Things I Have Learned This Week

Now in convenient list form!

*  Mother Nature does not appreciate even the merest implication of fisting and will raise the temperature thirty degrees outdoors to mess with your Shark Week (for Soup) plans.

*  Proceeding with Shark Week (for Soup) anyway and using the oven will also raise the temperature thirty degrees indoors.  And what goes best with roasty vegetable soup with mini-meatballs?  Profuse sweating.

*  Miss Tyra Banks IS going to exploit your pain on national TV.  Count on that.

*  Speaking of pain, if you wrestle with the pit bull and try to drape her around your shoulders, you WILL throw out your back again and your doctor WILL laugh at you.

*  Books you think you are finished writing are apparently not finished being written.

* * * * *

Until I'm done with the editing process and can pay attention to this blog, I highly/happily recommend the following books.

From Alison Pace, author of Pug Hill (also loved!), check out Through Thick and Thin.

From Rajaa Alsanea, I found The Girls of Riyadh completely fascinating.

Finally, my favorite book I read this year, Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst.

(The hardcover has parrots and maps on it and you might think it's a changes-in-attitudes-changes-in-latitudes-Buffett-book.)  (Which it isn't.)

Anyway, read, enjoy, and talk amongst yourselves.  I'll be back as soon as I'm done!

Comments

[Debby]

Oh, wow! I had to read the first listed item to make sure I had indeed read "fisting" and not fishing. Now, why is it that fisting Mother Nature was mentioned? Sounds painful!

[Karina]

Fisting. Mother. Nature. I'm still lauging about that post, you are freakin' outrageous!

I also made a complete knob of myself this morning on the train when reading Bright Lights...laughed out loud, like 3 times! You still haven't told your mom what the 'reach around' is, have you Jen???

[Sheenah]

I just have to say that I looooove your books and have recommended them to so many people that we sold out of them at the Borders I work at. Keep working on that book, I can't wait to read it!

[Jenny from Chicago]

I'm taken aback....I've never heard of any of these books. The mind boggles with what I've been doing reading Death by Suburb and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. I will get myself to B&N immediately.

[Kirsty]

I loved Lost and Found too, so I'll be looking at the other two you recommended.

I just finished your second book, so I'm glad you're finishing another one--I'm looking forward to it!

[Jill]

Lost and Found was awesome! I didn't want it to end. Will be thinking about some of your other selections (because although I have a stack of books to read, there's always room for more).

[Jennifer McKenzie]

I hate it when I want to do something traditional (in our house it's McKenzie Clam Chowder) and Mother Nature decides it's time for 80 degree weather.
Good luck with that.
And books NEVER cooperate with a time schedule. They do it on purpose.

[Michelle]

Hang in there, Jen! You're book will get finished...hey, you've already finished two, right :o) I shared your books with our neighbor last night, and she can't wait to read them! She repeated pretty much word for word your feelings about the library vs. buying the books at B&N!

Thanks for the book recommendations. I have one for you...it's a trilogy actually -Book 1 is "Princess", 2 is "Princess Sultana's Daughter's", and 3 is "Princess Sultana's Circle". All written by a Saudi princess, in the House of Al Saud family. EXCELENT BOOKS! I know you're busy, but when things slow down considerably for you, take a look.

Take care,
Michelle in Cincy

[Shelliu]

I was in Lincoln Park this weekend and thought of you, slaving away on your new book.

Can't wait until you are done!!! I have all of my girlfriends addicted to you.

[mishi]

Lost and Found was probably my fav of the year as well....next to anything Jen Lancaster writes, that is.

Rock out Jen!!

[amanda]

Yeah, I don't get the fisting thing. And I'm pretty sure I know what it means.

[New Diva on the Blog]

I knew shark week was jinxed, but hey more power to ya in all your "soup anyway" glory and in your editing process!

[Kim]

What I want for Christmas: Never to see Tyra acting out getting her chocolate starfish waxed on prime time again!!! Also, no more cabaret (although it's still better than her atrocious music video...). Shameful!

[Heather B.]

Sending you book finishing vibes so that we may drink some wine.

[Liz K]

Miss Tyra WILL exploit your pain. They really outdid themselves last night on ANTM. They seemed to have gotten rid of mamas and plus sized girls, but they bulked up on girls who got the bad touch when they were younger and they actually found a hot girl who has autism. Their casting director should get a creative arts emmy just for that.

[Sean]

I must admit that I am rather curious as to why you implied that you were going to fist Mother Nature.

[Therapygirl]

Loved Lost & Found.........but loved your 2 better. They proved to be better than my therapist (who I love and not in a bad way) and reminded me that yes, there are others like me out there!

I'm so making the roasty Tomato soup, as soon as the temp dips below 80 again (and I am north of you in Madison...grrr.)

And since I missed the "what should Jen do next" comments- ANYTHING! Just keep writing! Although a nice mug would be nice too..

[Busted]

My husband and I just adopted a baby pit (6 month old)I tried to pick her up last night to cuddle with her and I almost broke my knees & spine. When I finally dragged her onto the couch we started to wrestle which is when I was rudly reminded of how bad her gas is when she's playing.

Damn near killed me!

Good luck on those edits!