Whew...we are up although there is more information coming to add to the links in the heading that just now do not go anywhere - Everyone bent over backwards to get this up for Christmas and I was so delighted to see that some of you are anxious to "get going" -

The focus questions gradually lead us into the book and there will be added a clickable that give a synopsis of each chapter.

Ty, my grand, has been reading the book and he will be sharing some thoughts as well - a 10 year olds percpective

Next weekend I am back home in Texas and will spend a day at my sons where all three of his boys have been reading the book and so we will have an 11 year old and twin 10 year old perspective

I am so excited about our new discussion and our finally getting started. Some of you have already posted that you have had some real insight as a result of reading this forth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Cannot wait to hear what y'all have us thinking about.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Loved this book!

Christmas Eve Gift, Everyone! Love & Joy!

MaryPage so good to see you posting - Yes this is going to be great and can't wait to hear your impressions - hope you share some of your grands impressions with us as well.

The children are excited here and all is in a flurry as we are readying for Christmas Eve Evening!

So far only 1 daughter of my 4 children has read this book. She read it before I did, and loved it and is eager for the next one to come out.

I sent my copy to my great granddaughter (for whom I purchased it, but read it first) Emily, who is only 7 and not reading Harry Potter yet. Her mother has read all 3 of the 1st editions I sent her previously (books 1, 2 and 3) and is looking forward to Em opening this one so she, my granddaughter Jenny, can grab it and read it. It has been my experience that NOBODY doesn't love Harry Potter. Every single person I have known who has read these books raves about them.

In my family, we feel these are books a child should read for themselves. We feel 11 is the age to start them, but Jenny is going to let Em start reading the 1st book just as soon as all of her little classmates, chums, playmates, etc. are reading and talking about them. Em knows she owns them, knows they are older, "chapter" books, and knows she can "dig in" when the spirit moves her.

Wonderful Mary and that is the experience I've noticed here at my daughter's - Ty who is 10 but reads at a much older level is reading on his own although Katha did read the first book. Cade than only 5 quickly lost interest and even now he is 6 and in the first grade, Pokeman is still his main interest, where he knows about Harry Potter it is a distant read when he is older.

This book Four starts out so diferently than books One through Three - I was suprised and delighted. I understand that book Five is not going to be published next year but rather in the year 2002.

So far all the Harry Potter products have not been so so tacky that you want to give them away as party favors. Here in Greenville SC they do not have a Warner Bros. Store - Barnes and Noble have carried a few of the products BUT here they are 20% off where as in College Station, where there isn't a Warner Bros. Store either all the Harry Potter products where not only not 20% off but in less than a week they were sold out of all but the books and tapes. Needless to say I am stocking up for upcoming birthdays since my College Station crew are three boys - the twins 10 and Chris is 11, all Potter fans. Even their Mom couldn't put book four down when it came out last summer and had it read over a weekend not doing a lick around the house till she finished it.

My grandkids were ecstatic over the Harry Potter Trivia game and the HP board game they received for gifts. Merry Christmas to everyone here and at Hogwarts.

This is a message from Ty formaly known as Gilch:

I am starting on the fourth Book - I've heard some uncomfortable things about it and so I am hesitant to read it. My Grandmother thinks it won't be too violent but anyone please send me your comments.

For Christmas my Grandmother gave me a Hedwig secret box and we looked it up on the www.department56.com site the box told us to look up and we still cannot figure out yet what the secret is.

I gave her two Harry Potter bookmarks because she usually reads at least two books at a time.

Duke Nukem when you get on this site I want you to call me soon or e-mail me - please get Cody and Cooper to also write to me or call me.

Barbara. don't hesitate reading the 4th book, Its not violent just a Harry book, I didn't like what happenend to some of the characters but in the end it came out ok. Its like real life, we can't control other peoples actions and there's always some bad things in the every day life, I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Shirley T.

The book is a bit rough, and a schoolmate of Harry's does get killed by the evil lord, who means to kill Harry. I think anyone over 10 can handle it, though, and some children even earlier. I think the book is meant for the 13 and over age group. Hey, I fit in there!

Wow thanks for the feedback - it was Ty asking the question just using my login name and password - I will pass the information along -

He may read the posts himself in that we are talking about him logging into this discussion and hopefully his cousins will also join in the discussion so that they can post to each other. Ty lives in South Carolina where I have been visiting and his cousins live in College Station Texas.

Ty is 10 a a little concerned that his school mates have said they had to put the book down 16 times to make faces and sounds in order to get past the violent parts.

Well, so did I! So did I! I had forgotten about the faces and noises part! I used to do that when I was young, and somehow the habit got lost over time. But I sure did put the book down and walk a circle on my living room rug and go scrub the kitchen floor a number of times.

You feel good about things in the end, though.

OK! When can we begin the discussion? I've forgotten already what was decided Barb.

NOW! Alf NOW!

Share what you will - but if you click on the focus questions above just under the open book the discussion questions are there - they are laid out to bring us into the book -

If y'all would like to break up the book we could keep the first week till next Saturday focused on the first eight chapters up to page 116. Things take a desided turn starting chapter nine.

The same clickable that brings you to the focus or discussion questions also includes a clickable to a site that gives a synopsis of the book chapter by chapter. That way if you have read the book and gave it away or returned it to a library the site can serve as a guide to que your memory.

I thought it astonishing that the book started as it did since there seemed to be a precedent for starting the story in the Dursley's but I am not sure what the significance is. I do know that when reading fantasy there is a consistant plan to start off in the real world and than with some devise go into the co-exitant fantasy world. But Book Four starts off in a very strange real world situation.

What impact did this start have on y'all?

One thing I noticed throughout the book, as well as in the beginning, is that Rowling is drawing pictures of real life types. For instance, the Death Eaters who were acting up at the Quidditch World Cup and twirling terrified muggles in the air are very typical bullies such as we encounter everywhere. I think her portrayal of them shows children they DO NOT HAVE TO either give in to or follow the lead of bullies.

Yes Mary and that brings up this whole issue of a crowd - does crowd behavior act in the same way as secret behavior and does secret and crowd behavior act in the same way as behavior where the particpants wear hoods - in fact this communicating through a web page gives us a certain amount of anonymity.

Hmmm I think there has to be some sort of consensus to any group behavior, crowd where the excitment of the action rules or hooded where beliefs are acted upon with the backing of a consenting secret group. I wonder how a bully type action starts? I would think someone has to start the idea and then the crowd excitment carries the idea to another level.

I guess I am thinking of all sorts of questionable behavior that goes on in a crowd that all the crowd does not join in.

I've been offline for some weeks because of computer problems. I guess I can't join in the discussion until I've finished, eh? (Guess where I'm from) I, like many of you, gave books one to three to my ten year old grandson, then borrowed them back from him so I could read them and couldn't put them down. I just got number four and have read the beginning and was a little puzzled as well. I'll try to get through it in a reasonable time so I can join in at some point. My grandson says it's the best one so far. He also refers to them as "chapter books." Fern

Maritime. Don't delay, jump right in. I am only up to page 183 but have joined the discussion anyway. I always love the endings of each chapter. Rowlings does such a great job urging you to read on! "200 miles away, the boy called Harry Potter woke with a start." (Chap 1) And--- But the next moment Harry had begun to spin very fast and the Dursleys living room was whipped out of sight in a rush of emerald-green flames. I love how she writes. It brings out the child in me.

In answer to the focus question above, I believe that the setting was altered to make way for a more mature setting. The tone of bone chilling fear precipitates the read, flinging the reader right in.

Did y'all see it this morning - George Will the conservative republican voice on the Sunday morning show with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Robertson...said, his pick of the person of the year for the year 2000 is: J.K.Rowlings and he went on in the brief minute he had to champion the Harry Potter Books!

I DID see that, Barbara, and about fell out of my chair! THAT should put a sock in the mouth of the religious right wing, which has declared Harry Potter evil!

Yeah, George Will not only did that, but the NEXT person to give a name for PERSON OF THE YEAR (who was it?) said that THEY wanted to say Rowling as well, before going on to give their 2nd choice.

Bottom line, if people would only READ these books, they would discover for themselves just how moral they REALLY ARE!

Dang! I missed that but will forever remember her on the Today show amidst all of the children, listening while a Brit read aloud from Harry Potter . A magnificent white owl sat and listened intently as well.

Evil? Harry Potter? Puleeese!!

Well, Alf, the religious right is preaching from their pulpits that these books are EVIL and no Christian child should be exposed to them!

Seriously!

And they are trying to get them banned from public libraries and school libraries.

I AM NOT making this up! Happy New Year!

On what premises do they base such idiocy?

They say Harry shows disrespect and ingratitude toward his elders and those in charge of him.

They say the books promote witchcraft and magic and spells and all sorts of things which are of the occult and intrinsically evil.

I cannot respond politely to that MaryPage so I will just offer this. Hogwarts . Oops I mean hogwash!!

I thought many of the adults were showing disrepect for Harry. Fern

What Mary Page says is absolutely the truth... Our Principal (devout Baptist) at the Grade School where I volunteer... put the first two books in the Trash... the janitor rescued them and gave them to me... because she had heard me discussing (arguing) with the principal... I took them to our little local library where the children can go borrow them.

I don't know what happened to the 3rd book,, But Billie, janitor , and I are still watching the trash...

Hey Pat, do you suppose maybe she is reading it? And revising her opinion?

Nyeh!

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion BUT I would insist that it would be an informed one. I am going to ask my son, Michael (a Baptist preacher) what his views are and WHY on this topic.

Doesn't seem to matter what a book is about, someone will always be able to find something wrong with it. I read for the pure love of reading and enjoy many different types of reading but to me Harry Potter is sheer joy and something I hope my grandkids will treasure for many years. like Alf states it really well HOGWASH. SHIRLEY T.

I absolutely love it that there is a discussion of Harry Potter on SENIOR NET. What a terrific series of books. Religious right or no religious right. Any author who can get kids to love reading should be encouraged, not reviled!

hehehe how much fun as the wizards chose and are confused with their choices of apropriate Muggle clothing.

And Mr. Weasley not even being able to light a fire with matches. That reminds me of how we can no longer live calmly without electricity. This winter storm is bringing many to either tears or anger as they are just plane worn out and tired of keeping warm with their fireplace, cooking on a propane camp stove and breaking the ice in a nearby stream for water. And business that are losing money because they cannot operate without electricity - one or two days of extra holiday is fun but after that we want and need for economic health our utilities so that we can produce the benifits that we have all come to expect. I guess to folks living a couple hundred years ago we must look like wizards with all the power we have harnessed out of nature.

The excitment of the pre-game atmosphere is so real I feel like I am there.

My copy of Goblet of Fire seems to be different from yours. Chapter 8 ends at p.105, not p.116. This edition is published in Canada by Raintree Books. Anyone?

Fern

Oh well who would have guessed that the pages would add up differently in the different publication - Thanks Maritimer for the heads-up. I wonder if there are any other changes other than colloquialism?

I am delighted to be reading this - I had listened to the book on tape this summer starting during a trip to the coast - all fine and especially liked hearing the proper pronunciation of names and events but I am getting so much more from reading it. Whole phrases or sentences jump out and stay with me. I must say that reading that first chapter I was able to make it all the more sinister after having heard the tapes. Did your mouths almost fit into a sneer saying Wormtail? What a perfect name for a character.

The only change that I know of is that the Canadian edition of the first book maintained the original title of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and the American edition is Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Could that have anything to do with the religious right, I wonder? As for colloquialisms, I don't think ours are any different from yours. We still spell colour, humour, etc. the British way but that's about it. I'm sure J.K. Rowling would take umbrage if any changes were made to her text. I think the difference in page numbers has to do with the typesetting of the book. Darned if I know.

Maritimer I do not think the Christian Right made the book an issue till it was first with the New York Book Review - in fact it may have even been after the second book came out.

I've got all kinds of information for us about the place of witches and witchcraft in history and literature - just waiting for it to be loaded in the heading now. When you get to read it is so easy to see how some in the name of their religion are taking a sever look at the fact anything that is not in their interpretation of the Bible is considered witchcraft or satinism. But it is also strange when so many other childrens stories are filled with witches and what would serve as witchcraft. We so take Snow White and a few others for granted we forget how the fantasy is woven with witchcraft.

And one that blew me away is that the Magi, princes from the east, would have been educated in the occulat etc. well it turns out the word Magi is where the word Magic came from since folks that studied what the average person was afraid of were considered magical.

I think there are so many folks now that have a need to feel something and their church is providing that but they need to add to this feeling by creating some crowd hysteria.

