I know I posted a Middle-earth episode of Bookshelf Traveling earlier this week already, but wanted to try to get back to doing this one on Fridays, thus you get another episode of Bookshelf Traveling in Insane Times, hosted by Judith at Readers in the Wilderness.

Having just finished reading an Oliver Jeffers book this morning, I decided to focus on some “shelves” in a nook in our living room, wherein resides a part of my children’s book collection. As usual, feel free to click on the images to see larger versions.

Continue reading Bookshelf Traveling in Insane Times: Episode 6 →

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Friday’s news of the passing of Sir Ian Holm saddened me. My first steps in Middle-earth were courtesy of the Peter Jackson film adaptations. I had not ventured forth with Bilbo or Frodo prior to seeing The Fellowship of the Ring in December 2001. It was an experience that has greatly enriched my life.

Today’s Bookshelf Traveling in Insane Times post is in honor of the passing of my Bilbo Baggins. I will never read The Lord of the Rings without seeing and hearing Sir Ian Holm. (Per usual, all pictures can be clicked on for a larger version)

I wasn’t able to get up a Bookshelf Traveling post, hosted by Judith, last Friday, so I’m bringing that post to you today. Most images can be clicked on to enlarge or to show a zoomed-in photo on the books in the picture.

Unlike much of America, I have spent the entire COVID-19 pandemic making my way into work every day in my office, rather than working from home (or, as some unfortunate people, not working at all). Much of my building is empty which reduces my risk and I’ve appreciated the small bit of normality this has given me over the past several months.

I have always subscribed to the “nesting” idea of a work space, that in order for it to be a productive space there needs to be a bit of you scattered around. For me that means books. What you will see here today is the current book occupants of my office. This changes at times depending on my mood.

Continue reading Bookshelf Traveling in Insane Times: Episode 4 →

I haven’t met many people in my life who are truly dog-indifferent. Sure, they may say they are, but get them in the room with a beloved, loving, “please pay attention to me” canine and they will either acquiesce to those puppy dog eyes, and despite your warnings begin feeding the dog treats surreptitiously under the table, or they will stiffen up, possibly mumble a nicety or two, and do their best to ignore the beast, hoping it will go away.

My parents are in the later category, though even they can be found showing a begrudging affection to the odd dog. But they do not belong in the house. Dogs, that is, not my parents. My parents are pretty much house-trained.

For two people who must be genetically predisposed to believe that no animal of any kind belongs in the home, their children are a complete failure. All three of their offspring have had multiple dogs in our homes over the years, big and small. And our children seem to lean towards taking after us, not their grandparents.

Dog Songs is a book of poetry for the dog lover. The person who knows, deep down, that the family dog is just that…family. That each dog has its own personality, its own quirks and oddities, its own stubbornness, just like we humans do. Dog Songs is for those who believe our dogs are human.

Continue reading Dog Songs by Mary Oliver →

For today’s participation in the meme created by Judith, I want to travel outside my state, and back in time, to one of my Best Days.

I do have a couple of notes on today’s post: the “insane” times that were part of the inspiration for this meme were the rapid and unexpected changes in our lives brought on by COVID-19, not the horrific and senseless deaths that have happened of late. “Insane” is not used to make light of the situation we remain in as human beings.

This post is about remembering something special and mourning its loss, a loss that is in no way, shape or form comparable to the loss of life. We can mourn the loss of a special place without using this as an opportunity to vilify any person or group and we can mourn the loss and have our own feelings about it while still supporting the black community and working together to change attitudes, education, and training so that the equal rights promised to Americans are truly a reality for ALL Americans.

This is all about books.

Continue reading Bookshelf Traveling in Insane Times: Episode 3 →