Because Laura Tagged Me

9 Questions Book Meme

1. One book that changed your life besides the Bible?

I’ll admit it – The Lord of the Rings. I love its mythic scale and the themes of heroism, loyalty, and suffering.

2. One book you have read more than once?

There have been so many, but the notable titles include The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder, The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien (6x, I think), and Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

3. One book you would want on a desert island?

Can I have three? The Worst-Case Scenario Little Book for Survival by David Borgenicht and Joshua Piven, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, and The Encyclopedia of Snakes by Chris Mattison

4. One book that made you cry?

The Bridge of San Luis Rey – I cried during the parts about Esteban.

5. One book that made you laugh?

Anything written by Patrick McManus: How I Got This Way; The Greasshopper Trap; The Bear in the Attic; Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing; Real Ponies Don't Go Oink!; The Good Samaritan Strikes Again; Never Sniff A Gift Fish; Rubber Legs and White Tail Hairs; The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw; They Shoot Canoes, Don’t They?; A Fine and Pleasant Misery.

6. One book you wish had been written?

The next great American novel – but I’ll be the one to write it. I've got the time.

7. One book you wish had never had been written?

The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss (I've had to read that story over, and over, and over.)

8. One book you are currently reading?

I never read just one. Right now I’m reading The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde, Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christy, Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI, HMS Surprise by Patrick O’Brian, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

9. One book you have been meaning to read?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and To Kill A Mockingbird

Arlington Cemetary

On the last day of their trip to DC, I took Mom, Zeb, and Vinnie to Arlington Cemetary.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The changing of the guard

Without even looking among the thousands buried in Arlington, we were able to find the grave of my cousin Bob's parents, Major General Lawrence Russel Dewey and the General's Lady, Florence.

Mom and Bros in DC

Some of the tribe in DC - Mom, Zeb, and Vinnie

Vincent at the Natural History Museum - gotta love it when the main attractions are bones and bugs!

At the Manassas Battlefield

The Confederate battlelines
The Stone House

We walked into the Stone House, which was held by Union soldiers at the beginning of the Battle of First Manassas (later by the Confederates). As we came into the main room, the park ranger began describing to us how they amputated soldiers' limbs on the table in the center of the room, throwing the severed arms and legs out the window. On the floor, you can still make out the blood stains.


A cannonball in the wall of the stone house.



Upstairs in the Stone House, wounded Union soldiers carved their names in the floorboards. The soldier on the left survived the war, whereas the soldier in the above photo died of his wounds a few days after the battle.

Swiss Drivers

Goats - an excuse that did this Swiss driver in Canada no good. I must admit it was a creative attempt, but a truly great excuse would get you off the hook entirely!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060906/od_nm/goats_dc

Shudders and Chills

Few things have disturbed me more than seeing my brother Alex dressed in my Renaissance gown. I think his fiancee needs to sit down with him and have a little talk.