A Book in Review: Ancient Enemy

Ancient Enemy A Howard Moon Deer Mystery By: Robert Westbrook
Fiction: mystery 308 pages
Book Count: 9

This book has a lot of interesting twists and turns in it. It is both the story of a modern murder as was as an ancient mystery of the Anasazi peoples. It starts out with Howie on the stake out at a Chinese restaurant where his car is hit in a hit and run and he finds a severed head in the dumpster. From there it gets exciting. Although this is part of a series it can be completely read as a stand alone book.

A Book in Review: Family Feast for $75 a Week

Family Feast for $75 a Week By Mary Ostyn
Non-fiction: home economics, cooking 296 pages
Book Count: 8

Even though $75 is more then I usualy spent on food in a week, I thought that it would have some tips that would be helpful to me. And it did, just not as many as I thought it would. The first 77 pages were all on ways to save on your food bills. The rest of the book is recipes along with differnt little tips for how to save money. Although, most of the tips are good, she repeatily talks about how American eat more meat then you need and that cutting down on meat will save you money, but most of the recipes have about 1/2 lb of meat per person even in things like soups and caseroles that are easy to cut down on meat. It also has a lot of recipes that are from around the world, expecialy Ethiopian and Korean as she has adopted children from both countries. So, in short, it is a good book if you are starting on budgeting food as well as if you are looking for some low cost meals to make.

A Moment in African American History

The NAACP was founded on February 12th 1909. It was founded by a racially diverse mix of people including the son of a slaveholder. In its early years its leadership had a large amount of Jewish Americans who saw parallels between their slaver in Egypt to that in America. It's mission is "To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."

A Moment in African American History

George Washington Carver invented 300 uses for peanuts. Peanut butter was not one of them. He also found uses for sweet potatoes, pecans and soy beans. But, he only applied for 3 patents as he wanted his discoveries to be free to use for others.

A Moment in African American History

Jack Johnson was the 1st African American Heavyweight champion. Along with his boxing carrer he is best known for patenting a wrench and flaunting social conventions of his time. Both of his wives were white and he enjoyed showing off the money he made as a boxer.

W. E. B.Du Bois Quotes:

* Herein lies the tragedy of the age: not that men are poor, — all men know something of poverty; not that men are wicked — who is good? not that men are ignorant, — what is Truth? Nay, but that men know so little of men.

* The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not simply for pay; the thinker must think for truth, not for fame

* Believe in life! Always human beings will progress to greater, broader, and fuller life.

* I insist that the object of all true education is not to make men carpenters, it is to make carpenters men.

* There is always a certain glamour about the idea of a nation rising up to crush an evil simply because it is wrong. Unfortunately, this can seldom be realized in real life; for the very existence of the evil usually argues a moral weakness in the very place where extraordinary moral strength is called for.

* The theory of democratic government is not that the will of the people is always right, but rather that normal human beings of average intelligence will, if given a chance, learn the right and best course by bitter experience.

A Moment in African American History

Madam C.J. Walker was the first female self-made millionaire. She was born in 1867. In 1906 she started her hair care products and cosmetics company. 11 years later she owned the largest American business owned by an African American. She used her business to help other women have well paying jobs and used much of her money to support charities.

A Moment in African American History

The theme for this year's Black History Month is: "The History of Black Economic Empowerment."

Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

* Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.

* I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.

* Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

* Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

* The church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.

* The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.

* Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

* All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.

* We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

* It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

* In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

A Moment in African American History

Currently about 13.5% of the American population consider themselves African American.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy Groundhog Day!

A Moment in African American History

Staring in 1863 the island of Roanoke in North Carolina was a freeman's colony for the families of black union soldiers as well as other freed slaves. Along with the union army providing safety to its residence, northern missionaries taught them to read.

Happy Black History Month!

or African American History Month, which ever it is now. As I have been only writing about books for the last month I thought I would join NaBloPoMo for this month so I would make myself write more and as it's the month that it is, I plan on writing about inportant moments/poeple/etc in the history of African Americans. (Look mom, I'm useing all of my American History classes for something!)

A Book in Review: Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Michigan

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Michigan By: Bathroom Readers' Hysterical Society
Non-fiction: Local, history misc. 307 pages
Book Count: 7

This book is set up a bit differently then most bathroom readers. The sections are not divided according to the length of the story, only by the topic. Also there are no facts running on the bottom of each page. Besides that it is much the same. This book had lots of interesting information about Michigan, history, people, places, and events. Some interesting thinks that you learn is why different cites got their names including: Hell, Climax, Colon, Crapo, Nirvana and Zilwaukee. Also odd laws like in which city it is illegal to paint a sparrow so that it looks like a parakeet. And there is lots of information about the history of the automobile industry ranging from how Mr. Buick started in plumbing to the number of people that work at the auto show each year.

A Book in Review: Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom

Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by: Eric Wight
fiction: children's 85 pages
Book count: 6

This book is a combination of a novel and a graphic novel. It switches back and forth between the two styles. This makes it a more interesting novel that would work well for getting kids to read it. It is the story of a boy and his dog that enjoys a rich world of make-believe where he is a superhero/adventurer. In this story he shops cleaning his room causing him to have an adventure in cleaning after his room reaches the critical mass of dirt. So the story also has a moral to it.

A Note to Self: Dave Barry's Complete guide to guys

Dave Barry's Complete guide to guys By: Dave Barry
Audio Book


As this book was on CD, I'm not counting it in books that I read this year, but I have found that it can be quite useful to have all the books that I've read/listened to on this blog. Then if something looks familiar I can just search the blog to see if I read it. Which reminds me, at the end of last year I also listened to When you are engulfed in flames by: David Sedaris.

