Books I Read In 2013

1. 8810 by Nicholas Taylor
2. All Roads Lead To Blue Lake by Mark Vale
3. Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations by Simon Rich
4. Anthem by Rand, Ayn
5. Atomic Lobster (Serge Storms Series #10) by Tim Dorsey
6. Beat the Gym: Personal Trainer Secrets--Without the Personal Trainer Price Tag by Tom Holland
7. Cataract: Some Notes After Having a Cataract Removed by John Berger and Selcuk Demirel
8. City of the Dead (Horrors of History) by T. Neill Anderson
9. Dearest Dorothy, Are We There Yet? by Charlene Ann Baumbich
10. Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules Of Writing by Elmore Leonard
11. F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers by Richard Benson
12. Fat, Fifty & F***ed! by Geoff McGeachin
13. Fifty Things to Do When You Turn Fifty: Fifty Experts on the Subject of Turning Fifty by Ronnie Sellers, Gerit Quealy, Debra Gordon and Brian O'Connell
14. Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ! by Miller, John G.
15. Forgotten Bookmarks: A Bookseller's Collection of Odd Things Lost Between the Pages by Michael Popek
16. Framed (Swindle) by Gordon Korman
17. Free-Range Chickens by Simon Rich
18. Freedom Is Blogging In your Underwear by Hugh MacLeod
19. Haiku Inspirations: Poems and Meditations on Nature and Beauty (Inspirations Series) by Tom Lowenstein and Victoria James
20. Half-Minute Horrors by Susan Rich and Various
21. Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life by Smith, Ian K., M.D.
22. Hate That Cat: A Novel by Sharon Creech
23. How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You by The Oatmeal and Matthew Inman
24. I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats
25. In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story by David McCullough
26. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
27. Looking For Przybylski by K.C. Frederick
28. Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind (The 99U Book Series... by Glei, Jocelyn K. and 99U
29. Mortality by Hitchens, Christopher
30. No Doorway Wide Enough: 2000-2010, My Parkinson's Disease Decade by Bill Schmalfeldt
31. Pray For Silence by Linda Castillo
32. QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life by Miller, John G
33. Showoff (Swindle) by Gordon Korman
34. Smokey the Talking Dog and other tales from the land of the loganberry by Jim Nolan
35. Socrates In 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern
36. Swindle by Gordon Korman
37. The 24th Letter by Tom Lowe
38. The Accidental Leader: What to Do When You're Suddenly in Charge by Robbins, Harvey and Finley, Michael
39. The Big Bamboo (Serge Storms) by Dorsey, Tim
40. The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
41. The Brief History of the Dead by Brockmeier, Kevin
42. The Color Master: Stories by Bender, Aimee
43. The Digital Photography Book, Part 2 by Kelby, Scott
44. The Entrancing Life by J.M. Barrie
45. The First Phone Call from Heaven: A Novel by Albom, Mitch
46. The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors: A Novel by Michele Young-Stone
47. The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1 by Jasper Fforde
48. The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories by Simon Rich
49. The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood
50. The Potty Mouth at the Table by Laurie Notaro
51. The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
52. The Solitude of Prime Numbers: A Novel by Paolo Giordano
53. This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life by David Foster Wallace
54. Unstuck: A Tool for Yourself, Your Team, and Your World by Keith Yamashita and Sandra Spataro
55. Wearing of This Garment Does Not Enable You to Fly: 101 Real Dumb Warning Labels
56. Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores by Jen Campbell
57. What in God's Name by Simon Rich
58. Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer
59. Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

 

That’s 59!

Whoo Hoo!

The Year of the Butterfly

I know that according to the Chinese calendar next year is the year of the horse but 2014 is going to be the year of the butterfly for me.

It’s no secret how I felt this time last year. (Hint: I wasn’t the happiest camper around or the easiest to be around.) I was angry, depressed and disappointed.

This year….not so much.

After last year I decided that even though we may never be rich, we could still be happy. I adopted a new attitude that events could only ruin may day if I let them. So I haven’t let them…as much.

But all this doesn’t explain why it’s my year of the butterfly.

Like most people who have lost a parent or loved one, the holidays can be really hard for me. I miss my parents a lot, especially Mom.

The holidays were her time. She was up early on Thanksgiving morning to get the turkey in the oven and make the dressing.

Mmmm, cornbread dressing. When I was home I would get up with her and help. Making the dressing was the highlight of my day because Mom and I would add ingredients then taste test it over and over until it was just right. I still have the recipe memorized.

