I’m cataloguing a box of books. Many are books for kids, picked up from various used book sales while I was earning my middle school education degree in St. Louis. The goal, as far as an English teacher is concerned, is to get your students reading. So I bought classics and contemporary works alike; mysteries, fantasies, biographies, plays, poetry, you name it. Whether these books find a home in my own classroom someday or in another project even sooner (neighborhood tutoring program perhaps?), I can’t wait to share them.

I’ve come across many old books I’ve read. What’s this, um, fabulous tale? Special Girl by Dorothy Francis? Glad I read this long before getting diagnosed with diabetes at 16 because Vonnie, the heroine, keeps her diabetes a secret and nearly loses her first crush. Gasp! The back cover reads:

THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL BETWEEN THEM, Pete Karmer told Vonnie Morrison. And that made moving to a new town easier. She would make a new beginning… new friends. This time, she promised herself, she would be outgoing and friendly. But Vonnie’s determination to hide a part of her life caused misunderstandings, and worse yet, threatened to break up her first real romance.

Groan…

And then I found some of my absolute favorite books as a younger girl: The Grandma’s Attic series by Arleta Richardson. I almost pulled them to re-read as an adult and then thought better of it after realizing how many books I want to finish first. Did anyone else love Richardson’s stories?

I came across a Nancy Drew, claimed as MINE. (Note the freckles included in the smiley face.)

I found a book oh-so earnestly given to Jeremy by two LDS proselytizers, phone number covered for protection from crazed blog readers.

And finally I realized how much I love used books. This one, a book of Gerard Manley Hopkins poems, was given to Ann, from Rosemary, with love for Christmas in 1962. Now it’s mine, snuggled in “Cat 48 Box” (my identifying label for basement storage), a little less loved but no less treasured.

I love books.

While watching the first episode of Planet Earth with David Attenborough narrating:

Me: Wow. So. Did you hear about that tiger out in California who mauled… [goes on and on about the tiger and the killing and the two injured zoo visitors.]

Jeremy: Rebecca, it’s taiga. Not tiger.

Me: Oh. [Thinking: Darn that British narrator!]

Livia and Strawberry at the U

“That the boy from the university! I know him!”

This was Liv’s observation upon seeing Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story this morning. Livia and I have been going to UNL for a few months now so that she can take part in a study on three year olds and spatial memory. One of the “games” she plays incorporates Buzz Lightyear in an attempt to make the study more fun for preschoolers. In the interest of full disclosure, Liv gets rewarded for being a lab rat and I get rewarded for hauling her in to be a lab rat. It’s been a really interesting experience–both the study and intermingling with university students. Truly, it’s a lesson in hilarity to walk hand-in-hand with an excited three year old through the throngs of tres cool 18-22 year olds. Liv almost always yells something that turns my cheeks pink.

After our last visit we ran into a man I presume was a psychology professor. He listened to Livia’s exclamations about her reward (a baby boy she promptly named Strawberry) and then thanked her for being data. Heh.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Jeremy brought home two fabulous-looking gifts yesterday. Clearly, this one is mine… and I’m dying to open it up. I teasingly told Jeremy I was going to use a flashlight to peek through the basket weave. He didn’t look too thrilled about that idea.

Is the DPP challenging anyone else this year? For the last week I’ve moaned and groaned about forgetting my camera all day long–and then needing to find a decent shot by late evening. One cool thing is that the DPP is definitely pushing me to be creative. Creative Butt-Kicking Photo Project. Yup, I’m sure the CBKPP will be back next year.

Happy 36th anniversary to Mom and Dad!

Nebraska morning.

Nebraska Sunset