Friday, February 29, 2008

February 2008 Books

1. The Road by Cormac McCarthy. By the same author who wrote No Country for Old Men (the Oscar nominated movie). He wrote in an interesting style. I found it distracting at first but adjusted by the end. Very vivid prose describing a bleak and ruined world. Not what you would call an uplifting book. The book conveyed enough facts to give a sense of the anarchy and loneliness without explicitly revealing the cause. The fact McCarthy allows the reader to imagine how the world became devastated is why I liked this book.

2. Hornet Flight by Ken Follett. A very light read from an author that specializes in WWII historical fiction. An enjoyable read because the books are based on enough facts that you learn something. Who knew the Danish resistance provided valuable information to the Allies proving that the Nazis had superior radar? Enjoyable, fast read that is perfect for the beach or campground. In my case, I read over 2 days while sick with the flu. Why I had the flu even though I received a flu vaccine is fodder for another post.

3. Absolute Friends by John LeCarre. Very rarely do I fail to finish reading a book. I gave up on this one after about 200 pages (entire book was slightly over 400) of character development and providing context for the main plot. I think there was a main plot (the cover insert said there was) but I wasn’t even close to getting to it. A quick flip through the pages indicated the “action” started around page 300. If the point of the book can be handled in 100 pages, why have a 400 page book? This shows you must be wary of famous authors approaching the end of their career. In this case, his reputation alone will get his books published, no matter how bad, because his name recognition will guarantee a best-seller. Note that I have read and enjoyed other LeCarre books like The Constant Gardener.

4. Split Infinity by Piers Anthony. No, he has not written a new book. I read this book again after finding it, along with many others of his books, in a box. I thought it would be fun to re-read a book by my favorite author from childhood. What did I think? The story was innovative and unique. The description of the “Game” and how it is played is fascinating. The writing was simple and direct. Add all the sexual encounters and you have the perfect science fiction book for a teenage boy.

5. Baby Bargains, 6th Edition by Denise and Alan Fields. More of a reference book providing information on the best values for any baby item you might purchase. Definitely not a book you read cover-to-cover. Many, many good tips on manufacturers and stores. Essential reading if only for understanding what to look for in a crib and mattress. Also, this book was one source of my “necessities” focus that got me in trouble when registering.

6. The Everything Father-To-Be Book: A Survival Guide For Men by Kevin Nelson. First, look at the title of the book....the only way a man would buy this book is if the work “survival” is in the title. As if having a baby is equivalent to being stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with only a pocket knife for protection against the grizzlies. This book was written with all the best intentions of educating new fathers, but WOW….this book was written for idiots. The authors assumed the expecting Dads did not know anything about pregnancy and babies. The first couple chapters focused on “birds and the bees” material that I learned in Sex-Ed in junior high. Later chapters encouraged the father that it was time to “grow-up.” To me, a new Dad would be in trouble if a book had to tell him that he couldn’t go play poker every Saturday night anymore or watch sports all weekend. As an older Dad, maybe I’m just more mature. But even if we had kids when we were in our 20’s, partying with my friends would not be high on my priority list. The final few chapters provided more useful information. I especially liked the checklists. Example: list of items to have in the “birth suitcase” when it is time.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Darn Amy and her On-Line Questionnaires ;-)

