Sneaky Sock Thief and other stories

After taking Pages Unbound's quiz titled "Which Montgomery heroine are you?", I suspect that for good or for ill, I mostly resemble Montgomery herself. Presuming, of course, that she put a fair portion of Lucy Maud into each of her characters. My results were almost evenly split between three of the five choices. See, when I'm happy, and when I'm gardening,

...but when I'm moody, and when I'm writing,

Also, according to test results—possibly owing in part to some temporary annoyance with Maia which tempted me to give my vote (literally) to the dogs—it might also be said that

I just started reading Pat, so I expect to know more about how thoroughly I resemble her before long.

Not that I possess half the charisma of any of the above, mind. But ah, they're kindred spirits.

* * *

"I don't have the stuff to make jelly," I told Mom and Beth yesterday. "I don't have pectin, or a canner, or jars..."

Both of them were quick to explain that all I needed was a stock pot, some sugar, and an old pillowcase. "You can get some jars at any grocery store," said Beth, and then Mom said the words which could not fail: "Red currant jelly is just beautiful."

They sent me home with nine cups of currants. A trip to the grocery and an hour and a half of work resulted in these:

I suck at photography, but still, LOOK AT THE PRETTIES.

I'm so proud of those four little jelly jars—and the fact that I didn't entirely destroy my kitchen (though my stock pot did boil water all over the stove, having had to be filled to within a quarter inch of the top). The quartet remains on my counter, much too lovely to be put away just yet.

* * *

This week, Lou took off a pair of white tube socks and left them sitting in his shoes for a few minutes. I mention this only because Maia stole one, to amusing results.

Sometimes I think we keep that creature around just because she's so funny.

* * *

Writers' link of the week: I've written three books now, and have gotten beyond thinking that I'll never write anything else or anything better than my dearest first (my second and third are both better, actually), but this post of Across the Universe author Beth Revis' said a lot to me anyway. It's all right to hold that most beloved of works with an open hand.

* * *

Music of the week: As a stargazer, I pretty much have to like Holst's The Planets suite. Who couldn't love Jupiter, though, with its brightness, its resemblance to the Star Wars score thanks to its direct influence on composer John Williams, and its containing the melody to which the splendid hymn "O God Beyond All Praising" was written?



* * *

Random amusement of the week: 1990s problems. Yup. I remember those.

* * *

Ahhh, I love Holst so much. Second trip through Jupiter in fifteen minutes, and it's just as glorious as it was the first time.

Happy weekend!