Trouser Trout – 1 June 2005
I must admit when I ran across a book with the title, “A Girl’s Guide to Trouser Trout: Reflections on Dating and Fly-Fishing”. I couldn’t resist it buying it, for the price asked at the local thrift store.
What is it about?
That is what I will learn, soon.
It is another rainy day, I have been ready reading lots the past few days; and not doing much else. I hope to be back in full swing, and cutting hedges very soon. I hate being cooped up. But with the wet weather, even if I were feeling 100% (as I can sometimes) — I would still probably be reading.
Anyway. I have not posted much in my blog recently. Guess I have been chasing too many projects, that kept me ‘out of focus’ on keeping this updated.
BOOKS
My reading list for the past month:
“The King’s Swift Rider” (A Novel on Robert the Bruce) – By: Mollie Hunter
Good read. Since I have been reading another book documenting Robert the Bruce, the facts about the battlesbatttles, and his struggle to keep Scotland a free nation — I admire the author’s adaptation of the historical, and giving the central character a believeable role in the events that happen over a 7-year period, while Robert the Bruce fought King Edward I, then King Edward II of England.
[I just may have to keep this book in my library! -- CAA]
“Indiana Jones and the Dance of the Giants” — By: Rob MacGregor
Light action, and mystery. Does give interesting, detailed settings to the action involved. But I found the the story could have been much more ‘rich’ if the author had putting a bit more effort into the plot.
“Yankee Doodle Dead” — By: Carolyn Hart
Set on a Florida coastal island, a setting somewhat exotic, yet the region and it’s natural elements seem familiar. From the “no-see-um’s” to the small town politics, and the friction between local resisdents, and the retired military who seem to drift into the area, I can relate to the caharacters. As for the “who done it” — I would have never guessed the culprit. So as not to spoil your read, I won’t give details; but I highly recommend this book to someone who likes a good mystery.
“The Wolf and The Crown” — By: A. A. Attanasio
This books gets a bit cerebral. Giving a feshness to an ancient legend, while giving a totally new perspective to what is actually “real” vs. the grain of truth in myths.
Naturally, the plot surrounds Merlin, Arthur, and the major players in this age-old myth. The imagery is beautiful, even when the “hell” of the mystical world is described, the vivid descriptions rivet the reader, and draw them on to the next page.
The is the third in a series. I read the first one, “The Dragon and the Unicorn” but do not have the second in the series yet. I will keep this book.
“Indiana and the Philosopher’s Stone” — By: Max McCoy
Light reading, but with enough grit and action to keep me reading, I finished this book in two sittings. I want to find out what happened the next page. The draw from ne chapter to another, had the right mix of suspence, and alusions to legend to keep me glued to the page.
I had to take a break, on occasion, just to let my joints ‘thaw’ — I was so into the book, my body protested. The actio follows Indy, from the jungles, to the desert, and ultimately facing germans, who want to capture the Philosopher’s Stone. Which legend says is an ‘ultimate’ source of energy and power — giving the possessor immortality.
The journey IS the story for this one. Human nature, greed, betrayal, and not be forgotten — love — are all brought into play in this tale. If you like the Indy movies, this has most of them beat.
“Red Unicorn” — By: Tanith Lee
A bit of a cerebral tale, but not without some very thought-provoking insights to wha the mind can accomplish, when given the proper motivation. Tanaquil, the ‘mending sorceress’ travels to a world, where she is drawn into a struggle of the princess, who is a double to Tanquil, and her desire to be with the man she loves. The problem? The man is engaged to the princess’s half-sister; who is the ruler of that realm.
Tanaquil has been in alternate realms/world before; but never in one where she has the magical abilities her mother possesses. In this world she has these, and well as her mending knack.
The book is not real hard reading, I would guess it was written with a younger audience in mind. I found it a delightful deversion from the more intense books I had read prior to it.
“Star Wars: Before the Storm” — By: Micheal P. Kube-McDowell
This fills in the gaps, of the Black Fleet Crisis, which I had read the third portion/book of — it lays the ground work for the Republic to find and combat the “Black Fleet”.
Leia, has a more personal problem, the off-world leader who is planning to release this fleet, may not be human; but he learns quickly how to manipulate political situations to his advantage. By mid-way through this book, Leia is doubting her leadership ability.
Luke, finds himself on a quest. Han tries to keep everything from falling apaart, and Lando with a hand-picked mech-crew is trying to unravel a mysterious ship that been encountered in the republic’s space.
I think this is a keeper.
Family
We are keeping things together, as best we can.
Genealogy
Mom has been helping me sort out a few details on the family tree notes. She has also gotten deeply into searching for any old family photos from the Spruiell, Clinkscales, and Justice families. At last count, she and a cousin from Texas, have been able to gather photos of 7 of the 13 Clinkscales children. These are William Berry Clinkscales, and Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Cox Clinkscales’ children.
These in the photo collection include:
Macauley Elizabeth Clinkscales
Nancy Carolina Clinkscales
Mary Catherine Clinkscales
Rebecca Matilda Clinkscales
Margaret Eungenia Clinkscales
Louis Milton Clinkscales
and
Thomas Marshall Clinkscales.
Soon, I need to get a page of the these siblings online. For now I have been adding the images to my family tree/multi-media files and waiting for more to be added.
The siblings not in pictures yet:
Jesse Clinkscales
John William Clinkscales
Elizabeth Jane Clinkscales
Asa Farnklin “Frank” Clinkscales
Exie Clinkscales
and
Daniel Clinkscales
Two of the boys died in the Civil War. So we are thinking find photos of them wil be almost impossible. But there may be some to found, yet.
Life in General
Almost summertime, the rain we missed during May, seems to have all arrived with the beginning of June.
The is a couple of birthdays coming up. Byron’s is within the week; Aunt Alma’s 100th birthday is very near; Dave and I have an invite to her birthday celebration near Pell City. I need to verify when the feastivities are, and mark it on my calendar.
Dave is wanting to attend a seminar in Tennessee, that focuses on using bamboo for building material. Unless there a change of plans, that will be sometime later this month.
There are family members in NC, who are not doing well. There may be a necessary trip, to pay respects, soon. I don’t want to dwell on this for the moment. Life is a lot of things, not all of them happy or easy; but part of living, just the same.
So, with these two trips on the horizon; it will be a ‘given’ that the van will need a new set of tires. That could be a (mis-) adeventure in itself. Waiting in the lounge of a tire shop isn’t the best way to spend time. But it has to be done, if safe driving is expected.
In closing:
I hope you have found my ramble entertaining. I will write again. When?
That I never know for certain. I have been doing ‘creative’ things lately, but writing doesn’t seem to be among them. Of course, that is, until now. I could find myself being very ‘talkative’ (type-a-tive)…or not.
Either way I will write soon.
– CATHY