A Book in Review: The Ultimate Book of Useless Information

The Ultimate Book of Useless Information: A Few Thousand More Things You Might Need to Know (But Probably Don't) By: Noel Botham & The Useless Information Society
non-fiction: facts, humor, popular reference 215 pages
Book count: 5

First, like most books of this type I found things incorrect with the "facts," which really annoys me. This one was a lot better then most in that the thing that I knew was wrong was about ducks and echoes, which anyone that watches Mythbuster's knows their quack does echo, but you need complex sound machinery to find out. Also, they did the "sir" loin myth which at least is debated by people. Anyway, there were a lot of interesting facts in here, as well as quotes from famous people. It is arranged in short groups of similar facts. Each fact was only a line or two of the information with no back story, this makes it a quick read.

A Book in Review: Al Capone Shines My Shoes

Al Capone Shines My Shoes By: Gennifer Choldenko
Fiction: children’s, historical 270 pages
Book count: 4

This is book two in a series. I reviewed the first book here. In this book there is much more story about life on Alcatraz/Al Capone. Moose's (the 12 year old main character) letter to AL Capone asking to get his sister in a nearby school for people with special needs seam to have worked. Now he owes him. He gets notes in his laundry from Capone, now he needs to figure what to do about it. If he doesn't do what Capone asks he fears that his sister will be kicked out of the school, but if he does it could cost his dad his job and his family their home. After this story there is a section of information on life on Alcatraz in the 1930's.

A Book in Review: The Vengeance of the Witch-finder

The Vengeance of the Witch-finder by: John Bellairs completed by: Brad Strickland
fiction: children's, paranormal/Gothic mystery 153 pages
Book count: 3

Yes, this book is by the same person as the last book I read. I saw them at the library the other day and graped both of them. In this one a wizard and his nephew go to England to visit a distant relative and see their ancestral home. While there they learn more about the family member who lived there during the time of King James I as well as Cromwell. He was accused of being a witch and would have lost his life as well as his home if the witch-finder had not mysteriously died. With more digging into the houses history a secret map was found with a unknown space in the house's lawn maze. Inside this spot was a horror that was never meant to be found. Soon the family learns that the witch-finder was truly the evil one durning his life, and has come back to finish what he started in life.

A Book in Review: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie

The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie by: John Bellairs completed by: Brad Strickland
fiction: childrens, paranormal/Gothic mystery 153 pages
book count: 2

This is a part of the series of books featuring Johnny Dixon. In this book a professor friend of his receives a drum at a convention after talking about Voodoo and voudon, the version of Voodoo practiced on the island of St. Ives. His best friend started playing with it doing his impression of Ricky Ricardo. (This book takes place in the 50's) Anyway, unknown to him the babaloo that Ricky was always saying in his singing was actually a variation of a name of a Voodoo god. This leads to the problems that they spend the rest of the book fixing. They have to fight a zombie, a voodoo priestess, and dark spells all in cases of life and death.

A Book in Review: I am not a Psychic!

I am not a Psychic! By: Richard Belzer and Michael Black
fiction: mystery, crime 260 pages
book count: 1

This book is written by the person that plays Detective Munch on Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street and numerous other shows. This would not be important except that although this is a fiction book, Richard Belzer is the main character of the book. Which is kinda odd in a mix of real life and fiction. Anyway, this book is about his investigation of a murder that happened decades ago but wasn't ruled as one. There was a huge conspiracy theory about what really happened as she was involved with a important political family and most everyone in anyway connected with the case died in mysterious ways. It is also about a trip to Vegas and a telethon hosted by a friend of his. As it is a book all these things end up entangled together.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

End of Year Book Count:2009

Number of books read: 78
Pages read: 19999
Average number of days to read a book: 5
Average number of pages read in a day: 55
Average number of books read in a month: 6
Average number of pages read in a month: 1667

A Book in Review: More Bones

More Bones: Scary Stories from Around the World by: Arielle North Olson and Howard Schwartz
fiction: children's, paranormal, fairy tales 157 pages
Book Count: 78

This is a collection of stories from all over the world, stories about magic, ghosts, witches and the things of the night. Most of the stories have a moral to the story, and/or a twist at the end. I like that it tells where each story is from, both in that at the start of each story it lists it's country or area of origin and that at the end is a listing of other books that the story is listed in. It would be a great book to read at a sleepover or camping trip for kids in upper elementary school.

Our New Year’s Resolutions:

As you can see (both online and in person) we have like 99% of you, failed in our resolutions this year. We were really close on the reading one, but have written only 1/2 a notebook and have gained a few pounds. So this year we will be more realistic in our goals.

1. We will work on our writing at least once a week. This is including writing, reading about writing, and typing out what I have been writing and saving it on one of the 3 thumb drives I got for Christmas. (as well as some where safer, I know to have multiple copies.)

2. Maintain my current weight or loose weight. Which, I know is the same as my unrealistic one from last year, but now I'm already at the top area of my normal range and am well on the way with weening which is always the worst for weight gain as not only do you need less calories, but as there are more snack times to make up for the nursing breaks you end up eating more too.

3. Not to have 3 resolutions this year. 2 should be enought this time.

NYR- Note to Self

The Bad Catholic’s Guide to Wine, Whiskey & Song: A Spirited Look at Catholic Life & Lore from Apocalypse to Zinfandel By: Zmirak & Matychowiak
Non-Fiction: Theology, Food & Drink, Music, History etc. 401 pages 2007
Book Count: 77
NYR page count: 1617

We have already read this book so to read our review of it click here.

Merry Christmas!!!