Then Christmas would come along and the family would get together for dinner and to exchange gifts. Mom was right there in the middle of it making sure everyone, especially the kids, got their gifts.

When Mom passed away in 2006 the holidays lost some of its shine and this year around Thanksgiving I was starting to struggle again.

That’s when I began to notice them.

The butterflies.

They were everywhere.

Books with butterflies on the cover. 

A butterfly bookmark fell out of a book at work.

A co-worker brought in white lace butterflies as gifts.

Butterfly ornaments at the store.

Mom loved butterflies and butterfly things.

I have pictures from when Evelyn and I visited my parent’s grave and there was a butterfly sitting in Mom’s marker.

 

Mom never let things get her down. Tough times or hard times were learning opportunities.

So when things started getting stressful this year and the butterflies showed up, I knew Mom was there with me and everything was going to ok.

For me Christmas this year hasn’t  been about receiving gifts. I don’t care if I get anything or not.

This morning Evelyn, my mother-in-law, and myself went out for breakfast, I did a little last minute shopping, and then we spent Christmas Eve with my cousins. Tomorrow, it’s gift opening in the morning and then back to my cousin’s house for left-over Mexican food. That’s all I want.

As for this coming year, I’m keeping an eye out for the butterflies.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " A Holly Jolly Christmas" from "Best of Burl Ives: 20th Century Masters/The Christmas Collection" by "Burl Ives"

Library Reality Check

 

To all the Moms out there,

 

 

Just so you know……

 

 

Your teenage son is not borrowing Lowrider magazine…

 

 

to read the articles.

 

You’re welcome.

Do you have any kids?

 

I always answer “no” to this question.

It’s just easier.

Less explaining.

Less awkwardness for me and the person that asked the question.

The truth is our daughter would have been 30 years old today.

I never saw her smile or heard her cry but I remember holding her wrapped in a pink hospital blanket.

She had a full head of dark curly hair.

And although she weighed 12lbs and was 23 inches long, she was the cutest, tiniest baby I have ever seen.

Throughout the years I’ve seen her in the faces of other children. Female co-workers who are around her age have made me think of her and what she would have been or looked like when she grew up.

Although I don’t remember a lot of details, I have seen her in my dreams.

I look back to those dark days at the hospital with sadness, waiting for her birth even though we knew she was already gone. No 20 year old should  be making burial arrangements for their child.

But I also look back at that time as a turning point in my life. It created a bond between Evelyn and I that has not waivered since. It yanked me into adulthood and made me grow up. I’d like to think it made me a better person and husband.

I wish I could have been watching over her all these years but instead I know she has been watching over me.

She has been my guardian angel.

I miss her everyday but I know she is always with me, in my heart and my dreams.

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter and thank you for enriching my life.

City of the Dead (Horrors of History) by T. Neill Anderson

A LibraryThing Review

 

 

T. Neill Anderson uses a blend of fictional characters mixed with historical figures and events to weave a very gripping tale of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900.

He immediately jumps into a graphic description of the storm and its destructive power letting the reader sense the fear, desperation and horror that the characters are experiencing as they fight for their lives against nature’s worst.

Although classified as YA Fiction, it is written in a fashion that is still enjoyable to an older reader. 

Today’s Public Service Announcement

Honestly, you do not need to check out 100 books from the library for your 2 year old.

Check a couple of your favorites to read to them.

Less can be more.

Contact my Priest for your ATM CARD

Normally, this type of scam/spam email goes directly to my Junk folder and I delete it without ever looking at it but the subject line made me laugh.

This is a new one to me. Usually you are asked to contact an attorney, executer, or banker to “receive” your money. I have never seen one asking you to contact a priest, I guess this makes it legit since a priest wouldn’t scam you.

They usually want your banking information so they can transfer the funds to you but this is an ATM card. But…”this ATM CARD is real is not like the one you have see before OK just trust me okay”.

By the end of the email the guy is practically begging you to contact the priest.

I’ve pasted it below for your enjoyment. I’m sure you’ll find it as amusing as I did.

Just trust me okay.