When has the concept of magic not been of interest? We are reared with Cinderella's magic stepmother's appearance, Dorothys trip to Oz, Sleeping Beauty's magical induction of sleep. Who cares? Kids are reading... and asking for more.

Hi Alf - what end of the night are you in - up crack of dawn end or night not yet to sleep end? Nightowls have the best ideas - hehehe

You are so right - the young readers have their noses back into books hurrah!

Hi Barb. I awoke to tend to the bladder at 5 AM, returned to bed and laid there for half an hour. When I do that UP I get and to my 'puter to read the NYTimes front page. I am planning a surprise birthday party for my hubby tomorrow and it keeps entering into my sleep patterns. Top of the morning to ya!

Maritimer, it was the other way about. The British editions were "Philosopher's Stone" and the American "Sorcerer's".

I have formed strictly a guess: different publishing houses on different sides of the ocean publish these books under contract, and they cannot, by law, publish the same TITLES. Probably nothing in the law about the CONTENTS of the book.

And I had the same thought you had about the type setting being the difference in page numbers. Myself, I'm always grateful for the larger type.

MaryPage. I must have been having another senior moment. I read something about the reason for the change months ago but I'm darned if I can retrieve it. Barbara, I'm really looking forward to your research on magic in history and literature.

Senior moments allowed here. Indeed, encouraged, because they MAKE ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY OWN!

OK THE TWO NEW PAGES ARE UP. The castle and ghosts with all the links to both and the wizard and magic page with agoin all the links to both interests and included is the 18 definitions or who are considered to be witches - how the concept has been used over time - we only have two more linkable pages to go and than we will have a very complete site so that you can research to your hearts content as you read the advantures of Harry in this latest fourth book.

What do you think of the movie prop version of Hagrid's hut? The illusively taken photo is included in Castles and Ghosts.

If you have read all 4 books and Can Hardly Wait for the book about Harry's 5th year at Hogwarts, then I recommend the following reading:

 
WIZARD'S  HALL,  by Jane Yolen  published in 1991 and predating  

Harry, some wonder if it influenced Rowling.  You CAN still get this 

book in paperback;  I just have, from our Barnes & Noble.  Read it  

and pass it on to a (great) grandchild! 

THE BOGGART,  by  Susan Cooper  published in 1993! 

THE DARK IS RISING,  by  Susan Cooper  published  in  1973! 

THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13,  by  Eva Ibbotson  published  in  1994! 

Looked them up MaryPage and they sound delightful with names too similar to be a coincedence - what do you thinK? Here are the links.

THE BOGGART, by Susan Cooper published in 1993!

THE DARK IS RISING, by Susan Cooper published in 1973!

THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13, by Eva Ibbotson published in 1994!

Tomorrow night, I am promising myself, I am going to get back to HP and the Goblet.

YiLi Lin, does your Librarian hold a religious bias against the Potter books?

I cannot imagine any library not having them! They are STILL the number one sellers in every bookshop everywhere.

MaryPage what really caught my eye when I was researching all this witchcraft association was this bit

XV.A follower of any religion other than Christianity (e.g. of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Native American Spirituality, etc.) The Christian Scriptures state that people who pray to other Gods are worshiping Satan or demons. About 45% of the people of the world are Pagans, by this definition.

Many conservative Christians, believing in the inerrancy* of the Bible use this description of non-Judeo-Christian religions.

1. *Inerrancy is the belief that the words are God's true revelations to mankind. An inerrant text is considered infallible*, truthful, reliable, totally free of error and absolutely authoritative.
   
   Inerrancy is not restricted to moral and religious truth. It is applied to all statements of fact in the Bible, "scientific, historical, or geographical."
2. *Infallible applied to a sacred text means, the text is fully trustworthy. i.e. it does not deceive the reader into falsehood. There are problems with this concept, even among conservative Christians. Bible experts reach many different conclusions about divorce, hell, the Book of Revelation, and creation/evolution, etc. Since these theologians' beliefs are mutually exclusive, and all derived from the Bible, the concept of biblical infallibility is suspect.

Now at least I understand better that the religion actually in order to be true to its version of Inerrancy would have strong opinions about many issues and books. My only quarrel if you must call it a quarrel is that these religions try to superimpose there belief in their version of the Inerrancy of the bible on others.

My good friend and I were just talking about that today in a different context and we decided that the strong and loud Christian Right movement may be a backlash that started when school prayer as well as most concepts of a Christian God were removed from public places. That this backlash has now taken on a life of its own. This reminds me of a saying I picked up some years back, "be careful what you wall in and what you wall out."

We both agreed that we would prefer to see acknowledgement of God in our public life again but rather than such a Christian only expression a more universal expression would be prefered. When you look at the old turn of the nineteenth into the twentieth century school books most of them have prayers in the text book but they are not denominational nor for that matter Christian.

Example I have a New Series - The Third Reader,for Primary Schools from 1878 - The prayer has some Christian overtones but so slight that I do not think it offends any group and it goes -

1

Ere on my bed my limbs I lay,
God grant me grace my prayers to say!-
O God, preserve my mother dear
In health and strengthfor may an year.
And, O! Preserve my father, too,
And may I pay him reverence due;
And may I my best thoughts emply
To be my parents hope and joy!

2

My sisters and my brothers both
From evil guard, and save from sloth;
And may we always love each other,
Our friends, our father and our mother.
And still, O Lord, to me impart
A contrite, pure, and grateful heart,
That after my last sleep I may
Awake to thy eternal day.

Perhaps you've come across this already, but I just found it (*and* this discussion):

If you want to get yourself sorted into one of the four houses (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin) at Hogwart's School, go to this page:

<http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php3?client=potterhouse>

The survey sorted me into the following order:
# 1 Gryffindor
# 2 Ravenclaw
# 3 Hufflepuff
# 4 Slytherin

by the incredible amount of work you have done! I'm sure everyone appreciates your research as much as I do. It's fascinating. Fern

Given the fact that the Harry Potter books clearly celebrate Christmas and Easter, one wonders wherein they are anti-Christian.

I think the 45% in the article you found must be mistaken. I believe the Christians in this world come to less than 50%.

Articles I have read seem to believe the resurgence in fundamentalism in this country, which is, incidentally, unknown in the rest of the world and they think it a peculiar American phenomenon, was due to the millenium coming, as most of them truly believed they would be raptured into Heaven last year. Now they are hoping it will be this year. These expert historians claim the movement will fade away as we get further and further into this new millenium. Personally, I believe the evolution question galvanizes them against public schools more than the prayer thing does.

Anyway, Harry Potter is pure fun wrapped up in a morality play!

Oh Mary we can only hope and dream that time will allow "their" version of enerrancy to "fade away as we get further and further into this new millenium."

Mary what a great quotable critique - Harry Potter is pure fun wrapped up in a morality play!

And Mary I'm with you on the 45% versus 55% Christian - I would think also it was the other way around. Don't remember exactly were that information came from but I think a site that calls itself something about "For Christian Tolarance" - had a lot of great stuff including the explanation of so many of the worlds religions. I had no idea that Hinduism was not one religion but a large group of Indian centered religions.

I broke out laughing today on page 101 when Draco's mother is described as: "His mother was bolonde too; tall and slim, she would have been nice-looking if she hadn't been wearing a look that suggested there was a nasty smell under her nose." Even her sentences build to an explosion of fun.

I think it is only natural for a woman with a son like Draco to have a permanent "nasty smell" sneer under her nose! teehee. Sue

I've been checking every day for new messages and there haven't been any, I suppose this book is pretty big to get through. If anyone is almost done I would like to discuss the big contest and all the action that happens towards the end. That Harry is quite the kid. Shirley T.

I'm afraid I've not started re-reading the Goblet of Fire. My husband has just learned that he's having a recurrence of cancer. I've been reading a lot, but things that I don't have to think about making a post for. When my mood gets better, I'll be back. Meanwhile, keep checking. Maybe you could post about some of the questions Barbara has listed in the heading. I'm sure that others will respond to your opinions and/or observations. Sue

I think the contest was looking for resourcefulness in all three events. If that was NOT the goal, well, it certainly was what made our Harry the winner.

Sat please share your thoughts and we will be so glad to start a dialogue with you.

Oh Sue oh oh oh - yes the fear and and watching someone we love in pain Oh SUE - my thoughts and prayers are with you. A friend just learned she had to have mystectimy (spell) I found and gave her the book about Lance Armstrong the Austin Biker who won the Tour de France while battling cancer and she was very pleased with the read - just an idea for you on something uplifting written by someone that has been there.

Resourcefulness yes, I agree MaryPage - what I also thought was amusing was Hagrids little romance.

I started to realize that there is so much more to these books and rather than just treating them as children's morality books I thought to look up in my wonderful An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper some of the parts of the story. Sure enough if Dragons are not a symbol that helps us to understand a deeper story here.

Dragon: the winged serpent combines the serpent and bird as matter and spirit. Originally it was wholly beneficent as the manifestation of the life-giving waters (the serpent) and the breath of life (the bird), and was identified with sky gods and their earthly delegates: emperors and kings. Later it become ambivalent as boththe fertilizing rains, following thunder, and destructive forces of lightening and flood.

It can be solar or lunar, male of female, good or evil. Dragons, as monsters, are autochthonous masters of the ground, against which heroes, conquerors and creators must fight for mastery or occupation of the land; they are also guardians of treasures and of the portals of esoteric knowledge.

The struggle with the dragon symbolizes the difficulties to be overcome in gaining the treasures of the inner knowledge. Killing the dragon is the conflict between light and darkness, the slaying of the destructive forces of evil or man overcoming his own dark nature and attaining self-mastery.

The dragon is equated with the "old serpent" the power of evil the Devil, the Tempter, the enemy of God; it also represents darkness, death, paganism and heresy. In the Old Testement the "place of the dragons" was associated with the "shadow of death" and the waters of the deep. Subduers of dragons represent victory over the powers of evil and heresy.

The Archangle Michael defeating the the dragon in the victory of the sun god over darkness, adapted to Christianity as the defeat of Satan.

The numberThree: Multiplicity; creative power; growth; forward movement overcoming duality; three is the first number to which the word "all" has ben appropriated. The triad is the number of the whole, with a beginning, middle and end.

Three is the heavenly number, representing the soul as four is the body. Three introduces the Godhead - Father, Mother, Son. Three carries the authority of accumulated effect, once or twice being possible coincidence. the Trinity, three gifts of the Magi, denials by Peter, crosses on Cavelery, three days of the death of Christ, the Three Fates, Charities, Graces, Sirens. The triad of Life, Being, Intelligence. The symbol of Oden and the number of good fortune.

I hadn't seperated this book from the others treating them as a long story and all øƒ a sudden after reading as I posted the symbolism of the dragons and the number three I wonder if we shouldn't be looking at this book as a coming of age book. Harry Potter's Portrait of a Young Man hmmm.

Harry, of course, was not required, or even expected, to kill the dragon. He just had to outwit it, to gain the prize the dragon was guarding.

I just clicked on castles and ghost and really enjoyed the pictures, I have always been a believer of ghost, right after I got married and was the great age of 19 we moved into an upstairs apt in a old house, my husband went to work early and I would sleep in , After about a month every morning about 9:00 someone would come in my bedroom and sit on my bed and watch me. Of course I couldn't open my eyes but I could feel them sitting on the bed. After this happened about 10 times, I really got spooky and of course my new husband believed me (right) so I got a job , and would get up and leave and never saw or felt this again. I always had the feeling that this person (woman) had lived there and was just checking me out. Since that time I have been a firm believer in ghost and love to read about them. I like Moaning Mrytle the best of all. poor little soul is destined to live in the bathroom for eternity. I would love to hear if there are more ghost sighting or feeling like mine, unfortunately I have not had one since, 45 yrs but once in awhile if I turn my head really quick it seems like someone is standing there, enough of my ghost story, waiting to hear from you.Sue I am hoping and praying that things will go well for your husband. what an awful feeling that must be. I guess this is where strong faith must help. Shirley T.

My granddaughter, mother of the 7 year old great granddaughter for whose sake I take on the task of purchasing and reading these Potter books, so as to send them to her duly checked out, sent me one of those one-day-at-a-time Harry Potter calendars for Christmas.

Today, Friday, January 12, 2001, shows Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. One of my favorite things! I have a white one (sweat), a red one (radish) and a green one (honeydew melon). Have popped the green one in my mouth, the red one in the fridge to go into tonight's salad, and am willing to be a good girl and share; so who wants my white bean?

I believe I'll pass on Bertie Botts Every Flavor White Bean! This bit of humor cracks me up whenever I've read it in the H.P. books. Where does Rowling get these ideas?

