Would You Be So Kind As To Change Your Address Book For Me?

I've been tired of the clogged look this blog has acquired. In order to simplify things for neater navigation, please find me now at:

http://www.dolcebellezza.wordpress.com/

And, please change my link in your address book!

Two Fabulous Lines From "A Game of Thrones"

There hasn't exactly been a plethora of book reviews this week as I've been waiting for today; this is the day they'll perform the angiogram on my father at the heart hospital.

I've abandoned several books, temporarily, because they've required too much concentration. I wanted to get lost in an epic tale, a book from another world, and I've found it: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.

It's won about a bajillion awards, which I'll look up for you later when I properly review it. Right now, I'm only on page 191 of 807. But, they're going quite quickly because this is a fantastic tale of adventure.

The copy you see is the one I bought on eBay for $1.99 because the library had such a huge waiting list on it that a copy still hasn't arrived as I type this post. I'm willing to part with my own copy, a very good one I might add, when I write my review. For now, let me leave you with my favorite lines so far:

"Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?" he heard his own voice saying, small and far away.

And his father's voice replied to him, "That is the only time a man can be brave." (p. 163)

There should be several more reviews coming in a few days, my friends.

My Dad's in Room 8620

It's so strange to see my father in the hospital. I never see him as frail, which is still not the right word, but he is, somehow, weakened.

His hair is curly, like mine, and beautifully cut. It's white, white, white and it looks so nice against all the white crisp linen. His face is strong, as always, and brave, and he's cracking jokes because that's how we both manage to stay on top of our stress. It drives my mother crazy.

When she called to let us know he was admitted last night, I got out of bed, dressed, and drove over to the hospital right away. "Did you bring any pizza?" he asked, as we'd all been out for sausage, green pepper and onion on a cracker thin crust only hours before.

"No," I said, "But I'll go get some more if you want."

I hold his hand, attached to all kinds of wires; I say prayers over his bare shoulder barely covered by those ridiculously thin, ugly jammies the hospital insists upon. I can't imagine that this is my father, the cowboy hero of my life, struggling with chest pains and a possible open heart yet again.

Friday Fill Ins

1. Join me in celebrating the arrival of Spring!

2. Put a little faith and hope in your day!

3. Happiness is sometimes a matter of choice, not circumstance.

4. Why my son has had such a difficult time in High School has left me worried and confused.

5. I'm waiting for the news that he will graduate on time!

6. A new lipstick, a new book, a new fragrance are all hard to resist. (Along with a thin crust pizza for Friday night.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dining on a salad, pizza and bottle of Ruffino Classico at Traverso's, tomorrow my plans include being outside after cleaning the house and Sunday, I want to see my niece's role in her High School play!

Blessings on your weekend,

Booking Through Thursday

Yesterday, April 15th, was Tax Day here in the U.S., which means lots of lucky people will get refunds of over-paid taxes.

Whether you’re one of them or not, what would you spend an unexpected windfall on? Say … $50? How about $500?

(And, this is a reading meme, so by rights the answer should be book-related, but hey, feel free to go wild and splurge on anything you like.)

If I had a windfall of extra money, would I buy books? At this point, no.

I think I'd rather spend the money on bookshelves, because really, the storage is getting to be a problem.

When we redid the family room, my husband had the contractor add two built in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. They're filled.

The bookcase in our bedroom is filled.

The tables in the living room are filled.

The armoire which was originally intended to hold linens and serving pieces for the dining room is filled.

My bohemian friend from seventh grade suggested the tried and true boards-held-up-with-cement-blocks, but I'm not there aesthetically any more.

So, if the government really did cease its spending...if I really did get back some of the money I earned and unwillingly gave away...it would have to go for order in my book world. And, that piece of mind would be priceless.

Not a Book Review, Just A Story About What Happened Today On My Way To Work

Ever since a main thoroughfare in our town has been under construction, I've found it incredibly easy to get to work. My driving time has been cut in half because no one uses Washington Avenue any more. Which gives me the time to stop at Starbucks for a tall coffee of the day with cream. Yum.

Tuesday is garbage day in this particular part of town, and I was caught behind the garbage truck driven by Idiot #1, and a Lexus driven by Idiot #2. The garbage truck stopped at every single house down the road pulling just far enough away from the kerb so as to be blocking our lane. Almost completely.

I patiently followed the Lexus who followed the garbage truck sipping on my coffee and trying to stay cool. "Surely," I thought to myself, "the Lexus will find an opportunity to slip past the truck so we can get where we're going before I have to stop at a McDonald's for lunch."

Alas, no.

The truck stopped. The Lexus stopped. I stopped. The eight thousand cars that were now lined up behind me stopped. And so, it seemed, the pattern would continue indefinitely. Finally, I tapped on my horn.

I ate horn blowers. I think they're rude, and obnoxious, and self centered. But, we had been there the better part of fifteen minutes. So, I tapped again, a bit more strongly.

The Lexus finally pulled around the garbage truck, and as it did I noticed something drop to the ground. "Damn!" I thought, "the garbage man is throwing stuff at us now!"

Nope. It was the side mirror on the Lexus. Shorn clean off, and laying beside the garbage truck, while the Lexus pulls over.

What was I to do? Should I leap out and try to reattach the side mirror? Should I shout apologies on my way past? Should I stick with the Lexus owner, who surely felt as cross at me as the garbage truck? It was a huge dilemma.

But, I was already late for work by now, and so, I drove on. Feeling guilty all day, even now as I write this post.

Sorry, Lexus driver. Sorry, mirror. Sorry, stupid garbage truck in every one's way.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

1 Peter 1: 3

(Pass your mouse over the link to read it.)