much2dodada

2010-08-23T11:41:00.001-05:00

I am trying to set up a new blog for my art. Can't seem to make it work. Where is mander when I need her?

2010-06-28T20:45:00.002-05:00

NYCity Can't believe I just spent five days in the Big Apple. I did all of the things I wanted to do and more. I went to MOMa, the Guggenheim, and the Met. I viewed many of my favorite artworks and can now say, "I saw it for real." I went to the BIG, BIG New York Public Library and was definitely impressed with their reading room that is the size of a football field. I gazed at the zodiac signs painted on the ceiling of Grand Central Station. I walked through Central Park even though it was hotter than H even in the shade. You may not have realized it, but I toasted you with a beer on the 48th floor of the Mariatt Marquee rotating restaurant, the View, on Broadway. I had Turkish food, French food, Thai food, Asian fusion food, diner food, deli food, and good ole sandwiches at the airport. I shopped at Saks Fifth Ave. and was amazed with the structure of St. Patrick's Cathederal. I saw "Billy Elliot" and "Chicago" and give them rave reviews. I even shopped at two designer resale shops on Park Avenue. Whew, waaay to much money. I couldn't believe the amount of peole in Time Square and the horrific traffic. I won't mention the not so good parts. All in all, I had a wonderful time. I feel like I could be a tour guide for Mid Manhattan. I could even tell you what bus to take and what restaurants to eat at. I hope I get a chance to go again.

2010-02-06T15:17:00.002-05:00

Another lifetime goal fulfilled. I have my collage in the Wild Raisin Art Gallery located in Fife Lake. Yippee! I took five pieces and intend to take more next week. Remember the collage-a-day? Well, I'm right on target-37 collages. Yesterday's collage was a valentine. You can see it on the Wild Raisin website. Now, hopefully, someone will buy one of my collages. You can buy online. Come on, make me rich and famous. http://www.wildraisin.net/

2010-01-20T17:06:00.002-05:00

Update. Yes, I am on collage #20. My collage-a-day has been going steady. In fact, I have done some extra and will have them framed by a professional. I am quite proud of myself! I have been using magazine paper, but last night I used some handmade paper- very thick. It seemed to be a hit. I take my collage to school each day and show my 5th graders. It has put some pressure on me to keep going. So far, I'm having fun, so I don't intend to quit. Well, off to work on today's collage. No, this isn't my creation.

2010-01-20T16:50:00.002-05:00

Book # 1 Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell. Yup, back at it again. I don't think my goal will be 100 books for 2010, but I still love to read and I will still read ALOT.

This story is about immigrants from the Ukraine who settle in Canada. It is much like the settling of the US prairie, but with a Canadian setting. The story is about the family's escape, the heartbreak of being in a new country without the language and with all of the injustices. The father, mother, and five children try to make a life on homestead land, but, it seems every step is backward. The father may be free, but he ends up going to jail for keeping grain and has a dispute with his sister who holds the land. Hard times! Steadfast women hold the families together. A view of life comes from each of the children. The story is about the trauma that comes from being pushed from ones home, homeland, customs, language, and support system. This author can really tell a story with hints and colorful descriptions.

Warning- it doesn't have a happy ending.

2009-12-31T07:50:00.003-05:00

#64 A Proper Education for Girls by Elaine Di Rollo. This book contains "Victorian eccentricities" and Victorian double standards, as the back cover relates. And, boy, were the Victorians ever bizarre. The Talbot girls, Lillian and Alice (surviving triplets) are separate by their overpowering father. Lillian is exiled to live with a missionary in India because of her unspeakable behavior. Alice is left to catalog and care for the father's museum of oddities and whims called The Collection and her ancient aunts. The girls try to get back together even though their father has banned all form of communication. Alice is not only a prisoner in her father's home, but is a prisoner to the outrages of misguided male medical theories. Lillian uses her cunning to escape India. Both girls conquer the forces of repression as they use their resources to tame the tiger.

A great book to end the year.

2009-12-21T20:14:00.002-05:00

#63 Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Did you read The Glass Castle? It was good, but one of the most disturbing books I have read. Jeannette Walls takes the reader back to her Grandmother, Lily's, life. This woman survives tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and personal tragedy. She goes from a dugout and breaking horses to Catholic boarding school in Santa Fe. She rides horseback 500 miles across Arizona to her first teaching job at fifteen, goes to Chicago where she is a maid and is married to a crum-bum, goes back out West to teach, remarries, gets a college degree, and learns to fly an airplane. Not all in that order, but those are some of the highlights. She is straight talking, hardworking, and resourceful. She raises two children with her husband, Big Jim, on a gigantic ranch in Arizona. One of these children is Jeannette Walls' mother, Rose Mary Smith Walls (one half broke horse) who ended up eating out of a New York City dumpster in The Glass Castle.

This story of Jeannette's grandmother had so much humor and adventure and hope, unlike The Glass Castle. It also reminded me of my dear friend, Rebecca, who lives in New Mexico. I couldn't put the book down and spent each spare moment reading. I really liked the spunk and spirit of the story.

2009-12-19T22:00:00.003-05:00

#62 La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith.

2009-12-19T21:58:00.001-05:00

#61 Wicked by Gregory Maguire. This is an amazing book. And not what I thought it was going to be. Let, me back up. I have been listening to the soundtrack from the musical Wicked that my DIL gave me for Christmas. I have learned most of the words to the song and can't get them out of my head. I plan to go to see the musical in Toledo during my spring break. Anyway, I was really wrong about the characters and the plot when I started reading the book.

The book is full of philosophy, religion, politics, and of course, evil. The Wizard is not just a bumbling misplaced person as in WOO, he is a tyrant and really wicked. And, of all things, fathers a green child. Both witches are wicked. Glinda is not really as good as she is billed. And what about the red slippers? I don't want to give it all away.

So, if you don't like fantasy, put the book back. If you want the skinny on Oz and it's surrounding lands, you'll get the details. If you want to know about the Wicked Witch of the West, you'll better understand the reasons why. If you want to find out about the red slippers, read on.

I still love the music and can't wait to see the performance. But, it will never be the same since I have read the book.

2009-12-08T17:35:00.003-05:00

#60 One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. The author's note explains the idea for this story as the title suggests: " in 1854 at a peace conference at Fort Laramie, a prominent Northern Cheyenne chief requested of the U. S. Army authorities the gift of one thousand white women as brides for his young warriors." Of course, this didn't happen, but the author takes the idea and runs with it. And runs with it. And runs with it. Oh, and did I say, runs with it?

I really liked the idea, the character development, and the view of history ( especially since it wasn't the side mentioned in history books). However, somehow, I felt like the language didn't quite make it. I know the Irish girls had an accent and there was smigins of Indian language, but I felt like the characters were going to break into some modern talk. Can't really put my finger on it. Also, the story went on and on. I thought the author over stretched the possibilities. Again, I can't quite pinpoint when it should have stopped. But, hey, it's just my opinion.

I guess this is one you'll have to read to find out for yourself.

2009-11-23T21:16:00.003-05:00

#59 Away by Amy Bloom. The back cover says'"Raunchy, funny, and touching. Away is and elegant window into the perils of self-invention and reinvention in New York in the 1930's. Amy Bloom's heroine, Lillian, is an unforgettable young woman on a quest to make her life whole and to belong in an unstable, yet fascinating, new American world," Caryl Phillips.

The story takes Lillian, the main character, from Russia to New York City after her family is destroyed in a Russian pogrom. Word comes that her daughter, Sophie, may still be alive, so the journey continues to Seattle and then to Alaska toward Siberia in an attempt to find her.

This story has interesting twists and turns and colorful characters. I had a hard time putting the book down.

2009-11-23T20:57:00.002-05:00

#58 Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. This book is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize and I can understand why. Olive Kitteridge's character is developed from all directions and from many perspectives and relationships. Olive has many sides, as we all do, and is harsh, lovable, misunderstood, insightful, secretive, tragic, and hopeful. The world view comes from a small town in Maine. The lives in this small town could be what happens in any town. The author artfully spins and weaves the story to make a colorful tapestry of the human condition.

Olive could have been my neighbor and friend. I really enjoyed this story.

