Sunday Salon...

Sunday Salon finds me feeling like crap.  I've gotten this cold back again, and can't seem to shake it.  I ache, and blow my nose most of the day and night. I sound like I'm going to cough up a lung. 

It's a beautiful day here in Ontario, and I'm going to catch my breath and get out there.  I'd love to cut my hydrangeas for a door wreath, but last time I did that my plant didn't bloom for several years.  We are at the end of September, when did that happen?  

The books I enjoyed this week were Chains, and I'm presently reading Once.  Once is a short little book, written from the perspective of a Jewish child in Poland.  I'm about half way through and with coughing and such, am having a difficult time reading, but maybe today.  

I'm getting old.  On Tuesday I returned to my furniture refinishing class and I have a locker there, can't remember the combination, isn't that silly.  I had it written down someplace if I could only remember where?  I'll be chopping off that lock, and getting another. 

My companion in the "sick room" is looking out and keeping the birds in check.  He's such a sissy, the birds could have their way with him any day of the week.
Have a good week, I'm going to try.

P.S. I've been down and out for about 3 days now, and never in my married life have I sat/layed around not worrying about "stuff", it's a wonderful feeling.

Chains, a readalong,... week one

Today is week 1 of our group read-a-long of Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.  This week we read chapters 1-10, Here are a few questions to get us talkin'.  Thanks to War Through the Generations for hosting.

1.  What are your first impressions of the book so far?
 I don't know why, but when a book opens with a death, it always piques my interest, I'm morbid that way.  I like Isabel, and I'm curious about Ruth.  I do however think that their situation is all too common in that day and time. I'm not sure Curzon would have approached Isabel so soon, wouldn't they be a little more cautious, although,  since they , slaves are not considered people/?  I like the feeling that the battle is about to begin, I'm morbid that way.

2.  When we meet Isabel after the death of her owner, why do you think she turns to the tales of ghosts to guide her?

I think ghost stories were very much the norm, I can remember my mom telling us stuff like that, so I do think Isabel turning to her ghost mom for guidance is very typical of the time.  Superstition is a big thing in some cultures,  not to mention that the girl is in desperate need of an adult to help her.  She's grasping at the only thing she knows how to do.

3. Once under the control of the Locktons, do you think Isabel has the ability to protect herself and her sister? Just herself? Just her sister? or Neither?
Quite the contrary, I think Isabel has no hope of protecting herself and her sister.  She is literally at their mercy.

4. Do you think Isabel does the right thing by seeking out Curzon with information about the Locktons, or do you think it makes more sense for her to take Becky’s approach and stay loyal to the Locktons, no matter her opinion on the war, in order to keep her and Ruth safe?

I have to admit, I admire her bravery, but think it's a dangerous thing for a slave to defy their masters, they could beat her, kill her and Ruth without even having to explain themselves, should they find out.I'm for a safe existence, much like Becky. I'm enjoying this book so far, and I'm not sure I can drag out reading it for a month. 

It's not too late to join in, the chapters are short. 

Here is the Reading Schedule, Discussion on Fridays:
Sept. 1-6: Chapters 1-10
Sept. 7-13: Chapters 11-24 (end Part 1)
Sept. 14-20: Chapters 25-36
Sept. 21-27: Chapters 37-45 (the end)