Reading Is Fun

Well, it is raining today and in the low 40's - the perfect time to read. I am reading three books right now. "The Koyoto Club" by Sarah Bird, "Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Guy" by Mr. Hardy & Mr. Clarke and "N is for Noose" by Sue Grafton.

They are all good in different ways. Sue Grafton is the easy read, Sarah the deep though and I try to fit one non-fiction in so I don't sound like an idiot when I am talking to people. At the same time I really try to pick people who use facts and not feelings when they write.

I have found that Michael Moore uses feelings and tends to tell BIG HUGE lies in his films and books - I avoid him like a pile of dog dukie. I don't need help sounding dumb. Who does?

The current Laura Bird book is like reading a story of my life in certain parts - quite erie. The main character is a girl growing up as the daughter of an Air Force Officer and about how often they moved and her inability to make close ties to anyone or anyplace. I can relate to that. I am just now, after 10 years in Houston, feeling tied to this place enough to call it home.

Like most people who move as often as I did (every 2 years or less) the question "Where are you from" fills me with dread. You can either tell the truth which means a long involved discussion or lie. I have a great answer now but it took me years to come to it. I just say "I was born in blah blah." About 90% of the time that stops the questions and we can move on.

But honestly, it is strange to meet people who tell me their parents live in the same house they grew up in and their best friend in grade school is still their best friend. I don't even KNOW anyone from the high school I graduated from much less earlier than that. I am for the first time in my entire life able to say, "I've known him for (5-6-7-8-9-10) years." It's a strange sensation and when I do it chills run up my spine.

I also love this part of the book:

"Phenobarbital, that was my mother, Moe's, drug of choice for traveling with six children packed into a station wagon when we PCS'd--Permanent Change of Station--six times in eight years. We, her children, took the drug, not Moe. A nurse, she administered the meticulously titrated doses in tiny chips that floated like specks of goldfish food in our cups of apple juice."

I absolutely can relate to that. Can you imagine trying to move with 6 children across the world? Even across the States? Yeah, I can see where that would be helpful. See why I have no children?

I think I love days like today when it rains. Gives me a good excuse to read.