Tired of those same old 55 questions about me surveys?
Well here are 55 I guarantee you've never answered. (Or so they say!)
1. Are you taller than your best friend?
Actually, I am about the same height as my college best friend. I am taller than most ladies, but have a few friends now that I do not feel like Amazon woman around.
2. Do you have a favorite type of pen?
I like felt-tip pens the best.
3. Look at your planner for March 7th, what are you doing?
We are having another detailed anatomical ultrasound done of the twins!!!
4. What color are your toe nails usually?
Unpainted because I am lousy at doing my own nails and cannot justify going to a spa being a single-income family with twins on the way. My sis sent me a gift certificate for Bella Trio Spa for Valentine’s Day, though, so I think that I am going to indulge before our baby shower so that I feel somewhat pretty even though I have a huge pot belly at the moment!!!
5. What was the last thing you highlighted?
Probably some financial paperwork. We have been tracking all of our expenses and investments in MS Money so that we can budget more efficiently and effectively.
6. What color are the curtains in your bedroom?
White blinds and white curtains.
7. What color are the seats in your vehicle?
Tan.
8. Have you ever had a black and white cat?
Tweedle is all black except for a spot of white on his belly…almost looks like pubic hair!!!
9. What is the last thing you put a stamp on?
A bill…UGH!!!
10. Do you know anyone who lives in Wyoming?
No.
11. Why did you withdraw cash from the ATM the last time?
Actually, oddly enough, I never get cash out…Jon does. He withdrew $20 to lend to our across-the-street neighbor, Shirley, who is elderly and on a fixed income. The woman for whom she babysits put off paying her AGAIN. It makes me so mad that someone would take advantage of such a nice and honest woman. Shirley feels that she can’t force the situation because she does need the extra cash to supplement SS, but I almost want to wring the woman’s neck every time I see her. OK, I had better stop or else the Karma gods will punish me.
12. Who is the last baby that you held?
I honestly do not remember. Even though I have played with Kendal, my nephew, recently, I don’t think that I HELD him. Of course, I am CARRYING Jacqueline and Sophie 24-7. Does that count?
13. Can you spell well?
Yes, and I am actually pretty anal about spelling and grammar.
14. Do you like Cinnamon toothpaste?
Toothpaste is one of the few things, like catsup, that I have NEVER strayed from a favorite brand. I am a Crest Gel girl. So, I don’t think that I have ever even tried cinnamon toothpaste.
15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago?
Either the Volvo station wagon or a Ford passenger van, depending on what I was doing.
16. Pick one: Miami Hurricanes or Florida Gators:
You’ve got to be kidding…
17. Last time you went to Six Flags?
Oh, sometime when I was a kid, I remember my parents taking us to Dallas for shopping and Six Flags over Texas.
18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house?
Yes, in one room (dining room), and it will be staying at one room too…Jon knows why!!!
19. Closest thing to you that is yellow?
The stars and moons on my new PJs that I will blog about later.
20. Last person you gave a business card to?
Oh, I have no earthly idea…that seems like a lifetime ago.
21. Who is the last person you wrote a check to?
EPM Lawn Care, not that it seems to matter…the lawn will continue to look like crap until we get out of this drought.
22. Closest framed picture to you?
Jon’s and my engagement photo – 1992.
23. Last time you had someone cook for you?
Jon made veggie quesadillas on Tuesday night. I had three…my eating capacity continues to shock and amaze Jon. He teases me in front of all of our friends.
25. How many emails do you get in your inbox daily (excluding spam)?
Gosh, depending on the day and what is going on, about 30 to 50.
26. Last time you received flowers?
In October from Jon. This is going to sound weird, but one of the techniques that I learned in my fertility mind-body class was visualization. It was suggested to me by my clinical psychologist to visualize my uterus as a flower waiting to accept the transferred embryos. Jon got me some irises to help me with my visualization practice. Sounds kinda hokey, but I was very relaxed this procedure and beyond and it worked so I am not going to knock it!!! Of course, once I was confirmed to be pregnant, I started to panic and worry…maybe I need to practice some visualization again.
28. Do you play air guitar?
No. But, I will suggest the documentary “Air Guitar Nation” to anyone in need of a good laugh. I saw it at two Full Frames ago. Try Netflix-ing it.
29. Has anyone ever proposed to you?
Yes!!! Just the most wonderful man in the whole entire world. That was a little over 15 years ago. Phew!!!
30. Do you take anything in your coffee?
Coffee?!?! What is that?!?! It has been so long I cannot remember!!!
31. Do you own any Willow Tree figurines?
???
32. What is/was your high school's mascot?
Zebra…don’t ask.
33. Last person you spoke to from high school?
Al Chandler, who we used to call Big Al. He is our Form Agent, and he called me to get me to donate to the Annual Fund.
34. Last time you used hand sanitizer?
Almost three weeks ago at the doctor’s office. We were there for a detailed anatomical ultrasound of the twins. Jon had the flu. I touched something he touched…I was a little paranoid, but I am very happy to have dodged that particular bullet.
35. Would you like to learn to play the drums?
Actually, I thought that it would be really fun when I was a teenager.
36. What color are the blinds in your living room?
Wood.
38. Last thing you read in the newspaper?
An article about how New Hanover County settled with the family of a young man whom was shot through a door during a raid by a sheriff’s deputy.
39. What was the last pageant you attended?Duke Park Neighborhood Association’s Beaver Dam Pageant…again, don’t ask!!!
40. Where is the last place you bought pizza from?
Costco.
41. Have you ever worn a crown?
Nope.
42. What is the last thing you stapled?
Probably some sort of financial paperwork from the quickly dwindling stack of papers that Jon and I had to organize out of the nursery room.
43. Did you ever drink clear Pepsi?Nope.
44. Are you ticklish?
Yes.
45. Last time you saw fireworks?
We see them (and hear them) every Friday and Saturday home game of the Durham Bulls.
46.Last time you ate Krispy Kreme donuts?
It had to be when I was still working at the Archdale Building. I have to admit, though, that I had a horrible craving for Entemann’s doughnuts last week. The Food Nazi said no.
47. Last person that im'd you, and you actually responded?
I have actually never IM’d, and can count the number of times I have texted on one hand. Personally, at $0.10 a text, I think that it is a waste of money. I mean, you already pay for phone service, why not just call the person and talk to them in real life? Plus, I find it really annoying that people do it in polite conversation, during meetings, etc. Call me old-fashioned, but I think that IMing and texting (almost like e-mail and blogs, though clearly I partake) are just another excuse for people to avoid face-to-face interaction with each other. Nothing can beat that, and I think that it is sad that we, as a society, use time management as an excuse to avoid such interaction. OK, I’ll get off my soapbox now…especially, since I am probably the worst correspondent in the whole entire world so maybe my reticence to join the 21st century is the problem. I am trying to get better, though.
48. Last time you parked under a carport?
I have no earthly idea!!!
49. Do you have a black dog?
Of course…who can forget Raven!!!
51. Are you an aunt or uncle?
An aunt four times (all by marriage)…about to be five this summer with a first blood niece/nephew.
52. Who has the prettiest eyes that you know of?
My father has the biggest greenest eyes of anyone I know!!! It is too bad that he is so myopic so that everyone could see them in their full glory. He looks distinguished in his glasses anyway.
53. Last time you saw a semi truck?
Again, I have no earthly idea!!! I will blame that on pregnancy brain…I can only focus on one task at a time. In the car, that means I am concentrating on driving because I have had a couple of scary moments when I could not remember getting somewhere, etc.
54. What is the last song you belted out in the car?
I cannot remember!!!
55. Do you have a little black dress?
I have several…pre-pregnancy, they were little but now they are not so little!!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Babies 'R' Us Registry Fixed - Babcia Saves the Day!!!

