beautiful day

Spent about an hour on the computer this morning, then got the hell out. Tidied around the house, then went shopping, walking to the grocery store and back. Came back, set the slow cooker for chicken and garlic, and headed out again for a picnic on the mesa. Wandered around a little, then went to pick up Daniel from the bus. It's amazing how quickly and pleasantly the day goes by when we're not indoors.

Must. Remember. This. Always.

It helps that it's a gorgeous day, too. A little chilly, but the sun is shining and the world looks sparkly and spring fresh. And right now the slow cooker is filling the house with the scent of baking chicken in herbs and garlic... ::happy sigh::

Going back outside. The kids are all playing tag (neighbourhood children! Outdoors! It's a Miracle!) and they need somebody to make sure none of them keels over from the excitement of not playing video games.


Later Edit: Oh! I just remembered something!

We finished Moby Dick yesterday, and the boys were somewhat upset at the ending. They eventually said that overall they liked the book, thought it was really cool, and were glad we'd read it, but the ending kind of put a damper on their spirits. So now we're trying to decide which Illustrated Classic to tackle next. The choices are:

1. David Copperfield (Charles Dickens)
   
2. Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)
   
3. Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)
   
4. Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Hound of the Baskervilles (Arthur Conan Doyle)
   
5. Mutiny on Board HMS Bounty (William Bligh)
   
6. The Oregon Trail (Francis Parkman)

I've only read David Copperfield and Great Expectations, so I need help from anybody who's read any of the above. Basically, what's your impression of the story? Which one(s) would you recommend? Which ones do you think might/might not be interesting to a 4.5 & a 7.5 year old boy? Anything I might want to know about?

I'd love John Ashcroft...

... in a white wine sauce.

( Report: 1 of Every 75 U.S. Men in Prison )

Oh and:

In some US prisons, echoes of Abu Ghraib.

And I could go on and on, but it's time to put my little guys to bed. ::ciroccoj firmly steering away from favourite ranty topic::