Wondrous Words Wednesday 6-29-16

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! If you want to play along, grab the button at Kathy's blog, write a post and come back and add your link to Mr. Linky!

My words today come from Broad Influence: How Women Are Changing the Way America Works by Jay Newton-Small. 


"There is a rubric that a woman has to be asked on average seven times to run for office before she agrees."

rubric:   noun

1. 1a :  an authoritative rule; especially :  a rule for conduct of a liturgical serviceb (1) :  name, title; specifically :  the title of a statute (2) :  something under which a thing is classed 
2.        c :  an explanatory or introductory commentary:  an editorial interpolation
3. 2:  a heading of a part of a book or manuscript done or underlined in a color (as red) different from the rest
4. 3:  an established rule, tradition, or custom
5. 4:  a guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring academic papers, projects, or tests

There are a lot of definitions for rubric. I think number 3 is how it is intended in this sentence. 

"At most big tech companies, 30 percent of the employees are women, but only a few of those women are coders or engineers, usually a tech company's most vaunted and influential employees."

vaunted   adjective

 : often spoken of or described as very good or great : often praised

Did you encounter any wondrous words this week?

Stay Busy ans Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. 6-28-16

Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts this Tuesday meme. It is a place to share the first paragraph in the first chapter of a book you are reading or hope to get to soon. It is a great place to see what others are reading and add to your ever growing list of title to explore. So let's share. Write a post and then go link up at Diane's blog.

Glory Over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House
Kathleen Grissom
Simon & Schuster  April 2016


Part One
Chapter One

March 1830
Philadelphia

James

     Robert's familiar rap on the door came as I was studying a miniature portrait of myself. The small painting, meant as a parting gift to my beloved, had just been delivered, and I was debating the artist's interpretation. I had to admit that Miss Peale's suggestion to paint my face in profile, and thus avoid the black patch covering my left eye, was a good idea. Too, she had captured my features well in this, my thirty-third year: the length of my oval face, my aquiline nose, and the cleft in my square cut jaw. But I disliked the distinct set she had given my mouth.
     Robert knocked again.
     "Yes", I called, and my butler entered. 


I read The Kitchen House and loved it. So I had to download this audio book so I could again go back and find out what's next.  This is a stand alone novel but brings us again to 1830, the Underground Railroad and life on the plantations of the South. I am looking forward to this one, would you read on? 


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Review: Broad Influence by Jay Newton-Small

GOODREADS:

2016 will be one of the most historic years in politics: It marks the potential for the first female President of the United States, and the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress. Additionally, in 2016, single women will be one of the most pivotal voting groups heading into the general election, being courted by both Democrats and Republicans.

At the centennial of the first woman elected to Congress (which was three years before women legally earned the right to vote), their presence and influence in Washington has reached a tipping point that affects not only the inner workings of the Federal Government, but also directly influences how Americans live and work.

Never before have women been represented in such great numbers in the Supreme Court, both chambers of Congress, and in the West Wing. In Broad Influence , Jay Newton-Small, one of the nation's most deeply respected and sourced journalists takes readers through the corridors of Washington D.C., the offices and hallways of Capital Hill and everywhere else conversations and deals are happening to demonstrate how women are reaching across the aisles, coalescing, and affecting lasting change.

With deep, exclusive and behind-closed-doors reporting and interviews, including conversations with Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Mikulski, Kirsten Gillibrand, Valerie Jarrett, Sarah Palin, Kelly Ayotte, Cathy McMorris Rogers and dozens of other former and current senators, representatives, senior White House staffers, governors and cabinet members, Broad Influence is an insightful look at how women are transforming government, politics, and the workforce, and how they are using that power shift to effect change throughout America. 

MY THOUGHTS:
Jay Newton-Small's parents met in Zambia, both U.N. professionals. Her mother spoke seven languages, graduated from Cambridge, Oxford and Columbia where she earned a degree in international law. The U.N. had a rule against U.N. couples marrying, but because her mother outranked her father at the time, and they wanted to keep her on, the rule was changed. And yet, her mother endured insults, being ignored, various sexual assaults, because she loved her work. 

This book is well researched and written by an obviously bright young woman. There are statistics and quotes to support her premise, but the book reads more like a novel. I recommend this book to all women who care about our role in the future of our country and indeed the world. She informs us of the role of women in other countries, Australia, England, Brazil and India. We must have critical mass in all sectors for us to be truly equal. Ms. Newton-Small encourages us with facts and opinions of the women shaping American today. Women are better at listening and striving for compromise. Women use words and logic instead of force and bravado.  I encourage you to read this book - whichever side of the aisle you support, or even if you reside in another country.  

