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/