Friday, April 17, 2009

Book Review

I read a lot.

Thumbs down to a book I just took back to the library after patiently waiting months for it. It's on the Bestseller's list - "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." It was a bad book, with gratuitous sexual violence, and a drawn out story which I couldn't finish.

The author of "...Tattoo", Stieg Larsson, dropped off this manuscript along with two others in 2004 and then dropped dead before they were published. I have to wonder about such a mind that was preoccupied with such dark, sadistic material. No, on second thought I won't.

On a more up-note, I read Neil Gaiman's Newberry award winning book, "Graveyard", and loved it. I love everything this author writes.

And while I am at random recommendations: two movies I recently watched and laughed at and loved were "Soul Men" and "Yes Man". They aren't movies for young people due to sexual content, but they are funny. Funny always does the trick at bringing me into the Now. Now is always better than then.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My new car


Deja vu. I used that title already - when I got my new Kia Spectra back in July 2006. That car was a collision magnet.

The last accident happened just last Wednesday when I got rear-ended on the interstate on my way home from work. The first dent was just 5 months after I had the Spectra. I came out from my job at a supermarket and there it was. Then, there were several smashes and crashes in between the first and the last when it was finally put to rest by my insurance agency - "totalled".

I learned new words like "gap insurance" and what it is to be "upside down". My insurance would only pay me what my car was worth on the market, taking into consideration the mileage and former dents.

Suzuki financing took care of $3400 owed on the Kia and the rest of the money matters and now I have a new car. It is a Forenza. I like the way it rides. I like the smell, and I love how it will eventually have cruise control. I told the salesman that cruise control was more important to me than doors.

I don't like that I didn't go over every inch of it and there's a cigarette burn in the back seat. I am sure they are laughing all the way to the bank on that sale. Plus, it's an '08, which I am sure the dealership is relieved to get off their lot.

I can't let any of that dampen my happy mood at my good fortune of getting a new car. I tried to get one months ago - after my speeding ticket - when I searched for a car with cruise control on it. (People with A.D.D. need cruise control.) At that time, the sales man I was haggling with wished he could help me out of my upside down-ness, but his hands were tied. I didn't really like that HHR anyway.

So, I am still a little bummed out at having to eat $3400 because of my no-fault accident. I fussed at everyone in claims that I could have about the unfairness of not having a car anymore, yet still owing on it. I spoke with two lawyers who would have liked me to discuss my hurt back and knee, but I wouldn't play that card.

But happy days - I love new car smell, and no dents in the front, and cruise control. And there should be no more speeding tickets for me. That 24 mile bridge is too difficult to maintain a proper speed on.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

I love cut flowers


My Libra Moon is what I attribute to my loving to entertain at home. I got up early last Tuesday and made pralines for my visiting cousin and her family from Minnesota. I then went to the grocery and seafood market for items to go into the dinner. I made a big pot of seafood pasta, made a salad and a spinach dip, had garlic bread, and baked a chocolate cake. My sister, Angela, brought jambalaya. My Mom contributed $$, and my sister, Katie brought boiled shrimp and crawfish, and also a stuffed artichoke. As always, there was so much leftover - we lived off the pasta for days.

I forgot to take out the red beans I had thawing. I had no room on the stove to make rice for it. I knew before-hand that Carol didn't eat seafood. I meant for her to have choices. She is low-maintenance and wants no fussing about her picky diet.

My brother, David, and sister, Christina - and some of their people - came to the gathering to connect with cousin Carol, her husband and teenage daughter. I got to visit with them briefly before my siblings and Mother arrived. They were so open to their Louisiana adventure. Nicole and Dan were trying everything put before them. They were off to Lafayette, a different world within Louisiana's borders, for a few days after they left my house that night.

Two days ago, I got the loveliest bouquet delivered to my home for my efforts. They are so beautiful. I am humbled by Carol's generosity. They were such gracious guests. It was truly my pleasure to have them. I guess the least I could do is get recipes to Carol that she left a note for by my pc. Coming right up, Carol...