My Mom calls this morning and asks if I knew that our registry for Babies ' R' Us cannot be accessed on line. I told her that I didn't realize that until this weekend when I was trying to update it. I called their technical support who told me that they could pull it up just fine (doesn't really help ME now, does that?). They told me to try again. After three tries, it worked, but it is inconsistent. The only consistent method was to call it up by registry number. Well, what a pain in the butt! How are we going to let people know our registry number? Plus, how tacky! I mean it almost sounds like we are grubbing for presents if we send everyone out the registry number...though presents are very nice and fun and very much needed and appreciated, I am completely satisfied if people just come to our shower and share in our happiness or send a well wishes card once the girls arrive. Ok, well maybe not...but you know what I mean. :-)

So, Mom asks if I would like her to take care of it because, more than likely, I was just too nice (she is probably right). Well, she calls back a little bit later saying that she spoke directly to the VP of Information Technology for the entire Toys 'R' Us company and told him about the problem and that his staff was distinctly unhelpful. She said that she expected him to personally see that the problem be fixed today and to see that both she and I be called back when it was fixed. If it was not fixed, she would drive to corporate headquarters, which are in Wayne NJ, and park herself outside the CEO's office until it was resolved. Needless to say, I received a call from the VP's secretary at 10:25 a.m. saying that the problem was fixed. Yup, I checked it...everything is a-ok!!! You can now search by my or Jon's name in addition to registry number. All, I have to say is "GO MOM!!!"

I know that it is probably a little sad at 37 years of age that my mommy needs to help me out. But, I have to admit that she just has a knack for getting things done and woe be unto whomever doesn't keep up their end of the bargain. I have tried to emulate her, but I just fail miserably. It is like I have something tattooed on my forehead that people can see that I am bluffing and have wimpy tendencies. Of course, maybe that is my problem. My Mom wasn't bluffing! I sincerely think that she would have driven to Wayne, NJ and confronted the CEO tomorrow if she was not satisfied! I guess that she was a good mama bear and she is going to be even a fiercer grandma bear!!!

