Yes, we have a new feature here at the blog. If you scroll down a little, you’ll see it on the right. It’s called “On the Nightstand”.
Originally I was going to just display the books I am reading, but now I have decided to show one book a month, give everybody a chance to read it as well, and at the end of the month, we’ll have a discussion. Here. On the blog. It’s not going to be a live chat. I’ll just start the discussion and you all can weigh in throughout the day, commenting as often as you wish. I think that’ll work best as we all have different work schedules and live in different time zones.
The first book I have chosen is Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. It has been brought to my attention that this title is not on Kindle, but it should be available at any library, or you can order it here.
I have marked December 1st on my calendar as the book discussion day.
I would love to hear any suggestions you all might have for future books.
Yes, that’s my sleek nightstand pictured above. There’s my beautiful bed where I recline in my organic pajamas and read, whilst my hired man Batman massages my feet.
Okay, this is what my nightstand really looks like. I have photographed it exactly as I found it this morning.
When you reach for something in the middle of the night, does it all go crashing to the floor? Love the book discussion idea, I’ll get in on the second one as I am into Twilight so my daughter and I can discuss when she is home over Christmas.
COME CLEAN, IS THAT PIC ON TOP OUT OF A MAGAZINE?
That’s some fancy schmancy bedroom. lolol Love your night stand! Thanks for being so open with us and sharing it. Are those really sunglasses? Do you get out of bed and put your sunglasses on???? lololol
Marked 12/1 in my date book. Looking forward to starting the book.
Did you or can you ask Batman what the heck those things are and how they are supposed to work? Please? It’s really been bothering me. I’ve decided they look like little fire extinguishers.
Ann – looks like mine without the dog treats. You know we all have to have snacks before “Ga nite boys”.
I was so disappointed the title wasn’t on Kindle, and then I found out neither Borders or B&N in Milwaukee had the book in stock, so finally ordered a copy on Amazon. I bet Amazon had a run on that book yesterday. Your nightstand looks very much like mine-I have a clock, lotion, body oil, a candle, lip balm, 2 remotes, 2 pairs of reading glasses, magazines and books piled on mine, which now makes me think when I get home today, I really should clean it off a bit!
Ha, a girl after my own heart, love the red glasses frames…very similar to ones I wear.
What is that way to the left, looks like a pile of eggs?
I was pretty amazed at first at the pic of your “bedroom”, but relieved when I could actually relate to the nightstand pic. I often wonder if a crime ever happened in my home, how long CSI would be there going thru all the hair on the bathroom floor. From watching the show it would appear that everyone in the world has only one strand of hair that is barely visible without the help of a flashlight and tweezers on their bathroom floor. Thanks for the reality check this morning.
I’m new to this blog and I’m enjoying the heck out of it! When I read this latest post I rolled my eyes at that first picture of “your” bedroom until I scrolled down and saw what looked like mine! Ah, I can relate. You’re one of us!
As far as books, I just finished “The Help” which I highly recommend. (try the audio version if you haven’t already read it…)
Looks like a pretty typical table surface at my house. I do like the sunglasses on the nightstand. Cool.
Mary L, lololol Me too on the bathroom floor. Between me and my cats it’s a constant struggle. I love the CSI reference. I’ll think of it that way – I’m making it a real challenge if my place is ever a crime scene!
Annie, I’m pretty sure that’s the base of a lamp.
There’s nothing on my night stand except 2 alarm clocks (I can’t get out of bed), a lamp, and lots of dust. I actually don’t spend time in my bedroom except to sleep. I live on my sofa.
I’m with Sandra, it’s more like every other table surface in my house.
great! i’ll order book from your link provided here. support indie bookstores.
(even though i am now part of the kindle world!)
When I saw the first photo, I thought “Damn, another freaking perfect person…and I’ll probably end up on one of those ‘Intervention’ shows, if they ever have a series on “Clutter.” Phew. I was so relieved to see that I am not the only one whose life can be found on her bedside table. Thanks for sharing that.
Sorry the book is so hard to find. Next time I’ll make sure that’s it’s a more readily available book.
Tracy, I think the idea is that all the little holes are supposed to be sealed. The bats are supposed to be able to get out through those tubes, but not get back in. I think our bats watched them being installed with an attitude of bemused pity, and are coming and going as they please.
Candy in Chicago – no, I most certainly did NOT get that photo from a magazine. I got it off the web.