A Book in Review: Dracula: Trapped in Transylvania

Cracked Classics #1: Dracula: Trapped in Transylvania By: TONY Abbott
Fiction, children's classics 130 pages
Book Count: 76

No, I wasn't spending my Christmas reading a book about vampires. I read this days ago but between illnesses and getting ready for the numerous Christmas parties, I wasn't able to spend much time on-line, while still being able to think. Now about the book.

I have only one issue with this book, it was written for kids WAY to young for reading the actual book. It even notes this in the back of the book. Which, is fine for teaching kids about classic lit; however, it made me want to reread the book and kids who read this may want to read the book to even thought it is was to hard of a book for them. Besides that it was a great intro to Dracula told in a fun to read way. It covers all of the most important events in the book and even helps kids learn about the elements of a story. As it is about 1/3 of the length of the story and has its own story about the kids that get trapped in the book "Dracula" it is missing much of the details of the story. It is much like a story based "Cliff Notes" on the book for kids age 7-8ish. Overall, I liked the book and want to read more. It seams like a great way to teach kids about the great books that they may not ever read about otherwise.

A Book in Review: Teacher Haiku

Teacher Haiku by: Rady Howe
Non-fiction: poetry 166 pages
book count: 75

If my oldest child's teacher is reading this then you now know what you are getting from them, but in my defense I read it while waiting for her to get out of school. The book is a collection of 100 haikues for teachers that go from summer break to the end of the school year. There are also pictures. Many of the poems are funny, all are perfect for a minute of reading time.

A Book in Review: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies! A Book of Zombie Christmas Carols By: Michael P. Spradlin
Non-fiction: humor 81 pages
Book Count: 74

First, a note to the friends that got my husband this book. I really like all of the books that you got me, they are just a lot longer to read and so I finished this one first. Plus, it is a Christmas book, so I want to read it around now, while mine were not connected with any holiday from what I can tell.

Now, about the book. It is a book about Zombies and Christmas carols, carols about zombies, carols for zombies basically all the zombies you need to get threw the holidays. And there are pictures too.

A Book in Review: Dreamdark: Blackbringer

Dreamdark: Blackbringer By: Laini Taylor
Fiction YA, Fantasy 437 pages
Book Count:73

This book is the type that starts right in the action. As it also takes place in a world much different then ours it takes a little time to get caught up. That being said by 100 pages into the book I was wondering if it was too late to put the second book on my Christmas list. This book is the story of Magpie Windwitch, a fairy unlike any other. First, her grandfather is the West Wind and because of that she likes to wander the world, while most fairies never leave the area that they were born in. Also, she can do complex magic on accident. She hunts down devils. And there are more things that she learns about herself and her place in the world as she goes threw the book. In this story she is hunting down a being called Blackbringer who is unlike any other thing that she had ever hunted. Also, the last time he was caught it was by a group of the greatest warriors in fairy history, from back when fairies knew more magic. She is the only one she knows that will fight them. And the Blackbringer was sealed in his jar by the Djinn King one of the creators of this world who hasn't been seen in thousands of years. So, she will need to find him too.

Happy Hannukah!!

A little late, we haven't been really busy with holiday things, no not at all. Now I must get ready for this week's Christmas party. See you in January. (I hope to post before that sometime, but I'm not promising, what's with 6 Christmases [parties/get togethers] in one month!)

A Book in Review: Every Patient Tells a Story

Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis By Lisa Sanders, M.D.
Non-fiction, medical, science 251 pages
Book Count: 72

This book is written by a technical advisor for the show House, M.D. As such many of the stories she tells about the way that doctors find out about what is wrong with the patient deal with the same rare illnesses that they deal with on the show. But, you see how instead of a small team of doctors finding what is wrong with someone in a few days, many of these people had to wait months to years to find out what is wrong with them after seeing many different doctors and the doctor that finds out what is wrong often has to get help from many diverse people and places ranging from specialist to Google. It also deals with the history of medicine and how technology has changed how doctors diagnose illnesses both in good and bad ways. And, as always in every case it wasn't lupus.

Holidays in December

6 St. Nickolas Day
7 Pearl Harbor Day
8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception
11 Hanukkah Starts
12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
13 St. Lucia Day
16 First day of Las Posadas
21 Winter Solstice
23 Festivus
24 Christmas eve
25 Christmas
26 Kwanzaa starts
26 Boxing Day
26 St. Steven’s Day
31 New Year’s Eve

D

Yesterday I posted on the 3 different things that I could do that day. I of course forgot about option D: spend all day driving 640 miles. Which is the one I ended up doing. :(

It Depents:

Today I will either spend time writing on a story of mine, or reading to book I was planning to read this weekend. You can soon find out which I did, depending on when I write on the book. Unless, I spend all the time on the DS instead!

A Girly Post:

We at W.N.B.N.I. do not usually post on such things, but we have a new sparkily!! Yah!!! With chocolate diamonds, yumm! Pretty, pretty, pretty.

Its Black Friday:

So either you are not reading this because you are out shopping, or you are because you are one of the people that refuse to shop today.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Enjoy your turkey!!

Alice’s Restaurant Massacree

There are only a few Thanksgiving day songs. The most well known as a Thanksgiving song is probley this one. For a factiod on the song click here.

And here is the song.

Get Ready for Black Friday:

Here is a link to a page that connects with a lot of different stores and on-line Black Friday sales info. Click Here!

A Book in Review: The Journal of Professor Abraham Van Helsing

The Journal of Professor Abraham Van Helsing By: Allen C. Kupfer
Fiction: paranormal 204 pages
Book Count: 71

First an odd thing about this book. I found this book in the non-fiction section of the library. I think that it was in the literature section, that would make some since, but I don't remember for sure. This is odd because the book itself is written as a non-fiction book, being an actual journal that they author found in a box of his grandmother's belongings.

