This morning, while having a completely random conversation, I thought of Horehound candy and immediately, it reminded me of my great grandmother. She passed away when I was about 12, but I spent a lot of time with her when I was a child.

I could always count on her to have 2 things--candy and books. There was always a stash of candy. Either the icky Horehound, or a Whitman's Sampler, or a can of Katydids. We would always sit and read. I didn't find it odd then, but she loved children's books. We would read oldies like Charlotte's Web and Nancy Drew. I even introduced her to some of my then-favorites like Harriet the Spy and Little House in the Big Woods.

She even taught me a rhyme using the word PREFACE, that was in all of my books. Here it is--

Peter Rabbit Eats Fish, Alligators Catch Eels, Eels Catch Alligators, Fish Eat Raw Potatoes

How strange is it that I remember that 40 years later? Isn't it amazing the things that our minds choose to remember, and those things that we simply forget?

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So, back in November, I had a couple of friends who got involved in a write-a-novel-in-a-month program. One of them, FOJ Jan, wrote an amazing story. I can't wait until she becomes a celebrated novelist.


Well, about a week later, FOJ Charisse (who makes her living as a life coach) told me that she thought that I had a book in me. I tried to argue with her. She wouldn't hear me. She insists that I have a book, though she wasn't sure what it would be about, or even if it was fiction or nonfiction. She challenged me to write a half hour a day, about anything that came to mind. She said that after a while, the book topic would be apparent.

I must admit, I did it a couple times, but half heartedly and without any enthusiasm. When she asks, I shrug it off. I'm so sure that there's no book in me. And even if there was, what in the world would it be about?

Today, after re-reading yesterday's blog post and what my plan for 2010 is, I've decided to give Charrise's idea an earnest try. I shall write 500 words a day about whatever I want--for January. I'll see what comes of it..

I've been on Facebook for about a year now. I've reconnected with so many folks that I know I couldn't have found any other way. But, it's made me long for folks that I still can't find. There are some people in my past that I desperately wish that I could speak to again.

One is my elementary school librarian. She was great. I loved her. She was the first person that I met that shared my passion for books. Of course, I knew that folks read. But I didn't know anybody else that would rather read than eat, sleep, or do anything else. Until I met her. She introduced me to books and authors that I had never even heard of. She explained the Caldecott and Newberry awards to me. She listened to me. She even gathered a group of my friends together and somehow got us into the American Folklife Festival down on the grounds of the National Mall. Wait, I don't mean that we attended the Festival, we were IN the festival! I think we did it for 2 or 3 years straight. About 10 years ago, I tried to reach her through the school and was told that she had retired in the 80s. I surely wish that I could find her. Last year, I searched the internet and found a person with her name in the Denver area. I called and left a message, but no one returned my call. I often think of her. As a small child, I'm sure that I didn't convey to her what a huge influence that she was on me and how she impacted the person that I became. I'd like to thank her for caring about me.

Are there folks in your lives that you wish you could reconnect with? Why? Have you tried? Why not?

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Last fall, when the Twilight movie came up amidst much hype, I had no idea what the hoopla was about. All anyone could tell me was that it was a movie based on a children's book series about vampires. I was so not interested.

After the first of the year, Twitter was all abuzz about Twilight. Folks that I respected kept recommending that I read the books. I found the first one in Target for about 6 bucks, but I didn't buy it because I was expecting my Kindle in a couple weeks. I decided to read the Twilight series on my Kindle.

The Twilight series were amongst the first books that I downloaded in Kindle format. I was hooked after the first paragraph. I think I went through the 4 book series in about a week. I could have done it quicker, but I spent a lot of time staring into space after reading a chapter, letting it sink in. They are not about vampires, but rather about love and family. By the time the movie came out on video, I was ready. I got it that first day. I thought the movie was such a disappointment and was kind of glad that I hadn't seen it first. Based on the movie, I would have NEVER read the books.

Then True Blood started on HBO, based on the Sookie Stackhouse book series. Again, I was so not interested. But FOJs Lisa and Jan made me jealous by talking about it all the time. They made it seem so exciting. So late into the second season of the show, I bought the first season on DVD. Again, I went through the 12 episodes in about a week and can't wait to see the second season. I'm afraid to buy the books, though I have looked them up in Kindle format and see that I can get all 8 books for about $30. I never thought I would be into vampire books.

Have you read these books? Do you watch True Blood? Are you even interested?

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It is only fitting that September, my birth month, is Library Card Sign Up Month. I have been reading all of my life. As a child, the library was one of my favorite places. Didn't really matter what kind of library--Public library, School library--heck, I even spent time at the nearby Walter Reed Medical Library. Don't ask how I got onto Walter Reed's base--that's a post for a different time.

Anyhow, Library Card Sign Up Month has been observed since 1987 and it's the time when public libraries remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. However, in these tough economic times, I would venture to say that an adult library card is a good idea as well. The cards allow you to check out books for no charge and I can get lost in a book for hours at a time.

