Harry Potter Mania: A Night at the Bookstore

I will admit that I really like the Harry Potter books. I reserved my copy of book 7 as soon as the release date was announced. I don't, however, consider myself to be a fanatic about the whole thing. Last night, I met fanatics. True, costumed, trivia spouting fanatics who know way more about the books than I will ever remember.


Most people would imagine that children, the intended audience, would get the greatest satisfaction from the stories. Last night, the adults outnumbered the kids, with teens coming in a close second. The local bookstore labeled the even a "ball" so out came the prom dresses, and other strange fashions.

I imagine that many of those present last evening went straight home and started reading. I decided sleep was more important. Plus, I like to savor my reading. I think that's something that I've learned as I've matured. I've got about 300 pages left to go. I'll finish tomorrow.

Granny's House

Yesterday I took a trip down memory lane. I was invited by the current owners to see my great-grandmother's house. It had been twenty-eight years since my grandparents sold it, following Granny's death, but stepping back into it brought back memories.

I had forgotten about the little built in bookshelf in the front room. This was where Granny's chair sat, and she spent hours doing needlework. I wonder how many pairs of slippers she crocheted over the years. The walls are a white now. Then, Granny preferred green. I remembered the fireplace, the curve out counter in the kitchen, the little step up into the bedroom closet that leads to the attic, The pink bathtub and sink with the little metal towel bar, and that under the stairs in the garage was where she stored the food she canned every summer. But there were many things I'd forgotten. Things like, the built in closets in the bedrooms, the front portch color that shows through the chips in the current paint color, and the stairs to the garage. These are that were the same as my grandmother's house (Granny's daughter), which makes perfect sense since both houses were built by the same carpenters during the same time period.

The current owners rent out the house to young couples, and sometimes families. It's a good place to start a life. I think Granny would be pleased.

Extreme Makeover:Home Edition

It's been a very hectic week. I spent my days helping with the facilitation and coordination of volunteers in this area for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (yes, I mean the tv show). We had so many people who wanted to help and a limited number of positions. People can get very cranky when they don't get what they want. It's exhausting, and it pushes my buttons because this entire project was NOT ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS! It's about a family whose home adversely impacted the health of their children. Sorry. Had to state that.

I finally got out the site on Friday evening. The old house was demoed on Monday, and by the time I got there the completed house had already been turned over to the production company for decor and furniture. Let me tell you it's beautiful. And since boxes needed to be moved in, I got to go inside. Otherwise I hauled ice, restocked coolers, and generally did what needed doing. I'm glad I did it.

The Beginning of the Blog

So, I've spent the last hour browsing through Lisa's blog, and those of her sisters Meta, Anna, Sara & Becca. Thanks for the inspiration ladies! I'm not sure quite what to do with this; I'm guessing it will evolve as I continue to do so. And since the title of this venture is "Trips and Ramblings". I guess I should talk about a trip.

I spent the weekend in Bend with my natural and honorific family. We celebrated the wedding of Doug & Heather. It was a really beautiful day, both in sentiment and atmospheric quality. We ate, and drank and were merry --including the bride and groom, who married-- sorry, couldn't resist the play on words. Anyway, the auspicious date was 7-7-07, and as a friend of the bride stated so eloquently, "They've hit the jackpot!"

The day after the wedding I spent a little time at Lava Lands. For those not in the know, it's a monument south of Bend on Hwy 97 that is dedicated to the volcanic experience of Central Oregon. It's oddly beautiful, and still very strange. Lava has so many types depending on cooling conditions (weather, speed, climate), making it very individualistic. Some time I'll have to go down in the Lava Cave, but I wasn't dressed for 42 degrees F.