Now about the book. As you can guess by the name this book is about vampires in the time of the Dracula book. It is written from the prospective of the great vampire hunter Van Helsing. It also has notes from his best friend and the author of the book. It doesn't detail the events of Dracula, but only talks of them in passing. It is mainly about how he first learns of vampires and how he is then tormented by them.

Remember:

Now is the time to start working on what you will cook when for Thanksgiving, you don't want this to happen to you.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Thanksgiving Fact:

Although Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird, no major league sports team in America has ever had the turkey as a mascot.

Today is World Hello Day & World TV Day

So, say hello to your TV or something.

A Book in Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard By: J.K. Rowling
fiction: children, fantasy 111 pages
Book count: 70

Finally J.K. Rowling has made a book that is shorter then "War and Peace", and I wish it was longer. (Yes, I know most to all of her books were shorter, but you know what I mean.) This book is a collection of wizard fairy tales. One is the story of the three brothers who cheated Death that is also in the Harry Potter books. There is also notes from Dumbledore after each one on the meaning and/or history of the story. Like I said before I wish this book was longer, it is fun to read fairy tales where the witch is the good guy in the story. Also, buying this book gives money to a charity for children.

A Book in Review: Made to Stick

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die By: Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Non-fiction: business, physiology, 252 pages
Book Count: 69

This book is all about why some ideas stick with us and some do not. It is written by two brothers that were both working on the same general idea, but from different angles. Some of this information is common sense, but a lot of it is things that you would never think about. It also is a fun read for being a non-fiction informational book. For example, when talking about why urban legends stick with you they pointed out that ". . . our friends' friends have much more interesting lives than our friends themselves?" Referring to the fact that the stories always happen to a friend of a friend. It talks about six main things that make something stick as well as things that do not work and ways that using the thing does not work. For example, something unexpected helps people remember an ad; however, if the unexpected thing is not related to the product people will remember the ad with no idea what the ad was really for. For examples of the different ideas you also learn about a lot of interesting back stories for everything from how Jared became a spokesperson for Subway to how "Don't Mess with Texas" got started. (Interesting enough, Subway didn't plan on the Jared ads being national and the people first messing with Texas were the people you would think of as stereotypical Texans.)

And Now More on Free Books

In yesterday's post I talked about the book I got on Monday. And I said I would have more to say on free books later. It's later. So the other day I was looking on the info from Sitemeter to see from where people were looking at my blog. It tells you the city and state or country for most people that look at my blog and I like to see if people from cities I have friends and family at are looking at it. As I then assume that at least my friends and family are reading this and not only people into undead manatees laws see link . Anyway, I saw one viewing that was from a city I have family in. I clicked on the more info button to see how long they were reading it and I noticed that they didn't just start looking at the main page but here. And they didn't just look at a day's post or scroll down the page they went here. Which at the time seamed odd and unlike the person that I thought was reading this, as it was not that days post and they don't read a lot of young adult fiction. Then a few days it hit me, the author of the books live in the same city! It was most likely him that was reading this. After I read the first book the publisher of the book contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing other books. And book two was one of the books. (Yes, I know in January I will have to let you know when I get free books, but its not like I was hiding it this time, where else do you get books before they are out?) Anyway, that was all, just an excuse for me to write about how I feel like a real writer/reviewer. Yeah!!

Why is it?

Why is it when you are expecting a package everything sounds like a delivery truck? As my facebook friends know I ordered a package last week. At the time I did a little rant on Facebook about the shipping as if I just got the mints that I difently wanted to order the shipping cost like $6 on a $2.50 thing. But as I got the big 37lbs box of things the mints were no extra shipping charge. Anyway on Monday I thought that the box may come as although it was shipping ground from Washington state UPS is usually faster then expected. Anyway, I heard a sound during nap time, but as I didn't need to sign for it and the squires are running into the house or something as I kept hearing sounds of something hitting the house and look outside to see a bunch of squires playing near the house I didn't bother looking. Until I heard the screen door open, as there is no way the box would fit in the door. I looked out and there was the FedEx man leaving after delivering a book that was sent from the publisher that I wasn't even thinking about as it was only a few days ago that I requested it. (I will write on that book in a little while, I'm saving it to read over Thanksgiving. More on free books later.) Anyway, so I decided to look online for where my box was with the tracking number. It said that it was in Ohio, but that it was set to be delivered Monday. I found it odd, but still I spend all day expecting to get the package. I didn't get it. It turned out it hadn't left until 10 pm, so it was arriving Tuesday. So spent another day thinking I was hearing a truck when there was none. When it did come, as happens most of the time I knew it was the truck as it doesn't sound anything like all the pickup trucks, vans, SUVs and poorly tuned cars that I was looking out the window for before.

A Book in Review: Undead and Unpopular

Undead and Unpopular by: Mary Janice Davidson
fiction: paranormal 257 pages
Book count: 68

This book is about a half a dozen books into the series, but as you can tell from the fact that yesterday's post was also a book, (although, I had planed to post it on Sunday, see headache post.) that even without all of the back story it was a quick and also fun read. This story is about the birthday/deathday of Betsy Taylor the queen of the vampires. Besides being 31! (Or 1 depending on how you look at it.) She is also planning her wedding, dealing with some old European vampires, giving up blood, and there is a zombie in the attic and those are just the issues that we learn about in the beginning of the book, more pop up along the way. There are a lot of funny parts in the story to balance out the drama. Like the time her grandfather tries escaping from he nursing home, in a wheelchair in the dead of winter in Minnesota. Over all it was a fun read.

