Tag!

I've been tagged -- And I think I'm the slowest one in the game...but here goes.

Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to Angela's blog once you've posted your three sentences.

Nearest Book: COMPLICATIONS: A SURGEON'S NOTES ON AN IMPERFECT SCIENCE by Atul Gawande.

Sentences 6 - 8 on page 123:

"Desperate for a return to a normal life, he agreed to a delicate procedure: brain surgery that would destroy cells in a small structure called the thalamus, which was already known to contribute to such excessive stimulation of the hands.
Taylor had another big problem, though: for seventeen years, he had struggled with a severe panic disorder. At least once a week, while he was working at his computer terminal or was at home in the kitchen feeding a child, he would suddenly be overcome by severe chest pains, as if he were having a heart attack."

My oldest daughter's reading this nonfiction book. I may steal it from her.

Now I'm tagging five of you! These folks are it:
Holly at And Sew It Is
Ruth at Body Soul and Spirit
Natalie at Italian Moments
Beth at Grace Every Day
Spidey at Samwise Gamgee

Out & About

Yesterday, all of Germany abandoned their homes for green areas, at least in our region. No wonder, after the sun deprivation of these last few months. I did the same, walking around the nearby town of Speyer with several friends.

Facebook

If you're on Facebook & want to add me as a friend, go to this link.

I'll post some notes from the conference this week.

Murphy Monday -- For Judy

Judy in Indiana always makes lots of comments about Murphy's pictures, so this one's for her.

Murphy sniffing the tulips that Danielle brought back from Amsterdam a few years ago. He reminds me of Ferdinand the bull in "The Story of Ferdinand," by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson -- a bull who likes to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.
P.S. Although, we shouldn't forget that this sweet-faced canine enjoys chasing cats. And anything else that runs.

Anna Turns Fifteen

I know it sounds cliche, but I can't believe our youngest is fifteen...
Happy 15th, Anna! I like spending time with you, even when you talk my ear off. And I love you more than infinity.

The Illustrator's Wall

Here's a peek at the Illustrator's Cafe in the Bologna Bookfair, where illustrators posted their samples, cards, and other interesting stuff. I enjoyed browsing the wall each day--as you can see, all types of styles!

An Unusually Silent Passenger

I flew back yesterday on Ryanair from Bologna. Most of the seats were filled, so I grabbed a spot with a few vacant places left.

A man seated himself behind me, keeping the window seat for his companion -- a three foot tall Italian chocolate egg, wrapped in shiny orange and gold foil. He'd probably picked it up for a child back home.

So the engines started revving for takeoff, and right then, a cabin attendant rushed down the aisle to our section. "Sir," she told the man sternly, "You must buckle your egg into the seat. Immediately!" At that, everyone around me burst out laughing. He gently reached over and fastened the seat belt around his egg. Later, I saw he'd draped a coat over it.

I imagine his Easter egg needed a good nap before landing...