Mosquito Ring Tone - It's true!

Old people can't hear it, at least this old person can't. But when I turned the volume up it actually hurt my teen's ears! Want to take a listen yourself? The tone can be downloaded at NPR.org and there's an interesting article to read while you're not hearing anything.

Invisible Ink

On a completely different note I ran across another bookseller's website, Invisible Ink, where ghost and haunting books are the focus. There's info on ghostly tours to take, books on ghosts and hauntings the world over and frightening fiction. I particularly liked the FAQ section, question 11, "Why should I buy from you"? The owner, Chris Woodyard, is working on a 7,000+ item bibliography of non-fiction ghost books. He tells you what to look for if you think a house is haunted and says he has the ability to see buildings and architectural features that no longer exist (that could be a bit disconcerting!).

Shelf Awareness

Ahhh, it's the day after the longest day of the year and those of us in the southern U.S. might relish the idea that the days are once again getting shorter (and, ultimately, cooler - someday). Not so if you live north of latitude 58 degrees. I remember feeling as if fall (aka winter) was on its way once that magic midsummer day had come and gone. After the fireweed finished blooming and began scattering its fluff, well, it was time to begin missing summer.

In my internet ramblings I've run across another informative site for bibliophiles, Shelf Awareness. This site provides daily enlightenment for the book trade, something we can all use...

Happy Solstice!

BiblioTravel

WoW! Yesterday was my day to discover some really cool places on the net. More librarians, Fiona Scannell and James Schellenberg, have created a site for "books that take you away". Their goal is to "provide a free online resource for identifying stories that are set in distinct locales." You can find a book by the usual author and title, and you can search by genre and setting of the story. So, here's a spot I can browse for those mysteries set in the Southwest U.S. that I enjoy reading (although there aren't that many listed yet but I suspect they are continually adding new entries.)

Landscapes of Crime

Once I start posting after a dry spell I seem to come across lots of things to post. Generally this is because I'm doing research on a particular subject using our wonderful FREE internet and stumble across so many interesting things. Like did you know that the word omniphagous doesn't seem to be in any dictionary yet is used quite often on various internet sites especially those discussing insects. Anyone know a dictionary where this word is listed?

I digress. The reason for this post is to share another mystery site that recommends mysteries set in particular locations, G.J. Demko's Landscapes of Crime. There is even a page for Florida and Louisiana mysteries. Not an extensive list, actually not a list at all, but some recommendations for books set in these locales. This site also has MAPS! of the number of mysteries set in particular states and countries (mysteries written in English). I guess if you're a writer and you see an underserved state or country you could do your part and write a mystery for that area.

Golden Gate Mysteries

Over 1,200 mysteries set in the San Francisco area have been compiled by Randal Brandt, Brancroft Library curator. All these wonderful mysteries can be found here: Golden Gate Mysteries. I'm quite fond of mysteries set in the Southwest U.S. and bibliomysteries but I just may pick a few from this list to become better acquainted with this locale (I've always enjoyed Marcia Muller's Sharon McCone mysteries which are set in the San Francisco area). What a useful resource Randal has created! Perhaps another industrious soul will do this for mysteries set in the Southwest? Well, someone has. The folks at BiblioTravel!

'Spanish American War' Tax Ends
but only for long distance - not local - service

As predicted, after losing a number of court battles, the IRS has decided to give up and stop charging long-distance customers a tax that stems back to the Spanish American war. Some in congress had considered at one point expanding the tax to cover broadband connections. Note that the repeal is only for long-distance service, this now named "excise tax" still exists for local phone service.

According to this release by the IRS, taxpayers can file for refunds for any tax paid after Feb. 28, 2003 on their 2006 returns. "So taxpayers won’t have to spend time digging through old telephone bills, we’re designing a straightforward process that taxpayers may use when they file their tax returns next year," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "Claiming a refund will be simple and fair." (I wonder how much of a refund this will turn out to be. Enough to buy a couple or three books?)

*Thanks to the folks at dslreports.com for this article*

In Memory of...

"To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source,
a tree without a root." Chinese proverb

The Check's in the Mail - 5/29/06 Newsweek article

I don't normally read Newsweek but picked up this issue to read their take on Mary Magdalene (go, Mary, go!) It was an ok article with lots of good pictures but the article that really hit home was how the insurance companies are screwing homeowners in La. and Miss. and not paying claims (or paying very little). Perhaps we need socialized property insurance as well as health insurance. I mean, when it gets to the point that everybody knows how corrupt and dishonest insurance companies can be why can't some alternative be found? (anybody watched or read The Rainmaker lately?) I'm not sure I've met anyone who isn't at least a wee bit pessimistic about their insurance company (if they can afford insurance). It's almost a given that you will pay for insurance and the insurance company will deny or reduce your claim payment as much as possible. So, insurance companies don't cover flood damage. And now (so I've heard) they won't be covering hurricane damage. Is there a tornado exclusion? Earthquakes must not be covered, right? What IS covered? I've heard the old "acts of God" aren't covered. What else are there, may I ask?

