TWO HOCKEY AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

TWO VASTLY DIFFERENT HOCKEY AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

I've been on a bit of a hockey player biography kick lately. That cool air in the arena bring on this hockey-mania I guess? I read two book ORR (by Bobby Orr) and OFFSIDE (by Sean Avery)...and, boy, oh boy, were they completely different narratives.

 

I picked up ORR from the library the other evening and ended up reading about half the book in one night. What kept me up into the wee hours of the morning flipping through the pages? Orr's philosophy on sports and hockey. I kept finding myself nodding along with his opinions the more I read. His views mirrored the way I see sports - have fun! do your personal best! be a good sport! do a variety of sports! be a better person off the field/ice because of sports!
The stories he shares are all shining examples of how he lived his values. He is one of those very humble guys who prefers to deflect the spotlight off of him and shine it on others. A great example is his story of the goal he scored to win the Stanley cup in overtime. That infamous picture of him flying through the air with arms outstretched in celebration...

This is a picture and a goal he is asked about often. And, who wouldn't be proud of that! It's every hockey players dream as a kid right? To be the hero that scores in overtime to win the Stanley Cup! That would be story to tell over and over and over...right? Well, not so much for Bobby. His response is always about the rest of the play that led to this goal - Sanderson's great forechecking that kept the puck in the St Louis end and his pass to Orr. He makes sure to point out that was his only goal of the entire series...his team mates had scored all the other goals to get them into the final game. His goalie stopped all the shots to put them into overtime. He just happened to be that player that got the game winning goal.

The second book I read, OFFSIDE by Sean Avery was the exact opposite. Avery prides himself on being in the spotlight. I don't remember how many times he mentioned the crowd at Madison Square Garden chanting his name. And, it wasn't because he scored the game winning goal in overtime to win The Cup...it was because he caused trouble out on the ice. He was a pest, and his game plan was to annoy and bother the other team until they could take no more and slashed him or hit him and got a penalty. He also loved to use his minor celebrity status to get into 'cool' clubs and impress the ladies. Not the role model type of person you want your kids to model their behaviour after.

I really enjoyed both books for different reasons. ORRs was easy to relate too. I agreed with most of his views on life and sports, and kept thinking was a great role model he is for young hockey players like my sons. Avery's book was interesting to read because it was a world I'm not familiar with. His stories were of a player desperately trying to keep a spot on an NHL team by using less than role model worthy strategies. His off ice tales are wild and erratic as well, which made for some interesting reading. One of those books that take you into a life that you would never imaging leading.

Well, gotta go, back to the rink to watch the boys play some hockey. 

HARRY POTTER REVIVAL

THE PHOENIX RISES AGAIN

There has been a resurgence of interest in the Harry Potter franchise lately. Various books in the series are being read by 4 out of 6 citizens. All ages are reading them - and the ones that are not of reading age are playing with Harry Potter toys. 

 

Oskie playing Harry at Hogwarts

 

It is reminiscent of a time, many moons ago, when Lolli first read the Sorcerer's Stone and she had a Harry Potter party. And, even a decade before this party when Jen and Matt first read the Harry Potter books.

 

Lolli's bedside table

It is almost magical how Harry Potter has remained so popular over such a long period of time in the PUTP. The story is so well written, so creative, so imaginative, that minds off all kinds enjoy it...even obsess about it.

 

Journal found on Lolli's desk

The battered copy of The Philosopher's Stone has been read over and over and over and over and over and over (at least 10 times) by everyone over the age of 5.

 

Elli's first round with the old copy of The Philosopher's Stone

Matty just finished rereading it and commented, "...it really it magical, in a fun whimsical way...there is adventure, wit, humour, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil." No sooner had he turned the last page of book one he picked up book two.

WHAT ARE WE READING?

BOOKS ABOUT DOGS ARE POPULAR THIS MONTH

Reading is a major pastime for the citizens of the Place Under The Pine. Bookshelves overflowing with books are found in every room of the house - even in the closets of some rooms (see picture below).

One young citizen is caught hiding in the closet reading Sandra Boynton!

It is a common (and heartwarming) sight to find our emerging readers practicing their new found skills by reading to their younger (illiterate) siblings.

  

 

Reading has always been a part of the PUTP daily life, but, the weekly page counts vary up and down depending on many factors - time, outside commitments, current book choice, etc.

Recently, reading time has been fairly high, and one reason may be the current book choices - strangely, all dog related books.

Here is run down of the tail waggin' books.

 

Toddler aged reading - Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey

 

 

This book is popular with the 2 to 3 year old crowd right now (even though it is well past Halloween). Possibly because the protagonist is a wiener dog AND his name is Oscar. Also, this book is written by Dav Pilkey, whom you may recall as the author of the extremely popular Captain Underpants series (which is the number 1 requested book series by six year old boys in the PUTP - see review). Pilkey is good at writing for kids, and that's a fact.