 

 

Contact my Priest for your ATM CARD, or Call Line: +234 7080847673

From: kenneth howard (kkkh10@myfastbox.it)

Sent: Mon 6/03/13 9:48 PM

To:

Dear Friend,
Please accept my apology for not contacting you earlier before now due to my tight schedules. I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that money under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay; Presently I'm in London with the partners for some new projects with the money.
Contact my Priest in Lagos state, federal Republic of Nigeria, because I have left the instruction with him on your behalf and instructed him where to send the $5,000,000.00. without any further delay for your compensation.
Remember that the $5,000,000.00. Is in ATM CARD, not cash, so you need to send to him you’re full Information where the ATM CARD will be delivered. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much so feel free to get in touched with him.
As at the time I was leaving Nigeria he was the only one I could trust with that kind of money, he is a very simple and understanding person. His name is Rev.Fr.Emmanuel Manu of ,Email (revfatheremmanuelmanu2@gmail.com )
NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION YOU WILL SEND TO MY PRIEST:-
(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE WITH FAX IF ANY.
So feel free to get in touch with him and discuss with him how the amount will reach you. Please do let me know immediately you contact him to receive it, so that we can share the joy after all the suffering at that time, i want you to understand that this ATM CARD is real is not like the one you have see before OK just trust me okay .
As at the moment, I am very busy here because of the projects which I and the new partner have at hand. Finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to the priest on your behalf to receive that money, so you get in touch with him and he will send the amount to you without any delay.
Here is his email address again (revfatheremmanuelmanu2@gmail.com)
Call Line : +234 7080847673

MR.KENNETH HOWARD.

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Circles Around the Sun (Live)" from "Ain't No Trip to Cleveland: Vol. 1 (Live)" by "Dispatch"

A Cry In The Night

Ok, it’s around 3:30 in the morning and I’m sound asleep.

Then it happened….

 

TERRY!

 

It’s Evelyn!

I jump up and she is not in bed.

She sounded like she was downstairs.

Something must be wrong with her mother.

I grab some pants, run out of the bedroom, flip on the light in the sitting area and…

I wake up Evelyn who was sound asleep in a chair.

And she was pissed because my snoring had driven her out there and she had finally fallen asleep.

 

She never called me….

 

WTH?!

I heard her as clear as if I had been sitting right next to her.

This scared the crap out of me so I did an online search for this phenomena.

Most results mentioned some sort of spiritual cause.

Channeling of spirits. Spirit guides trying to contact you. Ghosts or poltergeists trying to wake you.

Black eyed children. (Search that one, it will freak you out.)

Aliens. Past relatives trying to contact you. Angels.

And last but not least, your subconscious emulates the voice  of a person who is alive that is trying to get your attention because you have been neglecting them or not paying them enough attention.

Great, know I’ve become Sybil. Maybe the voices are real.

 

So here is my question of the day:

Have you ever experienced anything like this and what is your explanation?

 

Image borrowed from http://www.inigo.com/xfiles/

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Sleeping Faster" from "Don't Be Afraid Of Love" by "Lo Fidelity Allstars"

Check out my other blog page…

I have another blog page call Terry's World: Book Stuff.

I originally started it to list and review books I have read.

But we all know I can't keep up  with one blog, much less two. So I have turned Book Stuff into a list of all the book I can ever remember reading in my lifetime.

The old blog posts are there if you want to check them out but all I'll be updating from here on out is the book list.

As of today, I’m up to 183 books. I know I have read more than that but I just can’t remember them right now. (You know I am 50 now right?)

Check it out at http://tgford2.blogspot.com/2013/03/all-books-ive-ever-read-in-my-lifetime.html#links or just click the tab at the top of this blog labeled "Book Stuff".

 

Please feel free to leave me a comment about any of the items on the list or leave me a link to your list.

 

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Flowers For Zoe" from "Mama Said" by "Lenny Kravitz"

Police: One-legged man steals homeless woman's car in Clarksville | The Tennessean | Tennessean.com

 

Police: One-legged man steals homeless woman's car in Clarksville | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

 

So many jokes, so little time.

 

 

 

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" from "Stronger (Deluxe Version)" by "Kelly Clarkson"

Resolution “Do Over”–1 Month Later

Well it’s time to see how I’m doing on my New Year Resolutions.

• Continue to treat Evelyn like the goddess she is.
  • I am always striving to give Evelyn the world. It is a task that will never end.

• Be grateful for what I have and stop fretting about what I don’t.
  • Still working on this one but I think I’m getting better.

• Obtain my CompTIA Network+ certification.
  • I still haven’t gotten back into this one.  

• Read 50 books.
  • Read 6 so far and I’m currently in the middle of 3 more.

• Change my current situation whether it be a new position at work or a new job somewhere else.
  • DONE! On Monday the 1st, I start at the East Library. Same position, same pay, but it’s a change I needed to make.

.

• Stop over-analyzing my choices and just make one, good or bad.
  • Still working on this one as well.

• Continue my journey toward conquering anger.
  • Still making progress. This will be a life-long journey.

