June 24, 2009
-
A few lessons learned from an Assistant Pig-Keeper.
If you haven’t read the Prydain series by Loyd Alexander, get thee to a library and check them out. They are among the grandparents of modern children’s fantasy. If you like Harry Potter, then they are at least worth a second look. If you don’t like Harry Potter, but you do like the Chronicles of Narnia…then again, check these out. If you think all of the above are evil and/or boring (including but not limited to Lord of the Rings), then run far far away because you won’t like these books.
Although, wasted advice as I’m pretty sure I’m the last person on the human trod world to read the Prydain Chronicles, everyone else I’ve talked to was required to read them in school. A very dastardly offense because it seems required books instantly accomplish the very opposite. Don’t believe them! It’s all a lie.I tried my hand at paper making. In a very annoyingly Martha Stewart sort of way, I thought it would be a cool idea to make Charlie’s birthday party invitations from recycled paper. What better way to use trash around the house? Six hours of failed attempts later, a kitchen covered in paper sloop, and two kids who had eaten their way through the better part of a bag of raw potatoes, I heard Jim pull in the driveway and I gave up in defeat. It was 7pm when Jim came in and surveyed the wreckage (and I do mean wreckage). We ate noodles and soy sauce for dinner.
Normally I would be a wailing, discouraged mess, but instead I’m encouraged. The day wasn’t a complete failure, I learned lots of things, like you really do need the top to the blender…a plate wont work. And wind and papermaking do not mix. Really, I made a lot of progress if you think about it.
And that ^ is what I learned from the Assistant Pig-Keeper.
Comments (3)
You finished the whole series? Pretty good, huh?
You should pick up The Golden Dream of Carlo Cucio by the same author.
I have not read the aforementioned books, but I shall endeavor to hunt them down forthwith.
Also, paper making. We did this paper making frequently when I was young: both with my Mum and at the numerous art/craft classes she carted us off to. It’s plenty easy if you have all the accoutrement- screens and sieves and what-have-you. I would not dare to attempt it without said implements, but I am quite impressed that you tried.
I JUST finished reading that series again! And Tales of Prydain, which I missed the first few times through the series. I also like his Beggar Queen/Westmark trilogy.