2009-11-15T15:23:00.002-05:00

#57 the witch doctor's wife by Tamar Myers. Another book about Africa but set in the Congo. This was a fast read dealing with human relationships, a diamond, and a murder. The story has romance, racial prejudice, colonialism, religious intolerance, cultural intolerance, and all of the African plight, but it is done with a lighter hand, with humor and warmth. I found myself hurrying to the end to find out "who done it".

The story is based on the author's own experience and misunderstandings. What I thought was going to be a do gooder missionary story turned into a much more fun mystery especially when the witch doctor had more than one wife.

2009-11-13T15:20:00.002-05:00

#56 Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. Tracy Kidder, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, has written "an inspiring account of one man's remarkable journey and of the ordinary people who helped him- a brilliant testament to the power of will and of second chances."

Deo arrives in the US from Burundi with 2oo dollars in his pocket, no English, no one to meet him, and no place to go. He has survived civil war and genocide. He gets a job delivering groceries, ends up living in Central Park, and learns English from dictionaries in bookstores. Then, he begins meeting people who will help him. Kidder travels back to Africa with Deo in search of meaning and forgiveness.

The jacket says," an extraordinary writer, Tracy Kidder one again shows us what it means to be fully human by telling a story about the heroism inherent in ordinary people, a story about a life based on hope." The book was inspiring and, of course, very troubling.

2009-11-07T07:24:00.003-05:00

#55 The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. The ultimate survival book. Atwood creates the world after the plague has hit wiping out most of the population. And, it's pretty believable-maybe not the animal spliced creatures like the Mo'Hairs and the pigs with human brain tissue, but anyway, lots of survival methods, lots of gruesome violence, lots of interesting Saint's Days and traditions that evolve. Two women, Ren and Toby survive, and draw upon the teachings of God's Gardeners- a group devoted to the melding of science and religion. The bad are really bad and the good have to be cautious with no time to ponder the purpose of their existence or the why.

Atwood has done it up big with themes of the Earth after killing off the animals, corporate greed, science out of control, and the breakdown of society. Unfortunately, there are references to characters in her book, Oryx and Crake, which I haven't read. I think I'll wait awhile before I take it on. This was a definite page turner.

2009-11-02T06:51:00.002-05:00

#54 The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim. This story is mixed with strong women, Korean tradition, war, and the trials of life moving from one generation to another. Kim has created interesting women characters in a traditional family setting. Sheridan Hay, on the back cover, says,"....Kim beautifully chronicles both the lost world of a traditional Korea and the lost childhood of her remarkable heroine."

This book made me consider a family's subtle ways of showing love, fear, encouragement, disgust, anger, and hope. Culture, place, and time would all play an important part. The difficulties of family life and tradition became strengths that helped this family survive war, separation, and all kinds of loss. I'm glad it had a happy ending.

2009-10-25T19:19:00.005-05:00

#53 Notes from the Underwire- Adventures from my awkward and lovely life by Quinn Cummings. This book is described as "charming, hilarious, and just snarky enough to be ultimately satisfying" Jon Lancaster, author. I found it very funny. It's the Hollywood life of a former child star who finally is the grown-up. I laughed at her parenting skills, her homemaking skills, and her pet training skills. I chuckled at her do good attitude and its pitfalls. I shook my head at her descriptions of being fashionable and her obsession with scarves. Anyway, it was fast, funny, and a downright good time. Amanda, you will like this one.

2009-10-23T07:07:00.002-05:00

#52 Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan. OMG, if you read this book, get ready for heavy-duty stuff. This is a collection of five stories set in Africa. The events are viewed through the eyes of children. The stories are sad with violent, racial and religious intolerance, and total breakdown of community and family. Akpan has captured the hell of war. This book is an Oprah Book Club pick and I can see why. With that, read it!

2009-10-16T19:34:00.003-05:00

#51 The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. With a setting of England in 1766, Tom, the main character, witnesses the arrival of two elephants at the Bristol ship docks. The elephants are in bad condition and are purchased by a wealthy sugar merchant who puts Tom in charge of caring for them. Tom's whole life revolves around the two elephants. Tom is persuaded to write a history of the elephant which he does through his own experiences. The story moves from lush countryside to London, where the elephant and Tom are part of a Menagerie with less than perfect conditions for any animal including humans. This is the story of love an loyalty between Tom and the elephants. Somehow it reminded me of Black Beauty. It was great to read something different.

2009-10-12T10:10:00.003-05:00

#50 Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan. Yes! I got another book done. Will I reach 100, NO.

Anyway, this story can best be described in the jacket: "... an engrossing fable that chronicles three generations of women under one family tree over a period of thirty years- their galvanic love and passion, their shifting alliances, their superstitions and complex domestic politics-and places them in a mythical town where spirits and spells, witchcraft and demons, and prophets and clairvoyance are an everyday reality." With that said, I sometimes found it hard to understand because of the shifts between reality and myth. I often felt that I had missed something. I liked the authors strange sense of story and descriptions and the ending. I think it is one of those books that you have to read to see if it suits you or not.

2009-10-08T15:28:00.003-05:00

#49 hypocrite in a pouffy white dress by susan jane gilman. The subtitle reads: tales of growing up groovy and clueless. Gilman tells a funny, sad, bizarre, story of her life growing up an uncool white kid in a tough Puerto Rican neigborhood. Susan makes her own rules for behavior and hasn't a clue as to the consequences. As she struggles to get a life, she exhibits some very demented behaviors along the way. The book is shocking, frantic, and chronicles disfunction. I did enjoy the book and the somewhat happier ever after ending. Gilman definitely has an angel sitting on her shoulder. I''m surprised that she reached adulthood.

2009-10-06T18:57:00.003-05:00

#48 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke was a fun read. It was a great fantasy intended for youth. I was ask to read the story for a library program. It has very compelling characters and a neat setting with distinct good and evil themes. The story revolves around a main character who can read a story to life. The bad characters are read into the world. The young daughter of the main character helps fight the evil, nasty, will do anything, bad guys. I thought the story went on a little too long, but maybe a young adult would find it interesting and exciting. The fun conclusion is that the book sale at school gave me a free book- Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke. How were they to know? I can't wait to read this new book.

2009-09-14T19:24:00.002-05:00

# 47 A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style by Tim Gunn. I love this kind of book. The book tells about finding one's own style, taste, and then buying the best quality possible. I always chuckle at myself since I love black. Now, according to Gunn, I should stick with it instead of fighting the urge to buy clothing other than black. The answer, accessorize with color. Gee, I knew that. And buying the best quality? Well, being an art teacher doesn't require clothing of top quality, just clothing that doesn't show paint and can be cleaned easily. Maybe that's another reason I favor black. Gunn also recommends buying cheap trendy accessories. That makes sense to me. But, I have one up on Gunn, I don't need trendy accessories. I don't need four or five purses. I do like jewelry and have been trying to upgrade with less but nicer earrings. I don't wear many necklaces, so I tend toward bracelets.

I love texture and fabrics, I love cashmere, and I think it would be great to have my hair cut and styled in New York City. Actually, in the end, I have really cut back on buying clothing. That is except for shoes. I have followed Gunn's advice for several years and my closet is pretty bear. It just means I can start over again. Really, the book had some good advice. And, it was a great diversion.

2009-09-14T06:56:00.002-05:00

#46 What I thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen. After a nasty divorce, Alice is happy. She is raising her adopted daughter, living with a guy she will soon marry, and her career is taking off. Then at forty-four, after experiencing unusual symptoms, she is run through a number of tests, x-rays, prescribed hormone treatments, she is diagnosed with a tumor, but when she has a CAT scan, she finds she is six months pregnant.

This book is full of emotion, indecision, despair, misinformation from the medical world, and understandable depression. With no prenatal care and no insurance coverage, Alice goes back and forth between abortion and adoption. She is confronted with problems concerning the baby's gender and when delivered, the child is diagnosed with Russell-Silver Syndrome. This diagnosis presents a whole new set of problems. Can Alice love this child?

The story is very compelling and I cold clearly understand the moral dilemma Alice faced. Amazingly, it never made me cry. I guess that is because it isn't sentimental or sappy. Man, what an ordeal!

2009-09-04T15:25:00.002-05:00

Book # 45 The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich. Erdrich is one of my favorite authors. If you wish the mood and drama of an Indian reservation, she can produce vivid descriptions. I enjoy her humor and mix of old ways with modern. I have read every book she has written. If you want a snippet of one of her books, read this book. There are new stories and bits of former stories (I knew that when I got the book). But, OMG, this was long and I thought I would never finish. I still love Erdrich and her writing, but I will need to remind myself NOT to read collections or remakes. Didn't I just say this about Jane and Mr. Darcy? At least I didn't count this as two or three books- I'm so far behind in my read 100 books this year!!!

