Twain's End

Twain’s End by Lynn Cullen

Samuel Clemens was his name and Mark Twain was his lot in life.  We all know Mark Twain by what he wrote and often think we then know him as a person.  But we are wrong.  Twain’s End, takes us into the pages of the diary of his secretary and confidant and inseparable companion, Isabel Lyon.  Sam Clemens was a tortured soul with the betrayals of his childhood haunting him and probably making it impossible for him to love another person.  Little by little we find out what his childhood did to him as an adult.

 Clemens had a very sick wife, a daughter who died and whose death he blames himself for, two daughters he refuses to allow to marry,  an entourage of the wealthy and famous who covet even a moment of his time,  legions of fans around the world all clamoring for a glimpse of him.  And then there is Isabel Lyon, the one person he feels he can care about.

When Isabel and Clemens’ business manager marry,  Samuel pretty much loses control of himself and publicly vilifies her.  In print and through his lawyer he calls her  “a liar, a forger, a thief, a hypocrite, a drunkard, a sneak, a humbug, a traitor, a conspirator, a filthy-minded and salacious slut pining for seduction.”  He takes away her home and fires her and her husband.

One thing Samuel Clemens couldn’t do was share the limelight.  He couldn’t be turned down.  He couldn’t be bested.  Anyone who tried or succeeded would live to regret it.  He made sure.

Within these pages we are privy to the life behind the scenes of his stories based on the diary of Miss Lyon. This was an exceedingly good story.

Owls

OWLS Our Most Charming Bird by Matt Sewell

Owls  is an absolutely charming little book by Matt Sewell.  I don’t know what I like better, the bright, airy, concise descriptions of the owls or the watercolor illustrations or the spotting and jotting workbook at the end where there is space to check off the owls we’ve spotted for ourselves.   This little book is a treasure!

Busy hands

Just home from our annual quilt retreat and as we hoped, the weather was beautiful and while that isn't a deal breaker, it makes for a very nice walk during the day.  I realized as I downloaded these pictures of our busy hands I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do.  Everyone was working on works in early stages so there weren't many finished pieces to show.  We were all nose to the needle most of the time, but I take time to take a couple of walks through the property.

Back to School

It's back to school time.  The kids have been back in the classroom for a month. The teachers are set up and the kids are re-indoctrinated to their new routines so it's time for me to go back with a tote full of books and read once a week.  I do love this and apparently the kids do too because when Adelaide's teacher told the class they were going to have a guest reader the kids asked if it was me!

Once again, if you are looking for good, kid tested stories, you can't go wrong with these.

 Yes, there is a way to read a story.  About ten steps.  Like: find a good book, a reading buddy, cozy spot, look at the cover for clues about what the book will be about, look at the pictures for clues if you don't know a word, etc.  Many of the things in this book are things I always tell the kids:  look at the cover.  The story starts with the cover, not with the words inside, etc.
 By the time we get to Christmas they'll be telling me the way to read a book.

 This one is hilarious and I may just purchase it to have at home. I find myself picking it up over and over just to repeatedly read for myself and look at the nuances in the illustrations.  The four men on the cover see a bird and they try various ways to catch the bird.  The little guy on the end just does the friendly part, "hi, birdie!"  And is told, "Shhhh! We have a plan!"  and of course the plans fail.  But in the end it's the bird who has the last word.  Or does he?

 This one brought so many different responses from the kids.  I told them ( 6 year old first graders) that I almost didn't purchase this one. I almost didn't even look at it!  I thought it was too young for them just from the cover.  And asked them why I might have thought that.  Well, what a smart bunch they are. Their responses were exactly on point:  Colors too soft and babyish, the toys look like baby toys, there's no action.  I couldn't believe they got it.  But then I told them there was ONE thing that did make me pick up the book and then buy it.  The name of the author/illustrator.  Kevin Henkes.  Coincidentally, they're doing an author unit in the classroom now and the author is Kevin Henkes!  Perfect timing for me!  This IS a quiet book but there are such subtleties in the pictures you have so much to talk about with your little one.  It is NOT too young for a 6 year old nor too old for a 2 year old.  Kevin Henkes is a genius.  Buy his books.

 Here's another pair you want on your shelf .Elizabeth and Adelaide can now recognize artist Oliver Jeffers' books by his style ("That looks like the same kind of pictures as in the book Stuck, Grandma")
 Sam is lonely.  Fred is an imaginary friend who gets to stick around only until his person finds a real life friend. He's moved on a lot and is used to the routine. He knows the signs.  But he and Sam really bond and Fred doesn't want to leave when life turns around for Sam. 

I've found when I ask kids in third grade (Elizabeth's grade) if they like to read the boys will say no and the girls will say yes.  I ask the boys if they would rather be outside running around and playing soccer or football or baseball or whatever.  They all shake their heads yes.  Well, that's the problem this book presents.  We have a video gaming guy whose teacher is determined to find a book he will like.  Let me tell you, this one had the kids paying attention.  There's no wiggling when they see themselves on a page.

Anticipation

There's a song that starts:  "My bags are packed, I'm ready to go, standing here outside the door..."

And indeed I am packed for retreat weekend.   You're laughing, you machine people.  I do travel light. There are four pieces in this basket to be hand quilted, my hoop, a baggie of perle cotton, my little sewing basket ( which I love and always have next to me. A gift from SSCS friend Jenny two Christmases ago,)  my lamp and footstool.  I can't hope to finish all four projects so I consider this as taking a lot.  Oh, there's also a tote tucked in there with a ball of yarn and a knitting project. I hit a bump in the road on that one and I want to ask SIL Joyce about  getting back on track.

There will be twelve of us. This year there will be two new to the group and we are a little excited about showing them around. I can see us being like little kids when new company comes and we are led around by the hand being shown favorite toys.  We are coddled and cooked for and sleep in luxurious beds with giant pillows and dry ourselves with thick towels in heated bathrooms.  The inn keepers are like favorite aunts we get to visit once a year.  We catch up on stories and take pictures and time both stands still and speeds up.  Our heart rates slow as we relax, sew, eat, sleep.  But the earth does continue to spin on its axis and eventually our time is up and we have to come back to reality.  The B & B is on 130 acres and is stunningly gorgeous with ponds, pine forests and porches. We truly pray for good weather so we can walk the paths and sit on the porches. 

Now I just have to wait for the departure day. Is it any wonder we can't wait?

October

 October