Thanks, Barbara and Shirley, for the supportive good wishes. We are hopeful that the treatment will go well. We've not been given a large percentage for success as his original cancer was only 3 years ago and this one spread so quickly, but we trust our doctor and are praying for strength to face whatever comes. Sue

Ha I love it MaryPage - of course that Honeydew was a perfect morning popper - You are making me think that I just may want to go out and get one of those daily calanders - how much fun to look forward to each day.

Sat, I never have seen or felt anything ghostly but I remember so the movie I saw as a child, with I think Margerat O'Brian, the Canterville Ghost - after so many scarry witch movies that Walt Disney had out at the time, he was a warm and cosy Ghost that didn't scare me to tears.

I was always facinated with the Nova special that had some folks seeing and hearing Civil War casualties walking across some road in Va. and in the basement of a church the sounds were picked up on a special mike that had voices of young man saying who they were and they had fought in the Civil War.

Finally looked up the word autochthonous and found it to mean: Native to a particular place; indigenous.

So it didn't look like those dragons were autochthonous did it...but our hero "outwitted" as MaryPage so aptley worded it, or as the Symbol book states it - "must fight for mastery or occupation of the land;" - because the dragons did appear to be "guardians of treasures...of esoteric knowledge."

Wow I can see a pattern forming now with the guardians of knowledge being outwitted and than we have that knowledge made available under water which is where the next feat takes place - more to look up in my symbol book I think.

Hermoine really has her date life all set doen't she - and she doesn't come across smug like in her security - Do you think all boys feel this competition to get "the" girl to accompany them to their first dance or go out with them at all? Although from what I hear there isn't that much couples dating any longer it is more groups of girls and boys go out together but then they still do pair up from what I hear.

Humph! Says the old lady I live with, humph! Pair up indeed! They say they are having sex at 14 these days, and I didn't even know what that WAS until I was 19 and married! Shoot, I hadn't even gotten to "heavy petting." (remember that?) Did do some smooching, though! First kiss at 15, and I was THAT mad at the boy down the street who was my best friend's older brother for surprising me with it. Was kinda nice though, and I let him show me again at the front door. Anyway, I was mad because my goal was to be "Sweet Sixteen, Never Been Kissed." Remember that?

Hee Hee yes Marypage I sure do remember "sweet sixteen and never been Kissed" and the wonder of it all just being kissed - and although there are many "doing it all" as we used to say, at fourteen, there are many that aren't and they are not super christian right kids either - just your basic kid.

With all the media focus we forget how many of them are just kids attending football games and going to the mall and still playing with the kids down the street although they all seem to be so busy with sports practice and music lessons and of course their computer.

I see the youngins next door - the oldest is a girl, now a freshman in high school, working at our local drug store and playing basketball and David is still in Jr. High. He comes home everyday opening the house for his brother who is still only third or fouth grade I forget. There mom comes in about a half hour later. Good kids and so far dating doesn't seem to be part of their lives.

I guess I will soon get a first hand look at young teens as my oldest Grandboy is 12 now. It won't be long...

When this question was suggested by scholastic I thought - oh a piece of cake -

Next, consider Dumbledore's admonition that "Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open" (page 723).

How do you think we best keep our hearts opened when we are faced with differences in values, language, education, strong religious beliefs?

Well I am eating my words - I realize how intolerant I am with those that do not share my view of issues about womens rights and I have problems being accepting of folks with a very conservative view of life that is steeped in their religion if they try to use their values as a benchmark for all of us. I really have no problem what others believe it is only when they believe we should all believe as they believe. Hmmm to become opened to those with strong religious beliefs is really something I must work on so that I can be opened without feeling threatened.

I, too, Barbara. I get my dander up something fierce at even a whiff of intolerance. Then I have to grab hold of my own collar and pull myself in and say: Hey, who is being intolerant NOW!

I just read a story I found under the button MAGIC WIZARDS. it is THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE by HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON.I really enjoyed it and its really interesting how he brings out all the truths of the world, good and evil, lies and deceit, and the beauty of a sweet innocent blind daughter who did what the sighted brothers could not do. lots of hidden meanings in these old tales, and we can still learn from them today. Shirley T.

Why am i not surprised to find MaryPage here?I have read all the Potter books,got my daughter hooked & am about to start rereading #1. I hope they don't screw up the movie.I know my grandson will love these books as he gets older.My oldest niece in NY got me started.And I bought her the last one & had it shipped to her at Camp Ramah where she she was working.There is no mail delivery there on Saturdays,its delivered to the Custodians house.She joined all the kids trekking over to pick up the Potter books their parents had ordered from Amazon .com.And spent the rest of the day fending people off her copy!

Saw a sneak preview photograph of the new Harry Potter (the movie is being filmed all over England AS WE POST) yesterday, and he looks:

JUST RIGHT!

Honestly, I got such a thrill up and down my spine! His gown was just right as well. Oh, no one is going to find ANY fault with this adorable child! Hedwig is beautiful.

I love Hedwig. I've always had such a "thing"about owls. They are so beautiful and Hedwig is so full of herself.I was always a big Mythology bufff & Athena/Minerva in particular.I loved their owls.But I'm sort of fond of dragons too.With a 5 yr old grandson who has an imagination as big as the world,we play dragon a lot!I am the Gramma Dragon who knits fireproof red sweaters for the baby Dragons.Can't wait till he starts the Potter books!

Welcome to the discusssion lab0341...the story of your doaughter receiving her book at camp is fun-ney. Has your daughter read any of the Narnia chronicles?

We have watched the vidio of The lion, the witch... and where the fantasy is wounderful with marvalous sceney and characters the story I don't think is nearly as engaging as the Harry Potter story. I realize our sensabilites have changed since WW2 but I just cannot muster up as much enthusiasm for those children as I can the Potter trio.

sat I too was enchanted with the Hans Christian Anderson story - had no idea that it was even in his collection. That site by the way has all of his stories - if you just click on the arrows on the bottom of the page it brings you to the next and then the next story. I believe there are around 149 Hans Christian Anderson stories on that site. I'll look and see if I saved the url to the main page where the index of all the stories was included. If not I find that by taking away part of url - up to the next / and then clicking it often gets me to the main page of a site.

As y'all are talking about what to expect in the movie it reminded me, so far I have been pleased with much of the Potter memoriabilia. Haven't been to a Warner store yet to see it all only see what B&N and Borders have been carrying. Have you been to the Warner store yet? What do you think? I'm tempted to get a Harry Potter sweatshirt for myself do encourage me to have some courage about my 'Voldermort" which is "stop her from wanting to take a daily walk!"

The secret boxes are more fun - they are an interactive item where in order to get a secret message you must go to a web page and return to the site for several days in order to get the secret message. The information it asks about your secret box really sharpens your sense of observation. There are these symbols inside the box.

I've got a monster headache today - I wonder if that is because I have a Voldermort that is winning this race over whether or not I will take a walk hmmmmm - need to go nap and get rid of this headache till later - Ciao

I did it - just wiped away up to the / and sure enough came upon the main page - here is the link Hans Christian Anderson Page

It is a great site jammed packed with everything and anything including a photo of Hans Christian Anderson. And it is 168 short stories to his credit!

Well - Here I'm thinking rather smuggly that we really do not have a class issue here in the States that it must be a British thing - I did believe we had a race issue that blankets us as a nation but class? no way - ha! Look what I found -

Class in America

Class is a social construction with no basis as a biological or genetic concept. It is a product of lived and material experience, ideology, prejudice, and power. Consequently, like other socially constructed identities, class is an important category of difference that needs to be studied and understood.

However, unlike other identities such as race or ethnicity, class has been largely ignored in American society. In fact, the existence of class has been often denied. That is, America has been portrayed as a classless society or, its corollary, a "middle class" society with egalitarian ethics in which most people live more or less the same lives. This erasure of class has denied individuals an important source of understanding of their experiences.

This has been particularly harmful for individuals who are members of the working class. (While by no means exclusive, here "working class" is meant to define both a source of identity and a socio-economic category.) The denial of class has led to individual feelings of subordination, inferiority, worthlessness, and powerlessness.

These so-called "hidden injuries of class" often have deprived the working class of a sense of awareness, meaning, and sources of pride in their work, aesthetics, cultural sensibilities, and lives. At the same time, the denial of class and, therefore, understanding of class difference has led to powerful feelings of alienation and resentment both by and toward members of the working class.

It is generally understood that the absence of discussion of the working class between the end of WWII and the early 1980s was largely the result of the Cold War, progressive legislation, and the lessening of economic inequality in America.

Conversely, the massive erosion of economic security in the last 15 years—job security, health security, retirement security, and purchasing power—brought into question the expanding distribution of wealth and power and issues of class (poverty, equality, opportunity, and deprivation. In addition, economic restructuring and globalization are changing the landscape of class in the U.S. and worldwide.

Workers who believed themselves to be solidly middle class have found themselves out of work, with significantly reduced incomes, or racing to manage two or three part-time jobs. Knowledge and service workers make up an ever-increasing portion of the labor force.

Factory and computer industry are moving out of the U.S. and Europe and into developing countries, creating both more fluid national economic boundaries and an increased sense of competition. These changes in the structure and experiences of class and work make the study of working-class culture, labor organizing, and the meaning of work essential to understanding and political intervention in a shifting global economy.

HI I watched GHOST again for the gadzillionth time and all of a sudden it dawned on me . the devils that came to pick up the 2 murderers were the DEMENTORS IN Harry Potter. They were faceless and dressed in black and kinda floated. I thought that was interesting now that we are reading this book little things like this come up. Shirley T.

I sure would like to have a couple of those House Elves. An invisibility cloak would also be nice. I have always wished I could Apperate. It would be nice to say, take me here or there and have it happen immediately. Don't think it will happen in my lifetime.

I am about a third through the Goblet of Fire. I have to keep up with my 10 year old Grand-Daughter. she quizzes me on what I have read.

Peace, DJane

DJane, quizzes you! Oh, I LOVE it!

I had not thought of it, but I too would like to have 2 house elves. I say 2, when obviously 1 would do, because 2 could keep one another company.

DJane - now you just must share with us - what kind of questions are on your quizz??!! hee hee

Oh those poor house elves really have a time of it don't they - such loyalty my word they are as loyal as the dust is in my home!

Oh, Barbara, can't you just HEAR it? Granny, Granny, Granny! Have you gotten to the part where Hermione --------? Granny, do you like Harry or Ron best? Granny, what color owl would you choose?

Oh Mary you are right - mine are 10 and 11 boys and they seem to be in this awesome tone of voice saying ...and when Harry did this or when he almost what ever... I hope to get over to College Station this weekend and get them to post their thoughts.

Hi All: Well I'm sorry to say I didn't do too well with the quizzes. This old brain doesn't remember so well anymore. is there a spell for that? Sara, my Grand-daughter is coming over on Saturday so i better study up.

I like the white Owl. They are kind of unique. Unfortunately, Harry has to use other owls now so the bad people don't find Sirius.

I like them all, but I am kind of partial to Hermione. There sure are a lot of evil people around though. Watch your step.

Peace, DJane

DJane, did you know that J.K. Rowling has said many times that Hermione is herself?

She was so funny on tv when she seemed to get a bit testy and said that so many children had heard, prior to Book Four coming out, that one of the students would die in it and, assuming it must be one of THE THREE, they voiced a hope to her that it would not be Harry or Ron! In other words, let it be HER CHARACTER!

my name is Duke Nukem - I am 11 years old and attend Stephen F. Austin Jr. High.

I think book four is the best yet - I think the author included the items that were banned in Hogwarts to show that rules have been around for ever and even wizards have to abide by rules.

I think the author wanted to make this book different and that was why it started out differntly - Harry is older and it doesn't feel like he is trapped like he was in the other books.

by the way Gilch I e-mailed you a few minutes ago.

Thanks for your views on rules. I'll have to agree that you are right, even wizards have to abide by rules. That's something I need to keep in mind because even at my advanced age (63) I am often tempted to break some rules! How about you? Sue

I am Cooper and I am 10 years old. I am in the fifth grade and Johnston.

I want to know who Hermoine goes to the ball with but I want to read it and not be told. I like that Harry and Ron are best friends cause I didn't like it when they weren't friends.

The scarry part of books make it more exciting - i really do not get scared when reading this book. I am scared of other things though.

I like the way the author writes because when you get to the end of a chapter you want to keep reading but you might be really tired and so you can't wait until you can read again.

Gilch how far are you in the book?

I like the way Rowling ends chapters, too. I think that might be called foreshadowing. Maybe Barbara can tell me if this is correct. I just know that when I'm at the end of the chapter that unless I close my eyes quickly and stick a bookmark in, I'll be in the next chapter before I know it.