2009-07-30T12:25:00.003-05:00

Book # 44 Cassandra & Jane by Jill Pitkeathley. Since I am an avid Jane Austen fan, I can never get enough of reading about her in novel form. This story is from the viewpoint of her older sister, Cassandra. The story runs true to the ideas Jane proposes in Pride and Prejudice and the other stories Jane wrote. For instance, the fact that women were expected to marry so someone could take care of them. If they were unmarried they were expected to take care of elderly parents, sibling's children, and run households especially when women died so frequently in childbirth. Her writing reflected the status of women. Jane and Cassandra become best friends as both suffer from painful romantic loss and total dependence on relatives. Of course, Jane's career as an author was frowned upon and it was a struggle to get her work published. Cassandra vows to keep her sister's image pristine and burns all correspondence that might be taken as negative. The two sisters share ideas, opinions, and secrets about love, loss, and the general family drama of women in this time period. Nothing too heavy or intellectual, so I really enjoyed this fast read.

2009-07-26T15:13:00.002-05:00

Book #43 Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan would be difficult for an outsider, but even worse for a Vietnamese refugee. Bich, pronounced Bitch, escapes Vietnam with her father, grandmother, sister, and two uncles. They end up in GR where a community of Vietnamese refugees have settled. Bich guides us through her growing up as an American "wannabe" with all the pain of being an outsider. Much of the memories has to do with food: fast food, food Nori, her grandmother makes, Mexican food her stepmother, Rosa, cooks, food for Tet, food for lunches that would show you were cool at school, and food during her later visit to her family in Vietnam. She craves acceptance and can never get enough to eat. She hoards food, sneaks food, and is torn between each culture's food. This is a memoir of a child who grows up before mixed marriage and racial and ethnic diversity are celebrated. Being a Buddhist in GR would be difficult back in the 80's. I really wonder how accepting the community would be today? This book is a Michigan Reads selection. So, I read it.

2009-07-20T19:37:00.003-05:00

Book # 42 Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. Seven year old Rachel wears long dresses and shoes to school to cover up the sores she has developed on her legs and feet. This is revealed when she has a fight with her sister at school. Thus starts her life as a leper. She is taken from her family and a normal childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii and is sent to the Leprosarium on Moloka'i. Her dreams of traveling the world like her father, a merchant seaman, are shattered. She is raised by nuns and has little contact with home because of the stigma and shame leprosy creates for the family. Most lepers live and die on the island where they are subjected to harsh and unjust treatment. Rachel finds love and family with Uncle Pono and gains a new family and community. The story is about life on the island, relationships, and the hardships of suffering from leprosy. Despite the disease, Rachel leads a full life including marriage and a child. The story includes Hawaiian religion and Catholicism, the caring and the superior, and the ups and downs of life in isolation. The story does have a happy ending including a cure for Hansen's disease. This is also a good history lesson on Hawaii and leprosy.

2009-07-12T20:34:00.002-05:00

Book #41 The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This story is about Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's. Miss Skeeter has come home after attending Ole Miss and wants to be a writer, but her mother is pushing her to marry Constance, the maid who raised her has been sent away, but it has been hushed-up. Aibileen is raising her seventeenth white child and Minny has been accused of stealing and finally lands a job with Miss Celia. Skeeter finds a writing subject when there is a campaign to have black maids use bathrooms outside the household like outhouses or bathrooms built in the garage. These black maids and white, Miss Skeeter, come together to write a book about black women taking care of white children and households. Many secrets are brought to light in this dangerous attempt at the truth . It is the time when Medgar Evers was shot on his door step, Martin Luther King led the march on Washington D. C, and racial violence was widespread in the South. These ladies know they put their jobs and families in peril, but once they start, the story of injustices has to be told.

This is a serious story told with humor. I really enjoyed the tale.

2009-07-05T12:39:00.002-05:00

Book # 40 The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Turrell. Three voices dominate this story- Iris, the vintage shop keeper, who is having an affair, her grandmother, Kitty, who is in a nursing home with dementia, and her aunt, Esme, who is recently released from a psychiatric hospital after some sixty years. Out of the blue, Iris finds out she has an aunt and takes on the responsibility of her care. As events unfold, Kitty, gives bits and pieces of the two sisters living in India, moving to Scotland, and going from children to adulthood. We find out why Kitty has never told anyone about Esme, and what Esme remembers or tries to forget about her past. The story has family drama and tragedy and all isn't the way it seems.

This book was well done. It moved along quickly even though thoughts were scattered and fragmented because of Kitty's dementia and Esme's schizophrenia. Family secrets unfold with an unveiling at the end. I don't know if I would consider the ending happy,but the author leaves it to ones imagination. I liked that.

2009-07-04T21:09:00.002-05:00

Book # 39 five things i can't live without by Holly Shumas. Nora quits who job because she isn't emotionally involved. What to do since she only has to make cheap rent because she is moving in with her boyfriend? Well, she writes profiles for clients who aren"t getting too far with internet dateing. The story is about her clients, trying to bring out the best in them, and her own personal relationships. Maybe salsa dancing will put spark back into her love life? Along with her clients, she has to figure out the five things she can't live without.

This book was OK, but would never make much of a place on my favorites reading list. However, the question is a good one to contemplate.

2009-06-28T10:32:00.003-05:00

Book # 38 Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange. Who doesn't love the love story of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet? This was just a new way of reading Pride and Prejudice only from the hero's point of view. Such arrogance, such hypocrisy, such a great story to show English society. It was a fast read and a new twist on an old favorite, so I call it a "summer must-read" for Jane Austin fans.

2009-06-26T20:07:00.003-05:00

Book # 37 The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The story is based around three women trying to find their identity and dealing with grief. The setting switches back and forth between Australia and England. The author creates many twists and turns, leaves the reader hanging like in a weekly episode of a soap on tv, and even includes a red-herring. The three women are bound to a cottage, a maze, and a secret garden. This story seems to be part Jane Eyre, part Wurthering Heights, part The Secret Garden, and part fairy tales for children.

Even though I enjoyed the book, the book structure became too contrived (each chapter explained what had happened in the previous chapter), and I thought it went on a bit too long. Boy, am I the critic.

2009-06-21T20:24:00.005-05:00

Book #36- Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea. All the men have left for the North. Narcos and banditos have taken over a small Mexican town. The mayor, Tia Irma, has sent four teenage girls and Tacho, a gay restaurant owner, on a quest to the United States to bring back seven policemen or soldiers to protect the town. This story includes the journey to the Tijuana border, the horrific attempts to cross the border, the trials and tribulations of being an illegal alien, and the eye-opening realities of kids who know about the US from watching TV and the movies. They are on an honorable mission, but they have no idea what it will entail. The final journey is to Kankakee to find one of the girl's father.

This was a really interesting story with modern details sort of based on "The Magnificient Seven". Most of the stories I have read about Mexico are historical fiction. I had some trouble with the Spanish and lingo ( I took French in college). I really enjoyed the book since it is very different from what I am use to reading. Reviews say his, The Hummingbird's Daughter, was much better. I'll have to find out.

2009-06-21T19:51:00.002-05:00

Book # 35 Brooklyn by Colim Toibin. A young, indecisive, Irish girl is overshadowed by a beautiful older sister and has no prospects for marriage. A visiting priest finds her a job with future advancement in the US. She braves the Atlantic crossing and homesickness in Brooklyn and has her worldview changed. Her life is pretty much work and nondescript. Finally, her future is on an upward swing until she must return to Ireland. Back home, she has to make some important decisions. She can almost forget about her life in Brooklyn, but it isn't quite the same in her hometown since she has been away. Will she return?

This book got great reviews on NPR, but I thought it was a little slow.

