THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 53-55 Our chapters open up with the opera Robert Le Diable (Robert the Devil). So many things to note.  -Madame Danglars is attending with her lover, Lucien Debray, and her daughter -Albert is not happy about his fiancee Mlle Danglars and neither is his mother. -We learn Haydee's past and the part Morcerf played in it -Some think the count is a vampire. -Madame Danglars takes gambles. -Franz's name pops up with Mademoiselle de Villefort's. -And what is this dinner that Monte Cristo has in the works? Who are these special guests, Major Cavalcanti and his missing son, that the Count is having to refresh the memories of so much?

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 56-58 We are over half way through!!! Opening our reading for the week is the meeting together of the actors portraying Andrea Cavalcanti and Major Cavalcanti. We learn about how each of the actors was chosen. How interesting was that? Why in the world does the count need these two? From there we have the encounter between Valentine and Maximilien. I love Maximilien's foreshadowing of thinking that the count will be "involved in everything good" that happens to him. He feels so strongly about this that his words are repeated twice in the chapter. Valentine isn't so quick to put her trust in the count due to his relationship with her parents. Can you blame her? Maximilien is so certain of the count's ever present knowing help he tells her the story of his horse. Could the count honestly have orchestrated all of that. I am absolutely believing he could have. And what about this dinner? We wrap up with the Villeforts visit to Villefort's father. Oh wicked, wicked Villefort! I am trying not to be over vengeful, but I am waiting for him to reap all the horrible seeds he has sown! Poor skeletal unspeaking Noirtier. Thank goodness for Valentine and his servant who understand him. So a notary is what he wants? A notary he will get!

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 59-61 Our reading this week begins with an air of foreboding. Noirtier's malicious look that promises trouble sets the stage for unfolding events. Noirtier might be unable to speak, but he is still very in control of making his wishes known thanks to his granddaughter and his servant. Thus begins the changing of his will in a way that looks like it is at the expense of Valentine but is for her benefit. If she marries the man her father has chosen (Baron Franz d'Epinay - remember him from the encounter on the island with Sinbad?), she will be disinherited. Remember two things - Valentine doesn't love him and he is the grandson of Noirtier's enemy, the former Baron who was murdered. Did you catch the terror Villefort had on his face when the count mentioned that past history? However, Villefort will not be swayed. From there the count visits a telegraph station and persuades the operator to change a message coming through. As a result Danglars loses a million francs. Do you get the idea that the picture of the dormice eating the fruit and the gardener is actually a picture of something much bigger?

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 62-64 I went to take a picture this morning for this post. I have a beautiful pot of purple pansies on the counter, so I propped the book up and snapped the picture. Putting the picture into the post I realized I can't use this picture with the beautiful flowers. The storms are brewing in our reading, and we need a picture that reflects that. The only element of beauty is the amazing work that was done to the house in preparation for this meal. (Wow there's a lot of alliteration in that paragraph!) Let's talk about the house. I was hooked at Library and Conservatory! Unfortunately, that's not where we can focus! This house, from the front, is almost plain and unassuming and remains that way per the count's instructions. How different then his usual opulent lifestyle in every area. But this house holds secrets that two of the attendees know, and tonight is all about remembering the past and bringing it to light! Once the group crosses the threshold into the house we are back to the lavish lifestyle of our count. He woos the party with his decor and the meal, especially the transportation of the fish. He has literally hooked them all and reeled them in, has he not? However, we are given a little tremor of terror, of things to come when the count's servant M. Bertuccio looks upon the guests and identifies Madame Danglars as the young woman who gave birth, Villefort, who he thought he killed, and BENEDETTO! Do you remember who he is? The infant supposed dead, buried in the backyard that Bertuccio rescued and kept - the child of Madame Danglars and Villefort. I am making this post too long, but the BEDROOM that was left in its original state needs to be discussed. The count's masterful telling of the "blood-red awning" and the portraits that whisper to each other what they saw. The carrying down the steps of a "grim bundle" out to the garden. Then he switches gears and tells of a new mother in the room with her respectable husband carrying his new child. Is it any wonder Villefort and Madame Danglars are pale and passing out? Then wonderful Madame Villefort has her concoction to revive Madame Danglars. Monte Cristo pounds the nail in the coffin with the revelation of the little skeleton that was found in the garden. Oh he is a masterful story teller! Now Villefort and Madame Danglars decide they must meet. But that isn't where it ends- oh no! Just when it feels like we can't handle any more revelations, out from the darkness steps Caderousse. What a mess he is now. Wonder what happened to the jewels he once had. And he knows the young man playing the son of Major Cavalcanti, the real Benedetto, and he isn't about to crawl back into the gutter. Oh no, he's going to ride this train as long as he can. He's not quite the bumbling buffoon I took him to be.

