Howard's Big Dig

I hope you all had a happy, relaxing Easter.

Be sure the sound is up when you play this...the music adds soooo much.

Did you know that Manitowoc has a rather large British population? Some of the ladies meet regularly to share memories of home, and to take tea the "proper" way. Over the past few years, several of our English residents have become customers and even friends. Recently, one of these new friends expressed her disappointment in me in a way only a refined Brit can. She had been brought up on Enid Blyton bedtime stories, and announced that it was about time I read some of her work.

I confess, we have had a Blyton book on our sheves, but that artwork just doesn't appeal to me, so I have passed it over more than once. However, I have done some reading on the author herself. What a fascinating person, filled with contradictions. Blyton wrote over 800 children's books, and was loved by kids in the United Kingdom until her death in 1968. If Facebook, Twitter, and all the so-called news networks were up and running during her lifetime, we would have been kept well informed of the many scandals in her personal life, and her success as a writer for children would have been short-lived, I fear. Apparently, this woman could swear with gusto. She had numerous affairs, and barely knew her siblings, or her own children. As a matter of fact, in an interview after Blyton's death, her daughter, Imogene, called her arrogant and cold.


There were controversies surrounding her work. Newspaper columnists questioned whether she actually wrote the works attributed to her. BBC radio refused to read her works on air, explaining that the writing was not literary enough. Libraries removed books due to sexist and racist content. Since those days, Blyton's works have been revised, eliminating the "N" word. Thank goodness.

There is movie about her life called "Enid" starring Helena Bonham-Carter. I think I'll check it out.

Thanks for stopping by.

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In Defense of Amelie

A dreary November weekend seemed the perfect time to catch up on some movie viewing. Wait! Did I say November? I did. Although the calendar clearly says "April", and we should be enjoying the first breezes of Spring, I fear a mistake has been made. Maybe its time for astronomers to rethink the Gregorian calendar, and bring us a new way of determining time...one that no longer lulls us into believing that patterns we have known for decades are still relevant.

I'm just crabby about the cold today, and about the threat of snow for tomorrow.

So, I really wanted to talk about this neat little movie today, Amelie. My book group alternates books and movies, and this was our March pick. After years of listening to me go on and on about this movie, they finally caved, and watched it. Well, next time I have a movie near and dear to my heart, I will not be as persistent...and I will definitely back off of my praises for my other favorite film, The French Lieutenant's Woman.

The reception for Amelie was polite, but lukewarm, and the discussion lasted all of five minutes before turning to more pressing matters, like the royal wedding! (Valerie even brough us all royal wedding commemerative coasters to set our tea upon when we all get up at 4 A.M. to watch to ceremony.) No one said anything horrible about Amelie, no one really said anything. They are all so nice, and I guess they just didn't want me to feel badly.

Yet, I say, go rent this film. It is charming, funny, provocative and memorable. Amelie, a Young French woman, defies her sheltered upbringing, changing many lives in the process. Early on we learn that Amelie's childhood companion, a goldfish, repeatedly attempts suicide, setting up the symbolism for the rest of the movie...people trapped by circumstances they are afraid to rebel against. In a series of deviously creative capers, Amelie becomes a sort of fairy godmother, coaxing people out of their fishbowls, giving them a bigger, happier view of the world.

If you like magical realism, ala Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate, you will love this movie. I keep it protected on my DVR and watch it on November-ish days in spring! I have watched it so many time, I can recite lines in both English and French.

At a customer's urging, I checked out Howl, a movie based on the obscenity trial of beat poet, Allen Ginsberg. The entire beat movement has baffled me, but I might try some Jack Kerouac once more. I have a vague recollection of Larry Ferlinghetti's poem about the Pope's underwear...hmmm...

What am I reading? A very old book called Mrs. Miniver, the story of the effects of WWI on an British family. Solid writing. Somewhat stuffy; at times overly sentimental, but these are characters deserving of our sympathy and respect.

*****WARNING! Heart-A-Rama tickets are going fast. Get yours today. Don't be caught without some.

David Sedaris on Letterman

Here's a short David Sedaris clip from the David Letterman show. I have been a fan of Sedaris for a while now, but it hasn't always been that way. Years ago, when the store first opened, I was intrigued, and somewhat frightened by the cover of Barrel Fever. I attempted to read the first essay, with no success.

Then, Sedaris began turinng up everywhere...on Letterman, in The New Yorker, on tour at the Appleton PAC. Suddenly he had a sort of cult following. The slight little guy, with the funny little voice soon became my go-to writer when I need a laugh, or when I simply don't have time to concentrate on a more complex plot. Over time, I have found that he is not for everyone, and I have to be careful about recommending his work with reckless abandon.

So, enjoy this clip. Maybe you will become a fan of this guy who won't put a decent bio on his website.

********If you haven't gotten your Heart-A-Rama tickets, better add that project to your to-do list. They're going fast, and no matter how nice you are, we will not let you in without a ticket! You can get them at the Pig or at Inman's. Now, get dressed and go get some.

Catching Up

I know I'm off schedule, and that I am sending this out to you on Friday; so even though this was due last Monday, consider it the post for next week, OK?!?!? I've been busy!

Just look at that big smile on Jose's (accent over the e, please) face! Terri picked him up from the shelter just minutes before, so this was their first official meeting. Terri had some sadness a few week ago when she lost her epicurean dog, Bailey, after he dined on a sock. From little on, Bailey specialized in socks, and as all dog owners know, when a furry friend dedicates himself to a cause, the loyalty cannot be undone. And why must they always like the gross stuff? My dog would rip my arm off for a chance at a dirty tissue. What is that about?

One little visit to the shelter, and Terri found herself a new buddy. This is one neat dog. Even the name is neat. He had been at the shelter about a week when he found Terri, and she got to take him for a two hour test date after he got his rabies shot. One of their first stops was LaDeDa, and in that short time, they had bonded. This little guy was so devoted to Terri that he hardly gave me a moment's notice. He sat next to her, on her actually, and then the kissing began. Such enthusiastic kissing!

But take a look at that face, will you? How many dogs do you know that will pose for a picture? He's up to something, isn't he? I think he's a real operator, and once he settles in with Terri, the tricks will begin. He's got an agenda, you can just tell.

I hope they have a long, happy, and laughter filled friendship.

Last Saturday, we celebrated Curiosity Day with twenty-one 3-8 year-olds and their parents. Firefighter, Seth Dramm, stopped by to read Curious George, and to visit with the kids about his job. They had great questions, and would have kept Seth here all morning. He brought little firefighter hats and coloring books for them.

Alison Taylor organized games and craft activities, while I whipped up banana smoothies for everyone. Tons of fun. Alison wants to do more events, and we have been talking about one based around a new picture book about Albert Einstein.

What am I reading? To be honest, I am in bit of a slump. I started a couple different novels, but they all had a Jody Picoult vibe to them, so I gave up. I needed to have a book in progress, so I grabbed Barrel Fever, the first David Sedaris book I ever attempted. I found it so bizarre, and totally didn't understand his twisted sense of humor that the book sort of turned me off. Since that time, easily fifteen years ago, I have grown to adore him...even getting angry when there is not a new Sedaris essay collection on the horizon. I've got three other books staring at me...Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, and The Dry Grass of August. Peter Pan has been calling me as well. We'll see.

Thanks for stopping by.

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