I don't like for anyone to reveal the plot either, like who will Hermione go to the ball with. It's much more fun to read it for myself. Sue

My name is Cody and I am 10 years old. I will be 11 in three months. I am in the 5th grade and Johnston Elementary School.

We read this at home - my mom reads it at night as we fall asleep. I still like book 3 more than all the Harry Potter Books because I liked the whole thing about Sirus Black and also how Harry learned to do the charms against the Dementors.

Ty tell me how you like book 4 and what you like about it?

Those dementors really freak me out. Do you find them scary? Just the idea of them taking over my mind is frightening to me. Sue

Sue thanks for posting I call it hanging on the end of my seat - I'll ask grandma if it is foreshadowing - I never heard of that word before.

Think about it if you really belive it - expecto patronus and they are gone. I like believing that I can make then disappear and so I am not scared. I can even see a wand in my hand when I say it.

Sue this is Duke Nukem and yes I am tempted to break rules especially at school. So far though I have only broken a couple but they didn't catch me. They weren't real bad.

Cody, I feel EXACTLY the same way about Book 3, because I, too, like that whole business with Sirius Black. It is such a good feeling to know that Harry has someone of his very own who loves him and will do everything he can to protect him and, yes, spoil him a little bit.

Because Sirius was his father's very best friend when THEY were at Hogwarts (just like Harry and Ron!), and because Harry's parents asked Sirius to be Harry's Godfather, we know deep in our hearts that we can trust Sirius absolutely.

But Sirius is in Book 4 as well. I expect he will be in ALL of the rest of the books.

The Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans flavors for Wednesday, February 14 were Pineapple (my very favorite!), Carrot and Cough Syrup.

Liked 'em all, so not sharing!

HARRY POTTER REIGNS!

I started on book one!!!

Ray MaryPage eating Pineapple Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans - we really need to catch up with Harry don't we?

FrancyLou where are you in Book one? So glad you found the discussion.

Amazing to me is that as I preveiw houses now I see so many with the whole collection of hardback Harry Potter books in the parents bedroom and in many an adult bedroom where there are no children in the home. Harry Potter really has been the big influence in believing hasn't he.

Full day tomorrow and this weekend but I will slip in when I can and then really get back in next week. We need to e-mail some of our folks and see if we can't get a bit going again before we have to archive the discussion. Help MaryPage do you know any of the posters well enough to send them a "Howdy" and see if they would give us a post or two? As I say I will have time to do that next week but not until then.

I just finished book one! Great... I am dreaming of broomsticks and dragons.

It was a little lite for my taste... but am excited to start book 2.

FrancyLou, the books grow up along with Harry.

I could have read them out of order - but wanted to start at the beginning. I am enjoying the second book! I think it is better already. Little like real life too....

My granddaughter who lives in Kansas City, Missouri as well, has just finished reading book 4 of the Harry Potter. I bought all 4, one at a time, in first editions for HER daughter, my 7 year old great granddaughter Emily. Jenny is an announcer on KCUR there. She loves HP.

I bought all four also.... yes, I think I love him also.

Do you know which channel KCUR is... I would like to listen to her.

I don't know what frequency it is, but it is the Public Radio Station there and it broadcasts from the University of Missouri. Jenny did the show called MORNING EDITION from six until ten for years and then got pregnant and quit and goes back to fill in for people who are out. She fills in A LOT! Especially Sunday afternoons. But I think she has just cut down on even that since Sam is expected in his own good time but on or about the 10th of April. She will go back when Sam is about three months old. "This is Jenny Whitty in Kansas City." Ah! She gave me a coffee mug from the station and I just looked on it. It is 89.3 fm Jenny gets a lot of fan mail. Let me know if you ever hear her.

I listen to Walt Bodine!!! So I may have heard her. I used to listen every day at work several years ago... not so much any more. But will keep my ears open for her name!

Starting "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" tomorrow! Loved book three... her stories get better with each book.

Francylou your reading like a house a fire - I still have a soft spot for book three - Book four has so much that are simply hinted at in the other books but I still like book three more than any so far.

Let us know what your up to and we can chat - I know MaryPage is really into the books and we may even coax SpringCreekFarms to share a bit - I've been trying to get my grand in SC to post but they have been so busy getting the house ready to put on the market - Harry has taken second place to paint brush and window cleaner.

Outside of them being very lite reading - I can not put them down. So every spare minute I am reading!

Francy Lou, it warms my heart to have you join the fan club!

Page 202 Chapter 13....

This is a good book! Lots of real life lessons in it. Boy and the wording "pus" ick... almost lost it, lol. Death Eaters! They make me think of KKK... House Elf makes me think of slaves and the way people thought of them, they did not want pay, or anything nice.

To www.harrypotter.com

And DO NOT skip anything. Let the screen do its thing. It will take a couple of moments, then it will give you a thrill!

I have entered HOGWARTS as a student. My name is Page. I have been through the sorting and made it to Griffindor! Hurrah!

Oh, and when you go to Bertie Bott's Many Flavored Beans, be SURE to click on EACH BEAN you see loose in the window! You are in for a Real Treat! Fun! Fun! Fun!

Barbara, I have already sent you a howler and a postcard from Hogwarts. Be sure to tell your grands about this site!

I posted earlier... but it got lost somehow.

Did not get to read much today. But I like "Mad Eye"... was disappointed in Ron, he finally came around. Was sooo happy that the owl made it back safely, I was afraid they had gotten her.

Harry passed the first test!

OK, tomorrow I will find some time!

Well darn - seemed to go straight downhill. It started so good.

I love Harry... maybe all the strife makes him a better person. He seems very good at controlling his anger.

Hope book five comes out before 2002!

Yes! Yes! I can't wait to hop on that address you've given us. It was in the paper yesterday too.

Thanks

Andrea

Does everyone know that J.K. Rowling has received the O.B.E. from Prince Charles?

And that he said he had read the books and could hardly Wait for the movie?

And that she says the movie Does fulfill what she had in mind in writing the first book. She says it is not 100%, but as near as could be accomplished. She raved about the child actors and said she had fought for them all to be British. (Well, I would have as well! How egotisical of Hollywood to have wanted anything else!)

Finally, do you know the movie comes out in Great Britain on November 16? Richard Harris plays Dumbledore!!!!! Maggie Smith plays Professor McGonagall!!!!!!!!!!! Alan Rickman plays Snape, and, OH, I adore this one: ROBBIE COLTRANE plays Hagrid! Wonderful, wonderful casting.

Me too, P. Charles! I can hardly Wait!

More news!

Two more movies are planned at this time! Yippee!

The bimonthly magazine, "BOOK", in the March/April 2001 issue, page 11, tells us there has been a correction in the latest editions printed of book # 4 (Goblet). Seems there may have been a slipup in a mention of the order in which Harry's parents were killed, it being different from what was laid out in the first three books.

But, whoops! In making the change in the last editions, they changed the Spelling of Harry's Mother's name! They went from Lily to Lilly. I can't STAND "Lilly", and hope they will return to the more beautiful "Lily."

I just found this discussion. Haven't browsed Seniornet in awhile. I LOVE the Harry Potter Books. Rowling's writing style is so vivid I was with Harry, Ron, and Hermione every step of their way. I've read Book 4 and am sorry 5 won't be published until 2002. I have my order in already. I'll start reading 4 again so I can post as we go along. No way can I remember every chapter. Kathleen

J.K. Rowling is writing two books between the Harry Potter books... can not remember their titles... but I think it is more on the series, but without Harry. I must have been babysitting, cause it did not stay with me well enough for me to make this clear for you all. Hopefully the bookstores will advertise them!

Just found this on Yahoo Pick's. Check it before showing the kids. I have not. Francy


Art of Magic - have you got the stones to be a wizard?

http://aom.bethsoft.com/

Released today!!! Quidditch Through the Ages, by Kennilworthy Whisp
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander


Of course they are really by J.K. Rowling.. made to look like textbooks that Harry would use.

Dang it, FrancyLou! I discovered a large advertisement in the latest issue of BOOK last night at bedtime, and could hardly WAIT to get in here this morning and post about those 2 books! Aren't you the swift one!

All of the publishers' and the author's profits go into a special Harry Potter Fund to help needy children in the poorest countries in the world.

www.comicrelief.com/harrysbooks

Oh, and these 2 books are REQUIRED READING for all students at Hogwarts! I'm going to buy them TODAY!

The Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans on the menu for Friday, March 16 are Watermelon, Prune and Vinegar.

Sorry, keeping them all!

Please please please may I have some!

Sorry!

sulking... lip out.... sniff sniff

Get a pass, get on your broomstick and fly to the candy store in town!

Sheesh!

I still have some of my allowance left, if you need some gold coins.

lol = go with me, I am afraid!

Stop off at Hagrid's cottage and get him to take you, then.

I am committed to keeping my nose in "Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them" because I have an exam tomorrow morning. Am having a hard time sorting this stuff out. Can't Wait to get this over with and get back into "Quidditch Through The Ages". THAT book really grabs my attention!

As I said, try Hagrid.

OK, STOMP STOMP STOMP

They were all out of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans !!! I did get my text books "Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them" and "Quidditch Through The Ages".

Hagrid was happy to go along with me! We had lots of treats...

Good on you!

You see, you are in a different form from me, being younger. Do not even know if you are in the same house. Are you?

Anyway, the age difference means that I only Tolerate you; we do not hang out.

I'll speak, and also save your life from a dragon if necessary; but no hanging with my upper form, Worm!

Well, Mary Page, I can not think of a come back, lol...

This is something else!

Harry Potter and the Court Battle Over Creativity http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/01/business/01BOOK.html

Thanks, Francy.

I find it very interesting, but plagarism has to be a lot more than that before I believe it is deliberate. I doubt very much Rowling ever read that woman's book, for one. The like things seem all coincidence to me!

I know I had a bad winter back in 60/61, and I wrote a poem in which I included the words, which I truly thought I had invented, "this winter of my discontent."

Really, it came out of my Brain full of deep emotions! It was spontaneous.

Still, there is no question but what Shakespeare wrote those words in Richard III! I found this out later! And, what is more, later that year, someone, was it Steinbeck? Someone came out with a novel titled Winter of Our Discontent.

I was disGUSTED! Those were MY words! How DARED Shakespeare and Steinbeck!!!!!!!

I truly almost believe in that old example of, if you put a bunch of monkeys in a room with a bunch of typewriters, eventually they will type the Declaration of Independence.

almost. actually, i think there would be typewriter keys and other parts all OVER the place!

but you get my drift.....................

Yes, I agree with you!

Sounds Like Harry Potter

Friday, April 6, 2001; Page A36

I read the March 27 Style article about Nancy Stouffer's claim that J. K. Rowling had copied her books and would like to point out similarities in other books.

"The Mystery of the Lost Village" (a book in the Boxcar Children series created by Gertrude Chandler Warner, 1991) has a reporter named Rita Neville, who is similar to the reporter Rita Skeeter in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Besides having the same first name and job, the reporters are both obnoxious and follow the main characters everywhere to get their stories. Another Harry Potter character is named Neville, which is the last name of the Boxcar Children reporter.

In "Wizard's Hall" by Jane Yolen (1991), the main character is named Henry, and, like Harry, he is a short, skinny boy with green eyes and messy hair. When he goes to Wizard's Hall (a school for children training to become wizards), Henry's personality is examined to see what wizard's name is best for him. That is similar to the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter novels, which decides what house best suits students.

In both books people in pictures can move around. Henry and Harry both have a tall red-headed boy with freckles and a girl with brown hair as best friends. In "Wizard's Hall," the main villain is Nettle, who used to be a good teacher at the school, and only Henry can stop him. In Harry Potter, Voldemort used to be a nice, smart boy at the school, and Harry is the only one who can stop him.

I enjoy all these books, but the similarities sure give me something to think about.

RACHEL BROWN-GLAZNER

Alexandria

© 2001 The Washington Post Company

Interesting...

Actually, there are not too many themes to write about in this whole world. Adult fiction is much of a sameness in basic plot as well. Differences come about as a result of how the plot is shaken up so far as what comes first and how many possibilities you throw into the mix, plus whatever the style of the writer, plus whatever the style of the era.

Since wizards were invented in the myths of mankind back B.C. somewhere, and since Most of the lore regarding them has been pretty well fixed in our mental pictures of them, writers in this genre are simply BOUND to have common plots and details.

You know I really don't care. I loved the books... and if it brings the kids into reading "hooray"!

