Book Review: Dracula!

 I listened to Dracula by Bram Stoker  on a podcast, read by Phoebe Judge. Podcast is called "Phoebe Reads a Mystery." I decided to give it a try, as it's an old classic that I had never read.

Well.. it's creepy! And sometimes interesting and sometimes boring. Sometimes it drags on, with lots of slow detail. I sometimes got the male characters mixed up in my mind.

The creepy parts are creepy. How does the human mind come up with this stuff? Vampires, and especially the way people must save them from themselves are a horrible thought. I suppose it comes from the fact that vampire bats really do exist. Then the imagination takes over from there. Wow.

There were a couple of main characters who are women. I did like that the circle of men around M.  respect her intelligence and include her in decision making (after at first excluding her under the guise of protecting her). She gives them a clear reason why she should be included, and they see her wisdom. Of course the overall attitude toward women was that they are the weaker sex and need protection. So the fact that they recognized and valued M's intelligence was important.

A side story is a doctor who works with "lunatics" in a hospital for insane people, aka insane asylum. He is curious and likes to learn about how the minds of "lunatics" work, but overall they are not given much respect. The straight jacket is employed frequently. Ugh. I'm so glad we have progressed a little in this field. Not enough, but at least we no longer refer to them as "lunatics."

What else can I say? Now I can say that I have read Dracula. I do not intend to ever read it again. My curiosity was satisfied, and the creepiness is in my past.

Vancouver Public Library

Trying Again... And I Read a Book!

After two dry months I finally managed to read a book! This COVID stuff has messed with my mind in a weird way so that I could not concentrate on reading. It has been very frustrating. I did finally manage to read this book: Chinese Cinderella, the True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah.

It was a memoir, a young adult book, so the reading was quick and easy to finish in a short time. Interesting story. The poor child's mother died shortly after giving birth to her, thus the family blames the baby and thinks of her as bad luck. Her own bad luck starts on that day and continues for years. It was very sad. But, here's a hint... the Cinderella part eventually does take place, and it's not just a sappy marriage to a prince.

I am hoping this blog entry will publish correctly. The new format threw me off last time. I now will attempt to show you some of the things I have been sewing during the pandemic shut-down.

above: I made the top a while ago, but I finally got it quilted recently, and I am very happy with it. The pattern is Smudge by Villa Rosa. It is made of Australian fabrics so I count it as one of my souvenirs from traveling there in 2015.

above: Some of you might recognize this. It is part of Gudrun Erla's pattern called A Stroll in Paris. She presented it in mystery format. I finished most of the project, but not all. I decided to just stop with these blocks and make my own piano keys border. Not sure what I will do with it. Keep or give away?

The three above were made for Quilts Beyond Borders.

The above two are for Wrap a Smile.

This week I was able to spend a couple of days with my sister and cousin up at the cabin, so I feel that my summer has been a success. I got to swim in the lake, and that was my goal. When one's travels are restricted, the goals become quite tame. I was happy to achieve mine.

HELLO!! Hello? helloooo....hellooo (echoing)

My little blog has been feeling neglected. I have not been inspired to write much. But I am still here! The pandemic and the self-quarantine have really messed with my interests. You know I love to read, but guess what? I have barely been able to read a thing for the last couple of months! For some reason I cannot settle down and give my full attention to a book! I'm perplexed and hope it will correct itself soon. Right now I am managing to listen to a book on the podcast, "Phoebe Reads a Mystery." She is reading Dracula by Bram Stoker. I have never read it in my life, so decided to listen to broaden my knowledge of classics. It has been a little creepy and then a little interesting in ways other than creepy. We're not done yet. She reads one chapter per day. I have been sewing. Here are some examples: Oh, wait! Blogger has changed its format! Where do I find the insert for sharing photos??? Sheesh... it's not even honoring my desire for paragraphs. I'm lost!