May 10, 2009 by Jen.

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Paul and Alita and Zach in April. Zach is the sweetest baby, and Paul and Alita are fantastic parents. I had a lovely time relaxing with them. Alita and Zach and I had many great walks in the gorgeous weather.

Highlights:

–holding Zach lots and lots
–long, lovely walks in different parks with Zach and Alita
–eating a lot of yummy food
–relaxing all day and talking with Alita
–delicious dinner at Italian restaurant
–fun poker night with all the Irish friends
–watching football with Paul
–again, holding Zach lots and lots

I miss you guys and can’t wait to see you soon!

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May 9, 2009 by Jen.

Four Days in November by Vincent Bugliosi

I’ve always been fascinated with the Kennedy assassination (perhaps because I usually believe conspiracy theories), and so the subject of this book instantly interested me. While I was in Ireland I finished some of my other reading, and so when Alita showed me this book, I picked it up. Big mistake. I could NOT put it down. I read until 2:30 in the morning. I couldn’t stop. It is so well written and researched, I was hooked. Alita was gracious enough to allow me to take the book home with me because I wasn’t done yet, and I finished reading it while sitting in JFK airport, ironically enough. Vincent Bugliosi has spent years and years of his life on this topic, finding every person possible to interview, and getting every little detail right. Four Days in November is the minute-by-minute account of the day of the assassination and the three days that follow, as the Dallas police department tries to find enough evidence to arrest, arraign, and then potentially try Lee Harvey Oswald. For this conspiracy theorist, Bugliosi has thoroughly proved his point: Oswald acted alone and there was no other shooter. I now plan to read the complete epic entitled Reclaiming History. Side note: Oswald was one creepy guy!

The Borrowers
The Borrowers Afield
The Borrowers Afloat
by Mary Norton

Back once again to my favorite genre: British children’s literature. The Borrowers are like humans, but small. Very small. They live under the floorboards and their food is your crumbs. These charming tales are of the Clock family with the fun names Pod, Homily, and Arriety (which I really like). They have very interesting adventures since they are quite small and trying to avoid notice by the humans who would most certainly either kill them or put them on display in a circus or show. I read these first 3 books of the series and am having a hard time getting my hands on the next books.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

I’ve read and enjoyed David Sedaris for years, but never got around to reading this book. His style is seemingly effortless: the best kind. I love his humor, and I love that his stories are also poignant. I find it so difficult to believe that his family could have created so many opportunities for brilliant storytelling, but they are a group of highly interesting and creative people, and he just has such a unique perspective on the world that he could make anyone’s family seem hilarious. Love it.

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

Although this book ended as I imagined, it did NOT start out that way. I am rather surprised with myself for continuing to read after the first chapter provided enough vulgarity for me to last all year. But, I continued because I’ve heard such redeeming things about the book that I thought it must be worthwhile, and because it’s about sisters: a tender subject for me. Ultimately, there are some nice things to be said about sisterhood, but I didn’t feel that the book had a particularly powerful message. It’s supposed to be about how two sisters move together from two extreme ways of life and find value and depth of insight from each other. I just don’t see that as a realistic view of the world. Call me cynical, but I don’t see as much capacity in people to change as is portrayed in this book. I love my sisters. I’m glad they are in my life. But, I didn’t really need this book to help me discover that. I already knew it.

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May 7, 2009 by Jen.

Sorry folks, I’ve been neglecting the blog lately. Busy times. I’ll have more pictures up here of Baby Zach and my Ireland trip when I get more time.

Jason’s birthday weekend was lovely. A gorgeous Sabbath. Orioles’ game on Sunday with Andy and Jen Nichols, followed by delicious dinner with the Howes at Sakura for sushi.

Our view of the field. I know. It’s awesome. Thanks Andy!

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