In digging around on the net to find a link to the article I ran across what looks to be an interesting site with links to many magazine articles, Slate. Par for the couse that I find sites and links to sites I've never encountered when researching. This might be an endangered pastime if network neutrality isn't protected.

Godsey saved my blog!

I know joyce is a modest soul but I have to report that even with all she has going on in her life right now (mothers, brothers and bird-killing cats) she took the time to repair and improve my blog format. A little knowledge in my hands (especially when it pertains to computers) often creates havoc (luckily I've never physically harmed or killed anyone with my stupidity). I thought I could spiff up my blog and when I was finished, it was too. Joyce saved the day and I am very grateful. I'm sending her some virtual plum wine. Hope you like this flavor, joyce. Cheers!

Moorish Girl Blog

Many of you bibliophiles have, more than likely, visited the Moorishgirl blog edited by Laila Lalami. It is well worth checking out. She is articulate and her insights are thought provoking.

To all Mom's - We wouldn't be here without you!

Thank you, Mom, for every pea-pickin' thing. You were someone to emulate and I know you did your absolute best through all those trying times that, yours truly, put you through. You'd be pleased to know that now I know what a joy parenting can be as well as how frustrating. How loving and how painful. I always thought of myself as a patient person. Ha! No more. Sometimes as a parent I find out just how short my fuse is. I now understand those times you barricaded yourself in the bathroom, crying in what must have been frustration. And I thought you were just afraid to show your emotions. You probably wanted to kill me or were wishing I'd run away! How and why do we push our parent's buttons so well and so frequently? Sorry about that, Mom! You were the best!

Telephone Records are just the Tip of NSA's Iceberg

Oh joy...it seems that the reasons for paranoia I felt during the 70s are resurfacing under Dubya's reign. I never liked having George Sr. as president. It seemed that an ex-CIA person just didn't belong in a position involving the protection of our personal liberties and freedoms. Nor was I convinced he was truly "EX"-CIA. And when his son forced his way into the Presidency, needless to say, it didn't make my day. And now, Dubya is doing what I thought was his father's agenda and making me wonder how many years it will take to rid ourselves of their tentacles. Color me blue.

GRAMMAR GODDESS :-)

GRAMMAR GODDESS :-)
How handy. Someone to pose those niggling grammar questions to (darn dangling participles). I stumbled upon her blog and bet, now that I think of it, that there are other similar sites. I work at a small liberal arts college in the English Dept. and often get calls about how to say or do this or that with the English language (and other languages as well). Unless there happens to be professor available I dare not pretend to be an authority. Maybe I'll steer them in the Grammar Goddess's direction if they are computer savvy.
5/12/06 - I just noticed that the Goddess isn't in much so this might not be the best spot for one's grammar conundrums. Poked around a bit more on the web but haven't found the perfect spot yet. Will post a link if I do.

Anybody like contra dancing? (or what to do with yourself when not reading, buying or selling books)

Ok, joyce, you're right. Nothing like a guilt trip to make one post to one's own blog!

I should be outside instead of hunkered down over a keyboard. It's glorious today here in north Louisiana. There is scant humidity, the sky is New Mexico or Montana blue and it's warm and breezy. I really hate that not too far away from here some folks in Texas and Oklahoma really got hammered with tornados but every time a storm passes this way I get down on my knees and pray to God/dess that the bad weather goes around Louisiana, specifically around my little neck of the woods. There's just been too darn much excitement around here in that department.

Back on track...one thing I wish there was more of (any for that matter) in this area is contra dancing. I got introduced to it in Juneau, AK and once I realized they weren't having Contra fundraisers (what an idiot) I found an incredibly wonderful pastime. Great exercise, fun and love that live music! If you get the chance to try it you just might find you agree with me!

Another good read - The Reindeer People

I've found another good book to read, The Reindeer People by Piers Vitebsky. He's an anthropologist who studied and lived among some of the reindeer herding people in northern Russia. I enjoy his writing style and what's he's got to say about the people, the reindeer and their relationships. In looking for links to give you more info about this book I discovered that NPR did a story about Vitesbsky and his life among the reindeer people. Maybe that's why I picked this book to read. Thinking back I couldn't remember what piqued my interest but whatever it was I'm glad to have followed my nose. One wonders how global warming is affecting the reindeer/caribou and the people whose lives are tied to them.