A Book in Review: Sense and Sensiblity and Sea Monsters

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters By: Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
fiction: classic, scifi 343 pages
Book count: 67

As we stated earlier this book is not as fast moving as the other Jane Austen, Quirk Classic we read this year. But, as the story moved on it was a bit more interesting. The real issue is its more about killer fish then sea monsters. The questions in the end were good.

This is a Post

As you can see I am trying to post every day this month. See side bar
<------ This is a post. I have a headach and this is the extent of my posting ablities. Have a nice day.

Today is World Diabetes Day:

In honer of this day we would like to let you know the things to look for if you think to may be diabetic, and of course, talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms or any other medical issues.

- increased thirst
- constantly drinking (liquids in general, constantly drinking alcohol is a completely different problem.)
- frequent urination
- unexplained weight loss
- mental fatigue
- blurred vision

The first three are the most common ones that people notice before getting diagnosed. There are more symptoms that the average person is less likely to notice or requires testing or is a common symptom for many things. These symptoms are largely for type 1 diabetes which is the less common form of diabetes and in the past was known as juvenile or childhood-onset diabetes as it is most often diagnosed while one is a child.

Friday the 13th facts:

- There is between 1 and 3 Friday the 13ths in a year.
- This year there was 3, the next time that will happen is 2015.
- Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.

This is not a Book in Review:

Today I was planing on writing up a Book in Review for "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters", but even with Sea Monsters it is taking forever to read this book. It is in no way as fast a read as the Jane Austen novel with the zombies and ninjas. So instead to have something to write today I will talk about the turkey I cooked yesterday. Yes, I know that there is 2 weeks until Thanksgiving, but it was on sale for only 40 cents a pounds. And why not have turkey more then once or twice a year. Anyway, first I apparently have the worlds coldest fridge. I put it in to thaw on Saturday afternoon. On Wednesday morning when I opened it up there was still chunks of ice on it. I had to thaw it in a low oven. Then, when it was thawed out and I went to remove the giblets and neck it had two necks in it. It was a mutant bird! Anyway even with all that it turned out well. And we can eat turkey for the next week. (Or freeze some for later.)

Famous Veterans:

Here are some people who you make be suprised to hear are veterans.

- Ice T - Army
- Al Gore - Army
- Mel Brooks - Army
- James Earl Jones - Army
- Alan Alda - Army
- Charlton Heston - Army (I know not a suprise)
- Tony Bennett - Army
- Andy Rooney - Army
- Charles Schultz - Army
- Charles Bronson - Army
- Pat Sajak - Army
- George Steinbrenner - Air Force
- Clark Gable - Air Force
- Bill Cosby - Navy
- Humphrey Bogart - Navy
- Drew Carey - Marine
- Shaggy - Marine
- Captain Kangaroo - Marine
- Bea Arthur - Marine

Happy Veterans Day

Also called Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other countries.
Interesting note: according to the US government the holiday is Veterans Day and not Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day.

Today in American History

Today is the aniversery of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. For the story we wrote on it a few years ago click here

Quotes from the Wright Brothers

Note quotes labled O are from Orville and ones labled W are from Wilbur.

- I confess that in 1901 I said to my brother Orville that man would not fly for fifty years. -W
- If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance. -O
- Men become wise just as they become rich, more by what they save than by what they receive. -W
- No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris. -O
- The fact that the great scientist believed in flying machines was the one thing that encouraged us to begin our studies. -W
- With all the knowledge and skill acquired in thousands of flights in the last ten years, I would hardly think today of making my first flight on a strange machine in a twenty-seven mile wind, even if I knew that the machine had already been flown and was safe. -O
- I am an enthusiast, but not a crank in the sense that I have some pet theories as to the proper construction of a flying machine. I wish to avail myself of all that is already known and then, if possible, add my mite to help on the future worker who will attain final success. -W
- The airplane stays up because it doesn't have the time to fall. -O

Quotes from Thomas Edison:

- Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.
- If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
- Great ideas originate in the muscles.
- Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.
- I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
- Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
- Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
- The value of an idea lies in the using of it.
- I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us- everything that exists - proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision.
- To have a great idea, have a lot of them.
- To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

A Book in Review: Death in Lacquer Red

Death in Lacquer Red By: Jeanne M. Dams
fiction: mystery 225 pages
Book Count: 66

This book takes place in the 1900's in South Bend Indiana and features Hilda Johnansson as the main character. She is a reasont immigrant and works in the biggest house in town. This book appears to be well researched. The mystery itself is about the death of a member of the town's judge who just came back from being a missionary in China. It deals a lot with the corruption and biases of that time, but not in a way that distracts from the story. And the ending is surprising with out making you feel if the author was hiding things to make it so.

Famous People Descended from Mayflower Passangers

Politicians:

John Adams - John Quincy Adams
Zachary Taylor
Ulysses S. Grant
James A. Garfield
Franklin D. Roosevelt
George H. W. Bush - George W. Bush
Sarah Palin - who is descended from 5 seperate Mayflower families
Dan Quayle

Artists, Actors and Writers:

Grandma Moses
Bing Crosby
Richard Gere
Humphrey Bogart
Clint Eastwood
Orson Welles
Marilyn Monroe
The Baldwin Brothers
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Some Other Famous People:

Joseph Smith
Hugh Hefner

Names of Mayflower Passengers

Here is some interesting information on the names of passengers of the Mayflower during it's historic trip to America.

- 15 people were named John +
- 6 were named Mary *
- 8 were named William +
- 3 were named Elizabeth *
- 6 were named Edward +

And there was one each of: Remember, Love, Humility, Constance, and Resolved.



