Blue Book Meme

Neal finished my bookshelf this weekend, so Noelle’s timing is perfect–the boxes of books that have been stacked in the dining room are finally being shelved.  I was tempted to look for a particular blue book (not that I had one in mind, just wanted to pick something wonderful), but I grabbed the first one on the second shelf (poetry is on the first shelf, no blue books there):  Brenda Ueland’s If you Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence, and Spirit.

Closest Blue Book Meme
1. Grab the nearest book with a blue cover.
2. Open the book to page 86.
3. Find the first full paragraph.
4. Post the text in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the coolest book you can find, just the closest blue book.

"Beneath the harsher sound of the wind, I heard a low moaning–that was from the row of willows below the garden.  And that was what I liked best.  I lay back to listen with closed eyes, and felt myself slipping away–deliciously away.  The windows rattled but I liked that too.  It was all familiar, assuring-and safe.  Never was there so satisfying a time or place for the pleasure of sleep–cradeld by the wind, and know that at the end of the soothing darkness I should awaken to the sight of friendly faces, and the sound of kindly, well-known voices."  (by Elsa Krauch)

Ueland is quoting this passage to illustrate how she (Ueland) would not tell her students to write a certain way…really she’s writing about encouraging students to find their own voice.  If you’re an artist or a craftsperson, you might find this book a good read.

I’m going to catch up on cleaning chores today, and I hope to get the rest of the books up.  Tomorrow I head to New York to visit with my chums there, and on Thursday I’ll have knitting time with the Scissorinas.  By the way, if you spin, be sure to check out FiberFly–great colors…I purchased Big Rock Candy Mountain (Woody’s voice came into my head when I saw that, and I couldn’t resist) and A Grape Farm on a Summer’s Day.  Lusty Lady is tempting me now, but I have to remember I’m a jobless graduate student.  Anyone want to hire me?  Will work for wool!

Before he left for work this morning, Neal told me about the morning walk’s excitement:  Maddie went zipping into the woods (not unusual for her…this spring she’s learned that squirrels are fun to chase), and then Tilly went zooming after her.  Tilly’s the smart one, so we don’t worry quite as much about her.  Maddie just loses her head, though.  Neal called and called, then realized they were chasing a BEAR!  He called again after he heard a big growl, and the girls came running.  Thanks to JessaLu, I know what to do if I come across a bear, and now it sounds like I might one evening.