Curious George Goes Camping

 Curious George Goes Camping by Margaret and H.A. Rey's
1999
Weight: 7 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

I was packing up some home supplies and deciding what to donate, what to trash, what to recycle, and what to keep.  I have not been able to bring myself to throw out my camping supplies, despite not having gone camping in the last 8 years.  I am determined that Harriet will try it at least once.  We have used some of the items when the power has gone out or when we have, for some odd reason or another, had an unusual sleeping arrangement.  Like, when our senior dog had an accident in bed.  Poor girl could not help it, but we had to seek refuge.  

H is bound and determined that camping is not for her, and I am afraid she is 100% right, but it is worth a shot!  Right?  

This is a children's book about a curious little monkey that wanders away from camp.  "There is a lesson about forest fires--'Fires can be nice, if you're careful,' said the ranger.  George agreed.  Especially for roasting marshmallows."

A Dream of Ice

 A Dream of Ice: Book Two of the Earthend Saga by Gillian Anderson and Jeff Rovin
2016
Weight: 10 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

I was so excited for another book co-authored by Gillian Anderson, of course.  Without the X-files and Sex Education, I have to find something to fulfill my desires.  I have watched The Crown.  I finished The Fall years ago.  Playing By Heart, The Mighty Celt, The Last King of Scotland, Bleak House, Hannibal, Great Expectations.  She may be prolific, but I consume it all too fast.  There just is never enough Gillian Anderson in the world, I guess.

The Stopping Place: A Journey Through Gypsy Britain

 The Stopping Place: A Journey Through Gypsy Britain by Damian Le Bas
2018
Weight: 1.02 lbs
Method of Disposal: Giving Away

I bought this book on my last trip to England, along with too many others.  I am just trying to collect all the information I can about all the things I do not know and, of course, read anything that brings me closer to Harriet.  Not that her upbringing has much to do with Gypsy Britain.  It has very little, though people identifying themselves as Romani did stay on her grandparent's land periodically, there were horse sales, and sometimes caravans of people passing through in the North.

I have occasionally heard about gypsies.  In Russia, in England, in Ireland, in Victor Hugo.  It is not uncommon to hear a sneer along with the word.  When pressed, people will tell me about theft and people who leave trash in their wake, but these same people seem to know very little about where the people they label "gypsies" come from, what motivates them, what they find important, how they identify.  Now, clearly not all gypsies are the same or come from the same bloodlines or even countries, so why all the generalizations.  Like all other groups of people, there is so much more than the stereotypes  you were raised with.  Look around you, take a peek into history.  All I know for sure is that, if anyone claims to be able to sum up a group of people in a few sentences, you should not trust them.

I have so many questions.  This book is just a scratch on the surface, but it is a start. More to come!  I will leave this book in a lending library because you never know who might pick it up without a care or a thought and then learn something new.

The Russian Icon

 The Russian Icon by Irina Solovyova, Vera Laurina, Irina Rodnikova
2007
Weight: 1 lbs
Method of Disposal: Donating

I used to dream of visiting Russia.  I feel like I have let that dream go.  It is a little sad and a little okay.  I am still in awe of the strength, writing, and art that has come out of that country, but I am also horrified by the human rights violations, death, and lies.  All countries have their crimes, but Russia seems to have more than their fair share.  And yet, so many courageous people persevere.  

How To Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)

 How To Talk to a Liberal (If You Must): The World According to Ann Coulter
2004
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Method of Disposal: Recycling

Every now and then I feel like I should read something abhorrent just to see what people who are nothing like me are reading and taking in.  I do not know why I would have chosen Ann Coulter of all authors, but the Laura of 2004 had her reasons, I am sure. 

Let's see if I can highlight some of the golden tidbits so that you can spare yourself.

"Want to make liberals angry? Defend the United States."

"My position hasn't changed since the column I wrote the night of 09/11.  For reasons I cannot understand, I am often asked if I still think we should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them to Christianity.  The answer is: Now more than ever!"

"The invasion of Iraq has gone fabulously well, exceeding everyone's expectations--certainly exceeding the doomsday scenarios of liberals."

The title of chapter 3 is "A Muslim by Any Other Name Blows Up Just the Same."

"I tuned in late and consequently can speak only to the last three hours of Halle Berry's acceptance speech at the Academy Awards last Sunday. But inasmuch as she engaged in wild race-baiting to get her Oscar, Berry's expressions of shock were not very believable.  She has spent weeks complaining about one time she did not get a role because of her color.  It was the part of a forest ranger.  Arnold Scwarzenegger probably has trouble getting roles as a ballet dancer, too.  And yet, still, somehow white guilt worked on Hollywood liberals!  Berry had successfully mau-maued her way to a Best Actress award--and then acted surprised.

It's interesting that Berry makes such a big deal about being black.  She was raised by her white mother who was beaten by her black father.  But clearly, Berry has calculated that it is more advantageous for her acting career to identify with the man that abandoned her rather than the woman who raised her."  

In case, at this point, you are wondering.  Ann Coulter is a racist and also a shitty human being.  I could keep going, but I am not sure it is worth the extra pain and toxicity it would add to the interwebs.

Tomorrow is Inauguration Day.  Let's just hope no one dies.  There are some seriously angry, unhinged, and brainwashed people out there right now.  Ann Coulter would not think it possible, but I hope we are able to preserve the beautiful things about the United States, protect our democracy, and make the world a safer/kinder place.