hundreds and thousands

"I'm just going to read for a bit," I say to my husband.
"Emily Carr's book," I add.
He looks suspiciously at me.
"I'm feeling sad already," I say by way of explaining.

I love Emily Carr.
I thought I'd read all of her writing.
Then I discovered This and That: The Lost Stories of Emily.
I rushed home and commenced reading.

I discovered that the real title for this collection of stories was to have been Hundreds and Thousands. It was the title she chose, the title she wanted but she died before it was published. It is absolutely fitting that someone else decided upon an entirely different title. It is somehow reflective of a good deal of Emily Carr's life and I feel a little bitter about it on her behalf.
Emily Carr was an enigmatic, whimsical, talented...no....gifted, charming, likeable....no....lovable woman. Her family...no....her sisters, were not.
My heart broke into tiny little crumbs when I read this collection of short stories.

Tears trickled down my cheeks and I sniffed and coughed the first time I tried to finish it.
I didn't do much better the second.
Then I dipped in here and there, reading a happy snippet or two and a great gray melancholy settled like autumn rain.
She had so much to give.
So much sweetness.
Hundreds and Thousands.

who knew

Following links on the computer can lead you down many an interesting rabbit trail. A wonderful labyrinth of creative and winsome people beckon. "Jump in," they seem to call. "The water's fine."
When I began this story blog last February, it was with the single minded plan to receive free books from a publishing company. Followed a link on my friend's book review blog, I had been ushered into the waiting room of Book Sneeze. Read, review and post, were their requirements and free books would wing their way to me.
My patient and techy daughter helped me get started and I was off.
I would write about books of course. And post my reviews. That was the plan.
But like so many other times in life, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley."
Free books soon slipped from mind and I discovered an unexpected passion.
I stumbled upon an amazing source of joy.
Writing.
Who knew.

The One who has "numbered the hairs on my head" and "counted my tears in a bottle."

booksneeze reviews

I've just finished reading Why You Say It, by Webb Garrison. This is a book that takes commonly used expressions like, "keep a stiff upper lip," and gives their origin and meaning. I like the table of contents that divide more than 600 words or phrases into 19 easy to find categories. The author also uses each one in a sentence and explains the meaning of it as well as its origin. This would make it an excellent choice for students or those new to the English language. Because our English language has borrowed from so many other languages, I wish these "originals" had been included. I also found that because I was familiar with most of the expressions, I enjoyed the story about how we've come to say them but found the additional information abit superfluous.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bird Song

I stumbled upon a great book this spring. Birdsong by Don Stap was completely captivating. Questioning why birds sing and how they learn their songs, has led him on extensive field research. The book, in turn, becomes a tribute to Don Kroodsma, a scientist and storyteller. Unconventional and brilliant, his passion for birds illuminates the pages of this very inspiring work. I am looking forward to reading his book as well, The Singing Life of Birds.

( hard cover, love that, and large print, really love that )