* Some of the women were only listed as Mrs. and their last name so the numbers of the name may be higher.
+ Some of the children were only listed as the number of kids a family had, so the number of the name may be higher.

Holiday giving

A couple of years ago we told you about goodsearch. To see that post click here. We would just like to remind you as the holiday shopping starts that if you are ordering things on-line many stores give a percent of the money you spend to your favorite charity when you access their site threw the goodsearch page.

Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with a Bite

1 C. Water
1 C. Sugar
3 C. Cranberries
1/2 t. grated Ginger
1/4 t. Black Pepper
Dash Cayenne Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat until boiling and all the cranberries pop. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to serving bowl and cool in fridge until set.

Recipe: Cran-pineapple Buckle

Note: in cooking a buckle is a cobbler using cake.

2 C. Cranberries
2 C. Pineapple
1/2 C. Water
1/2 C. Sugar
Lemon cake mix
Eggs
Pineapple juice
Oil
1/2 C. Oatmeal

Combine cranberries, pineapple water and sugar in a small sauce pan. Heat until cranberries pop and the mixture is boiling. Set aside. Pre-heat oven to 350. Make cake mix following the directions on the box except replacing water with pineapple juice. Grease a 9 X 13 pan. Add 1/2 of the cran-pineapple mixture. Cover with the cake mix. Spoon remaining cran-pineapple mixture on top. Sprinkle Oatmeal on top. Bake for 35-40 mins until cake is done. Place under broiler until oatmeal is browned, about 2-3 mins.

Today is All Soul's Day

Also called: Defuncts' Day, Day of the Dead, Commemoration of the Faithful Departed and the Feast of All Souls.

Holidays in November

1 All Saint’s Day
1 Daylight Savings time ends
2 All Soul’s Day
2 Day of the Dead
9 Inventor's Day
9 World Freedom Day
11 Veteran’s Day
13 Friday the 13th
14 Pickle Appreciation Day
14 World Diabetes Day
16 International Day for Tolerance
17 International Students' Day
20 Universal Children's Day
21 World Hello Day
21 World Television Day
23 Feast of Qawl
25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
26 Thanksgving
27 Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
27 Eid ul-Ada
27 Black Friday
27 Buy Nothing Day
29 Advent Starts

Quotes from Saints

Today is All Saints Day, and this year we desided to celebrate it here at WNBNI by copying some random quotes from saints again this year. Enjoy.

* Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account you will find that some comfort is to be derived from them. - St. Basil

* Nothing is more like a wise man than a fool who holds his tongue. - St. Francis de Sales
* Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing so gentle as real strength. - St. Francis de Sales

* It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching. - St. Francis of Assisi
* All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. - St. Francis of Assisi

* The friendship that can cease has never been real. - St. Jerome
* Never look a gift horse in the mouth. - St. Jerome

* For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. - St. Teresa of Avila

* Beware the man of one book. - St. Thomas Aquinas
* He who is dying of hunger must be fed rather than taught. - St. Thomas Aquinas

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

One more day!!!

Tomorrow is Halloween!!!!! YAHHHHH!!!!



That is all.

A Holiday Book in Review: Blackwood Farm

Blackwood Farm By: Anne Rice
Fiction: paranormal 530 pages
Book Count: 65

First, why is it that once a person that writes fantasy/paranormal gets famous they are allowed to publish books that are 3 inches thick? I mean I liked the book, but 530 pages? And you could also get the book on tape, how long is that 48 hours?
But, now that I'm done with my rant about the book, about the book. This book is part of the vampire chronicles, but it is not about Lestat. It also is more about ghosts then vampires. Most of the book is the main character's life story. It was interesting to read and although it was long it wasn't boring. I was only complaining about the length because it seams that it is a trend in this area of writing. The books ending was also unexpected, but not in a way that made you feel as if the author was hiding things the whole book.

Impossible Quiz II– Are You Still Psychic?

Note: All answers are based on when the quiz was originally made. This was about 2 p.m. Also although we at W.N.B.N.I. prefer to use the royal we in cases when the plural we would not be correct, this would sound silly in this case. So we will use the writer instead in this case.

1. What color ink was this originally written in?
A. Blue B. Black C. Green D. it wasn’t done in ink
2. What TV network is the writer watching?
A. Food Network B. Discovery Channel C. History Channel
D. Comedy Central
3. What color socks are the writer wearing?
A. White B. Gray C. Black D. Green
4. What is the writer doing right after this? A. going to a book sale B. Resting C. Picking up her kid from school D. dishes
5. What number is the writer thinking of?
A. 3 B. Pi (3.14. . .) C. 97.53312 D. 12
6. What color is the writer thinking of?
A. Orange B. Blue C. Green
D. Pink
7. What is the writer sitting on?
A. Sofa B. Bed C. Chair D. Beanbag
8. What is on the writer’s right hand?
A. Pen Mark B. Sticker C. Sleeping Baby
D. Nothing
9. What was just found on the writer’s shoe?
A. Green Pig sticker B. Toilet Paper C. Pink post-it note
D Nothing
10. Quick what is the writer thinking now?
A. Spork B “I’m Sailing Away . . .” C. ET Phone Home D. Llamas

Answers to follow scoring, so you aren’t reading the answer for number 10 before you answer it.


Scoring:
0-3 Right:
Statically if you randomly picked an answer you would get this score. Go on try it. Roll a die: on 1 the answer is A, on 2 the answer is B, on 3 it’s C, on 4 it’s D, and 5 or 6 means reroll.

4-6 right:
You’re a good guesser.

7-8 right:
Maybe you are a psychic.

