Books

Last Saturday I finished reading two books.  One was on my iPad so I read it mostly when at E's; the other was a hardback so I read it at home.  Wonder, by R. J. Palacio,  tells the story of a boy with a facial deformity who  starts fifth grade in a private school after being taught at home.  He deals with bullying, teasing and confusion as he spends time with lots of new children.  Point of view shifts from one character to another.  This recently was made into a movie, but I haven't seen it.  Great story, well-told.

The Devil in the White City is a fascinating look at the 1893 Columbian Exposition (or World's Fair) in Chicago.  The author weaves together the lives of the lead designer of the fair and a serial killer, revealing to us much about life in the 1890's.  Erik Larson has written several books like this.  The first one I read was Dead Wake, about the sinking of the great ship Lusitania in 1915 (I think, maybe 1914).  Since I grew up in Illinois and have been to Chicago I especially enjoyed learning more about the fair.

I recommend both of these books.

A new friend

I'm making a new friend.  Carolyn is also a piano teacher, a little older than I, with two grown daughters.  I think I first met her at the community chorus a few years ago.  We spoke in passing and shared a few tips and commiserations about problem students.  But since es was born we have spent more time together.  She worked as a nanny when she was much younger and still enjoys little children, so occasionally she comes over to play with es and ec.  We have also met for tea and talk without the children.  Once she and her husband came over for supper.  Recently we took a walk along the lagoon, pausing every few minutes to rest on the benches by the water (she has some sort of foot problem that limits her walking).  We spoke about what we like to do besides teach, hobbies we have or would like to have.  Carolyn wants to learn to draw and do more camping, maybe learn Spanish.  I would just like to have more time for the things I already do, like quilting and scrapbooking.  Spending time with her is pleasant.

Raft

Perhaps I've talked about rafts before, but es still builds them with regularity in the den.  A quilt forms the bottom of the raft, and pillows are the edges that keep out the water.  Often lots of books appear on the raft, because when one goes for a long trip she needs something to keep her busy.  Sometimes little blocks and balls go along as "food."  It looks like this one has chairs; I wasn't there when it was created so I don't know how the chairs were described.