It's been said before, but rings true, NZ is a throwback in time. The local amusements at Tahunanui Park are simple and sweet. You pay $5 for a half hour on the Euroslide. Two blokes run the enterprise and parents sit watching their kids on plastic chairs at the bottom. It all closes at 5:30 every day of the week. The local roller rink 2-4 PM Sat and Sunday only.

In keeping with this slowed-down paced, we opted to read a family story last night. In packing I had found Jim Trelease's "Read All About It" a remnant from my teaching days when I was desperately searching for literature to inspire my functionally illiterate students. (My task was daunting and a mere book incapable). Nonetheless, it's a great book and I recommend it to any parent of adolescents.

Trelease has compiled chapters and essays of wonderfully engaging fiction and nonfiction. Anecdotal biographies of the authors introduce the passages. Some are renowned, many obscure. We read "Aunt Millicent" by Mary Steele. It seemed appropriate as Steele is Australian (not quite NZ, but close enough.} Aunt Millicent tells the story of a wildly adventuresome aunt who becomes the talk of a small town Problem is, she doesn't really exist. In order to end her intrigue she meets a fate worse than death......

You'll have to read it to find out. Great book....Jim Trelease "Read All About It."

Ciao