BOOK ORGANIZATION - PART 2 Last time I covered a look at how I handle fiction, so let's cover nonfiction and some of my topic breakdowns. NONFICTION -American History I organize a lot by time periods especially if I have a lot of books on that particular topic - Beginning with Explorers, Jamestown, Colonial/Revolutionary War, Constitution, War of 1812, Lincoln/Slavery/Civil War, etc. -Anything that doesn't fit in my time petiods are arranged by author's last name except for a few topic collections. -Historical Topic nonfiction collections include Egypt, State of Ohio, Presidents, etc. The rest of my books are arranged by topics for easy access. Science, Poetry, Fables/Fairy Tales, Geography, Art/Drawing, Music, Faith/Religion, Holidays, etc. My topic books are not arranged in alphabetical order. It is enough for me that the books are just gathered together for a quick look through. Hope this helps!

BOOK ORGANIZATION - PART 1 I was recently asked if I would write a post about how I organize our books. I had to laugh as I responded and said I would, but it's organized chaos! I may get this written in one post or it may be stretched over a series of posts. I think it's important to start with acknowledging that you need to make your books in your home the most accessible to you. Take what I write here and change it anyway you want to. The goal is for your books to be organized in the most usable way for your family. I have chosen to centrally locate the majority of our books. That way everyone knows right where to go to look for them. My kids will keep current reads on a shelf in their room or stashed under their bed, but in general, when they are finished they go back to the main shelves. FICTION BOOKS Picture Books- A group of my lowest shelves are dedicated to our picture book collection. The picture books are organized in a loose alphabetical arrangement by the author's last name. What I mean by loose is that all the A's are together, all the B's are together, and so forth, but I don't care what order all the A's are in. I was happy if my littlest ones could just keep the A's together. My goal is easy use, and I didn't want the burden of putting books away so great for myself or the kids that they wouldn't be used. Easy Readers- All my Easy Readers are on one shelf. We have quite a few, but not so many that it takes more than 3 minutes to scan the spines when in search of a specific one. In this area I lean towards the side of use versus perfect return to the shelf. Elementary-High School Fiction- This is my most challenging area. I have the books divided into two groups - Elementary and Jr. High and above. What makes this area so difficult is you reach a point where the books can and are enjoyed by both groups. So what do you do then? I try and place them where they will be used the most. Elementary receives a pink sticker on the spine and Jr. High and above receives a green one. (The stickers are ones you use to price items at garage sales found at Walmart.) The books are then placed in true alphabetical order in their category by the author's last name. Controversial Fiction Books- I read books with my high schoolers that deal with tough subjects like suicide, date rape, gang related death, etc. These books go on the tip top shelf where little ones climbing the ladder can't get to them. Inside their covers I write HS for High School and write notes to myself on the material covered in the book. I'll include pictures at the bottom with some captioning. Obviously, I've only covered fiction so far, so there will be more to come in later posts!

