Hardware on kitchen cupboards is such a joy. I've lived in this house for over 30 years and finally have the pleasure of opening the drawer with a drawer pull. Of course, out of habit, I grabbed the corner or the silverware drawer and tugged because it sticks. Then I looked down and realized that I could easily pull it open using the handle. Oooh! Ahh!

As with many things, a little change can make a big difference. It makes the kitchen look like a new place. Very modern-pewter with porcelain drawer pulls and round polished nickel knobs on the cupboard doors. It reminds me of an old-apothecary cabinet. This style makes sense since my kitchen walls are made out of handhewn square logs. The kitchen was an 18x20 log cabin that is going on 200 years old. Big Fred, an accomplished carpenter, had the job finished in no time and such a delight.

Of course, there was the great tado about which hardware to get. I ordered, sent back, bought knobs to try out; have to take them back. Not the right size bolts to go from the outside of the drawer to the inside. We ended up using stainless steel screws. Now our kitchen is really stylin thanks to Pottery Barn and Home Depot. And Big Fred. Yes!!

Number 3 on the list of summer reading. The Education of Little Tree is the rememberance of a Cherokee boy's childhood. Little Tree is raised by his grandparents and learns the Cherokee "way" including a trade: whiskey making. The story takes place in the 1930's and is claimed to be a true story of Forrest Carter's (the author) life.

I love this sweet story of the granpa and granma's teachings. Little Tree knows his place in the world. He is part of the trees, river, animals, and the mountain. It made me feel warm and happy. I can relate because I also am drawn to the land that I make my home on. I have history here; my history includes the trees, creeks, animals and hills that surround me and the teachings of my parents, grandparents, and neighbors.

It is a well documented that Native American children were "rescued" and placed in schools and orphanages. Little Tree learns first hand about politicians and religion when he is placed in a church run orphanage. Of course, Little Tree is a bastard and is beyond the realm of God. I guess I needed a good cry because that's what I did through the last few chapters.

I have always wondered about how our society places so little value on children. (Hard to articulate). I think that is part of the reason why I was so sad. Need a good cry?

Shiprock, New Mexico is just east of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona where I started my teaching career on the Navajo Reservation. On a January day, I packed my car in the ice and snow and with my friend Suzie in convoy, headed west. I felt like Columbus when he thought he would drop off the edge of the earth.

The move was major. I had purchased my first car and prayed that the light would stay green so I wouldn't have to shift as I went up my first hill. I had never been so far from home or so far away from the familiar, like green trees and grass and blue lakes and clean water. I didn't know how to pronounce the name of the town I was going to and had no idea what my teaching assignment would entail. But, I was an expert on Navajo culture. I had read one book. Oh my! I could handle "them Indians" (no disrespect intended) since I had just come from a teaching job in an inner city school. Needless to say, I had more to learn than just shifting my car.

I was thinking about my experience today. It changed my world-view and my life. Who would have imagined?

To go gray or not to go gray? That is the question.

O.K. I said I would stop coloring my hair once I retired. So, I'm retired. I said I liked it colored because I'm a professional and I felt I should be concerned about personal appearance since I was an example for children. I said, I never did such a thing when I was younger because I couldn't afford it and it just wasn't what the women in my family did. More reasons for hair color: my hair is gray and white (or all white for all I know), I always wanted to be a redhead, I enjoy pampering myself, I deserve it, it's fun.

On the other hand, my husband bluntly pointed out that if it is to attract men, it wasn't working. :) And, how shallow if it was an ego thing. "Vanity, vanity....

So, I'm old enough to realize all of these arguments pro and con. Maybe I just am not a risktaker (although I encourage everyone else to take risks). Maybe I don't want to come to grips with the idea that I'm getting old. Maybe it will look bad. I wish I could put my face on different hair colors like they can draw a house or plan a kitchen with CAD.

I haven't convinced myself one way or the other. Usually, I don't put these ideas out any further than my friends, but how does the world feel about old ladies dyeing their hair? I'll take all thoughts on the subject under consideration.

I hate it! Wind and rain! I live on a hill so we get major wind. When storms move in from the west, our hilltop home is a grand attraction to lightning. When I was a kid, I thought thunder was the bad guy. Sure, whoever told me that?

Last week's storm was very scary because our house was hit by lightning three times. The strike took out the answering machine, came in as a ball of light near the microwave, and came down the hotwater heat copper pipe in another ball of light. I was shaking, to say the least, and sat on the floor in the living room with the dog until the storm passed. Luckily, I had just stopped talking on the phone to my sister. Toast.

Yesterday's storm had only one lightning strike , again, near the microwave. But, the wind was really blowing and rain came in sheets. It took a branch out of a big poplar tree in the backyard. We spent some time picking up leaves and branches. In places, it flattened the flowers. Otherwise, no damage.

Thank goodness for the rain. This area seldom gets 90 degree temps day after day. The lawn was burning up. Chance of forest fires was high. And no one could sleep at night, even with a window air-conditioner on.

Today is gloriously sunny, cool, and green. However, I still hate rain and wind and lightning.

Oh, Fannie Flagg, you are too hilarious. I chuckled, I tisked, and I outright belly laughed. Can't Wait to Get to Heaven is the story of elderly Elner Shimfissle (even the name is humorous) who dies, goes to Heaven, and is sent back. Her influence on others, over her long life, is not a surprise, but some of the events are. Some of the events in Heaven are a surprise, too. I loved Fannie Flagg's ideas about Heaven.

Elner has always asked questions and finds out the answers to: What came first, the chicken or the egg? and Why are we here?

Flagg is right up-to-date with references to Martha Stewart and Pottery Barn. The characters live in the present day, fast-paced world. The questions aren't new ones and neither is the theme, but the story is uplifting, hopeful, and sweet.

It's a great way to spend a summer afternoon. It's a must read book.

Detective Precious Ramotswe is back in her lopsided white van solving the latest mystery in her area of Botswana. Mma Ramotswe and her assistant Grace Makutsi are dealing with problems on the nature preserve, a whistle-blower, and blackmail. Both ladies take a look at what makes them happy. Grace thinks that blue shoes will make the difference. Precious, who is traditionally built, decides to go on a diet, but after reflection concludes that she really doesn't want to change. Of course, the personal growth is as interesting as the traditional "who dunnit". So, a mystery within a mystery.

I enjoy this series because it is a glimpse into the African culture with women in the key positions. Smith has made this another entertaining story in The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Series.

I have to admit, that I liked the first book best, (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency) because Precious Ramotswe ( the main character) is more developed, created and nurtured by the author. I don't think Blue Shoes and Happiness gives enough of the background to help the reader fully understand.

I noticed that Smith is really developing the secondary characters: Grace and Mr. Polopetsi (whom Mma Ramotswe has befriended and works in her husband's garage). Could it be that there will be some spin-off with these characters? Precious keeps talking about moving back to her home village. Maybe she'll have a franchise detective business. :)