Rowling has won the entire world with her excellent and seemingly effortless writing which puts us right in the story and keeps us there and carries us along to the end. We read the last page and close the book yearning for more.

She could probably have done as well in any other genre she chose.

 

Blueberry Pancakes 

Grass 

Ear Wax 

I'll bet your tongue is blue...ha ha... Let's see.

You bet!

Peter Jackson directs Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy



To a 12-year old, these guys are the scariest thing ever. With his novel about hobbits, orcs, wizards, elves, and a magic ring, J.R.R. Tolkien single-handedly spawned a whole subsection in every bookstore in the world: fantasy would not have been the same without him; it probably wouldn't even exist. One surefire test of your geekdom is to see how many times you've read the three tomes: I have to confess, I rank pretty high.

Now Peter Jackson, N.Z. director of Bad Taste, Heavenly Creatures, and Brain Dead is filming the entire trilogy as CGI-heavy blockbuster with a star-studded cast. Liv Tyler, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, and Elija Wood as Frodo all are putting on funny ears and a fake-medieval wardrobe. Some of the characters will be digitally reduced to suit their halfling roles. The first film, The Fellowship of the Ring,is scheduled for release on Christmas 2001, with The Two Towers and The Return of the King to follow in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Are BACON, RASPBERRY JAM, and SPROUTS !

I et 'em all. Sorry folks!

no i'm not!

Mary Page...

Gonna have to put a spell on you so you share !

Love, Francy

Have you ever read Wizard of Oz? Pretty good book...

Read every book in the series, the ones Baum wrote and the ones his daughter wrote after his death. Twenty some? Thirty some? My granddaughter in Kansas City, Missouri, mother of my GREAT granddaughter, now owns my childhood books about the Land of Oz!

That was the first one I ever read... much better than the movie.

Where, oh where, is Barbara? It's been so long since she's been here. I've been lurking all along. I've loved your Bertie Botts posts, MaryPage. I don't own Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and I had to return it to the library. Sue

Did you finish it? Barbara, where are you? Did you forget all about us in here? Are we ever going to read this book?

Yes, this was the second time I read it. However, I'm having so many senior moments these days I can't seem to remember the details. Sue

 
LETTUCE 

WHIPPED CREAM 

TREE BARK 

I've eaten the whipped cream one, but the other 2 are up for grabs!

So when are we going to discuss the book?

Hi, MaryPage. I'm wondering if Barbara is on a trip or not feeling well. She was so faithful to the first discussions, but hasn't been here for a while. I hope she's not having problems. Sometimes life has a way of interfering with ones pleasures. Sue

Missed chatting but I just had to take a sabbatical from Harry for awhile (my work seemed to take over my life for nearly a year now) - We hadn't been hearing much about Harry and his friends ever since they desided Harry took too much of the Best Seller list in the USA (interesting he stayed on the British Best Seller List) Now all of a sudden the TV is full of bits and pieces again.

Do any of you have AOL? I understand that they have a trailer of the movie availiable to down load if you subscribe to AOL.

I think it was Mary Page that sent me what looked like it was going to be this fabulous Harry site and every time I linked my computer crashed - this followed by some glitch in the Spring when I was frozen out for several days before I got back in with the help of some experts - I had to rebuild my extension manager and lost so many booksmarks and links. It was so discouraging.

So glad, really glad, to see y'all went right along posting -

We Are Moving this Site to
GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Do we really, really have to quit??? We never DID discuss this book, and there will be THREE MORE! Also the movie and then 6 more movies!

The Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans for this week are

   

MAYONNAISE 

LEMON 

and   ORANGE SODA

This is Gilch posting from South Carolina pretty much for the last time.

I understand there is some sort of Harry Potter video game coming out but I do not know what system.

I really do not have a favorite book. I've enjoyed them all. I had delayed reading book four till this summer because I had too many things to catch up on. I am at the part where the Bauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive at Hogwart for the Triwizard Tournament. They usually start the book out with Harry and this was different starting the book out with Voldermort.

I hope y'all enjoy the movie - I am not sure I want to see the movie since it will completly change what I think hogwarts and the wizarding world looks like.

Goodby - Gilch

Marypage maybe we could just keep the site in this new location and post from time to time till the movie at least comes out - when I get back to Austin let me work on it. I too will miss this site.

Good morning, I read the Harry Potter books and then gave them to our grandson to help get him more intersted in reading. It worked very well

I read the 4 books and gave them, all first editions, to my great granddaughter!

As Mary Page knows I love the Harry Potter books. I bought all four, and the two "textbooks" for Harry. My Grandbaby is only 15 months so too young for them, but I will save them and read them to him when he is older - maybe 4 if he can sit still at that age, lol.

I have the textbooks as well!

Did you know that you can actually BUY the real Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans now?

Today's flavors are mayonnaise, lemon, and orange soda. First come first gets the mayo one! I've eaten the others.

Yes Mary Page I found them in a store called "Natural Wonder." The were on sale and now I cannot find them again. Where are you finding them? Mayonnaise huh, just up a kids alley!

Interesting Ty, or as he calls himself Gilch, waited to read book four till this summer. Last year he was apprehensive since he learned there was more violence and death in book four. What a difference a year made. He is now 11 and finished the book this summer. Amazing to me was his comment. He prefers book one and thought that book four was written more as a movie script than as a book that stands on its own.

Chris who is 12 read the book last summer and he still likes book four the best. His remarks were that book four starts out differently and showes how all these special people with special powers live other than in and around the school.

Francylou which of the books written is your favorite or are they all favorites but each has some memorable part?

Happy Grani did you read the books or just your grandson? Did your grandson share with you any thoughts he had about the Harry Potter books?

Book 4 was my favorite to date.

Actually, Barbara, I have sworn off sweets and therefore have not PURCHASED any Bertie Botts, but I read in the newspaper that those people who make all those many-flavored jelly beans, oh, what IS their name, well, they are the ones making them. If that is true, and I am sure it is, you can probably get them at most candy stores that sell those jelly beans. I can think of two at Annapolis Mall that do, and I'll check next time I go there. Which is not often, since I am an I Hate To Shop female!

Wouldn't you know a Mall would be the answer - Oh and how I cringe at the idea of Mall shopping - maybe I'll go on line and see if anyone is selling them.

Have you noticed that ever since they desided to take Harry Potter off the Best Sellers list there isn't as much excitment about the books. It has calmed down the nay sayers though. But to get a punch of excitment I click into Yahoo in Britain and Ireland reviewing their links. The newspapers there are full of the making of the movie as well as, they are still on the best seller lists in Britain.

Parts of book four were wonderful but for suspence nothing to me beat book three. For some reason book two didn't make too much of impression on me but the first book was quite an opening salvo.

I thought it was cute in book four how both boys were struggling with this phase of growing up where as Hermoine seemed to take it all in stride.

I really think book one was. I would have loved to fly on broomsticks and play the game (senior moment, lol).

Yes Francylou - book one seemed less dark than book four - Harry and his friends being younger in book one, allowed all the excitment of just being young and playing, adding an exciting twist of flying through the air.

I was in the bookstore yesterday. It is now loaded down with so many Harry Potter items for sale, including the slick thin but expensive books with photos of the actors in their roles for the up-coming movie. I wish the movie wasn't coming out till after book five, in fact till all the books were out but the Harry Potter series seems now to be on the profit motivated track. And yet on the other hand possibly by having the movie out now there will finally be some understanding for the nay sayers there is no dangerous anti-Christ witchcraft in these stories and the series can go on with less controversy.

This 72 year-old kid is planning to be first in line when that movie debuts here in Annapolis!

rah rah Mary

Free Lord of the Rings Screensaver for you Mary Page, and anyone else who would like it. Francy

http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,10615,80405,00.html

Francylou Have you read "Lord of the Rings" or the "Hobbit?"

No - my kids were really into them. I did see a Hobbit movie/vhs whatever. I think I will see the movie when it comes out on Lord of the Rings.

I finally bought the books and want to read the stories - I also remember seeing the "Hobbit." Wasn't it an animated movie with these little people?

The books seem daunting just now since I have so many piled up on my so called coffee table. I ought to call my coffee table a library table - it is one of those huge almost square orientel type coffee tables that is four feet wide and three and half feet deep PILED with PILES of books. Some have pens or pencils in them where I left off and some have place marks that are anything from lovely Harry Potter pewter place marks that my Grand gave me for Christmas to paper napkins that I grabed when I had to stop reading for some reason.

When I was a kid I always had several books going at one time and they were bunked in various parts of the house to keep me company according to the chore I was responsible to complete or while I was in High School a book was near the back door so that I could grab it on the way to catch the bus to school. Now my books are essentially all in one spot and yet I still seem to have at least six to ten going at one time. Which of the Harry Potter books was it that Hermoine uses some powder so that she could be in several classes at one time? I think that would be a lovely way to have all these books going without feeling so quilty.

I do not know exactly when the movie "Lord of the Rings" is coming but I assume for the Holidays. I have a lot of reading to do if I'm going to tackle this before I see the movie.

If you decide to read the books let me know - we could talk about them a bit in the Children's Lit. Discussion.

Gee that is a good idea. I have quite a few started also, so not for awhile.

A friend came over from Virginia yesterday and spent the night. We took a harbour cruise, and then cruised the wonderful collection of shoppes up and down Main Street. We were just passing a candy store, when I backed up and said: "I want to check something out in here." I asked if they had BERTIE BOTT'S EVERY FLAVOR BEANS. They did. A small red bag of 3.5 ounces of beans cost me $6.29! That was $5.99 plus tax!

The flavors in my bag are supposed to be:

 
chocolate  pudding       honey graham cracker     peppermint stick 
strawberry  jam          berry blue               coconut 
pear                     pink grapefruit          toasted marshmallow 
sardine                  buttered toast           blueberry 
cotton candy             kiwi                     raspberry 
banana                   black forest cake        pumpkin pie 
bubblegum                pineapple (my fav!)      lemon drop 
red apple                tutti-fruitti            black pepper 
grass                    buttered popcorn         grape jelly 
orange sherbert          root beer                cherry 
booger                   horseradish              cantaloupe 
green apple              peach                    cinnamon 
watermelon               fruit punch 

They say there will be 4 new flavors coming in the fall: dirt, mustard, vomit and ???!

Today's special flavors are: TOFFEE

ZUCCHINI

BLACK CHERRY

Anyone want my zucchini?

Booger!!??!! I love it! - Buttered toast - toasted marshmallow - honey graham cracker followed by strawberry jam and than a finish of pear that would be lov-er-ly - Oh and a harbour cruise as well - Oh Mary what a delighful sounding evening. I bet it was cool enough for a jacket or shawl.

We took the one o'clock in the afternoon cruise, and it was plenty hot. Great fun, though.

hohoho you're post had me create a fantasy cruise that included a cool evening the likes of which we will not see till the end of October.

We have a paddle wheeler that goes up lake Austin, one of a string of five lakes that were created when the Colorado was dammed up back in the 1930s. No day cruises though since our daytime temp floats just over or under triple digets all summer.

The trip leaves about 7:00 with the movement of the boat creating the only breeze. The boat stops at about 8:30 for a Barbeque dinner at a big grassy shoreline field with many picnic tables. Most of the river bank is craggy with rocks and rock shelves so this field is amazing in itself. The trip back is at night with a breeze that often comes up at night making the return trip a delight.

My favorite way to cool off is to drive west of town by about an hour where there are some natural cold, feezing cold springs. They are on a private ranch where the Pedernales flows. One of the creeks to the Pedernales flows near the springs and it is just wonderful with a water falls all covered in fern cropping about 40 feet into a basin in the creek that is filled with all kinds of boulders that after thousands of years have pockets and the creek water captured in the pockets form little pools.

It is all very wild, bleached in summer but that spring water is so cold it feels a shock at first. So few know about the place. He is an old German rancher and charges a dollar a head so that it is never crowded. He has several picnic tables and barbeque pits as well as an outhouse and a changing shed built under a grove of old old live oaks. It is the kind of place I'm always expecting as I walk around a path to find a group of Indians camping. We've found many an arrow head out there.

I've never swam in a lake in Britain and so trying to imagine the lake bottom that is discribed in book four my only reference is some of the growth in Town Lake or Lake Austin since those two are constent level lakes and the others as well as the rivers around have a lot of movement and are all quite rocky. The creeks and shallow parts of the rivers dry up by mid July and the lakes drop considerably where as the constent level lakes by adjusting the dams have the stable water table that allows underwater growth. But we really do not use these lakes for swimming like we do the others. Lots of private land with private covered boat docks, a few resturants, hotels downtown etc. border these two lakes.

