12000 Years: Toronto edited by Ronald F. Williamson - Non Fiction (History)
105. Becoming Modern In Toronto: The Industrial Exhibition - Keith Walden - Non Fiction (History)
106. The Complete World Of The Dead Sea Scrolls - Phillip R. Davies, George J. Brooke and Phillip R. Callaway - Non Fiction (History)
107. The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English - Non Fiction (Primary Source)
108. Alexandria - Nick Bantock - Fiction
109. Morningstar - Nick Bantock - Fiction
110. Gryphon - Nick Bantock - Fiction
111. Londinium - John Morris - Non Fiction - History
112. The Archaeology Of Roman Britain - R. G. Collingwood - Non Fiction - History
113. Lord of the Two Lands - Judith Tarr - Fiction (Fantasy)
114. Daily Living In The Twelfth Century - Non Fiction (History)
115. Cathedral, Forge And Waterwheel - Francis And Joseph Gies - Non Fiction (History)
116. Medicine And Society In Later Medieval England - Caroline Rawcliffe - Non Fiction (History)
117.  Variable Star - Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson - Fiction (Science Fiction)
118. Zoe's Tale - John Scalzi - Fiction (Science Fiction)
119. The Forgetting Room - Nick Bantock - Fiction
120. Sex, Dissidence And Damnation: Minority Groups In The Middle Ages - Jeffrey Richards - Non Fiction (History)
121. The Life Of Christina Of Markayte - Trans. C. H. Talbot - Non Fiction (Primary Source)
122. Medieval Costume And Fashion - Herbert Norris - Non Fiction (History)
123. The Venetian's Wife - Nick Bantock - Fiction
124. Medieval Households - David Herlihy - Non Fiction (History)
125. Special Sisters: Women In The European Middle Ages - Arthur Fredrick Ide - Non Fiction (History)
126. Everyman And Medieval Miracle Plays - Ed. A. C. Crawley - Non Fiction (Primary Source)
127. The Last Apocalypse - James Reston Jr. - Non Fiction (History)
128. The Museum At Purgatory - Nick Bantock - Fiction
129. Lysistrata/The Clouds  - Aristophanes - Fiction (History, Primary Source, Play)
130. Shadow Of The Swords - Kamran Pasha - Fiction
131. The Forest Laird - Jack Whyte - Fiction (Historical Fiction)
132. The Grand Design - Steven Hawking - Non Fiction
133. American Vampire - Scott Snyder, Steven King - Fiction (Graphic Novel)
134. A Game Of Thrones - George R. R. Martin - Fiction (Fantasy, e-book)
135. Stray - Rachel Vincent - Fiction (Fantasy)
136. Queen By Right - Anne Easter Smith - Fiction (Historical Fiction)
137. Dreams of Joy - Lisa See - Fiction (Historical Fiction)
138. Rosemary and Rue - Seanan McGuire - Fiction (Fantasy)
139. The Axe and the Oath - Robert Fossier - Non Fiction (History)
140. A Short History of the Middle Ages - Barbara Rosenwein - Non Fiction (History)
141. Pausanias Guide to Greece Volume One Translated by Peter Levy - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
142. The Ruin of the Roman Empire: A New History - James J. O'Donnell - Non Fiction (History)
143. Atlas of Medieval Europe - Non Fiction (History)
144. Shanghai Girls - Lisa See - Fiction (History)
145. The Art of The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien - Non Fiction (Fantasy)
146. By Fire By Water - Mitchell James Kaplan - Fiction (History)
147. Hobbitus Ille - J.R.R. Tolkien - Fiction (Fantasy)
148. The Landmark Arrian - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
149. Alexander The Great - Philip Freeman - Non Fiction (History, Biography)
150. The Rise And Fall of Ancient Egypt - Toby Wilkinson - Non Fiction (History)
151. Earth To Hell - Kylie Chan - Fiction (Fantasy)
152. Hell To Heaven - Kylie Chan - Fiction (Fantasy)
153. Heaven To Wudang - Kylie Chan - Fiction (Fantasy)
154. Holy Warriors: A Modern History of the Crusades - Johnathan Phillips - Non Fiction (History)
155. The Crusades A Reader - Ed. S. J. Allen and Emilie Amt - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
156. Women's Writing In Middle English - Ed. Alexandra Barratt - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
157. Stalking Darkness - Lynn Flewelling - Fiction (Fantasy)
158. Traitor's Moon - Lynn Flewelling - Fiction (Fantasy)
159. The Crusader States - Malcolm Barber - Non Fiction (History)
160. Chronicles of the First Crusade - Ed. Christopher Tyerman - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
161. The Empire At War Vol 1 - Fiction (Graphic Novel, Science Fiction)
162. The Empire At War Vol 2 - Fiction (Graphic Novel, Science Fiction)
163. The History of the World in 100 Objects - Neil MacGregor - Non Fiction (History)
164. The Zero Mile Diet: A Year Round Guide To Growing Organic Food - Carolyn Herriot - Non Fiction (Gardening)
165. The Landmark Hellenika - Ed. Robert Strassler - Non Fiction (History, Primary Source)
166. Women In Medieval Society - Ed. Susan Mosher Stuard - Non Fiction (History)
167. The Lady In Medieval England 1000-1500 - Peter Coss - Non Fiction (History)
168. Passion Play - Beth Bernobich - Fiction (Fantasy)

Christmas Watching

There are lots of fine Christmas themed movies out there, but before I get to those, I want to mention one episode of a T.V. show that is one of the best Christmas themed shows I've seen in a long time:

The T.V. show is MacGyver, and the episode in question is The Madonna from Season 5.
The episode blurb from the season is:

A mysterious homeless woman comes to stay at the Challenge Center, and with her pocketful of miracles, ends up teaching MacGyver and the kids the true meaning of Christmas.

The amazon.com blurb:

MacGyver faces a busy Christmas Eve: he tries to help a priest reclaim a stolen Madonna figure, aids Cynthia in keeping the Challenger Club's doors open, and comes to the rescue of a bag lady preyed upon by thieves.

To be honest, I prefer the first blurb, but either way, this is an episode worth watching. I saw it a couple of weeks ago as part of watching the whole series through in order for the first time and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since.

This is also the time of year for Christmas movies, and there are almost too many to count out there. Who can forget the Charlie Brown Christmas though?

That's a family tradition to watch, although I haven't gotten around to it yet this year.

How about A Christmas Carol? There are several versions of this movie out there, almost too many to count, but the most recent is the Disney version.

Another first for me this year was watching The Polar Express. Great music, and a very warming storyline, although I found the red/blue 3D glasses rather disconcerting to use. At least part of that though is that I wear glasses, and so don't really like any of the 3D glasses out there. Even so, it was quite the experience to see a movie at home in 3D - without needing any special technology.

What's your favorite Christmas movie or T.V. show?

Photomanipulation take two

I had some fun with this one and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Step Through The Door by ~Endaewen on deviantART

Photomanipulation

I've started playing around with photomanipulation for the first time in about a decade. I'm reasonably happy with the end result I got on this first attempt too.

Foggy Castle Ruins by ~Endaewen on deviantART

Some photos

I haven't been doing a whole heck of a lot of reading lately. But, I have gotten back into editing and posting my photos, so here's a couple of them to tide you over until the next book review.

The Mar In Dock by ~Endaewen on deviantART

Spring Flames by ~Endaewen on deviantART

Purple/Pink Flower by ~Endaewen on deviantART