• Take a road trip with one or both of my brothers. (I guess I’ll need to call them to plan this)
  • Been working on the budget for this one. It may turn out to be just a drive to Texas, visit the brothers a day or two and come back home.

• Reconnect with family and friends.
  • Tomorrow I’ll be turning Skype and Facebook chat back on. Time to force the introvert in me to become more sociable.

• More photography trips.
  • I haven’t taken a single photo this month but the year is young.  

• Lighten up.
  • I have made great strides in this area this month. Some things just aren’t worth the stress.  

Just a note about my job change.
It may appear that I’m making light of leaving the Penrose Library for the East Library but it was a really difficult decision. While I will be in a better environment and hopefully have more exposure to those who could help me progress into a more satisfying position, I will be leaving some really great friends behind.  I know we will keep in touch but I won’t see them  everyday and that is the tough part.
I’m not sure how to wrap this post up so I’ll just say, follow your heart and do what is best for you.
Sure there will be some hard decisions along the way and it could be scary but if you don’t look over the fence, you will never know if the grass is greener or not. 


While writing this I was listening to " You Are The One" from "Dead Oceans Winter 2013 Sampler" by "A Place To Bury Strangers"

Tarts With Food

There seems to be a book for every unique group.

Resolution “Do Over”

If you read my last 2 posts (Ode to 2012 and Moving on to 2013) you might have noticed a little bitterness towards how last year turned out.
It was a very difficult year financially and I was very disappointed that I could not purchase Christmas gifts for my family or an anniversary gift for my wife.
Therefore, I was a little angry when I wrote those posts.
The next day a good friend of mine chastised and challenged me to write about things I did do. Thanks Shannon.
So I have rehashed last year in my mind and there are some highlights.
I did celebrate my 30th wedding anniversary in December and even though I couldn’t afford a gift, Evelyn and I had a lovely night out for dinner, dessert, coffee, card games and a great heart-to-heart about the past year and how we plan to do things differently in 2013.
Our relationship is the center of my universe and everything out there spinning around us is nothing more than space junk. I am very thankful we are as solid as ever.
I also obtained my CompTIA A+ certification.
Both Evelyn and I are still employed.
In spite of last year’s illnesses, we are still in good health.
Although last year wasn’t a year of travel, we did spend a very enjoyable weekend trip to the Aquarium in Denver, and an evening in Black Hawk. Counting the free room, free drinks, free breakfast, and Evelyn’s winnings, we actually came out about $1100 ahead.
A year or so ago during a Las Vegas trip gone bad (I was a complete ass and couldn’t stop myself) I realized I had an underlying layer of anger that could pop up its ugly head at anytime and I could do little to control it. Nothing violent, just rude and obnoxious. So I have spent the last year on a journey seeking help, both professional and self-help via books, etc., and have made great strides in recognizing when the feeling of anger is coming and being able to control it. 
What?!?!  Why would you put a statement out there like that? Aren’t you worried about what people will think?
Of course, I worry about that but this blog has always been about baring my soul so I can leave things behind and learn from them.
Sooo, all this brings me to not only my resolution “do over” but also the Thanksgiving thanks I never shared.
First the Thanks:

• I am most thankful for Evelyn, my wife, who no matter how crazy I sound is always right there being supportive and willing to help me through anything.
• I’m thankful for my family who even though I’m horrible at picking up a phone and staying in touch are always there for me as well.
• I’m thankful for my friends who are always there waiting to support me and to give me that proverbial kick in the ass when I need it. 

Now for next year’s resolutions goals:

• Continue to treat Evelyn like the goddess she is.
• Be grateful for what I have and stop fretting about what I don’t.
• Obtain my CompTIA Network+ certification.
• Read 50 books.
• Change my current situation whether it be a new position at work or a new job somewhere else.
• Stop over-analyzing my choices and just make one, good or bad.
• Continue my journey toward conquering anger.
• Take a road trip with one or both of my brothers. (I guess I’ll need to call them to plan this)
• Reconnect with family and friends.
• More photography trips.
• Lighten up.

And of course,
BE POSITIVE – BE HEALTHY – BE ACTIVE

Happy New Year and thanks for being there for me.


While writing this I was listening to " Coupled Key" from "The Right To Remain Silent" by "Cydelix"

Moving on to 2013

 

Usually my first post of the year is to reflect on the past year’s shortcomings and my failure to meet any goals.

Then I would list a couple of goals that I will never meet.

But this year, 2012 is behind me and it can stay there.

I’ve moved on and 2013 is going to be so much better.

My one goal for 2013 is to take my life back from “fate” and live it my way.

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Love the Way You Miss Me" from "Casey James" by "Casey James"