The only mention of a boat on the lake near Hogswort is in book one when the new students arrive. I wonder just how big this lake is and if others outside the school have access to it.

Oh, Barbara! That all sounds such lovely fun!

There is an article in Entertainment Weekly... just great, shows where they made the film. Tells a little about the casting, and stars.

SNOT 

TOMATO JUICE  

BROWN SUGAR 

I'll pass MaryPage.

I read in the newspaper today that Vanity Fair has a write up about the movie. Have to add it to my grocery list!

Thanks for the tip Francylou - Vanity Fair is not a usual for me - so far anything that I have seen with the actors in character seems tø fit my conception of what the characters in the book should be like - and Richard Harris! - what a great Thanksgiving holiday we are going to have - I go to my son's in College Station for Thanksgiving and his three boys are all fans of Harry. You can just bet what will be on our 'things to do' list for the day after Thanksgiving.

Oh Marypage - leave it to someone who knows kids to gross us out with what you know kids just love to squeal and titter over just hoping the adults will become squeamish.

Have y'all recieved this as e-mail from Yahoo? A comprehensive Harry Potter site I clicked on the link to the discussions and wow what a line-up.

This reminds me of a site that Marypage emailed to me last Spring - I think it may have been from Warner - unfortunitly it not only froze my computer it finally knocked it out so that I had to call Apple to get back up again.

I guess some of these sites are just becomeing too sophisticated for my computer Marypage - I bet that was a good site as well. I guess this is a belated thank you - at the time was not sure how to thank what ended up being a disaster for me hehehe - ahhh time heals all wounds.

With the latest news about how we are supposted to feel protected from attack as assumed hijacked planes would be shot out of the sky by our own forces - I now wish that we had some of that dust and could - oh I forget the words - but where Harry and friends magically could go from place to place by sprinkling this dust on themselves. Maybe even that flying car or even the bus from book two would do.

I tried to get my son and daughter in law interested way back when. No, not interested. Finally read the first book, now they can not get enough (kids are so stubron)!

PEPPER

GRAPE JELLY

CHEDDAR CHEESE

How about sharing the Pepper beans with me, MaryPage? I'm in need of "pepping" up right now. Sue

Thanks, MaryPage. "Some like it Hot"--and I'm one of the some! Sue

Now my grands like lemon pepper but black pepper to them is just sneezen flakes - Now with my sweet tooth, May I please have a Grape Jelly MaryPage?

Didn't they move up the date for the movie? I thought it was to be Thanksgiving weekend and now they are saying the 16th which is the weekend before Thanksgiving - I wonder if my grands will wait so that I can go with them the day after Thanksgiving -

I need to refresh my memory and look at the books again but it seems to me they celebrate Halloween in one of the books - do y'all remember - now I know on is it November 3rd or 4th they celebrate Guy Fulkes in Britain with bonfires and the like and I think that is in the books but I vaguely remember one of them celebrates Halloween.

My College Station crew came into Austin Sunday and I had tickets for us to see a production of Man of La Mancha - they are now at that stage where they must appear more grown than they are - all three are now in Jr. High - I could see their reaction and Cody even says aloud "what they killed her!" but what suprised me was the parents did not review their feelings about the play. In the van I brought up the dichotomy between the awful things of life and yet hanging on to what seems like a fantasy seems a struggle - Sally went on very well addressing how you had to have a dream and that gave me an opening to say even the girl who was so brutaly injured wanted the dream - I watched the boys who had not said a word but you could tell their heads where going up and down with some closure to what they had experienced. I know I felt better after that was all said aloud but what suprised me the conversation was more like - well this is how it is why are you even questioning it - hmmmm. I guess I question every aspect of life.

Then we had a wonderful dinner at a famous barbeque place on the river. While we were eating a young boy of about eight leaned too far over the edge of the patio rail and fell in - evidently the waiters say it is a monthly occurance and they all have taken first aide etc. A wet boy, a laughing resturant, relieved and smiling parents.

After dinner we went out - the sun was warm but that gentle rosey red warm that is of our fall and amazing the river, actually the Colorado that we call Lake Austin since it is damned on both ends, was full of turtles. I bet 25 turtles were swimming toward the shore. Boys skipped stones, we sat on the benches and soaked up the softness in the air and then too soon left -

Paul did so well - just as we were going into the theater he realized he did not have his wallet - they figured he left in the McDonalds in Elgin on the way to Austin - he called on his cel and they had it but he was just sure all his money would be gone - unusual for him, he had quite a bit since he was treating dinner. They used Sally's credit card instead. Well on the way home they picked up the wallet and every dollar was there intact - the manager had his wallet - small town for you.

Check this out! Francy

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/livethemagic/

I messed up = this URL did not print. I think this is new. It said the movie starts Nov. 16. (Kids had told me Nov. 2 - I was hoping there were right.)

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/home.html

Read an article in the newspaper on the plane that said the tickets for the first weekend of Harry Potter can be purchased on the internet and they are almost sold out or that first weekend in all the theaters offering this assistance. I forgot the names of the theater chains but one of them is big in Austin. They expect the Harry Potter movie to be the biggest box office of all movies ever! The presales have already put the movie into the top box office sales and has completly paid for its production. Amazing huh!

Hehe I wonder what fantasy he is living in...I bet he believed the witches of Salem were really dangerous.

Well it appears the movie has opened in London!

This is what they are saying"

Newspaper reviewers gushed over the year's most eagerly awaited film today, calling "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" 153 minutes of "pure magic".

Not put off by the length of the film adaptation of JK Rowling's best-selling children's book, media pundits were unanimous in their praise of the film that had its debut before a star-studded audience in London's West End on Sunday.

Drawing on the book's unique and colourful language, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye said anyone who skipped the film was a "muggle" or non-wizard and predicted it was bound to pass "Titanic" as the biggest box office draw of all time.

Hundreds of devoted fans queued for hours in the cold sunshine at the premiere, some wearing capes and wizard hats, others clutching owls, all hoping to catch part of the magic. The two and a half hour-long movie, which opens to the public on November 16, looks set to be a blockbuster.

"I didn't want this movie to end and I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait for the sequels," said film critic John Hiscock, "director Christopher Columbus successfully remained faithful to the book."

Rowling said that she was relieved that Columbus had remained true to her novel and that he had made good on his promise to field an all-British cast. "Admittedly I had been given a lot of input on how things looked. But they really do look as I'd imagined they would inside my head," Rowling said. "From my point of view it is obviously wonderful."

Daniel Radcliffe, the 12-year-old actor who plays the bespectacled boy wizard, joined fellow cast members Richard Harris and Robbie Coltrane at the star-studded premiere.

Singers Sting and Cher, the Duchess of York with her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were among dozens of celebrities attending the show in London's Leicester Square. "(The film) is a good thing and I think he is a good role model," Cher told reporters.

OH MaryPage what a wonderful article and how heartwarming all this is as well as exciting and everything in between - I wish we could together see this movie - wouldn't it be grand if all of us that read these books here on seniornet could gather to see the movie together and have dinner afterwards - please let us know your impressions MaryPage as soon as you get to see the movie - I'm hoping my grands in College Station hold off till Thanksgiving weekend so that I can enjoy seeing the movie with them.

Thanks for the review, MaryPage. We were in a motel last night in Birmingham, so had USA Today which also had several articles about the film. There were several pictures of the actors playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione as well as one of J.K. Rowling (I didn't realize that rhymed with bowling). Ron looked much like I'd pictured him. Harry and Hermione were a little too attractive. I expected them to be just a little plain. Sue

We got our tickets to go see the movie Nov. 16. My daughter in law is having a Harry Potter Party... she has all kinds of food that was talked about in the books. There are 15 of us going... from 4 to 59, lol.

Took me forever to get my son and daughter in law interested... now they can not get enough.

Mary Page, lol !!!!!

I'll take the Anchovy beans, MaryPage. Thanks! Sue

Wow just got back from my daughter's to this news flash - thanks MaryPage - I know where I will be tonight.

Thank you Mary Page, it was wonderful!

Well what did y'all think - I thought the young man that plays Harry Potter is a dream come true - if he becomes a role model for our young then we are in good hands. So articulate - he really is a wonder. And Ron and Hermaine are equally wonderful. The influence of J.K. Rowling is a treasure and spark that is lighting up our world. Her influence is stamped on every aspect of this story. I am in awe.

Harry Potter is suppose to be discussed every morning also.... I missed it this morning. Same channel the morning show, which I can not name right this minute, lol.

Bob and I enjoyed Katie's Harry Potter special last night also. I was especially impressed with young "Harry" and the report about how his parents handled his audition and selection. It seems they have very good instincts at parenting an unspoiled child. Quite a difference from McCauley Caulkin's upbringing, I think.

Ron looks the part the most to me, and he and Hermione as well as Harry had refreshing interviews. I enjoyed Hermione's bubbly personality. Sue

Quite a trio weren't they - sure hope some of their lifestyle rubs off on our young as the Beetles took over those many years ago. It will be quite refreshing and a note toward quiet manners again.

Ok I wasn't alone than, neither you MaryPage or Francy Lou heard anything about Harry Potter this morning. Must say I forgot to turn the TV on till about five minutes after 8: and soon the crash took over the airwaves. Typically I have the radio on in the morning.

I almost feel as if we are all like Harry Potter seeing one incident after another as incidents of terror in the Harry Potter stories. Problem is in this unfolding I am not sure who Voldermort would be. I am not feeling confident the world would be safe if Ben Laden was removed. I guess it is hard to look at real life and apply specifics of a story to the characters in the real life situation.

It will be interesting to learn how J.K.Rowlings writes why or what happened that had Voldermort become the evil he represents.

I was stunned to learn last night that the second movie is now in production - I wonder what this will do to the readership of book 5. Will children simply wait for the movie now?

My favorites are still book 1 and book 3.

Aha - ah so - yes the actors would have to follow their natural growth to reflect the growth of the principles in the story - I was supprised Sunday night when so few of the adults and Kings Cross Station knew anything about track 9 3/4. The sales of the Harry Potter books with the adult cover was supposed to be a phenomenal success in Britain.

Well I missed the show this morning in that we have our office meeting on Tuesday morning - but they were in New York...how exciting...I wonder if they are here for the opening this weekend.

As of now I think I want to buy the vidio of each movie as they become available... and that raises the next question...will they actually be available or will they simply be stored for another go round in a few years or till all the books and movies are out.

This to me is so sad for those kids in communities that only see these stories as portraying witchcraft and of course now folks cannot go back on their opinion without loosing face - oh dear such is the folly of the narrow minded.

Yes, I remember now being warned about the evils of the ouija board and fortune tellers and witchcraft - but after High School Theology classes and Church History I always thought it had something to do with the left overs from the inquisition - which actully didn't end in Spain till the 1920s. Since then I have learned that many of the witches simply practiced old time medicine using herbs etc. which harkened back to the formulars for health that were associated with the worship of certain goddesses. The early Bible was all about getting folks to honor one God rather than the multiple gods and goddess that flourished. Seems even the staff that Moses carried was a sympol of one of the goddesses - I think Ashira or something like that.

The discription that I recently heard, after 9/11, by a guest on a Bill Moyers special who said foundementalism is practicing a way of life or religion based on a beleif in a 'perfect past.' He went on to say there was no perfect past - only in our imagination. That out of fear and in an effort to control what appears so uncontrolable folks will seek security by practicing foundementalism. Well if we look at the early Bible I guess that perfect past was the irradication of goddesses therefore, current foundementalists would have to keep the irradication program going I guess.

I'm always amazed at how bright educated people can fall for and go under a spell that is similar to me to the tale of Chicken Little. Either that or they must feel superior and one way to do that is to be more Holy and therefore judgemental of others - what ever - as evil abounds and is always with us so it seems are those who blindly follow.

This was the best movie!!! You must go and see it. They did have to leave some out... but really all the kids sat very still the whole time so they could have made it 4 hours long.

They also had a trailer for Lord of the Rings. It looks so good. I got the books, and as soon as I finish the "Blackhouse" I will begin reading it.

Sounds good Francy Lou - so they leave some out - too bad - with the contraversy now as child psychologists say, by having a movie it takes the immagination away from children, I would have agreed till I realize half our children do not know what a cobblestone street is, never were in a bank, on and on. I also remember having read many of the words incorrectly till I purchased the fourth book on tape so that I could listen to it on the way back and forth from the coast, vacation time last summer. Now I know how some of these names especially are pronounced.

Yes, I saw a trail for the Rings on TV the other night...and yes I have my books - so much to read - so much to read.

I am so glad you enjoyed the movie Francy Lou!

The movie was cool.

