The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Sarah W:

David @ 63: I think I knew that Fall of the Kings was one of Ms. Kushner's books just from shelf-reading that section of the library, but I didn't know it was set in the same world. I certainly should have checked . . . so much for librarianship . . .

(rubs hands in gleeful anticipation) Thank you!

I was but a determined (and after seven years, somewhat desperate) twinkle in my parents' eyes, and would remain so for another two months. But my mother has told me that the Moon Landing convinced her that she and Dad were right to keep trying to bring children into the world, despite its troubles and theirs.

So, thank you Apollo 11, without which a twinkle might have been all there was of me.

Steve C @58:

Sir, I applaud you.

Another memory was jogged by this post.

Several years ago, I was on a bus and two women next to me were lamenting about books for young adults being full of sex and smut and violence and so forth.

Eventually, as you might guess, one of them said, "I wish they would bring back the classics we read. Like Shakespeare."

"Don't forget Chaucer!" said the other lady.

Yeah, because Will and Geoff never wrote anything remotely violent or sexy or smutty . . .

Mission accomplished, Thomas Bowdler.

Although to be fair, I expect most high school classes don't get beyond the Prologue of the Canterbury Tales, anyway. The only reason I did is because the language fascinated me . . .and Mom said there were some racy parts in there.

My mother signed permission for an adult card for me when I was in fourth grade---I wanted to read Mommy Dearest and the librarian wasn't too sure about that. After I read it, I wasn't too sure either, but at least I had access to everything else!

Changing subjects slightly: My parents kept the book referenced in #45 in a bookcase in the huge walk-in closet in their bedroom (it wasn't hidden, just forgotten). I'd noticed it when I'd gone in there for something else, and borrowed it with some frequency when I was in fifth or sixth grade--not only did I have several questions of my own, the book answered many others that it never would have occurred to me to ask.

My Dad (who was a clinical psychologist, if it matters) caught me returning it one day, told me it was mostly outdated baloney and asked me if any of them worried me. Some did, so we discussed those, and he later found me a couple of less prurient and more trustworthy resources.

Now that my oldest is almost 7, I can appreciate my Dad's bravery and skill in having this kind of conversation with his twelve-year old daughter.

I discovered Girl Genius one day by accident. Six solid hours later, I'd read five years worth of pages and managed to snag a copy of the first collection.

I love the drama, the slapstick, the dramatic slapstick, and the Jagermonsters. I also like that Phil and Kaja Folglio don't take themselves or their work too seriously, except in that it is all extremely well done to the last detail and all thoroughly enjoyable.

And the storylines . . . marvelous!

Lee @ 18: I want to hear the whole thing as sung! Does Ms. Gallagher have a recording available somewhere (or somewhen?).


Janet @ 80:

1. Maybe it was the shock of, um, initial contact that got their full attention?

2. I'm sure the outer casings would be heat-proof. . .

Xopher @2: I'm sure that there will be special harnesses and\or attachments on the market soon after jet packs are released to the public. And I'm pretty sure the visual results (complete with sparklers held in the participants' . . . teeth), will be available on YouTube.

Ooooo--you don't suppose ancient phoenix sightings (or more recent UFOs) were just airborne time travelers looking for a little privacy, do you?

A couple of Pratchett's characters say that time is like a pair of trousers. I'm going to go with this concept until I meet myself coming back up . . . or reach the ankles . . .

The work voice mails that have me bruising my forehead on the desk run something like this:

My name is Ann Smith: A-N-N- S-M-I-T-H. I wonder if you would have any information about my great-great grandfather John Mumble Mumblemaiaer? He should have been in your area around mumbleteen-mumble.

Please call if you find anything. My name is Ann Smith, S-M-I-T-H and my number is fivefivefiveeightmumblefourmumble.

And then I end up playing phone book Sudoku all morning.

Mind you, I'm getting pretty good at it.

Iorax @60: I think that the far right just isn't having as much luck swaying the not-so-far right to care.