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 65-67 Wow! Wow! Wow! I never know what to expect when I pick my book up to read the next 3 chapters. I am positively squirming from the tension building! Mademoiselle Danglars was definitely in the spotlight. She certainly gets around doesn't she? It's time for some accountability. The Danglars have more of a business relationship than a marriage. Every little dream or bit of info that led to a monetary gain, she got a cut, but this time (thanks to the count) it was a huge loss, and it's time she paid her share. Oh, and her husband isn't quite the fool I thought he was when it comes to her. He knows exactly who she is and what's in her past with regards to her first husband's suicide and an unplanned pregnancy on her part. I think he sums it up quite nicely with, "With me it is different: I saw and I have always seen." In fact her actions were a benefit to her husband. It gave him a power over the men who have been her lovers. She can make him hateful with her choices, but as he said he will not allow her to make him look ridiculous or ruin him. Did you love the count's three classes of wealth? Where does Danglars fall in that lineup? At the bottom of course! Monte Cristo warns him how easily he can lose it all. Poor, proud Danglars, the count is going to dismantle you piece by piece, and there's nothing you can do about it. Then there's Mademoiselle Danglars and remember Haydee? Danglars is ready to attach his daughter to whomever will gain him the greatest profit. After all Morcerf isn't the nobility he claims to be. Did you remember Haydee, the count's beautiful companion that was told to keep quiet about her past especially her father? Is Ali Tebelin tied to that past and what in the world did Fernand do to him? Then it's to the meeting between Mme Danglars and Villefort. We learn the story about the infant, the stabbing, the recovery, and that later Villefort went back and DUG UP EVERYWHERE IN HIS BACKYARD searching for the little body. He knew the body was not there which meant the baby had been rescued and somehow the count knows their story. Now it's Villefort's turn to learn all he can about the count and why he is there "telling stories about children dug up from his garden." 2 quick things- Did you not tingle at the metaphors and similes in Villefort's retelling of going into the garden to begin the hunt for the little body? And a quote- "My life has been worn away in the pursuit of difficult things and in breaking down those who voluntarily or otherwise, of their own free will or as a result of chance, stood in my way and raised such obstacles." Ahhh Villefort if you are hunting down the count's past you must not be worn away enough, yet.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 68-70 While these 3 chapters didn't quite contain the roller coaster events that the past few chapters have (have you not felt the floor drop out from under you?), there are still some notable events happening that are resulting in some strong emotions. First, Albert and Mercedes Morcerf have returned. There is a ball in the plans, and Mercedes has requested that the count attend. I am holding my breath about this meeting. Will the count set aside his mask and allow Edmond to begin to peek out? Villefort makes good on his word. He is attempting to dig up the count's past. Monsieur l'Abbe and Lord Wilmore, a friend and a foe of the count's, are interviewed. But who are the abbe and Wilmore? None other than our count in costume. My goodness he is a busy man! Then we come to the ball. Everyone is asking about the count. I love Dumas' description when the count enters. There are men in attendance who are more "handsome," but none that are more "significant." He has certainly set himself up as the pin in the hinge that all society revolves around! We have a couple of revelations. 1- Danglars has lost more money, and 2- Mercedes asks the count to accompany her to the garden. His reaction is priceless. He may be in control of lots of things, but he has failed to gain control of his emotions where Mercedes is concerned.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 71-73 Had to use our family's current puzzle as a backdrop to our reading this week. We are being handed pieces left and right, and little by little they are beginning to form a picture. Our chapters open this time with a private garden walk taken by the count and Mercedes. I was holding my breath through this entire scene. The palpable feelings of passion, regret, hurt, longing, need for forgiveness, to still be valued swirl around them as they walk. And the refusal of the count to eat - did you catch the Arab custom? But as the count quickly reminds Mercedes they are in France not Arabia? So we are left wondering if they are friends or not. First the count affirms that they are, but later he tells her he could not pretend to be her friend, but her most respectful servant. And so we wait. I have to admit I am feeling the moral struggle right now of Mercedes being married to someone else and the desire for love to be restored that was lost by evil deeds. From there we plunge head first into another love story, the love story of Valentine and Morrel. The arrival of a very disheveled woman, Valentine's grandmother - Monsieur de Saint-Meran is