A Basket Case of a Weekly Link Round-Up

Last week the Phoenix metro area had the Phoenix Open and the Super Bowl going on simultaneously. We had three days of nice, gentle, soaking rain which probably didn't please many of the folks who traveled here for the events and festivities, but I had to smile when I thought of the effect that perfectly timed storm will have on the desert wildflowers in a few weeks. It's all about perspective, isn't it?

 

Now y'all are probably wondering what basket case I'm talking about. Have I flipped my lid? Gone around the bend? Been swinging on the chandelier? Nope. I'm beginning to think that I'm related to Miss Marple. I've been sitting watching mysteries on television while I knit on my afghan (or "ashcan" as my grandfather called them) in the evenings. I just thought I'd show you a progress report. As you can see, the photo on the left shows a little bit of knitting and packages of yarn. The photo to the right shows a smooshed-in-there afghan and no packages of yarn. I'm not all that far away from finishing it! 

What's funny is that I'm learning what an aid to deduction knitting is. There's something about the yarn gliding through my fingers, the hushed click of the needles, and watching something warm and pretty slowly taking shape under my guidance that sharpens my ears to nuance in the dialogue on those crime shows. My whodunnit success rate is skyrocketing!

Oops... I'd best use this yarn to lasso those links I've been saving. Head 'em up! Move 'em out!


 

Books, Movies & Other Interesting Tidbits

• What's wrong with only reading half a book?
• The Electric Lit team has created an infographic to help people try to answer this question: Am I a famous writer yet? 
• Colleen McCullough, Australia's  most famous author, died last week. For all her accomplishments, what did the newspaper use to lead her obituary? A description of her appearance. Shame on them. The Guardian had a perfect reaction.
• A man from my little hometown in central Illinois was one of the farriers for the Budweiser Clydesdales. I've seen those magnificent creatures, and I've loved their commercials since the very first one.
• One company is developing a new dual screen eReader. 
• Boy howdy-- there's a sequel to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird coming in July!

Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones

• The black market almost gobbled up the oldest depiction of the universe.
• Note to self: When King Tut's beard falls off, don't reach for the epoxy. 
• Researchers are claiming that the oldest known gospel has been retrieved from a mummy mask.
• Rare coins from the 1600s have been unearthed in a very unlikely place. 
• A 50-foot-long "dragon" dinosaur species has been discovered in China.
• Archaeologists have begun to dig in the Sudan and Nile River Valley area.
• A rare first edition of Charles Darwin's revolutionary book sells for £26,000.
• A Civil War mural, buried in obscurity for decades, has resurfaced on a shelf.
• After 150 years, the hull of a Confederate submarine is revealed.
• Ten ancient inventions that you think are modern. 
• Ten discoveries of ancient cultures nearly lost to history.
• Genghis Khan left a strong footprint in the Y chromosomes of modern descendants, but he wasn't the only one.
• An Idaho man finds hidden history in forgotten rolls of film.

The Happy Wanderer

• The 20 oldest houses in the United States.
• 16 of the most magnificent trees in the world.
• 41 places to see before you die: Part One. Part Two.

Book Candy

• 36 stunning book tattoos.
• Do you know who wrote these famous novels? 
• Enjoy reading in China's "most beautiful" bookstore. It used to be a parking lot and a bomb shelter.

I  ♥  Lists

• 40 tiny tasks for a richer reading life. 
• The most endearing and charming letters from famous authors to their fans.
• Bestselling authors reveal the creative secrets and inspirations behind their greatest books.
• 9 books that television's most famous characters read for fun. 
• The 21st century's 12 greatest novels.

That's all for this week. Don't forget to stop by next Friday when I'll be sharing a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure.

Have a wonderful weekend-- and read something fabulous!