Travis Erwin, Blog Round-Up, Class of 2k8

On MONDAY, I wrote about Travis Erwin and his house burning to the ground. On TUESDAY (which goes to show how quickly the Blogosphere mobilizes itself and what a caring place it is), I got an email from Stephen Parrish. Here's what Stephen had to say:

Travis Erwin is one of the truly unique voices in the Blogosphere. In his absence we must turn to Conan O'Brien for entertainment, and I don't have to tell you what kind of hardship that's going to be. For $25 you can contribute a brick toward the construction of Travis's new house. And have your name embossed for all to see. Just visit habitat for Travis.

I know Erica Orloff is also involved with this effort to help Travis and his family get back on their feet. So, go forth, Blogospherians, let's do what we do best, band together and look after one of our own.


Now, abruptly changing topics, I'd like to start a monthly blog round-up for book reviews. Say, the first Wednesday of the month we each post a book review. About any genre (well, within reason. Ack!). Personally, I'll mostly do YA or Middle Grade. Then again, maybe not. I do read books for grown-ups too. :) And I have a couple of middle schoolers who'd like to write reviews. Now THAT could be fun!

Let me know if you're interested by leaving a comment or emailing me (barrie.summy@gmail.com). I'll email you a reminder before Wednesday, February 4. I'll link to your review on that day. I think I'll even have a cute little widget (is that the right word?) made up for us. Ooooo.

Patti Abbott at pattinase's blog does a GREAT job coordinating Friday's Forgotten Books. No doubt I'm her most erratic and unreliable contributor! Although I do love it when I get my act together and rediscover a book from my past.

At any rate, I'm not as ambitious or organized as Patti and am just aiming for a book review round-up once a month about your fairly current reads.

And finally....

This is a picture of Child #4 reading Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different! by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, from the Class of 2k8. I promised PJ Hoover I'd put this up on Monday. I forgot to take the picture on Sunday evening before tucking in Child #4. Then I said I'd take the pic at breakfast. What was I thinking? Like our mornings are calm and peaceful enough for photo shoots??? Uh, not. It's a good day when all the kids go to school dressed. In clothes. It's a great day when the clothes are clean. A breakfast photo shoot. Yeesh.

Can you believe the amount of linkage in this post? it's positively clanking!

No My Town Monday posts today

No My Town Monday posts today. Travis Erwin, brainchild of this weekly blog round-up, suffered a tragedy early Sunday morning. His home burned down. He, his wife and their two kids are all okay. And now I've passed on all the details I know. Please visit Travis' blog and offer your condolences.

On the car front (where dh was hit by a 22-year-old female who ran a red light, then lied to the police by stating my dh had run the light and then, a couple of days later, told her insurance company she wanted extra money for "bodily damages" (seatbelt bruises):

After dropping off Child #3 at swim practice, I plugged the 22-year-old female's address into my nav. (Got the address from the police report) Sorry, Barbara Martin, I can hear you sighing already. But, please don't despair, I didn't do anything foolhardy. Anyhoo....found the address (scuzzy apartment), found the car (dents in the front), took pictures (as neighbors watched, but didn't speak to me). Drove away. Shaking. I am not as brave a detective as my little Sherry!

DH filed in Small Claims court. The 22 year old was served. Our court date is at the beginning of Feb. We found someone to help us build our little case. Hence the need for the photos.




Several thank-yous are in order. First off, to Kim at It's a Maze and a Maraca for the very adorable photo of her Lizzie and I So Don't do Mysteries. Thank you, Kim!

Also, shouting out to Stephen Parrish for putting up the cover of I So Don't Do Mysteries on his sidebar. One click and you're at amazon.com for ordering. Thank you, Stephen!

A last shout-out to Becky Levine who ordered I So Don't Do Mysteries with her holiday money and posted a pic. Thank you, Becky!

And, just in case you haven't OD'ed on the book, here's a online interview: Scott William Carter's The First Book blog. Incidentally, this is the last book interview Scott is doing.

Thinking of you and yours, Travis Erwin. You know we're here for you. xo