Hallobooks (The Thursday Three)

These are books I feel compelled to read each and every October/Halloween. If you can get your hands on a copy of any of them I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Thursday Three

Favorite Halloween Books


Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Series by Alvin Schwartz, 1981, 1984, 1991.

This is a three volume set and includes the titles Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones. Each book contains various urban legends, both of the scary and funny sort, just perfect for this time of year. One of my favorites is the story Harold, found in SS3. I use to read this one to some of my classes. Each day in October, for about 15 minutes after lunch, I would read or tell a spooky or spooky, but funny story. Harold was always one of the most well liked. Unfortunately, it also caused at least one boy to nix his mother's ideas for having a decorative scarecrow in her yard. Do you remember Harold, Issac?

Ghosts Along the Cumberland by Williams Lynwood Montell, 1975.

This one I remember from high school. And, as a Tennessean who only lived a hop, skip, and jump from the Cumberland River, I could relate to the lore found within its pages. The fact that John owned a copy of the book made him all the more cool to me when we started dating.

Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld, 2002.

This one somehow found its way into my collection when I was an elementary school librarian. I would read it each year to 4th and 5th graders but much of the humor was lost on them. They just couldn't relate to plastic masks with the two little nose holes and rubberband held in place by a cheap staple or the orange peanut-shaped candies that many elderly people would give away. But, as a child of the 1970s, I could most assuredly relate. I also lucked up and found a bunch for sale a few years ago at a Dollar General store for a buck each. Hardcover editions, at that! I cleaned them out and that's what trick-or-treaters who came to my door received that year, in addition to the black and orange pumpkin straws, of course. If you grew up during the 60s and/or 70s you'll want to be sure to read this one. And, of course, it's Jerry Seinfeld. How can it not be funny?

Happy Halloween Reading, Ya'll!

The Thursday Three

Well, I’ve just been blown away this evening. I have been honored with my first blogging award. The ever sweet Kate over at Southern Belle Simple

has awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. Right back at ya, Kate. You’re great!

It seems that this distinction comes with a stipulation, though. In order to receive it I must list 7 things about myself. I think I might be able to do that if I wrack my brain hard enough. You remember, it hasn’t been long since I filled you guys in on 100 things about me. Surely I can come up with 7 more.

I actually had another post ready for tonight until I found out about the award. Therefore, today’s Thursday Three will need to become the Thursday Seven. And in honor of my honor I think I’ll list 7 great things I’ve won over the years.

1. $50
Once when I was about 13 my family visited Cave City, Ky (okay, stop laughing. It was only about an hour’s drive from my home and we decided to go for a couple days... every other year. I guess you can start laughing again). Anyway, at this little souvenir shop that sold a lot of things made out of cedar and corn cobs, I registered in a drawing to win $50 cash. Of course, I never thought I’d win but a few weeks later a $50 bill arrived at my house in the mail. Talk about some honest shopkeepers.
2. Most Thoughtful Girl
This honor was bestowed upon me at the tender age of nine by my 4th grade teacher as part of an end-of-the-year classroom awards day. There are some who have doubted the legitimacy of this award over the years.
3. Most Talkative
Sophomore year band awards. This award was never in doubt.

Now that's a high-quality certificate

4. Miss Southern Belle 2nd Runner-up
This was a hometown pageant to celebrate Tennessee’s bicentennial in 1986, and my first experience with an up-do.
A really UP up-do

5. 2nd place in Poetry Recitation
I recited a poem about a rose at Union University Spanish competitions held in Jackson, Tn. during my junior (?) year of high school. Versos Sencillos por Jose Marti. That means “Simple Verses by Jose Marti” and it is the only part that I can still recite today.

6. Versatile Blogger Award
Given to me by the ever fabulous Kate.

7. My husbandIt did take some wooing, especially after the french fries caper. Refer back to my May 4th post to refresh your memory about this incident.
Any guess as to the decade in which my senior prom occurred?

Thanks again. It seems only right that I now pass the award on to others. But who? I’ll have to to give that some thought and get back with you. Stay tuned.

The Thursday Three - A Few Good Reads

In honor of the start of another school year ...

The Thursday Three

My Favorite Kate DiCamillo Books.

1. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the story of a mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread - If the title doesn’t entice you, then let me just beg. Please, please, please read this story. I know you’ll love it. And if you’ve not read the book but have seen the animated film based on it, consider yourself ripped off. What a tragedy!

The fact that the book is comprised of more than 50 short chapters makes it a great one to read aloud at night to children.

I read this to several classes one year when I was librarian at the elementary school, including Ren’s class. She loved it so very much that I bought her her own copy for a Valentine’s Day gift that year.

Oh, and Despereaux was the 2004 Newbery Medal winner. That means it was the best in children’s literature for that year. Now you know you just HAVE to read it!



2. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Edward is a very proud china rabbit who is deeply loved by the little girl who owns him. Sadly, he is too vain to even appreciate this love - until he is lost. This book chronicles the change Edward goes through during his time apart from Abilene. A bonus for us Tennesseans, the book starts out set in Memphis.

I remember trying to get Ren to read this one night when she was all attitude and not wanting to read. So I said I would read it aloud to her. I told her she HAD to listen to me read the first two chapters and after that she could leave and go to her bedroom. Upon finishing chapter two she said, “Keep reading.” Ahhhh!

3. The Magician’s Elephant - Orphan Peter Augustus Duchene has just one question he wants answered...Is his sister still alive? So, when he sees a fortuneteller’s tent set up in the market square he knows what he must do. The answer he receives sets off an impossible chain of events.

I just read this one this past school year. Another great story by Kate.

Happy Reading!

The Thursday Three

I thought it would be neat if every once in a while I pass along to you, my friends, some of my infinite wisdom in the form of tips, facts, or just random information. I do this because I was almost beginning to hear soft whimpers liken to “Oh, my. Another picture of her children.” Fear not, good people. I have an empty SD card so they shant be gone for long.

Now, back to those random bits of information. I will need to do this slowly, so as to not overpower you. Or is it because I don’t have an infinite amount of wisdom and it will take time to compile things that I pretend to know in which to pass along? I can never be sure.

I tried to think of some super clever title for this segment but the best I could do was The Thursday Three, or T3. Brilliant, huh? Anyway, every so often on a Thursday (see how it’s going to work?) I will pass along three morsels of information.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for...(insert drum roll here)...The inaugural issue of


The Thursday Three



A different use for 3 common household supplies.


1. Shaving cream - This tip was given to me by the man who installed the hardwood floors in our new home. We all know it makes our man’s face soft to touch but did you know that it is great at removing hairspray residue from surfaces. I use it on the vanity tops in my bathrooms. Oh, and I buy the cheapest brands I can find. Spray and rub a little on and wipe off with a wet cloth. Kenny, our floor guy, said his wife had even used it on their hardwoods sparingly. I’m a little too afraid to try that but I can vouch that it does the trick safely on tile floors and Corian countertops.

2. Vinegar and newspaper - I learned this one from a janitor one day as I was leaving school. Use plain white vinegar and newspapers to clean windows. For a streak-free shine just add a couple tablespoons of vinegar to a gallon of water, spray on, then wipe off with newspaper. Not only is it easy on your wallet, it’s easy on our planet.

3. Coffee filters - If you have a problem with dirt seeping through the holes in the bottom of your flower pots just add a coffee filter or two before you add the potting soil and geraniums. The water will still be able to flow through but the dirt will remain.

Tyla (Sorry. My signature just up and vanished)

P.S. We're inching ever closer to our 100th post. If you are a lover of Barnes and Noble Booksellers, as I am, you'll want to be sure to tune in for a little give away.