dead. Do you not feel swept up in the madness of this scene? I somewhat feel, myself, like the raving, wild haired woman as I wrestle alongside Valentine with her desire to honor her father and her grandmother. But to do so means to shackle herself to someone she doesn't love, that she doesn't know, all in the name of...well...a name! But she makes a promise to Morrel. She prepares to run away with him but then fails to show. We learn that Madame de Saint-Meran is dead. The wedding is postponed. Then, we are privy to a conversation between the doctor and Villefort. Poisoned?! And it's to be buried away, not brought to light! Who would want to poison Madame de Saint-Meran? I find myself asking was Monsieur de Saint-Meran poisoned as well? In the midst of all this Valentine and Morrel secure a protector. Someone who is on their side who will see that they are together in the end. Noirtier, Villefort's crippled, unspeaking father, has become their ally. Don't let his body fool you. He is still a very powerful man biding his time in the wings.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 74-76 Villefort is relentless is he not? He will muscle through anything to see his plans through, even if it means guaranteeing the match of his daughter to Franz d'Epinay on the day of his own parents' funeral. Poor, poor Valentine, she is nothing more than a pawn in a game. Wonder where he gets that stubbornness from? Maybe his father? Did we not all breathe an audible sigh of relief when Noirtier interrupts the gathering? A pause, a possibility of escape. Oh, how we hope! The secret papers that d'Epinay reads aloud. The story of the death of his father at the hands of none other than Noirtier in a duel. The reference to the letter that came by Morcerf's ship years ago. The letter which Villefort destroyed that led to the destruction of Edmond Dantes and the emergence of the Count of Monte Cristo. Secrets are being revealed in the name of allowing an innocent girl to have a life of her choosing and the bringing down of a son who hid his father's identity for years to further his career. We can't leave these chapters without acknowledging Dumas' slam on Parisian society. After all it "receives strangers and treats them, not as what they are, but as what they wish to be." The requirements - "speak the language...be acceptably turned out....be a good sport...and pay cash " (How many examples have we seen of that in this story?!) Then we'll end on Danglars, another father with a plan for his daughter. Danglars is still riding the losing money train, but his daughter is his saving grace. Not as Albert's bride, mind you! Cavalcanti/Benedetto is the intended target. Danglars you are a fool! But that's not where his foolishness stops. It is time to sell out his friends. Hold on to your hats - Fernand's secrets are about to be revealed.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 77-79 Albert is being handed the pieces of the past - Haydee's story and his father's. It is time to assemble the complete picture of what happened to her family so long ago and at the direction of whom. Betrayal as the Morcerf foundation instead of honor? Three weeks and either everything will be clear with the threat of a dual as the crowning event or a retraction to the sentences that appeared in the newspaper will be printed. Albert is released from the engagement with Mademoiselle Danglars. While he is ecstatic, cracks are forming in the dare I say friendship/acquaintanceship between Danglars and Morcerf. Who is Danglars chasing for his daughter? Cavalcanti (who, remember, is actually Villefort's missing son though none of them know it!). From there we go to a happy scene. Noirtier wants to meet with Morrel and Valentine to discuss their future, but we knew poison had to appear at some point. Remember the discussion between the count and Mme Villefort? It misses its intended victim and an innocent man dies. And who had access to it? Valentine. Does happiness last in this story?

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - CHAPTERS 80-82 Villefort's world is crumbling around him. Death is surrounding him, and his daughter is accused by the doctor. Villefort assumes he is the intended victim. Is his guilty conscience pricking him? He convinces the doctor to keep his thoughts to himself. The domestic staff quit and as they exit, one person's eyes fill with tears while another smiles in satisfaction. From there we catch up with Danglars and Caderousse thanks to Andrea Cavalcanti/Benedetto. He makes his desires known to Danglars regarding his daughter, and in turn Caderousse makes his desires known to Cavalcanti. Caderousse's nature is revealed more to us as every idea and plan he has terrifies Cavalcanti. Then Cavalcanti reveals that he believes the count is his father, yet Caderousse convinces him to give him a map of the count's house to burglar. But who is the person who warns the count ahead of time? In the process of the burglary we learn some interesting things! After all, Abbe Busoni appears and the confessions roll off the lips of Caderousse easily. Now the connection of Benedetto and Caderousse is explained. A confession is written as to whom Benedetto really is. Caderousse is let go, but on his way over the wall he is murdered. Any ideas as to whom his murderer is?