 

Six year old reading - Ribsy - Beverly Cleary

 

 

Ribsy is Henry Huggins dog - Henry is part of the Ramona series (which is another extremely popular series in the PUTP). Ribsy is a dog on the loose. He finds himself lost and has many misadventures as he tries to find his way home. There is just enough humour and just enough action to keep the six year old in your house asking for 'just one more chapter, please'.

 

Older reading - The Dog Who Wouldn't Be - Farley Mowat

 

Another novel full of doggie misadventures. Mowat's writing is full of exaggerated tales that are humorous and heartwarming. This is Farley's account of his childhood dog named Mutt, and as the title suggests he was a dog that did not want to be a dog - it seemed he wanted to be more human than animal. This classic novel, written in the late 50s, is full of old sayings and Canadiana culture of the time - which is a great thing for a young Canadian reader...and even for the older one who is actually reading the story out loud.

All of these canine centred stories have sparked some heavy ready lately, which is saying a lot about these books. The PUTP is not a haven for the dog lover, in fact, some citizens openly admit to despising dogs (or most dogs)...so, books based on dogs have to be very, very, good books to be read in the PUTP.

Happy Reading.

 

 

 



YARN ALONG - ELEPHANT CROCHET AND A PUNK ROCK MEMOIR ALMOST DONE

YARNING ALONG WITH A PUNK ROCK MEMOIR

I am joining Ginny and her Yarn Along gang again, sharing our yarn work and books. To see more knits and books click on the button below.

This week I continue on the crochet elephant for Oskie. I have finished crocheting all of the pieces, now comes the daunting task of attaching them all together. It's tricky work, getting all of the pieces to attach and lay just where you want them too.



CLOTHES, CLOTHES, CLOTHES, MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC, BOYS, BOYS, BOYS - a long title for this book full of short, blunt, sentences. It is a memoir from Viv Albertine, band member of the pioneering all girl 70's punk band The Slits. I heard her interview on Q and thought she sounded interesting. I know nothing about the 70's British Punk Rock scene, am not that much of a rebel myself, but, the book is still very relate able. It's more of a coming of age story, how Viv finds herself in a world that looks down on 'punks' and women...and especially punk women. There is still that theme of sex, drugs, and rock & roll which I find pretty interesting - it's like taking a trip to a foreign world.

AROUND THE HOUSE - We've been reading tamer things with the kids. We seem to be on a Judy Blume kick. I've also started reading Lost in the Barrens to Lolli. At first she didn't think she would like it, but, we are getting into the exciting part when the boys become stranded...and she has changed her mind.
Funny, even though she is nine Lolli still loves being read to.

Elli's Reads - Fudge always makes six year old's laugh.

Lolli's reads - Margaret (being read by Mom), Lost (being read by Dad)

YARN ALONG - HALF DONE ELEPHANT AND JOHN GRISHAM

YARN ALONG #1

The communities you find on the internet. The people of the Place Under the Pine have been diving into many niche communities on the 'net. From Haul Videos on Youtube to #twittergames on Twitter. The latest find is a good one - YARN ALONG.
Finally, a like minded group of people who have similar obsessions - yarn and books.

Click on the Yarn Along button to see more...

Currently in the PUTP, there is a half done elephant and a half done Grisham book...which one will be done first?

The crocheted pieces in the picture above are the head, arms, and legs for a small elephant. This elephant was started many moons ago...24 moons would be a rough estimate. It was initially started as a gift for a newborn Oskie. Oskie is now over two years old! However, the last few weeks have seen the elephant go from only a head to a head with extremities.

The Litigators by John Grisham has also been sitting on a bookshelf for similar amount of time. Grisham books often sit, but, when opened are devoured by the bookworm in record time. This one is no different. It may be done even faster than usual as Matty has been riding the bus to work everyday and uses that time wisely - to read.

HOW WILL KIDS READ IN THE FUTURE?

Will our kid's read the same way as us?

Pine Tree Post | Books

Instead of the flashlight under the blankets, hiding from the parents, trying to get through that one last chapter, will that classic childhood memory be more like: hiding under a blanket with a light up Kobo...?

Here, in the Place Under the Pine, reading is a large part of life. Tens of thousands of pages are read annually by its adult citizens, (upwards of 40,000 page in 2013), with a similar amount read to the younger citizens. A great majority of this reading is done through physical, get-from-the-library, old school technology...paper books. But, that old fashioned way of reading is changing.

This little guy is readin' it old school!

As noted a couple of years ago, Audiobooks have been one way Lolli has 'consumed' literature. But, until last year she had only read, and been read, hold-in-your-hand-page-turners. Then Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the ebook version, was read to her. It was no better, or no worse, than if it had been read in hard cover. A novel is still a novel. Just pages of words, right?

It is until the device runs out of power.
Paper books do not run out of power.

But, overall the reader and listener did not find the experience of an ebook much different.

Outside of the book, the story, the words, there are some pretty significant benefits to having ebooks around. They tend to be less expensive. They are better for the trees. They open up a whole new crowd of authors (it is an inexpensive ways of getting their writing out there). But, by far, the biggest plus is that they are a space saver.

A bookcase or two (or more) can fit on the memory card of this slim piece of plastic!

