I have no idea why I picked this book up ... but I did and it proved to be a strange, curious but overall rather satisfying read: Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From the Road, by Willie Nelson. He is a songwriter, which he explains can mean different things ... some write songs that make you feel good for a moment, but others (like his) make you think. He is a supporter of legalizing marijuana and biodiesel. And, in spite of life spent on the road and a blended family, his kids all get along and are happy. A quiet, positive read.

Now, this book, I do know why I picked it up ... and it proved to be a rather strange and curious read, too. (I haven't yet decided if it was satisfying, though). My Ideal Bookshelf, with art by Jane Mount and edited by Thessaly La Force asked dozens of people (most were unfamiliar to me) to come up with a small shelf of books that 'represent you' .... the favorite favorites if you will. I was surprised by the lack of picture books (my friends all seem to have a favorite or two that they loved, as do I) and, perhaps a young reader book (such as Johnny Tremain). I guess I found the selections to be, mmm, rather pretentious, almost as if the books were chosen to be impressive. Still, what was interesting is how the books were arranged. An artist might look at the color and shape as he/she arranged her shelf, whereas an author might organize them by subject. So, my suggestion is to give this book a try! (What would be on your ideal bookshelf?)

And this book I picked up because I had just a very vague memory of this 'unknown' Kennedy offspring. What happens to Rosemary is certainly a sign of the times she lived in and I thought the author did an excellent job at not being judgmental (hindsight is, after all, 20/20). Rosemary: the Hidden Kennedy Daughter, by Kate Clifford Larson was hard to read at some points (you'll know which ones when you get to them). As part of a large, powerful, successful family her parents wanted her 'fixed' and did not want her to embarrass the family. Some of their decisions had tragic results. Fortunately her siblings and their children included her in their lives and she inspired them to focus on (and change) how the mentally handicapped were cared for and treated in this country.

Reading Hermit With Dog