So Dexter (our dog) decided to make his own breakfast arrangements this morning. His choice to start the day was half a fresh rabbit. I know because he left the other half outside the door for me. Obviously he thought that my toast and marmalade was a bit lacking in something. Like fur....
Should I be flattered that he left me the half with the head?
So last night it snowed - quite a lot! It was that nice heavy west coast snow, so lots of our trees got kinda flattened. Emma has just been outside knocking the snow of the worst ones with a broom - well until she threw the broom up the cherry tree and it got stuck!
While she was out there there were some very loud cracks, and I watched one big Arbutus branch land harmlessly on the drive, and another fall right on top of the deer fencing. Ryan will be pleased to hear that the top wire is paying for itself!
Dexter was outside as well, and he loves the snow, as you can see in this little movie. It turns him back into a puppy instantly (not that it takes much with Dexter):
Its funny to see snow on top of the sunflower and the planters that are still blooming! Now the sun has come out and its warming up, so all the trees are unloading. It almost looks like its snowing again. Still, as they say, snow worries...
While I was away in Seattle and Emma was painting the hallway she also decided to finish off Dexter's Dog House. I think it looks great but I just hope that I don't end up in it!
Iain Banks: The Wasp Factory: A Novel
OK I haven't recently read this - it was a few years ago, but it is a landmark book from a very interesting author. (*****)
Markus Zusak: The Book Thief
This is a great example of storytelling. A different (if overplayed at times) angle means Death is narrating the story of Liesel a spunky girl who lives in Germany in the Second World War. I didn't always like the style of prose/writing and it took me a while to get into it, BUT, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and interactions, the way such a difficult time is narrated, the 'human-ness' of it all. Sadness, a childhood interrupted - and yet not. Ultimately thought-provoking and uplifting. (****)
Markus Zusak: The Book Thief
For info: This is the import cover design which I MUCH prefer!
