Coronavirus Pandemic 2020 Behind closed doors there are windows to look out

With so many people at home, books may be a window to worlds outside this pandemic. As a librarian who worked with teens and children to encourage them to read, I know that books are shared through recommendations by friends, professionals, publisher’s promotions, social media and displays in public places. While some of these avenues have been closed for now, whatever you read, I encourage you to share your opinions by talking with your friends and children. Offer your reviews of the book online, be it Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, your blog, your choice.

The way I review, I see a book as music.

       Some stories are told as if ...

          by a storyteller with only the cadence of their own voice,

          by a single storyteller with a guitar,

          by a storyteller who is part of a band,

          relating their story as if they are part of a grand orchestra.

 Each of these forms bring stories to life that a reader may thoroughly enjoy. We can find something good to say about a book even if you don't recommend it. Thanks to publishing companies over the years I have read books I never would have picked up on my own. Many I really enjoyed, some I found an audience for that wasn't me, but we learn what we like by sampling many genres and authors. Check out your libraries eBooks for now.

I read books and think of music. Some stories are told as if by a single storyteller with a guitar, some are told as if the storyteller is part of a band and some storytellers relate their story as if they are part of a grand orchestra. Each of these forms bring stories to life that a reader can thoroughly enjoy.

Omen Of Stones

                                                  by Casey L. Bond

Reviewed by Katy Grant

When Fate steps in twists and turns abound … in Omen Of  Stones by Casey L. Bond.

River is the son of King Tauren and Queen Sable, but as the years have passed many Puritans in Nautilus are unwilling to tolerate the witches in their midst, they foster hatred towards all.  Trying to keep the peace after threats were made, Sable has urged their son River to keep close to the castle. Now, on his seventeenth birthday he has come of age. It is time to visit with the witches in Thirteen and learn more about his heritage. You see, River speaks with the dead as well as walks among them.

There are boundaries that protect Nautilus from the Wilds however, on this night River leaves the safe boundary as he follows a spirit that calls to him. Set upon, knocked out and bound by magic he is dragged to the river to be drowned.

Omen is a witch who lives in the Wilds. On this night she is drawn to the river where she sees the men trying to drown a young man. When they fail to heed her warning to stop and free the young man, without regret she uses her command of the stones to bury the would be murders. She guides River to her home, where she lives with her foster mother, so she may unbind the magic that ties his hands. They return to the river the next morning only to find it swollen so far out of its banks that River may not return yet to Nautilus. Stranded on this side of the river the Spirit returns for River with a fierce need for him to see her death. There is trouble a’brewing both inside and out of Nautilus. The hatred some have for the Witches has festered, grown and is ready to boil over to destroy all in its path. 

The thought to destroy Nautilus was sparked with the death of the Spirit; just as the leaders enfolded her daughters into their plan for revenge. Fate too will have a part in this tale as it unfolds, for this war has been a long time coming, more then seventeen years. Evil has laid in wait, biding time. The time is now.

Return to the Kingdom of Nautilus, with Tauren, Sable, and others of the Kingdom. Step beyond the boundaries into the Wilds where we see life outside Nautilus. Beginning with the questions, why does someone want River dead? Omen is a founding, but who were her parents? Why has the founder of the village provided her with a caregiver and home all these years?  What are her powers? Why has Fate brought them together? You see, Fate has always had a hand in River’s life; he guides him but, even Fate may not be able to stop what will happen.

 “Omen Of Stones” will continue the tale begun in “When Wishes Bleed” bringing back favorite characters and introducing others that share the Kingdom of Nautilus and the lands beyond. Tauren and Sable have ruled Nautilus striving for peace but there are those who would rather bring war to the borders and beyond endangering all they hold dear. This tale will pull you in, push you to the edge of your chair, leave you with a warm feeling and wanting just a little bit more.

Caught, held fast under the spell of her writing, drawn into the story as the magic unfolds across the pages and wraps around the characters, then threatens their very existence… pick up Casey L Bond’s latest tale, The Omen Stones on March 3, 2020.

A message has come from the world of literature, guarded by a denizen of the deep, only to be opened on the stroke of midnight.

Story behind the this tale. In the 10th edition of "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg, he included a codicil in the form of a short note. The note explained that the idea for his book came from a young boy he met on the street that had been trying to sell him a silver bell for $5. When he shook the bell it made no sound. He wasn't going to buy it, but the boy talked to him of Christmas Spirit and how only those who believed could hear the sound of the bell. 

At the time there were two listservs I was on, one was a ChildLit. People were discussing the new edition and it's inclusion, debating if the story was true or not so much. I got a little worn, it was just Chris Van Allsburg's way of giving us a little something extra for this new printing of his story. So, I just added to the fun and wrote my own version of the note Van Allsburg had given us. I presented it to the staff at Shawnee Library that Christmas along with a silver bell for each person. 

