Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087598 times)

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4320 on:** March 08, 2011, 12:46:50 PM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives

I, too, loved the movie "The Renaissance Man". Of course, likewise with "To Sir, With Love"; "Up the Down Staircase" (The book). Also, "Dangerouss Minds" with Michelle Pfieffer.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4321 on:** March 08, 2011, 01:04:28 PM »

Gumtree - no I haven't read or seen The Getting of Wisdom - what is it about?

MaryPage, I loved the Miss Read books. I also remember What Katy Did At School (I think that's it) with great fondness - I think it was all those tuck boxes again

Rosemary

Persian · « **Reply #4322 on:** March 08, 2011, 02:00:06 PM »

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/08/2120417/publisher-limits-its-library-e.html

Here is a link to an article - "Publisher limits its library e-books" in today's issue of The Charlotte (North Carolina) Observer" newspaper, which I thought might be of interest to posters who use e-books and how they have encouraged many readers to turn away from the hardcover books which we have loved for decades.

Mahlia

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4323 on:** March 08, 2011, 03:05:35 PM »

Did you ever wonder what Palm oil seeds look like?

I have a client who subscribed for me the Jakarta Globe and there is an article today that I thought was fascinating - I never knew or questioned where Palm Oil came from and here it is a big industry in Indonesia, Malaysia and the US as well as, Brazil, with 2,000 delegates attending a conference - and its availability affects civil unrest - Wow!

Quote

Southeast Asian palm oil is the best hope of boosting cooking oil supplies as soybean oil gets soaked up to make biofuel, its attraction redoubled by unrest in Libya that has driven crude oil to more than $100 per barrel. They expected strong output from top producer Indonesia as it harvested a bigger acreage, and as No. 2 supplier Malaysia improved yields.

Palm oil will then have to fill the food gap as countries buy more of it to rein in soaring food prices and fend off civil unrest. The dynamics between palm oil and soy oil, which compete for use in cooking oil, margarine and biofuel, will dominate this week’s Bursa Malaysia Palm Oil Conference, which draws nearly 2,000 delegates from the global edible oils industry.

Crude oil prices at more than $100 a barrel, accompanied by record world food prices, will rekindle a debate over using food crops to make fuel when millions around the world go hungry. Chong Kim Seng, chief executive of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, “If you go back to when palm oil was seen as a food crop, it was very stable, no volatility, but once you get plugged in to the energy sector, you never know,” he said.

pedln · « **Reply #4324 on:** March 08, 2011, 04:20:09 PM »

Mahlia, and here is the USA Today article about the librarian boycott of HarperCollins.

Boycott of Harper Collins

I thought it interesting to note that Simon & Schuster and Macmillan do not sell e-books to libraries.

Barbara, you've opened up a can of worms for me. I know so little about palm and soybean oil issues, and have no idea of even where to begin learning.

JoanP · « **Reply #4325 on:** March 08, 2011, 04:22:24 PM »

The Final ballot for Spring Discussions is now open until March 13. The original 14 titles are down to 7! You'll find the Ballot Box in the heading of the Suggestion Box

Remember to choose THREE titles.

roshanarose · « **Reply #4326 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:30:49 PM »

Gumtree - I must hasten to add that I dislike the term "Down Under" as well. It sounds like some exotic fungal infection. I only used it because someone had said that they got confused about down under.

I much prefer that I be called "The Antipodean". Thank you all.

This morning I did a search for Ancient Greek Language for Dummies. There appears to be no such creature. Simplifying Ancient Greek is just not possible.

Gumtree · « **Reply #4327 on:** March 08, 2011, 10:04:33 PM »

Roshanarose: Glad you agree on 'down under' - I can't think of anyone I know who uses the term. It's like 'Fremantle doctor' to denote our afternoon sea breezes - that went out of style long before my time and now is used only by tourism interests and their clients.

Gumtree · « **Reply #4328 on:** March 08, 2011, 10:30:55 PM »

Rosemary: Getting of Wisdom is an iconic Aussie novel. There was an excellent film made way back when- 1970s. Here's a quote from wikipedia - without actually being a spoiler, the whole wiki piece gives a bit too much away - or so I think. This extract is enough.

Quote

The Getting of Wisdom is a novel by Australian novelist Henry Handel Richardson. It was first published in 1910, and has almost always been in print ever since.