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 27 June - Books and other stuff

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Share what you are reading, what you read recently or what you hope to get to in the coming week and then link up with Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great place to see what is going on in the blogosphere and to add to your reading lists.


I am so disappointed in my reading lately. I can't seem to stay on task and finish a book in a reasonable time. I could blame it on the fact that the TV is always on in the living room, but I could go to the family room in the basement. I blame it on too much time spent looking at other blogs, but that is fun too. I could blame it on that I have other things I  do too, like quilt and not to be forgotten, cook and clean and laundry. "Sigh"

OK, whining over!!


This week I am still working on Broad Influence.

I have been learning a lot and enjoying the read. But waiting til bedtime to read is not working.



And I have not turned a page in Ghostly Paws

I did attend a Open Sew Day on Wednesday. It is a fund raiser for our local Quilt Show Steering Committee and because we (are on call waiting on our granddaughter's baby #2, I took just hand sewing. So if she called, I would not have to pack up a machine and all the paraphernalia that goes with sewing away from home. 

This morning there is a distinct smell of smoke in the air. There are several timber fires burning within a 90 mile radius of our small city. It is so dry this year and we got very little snow last winter. I feel so bad for those directly affected and pray for cooler weather and some rain.Thankful too that we have firefighters both local and state and federally funded, that have the means and the courage to battle these infernos. 

 Close up and far away. It is terrifying!  One family has lost everything.

 The rest of us have lost our beautiful vistas in our home state. 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Saturday Snapshots 25 June Father's Day 2016

Linking up late with Melinda at West Metro Mommy Reads. Check out her blog for the few rules about posting photos. Have fun.


Not many pictures taken this week. Here are some from our Father's Day Sunday.  We spent time in a local park with our granddaughter and her family. Then it was so hot, we decided to go to the county recreational center for a swim. Unhappily, they had closed the pool due to an accident. I'm thinking child, stomach sick, but not sure. Little guy was unhappy about not doing the "pool". Luckily we also have a free outdoor city pool, so off we went, I locked up my cell phone while there, so I have not photos, but picture a two and half year old, water, parents, great grandparents, slides, waterfalls, etc.

 This is our grandson-in-law with their English Bulldog, Stoic. He rarely has a Sunday off, he works retail.

Mr. Busy and our great grandson, just chillin',

Here he is again, laying by his 'Pa' and our dog, Emma is on the blanket too. A real family affair.

We still don't have a new baby yet, the "birthing waves" experienced on Sunday night have just gone away. She saw the OB doctor on Tuesday, she said, "Everything looks good, see you next week". So we wait.

They are ready though.

 We painted the nursery pale pink with a slightly darker pink on the window wall.

 There is a bunny lovey waiting in the crib.

 Changing table, boppy and diapers all at the ready.

Rocker with the quilt I made for her sits in the corner.



Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Wondrous Words Wednesday June 22, 2016

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! If you want to play along, grab the button at Kathy's blog, write a post and come back and add your link to Mr. Linky!

My words today come from Broad Influence: How Women Are changing the Way America Works by Jay Newton-Small.

"One of the oldest boys' clubs in the country resides in the West Wing of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, a bastion of male power so obdurate that is has been among the slowest to open to women."

obdurate:  adjective

    : refusing to do what other people want: not willing to change your opinion or the way you do something. 

I feel like I should have known this word. It reminds me of obstinate, which also means refusing to change your behavior or ideas. 


Speaking of the 20 women in the Senate in the 2012-13 session -

"The women were hardly monolithic. They ranged in ages between 45 - 80." 

monolithic: adjective

  : constituting a massive undifferentiated and often rigid whole
  : exhibiting or characterized by often rigidly fixed uniformity 

What wondrous words did you find this week? 


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - 6/21/16 The Quilter's Homecoming

Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts this Tuesday meme. It is a place to share the first paragraph in the first chapter of a book you are reading or hope to get to soon. It is a great place to see what others are reading and add to your ever growing list of title to explore. So let's share. Write a post and then go link up at Diane's blog.

