Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading

How could a reader ever seem to run out of books to read? I think that would be an almost impossible feat with all the books that have been written and stored on the shelves of libraries. Whenever I have exhausted a favorite author and her/his books, other authors and books open up to me, either by word of mouth, or reviews, or just by my stumbling upon the books at a bookstore or library.

My one daughter-in-law is in a book club and mentioned she would be reading a book called, Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, by Nina Sankovitch. I read the review about the book on Amazon, and then ordered it to my Kindle. The story starts with the death of Sankovitch’s older sister, Anne Marie to cancer. Three years later, Sankovitch still hasn’t come to terms with her sister’s death. Sankovitch decides that books were always a big part of her connection to her sister. She spends a year reading a book a day, and reviewing it. In reading the books she finds comfort, solace, and inspiration from the books. She gleans some tidbit from each one to help her come to terms with Anne Marie’s death..

In the end Sankovitch comes to realize and understand that her sister will always be alive in her life as long as Sankovitch is alive. And the bottom line of her year with books is to live and enjoy her life. The purple chair is where Sankovitch reads her books when she is home. Tolstoy is one of the authors that she reads.

The book actually made me come to understand my feelings better about the death of my brother. He lives on through the stories that I tell my children or that I write. He lives on in some of the books and movies that I brought back from his house. He is there when I see his New York Yankees hat and Mickey Mantle’s jersey. He lives on through the photos that I have. He lives on through his daughter, and hopefully through me. Those that are close to us, that have died, live on by us fully living and enjoying our own lives.

Sankovitch also listed the 365 books that she read in the back of her book. One of the books that she read was Tolstoy’s The Forged Coupon, and I now have that book on my Kindle to read. So, if anyone gets stuck on what books to read – try Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch, and maybe some of the 365 books that she has listed, might be just what you are looking for.

Dance Moms

Three words that can describe the television series, Dance Moms, are appalling, entertaining, and mouth dropping. I’m not sure what it is about Dance Moms? When the first scene of the series opens, there are shots of the view of downtown Pittsburgh. But in reality, the Abby Lee Dance Studio is located in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

The premise of the show is about the dance studio, the students, and the interactions between Abby Lee, owner and dance instructor, and bigger than life person, the four main dance moms (Kelly, Melissa, Holly and Christi), some crazy and over the top mothers who come in and out of the show (Cathy, Jill, Leslie), and the adorable dance students (Maddie, Mackenzie, Nia, Chloe, Brooke, Paige, Kendall).

My daughter got me hooked on this show. At first I was taken aback at how demeaning Abby and the moms could be. At times I found myself laughing and at other times I found myself yelling at Abby and at the moms. And I found myself watching the episodes, despite the mixed feelings that I had about the show.

Toward the end of each episode is the dance competition. All I can say is that it is great watching the graceful movements of each girl and the entertaining performances of the group. The girls are so talented and cute, that you wonder how they can perform with all the other stuff that goes on between Abby Lee and the crazy Moms.

Dance Moms is now in its 2nd season, and the show has been highly criticized by a number of people and even by me at times. I still watch the show, it makes me laugh, and sometimes I yell out loud at Abby Lee and the Moms, when they go way over the top.

Okay, I like Dance Moms, but I also am so glad that I don’t have any little girls at that dance studio. But I still like watching the show to see what happens next. If that makes me bad…so be it.

Random Thoughts

1. There are no ethics in Journalism.

2. Why would anyone want to run for office when their life is an open book, fresh for news scalpels?

3. I love this winter because it was so mild.

4. There are so many good series on television.

5. What is it that makes Jane Austen’s books turn me into a Zombie with a brain full of mush?

6. Can’t believe that I sat and watched all six season’s of Dexter, non-stop!

7. Just being surrounded by books makes my spirits soar.

8. Watching Jeremy Lin is fantastic. I hope he stays grounded, except for his jump shots.

9. Memo to LeBron James, you may be able to go back home, but it will never be the same.

10. Why is it that good people die, way too soon?

Pop Tarts

What is it about Pop Tarts? And I don’t mean the swinging, raunchy girlie Madonna-Wannabee entertainers either. I’m referring to Kellogg’s Pop Tarts, the toaster pastry in a box. Is it the aroma of them heating in that pastry? Or is it the delicious, sweet taste? Or is it all the different flavors and toppings that are available? Or is it just that convenient breakfast treat or on-the- go treat or just about anytime dessert treat? Or maybe it is all the above and more?

Pop Tarts are one of those desserts that can be stored in a pantry shelf. They have always been a big seller in my house when my kids were younger, and now when my grandchildren come to visit. I bet if you go into my pantry now, you will find a box of Pop Tarts. Sometimes when I’m alone, I pull out the box of Pop Tarts, heat them up, and enjoy eating them. Although, I enjoy eating the crunchy sides the best. Besides, Pop Tarts are good for snacks. But if you are in a hurry, you can heat them, grab a napkin, and eat them in the car.

The best part about Pop Tarts is that they come in all sorts of flavors: blueberry, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, brown sugar cinnamon, cookies & cream, chocolate chip, chocolate fudge, s’mores, and a few other flavors. Pop Tarts also come plain, or with frosting and sprinkles.

Eating a Pop Tart is an art in itself. I prefer to eat the crunchy edges first, and then I eat the center filled with the sweet filling. Others, like my granddaughter, Hannah eats the crust first. Her favorite flavor is cookies and cream. My other granddaughter, Brooke, licks the top of the Pop Tart first, eats the inside next, and finally the sides. Her favorite Pop Tarts are chocolate chip and cookies and cream.

