D.I.K.

Edmund Cody Library, where I have been a patron since 2003! It was close to our rental apartment (aka The Roach Motel) and now very close to Carys's school at the JCC.

Ever since I discovered the "hold" option on the San Antonio Public Library's website, I have been reading like a fiend for the past 2+ years! My enthusiasm for the resources of the public library has resulted in my buying fewer books than I used to, although I still buy *LOTS* of books! There was a time when I didn't even step foot in a public library for at least 6 years; why would I, when there was Barnes & Noble just opening up around town with their Starbucks coffee plus my crack-like addiction to Amazon.com? Then came the "layoff of 2002", and suddenly the library was a treasure of riches! (Plus we had to cancel the cable TV too, so I had more time to read.) It was fun again to browse the shelves of my branch of the public library, small as it was.

When I moved to San Antonio, I discovered soon after trying to find certain books at my branch library and coming up empty-handed each time that you can actually put them on hold online! Why I did not know this before, I have no idea. Probably because I never knew the library was online! The entire catalog of the entire library system is on the city's website, and even better, it's "open for business" 24 hours a day! Yippee! This is a huge boon for night owls such as myself who do all substantive work after the midnight hour.

Another great thing I can do is hold and pick-up books for Thalia that are on the recommended reading lists for her age/reading level. Otherwise, my nutty kid will go to the library and only select books she has already read! Some people resist change, what can I say?! Thank God for technology, especially the kind paid for with my tax dollars!

Anyway, now that I can read whatever I want almost whenever I want without having to buy the book every time, I have been developing my own Desert Island Keeper List of Books (an idea borrowed from the All About Romance website). A D.I.K. book is one you'd like to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island! Certainly, I already had quite a few romance novels on the list in my head for years, but now I'm ready to round it out with some other kinds of books as well. Here is my unfinished list, still in development and also available on Amazon,with the romances I adore:

MY DESERT ISLAND KEEPERS: ROMANCE
1. Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney
Melissa says:
"I've lost track of how many times I've read this book! Lord Ross Carlisle is the hero I judge all others against!"

2. One Perfect Rose (Fallen Angels) by Mary Jo Putney
Melissa says:
"Was the 1st 'Fallen Angels' book I read, and I was clamoring for more! I believe it was also the 4th historical romance novel I ever read, thanks to my friend Nancy. My favorite in the series."

3. In Our Dreams by Linda Lael Miller and Friends

Melissa says:
"A little something for everyone here! I love Susan Wiggs' Bridge of Dreams and Mary Jo Putney's Avalon. I never get tired of this short story collection and was absolutely bereft when I lost my original copy! Thank goodness for used book stores!"

4. Brazen Angel by Elizabeth Boyle
Melissa says:
"The best 'first book' by an author! Unfortunately, none of her subsequent books has really impressed me in comparison."

5. Thunder and Roses (Fallen Angels) by Mary Jo Putney
Melissa says:
"Really love the 'Fallen Angels' series! Clare and Nicholas really complement one another."

6. Dancing on the Wind (Fallen Angels) by Mary Jo Putney
Melissa says:
"Unusual plot-- really liked the' twin' aspect of it, especially the bond between sisters."

7. Going Home by Danielle Steel
Melissa says:
"I gave up on Danielle Steel long, long ago, but I really admire her 1st book for its honesty and enjoy a good cry. I am embarrassed to tell you how old I was when I first read it."

8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Melissa says:
"Ok, not really a "romance novel," but the grandmother of all of them (Georgette Heyer being the mother!). Ironically, I never enjoyed this book the 1st and 2nd time, which just goes to show that sometimes, you have to give it a few tries! I think part of the disconnect was the time period in which the book was set, which was completely unfamiliar to me as a teenage girl and even as a twenty-something adult."

9. The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer
Melissa says:
"GH really helped establish the "Regency" romance novel, with it's quaint phrases, stock characters and sweetly innocent plots. She was NOT responsible for the "bodice-ripping" aspect of the genre! I love this book because it's different-- the heroine is an "older" woman with a little more wisdom therefore than the rest."

10. Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
Melissa says:
"Actually, I enjoyed pretty much the entire 'Slightly' series, of which this is the final book. But I ADORED this one! It's such a sweet and clever homage to 'Pride and Prejudice' but with it's own unique twists. I read this often, when I feel like a happy ending! The hero is even more Darcy-ish than Mr. Darcy himself, and the heroine is an all-too-human, earthy version of Elizabeth."

(blog originally started on 5/15/07)

In Remembrance: Paul Epner

It is with the greatest sadness that I resume blogging: I want to write about a lovely, funny, creative person who died suddenly last month. Paul Epner was the father of Thalia's best friend from pre-school, and our friend too. I don't know the details of his death, only that it was sudden and that he left our world far too soon. My heart breaks for his family--his wonderful, gracious wife and his adorable daughter, and his extended family. Especially for his daughter, who is fatherless at the tender age of 6.

Paul was a middle school math teacher for many years, and for that he should have received a medal! I can only imagine how his students must feel, suddenly teacher-less in the middle of the school year. You got the sense that he really connected with the kids, because he wasn't going to talk down to them and they "got" his humor. He also wrote several books for children, which we are proud to own and will always treasure. He was always self-deprecating about his writing, but the books are real gems. Thalia adores them. I am rather partial to Paul's Herbert Hilligan series of books myself. Several of his books taught math to kids in a "fun" way.

Paul was great fun to talk to. You really couldn't have even the shortest conversation with him without laughing. He had a dry humor and an unusual take on the world around him. I'll miss talking to him!

I looked him up on the Internet today, and found his teacher bio on his school's website. It was uniquely "Paul-esque" and made me laugh out loud, of course. Here it is:

Epner, Paul
Mr. Epner's Story
Math Guru for team 6.3

Paul Epner was spawned from loving parents Marcia and Martin Epner on December 21, 1963. Hatched in a hospital in Yonkers, New York, Paul was the cutest and youngest of his 4 siblings. Even as a small child, Paul's proud parents realized he was a "gifted" child. His mom was over protective, while his father felt that the "gifted" label meant that he could put Paul in a box, wrap him up, seal with a bow, and "gift" to someone else. Growing up in a family of "overachievers" it soon become apparent to Paul's family that he had "super powers". He soon began flying at the speed of light, could leap tall buildings and was able to solve math problems in his head. As Paul grew up and became a more "portly" child, he lost his power to fly and leap tall buildings, though he once did leap over a bush and broke his arm, Paul retained his ability to solve math problems in his head. Realizing Paul had superhuman mathematical abilities, he enrolled in an elementary education program at UTSA, and in 1988 received his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. It did take two years extra for Paul to earn his degree, because Paul had a hard time understanding that a Bachelor's Degree referred to something other than his ability to remain single. However, Paul's insistence on carrying a lunchbox to all his college classes did not help Paul to become more attractive to the opposite gender. Only because of his father's large dowery to his future wife, was Paul able to marry and allow his father to get the empty nest he longed for since Paul graduated from college.
If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the Paul Epner fan club, operators are standing by. Due to the high volume of calls and e-mails from Paul's fans, it is sometimes up to 24 hours before he can respond to his adoring fans.
As for how Paul ranks the interest level of his fans, he assesses that 60%of their interest stems from the tests they put Paul through, and 40% of their interest is figured by how they treat him on a daily basis.
At this time Mr. Epner is tied up in a tour of talk shows and appearances throughout the United States, but he does try to make himself available for discussions and conferences from around 10:30-11:30 each day.
Your support is always appreciated and Mr. Epner loves to hear from his fans!

If you feel like getting help from your math textbook..... Check out this website and take a good look Tutorials, videos and other cool stuff..... Make math easier and not so tough. Don't be afraid, do it, I say...[website] will make your school day! Mr. Epner is here, he's the coolest of cool...... He will help all his students be successful in school. But you must always remember, put yourself to the test... I will always expect you, to do your absolute best!!!!!
Mr. Epner is here!

Paul once said in an interview: "In this world you've gotta find a passion in life. I love working with kids and I love to write, so I've found a special place." I hope he's found peace and another special place in Heaven.