2009-06-08T14:25:00.002-05:00

Book # 35 Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Very GOOD! May and Pearl are beautiful girls living in Shanghai, 1937, the Paris of Asia, modeling for artists. They are from a wealthy, privileged family. They dress up, cruise the nightlife, defy their parents and basically look down their gorgeous nose at everyone as beneath them. This all changes when their father, a wealthy rickshaw businessman, has to pay off his debts to the Green Gang. The girls are given arranged marriages to young men from the US. The sisters endure the Japanese attack, the horrors of Angel Island, the prejudice and fear of being deported back to China, the Communist hunts, and mega sisterly rivalry, all while trying to assimilate into American culture in Hollywood and Chinatown. The story is brutal and tender. Lisa See is good at spinning a tale and at explaining relationships. The book brings to light the clash of Chinese culture and American history. This is definitely a "woman's story". It reminded me of The Joy Luck Club. I think it will make a great movie

2009-06-03T17:33:00.003-05:00

Book # 34 The Tricking of Freya by Christina Sunley. OMG, everything you would ever want to know, in vivid detail, about Iceland- language, mythology, geography, glaciers, Icelandic food and culture. All of this is tied up in Freya writing to her (maybe) cousin. Freya Morris lives in the US with her mother, but every summer goes to a little town in Canada to visit her relatives, ex-Icelanders. She is immersed into a world of Old Country ways. Birdie, her manic depressive aunt, tricks her into going to Iceland looking for her famous poet grandfather's correspondence. This is not the only trick in the book, as Freya tries to find her cousin and herself. The story is dark and cold. You will probably know the ending before the end, but will keep on reading just to make sure. I haven't read much on Iceland, so it was a welcome change.

2009-05-24T18:56:00.002-05:00

Book #33 A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. This is a book about deception and love. Just when I thought I had figured out Catherine, the mail-order wife, coming on the train to cold, gloomy Wisconsin, I was totally wrong. The only person who seemed honest was Ralph Truitt, the rich husband. The story takes place in northern Wisconsin and Chicago. The characters are locked in their tragic roles and past with seemingly no way out. She wants love and money and plans to kill to get it when she answers the mail-order bride ad. He wants his son and forgiveness and wants her to bring him back. Add in Antonio, the long lost son, Alice the lost sister, and the world around with desperation and despair. The story is dark with emotional and physical pain, passion, and sexual obsessions.

I read and read wondering how it would end. Could the people break from their lies and find the love they so craved? Would all of the lives be wasted? Daphine Merkin, back cover reviewer, said, " Begin reading this novel at your peril, for it will keep you staining to know what happens next until you come to the last, redemptive sentence." I agree. It was a very compelling story.

2009-05-15T19:56:00.002-05:00

Book #32 My Enemey's Cradle by Sara Young. Geez, do I read anything besides stories about death, destruction, and war? It sure seems to be my trend. This story was very good. The background is Nazi Germany's Lebensborn maternity homes which encouraged all "racially valuable" women and girls to have as many children as possible. Himmler's goal was to increase the population of the "Master Race". Maternity homes, in occupied countries, were set up where "suitable Aryan" girls pregnant by occupying forces could have their babies. These babies were considered German citizens and were taken to be raised in Nazi homes or institutions. This info is from the author's notes. I had never heard of such a thing.

Anyway, the main character, Cyrla, Jewish, sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Holland, tries to save herself by taking on the identity of her cousin who is pregnant- father, German soldier. Problem: cousin, Anneke was being sent to the Lebensborn. Cyrla has to deal with the pregnancy problem, keeping her identity secret,and her captivity at the Lebensborn. This story has many twists and turns with dispair, lonliness, fear, and tragedy. Luckily, there is a happy ending.

Bring on the foofoo and lighthearted. I'm ready for a little humor.

2009-05-09T19:30:00.003-05:00

Book #31: The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee. The setting is Hong Kong just before Japan attacks and takes over the island and after Japan surrenders and the island's social circle's history. Claire, quite nondescript has arrived from England with her new husband and becomes the piano teacher for the daughter of a high society Chinese couple. She becomes involved with Will who has a long history on the island. The story includes Trudy, the Eurasian heiress, her connections with the Japanese leader, her involvement with Will, and her place in Hong Kong's elite society. The story is filled with intrigue, romance, questionable love, separation of East and West, loyalty, cultural differences and social classes, and survival in war. The story details aren't fully uncovered until the final chapters. It took a while for me to get really interested in this book- long descriptions of society parties. But, toward the end, I had to just read and read until I finished.

2009-05-04T19:07:00.002-05:00

#30 Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg. I'll get it over with and complain (again) about the widow that ends up having a lot of money as is in every other book I've read by Berg. This time, it isn't money, but the surprise is worth a bit and basically the widow doesn't have to worry about money. She does have to worry about her relationship with her daughter and her own inability to fend for herself. As I got into the story, I found that it had some interesting ideas and I liked it more. I will give away the plot if I say too much. It was a fast read and I enjoyed it.

2009-05-03T13:44:00.003-05:00

#29 Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith. I love the series #1 Detective Agency and have read each book, but I was a bit disappointed. Precious has problems with her little white van and learning about soccer, Grace evolves in her role as an assistant detective and has Violet from typing school bringing doubt to her life, there is new information about the mechanic apprentices, and a lady has to chose between two boyfriends. Much of the book is flashbacks and keeping the reader up-to-date. I guess an author would have to do that to inform a new reader, but for me, it was a drag. I still liked the way the problems were solved and the humanness of the stories.

2009-04-28T19:53:00.002-05:00

#28 In The Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith is# 6 in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Something light, something funny, something fast, something perfect to read after reading all of the depressing stuff I have read lately. Precious Ramotswe is busy solving the mysteries brought to her agency including the thief of her favorite white van. Grace finds love at dancing class, Charlie finds a rich older woman, and Precious has to confront her ex-husband.

I really enjoy these cheerful books about life in Africa. I wonder how the new TV series is doing.

2009-04-26T14:25:00.003-05:00

#27 Still Alice by Liza Genova. This is a serious, sad, and thoughtful story of Alzheimers. Alice, 50 years old, a highly successful professor in linguistics, begins a journey into dementia. This story has many facts and insights. It is from Alices's viewpoint and includes the conflict in her family. Nothing is sugar-coated. It was fast and full of emotion. It shows how quickly life can change and how little anyone can do about it.

2009-04-26T11:38:00.002-05:00

#26 The Snake, The Crocodile, and The Dog by Elizabeth Peters. This was a really fun book about a real woman's liber, way back, who is helping her husband ( on equal terms) discover tombs in Egypt. The story is a witty mystery with a villain or a group of villains who are trying to get the both of them since they are very eminent explorers. It has romance, precocious kids, an extreme code of ethics and chivalry, and a great main character, Amelia Peabody.

The book refers back to other adventures the characters have had and I plan to read another book in the series. The biggest problem is that they are really long with very small print. ARGG!

2009-04-19T17:42:00.002-05:00

Is it really Spring? Well, at the first of the month, we had a big snowstorm. Now, the lilac bushes are leafing out, I heard frogs down in the swamp, the goldfinches have turned a bright yellow, the allium plants are about a foot tall out by the pole barn, the grass is greening up, the snowplow is parked outback, and the picnic table is out of the barn and sitting on the patio. These surely are a sign of Spring. Temperature has reached above 60 and we should be getting rain in the next few days. But, there are still a few weeks in April, way too early for Spring. We are not putting away the long underwear. That would certainly provoke a snowstorm. We are so SICK of winter!

2009-04-18T16:56:00.003-05:00

#25 A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler. This is the first book I have read by Tyler. I got this book from the chain letter book exchange. It didn't take too long to read and I'm happy for that since I am falling farther and farther behind. Did I like the book? Not really. I was on my way to understanding the characters and their relationships and then when I finished I felt like I had skipped a few chapters and something was missing. Usually, I don't have that problem. I thought the descriptions of the old people and their daily struggles was very realistic, but somehow I didn't find all of the truths that were supposedly so apparent. I must have been sleeping. Yes, the 30 year old main character was plagued by his frivolous youth and at times I saw the more responsible guy emerge. I just don't know. Nothing grabbed me about this book.

2009-04-12T11:01:00.003-05:00

#24 The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. This story was a godsend in that it didn't seem to follow a formula. Baker is great at descriptions and yes, Truly, the main character, is a giantess. But, the story isn't a total freak show.

It is the story of how the ugly, large, sweet, giantess Cinderella survives all kinds of abuse and ends up with the Prince, while the beautiful sister leads the privileged life but ends up the loser. It definitely is the story of "what goes around, comes around". Truly gets her revenge. The story is filled with memorable, distinct, and unusual characters. I don't want to say too much, because I will give the good parts away.

