Away, foul incubus!

[vivien]

How's that for an attention grabbing subject? Seriously, something is draining my enrgy like a freaking vampire without any of the tingly sexual vibes. I'm sure it's just the heat - our apartment has air conditioning in theory, but when it gets into the 90's the heat from the huge skylight windows pretty much overwhelms the cool air. It's definitely cooler than if we had no AC, so I'm not complaining, but still... Phew. I'm sleeoing around nine hours and needing - not just wanting - a nap. Sometimes I want two naps, one in late morning and one in late afternoon, but I'm only letting myself take one. So it's either heat or an incubus.

Fourth of July was blissfully quiet. I was going to go view the fireworks of the city at silveraspen's office building, but the plans fell apart and I watched Sense and Sensibility instead. Which was lovely, but I didn't like it as much as Pride and Prejudice. I thought Brandon and Eleanor would've made a better couple. Speaking of Brandon, this movie was made in '95 - not that long ago - and Alan Rickman looks young and smashing. Why does he look so old as Snape? Just a quibble.

So full of cake. My little friend Aidan had his first birthday party tonight. Such a sweet boy. I wish I had a little one, but I fear that might not be meant for me. Maybe we'll be able to adopt one day.


1. What were your favorite childhood stories?

Fairy tales - Cinderella especially. The Little Engine that Could was on my four-year-old hit parade. I liked this funny one called Spider Saves Christmas, and I remember checking out one over and over from the library about a magic hat that a poor little girl finds that gives her all the food and riches she's ever dreamed of. Sadly I don't remember the title. As I got a bit older, I hit the non-fiction shelves hard. I read all the books on UFO's, Salem Witch trials, and ghost story collections, as well as the archaeology/history books (Lost Cities, Ancient Mysteries), etc. by 4th grade. Then I got special permission to start on the adult section (this was a ibrary in a small town). I didn't start reading Tolkein till 6th grade.

2. What books from your childhood would you like to share with your children?

One of the cool things about being a teacher is I already share so many. I love to read stories. It's one of my favortie things to do. One of my favorite books to read to kids is Pig Pig Grows Up. It makes me laugh everytime. I also like to read Where the Wild Things Are and The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything.

3. Have you re-read any of those childhood stories and been surprised by anything?

Sometimes I'm surprised by illustrations and the depth of the world that is created by the illustrator. I'm also surprised by the feelings some of the books create within me - I dare anyone to read I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch out loud without tearing up. It gets me every single time I read it. And Clown of God by Tommie DePaola kills me every time as well.

4. How old were you when you first learned to read?

I was four, and I'd been dragging around a Peanuts cartoon book for weeks putting together the beginning and ending sounds of all the words. Then one day- and I can remember the moment - I looked at the page and there were words there and I was reading. It was a huge rush and I was so relieved.

5. Do you remember the first 'grown-up' book you read? How old were you?
Well, it's not really a grown up book, but it was a long chapter book with some really deep thoughts. It was called The Mouse and His Child and I read it in third grade. Then I made my mom read it out loud to me. She fell in love and just last Christmas she got the reissued hardcover as a present and we took turns reading it out loud to each other.

Comments

[mcamy.livejournal.com]

I *always* blame the heat. And I have been so tired lately, too. But I'll look into that incubus thing...