The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Woa

This book by Junot Diaz looks deep into the life and family history of Oscar Woa. Oscar is a nerdy Dominican-American, living in New Jersey. He is obsessed with sci-fi and fantasies of women. The book weaves in and out of present day and the past. The book is a multi-perspective of his family history. A history filled with torture, tragic accidents and most of all ill-starred loved. Stories include his grandfather living under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, his old world mother’s life growing up in the Dominican, and his rebelous sister’s life in America. The book claims his family is cursed by the “foku” (the curse and doom of the new world) since the early days of colonization and slavery. Or is it just another family’s tragic history. Either way, this is achingly heartfelt story. A must read.

The book is rampant with footnotes, science fiction references, and street Spanglish. It’s full of energy, humor, and insight the Dominican-American experience (probably closely related to all of Latin culture). You will not be able to put this book down!

Rating: Five of Five Stars
On the needles: Nothing. too invloved in the story

'It is impractical for people to carry around emergency knitting at all times'

The Yarn Harlot is way too funny. In an event sponsored by Nana’s Knitting Shop, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee gave a talk and book signing at the Oaklawn Hilton. In listening to the antidotes of the Harlot, a hundred or so of us knitters joined in on throw your hands up in the air, belly laughs.

Although I don’t necessary agree with Stephanie’s stereotypes of knitters. I never felt stupid (because I am a knitter, that is), or have people look at me like I have too much time on my hands. Nor has my partner ever complained about my stash or yarn purchases. Nor has anyone told me to go to Wal-Mart to buy socks instead of knitting them. So I was not able to relate to those stories, funny as they were.


I did find her conversation for about theta brainwaves and the knitter very interesting. The Harlot confirmed the many benefits of knitting as found in some Cambridge University medical study.

• It has a calming effect – helps relieve stress!
  
• It is a social activity to share with friends and family, and to make new acquaintances


• Knitting is a creative outlet


• Knitting increases tranquility in your live


• A knitter’s heart rate can drop 11 beats a minute while knitting


• A knitter’s blood pressure drops as well while knitting


• Knitting helps prevent dementia


• Knitting helps increase math and reading skills, as well as levels of concentration, control, follow-through, and sense of mastery


• The more you knit, the more you improve hand/eye coordination and small motor skills

Despite the positive findings in the study, the study concluded, 'It is impractical for people to carry around emergency knitting at all times.' What a shame. All those health benefits and there is no way we can take advantage of it. DOH !!!

Rating: Four of Five Stars
On the needles: Soo Cute Baby Hat

There HAS to be Inspiration!

I had the pleasure of meeting Louisa Harding on Saturday. She was on a tour of the Midwest showing off her new line of yarns and upcoming book. My Sister's Knits in Beverly was her last stop before returning home to the U.K.

The workshop was jam packed with Louisa Fans.

We all had the chance to knit with Louisa's yarn - Sari Ribbon, Impressions, Mulberry and more. All very yummy.

I learned a lot about Louisa's background and her success story. But most importantly I learned from her that "There has to be inspiration." She was taught this in design school, and continues to put forth this philosophy into all her work. Louisa gets her inspiration from her family, her garden, places and things. Her book Venezia: Felice Mai Dopo (Happy Ever After) was inspired by a trip to Venice. Gathering Roses - The Design Collection was inspired by her 4 year old daughter, and Louisa's childhood memory of gathering flower petals from her mother's garden.

Louisa and her husband work closely together on her books. He helps out with his desktop publishing skills and some - not all - photography. All of her photos in her books are taken in their backyard and an old mill near their home. Louisa is personally responsible for the watercolor drawings in her series of Miss Bea's patterns.

Louisa is now associated with Knitting Fever. Her line of yarn and books can be found on their website.

Rating: Five of Five Stars

On the needles: Louisa Bag

A Good and Happy Child: A Psychological Thriller

Wow - I can't believe this is Justin Evan's debut novel. This is a very well crafted story, told entirely in the first person.

The story opens in present day. George Davies, 30 something professional living in NYC, is in a therapy session talking about his wife and first child, a child he is unable to hold, hug, kiss, get near.

The therapist learns that George’s father died when he was eleven. The therapist asks him to write about his father’s death. George writes several notebooks of his memories of the events that follow his father death. It is these stories that are the bulk of the novel.

In reading the notebooks, I wasn’t sure if George had an overactive imagination, or was he involved in something more supernatural – a demonic possession. The people he describes seem creditable and real. His stories present two convincing views of his father’s death. One psychological and one spiritual. So which one is it? What really happened? It not always clear what is going on.

“A Good and Happy Child” will keep you guessing until the very last page. And beyond...

Rating: Five out of Five Stars

On the needles: Soo Cute Baby hats

"Beware the terrible simplifiers"

Did the media display sexism towards Hillary?
To tell you the truth, I don't really know. I do not rely on cable news/MSM for a source of information for many reasons. (perhaps that could be another posting - a four or five parter) For one, they are not a reliable source of information, they do not represent investigative reporting or journalism. Cable news provides commentary. I can make up my own mind without their two cents.

Did Hillary lose the race because of sexism?
I admit I don't really know how the main stream media treated Hillary. But I can tell you she didn't lose because of it. I am sure there are many factors involved, nothing is that simple. Regardless Camp Hillary is now blaming sexism. Interesting....

Irony
Hillary said time and time again she has the all important Blue Collar vote.

For as much as I hate GENERALIZATIONS, I will play Hillary's blue collar "card" to make a point. If what she says is true, aren't these blue collar workers more likely to be sexist, then, lets say the "affluent"?

And so will I....

"I will vote for the individual I think that brings the best set of tools to the problems of 21st-century America and the 21st-century world regardless of party, regardless of anything else other than the most qualified candidate." - Colin Powell, the former Republican secretary of state

I'm sooo confuused

Can someone help me understand how not voting for Obama, and voting for McCain instead is going to make statement about gender issues in politics and otherwise?

It is sad and misfortunate that some female voters are equating the way the media treated Hillary with Barack Obama.

It is sad and misfortunate that some female voters are blaming sexism on Barack Obama.

Feminism is the right to chose, a freedom of choice and individual thinking. It is an expression of self-ownership. Its not about sour grapes.

Its sad and misfortunte that some female voters are going to vote for McCain, because they are mad at Barack for beating Hillary. Isn't this type of vindictive behavior a sexist stereotype?

Thanks a lot ladies - great job living up to your reputation.