17 June 2010

Everything Austen II

Just signed up for Everything Austen II over at Stephanie's Written World. For the next six months we will be reading / watching / listening to something from or inspired by Miss Austen. Emma will certainly not be on my list for these reasons and these.  That said, I do need to come up with a list of six Austen things to read/watch, etc. That's the hard part. I read the books every year to eighteen months so some of the original Austen will work themselves into Everything Austen II without a doubt. I have not read much Austen-inspired fiction though, so I guess I will take this opportunity to give that a spin. I did greatly enjoy the one I've read so far - Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe Ah, but which ones - that's hard for me. I rather think I'm not the type for the super romance-novel type of sequel or certainly no mash up with zombies or giant squid (that's just silly, by the way), would prefer something a bit fun with all of Miss Austen's wit and style. Guess I'm asking for the impossible, but we'll see. 


So here is my beginning list:
1:  Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict  by Laurie Viera Rigler
2: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler 
Both of these have always sounded intriging. I have Confessions already purchased on my "to be read" list, so I guess it's time I did.
3: The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
It seems to be an interesting concept - Caroline Bingley being something other than a slug. 
4: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo.
Having spent some time in higher education doing research, it's a nasty place. Plus I love the cover art.


Of Miss Austen's novels, I'm going for:
5: Mansfield Park - much maligned at times, but I still enjoy it.  
6: Northanger Abbey  - Henry Tilney - need I say more?


These are two of Miss Austen's works I usually don't go for first. My most often first choice is Persuasion, followed closely by Pride and Predjudice. Emma - I have to make myself read and when I do I complain as noted above.
Let the fun begin. Thanks Stephanie for the great idea!!

15 June 2010

My two furry friends

I see them everyday and they both smell not so good, but they are the best dogs in the world (I know everyone says that about their animals, but in my case it's true). They are spoiled - amazingly so. Pnut butter, sure... little cheddar cheese - of course - perhaps even a little burger just for them - wouldn't surprise me. They also like pineapple - fresh of course. 
They shed - oh, boy do they shed. Both double coated dogs and one that should technically living in the Arctic north, not on the Gulf coast. So occasionally, but no where near often enough, either I or the MotH furminate them. Yes, furminate is a word and also the name of this amazing comb-like thing we purchased at least three and a half years ago. But this year, to this ritual, we added the big fan. 


Not only does it looks like it has snowed (some white snow, and some like London street snow color) in our backyard, it gently wafts throughout the neighborhood - everyone can share. Now big dog loves this - thinks it is just the cat's meow, but little dog - um... the one who needs it most - not so much. Either way, it has to be done to keep our sanity indoors (but there is plenty of fur in there too - what can you do - thank goodness for tile floors and hardwood). 
Either way, we're happy (most of the time - stop waking up so early on the weekends!) with the boys. Our handsome German Shepherd Dog and beautiful (blue-eyed) Siberian Husky.