Plot introductionHenry Handel Richardson was the pseudonym of Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson, a writer who was born in 1870 to a reasonably well-off family which later fell on hard times. The author's family lived in various Victorian towns and from the age of 13 to 17 Richardson attended boarding school at the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Melbourne, Victoria. It's this experience that feeds directly into The Getting of Wisdom.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4329 on:** March 09, 2011, 12:46:13 AM »

OK of all places in POETRY would you believe all things Australian have been front row center for the past few days - we do have 3 from Australia whose posts we see regularly and so off we were being curious about what, where, when etc

As a result of some movie suggestions there was just posted a long list with links to Amazon of the movies - I will go collect the post and bring it here so y'all can check out the list and link to learn a bit more about each movie... OK here we go...

Getting of Wisdom VHS

The Year My Voice Broke 1989 VHS

My Brilliant Career

Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1977)

Walkabout - Criterion Collection (1971)

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Extra Frills Edition) (1994)

The Man From Snowy River (1982)

Shine (1996)

Jindabyne (2006)

Lantana (2001)

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

Oscar & Lucinda [VHS] (1997)

Mary and Max (2009)

Oyster Farmer (2004)

Ben Folds and Waso: Live in Perth

Ned Kelly: The True Story Of Australia's Most Legendary Outlaw.

The Lighthorsemen (Import) (1985)

Gumtree · « **Reply #4330 on:** March 09, 2011, 12:54:11 AM »

I see Barbara is spreading the word about all things Aussie

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4331 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:49:42 AM »

Off Australia now and onto Indonesia - evidently the production of Palm Oil means deforestation that is affecting the habitat of an almost extinct Orangutan - I had no idea how much Palm Oil is used manufacturing many of our everyday cereals and cosmetics and shampoos - the list goes on and on -

There is some positive news in the Kellogg has become conscious of the environmental problem is is doing something about it Kellogg and Palm Oil But after reading the bit from the Jarkata Globe it appears whatever our food industry does is a drop in the bucket when we are now using so many of these food sources for energy creation.

Quote

Millions of acres of rainforest in Borneo & Sumatra are cut down each year to plant more oil palm. After logging rainforest habitat, palm oil companies often use uncontrolled burning to clear the land or peat swamp. In 1997-98 a devastating fire killed almost 8,000 orangutans in Borneo.quoted from Palm Oil Crisis

This book gives us one picture - The Palm Oil Miracle

What startles me is to have learned today that having a limited amount of Palm Oil for cooking as well as higher food prices can cause Civil Unrest - and yet, we are attempting to replace oil based products and fuel with agriculture alternatives. Who weighs all these conflicting issues?

I have a difficult time imagining most of our Congressmen being that up on all the issues going on in the world to be aware of the factors that are involved when they vote or recommend plans. Do we even have an energy plan? I do not know -

Here is a book that seems to help explain this issue from another perspective - Bioenergy Development: Issues and Impacts for Poverty and Natural Resource Management (Agriculture and Rural Development)

All of a sudden I am aware how the simplest thing like shampooing my hair is affecting the agriculture choices, profit and loss, deforestation, the affect on wild life, and the choice we further make to supply a cleaner, cheaper energy that is not tied to oil. I guess it would be easy to go on like usual till others figure it out - but I wonder, without joining one of these "all-for-all and nothing-less-than" movements can we understand what is at stake and make choices at the supermarket with some understanding of what we are doing...

There are a whole bunch of scary book about the coming crisis of food shortage world wide - scary since we now know this leads to civil unrest - we think we are immune and then we see what is happening just with the drug wars in Mexico on our border. Here is a book that is very affordable that I think I will order and get started on trying to unknot this issue - at least become more aware than, 'Wow I didn't Know that'.. Eating Fossil Fuels: Oil, Food and the Coming Crisis in Agriculture [Paperback]

Steph · « **Reply #4332 on:** March 09, 2011, 06:09:26 AM »

Its sort of funny. I know two small town libraries that were originally one room schoolhouses. Nice alternative use for them.. I also know two people who bought two rooms schoolhouses up in Vermont. They remodeled and live in them. They are nice indeed.
I love books on building or remodeling houses. I guess I have owned so many of them and for a short period of time, I sold houses.. I like remodeling, up to a point.Had my kitchen done once and will never do that again unless I can move out for the duration.
House by Tracy Kidder is a marvelous book. It is older, but it goes into such detail starting with the architect.. I was amazed that what you told the architect and what he determines are quite different. Explains how many public buildings go way over budget.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4333 on:** March 09, 2011, 07:48:15 AM »

Barb, thanks for the links. I've had some objections to using food crops or the land that supports food crops for making bio-fuel so these will make interesting reading indeed.