Oh, and for those of you who don't know, Babcia is "Grandma" in Polish. "Grandpa" is Dziadek (pronounced "Jajo"). We are thinking of calling my parents this not only to differentiate them from Grandma and Grandpa T., but also to honor my Polish heritage.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Baby Registry Musings

After two weekends and numerous trips back-forth across Durham, Shannon and I completed the baby registry Sunday. Let me tell you the whole experience was surreal. I felt conflicted in many ways that were not necessarily conducive to enjoying the "baby experience."

First, I unfortunately felt I was on a "mission" during the shopping. With all the work to do at home, I was trying to be as efficient as possible so we could get home and tackle other projects. We had to move from car seats to strollers to bath items as soon as a decision was made. There wasn't time to "ooh and ahh" over clothes or toys.

My overly zealous efficiency was compounded by the information gleaned from reading books (wait for my February book list) and surfing the net. A lot of "experts" say 90% of the baby stuff is not necessary, if not completely useless. I happen to agree. It is all a scheme to extract more money from your rapidly shrinking bank account. Shannon's Dad said several times during weekend #1 "you don't need that....you didn't have that and you turned out just fine." I took those words to heart and was only focusing on necessities. (Everyone break into song...."Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book.)

Well, Shannon had to slap me upside the head with a car seat before I realized my attitude was making her mad. She wanted to browse...looking at toys and dresses....not necessarily to add to the registry but just to look and have fun. Amazing how much more fun I had when I lightened up.

Then there were the stores. I thought Target was amazing. It was clean, organized, and focused on the essentials. Some nice folks offered their "expert" advice too. The best part about Target was we were able to register for some good chocolate (Shannon) and a 12 pack of beer (Jon) as a joke. Babies R Us was okay. Besides the employees manning the registry desk, everyone else was completely unhelpful. We had to spend extra time at home surfing the net trying to understand what car seats went with which strollers. The store also was CROWDED!! Talk about a zoo!! We arrived just after opening each time, but within an hour the store was full. It's really hard to lift car seats, test push strollers, and examine cribs when the aisles are crammed with 100's of people. Then there was Baby Depot. It's the store within the store....associated with Burlington Coat Factory. We went there specifically to look at cribs. All they had was crap. We came and went within 5 minutes. Very disappointing because one of the advice books recommeded Burlington Coat Factory as a source for good cribs. Looking at the rest of the store on the way out, I saw cheap merchandise, dingy lighting, and poor organization. I never will enter that store again.

Finally, I was disappointed with the limited shopping options for twins. I know twins aren't that common, but they are becoming more prevalent as fertility assistance becomes more popular. You think stores would start carrying a wider variety of items for twins. The case in point was the stroller. Shannon really wanted matching fabrics for the car seat, pack n play, and stroller. Not cool when you learn that the stroller you like doesn't come in that fabric. The matching stroller was a MONSTER that cost an extra $100. The matching stroller wasn't worth the extra money or the huge thighs we'd develop pushing it around. We had to go back and select a car seat/stroller (the one we liked) combo with matching fabrics. We decided to keep the original pack n play even though it would no longer match....Shannon really like the teddy bear mobile that came with it.

I'm sure I could come up with more, but it is time to go home. In the end, we registered at Target and Babies R Us. Overall the whole process was a lot of fun once I chilled out.

Baby Shower Update

Quick note today about the baby shower registry at Babies R Us.

If you try to access our registry online, searching using our name may not find our list. The company does not know why this is occurring. We're not sure if this error occurs using the computer inside the store.

However, using our registry # does successfully access the list online. We recommend using that procedure. Our registry # is 81041627.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A Good Day

Well, I thought that I would give this a try...

Today was a good day, but, unfortunately, one of those days that I worry that Jon will come home, look around, and think (because he would never say it) "what the hell did she do all day" because the house looks pretty much the same with the exception of normal bed making, kitchen sweeping, etc. chores as it did when he left.

First, let me say that I am going through one of my bad insomnia/heartburn/hungry in the middle of the night bouts again. Two nights ago, it was two popsicles and an hour and a half watching TV and, last night, it was one popsicle, two tums, and almost three hours willing the boob tube to lull me back to sleep! And, yes, if you haven't guessed, popsicles are my new "thing"...solves the hunger and thirst thing at the same time, and I don't necessarily feel like I have to get up and brush my teeth after indulging at 2 a.m. I swim in sweat at night so it also helps to keep me cool. I definitely think that my productivity and zeal for house purging and organization wanes slightly on days after these bad nights.