The Hummingbird's Daughter

Thanks to a posting at the Bibliophile Bullpen blog, I read The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea. What a great story! I had never heard of Teresita's existence and was happy to discover that she was a real person and that there are more accounts of her life to read. Thank you Mr. Urrea for writing about your ancestor.

I've got mysteries on the brain

Today while looking for something else (par for the course) I found another great mystery site set up by the Waterboro Public Library located in East Waterboro, Maine. Look for great mystery book reviews, cataloguing and other mystery links they've provided. A very useful reference for us mystery lovers!

The Mystery Reader

I must be full of piss and vinegar today. Two postings in one day! I just had to pass along this link about mystery books. They do a good job of listing and reviewing new (and some older) mysteries and rating them.

Wired for Books

Ohio University has a great site, Wired for Books, with author interviews and readings of authors' works. There are so many good interviews and books to choose from it will be difficult to listen to them all! This site is well worth a listen!

Blogless (or is it Bloggless?)

How Joyce at the bullpen does it I can't fathom. I just don't have much to say, I guess. Maybe that's a good thing... One thing I DO want to say is to tell you about the cool link at the Infocult blog-- about the Invisible Library.

Invisible books! What a space saver! They'd be light, no building foundation problems. Clean, wouldn't collect dust and book mold. But what would we do with all that bare wall space? And we'd have to have furniture to fill the rooms instead of books. Ah well. Living around book mold and dust is a good thing. The current thinking is exposure to dirt, cats, dogs, aka as allergens, makes for healthier children and adults (to an extent). I'm living proof of this having been raised surrounded by books (and their accompanying microscopic critters) and cats and dogs. The only thing that occasionally bothers me (allergen-wise) is all the pollen in the air (it's Spring!). But, I take quercetin for that. Works great. Take it whenever I feel the sniffles approaching.

(photo of grounds at Norton Art Gallery)

Mystery Scene Magazine

Gee, where have I been? Discovered the site for Mystery Scene Magazine and note that it's in it's 20th year of being published! I'm a great fan of mystery novels (especially those set in the southwest) and this 'zine looks like it is well worth reading. Maybe you will agree with me.

Bonnie's Bookstore Game

For those who enjoy playing a game now and then, here's one with a bookish bent. Unfortunately, it cannot yet be played online; one must download it and, gasp, ultimately purchase it. But, sometimes that's warranted if a game is enough fun. We'll see. I've yet to play it.

Update: tried it last night at the easiest level. It was easy and fun. I enjoyed the premise of the game. If the advanced levels are more difficult I think it will be a keeper.

Literary Quote for the Day

"If I could live as a tree, as a river, as the moon, as the sun, as a star, as the earth, as a rock, I would...Writing permits me to experience life as any number of strange creations." ~ Alice Walker

Literary Quote for the Day

"The answers you get from literature depend upon the questions you pose."~ Margaret Atwood

Uninsured pay the most at U.S. hospitals

Can you believe it? I ran across this article and it confirmed what I've discovered fairly recently. That YOU PAY MORE FOR DOCTOR'S VISITS IF YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE! Excuse me for shouting but, silly me, I thought that if a doctor's office didn't have to bill your insurance company or if, heaven forbid, you paid up front, on the day of your visit, you would actually pay LESS (there I go again) for your visit. Not so. It's mind boggling. This is just one more argument for socialized medicine. There are too many damn middlemen involved in the patient/doctor/hospital triad. Mr. Bush just can't understand it; no wealthy person can if they've never experienced being on the bottom of the socioeconomic heap. Do I feel better for having vented? Not really...sniff, sniff

If you're interested in stories in French (and German) from old, never before published sources, then Centenary College of Louisiana, Tintamarre Editions, has just the books for you. There is even something for you English speakers, a bilingual French/English book (which I don't think is yet shown on the website). Stay tuned.

OOPS!

Who does this remind you of?

Yesterday, while browsing The Penguin Thelwell I ran across this illustration. Perhaps Mr. Thelwell had in mind that the hunter's dog was going to help the duck that had been shot. My immediate thought, however, was the dog was getting the first aid kit to help the hunter's friend who had been shot. Just goes to show how jaded one becomes when dealing with things political.

Bookwrapcentral

Thanks to Bibliophile Bullpen for the link to Bookwrapcentral.