The Quilter's Homecoming
Jennifer Chiaverini
Simon & Schuster Paperbacks 2007

Chapter One
1924



As her father's car rumbled across the bridge over Elm Creek and emerged from the forest of bare-limbed trees onto a broad snow-covered lawn of the Bergstrom estate, Elizabeth Bergstrom was seized by the sudden and unshakable certainty that she should not have come to this place. She should have stayed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to help her brother run the hotel, even though business invariably slowed during the holiday week. Or she should have offered to help care for her sister's newborn twins. Even celebrating Christmas alone would have been preferable to returning to Elm Creek Manor. Her lifelong feelings of warmth and comfort toward the family home had suddenly given way to dread and foreboding. She would have to pass the week next door to Henry, knowing that he was near, and waiting in vain for him to come to her.

What do you think?  Continue or pass?  This is the 10th in the series of Elm Creek Quilts  by Jennifer Chiaverini. I enjoyed the first nine, and then did not continue. Not for lack of interest or want, there are just so many books that catch my interest. But I was given a copy of The Lost Quilter, #14 in the series and I must read them in order.  That's just me. So off to the library I went to check out #10, #11, #12, #13.

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Share what you are reading, what you read recently or what you hope to get to in the coming week and then link up with Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great place to see what is going on in the blogosphere and to add to your reading lists.


On my nightstand:

Surprisingly, I am liking this book. I am learning some things, and discovering some new words.

A favorite quote so far:  " Women aren't necessarily less partisan than men, but they are more inclined to listen and try to understand the other side." 


On my Kindle:

I am finally engaged in this one, well the first in the collection anyway. The main character, Wilhelmina Chance, is the proprietor of the bookstore in her hometown of Mystic Notch, New Hampshire.  And of course, she has discovered a body, the body of Lavinia Babbage the head librarian in her hometown.  And there is a cat, Pandora.  I'm hooked!

Not sure how my reading will go this week. Our granddaughter is in early stages of labor and Mr. Busy and I are in the wings to take care of the almost 3 year old, soon to be big brother.  Reading time could be at a premium. 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

The Cat Sitter's Whiskers by Blaize and John Clement

The Cat Sitter's Whiskers by Blaize Clement
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dixie Hemingway lives in Sarasota Florida. She is a cat/dog sitter for the mostly rich and famous who live on Siesta Key, a sliver of sand that hugs the shoreline of Sarasota. She lives in the upstairs apartment over the garage of her older brother's house. Micheal and his partner Paco, are her port in a storm. And she has had a few storms. She used to be a police officer, but after her husband and young daughter were killed in a car accident, she couldn't go back.  That doesn't keep her from having a cop's instincts. She reads people well, most people like her and she is fearless. This can help or hinder her in the situations that seem to surround her.

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it is the 10th in the Dixie Hemingway series, I did not feel as if I had missed anything. The author uses the main characters, memories and thought processes to add her back story to the current story. I will read more of this cozy mystery series. Thanks to Cathy at Kittling Books for the giveaway.

I am linking this up to

You can find this challenge here,

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies 2016 is hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews

 And you can check out this challenge at The Worm Hole, this link will go to the page "Profession".

Or you can see all my challenges by clicking on  the 2016 Challenges tab at the top of my blog page.

Saturday Snapshots Father's Day 2016 Random photos.

To participate in Saturday Snapshot: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on Melinda's blog, West Metro Mommy Reads .  Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online



Today just random photos of the Dads in my life. In no particular order.

 Grandson-in-law helping his almost 2yo son on a Stryder bike.

 My granddaughter's significant other holding their son blowing candles out on Grandma's birthday cake.

Watching a movie, eating pizza bites with his Dad. ( our great grandson)

 My brother-in-law, the turkey hunter. I did not have a photo of him with his two sons(both grown now)

  My nephew teaching his daughter how to hold a golf cub!  Don't you wish you had her outfit!

 Our ex-son-in-law at our youngest granddaughter's graduation. No matter what, the Dad's are still in your life.

My brother (on the right) with his two sons. Not sure what they were celebrating here!

 Our son, his son and our daughter-in-law at family photo day.

Great Grandson #3, Kai with his adopted "Da". They now live in Tim's home in Melbourne, Australia. 

 

       My kid's dad, playing Mahjong on his iPad. Don't tell him I took this picture, I think he is also asleep!


And last but not least, Mr. Busy's dad with our granddaugher, his first great grandchild, about 1989.

 And my Dad, walking me down the aisle in June 1964. He was killed in an automobile accident 5 years later.

Hope your upcoming weekend is a good one.