At any rate, I went to the Preservation Durham Lunch & Learn today. The topic was "From BC to Barcodes." For those of you who heard the crazy water story from Tosca's last month, they actually provided bottled water this month so I did not have to raid the ladies' room this time for a non-caffeinated drink. The talk was AMAZING. Reyn Bowman of the Durham Visitors and Convention Bureau started the talk off talking about all of the inventions that were started in Durham. It was a weird and wild mish-mosh of stuff...like bar codes (obviously used all the time) to a mood phone, a cell phone that works kinda like a mood ring but changes color based on the tone of your voice (obviously hasn't been that popular) to Taxol, a revolutionary breast cancer drug. They also had the granddaughter of CT Council, Sr., half of the team that discovered and manufactured BC Headache Powders, there to talk. She was so lovely and had that dry wit that so many Southern women have. It was nice to laugh the luncheon away.

I did catch up with a couple of friends while there and even had another belly touching moment. It is surprising how used I have gotten to this...it used to freak me out. Unfortunately, I found out that our good friend, John Dagenhart, has just been put on the transplant list for a kidney. Luckily, they are managing his disease currently with Procrit, and he doesn't have to dialysis for the moment. It got me to thinking how unfair life is...I mean the Dagenharts, who are the nicest, kindest, and most generous people in the world, can't seem to catch a break. Ellen told me after our loss that she and John miscarried three times when they first married. Ellen has had cancer scares, a hysterectomy, and breast surgery. A couple of years ago, John had prostate cancer and surgery and now this. It sucks, and it amazes me how they are able to cope with these continuous curve balls that are thrown at them.

When I got home, I made a bunch of phone calls. Jon thinks that our water meter is leaking as the meter box is full of water and water is seeping into the curb. The City told me that it would be looked at within 30 days. So much for water conservation! At least we tried. Verizon was a pain in my butt, so I punted that task to Jon. I met a nice carpenter to get a quote for our new screen doors. Otherwise, I have been working on our finances and getting everything organized. Blech!

Jon is meeting with Dr. Chat Cowherd tonight for dinner. This is the guy from MRI whose position Jon would take over if he were offered and accepted the position. As much as I loathe the idea of leaving my home, my friends, my family, and Durham in general, I am a little nervous for Jon because I know that this is important to him. It will be interesting to see how they hit it off. As for me, it is a quiet night with comfort food (leftover Polish fare that my Mom and Dad brought with them), the furbabies, Law and Order, and MS Money. Fun, huh?

Oh, and I just have to say that Jon laughs like a blithering idiot when he watches "Jon and Kate + Eight." Half of the reason I like watching it is simply for the comic factor of watching him have so much fun watching it!!! The kids are cute, too, but I have to admit that I get slightly panicky when they show Kate in her pink robe some mornings looking not so happy to being filmed. As a future mother of multiples, I worry that that is how I will be looking all the time!!!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

J&K + 8

So my latest favorite TV show is Jon & Kate + 8 (http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html). Very rarely do I make an effort to watch a show every week, yet this show is one of them. Here is a quick synopsis for those of you unfamiliar with the show. The daily lives of Mom + Dad + 8 kids (1 set twins, 1 set sextuplets) make an excellent reality show.

Why do I like this show? The show appeals to me on multiple levels. Not surprisingly considering we have twins coming, observing how 2 parents raise 8 kids is enlightening and instructive. I make mental notes of how they handle stressful situations, disagreements between parents, temper tantrums, crying kids, arguments between kids, etc. On another level, I think the show is good, wholesome, family entertainment. You know a show is pretty tame when references to "poopy" and "unnawear" are as dirty as it gets. Shannon and I will put severe limits on the amount of TV our kids watch (if any at all), but I think I would make an exception for this show. Finally, this show has to be the one of the funniest on TV right now. Tired of the same boring sitcoms? Cosntant discussion on news channels about Iraq and stock market woes have you depressed? Watch this show and I promise you'll be laughing, if not laughing hysterically. IMOH, a great way to end a Monday evening.