I honestly didn’t notice the sunglasses until you all pointed them out. I also have no idea what the grey thing is, next to them. No idea. But the egg things are the base of a lamp.
greetings all,
thank you ann and others for your positive responses re; my project regarding the sponsoring/matching of a senior/elderly person pet owner with an other pet owner that is happy to cover the senior’s pet insurance cost in order to ensure seniors are not forced to give up their pets for medical/financial reasons.
i am new to blogging so have no idea of the procedures.
this morning i posted a response to everyone’s kind words but in yesterday’s bat story section, where this dialogue began. i am not sure if that is the way to go.
also ann i sent you an email but it may have gone into spam.
thank you again to all of you.
elise
Well, Ann, I really do like that lamp. It looks unusual and interesting, I like things a little different from the ordinary.
Annie
Is that a pack of cigs?
Something rather strange: I was on the phone with my local library putting Miss Jean Brodie on hold and while the cirrculation desk lady was helping me a man walked up and checked that same movie out. I wanted the book on DVD and they did not have it, so I went for the movie instead and at the same time there he is doing the same thing with the same lady, too funny. Wow, I wonder just how many of us are in this book club, and I know I am not the only blogger from Chicago, and of course she would not tell me his name. So, Professor Leary am I in trouble for watching the movie and not reading the book?
lol Candy you are cheating
Don’t feel bad though I cannot read a Jane Austin book until I have seen the movie or the BBC series on it. For some reason I cant keep up with all her dialogue or get into the scenes.
Wish the book was on Kindle as it is the only way for me to get English speaking books here in México. I’m looking forward to the next book pick!
The “grey thing” next to the sunglasses looks like some sort of stapler (though why one would keep a stapler on a nightstand is beyond me).
There’s a part of me that really wants to see what the rest of that lamp looks like…and there’s another part of me that doesn’t….
You make me so happy today !! I’m so glad to find a night table that looks like mine-now I can tell my husband that there really is someone else in the world who has a table full of “clutter”; mine even has a fan on it–for those ever so lovely hot flash nights–as well as books, a lamp, my glasses ( one of the several pair I have scattered throughout the house). Thank you so much; now I remember just why I love it here and that I am among friends. And that we are much more alike than we are different. Looking forward to the book. Off to the library I go….Barbara
OOHHH—me again- I just looked at the picture and spotted the fan on the floor !!! We really are all very much alike…..
I found your blog in the NY Times article…I’m not a (too)frequent blog reader as one can lose half the day reading about other people living their lives!
But I’m so glad I found yours! Today’s posting made me truly laugh out loud. You are funny, smart, talented, beautiful, and VERY real. Thank you!
I am so glad for the nightstand/book club clarification. I now feel like I know what is going on in this blogosphere. As for the picture, Alan says it is a stapler, but I think it is one of those lights that you clip to your book so Denis’s sleep is not disturbed. Did Jack make that lamp in woodshop?
Candy, you ARE cheating!!!!!!!!! The movie is never the same as the book. Come on, the book is only 150 pages. You can do it.
Picked up the book in the library today. Easy reading. Lets see…….this is so juvenile – we’ve got the same night table as Ann’s only we have different or the same “stuff” on it. Did we think that because they are celebrities that the two of them would have some sort of night table with only “celebrity special” stuff on it. Of course we did……now lets see, fan, stapler/beeper/booklite, something that plugs into some port- maybe the kindle because of that acqua colored thing, a barette, that does not look like a pack of cigs (I don’t know what the hell it is), sunglasses, reading glasses, a lamp of balls, books, remote, a candle, a glass, the white plug in thing – not so sure. This took up 20 minutes of my time because of ME. It was fun though.
Love your nightstand. It reminds me of my own!!!
Kim’s inventory of the paraphernalia on Ann’s nightstand made me laugh, reminding me of one of those “How Many Objects Can You Find Hidden in This Picture?” games that used to appear in Highlights magazine. (Anybody here besides me remember Highlights magazine?)
Oh Alan, I remember Highlights Magazine! As a matter of fact, I still get offers to subscribe because of my granddaughter.
Helena is right about the grey thing. It’s a little book light. Not the “Itty Bitty Book Light,” but something called “Mighty Bright.” Yes, for when D wants to sleep and I’m reading. I’m so bummed that the fan is in the picture. Our bedroom is just ugly. Nobody ever comes in here but our family and the dogs and it’s a dump. But since we’re doing the bathroom over I have great plans for a bedroom revamp.
Denis just sent me this link to a piece in today’s Washington Post about a US official who resigned over Afghan war. Marine hero who cited Rescue Me as helping him deal with trauma and understand survivor guilt.
http://bit.ly/13ApGH
You are right – Ann – one project always turns into another, don’t feel alone – our bedroom is beginning to look like a hoarder lives here! AGH!!!! I am determined to clean it up quick! Then it will be lovely! Are not the bedrooms supposed to be one’s sanctuary away from the daily grind of life? Guess that is only in the magazines/web?