9-10 right:
You should go by some lotto tickets, but you knew we would write that.

Answers:
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. D
6. B
7. A
8. C
9. D
10. A

A Book in Review: 'In the Beginning. . .'

'In the Beginning. . .' A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall By: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
non-fiction: religion 100 pages
Book Count: 64
NYR page count: 1216

I picked up this book for two reasons. One I wanted to read something that would go to my new year's resolution on reading. Two I was having a discussion with a fundamentalist relative on how one doesn't have to believe in only creation or in scientific explanations on the origin of the universe and/or people i.e. evolution. And so seeing this book I thought I would see what it says on it. It only had a few brief bits on the subject and as none of them was on how a better translation of the first two chapters of Genesis from the original Hebrew explicitly state that evolution happened,(not that it would) it was not useful in that talk. (But, what is in religion talks?) Anyway, it still was an interesting book. It points out that there are many creation stories in both the Old and New Testaments. It also talks about how the stories connected with things that people at that time needed to learn about God. It also went in to how all of the stories connect and ultimately spring from Jesus and His role in creation. Over all a very deep book, but still easy to read.

A Holiday Book in Review: Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold!

Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold! By: Terry Brooks
Fiction: fanisty 373 pages
Book Count: 63

Ben Holiday was a middle aged man with nothing left to live for. His wife was dead. He was tired of his job. He only had one friend in the world and they were work assiciates. Then he sees an ad in a holiday wish book for a magic kingdom for sale. Buyer to be made its king. Something about the ad draws him. He ends up buying it without even being sure that he believes it's real. When he goes there it is all compleatly real, magic, dragons, fairies and all. The only problem is that the kingdom has fallen apart after 20 years with out a real king. His court is a less then skilled magician, a dog, and two creatures from fairy lands. No one else will follow him. This was a very fun and funny book.

Things for Sale on E-bay Right Now!

* 1942 State board of Embalmers & Funeral Directors I.D.
* Toe Tags
* Mortuary Cosmetics Set with Case
* "Cemetery Reefs"
* 1932 Death Certificate
* "Hi-Gain Spirit Ghost Hunting ORB MICROPHONE AUDIO MIC"

Columbus Day Fact:

During Columbus' time educated people believed that the earth was round. The real issue of the day was how wide around it was.

Happy Birthday Sunrise!

A Holiday Book in Review: The Road to Hell

The Road to Hell By: Jackie Kessler
Fiction: paranormal romance 280 pages
Book Count: 62

This is book two in the Hell on Earth series. Jesse was a succubus, but she escaped hell and fell in love with a human man. She wants to learn how to jut be a normal human, but hell just keeps trying to pull her back. It starts with a bit on names of cities including Hell, MI, Paradise, PA and Intercourse, PA. I have to say that they didn't spend enough time looking over Michigan's map as there is also a Paradise and a Climax. Also the book makes one ask questions on what would be a insult or curse word for someone in Hell. For example, Jesse the succubus turned human stripper, was called something like "slutty, ho" as an insult where I would think that would be a compliment for them. Overall the book was fun to read with an interesting storyline that kept me turning pages. Sometimes I was turning because I didn't want to read yet another reason on how and why Jesse's nipples were getting hard, but mostly it was due to the interesting storyline, which also included many other unusual characters. These included: a witch, two furies, an incubus, an angel, and the devil himself as well as his replacement.

A Holiday Book in Review: Death Loves a Messy Desk

Death Loves a Messy Desk By: Mary Jane Maffini
Fiction: Mystery 296 pages
Book Count: 61

This book is both a mystery and a book of organizing tips; however, it didn't even point out one that would be useful in the storyline. If you think you've misplaces/had a pet take your cell phoneand it's on, call yourself on a different phone to find it. Besides that it was an intresting book with twists and turns that one did not see coming.

Halloween Facts

In Ireland a traditional food for Halloween is barnbrack, a fruitcake with small items in it used for fortune telling.

Today in History: October 6th

- In 1582 this day did not exist in 4 counties.
- In 1889 Edison shows the first movie.
- In 1945 the curse of the Billy goat is started when it is removed from Wrigley Field during game 4 of the World Series.
- Before this day in 1966 LSD wasn’t illegal in the USA.
- In 1979 Pope John Paul II becomes the 1st Pope to visit the White House.
- In 1995 51 Pegasi was found to also have a planet orbiting it.

New Show

Tommorow at 10 pm on Discovery there will be a new show called "Ghost Lab". It is about ghosts, and as its on Discovery is aperently also about science.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Here's a link for thoose of you who ". . . only got a rock."
Click Here

Garfield's Halloween Special

One of our favorite Halloween specials is Garfield's so here is a link to see it too.
Click here.

Halloween Facts

- "Dracula" was not translated into Romanian until 1992.

Holidays in October

3 Chinese Moon Festive
4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
World Animal Day
5 World Teachers' Day
9 Leif Erikson Day
11 National Coming out Day
12 Columbus Day
12 Canadian Thanksgiving
15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Day
16 Boss’s Day
17 Sweetest Day
17 Diwali
17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
19 Bhai Dooj
21 International Day of the Nacho
23 Mole Day
30 Candy Corn Day
31 Halloween
31 Samhain

One more day!!!

'till Super Holidayness!!!