My only request.....paying attention TLC people? I wish they'd put the episodes on DVD. They are in Season 4 (I think) and it is hard to catch-up on previous seasons.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Babies Nursery

In classic Jon & Shannon style, we finally picked colors, furniture, and other design essentials for the nursery yesterday! That was after much discussion and indecision. Now it is off to register!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Random Coincidences

Jon here.

Over the last couple weeks, I've had several random coincidences. I don't know why these occur. Is it my subconciousness making the decisions? Hard to say. I definitely note when these situations occur though.

I have 2 examples from the past month.

1. "Blithering Idiot". Seems to be the phrase of the month for me. It all started when I used the phrase in my review of Merle's Door. I noticed a couple days later that the beer I was drinking was called "Blithering Idiot". (Side note: decent barleywine style beer from Weyerbacher Brewery. Flavorful but not overly powerful as some barleywines can be). I had purchased the 6-pack before writing the review. A week later, Shannon looked at me one day and said "why do you keep referring to yourself and others as a 'blithering idiot'?" I had subconsciously worked the phrase into my everyday conversation.

2. Bruce Willis x 3. Another strange coincidence that we unintentionally rented 3 straight movies that starred Bruce Willis. We saw "Live Free or Die Hard", "Hostage", and "Lucky Number Slevin."

Strange?

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Happy Holidays 2007

To all our friends and family……Happy 2008!

In trying to find a good metaphor for the last two years, only one comes to mind…. “emotional rollercoaster.”

As many of you know, late 2006 and early 2007 were very difficult times for us. The passing of our dear kitty Pie in September 2006 was balanced by the joyous news in October that Shannon was pregnant. Then the horrible news in December that we had to terminate the pregnancy due to problems with the amniotic sack was the most difficult period we have ever faced. We feel very fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends because your support last spring helped us heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The healing process was slow, but by summer we were essentially whole again. We rejoined the world and began living. The renovations of the stairs and upstairs hall finally were completed. We enjoyed relaxing in the backyard, on the front porch, or with friends on their boat (at least until the drought and accompanying heat drove us inside).

After a wonderful vacation in September spent relaxing by the pool and fishing (Jon fished….not Shannon), we decided to try having a family again. Many of you have probably guessed by now, but we are ecstatic to announce we are pregnant again….WITH TWINS!! Shannon is doing very well and happily accepts the incapacitating nausea, constantly sore hips, and other minor ailments that accompany pregnancy. We are due June 23rd but most likely the babies will be born earlier because the doctors will not let Shannon progress that far.

We hope all of you had a wonderful 2007 and wish you an even better 2008.

Love,
Jon, Shannon, Twin 1a, Twin 1b, Raz, Raven, and Tweedle

January Books

Following Amy's lead, here is what I've been reading. Hopefully I'll keep posting monthly updates.

1. Shards of a Broken Crown by David Feist. A light, brainless read in the fantasy genre. Last book of a four in the series. Not extremely well written and terrible editing. But the action is fast paced and the characters are engaging so I continue to read this author. I’ve read 12 books in this series in the last year. All his books take place in one ‘world’ which allows the author to really develop some intricate plots. The long-running story (slowly unfolding over all the books) within the plot of each stand-alone book keeps bringing me back. This twist continually reminds me that there are usually many aspects to the bigger picture of life that are not immediately obvious.

2. Atonement by Ian McEwan. Shannon suggested I read this novel before we see the movie. My initial impression was “hated it!” However the more I think about the book, the more I realize it was a creative, fascinating book. I’m not much for book clubs, but I would love to discuss the book with others who have read it. I can’t say more without giving away too much. I do think the movie will be awful if it strictly focuses on the love story/betrayal aspect.

3. Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Free-thinking Dog by Ted Kerasote. I don’t know why I read this type of book. The pet always dies in the end and I become a blithering idiot while reading the last 20 pages (just like last night in bed). I must enjoy the funny anecdotes in the early parts of the books. This book stands apart from others like “Marley & Me” and John Katz’s books because it really delves into trying to understand how, what, and why dogs think. I have not read any of the “Caesar Method” books, but I have a general understanding of his method from seeing his TV show a few times. It is obvious, though, that Caesar and Kerasote have different views on dogs. I know Caesar is popular now, but I will recommend this book to dog owners and encourage them to create a hybrid strategy for loving your dog based on your lifestyle and the dog’s personality. I know I will change how I interact with Raven.