I must be a glutton for frustration because I am going to try again to place an image in my blog. However, if it works, I will not be trying to add images to earlier posts, that's where I got into trouble before. ;-)

It is likely that most, if not all, of us have read some of those books and stories designated as 'classics' at some point. To my great delight I have learned that of those folks I've asked, we all liked some of them, and often they were not the same ones! There have been some fun conversations over pizza as to what we liked and why. These are some of my favorites.

The Odyssey of Homer: a Modern Translation, by Richmond Lattimore. This was the translation of choice by one of the best professors I had. I'll admit, I've only reread it twice since college, but the memory of that wonderful class has kept this book on my shelf for decades.

Red Mule, by Jesse Stuart. Tractors are replacing mules, for everyone but a local known as Red Mule that is, and a young boy known as Scrappie, who will prove that mules can do things that tractors cannot. (I had to try and word this carefully, so as not to give anything away)!

"The Gift of the Magi" is a well-known Christmas story (and will show up on the holiday post I'm planning), but O. Henry wrote hundreds of short stories, many with a delightful or unexpected twist at the end. My collection is The Best Short Stories of O. Henry, selected and with an introduction by Bennett A. Cerf and Van H. Cartmell. The Last Leaf, about a very special leaf, is a favorite.

And, so the classics are not taken too seriously, there is The Classics Reclassified, by Richard Armour and nostalgically illustrated by Campbell Grant. Seven classic tales are given a new and humorous spin in this clever collection. Not as useful as Cliff Notes, perhaps, but such fun! Be sure to read the dedication.

Reading Hermit With Dog