The quiditch match was one of the best parts. I thought it was cool because I didn't think they would have a quiditch match with real people. I couldn't think how they would get real people to fly. It looked very real and Harry caught the snitch. I thought Hagrid's dog was going to be meaner and he wasn't.

Cooper

I liked best when they were in the forest and the centar kicked the dark force away from Harry and the dead unicorn.

Chris

I thought that when they went down to the dungen and played wizard chess was really cool. I also, likewhat chris said about being in the forest and Voldermort was a hooded figure. It was scarry but you knew it was ok because we knew from the book.

Cody

The first movie I have been to for probably 10 years... and I thought it very good... I liked the quiditch match scene the best I think.. Sure wish I had a broomstick that would fly..

But the best part was I could hear and understand the dialogue.. The theater had a special wireless hearing device free to use for the asking.. I think I'll go back this weekend... Besides Seniors were charged only $5.00.

My Daughter in law has been to see it 4 times already! And I had such a hard time getting them to read the book. I think they finally read it to shut me up, lol.

Hello...I am new to this whole site and particularly to this discussion group. I was thoroughly enthralled with the HARRY POTTER books and can hardly wait for the next one. My youngest daughter (19 yrs old) refused to read the books or listen to them on cd (her sister is dyslexic and loves books on cd). Youngest saw the movie with us and wanted to listen to the cd on our long Thanksgiving trip! She's hooked...just like the rest of us. J.K. Rawlings is one talented lady! These books are just the ticket to interest young kids in reading. They capture the imagination, teach them to strive even in the face of adversity, shows the value of friendship and loyalty and so much more...and that sure can't be a bad thing. Doesn't it make you sputter to hear people say these books are evil and suggest that they should be banned?!?!?!

My youngest loved to read until one of her teachers made reading a drudgery by dissecting a short book down to the last letter. My daughter hasn't read a book since...always got around it for the rest of her school years. Saddens me. Even she can't deny that HARRY POTTER stories are fantastic though! I sure hope when J. K. Rawlings finishes the 7 HARRY POTTER books, her imagination spills out another set of books in yet another intriguing setting!

In addition to that...WOW! The movie adhered so well to the story and depicted things from the book soooooo well. How about those moving staircases? and the entry to Diagon Alley? and the putter-outerer???? oh I loved the whole darned movie. I simply can't pick a favorite spot. I was amazed at how the kids instantly quieted when the movie began and never made another sound...nobody moved through the whole thing....even my 5 year old grandson! I think this was the first movie he ever sat still through. When his Mom whispered, "do you like this movie?"...he told her, "Sshhhh". HAHAHAHAHAHA.

WELCOME Mys-t-reeWe are so glad to hear from another Harry Potter Fan. You are so right and I missed it - during the movie everyone was glued to the screen. Come to think of it my grands who like to snack brought home their free goldfish. The hahaha and auhhhh and other sounds were from mostly Dads that you just knew from their reaction they had not read the book. All those that had read the book were simply glued as we saw the story come alive and we had real voices with British accents speaking the story. How about Wood's accent - about as Scotish as you can get wasn't it.

The theater was packed with 3 out of the 8 screens alternating start times and showing Harry Potter.

Mys-t-ree it has been a long time hasn't it since we have had a childrens story so enchanting that captured their hearts and minds so that reading is back on the agenda again.

Francylou my 4 times already! although I must say this is one that when it is finally in the video store I will buy.

Pat first in 10 years My that is a nod to Harry Potter isn't it. Glad you enjoyed the movie. Did your Grandchildren go with you?

Karl184, Welcome!

My daughter in law went to see H.P. again this afternoon. We babysat. That's five times, lol.

Wow 5 times but I can see why - my daughter has read book I, 3 times and gets something new out of each read - Francylou I had emailed Karl184 offering to help since I thought his post may have been incomplete - no answer - hope he returns so we can chat.

It did look like something was missing from his post. Hope he can find his way back here.

Here is a fun site to get yourself 'sorted out':

Sorting Hat

Warning: you need the flash player.

I sorted into Hufflepuff.

My brother is reading Harry Potter for the first time and is much taken with the story. I haven't gotten around to reading the books yet but one day I shall.

OH I love that, Nellie, thank you for putting that here. I am Gryffindor! And apparently it said it was easy, not sure what that means!

I saw the movie this weekend and loved it and read the first page in the first book Sorcerer's Stone and bought it to read, I like the different focus the way the book starts.

Such fun, thanks so much,

ginny

Well, I was sorted into Hufflepuff, too.. Good to know that I'll know someone there...

Andy and I are going to the movie again this coming weekend.

Heheehe what fun - Thanks Nellie - that was a hoot - looks like I am a Gryffundor - wheee!

OK Ginny do you have your robe yet? And what about your wand, did you choose your wand yet or rather has your wand chosen you?

And Huffelpuffs are you bringing any candy to your rooms - any chocolate frogs left from the train trip to Hogswart?

Hoping y'all have a Fire warming y'alls toes this frosty day. Wonder if Harry's snow owl is doing double time bringing howls and packages and shouts all over the globe while Harry and Ron bunks up in the great room with Harry's new nimbus.

Well here is my howl MaryPage and Francylou, on this very early Christmas morning Merry Christmas

The Harry Potter books sell well here and are always on this or that bestseller list. However, when the movie opened just prior to Christmas the results were a shocker! It is a 600 plus seat theatre and only 110 of the seats were taken. There was a promotion to give away free tickets by the local paper, and most of the tickets went begging. Quite a surprise. Jack

Barbara, thanks !

Jack, that is a surprise. My DIL has seen the movie eight times now. I have to admit once was enough for me. I enjoyed it, and might want to see it again some day.

Welcome to the discussion that just won't quit kevxu - I guess different strokes for different folks as they say - I know my one 11 year old grandson still hasn't seent he movie - he doesn't want to dystroy the pictures he has in his head of how everyone looks.

I liked the movie but than when it was over - I kept thinking I wanted more - what the more was I am not sure except maybe it was so close to the book there were no surprises - now do not get me wrong I would have been so upset if there were surprises not in the book but the movie was like so much of the memorabilia that has spun off the books and the book says so much more to me than just who said what and what they did. There are so many allusions and symbols that I can bury myself in the books and each time come up with something I missed.

Now the idea of a DVD - I like that Marypage because seeing the movie eight times - oh my - is more effort than I like to put out - seated home on my sofa is comfort - seated in a crowded theater with all that popcorn and heads in the way is part of the excitment yes, but for me not the most comfortable. And so like you Francylou - once is enough.

I do want the DVD !! (and I don't have a DVD player yet, lol).

They are like so, so, SO very superior, FL! Get one soon as circumstances allow. love from mp

Really - well I do not have one either - I thought you needed one of these wide screen TVs though and they cost so much - here I think I have gotten myself into the twenty first century by last month buying a CD player and now it is a DVD that will make my life - shesh MaryPage you are up with the latest aren't you.

Barbara, I'm not up on electronic equipment, but I think DVDs play through a little box like a VCR box and are seen on your TV monitor. One disadvantage so far is that you cannot duplicate/or record on them unless you buy another piece of equipment that is in excess of $1000. I think the DVD players are in the same price range as VCR players. Maybe MaryPage can enlighten us. Sue

I am pretty sure I can play a DVD on my computer. (Probably you can too).

OH my talk about a satisfied customer - Looks like I need to explore a DVD player - an interview with cast and director WOW - although some movies say more than any interview could add. Francylou on your computer?!? This is an amazing world - I always thought my grandmother saw phenomenal changes from the horse as the only means of transportation to a man on the moon but I am beginning to think we are also witnessing wonders that simply creep into our lives and it is only when we really remember our childhood do we recognize the difference.

Just had a flash - Harry Potter may have experences that seem magical but put a different costume on the players and it could be science fiction hmmmm. And how much science fiction is now a reality. Although I do not see owls flying our Christmas packages around I wonder if the day will come when some kind of personal service will transport goods across the sky. We already have pictures that open doors - the picture being an ID image of the one opening the door.

By the way Sue how are you and your Husband doing?

Hi Barbara. Thanks for asking. We are hanging in there. Bob finished his chemotherapy September 18 with no improvement. Our oncologist has continued to see him and searched all over for a clinical trial for him. Bob will start an experimental program in January at UAB in Birmingham. He will take an oral drug each day for 28 days until tumors disappear or until no progress is noted. This drug is supposed to attach to the tumors and stop the blood flow, thereby killing the cancer. We are hopeful this will help. He's been having lots of pain recently, has to take pain medication every 4 hours. We had a nice Thanksgiving at the beach with our extended family and for Christmas, 2 of our sons and families came here. This cheered us up considerably. Sue

Thank you, MaryPage. We are blessed to have friends who care, including cyber ones. It helps to know that others are keeping us in thoughts and prayers. Sue

Thanks for the update Sue - you are often on my mind.

Have y'all seen the adds for the best picture of the year including small excerpts of various movies and the add includes a snipit of Harry raising his broom and then another snipit of them all flying on their brooms - makes me ponder about the Oscars - will they honor the movie or will they abandon its worth as the top ten book lists did here in the States. I'm still bristling over that one even more than the crazies who see the books as satanic.

I went to see Lord of the Rings today. I agree with you Mary Page. Give me Harry Potter.

What a surprise - did y'all see it -

J.K. Rowling has married her boyfriend at their home in Scotland, her spokeswoman said Saturday. The wildly successful writer married Dr. Neil Murray, an anesthetist, on Dec. 26, in a private ceremony. ``J.K. Rowling and Neil Murray were married privately on Dec. 26, Boxing Day, at their house in Perthshire,'' Nicky Stonehill said. ``Their immediate family attended the wedding.'' their photo together

Well this lady deserves to be happy - and I'm wishing them well.

How wonderful for her. I wish her all the happiness in the world.

OK, someone's going to have to 'splain it to me; why is it ok for HP to be about magicians being trained, and yet in spite of the disclaimer, LOR is 'Satanic'. It was a story - a long story, but a lot of kids inthe 60's were just as enraptured by it as are now by HP. My impulse with the labelers is to say it's about goblins, etc. but they are characters and FICTION, for Pete's sake - Get a Life!

Oh isak the million dollar question - I think anyone can justify any postion with a quote from the Bible and most that protest I find have not even read the book. It is just another way the Christian right can rattle their sabers.

In fact I've read several articles and the talk Bill Moyers gave at the Lyndon Baynes Johnson School of Journalism here in Austin the other night, are all agreeing the new twenty-first century political football and 'rights' issue will be over freedom of Religion and Foundementalism and Librelism just as 'race' was the issue of the twentieth century.

Hmmmm- I will have to try the lagagna ones - since I have not had any of the flavors yet, maybe I'll be in for a treat. The rest I can do without. isak

Look what I found - it appears that in the UK Lego has kits to make LEGO Hogwarts Castle - LEGO Hogwarts Classroom - LEGO Snape's Class - just scroll down on this site and see the finished products. Harry Potter Teaching Resources

I was playing this morning a decided to look at some of the new sites that keep popping up and found this delight - all the Harry Potter graphics are the art work of the children at Edleston Primary School, Cheshire, UK They suggest using flash 4 but my computer is a nearly 4 year old Mac and I had no trouble at all.

MaryPage there are some lessons in math using BERTIE BOTTS but I couldn't get to them since they are on the PD something that I do not have; can you retrieve the lesson and let us know what they did with the candies.

MaryPage: perhaps the critics don't want people to think they are enamored with a "children's movie". They probably believe that they are more sophisticated for preferring "Lord of the Rings" as it was geared more toward adults. Sometimes I think critics just spout off to impress themselves. Sue

Just stumbled on to this - a photo of Nicolsons the resturant/pub in Edinburgh where Rowlings wrote much of Harry Potter - Niclolsons

Can you believe with all the financial success and how well the movie was made there has not been one word of its consideration for an Oscar and yet, Lord of the Rings is up there included among the top 5 - And why or why have the complainers not been crying witchcraft for the Lord of the Rings??? I can not understand what is going on. I no longer what to contemplate I want some answers.

Thanks Mary Page - that will be great!

Barbara, perhaps the complainers have not been crying witchcraft for Lord of the Rings because the story is set in an imaginary world, while to them Harry Potter is set in our own modern world, and the naysayers think that people young and old will be more likely to emulate a story set in our own time and familiar world.

To anyone used to reading fantasy it is obvious that Harry Potter's world is just as imaginary as Tolkien's Middle Earth, even though it appears to resemble our own.

I agree it is totally riduculus !!!

