Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Leading Mom astray...

...or, what to do with your obsolete bookmarks!

This past spring, I attended a workshop presented by Jim Trelease, author of the Read-Aloud Handbook. It was my second time to hear Jim speak, and unfortunately my last... Jim is retiring this year. As a school librarian, one of my favorite jobs is reading aloud to the kids. Some, of course, are bored, but most of them get so close to me that I can't move if I need to! I digress... Jim told us of a fabulous new device called the Kindle, available at Amazon.com. Have you heard of it? It uses G3 cell phone technology (like the new iPhone) to download books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and probably more in less than a minute. It will hold up to 200 books, is about the size of a paperback, and about as thick as a pencil. Mom's apartment is lovely, but she doesn't have a lot of room for books, so she became very interested in the Kindle. Last week, while I was on the phone with my daughter, Mom looked up the Kindle on Amazon, and bought it! It arrived Monday, and I have to tell you folks, I'm putting it on my Christmas list! It's kind of pricey, but if I ask really nicely, maybe Dave and the girls will all kick in to buy one for me.

So, here's Mom's Kindle taking a nap in her knitting bowl and recharging.


Here's Kindle next to Mom's framed bookmark. I guess she won't have any more use for bookmarks!


Luckily, not everyone is interested in owning a Kindle, so I will be able to give them as gifts!

Yesterday, Mom's neighbor Dottie and her daughter Melanie asked us to be their guests at lunch. We went to Ed's Shed on the causeway by Mobile Bay. There was a beautiful breeze, and the humidity was low, so we ate on the porch facing the bay. We had a wonderful time! As a thank you, I tatted bookmarks for Dottie and Melanie. The one on the left is the insertion pattern I love so much. The one on the right is an adaptation of Lyn Morton's "Traditional Cross" from Tatting Patterns. The thread is Sherry Pence's "Berry Parfait", size 20.


This morning Mom and I are going to visit our favorite oriental shop in Daphne. Then we'll go to Papa's Place for lunch. This afternoon we'll attend Purl & Chain and work on afghan panels. Mom is just about finished with her third panel. I'm about half way through my second panel... I've been doing a lot of tatting! We need six panels all together. The next step will be to crochet a border around each panel in a contrasting color. Then the six panels can be sewn together.

I can't believe I'm getting in to the tail end of my visit... this time next week I'll be at school getting ready for the first week with munchkins! We have lunch dates for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday... I've never had such a busy social calendar!

Friday's the big day everyone... Tattycat, Mom, and I are meeting for lunch and an afternoon of tatting! I must remember to take my camera along! This is one of the best vacations I've ever had!

7 comments:

  1. Ooooooooooooo A Kindle!!! I've been drooling over it for the past few days...that price is what holds me back although I've read so much about it that I understand that the price is supposed to be actually reasonable because of the tech of the screen and the thrown in cost of the Wispernet. Still...I can't bing myself to bay $359 even though I want it REAL bad.
    I have read you can download Project Gutenberg books on it for free.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, no. Now you've done it! I had not heard of these. I shall be in real trouble now. It will never replace the real thing, but could run a close second.
    I am so glad you are having such fun. Can't wait to see you both!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm in love with Kindle. So far I have downloaded seven books. What fun! The price of the books is great.

    I no longer have to carry a heavy Bible to church. I love the way you can enlarge the print.

    Next step will be computer bibles. Hope I can find some.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is great to know that you are having such an awesome time on your holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've never heard of a Kindle, what a great idea. I am glad you are having such an awesome vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's funny you are talking about the Kindle. Recently, I have been looking at ebook readers. I like the one Sony makes. Of course, I can't bring myself to paying the $300+ for them. Very nice bookmarks. Glad you are having a great vacation.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What great gadget! I had wanted a ebook reader, and is so excited reading about the Kindle. Oh no, it works only in US!?! Sweet bookmarks, and great that you are having a good time!

    ReplyDelete

Just like you, I love getting feedback!