The Children's Homer by Padraic Colum

The Children's Homer by Padraic Colum, read by Robert Whitfield is a real treat.  A grand adventure, expertly retold for a younger audience and read aloud by a master-story-teller.  What more could you want?

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The Sparrow and Children of God by Mary Doria Russell

Really enjoyed this thought-provoking two-book series. The Sparrow and  Children of God relay the story of Jesuit first contact with a new culture. Questions of faith and doubt are masterfully wrestled with as misunderstandings led to hardships and despair.

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Library Thing

I am really liking Library Thing.  At first glance it looked like a pointless bit of busy-work, inventorying all the books I read -- even the ones I didn't like.  But then I found the Recommendations features.  Library Thing will show me other reader's collections with whom I have a lot of books in common. I can virtually browse their shelves and find new books to read.  Library Thing will also keep track of books I liked and recommend books that other readers have listed as good pairings. 

Nowadays, instead of being chronically short of things to read, I have a long wishlist and have found several new favorite authors.

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Exercise is Bad for My Health

So two weeks ago I went to the gym and worked really hard.  I huffed and puffed and sweated and was so proud of myself.  On the way home, the sore throat started and by bedtime I had a full-on URI and chest cold.  I was sick for days and am still run-down and coughing all the time and can't get a deep breath.

Question -- can exercise bring on asthma-like breathing problems? Sticky lungs and shortness of breath?

I was trying to do something healthful -- work-out.  Instead I am spending my days in my bathrobe and hanging out with my pals NyQuil and Mucinex. 

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