Lolli's bookshelf

Boy's room bookshelf

The drawbacks are mostly sentimental (unless you are a paper company);you cannot feel the pages when you turn them, you do not get that distinct smell of an old book, you cannot feel the weight of an epic hardcover in your hands, you cannot see your massive collection of yard sales finds stacked beside your bed just begging to be read.

Still lovin' those used books

As more of the world turns digital will books follow? Will our kid's kid's reading experience look like this?

Kids nowadays read, listen, and surf the net all at the same time!

Or do books hold such a special place in our lives, our society, our culture, that we will always remember books like this?

Reading with loved ones.

Getting lost in the pages of good book.

Learning to read from words printed on paper.

  

AUDIOBOOKS ARE THE NEW BOOK!

HAVE YOU HEARD AN AUDIOBOOK?

Pine Tree Post | April 2013

Most likely you have heard the drone of an audiobook, just after the official 'bedtime' in The Place Under the Pines. This is just one of the many new trends the younger generation has grabbed hold of. After the offical 'lights out', a faint blue LED glow coming from the CD player shines on an immobile figure, wrapped warmly under a blanket or two. If you listen hard you can hear passages from well loved children's novels like Ramona, Fudge, and Judy Moody. This will sometimes last upwards of an hour. Why are authorities allowing this extension of time? Time that is officially 'bedtime'.

Anectodal evidence showed that 'bedtime' was not being adhered to in the past. The younger folk were not settling down and falling alseep as quickly, or as easily, as one would hope. However, new studies are finding that this extra hour of non movement time, in a dark room, with relatively low stimulation, is allowing these young people to 'relax', allow their mind & body to 'slow down', and is resulting in a shorter falling asleep time.

Daytime reading has not changed much with hardcovers and small novels making up the content. Another mandatory boook from the Urban Farming Ministry was read last week, Big City Bees.

Big City Bees tackles the topic of pollinators in the city. Urban beekeeping is on the rise (on the highrise) and there are wider benefits than just the honey collected from these hives. Matthew and Sophie find out just how essential bees are to their hopes of growing a Halloween pumpkin. Along with this fun and simple story a wide range of complex topics on bees, fruit, and pollination are brought up. Facts on how bees contribute to our food supply, a discussion on the decline in bee population, tips on helping the bees, and other important and timely topics are weaved into the story. By the end of the book the kids were buzzing with questions.

__________________________________________________

On a much higher decibel level, O had a birthday recently, which involved fourteen screaming kids. The screams were of pure joy and delight, amplified by the echos found in every indoor pool. This year's celebration was a first, a first to take place outside the PUTP. Due to the lack of a swimming pool, authorities opted for a local rec centre, previously a juvenile detention type centre, which recently became available for rent. The event consisted of an hour of gym time, an hour of swimming, and an hour of party room time. The party room decor was the math equivalent of neutral, one 'boy' tablecloth (NHL theme) and one 'girl' tablecloth (pink), but, overall everything worked out wonderfully. A happy day was had by all.

8:00 | Kingston

READING REFLECTS LIFE IN PUTP

READING VOLUME UP IN THE YOUNG, DOWN IN THE OLD

Pine Tree Post | February 2013

Reading has always been a gauge in the Place Under The Pines. When times are busy reading levels tend to drop, just as when leisure time increase reading levels tend to shoot up.

The year 2012 was a boom year, with countless childrens books read, and around 120 novels finished (80-90 by Jen, 40-50 by Matt). However, a recent reading survey shows 2013 amounts are well shy of last year's record high. Prominent reader Matt comments,

"In the past month I finished one good sized novel, see my review here , which I felt was pretty quick, 'specially considering we just had a new baby in January.

Before our first was born, I read A Song of Fire and Ice series (aka The Game of Thrones books), thousands of pages in a month or two. After O was born, I don't recall finishing even a slim book for half a year or more."

The younger generation have kept their pages turning as their passion (and ability) for reading continues to grow exponentially. A milestone was hit the other day as E made it through his first 'chapter' book. It was Fern the Green Fairy.

E's First Chapter Book

These Rainbow Magic fairy books were a staple in the PUTP about two years ago. Dozens of these books were borrowed from the library and picked up at thrift sales.

It only took two days to go cover to cover on this one since E seemed captivated by the story. He could easily recall the plot and characters and is very interested in continuing the series*. 

*Update - Wednesday another Rainbow Magic fair book was taken out of the library.

Another recent read that was given high reviews was, Molly's Organic Farm.

 A simple book that introduces children to some complex ideas around organic farming, such as natural pest removal, companion planting, composting, and such.

This type of book is part of the PUTP supplementary education program (agricultural division) where the young are trained both in theory and hands on training in urban agriculture.

This book was read in coordination with the 2013 garden planning session, as well as on the heels of the PUTP land use report.

It is hard to tell just how the year will turn out. Reading volumes are expected to increase over the next few month, but, an exact date on when reading levels will return to 'normal' for the older folk is hard to pin down.

8:00 | Kingston