I too -loved HIGHLIGHTS magazine. Have not seen one since I had to take my kids to the pediatrician – they are now 32 and 27…been awhile:)
Alan, I remember Highlights Magazine! It’s no longer around? I guess kids don’t really read mags anymore.
I do remember Highlights – wasn’t it somewhat oversized? Like 10 x 12? Always a color cover? You know, when I take that quick glimpse back – it was only a minute ago.
Alan: Ann can take an object away, take yet another photo and we must find whats missing. I believe that little puzzle is still in some mags today.
FYI–Highlights Magazine IS still very much around; kids still love it and they still have the hidden picture page. In fact they are offering a subscription special–with every new subscription, you get a hidden picture 2010 calendar !! It’s all on their website…..Barbara
Cool lamp! (the real one)
That is a great article DL sent you. What a great feeling it must be to have one’s work help someone understand survivor guilt and deal with the trauma. Thanks for sharing that article.
On another note, just returned home from seeing a late show of “This is it.” AMAZING. If you like MJ, as the performer he was, then go see it. Truly a great doc and footage of what would have been an incredible tour/show. I’ll leave it at that.
Highlights magazine was a staple for me as a kid. LOVED that magazine! Glad to hear it’s still around.
Wow, that write up had to make DL feel great, good job. I am totally into viewers choice over awards shows any day, thats’ better than any Emmy.
Good morning everyone! Just a quick comment about the book selection — if you can’t find a copy to read, but are interested in ‘listening’, it is available for download at audible.com. I usually keep a couple of books in my iphone to listen to during the commute. I know it’s not quite the same as reading, but it sure helps temper the road rage.
I can’t make out the name of the book. Those look like blurbs at the top. A biography of Sir Walter Raleigh? What is it about him?
But what I really want to know is what the little box of spices is doing on her bedside table. I don’t think you’re supposed to take that kind of advice literally, Ann! (Does it work?)
That’s a wonderful article, and it must mean so much to Denis and Peter to see that RM could help someone with PTSD and survivors guilt. Matthew Hoh is an amazing man, and it took real courage to stand up for what he believed in.
As for Highlights, oh my, what a wonderful blast from the past! They were the only thing that made going to the Doctor bearable. It was wonderful when we were finally able to afford a subscription to it! Oh, what fun those magazines were.
And yes, they are still available. My Mom used to get them for my nephews before they became too old, and she still gets subscription mailers for them.
I wonder how today’s version would stand up to the memory of the old version. Somehow I don’t think I would like a modern version.
Sandy O wrote on facebook re:Washington Post article ‘you never know how you touch someones life’. Well Sandy O, months ago on the blog you wrote a paragraph about forgiveness that I posted on my fridge. Over Thanksgiving weekend my friend was in tears, hurt by her family. I gave her a copy, we read and discussed it together and she was really helped by it, gave some understanding to complex family dynamics and forgiveness. Thank you.
Sandy, what was the date of that post? I’d love to repost it.
That’s beautiful Sandy. One of Ann’s posts that really touched me was about the sunflowers, and realizing that I am my own sun. That was just so perfect for where I am right now.
You really never know what you say (or write) that will touch someone’s life and soul. I once heard that a man’s answering machine messages said ‘Your next action could change the world, so make it a great one.’ I thought that was really beautiful and profound.
Sandy O, I just read your post about “The Parent Trap”…welcome to the family sis!
Ann, I’ve been trying to figure out what DVD is on your nightstand…
Catherine the film is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Colours:_Red
After my friend Charlotte rescued a pregnant dog, I remembered this film, which is the third in a series by the Polish filmmaker whose name I can never recall or pronounce, but you will learn it if you click on the link. “Blue”, “White” and “Red” are the names of the films.
The film “Blue” is my favorite of the three. It stars the beautiful and lovely Juliette Binoche (spelling?) Denis gave me the set for Christmas when it came out on DVD, because we had so enjoyed the fims when they had their cinematic releases.
Ann, how could you not remember the name Krzysztof Kieślowski? I mean, it just rolls off the tongue. (“Blue” is my favorite too.)
Holy cow you are worse than I am! In the process of decluttering.
Gloria
Sandy – your words humble me so….
I am glad my words could comfort your friend. I love this blog because it is a REAL caring, compassionate group… Little did Ann know that it would become what it has. An eclectic group of men and women who all have the same wishes for our world, who share their everyday life experiences which in turn – enriches us all. I feel so blessed to be apart of this. Thank you Ann, you’re the best!
Normal American nightstand, I am constantly decluttering my nightstand..Nightstands are like purses and suitcases you never use it but just might need it…It meaning whatever it is!!!!