2009-04-10T19:55:00.002-05:00

#23 Circle of Friends by Maeve Bincy. Well, another tale with tons of characters, in fact, everyone mentioned plays a role in this book. This book is mostly about romance and the usual and unusual ways men and women are attracted to each other. The drama takes place between a small town called Knockglen and the city, Dublin. The characters are a group of friends at the university, their parents, and intertwined friends. Binchy's stories are always intertwined. Unusual characters are Eve raised by Sister Francis in the convent and Benny who is a large, but lovable friend from the small town. The usual are Nan, the beautiful controlled girl, and handsome Jack. Add in the rich cousin, the drunken father, the plotting store clerk, a few deaths, and the flamboyant Clodaugh and Fonsie, and you have the making of a good tale. This is the second book I got from my chain letter book exchange. Funny, it came the day after I finished reading Heart and Soul. I think I'll take a break from Maeve. Besides the books are really long and I'm getting behind on my 100 book goal.

2009-04-04T13:08:00.006-05:00

#22 Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy. Boy, I would pick a long book which puts me farther behind in my goal to read 100 books this year. But, it was well worth the effort. Binchy is quite the storyteller with each person somehow becoming an important part of the story. The story takes place in Dublin at a new Heart clinic. The new clinic director, her daughters, her ex-husband, and her boss, the new doctor and all of his relatives, the secretary, the nurses, the dietitian and exercise instructor, and of course, all of the heart patients and their relatives and friends. Whew, add romance, add misfortune, add Father Brian and his stalker, and add a happy ending. Also, add humor and the daily struggles of ordinary people, and there's the story. Each life touches another's life.

And, yes, the song "Heart and Soul" could apply to this story.

2009-04-01T15:01:00.002-05:00

Book # 21. The Widow's War by Sally Gunning. Women's rights in colonial America? Not many. "A married woman could not own property or sign contracts. A widow was legally entitled to life use of one-third her husband's real estate, actual title to the property customarily passing to the nearest living male heir"- so says the historical notes in the back of this book. And so, Lyddie Berry becomes a widow when her husband dies in a whaling accident. Her independent nature is sparked by her lawyer and friend, Mr. Freeman, her doings with an Indian neighbor, and the ideas put forth by James Otis who speaks of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all- not just men. But then, she has to live with her son-in-law's decisions that run her life going from bad to worse.

I received this book through a chain book exchange with the book coming from New York. It came just when I needed a new book to read. And I really enjoy historical fiction. I think I need to reread Ahab's Wife.

2009-03-27T18:37:00.002-05:00

#20 A Garden In Paris by Stephanie Grace Whitson started out pretty strong with a widow who finds a motto in an antique store that gives her some hope for her life. She doesn't get along with her daughter and has been repressed in her marriage. She decides to go to Paris to meet her first love and perhaps recover some of her former self. More than one secret is revealed in this visit. The last part of the book revealed to me that this is considered Inspirational reading- not that I have anything against it. This just is not my cup of tea for reading.

Note: Why is it that in the last few books I have read, the widow is independently wealthy?

2009-03-23T07:19:00.002-05:00

Book # 19 the day i ate whatever i wanted and other small acts of liberation by Elizabeth Berg. This book made me chuckle. Thirteen stories about regular women who on an ordinary day go off the deep end. Some of the titles include: Over the Hill and Into the Woods, Double Diet, and the Day I Ate Nothing I Even Remotely Wanted. I got a big kick out of the chapters on Weight Watchers. The questions asked are -what would you do, if nobody was looking? What would you do, if you were going to break out and away? This book will give you some ideas. Even writing without using capitals is liberating.

2009-03-20T10:41:00.003-05:00

Book # 18 Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. Yes, I'm going to count a cookbook. Have I read the book from cover to cover? Sort of. Have I read each recipe? Mostly. I have reread many parts including the first chapters that explain the how to basics. I have made two batches of the master recipe: boule. It was very tasty and easy to do. Then I made the Light Whole Wheat bread. Again, easy to make and very tasty. Much of this depends on the kind and amount of flour I have. I tried the Spinach and Cheese Calzone, in fact a double batch, since it was a way to use the Light Whole wheat recipe. Well, we found it bland, but I will add pepperoni and a sharp cheese if I make it again. I just made a batch of 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread. The great thing is that you keep these bread doughs in the refrigerator and use it as needed. Anyway, my next bread will be something sweet like cinnamon rolls or brioche filled with chocolate ganache. I like this cookbook so much I have ordered a copy for myself. Now I can take this copy back to the library. I'll keep you posted as I cook my way through the book.

2009-03-18T19:14:00.002-05:00

Double Read- Book # 16 and #17. The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg.A different twist on what to do if your spouse dies. The main character,Betta, reinvents herself after her husband dies. She sells her home, moves to a small town in the Midwest, reconnects with her college friends, starts a new business, and adds three new men to her life (ages 10 to 65). I liked the idea of her finding pleasure in her simple daily routines. Of course, it helped that she sold her house in Boston for a large sum of money and she doesn't have to worry about making a living. Not exactly the usual, but I enjoyed the book.

Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance by Lloyd Jones. Boy, what dancing lessons could do for ones romantic life. I say go out and learn the tango and see what might happen. Jones can really weave a story and it isn't all romantic or pretty.

2009-03-10T20:19:00.002-05:00

Book # 15 Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is a great book. I'll let Lisa See give the review from the back of the book: " Jamie Ford's first novel explores the age-old conflicts between father and son, the beauty and sadness of what happened to Japanese-Americans in the Seattle area during World War II, and the depths and longing of deep-heart love. An impressive, bitter, and sweet debut."

I enjoyed the book from start to finish. I think this would make a great movie! I predict it to be coming to a theater near you soon.

2009-03-10T20:03:00.002-05:00

Book # 14 A Mad Desire to Dance by Elie Wiesel. Oh wow! An exploration of madness, trauma, silence, the horrors of hate and revenge. Doriel, a survivor of the Holocaust, has lost his mother and father, sister, and little brother. He is haunted by their ghosts and his lack of knowledge of how it all happened. His psychoanalyst helps him delve into parts of his past to retrieve memories which will bring him to a spot where he can begin to experience joy in living.

The book is very deep and I really had to concentrate. It just wasn't a happy read. That doesn't mean it wasn't good. I noticed I'm on a MAD kick.

2009-03-07T11:22:00.002-05:00

Book # 13 Maise Dobbs mystery, Among the Mad, by Jacqueline Winspear. This is the sixth book in her historic based series and I love every one. The story takes place in London between Christmas 1932 and the New Year. Maise solves her mystery in a country between wars and reeling from its effect. The mystery is to find a terrorist who has no problem with gassing dogs and birds and threatens to do the same to the London "fat cats". Billy, Maise's helper, his wife, and Maise's friend, Priscilla are fighting trauma. And Maise has to come to terms with her own madness. This could be a modern story involving soldiers and their families who have returned from Vietnam, the Gulf, or Iran. Much has been in the news lately about PT SD and other veteran's issues. Add military intrigue and mental hospitals and you have the makings for a fast moving "who done it".

It seems Maise is working through some of her issues and may even be building up for romance. Maybe in the next book. I can't wait.

2009-02-21T21:23:00.002-05:00

Book #12 Audrey Hepburn's Neck by Alan Brown. Toshi is born on the northern peninsula of the northern most island of Japan. He knows very little about his silent father and a mother who leaves them when he is eight. His biggest thrill is receiving a fan letter with a signed photo from Audrey Hepburn when he has to practice his letter writing in English. He has an uneventful childhood, but as a talented artist, he moves to Tokyo. Here he is surrounded by loneliness, obsession, striving to find identity, prejudice, and culture clash with an emphasis on Americans. This story is fast paced and, happily, has a great ending. All of the pieces come together in a well woven tale.

In much of the world, movies play a big part in creating the American image ( cowboys, Indians, rich people, etc) . This book frames this idea well. I think this story would make a good movie.

Whew, I thought I was getting behind.

2009-02-15T15:11:00.002-05:00

Book #11 The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. I really had to concentrate to understand this book about three brothers and Caddy, the sister, Caddy's daughter, the alchoholic father, and the hypocondriac mother along with the black servants. The time is out of sync. The language is hard. The thoughts are choppy and interspersed with each person. Let's say it- it was a hard read. The whole story conveyed disfunction, downfall, and disorder. I know, it is one of Faulkner's most celebrated. I can't say I enjoyed it, but then, I'm glad I read it. All of my reading can't be about cats and mice. Or can it?

