The Maxwell House

A few weeks ago I gushed to you about my love for the Kindle. This morning I read an article by Tim Challies (author of The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion) about some of the downfalls of ebooks. Challies makes some excellent points, including that ebooks cannot easily be passed down when you die, and they cannot be dog-eared and marked up. Since I rarely make notes in a book (maybe that’s why I don’t remember half of what I read?) the second point doesn’t apply to me. I like the idea of purchasing physical copies of the few books that make an impact. Here is an except from the article:

I love my Kindle for light reading, for enjoying a good novel or a Christian living kind of book. But books that I am going to return to again and again and books I would want to leave behind as part of my legacy, those are volumes I still want to have in printed editions, sitting in my office, accessible to all, able to outlive me, able to represent me.

Regarding this topic, here is a reply that I posted to a friend interested in purchasing a Kindle. This information would be helpful to those who are interested in basic email checking away from home, sort of a “poor-man’s iPad”.

Some additional information that might be helpful: you can also “surf” the web on a kindle. It’s extremely slow, but under the experimental section is a basic web browser. It wouldn’t be something to replace your regular computer by any means, but I mention it because it might be helpful to certain people who are often away from home and wouldn’t mind the tedium in exchange for checking email or news. I’m not sure how much the upgrade to 3G costs for the kindle, but it’s worth checking into. A quick google search will bring up more information on this aspect of the kindle.

How is it that the boys are always able to find the first spring mud puddles, no matter how well hidden on the property? This year we’ve enjoyed such a beautiful winter, with the ability to regularly send the boys outside in the afternoons. I’m finding myself in a typical Alaskan mom’s predicament this month, wanting to send the kids outside, but not sure how to dress them and most certainly not wanting to be washing dirty play clothes (or snowsuits) constantly. Do you have any ideas?

Registration is now available for free bowling during the summer through the Kids Bowl Free program. Sign up at this link. This registration includes 2 free games of bowling each day for kids, from April 30 through September 6. For an additional $25 you can add up to four adults to the registration. These games don’t include shoe rental, but you can always comb through eBay to try to find some cheap shoes. We’re hoping to do that too 🙂 Our family took advantage of this program last summer. Sign up and come with us!