A Book in Review: The Magical Christmas Cat

The Magical Christmas Cat By: Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh and Linda Winstead Jones
Fiction: paranormal romance, science fiction
Book Count: 60

This book is a collection of four short stories that are to be on cats and Christmas. So first I would like to comment on how the stories work with the title. First, the definition of magic is very loose in half the stories. It is more a magic of love magic in most of them. All of the stories take place at Christmas, but for some they are a Christmas story like "It's a Wonderful Life" is one. There as scenes that denote that it is Christmas, but its not really important to the story. All the stories have cats. Only one is a real house cat. Half are main characters that are cat human hybrids. One is a demon in a cat form. Besides the poorly named title and cover art, I liked the book. The stories were interesting. And I must remember to write these things quicker after reading a book, as I had all sorts of things I was going to say, but forget.

A Book in Review: Dead until Dark

Dead until Dark By: Charlaine Harris
Fiction: paranormal, mystery 292 pages
Book Count: 59

This is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse books that were what the series "True Blood" is based on. In this one there is a killer on the loose that is killing people that sleep with vampires. Sookie spends the novel trying to find out who it is before they get to her. As well as dealing with her feelings for Bill the vampire and her boss's feelings for her. From reading the book, I can see how the show is so popular. (Note to friends who keep insisting that I watch the show: I will now put it on my to watch list, as I always like to read the book first.)However, this book is in the vein of vampire novels that slightly annoy me as the main vampire(s) are nothing like old time vampires, nor is there any real attempt to show why old thoughts on vampires were incorrect on this story's world. WHich is something that I wouldn't normaly comment on but I just finnished reading others complaining about the same thing . Anyway, as I too change some things when writing vampire stories I'm not going to let that stop me from reading the books. (But, I instist my changes make since, why does being dead make you not reflect light in a mirror? It makes no cents, if you needed a soul to be seen in a mirror, then when people look in the mirror they would be naked, as clothes don't have them.)

Happy Fall!

A Book in Review: Death and the Lit Chick

Death and the Lit Chick By: G.M.Malliet
Fiction: Mystery 307 pages
book count: 58

This is the story of a murder that takes place during a mystery writer's conference. It deals a lot with the background things in the publishing industry. As such it would be a fun read for people who want to get into the industry. It is also interesting seeing how people that deal with fictional murder every day might end up dealing with a real one. Also, it takes place in a Scottish castle with a ghost in it. As such it is an intresting combination of many bits of story types as well as the main storyline being a mystery.

ARRRR, Today is Talk Like A Pirate Day!

A Book in Review: Good News About Your Strong-Willed Child

Good News About Your Strong-Willed Child By: Randy Reynolds
Non-fiction: parenting, religion 200 pages
book count: 57
NYR page count: 1316

I only read this book at this time, because my mom loaned it to me, and I wanted to finnish it before I saw her tomorrow. It was OK. I don't know if I didn't really like it because I wasn't into reading this type of book right now, or if it realy was to much physo-babble. In either case, it did have some good points. It talked about the importance of kids changing into independent people, which is something that most religious books on parenting do not address, or only deal with the negitive of rebeling kids as something to be stopped. It had other good thoughts too, but I have a headache and don't feel up to writing more.

Happy Labor Day!

A Book in Review: Flint and Silver

Flint and Silver: A Prequel to Treasure Island By: John Drake
Fiction: historical, adventure 357 pages
Book Count: 56

First, unlike the book that this book is based off, this is very much an adult book. The author makes a short note on why "Treasure Island" was a childrens book, and why this book is for adults. But, I found the reasons to be unsadisfactiory. Yes, "Treasure Island" was a story made up for a boy child and as such didn't have romance and other "girl" things in it. And I get if an author likes adding female charaters and romance in a book. However, it makes a odd prequel to a children's book to have a story that is diffentily NOT for kids. As it would be one thing if he added some romance to it because, he likes writing that, it still could be appropiate for older children and teens. But, along with detialed nudity, sex, and masterbation there are mulitple attemptive rapes. And then there is all the volience one would expect in a piriate book, plus some extra.

Once one gets past the issues with this being a prequel to a kids book, it is well writen and fits well with the original book. The book is full of details that show the author put much study into writing this book. Some of the characters are a little differnt from the first book, but largly in a way that would fit with them changing over time from events that happened to them. Also it deals with the issue of the fact that pirates diddn't realy bury their treasures.

One Month to Go!!

One Month until the "Super Holiday Special Weird News B.N.I." Yah!!! We just need to get ready for school to start, go to a wedding, and buy presents for the one million birthdays in the start of October and then will be ready!!!! Then it will be all ghost, goblins, turkeys and trees!!!!! We are not at all over excited!! We do not need to cut out the sugar and caffeine at all.

A Book in Review: The Youngest Templar : Trail of Fate

The Youngest Templar : Trail of Fate (book 2) By Michael P. Spradlin
fiction: young adult adventure, history 222 pages
Book Count: 55

Note: this book is due out in October of this year. This report is based of the reading of an advance galleys of the book.

This is the second book in a series on a young Templar squire. To read our review of book one in the series, click here. This book picks up right where the first book stops. Tristan is shipwrecked in a storm and he ends up on the coast of France, still with the Holy Grail and still with the powerful knight, Sir Hugh chasing him. Luckily his friends Robard, Maryam and the dog also make it to France. In France they meet a group of Cathars, a heretical sect. Tristan falls in love with the leader of the group and his two friends also show that they like each other in the book. They work to help the Cathar group as well as protecting the Grail. We also get more hints on who Tristan really is and more Robin Hood likeness coming from Robard. Overall I really enjoyed the book, and can't wait for book three to be out (in part due to a cliff hanger ending). I almost wish that it followed the trend in young adult fiction and was 600 pages long instead of making me wait! As I am gearing up for the holiday special starting next month I will add that this would be a good gift for a kid that likes history or adventure tales with at least a 5th grade reading level. The main character is about 15 - 16, but the storyline, and writing style could be appropriate for a much younger reader.