MaryPage, the people who are rabidly against the Harry Potter books and movie do not have any of the qualities of mind that you list and they do believe that witchcraft and magic are real. Unbelievable as it sounds there are such people in the world -I have known some of them personally.

The best thing to do is to ignore them because, as FrancyLou says-paraphrased a bit-they are ridiculous in their way of thinking.

But why no oscar mention - not even for animation or anything so far?

MaryPage I only get local channels and so I didn't get to see it - I wonder if part of the problem is Hollywood doesn't want to give the nay sayers a platform??

Oh MaryPage you are a dear - yes, I do hope to see it one day - I would love to see her as a moving talking person rather then just the written interviews that have been available - amazing isn't it how the media had to make her into the little match girl in order to cope with the concept of her success. And her sister and father - you did get to see them didn't you - this sounds so wonderful - MaryPage do you see any schedule where it is going to show again? Let me know please because I could ask my friend to tape it for me or at least go on up to her house to watch it.

Hi all, do you remember the haller (spelled wrong probably) site.... can you tell me where it is? We got my son and daughter in law a computer want to send them a haller. If you remember she is the one who has seen the movie 10 times.

My oldest grandson, Andy, (almost 13) was here this weekend for my husband's memorial service. He got his parents to make a special trip to Wal-Mart to pick up some Chocolate Frogs with Harry Potter cards. He wanted to share them with all at the farewell luncheon. Sue

How very sweet Sue. And so sorry about your husband. My prayers are with you and your family.

Sue great to hear from you - seems like Andy was making sure everyone had a bit of Harry Potter magic.

Saw most of the interview that Charlie Rose had with Maggie Smith last night. Harry was mentioned several times as a financially acclaimed movie not spoken of as criticlly acclamined - hmmmm and they are busy shooting book 2. In her dry humor she was saying she would be at the Oscars if they let her off from Harry. She and two other of the adult Harry actors are supposed to be in attendance as presenters on stage and Maggie Smith herself is up for an Oscar but I do not remember, they didn't say during the interview, what the part or name of the picture she was nominated. They did discuss Judi Dench a bit. Interesting I saw that interview also, the one with Charlie Rose and Judi Dench - both these women are so self-affacing and quiet and both miss ther husbands. In fact Judi Dench was working out her grief while filming "Shipping News."

aha - sounds like a movie to see then - and I do like period movies - MaryPage have you heard anything about the release of Book 5 - I understood it was to be released this summer but nary a word anywhere.

MAYBE SO - I wonder, although I haven't seen Gosforth Park, if they are nominating Maggie Smith because somehow they have blacklisted Harry Potter and she cannot go unrecognized since she did such a supurb job in Harry. As much as all the adults were wonderful she really did the most outstanding of them all. Actually when it comes down to it Harry Potter not being nominated is giving those kids a break from the Hollywood gossip and hoopala. I remember reading how the parents of the boy that plays Harry was so concerned about just that.

Found this long and intelectual essay from a professor denouncing those that think Harry Potter aught to be banned. He uses reading ability and how to read a book as the basis of his theory. Not much passion in this essay but interesting to see how easily folks can mis-interpret what they read. http://www.stevencscheer.com/harrypotter.htm

Oh yes, did you see the E.T. 20th anniversery special - I didn't remeber but E.T. was the money maker that year with nary an oscar and Ghandi won the Oscar - 20 years later seems to me E.T. is part of our nation's DNA.

Thanks, MaryPage. I hope I can remember to tune in at 7:00, CST. Sue

Sue so glad to see you here - how are you doing in this hard year of change - you are so often in my thoughts - I bet you are hearing all the platitudes as folks are trying to help - I am inagining some days you just feel as if you were drag chained to a vehicle for a few miles or there is a howl and hollow inside that is caught and won't move.

I can't help but think how adrift and vacant Harry must have felt. Even staring in the mirror of erised was probably not completly satisfying. hmmm I never realized before but that message is really saying by observing our desires we do not fill the hole or loss we feel.

I'm thinking out loud here - but my thoughts are saying, as a result of revisiting Harry looking into the mirror, we feel loved not by receiving love but by giving it - ok, if we are alone and the suggestion is, expecially to our generation, women need to learn to love themsleves - hmmm I am thinking of a post that Anna recently shared originally as a poem - now that she is alone she is not burdaned with other responsibilites nor is she working to maintain a married relationship and therefore finally has time to write poetry and read all she wants.

Hmmm these thoughts are for me becaue, I have been scattered and adrift since I have been alone over 12 years now - I have to work but feel angry and burnt out - I have never known how to just love myself - I was first of all brought up to think that was selfish as well as, having babies while young the habits of 30 and more years are hard to quit. But more, all the suggestions like a message or fixing nice meals using your nice silver and china, buying yourself flowers, a teddy bear etc. are nice but feel frivolous.

I think that is it - What Anna said - what do I love to do that brings me pleasure - doing that is loving me - Interesting how I can say loving things to others but to myself I am always scolding myself for not being good enough, or fast enough, or just plain enough - I can say things to my family so much better when I write them poems - maybe I should start writing poems and e-mailing them to me and then start actually doing the things that bring a smile on my face - hmmmm my grandmother's favorite saying, usually in German that now I have forgotten - Never too Old to Learn. As Eliza Doolittle said "I think I've got it, I think I've got it."

Wow never thought I would get off on all that but a good break through - thanks Sue - your loss brought me to my place of pain so that I could look at what would be better for me.

Barbara, we must be soul mates, as I also was taught that it was selfish to care for myself, especially when someone else was involved. I was always to put someone else first. I think I've done that all my life. It was my sisters first, then Bob and the children. I've tried to back off the children since they are now adults, but Bob was always number one with me. However, I was his first concern and love always. I was very lucky in my choice of husband.

I am missing him fiercely, but I am coping. I'm finding it not too hard to do the physical work of getting the yard in shape and sorting and tossing out things I don't want to keep. It's the paper work and the constant waiting on hold for business calls. That really frustrates me and sometimes I cry when I'm getting the run around with voice mail--or even a person. Why can't they answer questions and call back if they have to look something up? This voice mail is getting to be a real nuisance.

I've been lurking for a while, but haven't felt like posting. I still haven't seen the movie and am waiting for the next book to come out. Sue

Shoot do I know the feeling Sue - I sware they have lazer eye and the smell ability of an animal so that they smell and see our insecurity - here I was in business for at the time nearly 10 years but I was taken by an insurance co and a roofer and put off buying a car till a crash made me so scared of driving that car that I finally with the help of my son-in-law bought one - I've realized for me it was simply doing things for the first time that most women today do back when they are 21 or 25 and I am only doing now. Then trying to get things in my name was another big issue - I had more trouble would you believe with the gas company.

Sue you must know though I was not widowed I was divorced after 38 years of marriage and all that went on at the time actually the divorce was the easist part - I was in thearpy for 7 years and for three years at some group or individual session everyday. But some of the changes and losses were similar since all of a sudden I was on my own - in one way it would have been less insecure if I had been widowed in that there would be some retirement other than S.S. I count my blessings though in that this forces me to work and that keeps me active and up on what is going on in the community.

Barbara, lots of people who've experienced both divorce and widowhood say that divorce is more traumatic. I think in time I might agree. At least as a widow I have many happy memories. The paper work is a b-----, though. Bob left me a file with instructions, names of insurance companies, investments, etc. phone numbers, addresses, and the amounts I should get which has made it easier. Several of the things were with Military Benefit Associations and they have been the best to deal with. They usually have a retired Officer in their Deceased Assistance Offices and they go out of their way to help a Navy widow. But just getting to them in the first place is the nightmare. I hate the modern telephone practices!

MaryPage, I lost Bob to his recurrence of Cancer on February 11. He had been ill since November of 2000. He'd had signs that the cancer might be returning in January 2000 and had spent the whole year getting frequent tests. Then in Nov. and Dec. he began to feel ill and started on another round of chemotherapy which held it steady but did not diminish it. Our doctors started looking for experimental treatments in May, but nothing fit until this January which was too late. We were happily married 44 years. Thanks for your good wishes. They help me cope. Sue

I've been watching the NCAA Basketball tournament and almost forgot to turn to A&E for the Rowling biography, but only missed the first 25 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed the last half of the program. Thanks for the tip, MaryPage.

I have an embarrassing confession to make. I read and like Romance novels. Right now my favorite author is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She has spunky, funny heroines. The dialogue is always amusing and although the heroes are pretty much jerks at the beginning, become rather sensitive at the end. I'm telling you all of this because I just finished Phillips new novel, This Heart of Mine. The heroine writes children's fiction. There are lots of references to Harry Potter in this book. Molly and later Kevin use Slytherin as an insulting put down for people who are not nice. A religious right group boycotts Molly's animal series because they say the rabbit heroine is a lesbian--was it Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson who said Tinky Winky is gay? There were references to that in this book, too, as well as references to those who would ban Harry Potter. I really enjoyed this book. I thought you might be interested in the literary references. Sue

Hehe sounds like if nothing else the 'right' has developed a symbolism that will go into our cultural understanding or silly uneducated intolorance - what is so scarry is these folks actually have controlled the hearts and minds of so many - shesh.

Sue your's is romance and mine is these cozy english detective stories a là Agatha Christie - only now I am into Agatha Raison, early retired successful advertizement agency owner, now living in her thatched roof cottage with two cats in the Cotswalds and in love or should I say heat over the retired colonial with a shock of white hair living next door, who often helps her solve her murders. I've all 10 of her books and there is another that just came out - great for just a read without any deep overtones.

Barbara, I love those English mysteries with female protagonists, too. I have only read one Agatha Raisin, but I have read almost all of Agatha Christie. As T.J. said, "I cannot live without books". I even read uplifting literature some of the time! Sue

Sue which one did you read?

The title escapes me, Barbara. I can reread almost everything I've previously read as I don't retain title or plot. That is nice when I can't get to the library for something new. Sue

well these are fun - I loved the Miss Marple stories and of cours eht ewonderful Ruth Rutherford doing them in the movies - so much more than oh I forgot her name but she did a TV series as well

Just finished Agatha RAison and the Terrible Tourist - she follows her love to Cypris - they were supposed to be going on their honeymoon but in the last book it seems her ex was not dead after all but a drunk living under one of the bridges in London and her old employee was angry with her and went looking and found him.

Well he showed up at the wedding and the next day after it was over the ex is dead - found in a ditch just outside of town. Of course she is suspect but it had to do with him drinking from a well that the council wanted as a tourist attraction but the owner didn't want the records to be search to show he was really stealing the water all these years with a pipe from and well in his neighbors field. The ex was thought to be a protester arrived early to spend the night at the site where a demonstration was to take place.

Then this book she goes to Cypris and one of the tourists ends up killing two others and she solves that.

Hehehe are we fans of all things British/Scottish or maybe the Literature from the British Isles - of course now that Scotland has its independence back what are the Isles being called these days.

Need to look for the suggested authors MaryPage - and yes Margaret - she was a hoot wasn't she and that was what I liked about how she played the character.

Now which Trollope are we talking about these days - talk about families with generations of litereary talent even Pilcher has her son picking up the pen with succes. Do we have anything like it among our American writers. I never did read any of Trollope's work the present Trollope nor the past. The past Trollope has been on my to read list though for years. The downer is most of his stuff is in paperback now in that little print on the rough cheap paper - I hate reading from books like that - part of reading for me is the heft and feel of a book and the lovely print on nice paper. Picky in my old age aren't I. Ah so - my move to wearing that purple hat as the poem suggests.

But STevenson - oh my now that is a name to have to live up to - I need to check into this just to see how she pulls it off.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Production, Stills, Analysis and Cast for the Second HP Movie will hit the screens on November 15th.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" won't be released before early autumn 2002.

The Harry Potter Lexicon includes:

• The Muggle World - Number 4 Privet Drive, the Dursleys, ...
• Time Lines Master time line, character time lines, ...
• The Wizarding World Places, Magic, People, Items, ...
• the Bestiary
• A Wizard's Atlas
• Encyclopedia of Spells
• Encyclopedia of Potions

Harry entered our hearts two or more years ago and we have read each of the four books in turn. I know I've learned many a lesson from our dear Harry and his friends. His next book and movie will be out during late autumn - don't miss it - the site/discussion will be archived and can always be reviewed there if you need a 'fix.'

Thanks to everyone who participated in these discussions the last few years.

Oh yes, the other Harry Potter books that we discussed are in the archive folder as well.

Barbara: You've been a great discussion leader. Your enthusiasm for the Harry Books have sustained us for a long time. I have enjoyed this group, especially when your grandsons commented here. Sue

I feel sad -

Well love to all of you! And won't be long till we are all reading a new Harry Potter adventure!