Lifestyle13

A recent survey by Central Connecticut University showed the top ten most literate and wired cities.

1. Minneapolis, Minnesota
2. Seattle, Washington
3. St. Paul, Minnesota
4. Denver, Colorado
5. Washington D.C
6. St. Louis, Missouri
7. San Francisco, California
8. Atlanta, Georgia
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. Boston, Mass

Minneapolis, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Denver and Washington D.C have made the top ten every year since 2003.

According to World Entertainment News Network, author J.K. Rowling has considered an eighth edition to the Harry Potter series.  Rowling says, “There have been times since finishing, some weak moments, when I’ve said, ’Yeah, all right’ to an eighth novel. But if, and that’s a big if, I ever write an eight book abou the wizarding world, I doubt Harry would be the central character.” 

According to the “Sunday Times” of London, “Harry Potter” author J.K Rowling may be working on a crime novel.  Another crime writer Ian Rankin to the “Times” that his wife had seen Rowling in a cafe writing a criminal detective novel.  Sounds like even after the explosive success of the Harry Potter series, author Rowling, still has the writing bug.

As girls and young women how many times have we said                

As you get older, you learn it’s not always the case.

My daughter Avy just heard from one of her closest friends that their friendship has grown apart. It turns out this person not only is growing apart from my daughter, but is weeding her garden of people she has lost touch with over the years.  We will call her Heather.  Heather has recently been married and of course,  when that happens, many times previous friendships get brushed to the side.  It hurts.  Heather had emailed a letter that basically said, don’t expect to hear from me again. No arguments, no discussion. After a ten year friendship, she has moved on and that was that.  

This is something we all, unfortunately, go through.  Many times its changing schools, or going off to college or as in this case getting married that changes a great friendship.  As I was researching this topic, I ran across many poems and tales of sadness over friends just drifing apart over time.  All I can say is what I’ve learned through my own experiences, try not to regret or feel bad, but to try to be thankful for the time you had together. Remember that there is another friend, out there waiting to find you too.  You will always remember them and the friendship you shared.  And ya never know, someday in the future when things change again, friendships can be rekindled. Luckily, my daughter has a best friend, her new husband and that will hopefully take some of the sting out of the loss. 

I have not read this book, but I did find this and maybe it is worth checking out at the library to give it a look.

http://www.whenfriendshiphurts.com

It looks like the author may cover this topic as well as other friendship issues.

I had mentioned in an earlier post that the seventh and final Harry Potter book comes out Saturday.  Author J.K Rowling has said there will be at least two deaths. This revelation, of course, begs the question, will Harry be one of those killed?  This notion may be troubling for children who have grown up with Harry Potter according to Dr. Margaret Richards, a Cleveland Clinic pediatric psychologist.

Dr. Richards says younger children have a tougher time understanding the difference between fantasy and reality.  But she recommends telling the truth about death to your child, no matter how old they are.  Dr. Richards says reading a book where there is conflict or terror as opposed to seeing it on television, gives children time to process the information.  Richards  says regardless of your child’s age, you should tell them the truth about death.

In my opinion, as a parent, you are the best one to determine, what your children are able to handle without terror or nightmares.  No matter how hard we try to protect them, at some point, most kids will see or read something that makes them scared.  When that happens, view it as a great opportunity for a calm, rational conversation and to build the trust and bonds between parent and child.  When kids learn what scares them and if they don’t like the feeling, older kids need to take responsibility for their own choices of what they watch or read in the future. 

With this weekend’s box office take of $75 million,  “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” has grossed over $140 million in five short days.  This latest tale of Harry, Ron and Hermione,  has not matched the craze or ticket sales of the first installment  ”Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” though.  But with that said, I have heard many rave that “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” will thrill muggles more than any of the previous Harry Potter flicks.  Sounds like it’s worth a look!

The countdown is on to the latest and final book in the Harry Potter series.  The thrilling finale “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is anxiously being awaited by many.  In part because author J.K. Rowling has let it be known that two of the main characters are killed.  Who they are. . . remains a mystery. The book will be released 12:01 July 21st, 2007.

Let’s hope with all the frenzy at the bookstores, people will be kind enough not to skip ahead to the end and blurt out the ending for all to hear!!!   Let everyone have their fun!