Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman) Part B

Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman) Part B

Part B of Ashliman's translation is full of the darker tales. My favorite was the version of Adam and Eve. The thing about the writing though is that it seemed like it still had to do with the haves and have-nots. I know that it is from tales told long ago but I am not a fan of that style. Closes down an audience.

 The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales translated by D. L. Ashliman (1998-2013). Part B.

"Presents of the Little Folk" by Anne Anderson, Source: Wikimedia.

Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman) Part A

Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman) Part A

These fairy tales are pretty close to what I remember growing up. Minor differences and a little more violent but nothing that a child couldn't read. Little Red Cap instead of Little Red Riding Hood is what I was told growing up and in my opinion was better. Ashliman does a great job with the retelling of these classic fairy tales that is short and a fast read.

 The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales translated by D. L. Ashliman (1998-2013). Part A.

Illustration of Rumpelstiltskin from Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm, translated by Lucy Crane, illustrated by Walter Crane, first published by Macmillan and Company in 1886. Source.

Famous Last Words: Back to Work

Well the vacation is over. I just got back from my home state, California. It was my son's first time out there and I hope it inspired him that the world is bigger than just what he sees here in Oklahoma. It was great to get away for a week and spend it with family and friends. The trip was to surprise a person I consider my brother that I have been playing online games with for about 10years. He was turning 50 and is moving to Arizona in June so me and a group of other friends that all play online thought it was the perfect time to do it. Yes, online friends can turn into family just like this group has. The trip helped recharge my mindset to focus more on my goals of getting back home and how to do it. School is a major factor in the plan.

We went to Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood and all around SoCal. My son had never experienced anything like what he did during this trip. Just watching him with his eyes wide and the smile he had warmed my heart. I had done everything like that before so my enjoyment was watching him. The ocean was probably his favorite part. It was a little cold but he kept running in and out of the waves just being a kid. He got to meet my friends and he fit in perfectly. Some of them are engineers and seeing as he wants to become and engineer when he grows up it was inspiring from him. The cars that they drove probably helped that haha. I know this is sad to say but I even missed the traffic. At least I did not have to drive and was riding in a Tesla S the whole time.

Personal photo of The Lost Sons crew after the last breakfast (I'm the one in front)

Ventura, California 2017

Review Week 13

Of all of the announcements this one hits home. I knew I was getting burnt out between work and school. The trip I just got back from helped me relax and recharge, something about being by the ocean does that for me. Even if you do not get to go on a vacation, find somewhere relaxing to just cool out and relax. It helps in the long run.

Take Time to Recharge.

Image provided by Growth Mindset Blog

Extra Reading: Welsh Fairy Book (Thomas)

Extra Reading: Welsh Fairy Book (Thomas)

This collection of Welsh tales was enjoyable. I really loved the stories "Arthur in the Cave" and "St Collen and the King of Fairy". The stories were well written and easy to read. Although some of them were short it gave enough to pull a reader in. Seeing the difference in how the Welsh viewed Arthur as immortal was intriguing to me as well. At the end of  "Arthur in the Cave" I thought the sorcerer and the Welshman were done for, great use of misdirection.

The Welsh Fairy Book by W. Jenkyn Thomas with illustrations by Willy Pogány (1908) Part A

Image of St. Collens Church in Wales, Llangollen Church and graveyard in Abbey Road 

by John Haynes, 31 December 2007. Source: Wikimedia.

Reading Notes: Celtic Fairy Tales Part A

Celtic Fairy Tales Part A

Part A of these fairy tales was very enjoyable. I was wanting to do a story about fairies and the first story had exactly all of the information I was needing. The Celtic version of Snow White was better than the original in my opinion as the prince ended up with two wives instead of the one. The reading was easy enough and understanding a lot of the basic principles of the characters helped someone visualize. 

Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1892). Part A.

A portrait of a fairy, by Sophie Gengembre Anderson (1869). Source: Wikipedia.

Reading Notes: Beowulf Part B

Reading Notes: Beowulf Part B

Part B of Beowulf has the epic battle with Grendel. The detail of all of the fights is so well done that you can close your eyes and feel like you are there. Part B is more action and can grab your attention quick. For this story to be told from a poem, Pitz makes it more appealing to a broader audience.

The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933). Part B.

An illustration of the ogre Grendel from Beowulf. Marshall, Henrietta Elizabeth (1908) 

Stories of Beowulf. Source Wikimedia.

Reading Notes: Beowulf Part A

Reading Notes: Beowulf Part A

The story of Beowulf is one of my favorites from English mythology. Reading it again is a joy as Pitz is very descriptive about the events that are happening. This version, compared to the poem I normally read is very easy to understand. With that being said a reader can engage more with the story than having to figure out how to read it. 

The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs, with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933). Part A.

An illustration of Beowulf sailing to Daneland, Marshall, Henrietta Elizabeth (1908) 

Stories of Beowulf. Source Wikimedia.

Reading Notes: Pacific Northwest Part B

Reading Notes: Pacific Northwest Part B

Part B followed the same writing style as Part A. Most of the stories were a little longer with more dialogue. The short stories of the Thunderbird were a standout. Coyote also made a bigger appearance in the second set of stories. Great way of presenting the subjects to the reader and easy to imagine the settings of the stories.


Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest, especially of Washington and Oregon, by Katharine Berry Judson (1910). Part B.

Photo taken by Steve #781 March 16, 2015, Source: Pexels.

Reading Notes: Pacific Northwest Part A

Reading Notes: Pacific Northwest Part A

I liked these stories more compared to the southwestern stories I read last week. Although it is the same author the style is different. It could be also that I did not know much about the pacific northwest as well. These stories were all lengthed perfectly to go with the subject. Grey Fox, Kemush and Ashish really stood out. The origin stories of how the world and things like fire were made did a good job at revolving around the region.

Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest, especially of Washington and Oregon, by Katharine Berry Judson (1910). Part A.

Image taken by Eric Kilby, July 31, 2016. Source: Flickr