Do you have a library card? Does it get much use? Why not? Take some time this month to introduce a young person to the public library and be sure to get a card for yourself as well!

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We have an analytical thinker in the house. My teenage daughter analyzes everything. She just sits and ponders the mysteries of the world. Last night, she had a revelation. It came to her that Dr Seuss' "Green Eggs & Ham" was not appropriate for small children. She announced her findings to me.

I am used to such proclamations. Before I let her explain, I reminded her that this book is critically acclaimed and one of the best selling children's titles ever. She was not swayed She insisted that this book encourages small children to give in to peer pressure.

According to her, the man in the story did not like green eggs and ham. Sam told him all the ways that he could have it--with a mouse in a house, in a box with a fox, etc. The man was firm in his decision. He did not want to try it. But Sam was relentless. He followed him around until finally the man agreed to try the meal.

My daughter says the man gave in to peer pressure. The green eggs and ham were street drugs--why else would the eggs have been green??? And after tasting the eggs, the man declared that he did, indeed, like green eggs and ham. When he made the announcement, he had a huge grin on his face. She says that this proves that he was high!

Where does she come up with this stuff?? Should I get help for her?

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I'm in the middle of reading a scary book now. It's very suspenseful and gruesome. Last night, I started thinking about things that I'm afraid of and why. I've determined that I am deathly afraid of heights, but also terrified of lizards, bugs, frogs, snakes, and losing a family member.

The fear of heights is probably the worst of all. I am literally paralyzed with the fear of being unenclosed more than a few feet off the ground. I've even had problems in high rise office buildings, just knowing that I'm way up high. In addition to the paralysis, I get chills, cottonmouth, and rapid heartrate. To put it mildly, it's a meltdown.

I've had this all of my life. I'm not sure if there is a way to overcome it. A few years back, I saw a program on television where folks confronted their height fears by rappelling down the skyscrapers and shimmying across catwalks. Either of those would be out of the question for me. I've simply been able to avoid situations where I have to be up high. I'll spring for the floor seats at concerts and sporting events, and not venture out onto the terraces of cloud dwelling friends.

What about you? What are you afraid of? How do you work around it? Have you ever confronted it head-on?

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So it's been exactly a month since I got my Kindle and the honeymoon is still going strong. I am averaging 3 or 4 books a week, and haven't bought a single book in that time (unless you count the one that I got as a blog giveway for April--hint hint!!).

I've gone through the Twilight series, which I loved, except I had trouble with a few slow spots in books 2 and 4. I've done a couple from James Patterson, a couple from Stephen King, and discovered a few new authors as well.

I still can't take it out to read in public much. I went to Starbucks once, grabbed a tea and a scone and curled up in a stuffed chair. I pulled the Kindle out of my bag and prepared to read. I only had an hour to spare. But when folks realized what it was, they started asking questions--What is that? How does it work? Where did you get it? Can I see it? A crowd gathered. The hour passed and I hadn't read a page.

After having it a month, I can't think of a single thing that I would change about it, except maybe I would prefer it in pink. I did buy a pink leather cover for it though, that will have to do for the moment.

There's been a lot of buzz about it in this month, the biggest being the new Kindle application for the iphone. My husband downloaded the app, but hasn't read anything yet. I look forward to Amazon's daily unveiling of free books, quickly grabbing them up before the price changes to 5 or 10 bucks.

What have you heard about the Kindle? Do you want one? Why or why not? Has the buzz influenced you at all? How? What do you think about the concept of electronic readers?

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So, I've had the Kindle now for a full day and a half. And I must say, I love it! I finished my first book last night and this morning will decide what book to tackle next. I wasn't sure if it would be comfortable to read on, but it definitely is--it actually seems to disappear and I don't focus on anything but the words.

The main selling point for me was the ability to carry 1500 books with me in a gadget that weighs half a pound. I generally am reading several books at a time, and it's good to have them all with me. I also read the Washington Post daily and to have it downloaded to the Kindle before I get up is very convenient. I also like the read to me function, that's good for driving. The adjustable text size is also cool, it allows me to make every book an "easy reader." The digital dictionary is helpful, allowing me to look up at words right on the screen. And the selection of books available from Amazon is awesome--nearly 250,000 with more being added daily.

I thought the cost of the books would be worrisome, but so far I have 14 books on the new Kindle, at an average cost of 86 cents per book. This is a little misleading because 12 of the books were free and I paid $6.04 for 2 books. There are a ton of free books available and I can also download books from my local library. I was also concerned with battery life, but the battery lasts about 2 weeks. Hmmm..why can't my Blackberry battery last 2 weeks???? I have to admit that I haven't even tried out the web access or email features, as the last thing that I need is ANOTHER email to keep up with.

All in all, this may be the best Valentine's Day gift that I've ever gotten--thanks Hubby!!!

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