New Enemy

Dear Bat Man,
I have bested both your brother and his enemy! They have both been captured and soon will become nothing but a puddle of melted plastic if I have my way! No joke...muah hahaha.Who could be this diabolical, you ask? It is I:Gigantic-head Spock.
If I have my way, Batman and the Joker will never:


I will hold them for a week. I will give you an opportunity to come to their aid. If you do nothing, they will be vaporized.

Sincerely,
Spock

Sabbatical

Considering the hectic nature of the holiday season, I have officially suspended my reading for now. Sad, I know, but I have several projects that involve all my free time and they take priority over my leisure activities. Although, I have to say, trying to read American Pastoral was anything but leisurely.

Bronwen dutifully dropped it in the book return on Election day. The date wasn't significant; we were just at the library for story time.

So, dear sister, I apologize for taking a break, but I promise come January 2nd I will be refreshed and recharged, ready to work on our 100 books project yet again!

Finished!

So as some as you know, I have been working on a massive project in my pottery class. I have created an umbrella stand using the coil method. It took me almost 3 months to complete (4 calendar months) and now it is done. So here are some pics...A size comparison shot. This piece has its own echo it is so big and it weighs in at about 25 pounds.

Panel 1

Panel 2

Panel 3

Daisy took the time to view the new art in the house but Trixie was too busy to appreciate the arts.

Where the heck have you been?

So some of you may have been wondering why I have deserted cyberspace...

Well you see, I saw this story on CBS Sunday Morning (if you don't watch this, seriously you should) about being a hobo and I decided to give it a try.

This guy looks a little uncomfortable and dirty so I decided to attempt hobo life in a more refined way. So I took a shower, grabbed a book, bought a ticket and sat in the coach car of a lovely Amtrak train. The result of my hobo life style was 12 trips up and down the eastern corridor.

See map for routes:

Now you are probably thinking that anyone who has spent that much time on a train has surely completed American Pastoral. But alas, the copy I have is a large library edition and I didn't want to be weighted down in case I had to jump for it, so I have read 8 other titles in its place. I will post my reviews soon.

Truth be told, I am struggling to get into the story as well. I am afraid I may have rotted valuable brain resources reading pink young adult novels. I vow to pick this book up this weekend and give it another go. I am smart, well read, and not a quitter. I just hope my Sweet Valley University books don't call my name...

Letter to my Sister

Dear Jana,

I hate this book. I am on Chapter 2--as in I finished the 40 pages of Chapter 1, and I am now staring blankly at the beginning of Chapter 2 willing myself to start and yet unable to actually read a word.

Why is this book sucking the life out of me?

Please tell me it gets better.

Love,
Your Sister Jen

The Swede

I finally began the next novel on the list--American Pastoral. I aim to finish a chapter a night, but as I am just embarking on this literary journey, it is taking a me time to get involved in the story. So far there are several things I cannot relate to: the time period, Jewish life, baseball, and being a boy. And I am only about 5 pages into it. Hopefully I shall garner some insight into all of these things as I become more interested in the plot and characters.

In the meantime, since I have no pastoral scenes nearby to capture with my camera, I will leave you with some pictures I took from my garden. It's as pastoral as I can get, sadly. At least it is verdant.This little guy was about 2 inches long, head to tail.

New Holiday

Seeing as we are always striving for creativity here in the Herko house...
Daisy has invented a new holiday

Take your kitty to work day! I guess she feel like I don't need to carry my computer in this bag any more ^..^