However you view Pop Tarts, they are not just for kids. Try them and see what flavor you like or figure out how you want to eat them.

Who Knew?

I stayed with my two granddaughters, for a week, while their parents were on a cruise. The three of us did some fun things (which I will blog about at another time). But in between the errands, like, basketball games, school and work schedules, we staked out our spots on the couches and love seats. We watched television, where one show really stood out in my mind, Say Yes to the Wedding Dress, also, an ad for Catholics Match.Com, and a promo for the show, the Duggar’s, 19 Kids and Counting.

First, we watched quite a few episodes of Say Yes to the Wedding Dress. I had never seen the show before and found it interesting that the brides would tell the saleswoman the kind of dress that they wanted, and didn’t want. I laughed when the brides cried at how awful they looked. It was kind of pathetic that they weren’t adventurous enough to try on a few different types of gowns, or at least give it a chance. No open mindedness with this group. It was hard to see how many people they brought along. Some had a huge entourage, and with the larger group, it seemed that everyone had their own opinion, and freely expressed it. The brides-to-be listened to everyone and that would set the saleswoman to scout around for more dresses. Who knew or cared or wanted to see all that drama? I guess I did because I watched a whole lot of episodes just waiting for that magical moment when the woman would “Say Yes to the Wedding Dress!”

Then there was the ad for CatholicMatch.Com. All I can say is YIKES! Who knew that God was rooting for only Catholics to use the computer, the Internet, and a dating site to find the perfect match and the Catholic Imprimatur Seal of Approval? REALLY? Come on, what would happen to us, the population and the world if this was the only way to find the perfect CatholicMatch.Com. The world would be in a whole lot of trouble because not everyone has a computer or access to CatholicMatch.Com. Who knew that God has so much time on His hands for this worth-while endeavor with all the other problems like world hunger, draughts, potential nuclear annihilating disaster, horrible natural catastrophes, or what sports team that he liked best in the sports world? Who knew?

Now I come to my third bizarre television moment – the promos into the world of the Duggar’s, 19 Kids and Counting. Wow, where do I start? Who knew that if you never said no to more babies you would land a big fat deal, have a television series and be famous, and be a political spokesman for one if the GOP presidential candidates! Who knew? I know that I didn’t. Obviously the promo rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe I was jealous because I had nine children in 11 years, and even knew when to stop having them and enjoying them without a raise in pay, or a contract renewal! Who knew?

I Was on Vacation

While my one son and his wife went on a Caribbean Cruise, I spent eight nights with my two granddaughters. I pretty much decided to view this as a vacation, since I would be staying with them at their house.

While on the cruise, my son and daughter-in-law ate some great meals. My granddaughters and I ate a few good meals as well, like Chinese, a steak dinner, pizza, and for a bit of healthy - Subway.

As my son and his wife partied away, and went on a few extra excursions, my two granddaughters and I went to Five Below for some funky fun things, to the Mall for some clothes, and to Barnes and Nobles for books. While they went to school, I managed to run back to my house and feed the cats, then to the gym for some exercise. I assume that my son and his wife enjoyed the sun and got their exercise when they got to swam with the sting rays and did a few other fun things.

I took in four basketball games that my oldest granddaughter, Hannah played. Her team won all four of the games and would be in a tournament the following week. My youngest granddaughter, Brooke, and I managed to be her cheering section. We did a good job, too.

Of course we had lousy winter weather while my son and his wife had a nice hot week, with great weather, and came back with a tan. We didn’t get any sun or sun burns here in Pittsburgh. Just snow.

While my son and his wife gambled, my two granddaughters and I watched a lot of television, like cooking shows, reality shows and managed to watch some movies – GI Joe, The Help, Contagion, 50/50 and a few others.

When the week came to an end, I went home to rest. But I really miss hanging out with my granddaughters. I have to say this was one of the best vacations that I have ever been on. It was also a great vacation for my son and daughter-in-law.

A Day Out With My Grandson

Finally, I got around to doing something special with my oldest grandson. I made a date to take him out. I picked up Matthew, and we headed for Barnes and Noble. One thing that Matthew and I share, besides family and the same last name, is that we are both writers. Matthew is 10-years-old, and he has been writing and illustrating his own books, even before he could read or write. He has quite a collection of his stories lined up on his book shelf. I have read every one of them and I have to admit, they are pretty good. He also writes on his own blog under Hot Dog Comics And Other Cool Things.

Along with writing, we share a love of reading and books, so on Sunday, we were headed for Barnes and Noble, and I was going to let Matthew pick out whatever books that he wanted. He picked out two Harry Potter books, a Big Nate book and the Red Pyramid. While he was picking out his books, I found a magazine and two books that I wanted to read, and I bought something for each of Matthew’s brother and sisters.

After we paid for our books, we headed to Red Robyn’s for lunch. The service was terrible but the food was great. I consumed a delicious gourmet cheese burger with fires and lemonade, while Matthew had a vanilla shake, cheese pizza and fries. While we waited for our order, we talked about school, books, and movies and played tic-tic -toe, and hangman.

Usually when I am around Matthew, there are five other siblings and two dogs, all vying for attention. So being with Matthew alone was fun. I decided that he is a really cool little guy, and that he is interesting and pretty funny, and how lucky I was to have had this one on one with my oldest grandson. I really enjoyed the few hours that I got to share with Matthew, just the two of us. In the future, I will plan more “one-on-one” dates with Matthew and with my other grandchildren.

I considered the time spent with Matthew a five star, two thumbs up outing!