Did you have a good weekend? That’s nice. Yours was probably better than mine as it’s hard to compete with spending your Saturday watching your son’s basketball team get annihilated for the 8th weekend in a row. Drew has been playing basketball for four years and for three of those years, we have gone ALL season without a single win. Like, less than 1, more than -1, NADA. Zip. Zero. FOR THREE YEARS. Drew likes to say we are the “undefeated losers”. I like to say, “Somebody give me an Ambien and wake me when it’s over.” I started out the season being supportive after our losses by highlighting the positives: “well, your defense was better”, or “at least you guys got some good shots off”, and “those other guys have been playing together for years, your time will come.” Well guys, our time has not come and I am out of speeches. Now I just get in the car, Drew sulks in the back seat, and I say, “That sucked. Want a milkshake?” Only one game to go before it’s over, and we’re not exactly planning an after party.
But! We did go to Red Robin after Saturday’s game and nursed our wounds – it’s amazing what a few steak fries in some ranch can do for a battered soul. The thing is, I don’t care if we dominate – we don’t have to win all the time, or even most of the time, I would just like to lose by less than 44 points. Is that so much to ask? I think not, but our results suggest otherwise.
After we drowned our sorrows in a pound of beef with special sauce, I spent the rest of my weekend reading a book. I know! I see how you guys are with your lists and your critiques of the dozens of books you read every other day, but sadly I’m not much of a reader. Eater? Yes. Stalker? Yes. Bundt cake maker? YES. (Dudes. Serious recipe coming to you soon – get your pans and ovens ready, and if you really want to be prepared go out and buy a white cake mix, small vanilla pudding mix, white chocolate chips and applesauce so you can make it the same day you read my post. You’ll thank me later.) But avid reader? Not. I’m not against reading, I just don’t do it very often. But when I do, I enjoy it.
This weekend was no exception to that as I picked up a copy of “On Little Wings” by Regina Sirois. This book is positively delightful. Set in small town in Maine, a young girl is searching to piece together a part of her family that she didn’t even know was missing. As she plots to set things right, the author sucks you in to the poetic landscape of a summer ocean and builds characters that make you laugh and cry at the same time. There are parts that felt like “Grumpy Old Men” met up with Ouiser from Steel Magnolias and I found myself wanting to get my haircut in the barbershop with all of them at the same time. There’s just something about crotchety old people that makes me look forward to getting old. Anyway, I definitely recommend this book – Regina Sirois really has a gift for language as evidenced by this PERFECT definition of what every writer seeks for: “Words are like cameras. There’s a million ways to take a picture of the same thing. But only a few have the eye to master it. And those few can use the camera, the words, to capture it. And when words capture it, and you capture the words, then you own a piece of the world you didn’t have before.” I love that!
The author's original intention was to simply self publish this for family and friends, but it has received so much attention that it has since been picked up by a hot NY agent who is working on a wider release. In the meantime, I talked with Ms. Sirois and she has offered to give a signed copy of her book to one of you dudes. Free books! It’s like I’m still trying to impress Oprah or something. Anyway, if you would like to be the one to receive this free copy then do one or all of the following:
1. Leave a comment.
2. "Like" Regina on facebook and then leave a comment to that end
3. Follow her on Twitter, then leave a comment that you did
YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd AT MIDNIGHT
If you want to skip all that and just buy a hard copy or digital copy, you can visit here. Or just leave me a comment about how to not lose a game in 10 days. We need all the advice we can get.
30 comments:
I've got about as much basketball advice as your team has wins, but I am stoked about this book! If I don't win it, let me know where else I can get it!
I always love the idea of a free book. And a good free book - even better.
Love your blog!
Eat more fries. Eat them before the game. That should be a total winner.
I haven't heard of the book!
Sorry about the game, sounds miserable!
I love finding a new fun book to read :)
I liked Regina on FB
I tried and tried to think of some clever advice for the basketball game, but I've got nothing. I guess I just don't have that gift for words. But I would love to read the work of someone who does have that gift!
Ooo, not an AVID reader either, but always looking for good books. Charming ones are my favorite.
And sorry about the bb games.
We have to have the opposite talks with my son's team. We are the one's who dominate... really it's fun, but I know next year when they are all in H.S. they are going to get a taste of unpleasant reality when they get their clocks cleaned -- that is if they even make the team. I mean they're pretty good but, come on... let's not get a big head over middle school basketball, HA!
Hey, is son on my son's basketball team? I've never seen you at the games, but you're describing our experience to a "T." I would like tha book, too! I was going to see if I could get it from the library, but maybe not? Is it too new?
Definitely remember watching games like that, when the other team would full court press the entire game and it would be exciting to just get the ball to half court let alone get a shot off. My recommendation is to make it through next week and then just stick to church basketball where it's always fun and the coaches are awesome! :)
I would love a new book (especially if it has a happy ending!)
My 4th grader was just on a team like that. They lost one game by over 60 points (of course they turn off the scoreboard when one team is ahead by 20+, but we knew). Anyway, I'm always looking for good books for book club, so I'd love to try this one out. Thanks.
I want this book.....:)
I liked her :)
Hi, vern-lovers. My name is Regina and I wrote that book she is talking about! I am so flattered to be mentioned in her hilarious blog and excited to give out a copy. In the meantime, if you have an ereader, it is only 2.99 in the kindle store. But I know- paper is cooler. Win a copy or get your own at www.reginasirois.com.
LOVE to read...just need a few more hours in the day to actualy do it. Sounds like a great book--I loved Steel Magnolias so much that my oldest daughter (Shelby) gets to carry that proof for the rest of her earthly life!
Sorry about the game, but Red Robin can cure almost any heartbreak! :)
Oh I LOVE a good book. Thanks! Also, please put your son on a different team. For you AND for him. Yikes.
Oh, I have so much to say . . . .first I'd love to win a book, second, I'm ready to make the bundt cake, I was just drooling over a picture of your orange dreamsicle cupcakes this morning and third, losing, well it sucks, enjoy your ice cream (maybe you could bring in a ringer??).
I went to Red Robin last week and had free refill root beer floats. That right there would make you feel better for not winning.
Would love a new book too!
Count me in on the book lottery.
And I always get the same thing at Red Robin every time: Bonzai burger. Yum.
Dude... the game situation is rough. The book sounds awesome, BUT you should add a few more steps into the giveaway. You know like licking a stop sign after you send 800 pieces of fan mail your way. (kidding)
Dude... the game situation is rough. The book sounds awesome, BUT you should add a few more steps into the giveaway. You know like licking a stop sign after you send 800 pieces of fan mail your way. (kidding)
I'm leaving a comment. Sierra's first bball game this year (they are playing up and all girls are older) they lost so much that the score keeper stopped after they got 20 and we were still at ZERO.
I feel your pain. We went through a very painful losing streak with Zac. He stopped playing on a team and now plays with his friends a lot.
Church Ball redeamed him. They beat everyone now. I think you play better with your friends sometimes and it's more fun to practice. They kind of create their own ward team. His friends are from lots of different stakes usually.
I need a new book! Perfect timing!
Red Robin Steak fries are literally the best in the world.
If Heather licks a stop sign then I definitely think she should win!
I'm just saying....
Regina
I would love to read this. Always looking for a great book.
I would love to read this. Always looking for a great book.
I wanna read it! Even if you don't give it to me, I'll probably read it anyway, because now it's on my list. :D
I should win this book because I live right next door to Maine. The best way to not lose basketball is to not play basketball. That's all I've got. :)
Love your blog. It cheers me up when the sun doesn't shine for days on end. . . Thank you!
I'd love some new reading material!
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