Folks, Mom passed away yesterday afternoon. My sister Barb was reading the Bible to her when she passed. I thought she had a few more year in her, but her recent fall must have triggered the speedy decline. I'll miss her.

JoanP · « **Reply #4334 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:06:23 AM »

It sounds like such a peaceful death. That must be some consolation . Heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your mother, dear Frybabe.

roshanarose · « **Reply #4335 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:31:43 AM »

Frybabe - Although I don't know you, I felt a physical jolt when I read about the loss of your mother. Take care of yourself, and remember her, and everything she did.

Love Roshanarose

jeriron · « **Reply #4336 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:59:39 AM »

Frybabe

I sorry to hear about your loss. I know how it feels to believe that there is still more time and then there isn't.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4337 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:22:53 AM »

Frybabe, I know your pain and loss, and am so sorry.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4338 on:** March 09, 2011, 10:14:38 AM »

oh Frybabe - that is a difficult loss - Thanks for sharing it with us.

The loss of calling with our joys and the little things we know that our moms would enjoy - I think we grieve the loss of how we communicate as much as knowing our moms are no longer a part of life - I find even after all these nearly 30 years I still want to pick up the phone and then I just do a one sided conversation in my head picturing mom, not accurately, but my picture of who she is to me.

Sounds like your mom had a smooth passing with someone she loved close by - what a blessing and good memory - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

pedln · « **Reply #4339 on:** March 09, 2011, 12:26:44 PM »

Frybabe, I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4340 on:** March 09, 2011, 12:31:22 PM »

Frybabe, we are thinking of you and you are in our prayers. We all hope for a peaceful death, but it is still so hard for those left behind. Very best wishes to you and your sister.

Rosemary

maryz · « **Reply #4341 on:** March 09, 2011, 02:36:58 PM »

{{{{{{{Frybabe}}}}}}

marcie · « **Reply #4342 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:59:17 PM »

Frybabe, I'm very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4343 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:19:20 PM »

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.

Octavia · « **Reply #4344 on:** March 10, 2011, 02:25:37 AM »

I'd like to add my condolences too, Frybabe. The loss of a parent hurts at any age.

Steph · « **Reply #4345 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:00:41 AM »

Frybabe,, I do wish you peace and harmony. It sounds like such a peaceful death indeed. Moms are important .. Mine died way back in 1979, but I still wish I could talk to her and sometimes do..

Babi · « **Reply #4346 on:** March 10, 2011, 08:24:18 AM »

I'm so sorry, FRYBABE. Do be thankful for all those years you had
your Mom. My Mother died when I was thirteen, before I really had a
chance to know her as a person other than "Mom".

CallieOK · « **Reply #4347 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:14:25 AM »

My sympathy and prayers are with you, Frybabe.

marjifay · « **Reply #4348 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:33:23 AM »

Oh, Frybabe, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. You are in my thoughts.

Marj

LarryHanna · « **Reply #4349 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:21:00 PM »

Frybabe, I also want to extend my condolences on the loss of your mother. Those of us who have gone through that experience understands the sadness that envelopes us for awhile. However, it is also a time to celebrate the loved one's life and to recall those good memories and friends and relatives gather.

ginny · « **Reply #4350 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:56:39 PM »

Frybabe, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Please accept my sympathy in your great loss.

joangrimes · « **Reply #4351 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:07:54 AM »

Frybabe please accept my deepest sympathy in you loss of your dear mother.....Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #4352 on:** March 11, 2011, 05:59:19 AM »

Does anyone know of a DVD that might show How Tiffanys type stained glass is made?Our Literary Adventure this year is the Morse Museum in Winter Park, which has just opened a new wing. It is all Tiffany and the Stained glass. Our Adventure is a two day affair. The first day is home at our library.We have a DVD of Biography of Tiffany.. Someone is going to talk about the new book Clara and Mr. Tiffany and we would love to find a video of how you actually work with stained glass.The one I find are sort of do it yourself things and I was hoping for a more elaborate one of how Tiffanys stuff is done. It is quite intricate.
The second day we all get on the bus and we will go over to the Morse.. Spend several hours with a docent at the museum and turn everyone loose to get lunch and shop on fabulous Park Avenue in Winter Park, where the museum is. We will come home that afternoon. All in all much fun..

ginny · « **Reply #4353 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:34:26 AM »

Oh Tiffany! I heard a wonderful talk at the Met last year on LaFarge and Tiffany, I had no idea of the enmity between them, and the whole story. It was a curator who led it and it was flat out fabulous. I am sure there are no end of DVD's on him, Stephanie, and there's a LOT on glass making and stained glass in general on Youtube. The Corning people put out a wonderful DVD on the history of glass making itself (not specifically stained glass) which is wonderfully interesting. You'll have to tell us what they say about the book!