At this point I wanted to share it with others on ChildLit and Storytell, but we only had a Bulletin board with limited time on the Internet. By the time I finished typing in the story, I couldn't send it to Storytell listserv too. Before I had chance to share it, another librarian who was on both listservs I frequented,  sent it to Storytell for me. A professional storyteller contacted me and asked permission to add it to her repertoire of stories and offered to give me credit as the author. I was delighted to offer it to her. Ten years later there was to be a storytelling conference in Indianapolis, close to me. The storyteller again contacted me and asked if I would be there, she wanted to meet me. I told her I was sorry but couldn't make, it was a bit too costly for me both time and funds. So, she told that she shared the story every year and gave out silver bells. She said, everyone loved. I was delighted to know that the story had found its place in children's lives, outside of my small area.

Please feel free to share with others. Storytelling and Christmas giving will always go together.

The Real Story Behind the Christmas Bell

by Katy Grant 11/96

    It had been a long day, but still needing a few things for Christmas, I stopped by the store after work. The wind whistled as it whipped around the cars parked in the almost full store lot, and street lights here and there were just coming to life. Even my long woolen cloak wasn't enough

protection from the bitterly cold night air, as I hurried towards the building.     I was just stepping up on the sidewalk when I heard a voice call out, "Psssst, Lady." I stopped and looked around. For a second, I thought I saw a head duck behind the corner of the building. I stood staring at the corner

for a few more seconds before I decided it must have been a trick of the wind and shadows in the fading light. I started towards the building again but hadn't taken more then a few steps when I heard the voice again. 
   "PSSST, PSSSSSSST, LADY!" This time I was sure I saw a cherub face with a toboggan on it's head duck back out of sight, around the corner of the building. As I rounded the corner, I saw a forlorn looking little child. His head was bent down and his hat was pulled low over his ears and forehead. I placed my hand on his shoulder and squatted down to be on eye level with him as I asked, "Are you all right?" When he lifted his head, I was surprised to see a large smile on his face. At the same moment, I realized he wasn't a child but a pint sized little man.

    In a conspiratorial whisper he said, "The big guy sent me, lady." My first reaction was to began looking around for one of the godfathers that used to visit our house at Christmas time. I must have looked puzzled because he said, " You know... red suit, beard, reindeer, ho, ho, ho." "Oh that, big guy," I said. [with a bit of a smile on my face] " I have something for you," he said, as he took hold of my hand. At this remark I stood up. Still holding tight to my hand he looked up at me, and as he did so his toboggan slipped further down over his eyebrows. He impatiently pushed it back; revealing a set of pointed ears. "It's a story." Now, I was caught. I never could resist a pair of pointed ears or a story. I squatted back down to hear him better, but in truth, I could no longer hear the whistling of the wind around us.

    "The big guy is great but after a couple hundred years his eye sight ain’t so good anymore. His hearing is great though. With Rudolph to guide the sleigh, it helped. But the other reindeer are always up to tricks and one Christmas Eve the Big Guy was almost late. The reindeer were hiding, playing silly games. They wouldn't come out until the Big Guy had found the hiding place of e-v-e-r-y last one of them. He decided right then and there that it wouldn't happen again next year. He put a few of us to work making reindeer bells. Now you know, all reindeer look alike. To make sure he knew which reindeer was which each bell has a different ring even though they look exactly alike." [Reindeer like to dress exactly the same]

    "Everything went right on schedule for the next hundred years or so but, in 1933 the Big Guy noticed a change. Christmas Spirit was real low down here. So, when he came to a house with just a scrawny, little tree with no decorations, he decided to decorate with the reindeer's bells. That house just seemed to light up with Christmas Spirit. The Big Guy kept an eye on that house the next day and, we all watched as people came for miles to celebrate Christmas at that little place. That gave him another great idea. Reindeer are not only silly; they're very vain. Each year we have to make them new bells to wear; they refuse to be seen in a set of old bells. The Big Guy said, 'From now on I'm going to send some of you down there to give out reindeer bells to people who look like they know how to celebrate Christmas. They can share the bells with others and in that way spread the Christmas cheer around. Anybody who truly believes in Christmas and me will be able to hear the difference in the bell's tones.' "

    "This sounds like a Chris VanAllsburg story to me," I remarked. "NO WAY, LADY! Ten years ago Van Allsburg was just another guy on the street when I handed him one of the bells. He took the idea for his story from me. And he's just now giving me some credit for it." I began to smile. "So, you really think I'm somebody who knows how to share the Christmas Spirit? That's a lovely compliment. Thank you." "Are you kidding, Lady? I've been standin' out here for hours. My feet are frozen. I want to get back to the North Pole. I'm out-a-here." And within a blink of the eye he was gone.

    I was left with the bells, a story and a list that describes the tones of each bell. I've shared the bells with my friends, a few of whom have told me that they can tell which reindeer's bell they have. And now I've shared the story with you, listen closely to all silver bells you see this year and see if you too can hear a difference in their tones. I have included the list of reindeer and a description

of their bell's tones to help you. 

This is my Christmas present...a story for everyone. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

If you are having trouble telling the sounds apart, your Christmas Spirit needs

a little work...