2009-02-04T18:40:00.003-05:00

Book #10 Redwall by Brian Jacques. Yes, a fantasy, what fun. I needed a break from the heavy stuff, so I found this book up in our library. I loved The Hobbit and Wind in the Willow, so I loved this book. Lovable animal characters, bad, bad rats, a quest for a sword, friendships and hardships are all a part of this book. It is a fast read and probably would be enjoyed by a 5th or 6th grade student. I would recommend it even though there is violence and a little bad language (if anyone is concerned about that).

2009-01-30T19:02:00.002-05:00

Book #9 The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. Well, let me quote the back of the book, " When he falls ill on his way home from school, fifteen-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. In time she becomes his lover. She enthralls him with her passion, but puzzles him with her odd silences. Then she inexplicably disappears." That is a really good description of the beginning. The book is also about Hanna being on trial for horrible crimes as a guard in a Nazi concentration camp. One is faced with many questions as to what would have been done in a similar situation. I think the rest of the story should be saved.

The movie is coming to our theater this week and I hope to see it. I'll be interested to see how the movie reveals Hanna's secret.

2009-01-30T08:06:00.002-05:00

Book #8 Hatbox Letters by Beth Powning I finished reading this book a few days ago and really enjoyed the writers descriptions. Saying that, I also felt that they were sometimes long and tedious. But then, the book is about grief and the way it changes but never goes away. The main character has lost her husband and her own identity. She works her way through by reading love letters from her grandfather to her grandmother finding out about their grief and how it affected their lives and hers. It was also about her great great grandparents. It just reminded me about how little we know about our relatives and their struggles. The story hit home with death, aging, retirement... on and on. We all are dealing with grief in one form or another.

2009-01-24T08:32:00.002-05:00

Book # 7 Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood. I don't know what to say. I must have missed something along the way. I found the book interesting, but not compelling. Maybe I need to discuss it with someone. So, sorry about the incomplete review.

2009-01-17T16:38:00.002-05:00

B00k#6 is Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou. OK, maybe it isn't lenghty, but I've only challenged myself to reading 100 books. Now, I'm not going to include children's books like Eric Carle's Dream Snow. I'm sure it will even out.

I found this book refreshing. I appreciated the entries on humility, charity, and violence. Maya pays tribute to many people who influenced her. I was also interested in her insights on national spirit. It is a quick read, but has much to ponder.

2009-01-13T08:38:00.004-05:00

Book # 5 Dewey The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Moron. The story is about a cat who arrives at the library in the book box half frozen. The kitty is the official ambassador for the town Spencer, Iowa. He loved the author, the children, the staff of the library, and became an animal phenomenon. Dewey Readmore Books was a cat with abundant personality. It is all about Dewey's life and relationships.

First off, I'm not a big cat lover, but I definitely understand what a pet can do and if you have never had a pet or lost a dear pet, you won't understand.

The book seems long and redundant. That said, I did enjoy reading it because it is also about a small town library, the family farm crisis, the pride of a community trying to grow and sometimes stuck in its history, and strong family ties. Dewey was the glue to keep everything together. Dewey was the hero.

I wonder how the movie will turn out? Meryl Streep as Vicki the librarian- Wow!

2009-01-11T13:55:00.003-05:00

Book #4 Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon is another war story taking place in A.D. 950. This story has mucho slaughter, plunder, and horrors as do other war stories, however, it didn't strike home as grossly. Maybe it's because I felt it was more like an Arabian nights fairy tale or a saga of Norsemen. It has elements of both. The story puts two unlikely good guys, who can be bad, together on a long adventure that has twists and turns with miraculous escapes.

It somehow reminded me of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. There are horses that are secondary characters with unbelievable talents. And elephants are a major factor. I probably should have taken it more seriously because it is about the Jews in the Khazar Empire.

The book has a certain amount of weird humor and an interesting use of language. The author has a knack of making one sentence paragraphs. I enjoyed the book, but couldn't get heavily involved as I do with other stories. But, hey, it's #4.

2009-01-08T16:40:00.005-05:00

Book # 3 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo. Aw, a fantasy abut a mouse. Very fun to read and a great reprieve from war stories. This story is about Princess Pea and the banning of soup and the little mouse with big ears. And of course, the bad rats and a girls with the last name of Sow. The adventure goes into the deep, dark, dreadful dungeon. Good triumphs over evil with the reinstatement of soup.

I love the way the author explains what vocabulary words mean and keeps the reader updated on what happened before and the consequences. I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie.

I think it would be fun to read a-loud to kids. It would be a great book to read during a snow day or blizzard. We did that when N was young. Every child should read this book or have it read to them. It's a classic.

2009-01-07T20:15:00.002-05:00

Book #2 City of Thieves by David Benioff. I got this book for Christmas and I seem to be on a war kick, so... besides, I couldn' find Great Expectations in our own library.

This book is about life in Leningrad during the German siege. Two unlikely friends are on a quest for a dozen eggs. The story isn't pretty as the two weave their way through the horrors of war. I thought the development of the characters was excellent. And, I really enjoyed reading the book, if one can enjoy reading about death and destruction.

2009-01-01T21:07:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure if I am interested in Cannonball Read, but I am interested in reading 100 books in 2009. So, I spent most of my first day of the year reading Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones. This story is wrapped and wrapped around Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and a thirteen year old girl named Matilda. I likes the idea of creating using imagination, reinventing oneself, and how literature can sustain. Now, I will have to read Great Expectations.

Mr. Pip is suppose to be appealing to adolescent readers. I don't mean to put down any reader's ability, but I thought it was quite heavy and thought provoking and in someplaces hard to understand.

So, #1 finished.

2008-12-31T18:56:00.002-05:00

Yes, I'm back! I couldn't pass up this chance to reflect on the past year, 2008. And what a year it was. I think a list will serve my purpose best.

Both Big F and I had a job. Teaching elementary art- finish carpenter. Thankful. Gas prices hit above the $4.oo mark.

Most of our at home time was taken up with wedding prep- it was fun.

Shower for A given by my friend C and myself. Lots of fun. I love giving parties.

Sad time was losing my mom- she had been in a nursing home for 3 1/2 years. I really miss her.

May- N and A's wedding- wonderful, more than I have ever hoped for. Beautiful, beautiful.

Saw many friends and relatives including my sister-in-law at the wedding.

Found my lost friend Rebecca, my reservation friend and world traveling companion. WOW.

T got a job as a principal downstate and moved- I lost my friend, neighbor and colleague.

Vacationed in Stratford , Canada. Stayed at Little Piece of Heaven B&B. Saw Cabaret. Stayed in Bayfield, Little Inn of Bayfield. Must be 12 years now going with M and R.

Got a grand dog named Wash. Big F finished a grand sauna. Organized and gave away lots of stuff. Cleaned out the polebarn with lots of effort from Big F.

Got a new president for my birthday. Yea, Barack.

Celebrated Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor with N, A, and Wash. Green chili enchiladas.

Celebrated Christmas here with N, A, Wash, R and M, C and Big F and Mudge. Turkey and ham.

Celebrated another wedding anniversary the day after Christmas. Again, WOW.

Read lots of books, saw more movies than I ever have before (Netflix), finished another year going to the gym.

Quietly at home tonight reading and listening to music. A fire in the woodstove, full from Chicken Tikka Masala for supper, had a sauna this afternoon, ending the year with ones I love- Big F and Mudge. Some may say my life isn't very exciting, but then, I don't want it to be. I'm happy with the way it has been. Grateful for all. Who knows what tomorrow will bring besides 2009.

2008-07-28T05:59:00.002-05:00

Aunt B Eats at the Radish. I spent a pleasant afternoon in TC all by myself, just cruising around. Thought I would try out the newest restaurant in town. The Radish is a small upbeat place that seats about 10. Since it was a beautiful day, I sat outside under some shade trees. Very comfortable. The fare is salad and soup presented in a cafeteria style of build your own and pay by the pound. Radish boasts local grown, organic grown, support local farmers, slow food movement with a 50+ salad and toppings. All very clean and attractive. I had an ordinary salad with greens, blue cheese chunks, and some mandarin oranges topped with a raspberry dressing of some kind. I also had a bowl of cheese soup. It all came to a little over $8 ( only pay for the salad by the pound so fill the soup bowl to the top).