I've been off and am still off, due to another computer malfunction, here on a tiny 9 inch laptop and the monitor cable won't connect to it, I feel as if I'm in outer space peering in, hellooooo, but in this forced shut down in the storms I've gotten in some wonderful reading, something I don't have time to do normally.

I started Larry's Medical Errior and like it very much, it does seem real, and of course it would, he's a doctor. I'm going to read the rest of them in the series. On the table about Irish books was Island of Hope, Island of Tears, about Ellis Island where we visited this past September in the Bookfest in NYC. For some reason I am fascinated by the Immigrant progress through Ellis Island, although none of my ancestors came thus, and I was shocked to discover I myself would never make it through due to nearsightedness.

It is something ELSE. The photos, the old photos, the women, standing there so bravely and determined, it's just searing. Now it's getting into what they fled, oh my word, their stories are absolutely stunning. I need to go back to Ellis Island but I want to finish the book before I do.

Then I picked up Discovery of Witches which I had been trying to avoid. I'm not into those deluded souls who think they are witches, but it has no end of super reviews, so I started it, it's very well written, Oxford research libraries, really nice binding, glowing books, people who take witchcraft as a given, about the only way I can keep on reading it is thinking of it as an adult Harry Potter, so far so good. If it gets serious I'm outta there.

And finally I am reading Bird Cloud, mentioned here by RosemaryKaye, by Annie Prolux. It's autobiographical, and she has very VERY strong opinions, but what writer does not? It's somewhat reminiscent of the woman in Provence about building her own house.

She starts out delightfully, it as much explains HER as it does building a house, she has some strong ideas, very strong. I found the snippets of her childhood fascinating. Not so her long long dip into Genealogy. I know a lot of you like genealogy. She says things which I'd love to discuss, like:

Quote

The American experience, the focus on individual achievement, the acquisition of goods and money to prove one's social value, is built on this sense of loss, this alienation from the warmth of the home culture, the isolation from genetic bonds.

This separation from one's tribe creates an inner loneliness that increases as one ages.

There is in many people, especially immigrants, a burning need to complete the puzzle, to find the missing pieces.

I think this would be a good book to discuss, once it comes out in paperback, because of such statements. Do we agree or disagree?

At any rate she then launches into her own genealogy of which I personally care nothing, and goes on and on about it. Many pages, why would one assume the reader would care? Is this perhaps the dreaded "spoiled people" one reviewer talked about coming out? Why, particularly, would one care who her ancestors were? None of them have names anybody would recognize. On and on...skip.

She also has very strong opinions vis a vis the Nature Conservancy when they oppose her, it's really quite fascinating and so is she. I think it would make a great counterpart to a "House" series, how much our wants, and our personal needs in furnishing our houses tell who we are, I had no idea!

So that's what I'm reading and how I spent My Day in the Storm. hahaa

Anybody reading anything good?

Babi · « **Reply #4354 on:** March 11, 2011, 08:31:24 AM »

ALERT!!
LADIES & GENTS, the early morning news is that there was a major earthquake and tsunami in Japan Friday (their Friday). The tsunami is now headed toward Alaska, Canada and the entire West coast. Please, all of you on the West Coast, be sure you're safe!!

jane · « **Reply #4355 on:** March 11, 2011, 09:12:09 AM »

Thanks, Babi. I'm not a TV watcher, so had no idea. I've got the News on now. Incredible!

maryz · « **Reply #4356 on:** March 11, 2011, 11:20:26 AM »

Is the tsunami heading for any of our Kiwi and Aussie friends?

pedln · « **Reply #4357 on:** March 11, 2011, 11:27:35 AM »

MaryZ, I was wondering the same thing. So tragic. 8.9!!!

jane · « **Reply #4358 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:09:13 PM »

It looks as if what's hit the CA coast has been pretty mild...at least what they're showing on CNN right now. Lots of damage in Japan, obviously.

Gumtree · « **Reply #4359 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:35:46 PM »

They say there is no tsunami danger to Australia but I believe New Zealand could be in its path.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087598 times)