This month I started a Children’s Literature course two nights a week. I absolutely love it. Also, I absolutely underestimated the workload. When they say “2 month intensive,” they mean it! May is all about juggling my normal life and reading stories I love at a frenetic pace. Altogether, not a bad month.

Books

My favourite so far is Little Women (prequel to my VERY favourite book Little Men). Unlike most of the young punks in my class, I was raised on Alcott. They ask, “what’s the point?” and my soul weeps. Seriously, I like explosions and dramatic plot twists as much as the next gal, but sometimes a good story finds the magic in the everyday.

A close runner-up is one of those great read-aloud stories Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Before Johnny Depp, before Gene Wilder, Charlie stood on his own two feet and, as usual, the book is better than the movie. Plus, as a parent, I gotta appreciate any adventure where the victory goes to the best behaved child. Can’t wait to read it to the boy someday!

The Secret Garden can still hold its own. Mary Lennox is a wonderfully bratty and damaged character; you can’t help but root for her.

Right now, I’m reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for the 2,738th time. I never get tired of it. I doubt even literary analysis can mar it for me. We’ll see…

Video

This is my mantra this month. This is brilliant.

This is Water.

Music

Walk Off the Earth does some amazing covers. I prefer their version most of the time. Now an original song has made my playlist (and every radio station around; I’m not exactly cutting edge here). Playing it until everyone around me is sick of it… Red Hands.

Television

So… I don’t have much time to watch TV this month, but I did watch a few episodes of my Dad’s new favourite, Duck Dynasty. It’s pretty much the direct opposite of all those Real Housewife/Jersey Shore/Keeping up with the Beautiful People reality shows out there.

These are the rednecks my father aspires to be. If only mom would let him grow that manly beard… but alas she insists he put his teeth in and remove his raggedy truckers cap in the presence of company. And in bed I suspect. Surrounded by females all his life, I know he was relieved to score three sons-in-law and even a couple grandsons. Sadly for him, there’s not a single good-ole-boy in the mix. He’s found some kindred spirits on Duck Dynasty and I must admit I find them both hilarious and comfortingly familiar. It’s like spending some time with my Dad.

Movie

Again… not much time. But no self-respecting Sci-Fi dork would miss the new Star Trek movie. There are enough subtle references to the campy original to mollify hard-core Trekkies (Tribbles!), but not so much that my way-too-cool-to-love-Trek husband couldn’t follow. You don’t have to be a nerd to love this film (but it helps)!

Jury’s out as to whether Benedict Cumberbatch makes a better Sherlock or Trek super villain. I think he could probably play Mary Poppins and still blow us away with his intense brilliance. Wicked!

So here’s me, and the highlight of May… drumroll please… as of yesterday, I’M AN AUNT AGAIN! Welcome Baby Charlie!!

A link-up with Hopeful Leigh