Here's my take: I think the whole idea of supporting local farmers with fresh homegrown is a great idea. The soup was really tasty, hot, and very cheesy. The decor was pleasant- nothing flashy or over the top. But, I thought it was a little pricey for a salad. The lady behind me was a shocked when her salad came to $13. I also thought it could be disastrous if you put on a multiple of toppings that tasted horrible together. This reminded me of Mongolian Barbecue where you can put all kinds of toppings on your rice. Sometimes it is too much and the idea is that you just don't eat it and get something else. I guess Radish is one of those places where you look for toppings that are light weight and you don't experiment. Just take what you really like. It seems like it would defeat the purpose if you threw away the food. Throwing away food is one of my pet peeves.

So, I think this is the place to get a nice bowl of yummy soup and perhaps a small side salad. I do wish them luck because I think it is a good cause. I wonder if I could trade them some of my garden grown zucchini for a salad?

2008-07-22T11:19:00.002-05:00

Rare or invasive? I found a Helleborine orchid (Epipactics helleborine) growing up through the brick edging of my garden. To say the least, I was thrilled since I love orchids. After some research, I found that this garden wonder can be tenacious and grow most everywhere including in gravel and some folks claim it to be invasive. In Wisconsin, it has started taking over undisturbed habitat. In its native habitat, in the south of France it is protected. It is also found in England where it is considered a rarity.

It really is quite beautiful with a small tower of green buds which open to a star shaped flower with a tinge of purple and the bulb lip of an orchid. It is a very curious plant since I couldn't find it in my wildflower book under pink or purple-blue flowers. I finally went back to the green, brown section and found it. The books says it is found in SE Canada an NE US. It is usually growing under foliage. Very interesting.

I now have three types of wild orchids on my land. Pink Lady Slippers, Purple-fringed orchids, and this helleborine.

So, should I pull it up or nurture it?

2008-07-01T15:45:00.003-05:00

A new month and a new car? No, it just looks new because I cleaned it today. Boy, what is the world coming to? I like my car, I like a clean car, but I am not a fanatic or even near a fanatic when it comes to the cleanliness of my ride. I just want the car to go, stop, and get me to my destination. But, I have been meaning to get out there and really give the buggy a cleaning. I usually consider my car as an extra room or a shed and I have all kinds of goodies from school in the backseat or in the wayback. At this moment there are two blankets and a quilt in the wayback and a six pack of Honey Moon beer bottles to return to the store. I got all of the pennies out, I cleaned out the popcorn under the front seat, and I found a lifetime's supply of inkpens that had fallen down between the edge of the two front seats. I will spare the details of all of the other junk in and under the seats, but I can tell you that my car hasn't looked this good since I bought it nearly 10 years ago. No, I'm not interested in a detailing side job. I even hate to tell FB because his jeep is a mess and I don't want to do this job again for a loonnngg time!

2008-06-30T10:23:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite plants this time of year is the white lilac tree I have just off the patio and right outside the windows from my desk. It was glorious this year with fluffy white blossoms all over the tree (somehow the frost missed it). And, fragrance, well, it was almost sicky sweet. The rose chafers loved it and had a grand time buzzing around. Bees and wasps were attracted and so were yellow and black swallowtailed butterflies. It has lasted about a week, but now it is turning brown and the petals are showering down. A few plumes of flower remain as a last minute reminder of its past beauty. Its just a lonely little lilac tree at the end of the lilac hedge. Well, its given us much pleasure.

2008-06-25T20:16:00.002-05:00

Aunt B Drinks: Yes, I found a new favorite dessert/sweet wine- Innocent Bystander Victoria Pink Moscato 2007 ( Australian). Such a lovely sunset pink in a 1/2 bottle. And, yum. It tastes like watermelon, sherbet ice cream, strawberries, and rose petals. Called a "delicious sipper", it has a mouth-tingling fizz. The 1/2 bottle would be just right for four small servings along with something equally as sweet, maybe brownies. I tried a full glass and it was a bit much for one serving. Comes with a floral label and a pop-top crown seal. I wish someone would pay me a visit before I drink the whole bottle. Price: $10-14 depending on where you live. It is definitely a cool, refreshing summer sipper.

2008-06-20T17:57:00.002-05:00

Oh where, oh where, has my Granddog gone? Oh where, oh where, can he be? Wash, where are you?

2008-06-11T15:54:00.003-05:00

Yes, spring has finally come to northern Michigan. We took the first snake out of the basement. To all friends and neighbors who visit, I heard a collective sigh of relief. I know it is rather disconcerting thinking of a snake crawling out of the closet as we sit in the living room sipping a glass of wine. Some come in and warily look around. CT put on her socks. I don't know how this is any protection from a snake, but I understand. Even though the snake is gone, I have my suspicions that there may be more. The dog usually sniffs them out. Good ole Mudgie the snake dog. So, the ground has warmed up enough for the snakes to come out of hibernation and this warmth will be good for the garden. Finally, spring or maybe summer.

2008-06-05T20:38:00.002-05:00

Love in the Time of Cholera, the flic, was pretty true to the book. I'm not sure if I liked it or not. The main character,Florentino, was pretty crazy. We find out later that the guy's father was crazy too. Then there is sexual abuse, which adds more to the trauma. I'm sure there is a medical or psychological term for his condition, but I can't think of it. So basically, the guy stalked women and added them to his list of conquests. All this in the name of love. At least, the main characters idea of love. Anyway, Florentino, stays obsessed with Fermina even after 50 years, and waits for Fermina's husband to die. The old girl (on the rebound) doesn't believe anything bad about the old guy and quickly jumps into bed with him. How harmless. I thought the movie was kinda creepy.

I'm leaving out the details, because you'll have to judge for yourself.

2008-06-01T15:54:00.002-05:00

The wedding was more than I had ever hoped for. And after having a party for four days, my weary self is ready to go back to the mundane. Clean my house-not for a while. Take stuff back to people who helped with food and all. Yes! I hate to close down too quickly something that took a whole year to plan. I want to take my time putting things back in place.

So, we had a heavy frost on the Tuesday after the wedding freezing the tops of the plants in the window boxes even though they were covered. It froze the peppers and the tender leaves on the roses. It turned the climbing hydrangeas to brown. Gosh darn ole Northern Michigan! I planted the tomatoes and zucchini today. FB planted six new rose bushes. We call roses annuals because very few make it through the winter. Anyway, gardening was on the agenda this weekend.

We are also part of a family yard sale. I can't believe how much junk we have accumulated. I just wish a big truck would pull in and take it so it would be done once and for all. As it is, anything that doesn't sell has to be taken to Goodwill or somewhere. I wonder if we could refrain from buying stuff for a year.

The good news is that I have gone to the gym for a year.

I saw my first Swallowtail butterfly. Still no snakes.

OK, is that post ordinary enough?

2008-05-20T14:44:00.002-05:00

The chimneys for the table centerpieces are washed and packed securely, I have ironed half of the green chiffon table runners, and I have half vacuumed the bedroom... I need a break from wedding prep! So, time for ..

Bird watch: the indigo bunting has been at the feeder for about a week. I put out the hummingbird feeder and have watched a male hummer buzz around my orange and fuchsia geraniums. All sure signs of spring and right on target for arriving . I checked my blog from last year to make sure. And I saw a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Must be passing through since I have never seen them before.

Butterfly alert: We spotted a Silvery Blue near the snowball bush. Oh, what a beautiful blue. I wish my butterfly book, Butterflies of the Great Lakes Region by Douglas and Douglas, was better at showing the opened wings. Some of the butterflies show both the opened wings and the side view. It would be easier to identify the butterfly!!! Maybe I'll look for a new book.

Ok, back to Wedding Woman.

2008-05-18T19:09:00.002-05:00

By this time next week it will be over. Most of the guests will be gone and our house will be pretty quiet. I'm hoping some of the folks will linger awhile and sort of wean me off of all the excitement, organizing, and planning. What will I have to talk about?

The wedding, of course. And I will have pictures.

2008-04-21T06:06:00.002-05:00

The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith is a fun, fast read. Precious Ramotswe does it again. She solves the mystery, helps everyone save face, and life goes on with simple, everyday miracles. The story seems a little preachy, but I like the lessons. I like the way Smith has the characters grow and change. He definitely is a good storyteller. I may put this series on my "have to read again this summer" list.

