Classics Anyone?

I finished a book from one of my favorite authors last night and tonight felt the need to start a new book. While tripping my way through my library I ran across a collected works of Robert Louis Stevenson that opens up with "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and includes others such as "The Bottle Imp" and "The Body Snatcher". It suddenly struck me that I had never read this "..Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" although I know the "gist" of the story. Who hasn't heard a rendition of it? It seemed suddenly to me though that I lacked something, not knowing the original story. And what of the other stories in the book? What other jewels are hidden there? Hmm....I think I must read the book and find out.

Then I got to thinking of other "stories' that I "basically knew the gist of" but had never read (or even saw the movie rendition of) and I was struck with one thought. How ignorant am I?! How lazy? I always thought of myself as "well read" but as I look at it in retrospect.....I'm not. I just read a lot. I know the basic line of Wuthering Heights as I've listened to and can sing along with Pat Benetar and have watched the old black and white movie at least once when I couldn't sleep at night. (Thank you Turner Classic Movies!) What a sad commentary on my literary knowledge is that?! Before you fillet me alive with how movies and songs leave out the best parts of a literary piece, let me plead with you that I know this, truly I do. How much of the Harry Potter saga has to be left on the cutting room floor in the interests of time and cinematography?! Trust me, I know. I've read the books so many times (as have many of you) that I almost gasp when there are missing parts. But I understand, I truly do. And what of the missing parts of the Lord of the Rings saga on film?!!!

So, as I was reading in the bath tonight I found it hard to concentrate as I was struck with the thought that maybe there where other stories that I was missing out on. Then I had a brilliant thought! "I'll ask the blogisphere!" So I ask you all as my friends. What books do you recommend? What would you consider an absolute can not miss out on "classic". For whatever reason. I promise that what ever you offer up I'll truly try to read. I guess it's safe to say that there are NO obvious answers, so please......post them up in the comments and I'll start a Must Read list. I'll even post it here if there is enough interest. ( Yes dear, that includes The Constitution.) I know that one that comes to mind is "Pride and Prejudice". I'm suppose to know what that's about and just cannot express it myself. So there. How's that for meeting "ignorance" face on?

The End Has Come

Ah well, I knew it would happen eventually. Yes. It's over. My vacation that is.....I'm back to work tomorrow. For someone who is not used to having two days off in a row, the last 11 days have been great! I do like my job though so I'm not all together opposed to going back to work. I do have some projects lined up for work that I want to get moving on so going back is not a bad thing. (Not like the last job.lol) It's just amazing to me that the vacation thing is over already. lol

For some reason, this time I do not have the "back to work panic" that I used to have. I guess that is because I spent a lot of time crafting this vacation...and I do mean a lot of time. lol. I've finished a few skeins of yarns. One of which is posted at left. I apologize for the pic in advance as it's showing the yarn at a much deeper pink color than it is in real life. We can't have good lighting for pictures all the time I guess. lol. It just amazes me that this is the same fiber that was so grotesque in the carding process. I guess that's a lesson in "not judging, ect, ect..." It's still a bit too "pink" for me, so I'll find an away from home project for it. lol

There was much time spent relaxing. In fact, this was the most relaxing time I've had in ages! Believe me, it's been needed. Don and I spent some quality hours in our favorite 2nd hand bookstore---after a fabulous lunch---and I walked out with these beauties. Yes I know that I've pledged to craft out of my stash for this year. Yes I know there are some books on crafts that I have no stash to go with yet, and yes....I remember that I am NOT going to start another craft until at least 2008. But really, when you run across books at the used bookshop that fit your interests...you just have to snap them up! They may not be there in a year! And they won't do any harm on the bookshelf.

One of the things I did complete was the center piece of my lap afghan. I just completed it this morning and wove in all the loose ends. It's now ready to reclaim it's spot in the bottom corner of the craft closet awaiting it's border crochete for the next two years. ;) (Hopefully not in all truthfullness...but I am trying to be more realistic this year. lol) I did not work on Don's socks, nor did I work on my sweater. I'll pick them back up again probably this weekend. It's time to get that sweater moving again!

Well, I'm off to bed to read for a bit before crashing. Today was the first day in 11 that I woke up at a normal time, and tomorrow morning it's for real.....with breakfast to cook and lunches to make, ect. lol.