I’ve been searching for end-of-the-year booklists all over the place, but the usual suspects who provide some interesting lists are conspicuously absent this year. Not even Dr. Grant has discussed his latest reading adventures. I want to hear what books he got for Christmas. I’ve seen lists from Christianity Today, a want-to-read list from Sherry and a goofy year-end list from Dr. Incrementalist. Of course, Mrs. Multivitamin keeps speed-reading through all those heavy-duty tomes, setting a pace which leaves the rest of us breathless but hopeful as we keep an eye on her coat-tails.

Let me know if you’ve spotted some book lists that I have missed, as I miss reading them. Not that I have room to add to the bedside pile—the ceilings are only 8 feet high—but I might need some ideas for 2007.

Marla at Proverbial Wife has one of those fun and frivolous questionnaires for those who, like me (for the moment, anyway), don’t feel like thinking deep thoughts:

1. Pillow – Down or Polyester or Foam
I usually have polyester, but I’m never happy with the quality of our pillows, probably because I don’t like to spend too much money on them.
2. Facial or Manicure or Pedicure
I have never had a manicure or a pedicure, but I think I would prefer a facial anyway.
3. Journal – Lined or Blank (offline of course!)
How about lines on one side and blank on the facing page? Then you can paste or draw pictures to complement (or distract from) your writing.
4. Sleep – Side (which?) or Back or Stomach
Side, curled up.
5. Summer – Hammock or Raft in Swimming Pool
Hammock, with a book.
6. Winter – Slippers or Socks
Both, it gets cold here in the winter.
7. Sleep – Heater On or Off
Turned down low, but keep the woodstove stoked.
8.  Shower or Bath (bubbles?) …and… Hot or Warm
Hot shower; the only time I like a bath is after I’ve had a baby.
9. Tea – black or herbal (name favorite blend)
Good Earth original.
10. Massage – neck or foot
Neck, and scratch my back, too…a little to the left, ahh.
11. Comforter – Down or Polyester (or?)
Prolly poly, since it’s easier to take care of.
12. Aromatherapy – Lavender or Jasmine or Rose
Lavender is my mostest favorite.
13. Box of Chocolates or Bowl of Popcorn
Chocolate is one of the major food groups, did you know that?
14. Music – Classical or Jazz or Folk
Classical mostly, though I like folk, too, with a Celtic flavor.
15. Candles – scented or not
I like smelly stuff if it smells good.
16. Fireplace or Woodstove or Pellet Stove
Woodstove all winter.
17. Outside – Gentle Rain or Crashing Storm
Crashing storm.
18. Reading – Pile of Magazines or Novel
A pile of novels.
19. Classic Film – Romance or Suspense or Musical
Comic Romance.
20. Cat in your lap or Dog on your feet
Cat, but we love our corgis.

I’m suffering with some kind of dental problem, possibly a cavity, which I can’t deal with until next week, as our dentist’s office is closed until then. While I try to take my mind off the dull ache in my jaw, I will probably be posting some short posts today, testing the new blogging engine Steve set up for me. Please note that I now have RSS 2.0, for those who care about such things.

I have added another link to my online books page. It’s to a site with links to numerous G.K. Chesterton works, including his non-fiction, fiction, essays and poems, as well as quotes. Here’s a poem I found, which Prairie Muffins will appreciate:

For the Creche

I remember my mother, the day that we met,
A thing I shall never entirely forget;
And I toy with the fancy that, young as I am,
I should know her again if we met in a tram.
   But mother is happy in turning a crank
   That increases the balance in somebody’s bank;
   And I feel satisfaction that mother is free
   From the sinister task of attending to me.

They have brightened our room, that is spacious and cool,
With diagrams used in the Idiot School,
And Books for the Blind that will teach us to see;
But mother is happy, for mother is free.
   For mother is dancing up forty-eight floors,
   For love of the Leeds International Stores,
   And the flame of that faith might perhaps have grown cold,
   With the care of a baby of seven weeks old.

For mother is happy in greasing a wheel
For somebody else, who is cornering Steel;
And though our one meeting was not very long,
She took the occasion to sing me this song:
   ”O, hush thee, my baby, the time will soon come
   When thy sleep will be broken with hooting and hum;
   There are handles want turning and turning all day,
   And knobs to be pressed in the usual way;

O, hush thee, my baby, take rest while I croon,
For Progress comes early, and Freedom too soon.”

Today Cindy and Samantha both mused about how much we have, how much we expect and how much we can live without. I’ve continued to muse about my short rant against Walmart, and I have been thinking of ideas for weaning myself from co-dependence on the retail giant (no, I’m not requiring that for membership in the PM Club). Having so much low-priced stuff in one building is very appealing for economic and convenience purposes, but I’m determined to make a clean break, and I know it can be done. I’ll tell you some of my ideas in a minute.
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My post about Wodehouse and the latest newsletter from Elizabeth McCallum about instilling a keen sense of humor in our children through literature, made me think of tonight’s topic for book tag. This time we will suggest books which make us laugh or which are self-consciously humorous. The rules are as follows: suggest one book for this topic, with a short explanation of why you like it, if you wish. After someone else has posted a new suggestion, you can be “it” again, and you are welcome to share another.

My first suggestion: The Mr. Mulliner stories by Wodehouse are my favorites, even more than the Jeeves and Wooster stories. Two of the best are “Uncle Fred Flits By” and “The Knightly Quest of Mervyn.” There is also a Mr. Mulliner tale called “Buried Treasure.” Mr. Mulliner sits in the local pub, The Angler’s Rest, and regales the patrons with stories of his strange relatives. Though some Wodehouse stories can begin to sound repetitive, there are many unique plot devices in the Mulliner tales. I periodically read the Uncle Fred story aloud to my family, and before I’m finished, even though they’ve heard it several times before, people are rolling on the floor. The stuttering in sign language gets them, every time.

Here are some Wodehouse quotes…

From The Adventures of Sally:

“And she’s got brains enough for two, which is the exact quantity the girl who marries you will need.”

From The Code of the Woosters:

“I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled.”

And from Buried Treasure:

“Oh Brancepeth,” said the girl, her voice trembling, “why haven’t you any money? If only you had the merest pittance — enough for a flat in Mayfair and a little weekend place in the country somewhere and a couple of good cars and a villa in the South of France and a bit of trout fishing on some decent river, I would risk all for love.”