Saturday, September 5, 2009

Transitions

Fall, a bit early in my part of the World. My favorite season because of it's gold colors. This week has shown some transitional signs on the mountain. Slowly things are shifting in color and the temperature already low is walking backwards. We are to move things in the slower mode. Reading is once again a comfort in the long evenings. I have welcomed two geraniums in the kitchen. They are encourage to live and wait for next May in a protected environment.
Last Monday, I had invited the TAS group to come to my house. So we were about 8 altogether after Jennifer passed by on her daily run. We had excellent food. Bekky's husband had caught some Halibut the day before so she brought some (there is nothing like fresh Halibut), Diana had made her legendary "Chicken Enchiladas", Terry brought artichoke dip, Becky (the other one, same pronunciation different spelling...) some peach cobbler, I provided smoke salmon from Bernie's excellent recipe, Della had some moose summer sausage (looks like a salami and is fabulous). Just to show you all that in Alaska we do not starve even though most of our food needs to be fished, hunted, gathered or imported!!! Oh yes we did work on our projects too...
Curt turned 51 on the 31 too. He had his "escalopes a la creme" with mushrooms, asparagus, sauteed cubed potatoes and his Double Chocolate Cake that he so loves. A more subdued celebration from last year but warm and cozy at home nonetheless.
Today is one of those glorious light days when the tree shadows dance in the house. I love the strong contrasts.
I have discovered "Listen Alaska" a service provided through our local Library that allows us to borrow and download a large selection of books. I have had the pleasure to listen to "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. First of a Trilogy this story is most compelling. A chilling atmosphere as life as we know doesn't exist anymore and this scenario of the future could potentially happen if we are not careful with the use of our so loved freedom. Sounding a bit like Margaret Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale" with a more juvenile and pure look. I am looking forward to the next two books. Number 2 is out already "Gathering Blue". I have put a hold for the next recording available. At the moment I am fully enjoying the book "Drood" by Dan Simmons. Charles Dickens comes to light, at least the 5 last years of his life, in this book narrated by Wilkie Collins. Dan Simmons has taken historical facts and created the story of Mr Drood and his scary demeanor and has woven the lives of Collins and Dickens. If you have read anything by Wilkie Collins you will enjoy the tone of the story as it could have been written by Collins himself. I have learned much of Dickens and his friendship and private life through this book. So there I am now fully ready to read "The Moonstone" when the weather is getting a bit colder and I need a mental trip to India. I have found a lovely copy of the book at our new bookstore: The Apple Tree in Eagle River. It dates 1944 and has beautiful illustrations by William Sharp. It has 444 pages. I like that easy number to remember and matching somehow this edition. Don't you love the bright yellow cover? It matches the colors of the mountains around here another good reason to select this read.
At the Library I have picked "Among the Mad" by Jaqueline Winspear . I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading from the Maisie Dobbs series. The last one was a bit repetitive and predictable to me, but saying that I like Maisie and want to know what is going to happen to her... I am reading also "A Fine Balance". India again and at it's most bare bones. Tough to read at time because of the injustice encountered, even harder because it is real.
Then I also got at the Library "Tiny Houses" by Mimi Zeiger. Just very impressive and inspiring. I am looking to remodel a small place I have in France and want to take advantage of each square inches to make it livable while on vacation. If I ever live in France again I could keep it as my Studio. Anyway the book is very interesting showing many floor plans and pictures.
I also picked up three movies at the Library: Come Early Morning, Closer and Tsotsi. So we shall see... Literally!
I also have downloaded few books and will have to listen to those in the next two weeks. (Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman, The Piano Teacher by Janice Lee, Peony in Love by Lisa See, Pictures at an Exhibition by Sarah Houghteling, A Short History of Nearly Anything by Bill Bryson, finally.... Through a Glass, Darkly by Donna Leon. Wish me luck....

6 comments:

BooksPlease said...

I love seeing your photos. The season is changing here too. It's cooler (not the summer was really hot, we had just one week of balzing sun), the leaves are turning golden and falling from the trees and there is a definite feel of autumn in the air.

The TAS group feast sounds grand - moose sausage is of course unknown to me!

I've been wondering about reading "Drood", some reviews were not so good, but your description makes me want to try it - I'll check if our library has a copy.

You have such a lot of interesting books lined up for the autumn. I borrowed Among the Mad and Pardonable Lies from the library. I like Maisie and I agree the books are predictable, but I find them addictive - in small doses (is that possible?)

Nancy said...

Thanks for posting info on Listen Alaska, Roxane. I've told Warren about it. It looks like a great way to enjoy audio books and music!

roxanestoner said...

Margaret, "Drod" is still keeping me interested. I like the friendship shown between Collins and Dickens with a tinge of annoyance and competition in towards each other and yet respect and likeness. I hope that you enjoy it too. You comment about Maisie Dobbs made me smile because I fell the same way. I hope you find your dream home close to your grandchildren by the way.
Nancy, You are welcome. I hope that Listen Alaska works for him as it does for me. I have not used the "Music" part yet but I would guess that it works well too.

Iliana said...

That book is gorgeous! Thank you for showing us some of the illustrations.

Hope you are enjoying your new books and will be looking forward to your review of Drood. I think after I finish The Woman in White I may want to check that out!

Enjoy your other books too :)

Lionheart said...

The fall colors are starting to get nice around Pittsburgh Roxanne. I am sorry that you could not go th France. I wish to go along when you do. You could show me lots of cool places. Your artitic eye can see what others miss.
Rick C

roxanestoner said...

I will make sure to let you know when I go. I would love for you to come to France and show you around. We would have to remember to look at the time to eat and stop taking pictures once in a while though. ahahhaha.