You may be right about that. The verbal far right is pretty much off the logic map around here---no just on this topic, but they've been outdoing themselves lately---and all that foaming at the mouth appears to be keeping even potential allies at a distance.

I decided Monday that I will never have enough Sanity Watchers points to safely read through the comments on our local newspaper's website. On any topic---the anonymity of the Internet sure has a strange effect on some people . . .

Patrick @33, I don't know how relatively 'content' Iowans are compared to residents of the other five states, but at least those in fearful opposition will have to wait a couple years before they can make a formal challenge (the officials having timed out at the end, bless 'em).

And of course, the fact that neither the world nor the 'sanctity' of marriage will have come to an end (or any more so) by that time will not assist them in their case.

Kelly @ 42: Yes Ma'am!

The first legally-recognized same sex wedding in my county was performed last Thursday, a mere three day waiting period after the first license was issued by the courthouse. A church here had 10 weddings last Saturday---one of those newlywed couples has been together for over 40 years.

Lori @ 15: Thank you for reassuring a non-botanist. I'm not sure I'd want to use Tsuga canadensis oil as a topical, either, but I'll wait for the book before passing judgement.

Our library has a copy of Indifferent Stars coming in, and I've just placed a reserve on it.

While I'm looking forward to all the 'extraneous details' (am I right to assume that hemlock oil was for external use only?), I'm particularly curious to see Mr. Brown has to say about the Black Hawk War. I'm currently sitting about three blocks from the treaty that ended it.

I'm sorry for the loss of your small friend. I hope Agnes Margaret will be a consolation, if never a replacement.

I was roommates with an middle-aged Chinese hamster in college, a gift from a graduating friend. He was a fine study partner and saw me through my senior finals before passing away two nights after the last exam. They know, don't they?

Dave 55: I don't think we've ever consciously tried to treat cats like cats, but we didn't treat them as if they were humans. People, yes, but that's not the same.

Our current (and currently only) cat believes that I am his mother. My younger daughter, who is just two and doesn't know that he isn't her natural brother with a couple of odd habits and physical attributes, displays the same kind of affection and sibling rivalry she does toward her older sister.

Not only is my lap prime real estate to be fought over (I've always thought so myself), but the phrase, "But Toby dood it!" has become the refrain around here. If he can climb onto the top of the bookcase for a nap, then she can do it, too. If he gets a small fish-flavored pellet, then she gets 'candy', too.

I kind of wish now that we'd trained Toby to use the toilet when he was a kitten . . .

The four hogs of the aporkalypse are saddled and ready to ride....

The four Hogs I could come up with were, (ala Pratchett):

Panic, Dirty Hands, Pollution (or Poverty), and Careless Expellations.

I thought this article at Junkfood Science shed some comforting logic.

Except that I hadn't thought much about the 'normal average' (if that's the phrase I want) number of annual deaths from the usual strains of 'flu . . .and now I am . . .

Oops, I meant #242, not #424, at #245.

-30-

Serge #241

Please forgive my confused ignorance: Are you suggesting that Bruce Dern has a duck? And that he's bringing it with him to library school?

Keith K #424:

I think librarians prefer the controlled chaos method in their personal libraries. Books unleashed!! And we don't have to put them back!

One restraint I do practice is with my research books: because my office is a very small corner of the master bedroom, the stuff I need to keep close by pretty much lives in the drawers of my bedside table. The oversized books are wedged between baskets of knitting on my rolltop desk.

You know, the house seemed large enough when we bought it . . .

Serge #234:

Odd duck, our Dewey


Fragano #236:

What do you expect from a man who is rumored to have argued that his ten place system had plenty of room in it for all the books that could possibly be published, ever?

Also, this.

Bruce #220:

Nah, I just thought an alphabetical rainbow might make Punkrockhockeymom (@ #14) feel more comfortable . . .

I think there's a library service company that has a 'visual classification system' for non-fiction, using color bands corresponding to different portions of an item's Dewey or LC number. I'm not sure it would help locate items, but it might make shelving easier.

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