I haven't listened to all the authors' interviews but those I jhave listened to, like WOW! This is a great way to promote their books. Not everybody can get to an author signing and the signings I've attended didn't allow much in the way of author/reader interaction. Can't wait to listen to each and every interview. Even for those books I'd probably never read.

KATRINARITA GRAS

This is a cover that William Joyce was asked to do for the New Yorker. Unfortunately, it got bumped because Dick Cheney shot his friend instead of bird. Bill hopes his art and essay will be used to keep the story of Louisiana's troubles alive. I live in northern Louisiana and life here was disrupted very little by Katrinarita. But everyone who comes back from New Orleans says that words simply cannot describe the way things were and still are.

New Orleans has always been a one-of-a-kind place that millions of people have enjoyed. Not a perfect place but beautiful, elegant and prone to debauchery (the Puritans never got a firm toehold in New Orleans).

There are still 1000s of displaced south Louisianians. You've probably heard some of their stories. And this week NPR's All Things Considered is broadcasting from New Orleans and providing updates on some folks' stories. For those of you who have returned to New Orleans, South Louisiana and the Mississippi coast and are rebuilding your lives I wish you abundant strength and courage. You will need it. God/dess bless.

New Health Insurance Plan

I know many booksellers can't afford much in the way of health insurance. Dave Berry has a plan that might be affordable. (taken from that lively publication, the AARP Bulletin)

Kinky Friedman Next Governor of Texas?

Hey, I think I'd vote for him. Maybe if Texas doesn't want him he'd think about coming on over to Louisiana and giving it a try. This article has some interesting tidbits about Kinky.

Mardi Paw Parade

Darn the cold weather! Missed the Mardi Paw parade held by the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux. You might enjoy reading about past parades and seeing pictures from this year's parade. Our dogs would not have minded the weather but we just couldn't get motivated to get out in the freezing temperatures and sleety conditions. They moved the parade site this year. I think it was probably even colder along the Red River than it would have been at A.C. Steere Park. Weatherwise we lucked out this time. No heavy ice-covered tree branches to knock out power and all important HEAT.

BRRRRRRRRRR.....

This weekend it was quite cold and icy. Not like in the North, mind you, but cold for the South. At least 3 people died in car accidents over the weekend because of the icy roads.

I remember my first experience with ice on a road in rural Louisiana. Was driving a VW beetle. Husband says, "Slow down"! Well, I did and we ended up in the ditch. Not a deep ditch so there was no damage. We were just surprised. That was my first experience with learning how to NOT apply brakes when there is ice on the road. I was lucky; I lived through my learning experience unlike some. I now have many years of cold weather driving under my belt; experience gleaned in Alaska where I never ended up in a ditch.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is such a wonderful excuse to eat chocolate. I hope all who read this know how good for you chocolate is, especially DARK chocolate. Too bad it takes sugar (which ain't that great) to make it taste so good although I've found some lo-carb/sugar free chocolates to be excellent (though often more expensive).

A little book/library humor...

Book Collecting Gene?

Dear ole Dad loved collecting books. He began his hobby in the 1940s. He'd go looking for science fiction books but would have to buy ALL of a person's books to get the ones he really wanted. He built up quite a collection and became very knowledgable about grading and value. He cataloged them all on 3x5 cards by author and subject. It was a labor of love; of collecting and handling and thumbing through each book. I know he didn't have time to read each and every one that passed through his hands. I think his love of books is imprinted in my DNA.

BUY DANISH (not the sweet rolls...)

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I just returned from the store with some Havarti cheese from Denmark. Next on my list are some Danish butter cookies. Tried buying some from the local Family Dollar - to my surprise they were made in Brazil. So, gotta be careful about that. Not that it's a bad thing to support the Brazilian economy but Denmark needs our help at the moment. This is a good link for Danish products that you can probably find here in the U.S. It was interesting to discover that Ecco shoes are Danish.
http://buydanish.home.comcast.net/products.htm



While browsing the web for products Danish I came across info about the Norwegian Forest cat. There is an NFC club and most of its 600 members are in Denmark. Here's a nice link for the club and the breed - lovely cats! http://www.norskskovkat.dk/

Amazing...

What is it that people find so fascinating about blogging? I guess expressing oneself is the big draw. That's assuming you can type well. My significant other would never find this a successful way to communicate...he hunts and pecks at the keyboard. Plus, he thinks computers are out to get him. Perhaps they are. Speaking of typing, found the coolest learn-to-type place at BBC. If you want to practice your typing skills or have a youngster who needs to practice, check this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/.