Dasher - one quick ring... sounds like ZING!

               goes the streetcar

Dancer - first three notes of the Nutcracker

             pilfered from the original playing of Tchaikovsky

Prancer - ding...dong...ding-on the scale doe, ray, me

                 pilfered from Julie Andrews

Vixen - a single high-c note ring

             donated by Beverly Sills

Comet - one loud bursting ring that slowly fades away

               in memory of Haley's comet

Cupid - light tinkling sound

             caught as an angel got his wings

Donner - one loud bong

              donated by Quasimodo

Blizen - an alarming ding-ding-ding...

              recorded at a firehouse in old Chicago

Rudolph - one dull clunk-

            compliments of snowballs thrown by children at moving carriages

Riscorti - Italian Cookies

These cookies are ones my Nonnie used to make for us. She brought the recipe with her from home in Sardinia, Italy. But it was my Aunt Susie who changed the sugar from granulated to powdered sugar, which makes the cookies softer. They make anywhere from 150 to 175 cookies depending on how large you make them. They are not a sweet cookie, hence the glaze and sprinkles. This is the same recipe that she used to make giugiuleni cookies but she added anise extract along with the vanilla extract and rolled in sesame seeds, rather than iced.

Recipe:
 
3 pounds of flour
1 box of confectioners sugar
3 well rounded tablespoons baking powder - we use soup spoons and and round the portion not level it off
1- 1 lb can of solid Crisco shortening
7 eggs
1   2 oz bottle  McCormick's Vanilla Extract
3/4 cup milk

In a very large container, I use a 32 quart metal pot, mix all dry ingredients well.
Add Crisco, eggs, vanilla extract and milk.

With your hands mix all the ingredients until well blended. If the dough feels a bit dry add milk by the tablespoon. Dough should not be sticky, see photos below.
For each cookie, pinch off a ball of dough slightly about the size of a good chestnut.
Roll into a ball.
Then roll the ball, then using the flat if your hand roll the ball into the size and shape of a pencil.
Then wrap the cookie into a spiral wheel, a twisted S shape or a double roll (looks like an old fashioned tape cassette roll).
These cookies are meant to be rolled, not cut with a cookie cutter or rolled into a ball and cooked. They will be slightly crunchy on the outside and soft when you bite into them.
Bake at 350 degrees
Time will vary. 15 - 20 minutes. After 15 minutes check the bottom of the cookie, it should be light brown when they are done. Tops may or may not be slightly brown on top, depending on the oven.

When they are totally cool, you can ice them with a glaze or they can be

eaten plain. They are not a sweet cookie.

Icing -glaze
1-1 lb box of Confectioners Sugar
6 tablespoons of milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Varitey of sprinkles and colored sugar

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, icing should be thin but opaque, add milk little at time by teaspoons if needed.
Dip plain cookies in the icing and while still wet sprinkle with jimmies, colored sugar or sprinkles.

They are best stored in air tight containers. I use empty pop corn tins, since they will hold about half a batch of the cookies.So you might need two.

I recently had my bathroom renovated. Below you will see the review I made about the company I contracted with to do the work and the mistakes I made that cost me dearly. Please be aware the company I am referring to is a company on Chamberlain Lane, in Louisville, Kentucky. It is my hope that the following information and suggestions will help you in your planning stages.

"I contracted Trademark to renovate my upstairs bathroom, in a recently purchased old home. I should have read the contract closer before signing it. I was told they had professional staff and did very good work.

 My first mistake was not shopping around more before signing on the dotted line.

My second mistake. I didn’t listen closely enough, I was intent on what I wanted done and was disappointed when I realized how little could be done in my small space and at what cost. I should have taken a copy of the contract offered to me, looked it over in private and offered to call them with my final decision while, consigning the pro-offered discounts to the devil. Instead, I made a deal with him.

     My third mistake, I assumed this was a large company and they would do a professional job in a reasonable length of time. It took four telephone conversations, the threat of cancelation and thirteen weeks to get the job finished.

     My fourth mistake is also the biggest, I paid far too much money for three walls, a whirlpool tub and shower.

The renovation was subcontracted out. The men who did the work, did the best they could within their constrictions layout by Trademark. Finally, to get an enclosure for my tub, I had to expend more money to purchase doors, a light fixture with a fan to help control the humidity in the small room and the rest of the wall and ceiling in the room finished. I also had to find other workers to finish what Trademark started.

Trademark did exactly what they stated they were going to do. In doing so, belatedly, I feel I spent at least double what it would have cost me with the same results from a large established company (such as Lowe’s or Home Depot). I priced out the materials, aside from the backsplash walls, and found the cost to be less that $1300.  I also believe that when the renovation was first discussed with me, the sales man had no idea who would be doing the project, since it was subcontracted out in the end.

I made mistakes that cost me. So, my suggestions would be to ask about the estimated cost of materials for the project and then times it by 1.50 and see if you come close to the price offered to you and that goes for any company you deal with.

When dealing with a company such as Trademark, read the contract, have a good idea about the cost of materials that will be used, and price per hour for labor and if you can live with the cost continue on at your own risk."