Here's something unique for all those ecologically concerned, World Wildlife Fund type confirmed letter scribblers you may know. It would make a great Xmas gift for anyone who likes nice paper; journals, stationery and notecards are all available at Elephant Poo Poo Paper

It's good to see that even during the Yuletide season, the Long Tail is in full effect. Just take a look at the Christmas 'classics' that have reappeared in the UK hit parade (it's still called that, right?) in the run up to the big day.

Just had to break free of the festivities here and wish you all a
wonderful Christmas holiday season!
So far I have gained three pounds.
And none of this from Drive-Thru hamburger joints.
No, this is real food. Real fun.

Wow! I’ve had the most relaxing weekend
Ever. While winter has been frosting the
Windows and filling the driveway, my
Friend and I have been lazing about
In the hot-tub talking, reminiscing
About so many things. Listening
To a lot of terrific music. Also
Just generally catching up
With each other. Eating
And laughing 2 much.
At one point, I even
Wrote a poem, &

Since we are offered this day just once in four years, I'm celebrating by sharing four things that have made my heart leap! this week:

1. I did a preschool program this morning with the theme "Leap Frogs for Leap Year". Those kids are great; they cheer me up in the mornings -- tough to do for someone so very definitely NOT a morning person...

2. I am going to Ukraine! [happy dance] Didn't know if I could swing it, but my sister is now awaiting my arrival in the metropolis of Kiev a little later this year.

I've noticed the trend of the same stock images on different book covers lately, and have commented on it a few times here and there. Lo and behold, January Magazine has just posted a link to a man who gathers up such duplicates! And the example they use is the very one that has been driving me crazy for the last while:

There are many more examples on his fascinating blog, The Rap Sheet.

Thanks to Great White North for pointing this out to me; as you might be able to tell, I'm not a very sports oriented person. But even I feel sorry for the poor Olympians who've been stuck with this official Canadian Olympic Uniform. He he he. Great job, Hudson's Bay Co. :)

For your amusement:

Here's a friend of mine dressed up for a Come-as-your-favourite-literary-figure party. Shaving would have made the resemblance really eerie!Who would you go as?

Here's a sonnet - just one more, I swear I'll move on soon - but here's one which I could not resist posting. It's a bit melancholy for any bookish person to read, even now. It was written in 1841 by book collector William Stanley Roscoe, which just goes to show that obsessive book lovers never change. I do like the final line, with its suggestion that heaven entails being able to converse directly with all the great writers who have gone ahead. That's my idea of something heavenly!

On Being Forced to Part with his Library for the Benefit of his Creditors

As one who destined from his friends to part,

Stars: ****1/2

This book was read for the Jewish Literature Challenge and the Christmas Theme Challenge because I couldn't get a hold of the books I originally chose.

It is so nice to sleep in late today!
It is "Family Day" here in Ontario, and the first ever.
A newly instituted statutory holiday.
Thankfully, not all businesses are closed, but most are.
This means that my only real chore today, is to find a coffee-shop that is open. And then drink all their coffee....
Have a great day, y'all, Family Day or otherwise!
*********

This is very cute -- the International Edible Book Festival. It's held on or near April 1 every year; I was reminded of it because a library in a town down the road from me is participating. The idea is to make something edible inspired by a favourite book, or just the idea of books in general. Here are some samples:

It's William Shakespeare's accepted birth date today; so here's a sonnet from the master. I don't have the brain power to write a full post on Shakespeare today, but you can get more than your money's worth by going on over to the Sheila Variations to read her incredibly detailed examination of Shakespeare's first folio and of others' statements about good old Will.

Sonnet 29

The latest Bookworm Carnival, with the theme of "Women in Literature" is now up for your perusal over at the Armenian Odar Reads. There are many fascinating posts on women around the world - looks like a lot of good reading ahead! Thanks to Myrthe for hosting once again.

The latest list for February's "Canada Reads" week is now available. You can win a set of all five books plus bookbag in a weekly draw, if you so wish. The line-up consists of five books, none of which I've read, EXCEPT for Thomas Wharton's Icefields.

(h/t to Boing Boing)

I'm instituting a new policy for the next few days. I'm busy again so there's no time for the posts-that-never-end I usually write. Instead, it will be some random song I like combined with a link to something on the internets I think is funny (see above).

Can't Believe a Single Word - VHS or Beta

Well, friends!
That which I hath most greatly feared has happened, as I guess it must inevitably happen, now and then.
My computer, my wonderful Mac PowerBook has... committed suicide or something.
Happened just a few minutes ago while I was sitting at Starbucks happily clicking away.
Screen just went gray and then black and all hopes at re-starting are not working. I am only hearing plaintive beeps when I try.
So, I trod on over here to this Internet Cafe, where I currently sit, surrounded by gamers and their six-shooters and space ships and stuff. Lots of noise. Plus it does not smell good!
Through the banks of snow I hath trod, to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Whatever Else you may be celebrating over the Holiday season!

It's that time of year again, when all the "best of" lists begin to make their appearances. As usual, I'm going to wait until the year actually ends (or at least until Christmas) to post my list. Partly because I think it's a little silly to post a list when almost 10% of the year still remains, but mostly because I invariably discover tons of new, great stuff in December from reading everyone else's lists.

Janefan tagged me for this one a couple of weeks ago, and I've finally remembered to post it! The process:

Type your first name into Amazon and show the first or most interesting book cover that results. Since I'm Canadian, I tried Amazon.ca first and found one of my favourite children's books! Both this one and the first in the series, Scaredy Squirrel, are fantastic to read one on one, and feature Scaredy, a neurotic squirrel. They are absolutely hilarious; I love them.

The latest Bookworms Carnival is up at The Armenian Odar Reads. The theme is short stories, and she's collected a nice range of posts, including a couple of original stories submitted from blogging writers. Take a look, and enjoy the options! Thanks for hosting, Myrthe.

The First Time

What would you say to my
I love you?
For the first time.
We once wondered.

Tell me to take it back?
Rewind the tape? Or
Say it again? Louder?
As I recall, there was indeed
An echo, but never louder.
Not once did you hear it
Louder, than the first time.

***sticky post***

Cranberry Lake

An August sun baked our canoe
Where we had beached it, in the sand.
And, taking your small hand
Toward shade, I led you.

Or was it you, me,
Who followed, who led,
When gaily laughing, you said
This bunch here are portabellini?

This bunch of what? said I
Dumb as three brooms.
These here, see the mushrooms
‘Neath the tree where they lie?

How do you know this?
When I stopped you were shaken -
Thinking me angry, mistaken

human

i looked up.
they had made their webs
in the rafters,
these two silent architects.
so i knocked them into a foil pan
where they lightly clattered.
exoskeletons, spinning
and disoriented.
so i sprayed aerosol on them
in great amounts, until
swimming to the center of the pan
they found each other,
grappled,
and broke their own necks.
i heard it.
two faint snaps.
i did not look up