Revisiting Harry Potter 7 at Age 38, the Same Age as Lupin and Snape

For the last few years I've been trying to listen to the Harry Potter books as the same age as Lupin, Snape, and Sirius.  This started with the fourth book when they, and I, were about 35 years old, though I got off track and have crammed the last two books this last month, trying to finish them before turning 39, as Lupin and Snape were 38 when they passed.

This whole experience has been interesting.  The first books came out when I was in High School, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, published in 2007, was released after I had finished college.  When I was younger I never quite had the right feel for their ages.  The movies cast these characters much older then their book age, though in reality Lupin, Snape, and Sirius were in their 30's.

When Lupin complained about being too old for Tonks I never quite grasped this.  When Snape died still having unrequited love for Lilly, it never made much sense.  Now that I'm 38, verging on 39, I get it.  Totally get it.  Tonks was 25 when she died, and that is a bit of an age gap.  And Snape, understanding his unrequited love was never something I wanted to relate.

What has really hit me was just how young they were.  When you're in High School to early college, 30-somethings seem so old.  But now, heh, with 40 knocking on my doorstep next year, I feel so young.  So very young.  Sure, I color my hair to hide the encroaching white, and there's some wrinkles forming around my eyes, but honestly, right down to it, I'm young.   

This has been a fun and enlightening experience.  It's been nice revisiting the books.  They really are brilliant, so well written and developed.  It's truly amazing how many people still love, and live, in this magical world.

BTW, the books I listened to were read by Jim Dale and available on Audible.  His reading is so very captivating.  Definitely worth a listen.

And now there are more books to listen to and get lost in.

Until next time,

Sarah

Seeing Beautiful Trees at the Festival of Trees in Sandy, Utah

A few weeks ago I went to Sandy with my Mom and some of my siblings.  We looked at the Festival of Trees, which happens every year right at the end of November going into December.  I've never been, but have heard so many wonderful things about this festival.  It's so inspiring!  Individuals, families, businesses decorate trees and provide gifts from their own pockets, then people come bid on them to buy the trees and gifts in each package.  All money raised goes to the Primary Children's Hospital.  So cool.  And there were so many festive trees.  Here are some of my favorites.

 My brother Steven's work did the above tree.  He wrapped the gifts.

Merry Christmas!! :D

Finally Getting the Wizarding World LootCrate Hedwig Pin

 In the September, 2018, J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World Subscription Box by LootCrate, there was an item missing.  The theme of the box was Back to Hogwarts, and the four received items were House themed.  Nice items, honestly, but it felt like something was missing, and I was relieved to find a card apologizing that the pin, the first in a creature series, would arrive separately by mid-October.

I got the main box last week, and a week to the day, yesterday, this pin came in the mail, sooner than I was expecting, and much nicer than what was seen on the item info sheet.  The pin in the picture looked small, but this pin is a pretty good size.

 A full view on the card.

The pin next to a quarter.

I like the pin and its pearl accent.  It fits well with the Back to Hogwarts theme.

July 2018 J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World by LootCrate subscription box review

This is the July, 2018, J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World by LootCrate.  It's delivered every other month, priced at $44.99 with shipping.  This box is a few weeks late.  It shipped a couple days ago, wasn't supposed to be here till Saturday, so I was shocked it arrived today!

The box picture looks a little sparse due to there being no shirt.  Later in this post there's an image of the note LootCrate included apologizing over the fact that there was manufacture issues with the shirts, they're delayed, but will be sent soon.  I do appreciate the fact that they went ahead and sent the rest of the items.  It's disappointing that the shirt isn't in the box, but as least we're getting one.  Whenever there isn't a shirt in an HP LootCrate box I feel something is missing, even when there's other wearables.  At the bottom of the blog there's a pic of the shirt.

July's box theme is Magical Creatures: "Feathers, fur, scales, wings, fangs-the Magical Creatures of the Wizarding World take many wondrous forms.  This collection celebrates the many creatures and beasts that have captures our imaginations, from Dragons to Nifflers!"

 Niffler Coin Bank

"Nifflers are attracted to shiny things, which makes them the perfect treasure finders (and keepers).  Save your loose Galleons for a rainy day inside your own personal Niffler coin bank."

It's a bank!  At first when I saw this Niffler I thought, "not another Niffler," as we received a Niffler Funko Pop figure in an early box, but it's a bank, which suddenly made this figure cool.  I have an overflowing coin purse full of loose change, so this will by handy.

This is also the only non-exclusive item in the box.

 Fantastic Beasts Cookie Cutter Set

"Bake some sweet treats worthy of Kowalski's Bakery with these creature cookie cutters, which imprint a Bowtruckle, Niffler, Swooping Evil, or Erumpent onto your favorite cookie dough recipe."

I'm a little "Meh" about this.  The cookie cutters are cute.  They seem like they're made well.  I wonder how well the imprint will show up when the cookie is baked.  It's nice that LootCrate is thinking outside the box with this item, and not sending something we've received in a different variation.

 Magical Creatures Sticky Notes

"Remember to care for your Magical creatures with these adorable sticky notes featuring Hagrid, Buckbeak, Hedwig, Fang, and a Thestral."

These sticky notes are pretty cute.  Like the chibi design.

 Nagini Horcrux Pin

"During the Battle of Hogwarts, Neville Longbottom killed Voldemort's serpent Nagini with the Sword of Gryffindor--destroying the final Horcrux.  Celebrating this victory with the last pin in our Horcrux series."

This is the last pin in the Horcrux series, and a lot of subscribers must be happy now that they have the entire set, and that this is such a good design.  I love that Gryffindor's Sword is detailed on both sides and is removable.

Creature Sihouette T-Shirt

"The perfect attire for an aspiring Magizoologist, this enchanting tee depicts the silhouettes of some of the Wizarding World's most well-known Magical Creatures.  How many can you identify?"

Alas, the shirt we did not get.  I really like the design.  It will be nice to see in person.

So there you have it, Magical Creatures.

Next box is a repeat of last years theme, "Back-to-school."