2008-04-20T19:53:00.002-05:00

Warm out there today. Got lots of yard work done. However, it's so dry that I put the irrigation on for the garden next to the house. We ate every meal at the patio table and enjoyed the sun for all of the coffee inbetween.

And I sighted my first butterfly- black with yellow around the wing edges. I think it was a Mourning Cloak.

So, Spring is here. We need rain badly. And of course, snow could come any day until the first of June. Oh, joy to Spring!

2008-04-15T19:58:00.002-05:00

Have you ever eaten farro? I just ran across a recipe for Farro and Porcini risotto in the Martha Stewart magazine. I understand it's a hearty wheat grain. It reminds me of barley. It sounds very tasty and since I've never tried it, intriguing.

I wonder if they have it at Zingerman's in Ann Arbor. I 'm putting in a request for some right now. I love trying out new foods.

2008-04-12T19:42:00.002-05:00

Sigh.. The bridal shower has ended. And let me tell you, it was a success. My friends each had a part in the preparation, so making the food was a breeze. I had help on Friday getting the dishes out and ready. It is a tradition to use the old glass plates that come with cups called hostess sets. I inherited a few sets from my mom and I have been collecting them. They are great to hold on ones lap. We don't mind washing them either. We also used some paper plates, although we tried to stay green by using cloth napkins. Thank goodness for the help of friends.

We had orange, yellow, and white pansies as favors and a lovely centerpiece of passionate pink gerber daisies, orange tulips, and a yellow spider mum sitting on a bed of polished rocks surrounded by curly wood branches. This was all placed on a pretty white and green tablecloth. The house looked very springy even though it snowed a good inch and all of the trees were white.

The menu consisted of: chicken salad, veggies and dip, cheese, crackers, and fruit, and Big Fred's famous chocolate cake and cheesecake. Yum!

Our theme was an "around the clock" shower. The idea is to give the guests a time and their present is to be related to that time. Boy, did this get some hoots. The guests were very creative and even though it took a while to get through all of the gifts and all of the explanations, it was really fun. There were a few moments of embarrassment as the last gift was for 12 noon or midnight from the sister-in-law. We also played bride bingo. Everyone took home some pansies.

You had to be there to understand the joy. Now, on to the wedding.

2008-04-08T18:42:00.002-05:00

We are having the first rain of April. The grass is going green before my very eyes. The leaves on the trees are popping. The ground is so gray with all of the winter's coverings. This rain will also give a chance for the mold and mildew to take a rest. Car noises are muffled as they pass on the highway outside my yard and picket fence. Just a splashing. I feel like nature is taking a breath as she waits to exhale in all her leafy splendor. I know my garden plants could use a drink. Fog is suppose to move in tonight and we are suppose to have rain tomorrow. I like the way it slows down the pace. I feel sheltered in this April rain.

2008-04-05T18:51:00.002-05:00

It's Spring Break and am I in sunny Jamaica or the Bahamas or Key West? Of course not, I'm in my sunny back and front yard. It was a really pleasant day in these parts, so I have spring fever. I cleaned out the flower gardens on the east side of the house and raked until my back hurt. Big Fred got the picnic table and chairs out and we had our coffee sitting on the back patio. Thank goodness winter is on the outs. That doesn't mean winter is over. Oh no, many a year we have had snow in April and May. But, the end is in sight.

On the inside, I am getting ready for the wedding shower. That means cleaning the house to make it presentable for company. Since I have a small house, it doesn't take too much work. I'm really excited about the whole thing.

Got the wedding invitation yesterday, so it's official. I think it is something like 49 days before the big event. Wooppee ki yeaaa ! I really have to get cleaning.

2008-03-24T14:50:00.002-05:00

Don't the birds know that there is still snow on the ground and we are due for low temperatures at night and snow is on its way. The ground is still frozen solid except on the south side of the house and in the driveway. The grackles and the red winged blackbirds have arrived back at the bird feeder. I have trouble believing that Spring is near, but Mother Nature is in charge, so what can I say.

2008-03-23T16:40:00.002-05:00

Spring, spring, spring is here. Last week on Fri., we saw the first pair of sandhill cranes. Now, I think they eat plants from the bottom of the pond. Gee, I hope they will survive. Today, just moments ago, I saw my first robin sitting in the birch tree just outside my window. It is also snowing. Poor little robin.

2008-03-09T19:44:00.001-05:00

My first sign of spring is tapping trees for maple sugar. Just down the road, the neighbors have hung bags on their maple trees. It probably is good weather for making sap since it warms up in the day and is cold at night. The sugarbush down on Mayfield curve hasn't started, but then, one by one the maple syrup making tradition has been leaving the area. As a kid, we always looked forward to going the Colon's sugarbush shack to breathe in the sweet moist maple sap air and the sample of new syrup from an old ladle. Nowdays, I find the old time syrup too sweet, and go for the imitation on my homemade pancakes.

2008-03-03T18:12:00.002-05:00

I loved the new Maise Dobbs mystery, An Incomplete Revenge, by Jacqueline Winspear. It has gypsies. I love reading about gypsies. It has Maurice, her mentor. It has the intricate workings of the way Maise solves the mystery. It has a small town shrouded in secrecy. It has her father, horses, and a gypsy dog. Always have to have a dog to make a good story. Anyway, I breezed right through it, and now I need something to read!!! I have read every Maise Dobbs mystery. Infact, I was the first to get this book at my hometown library.

2008-02-15T15:37:00.002-05:00

Yikes, 99 days before the biiigggg wedding! What more can I say. :)

Here's Moomer's Ice Cream wedding logo.

2008-01-29T11:01:00.002-05:00

The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz is a study of life in the royal circle, the marriage of Japanese royalty to a commoner. It was a very interesting read. I think this would make a great movie.

2008-01-29T10:56:00.001-05:00

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks is a fine book. I was especially interested in Jewish history including the fact that King Ferdinand and q. Isabella expelled the Jews from Spain in 1492. Of course, there is more to it than Jewish history, the story is sad and full of violence and every human indignity imaginable. And the main character is from Australia. Lots of twists and turns as they follow the history of an antique book. I really enjoyed it. I'll bet it is made into a movie.

2008-01-03T16:49:00.000-05:00

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak was scary, gloomy, sad, and "in your face". How else can Nazi Germany be described? Perhaps this book was written for young adults, but it was superbly efficient in getting across the feelings and actions of German citizens. I think we need reminding that every German was not a Hitler fan. I think it would be a good read for high school students.

I thought the use of color and Death as the narrator was very clever. The writing was very descriptive. The story is hopeful and realistic. The human spirit always amazes me as is seen in this story.

The Zoo Keeper's Wife (A War Story)by Diane Akerman pairs animals in the Warsaw Zoo with the lives of 300 Jews. Animals and people try to survive in the war torn city. This story is based on the journals of Antonia Zabinski , the zoo keeper's wife. Again, it is amazing how the human spirit and perseverance is forefront in dire times. Jan and Antonia give up their zoo animals to German Nazi zoos and a ravaged city, but help Jews hid in cages and tunnels throughout the zoo grounds. I never much thought about zoos during wartime.

I guess I'm on a Nazi , war kick. I found the book very interesting. It makes me wonder about the zoos in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wonder...

2007-12-28T21:13:00.000-05:00

Aunt B Eats. We celebrated out wedding anniversary at Red Ginger in TC. This is a new upscale Asian fusion restaurant with a sushi bar and a great location-downtown next to the newly reopened State Theater. Since we wanted to do something special, we splurged. You'll see why I say that. BF had a steak- $34. I had Thai curry with chicken and prawns $19. We had potstickers, one house salad, a glass of Black Star late harvest reisling, and a coke.

So, what did I think? Well, I loved the red graphic circle material on the pillowed wall, the large white rectangular shades overhead, with the old yellow brick wall showing. Good acoustics because we could hear the music, but not the people on both sides of us. The restaurant has different levels including a sushi bar. It is definitely a new look for our area.

The food was very good. They have a great thing going with aromas- each time someone's food was served, I could get a whiff and it really made my mouth water. My green curry was very flavorful with the hint of grilled mushrooms and the prawns. It was a generous serving. BF's tenderloin with potatoes and asparagus was good, but I noticed that this entree was not a big enough serving for him. He said the cesear salad was very tasty with a hint of orange in the dressing. I can't judge the potstickers, but the ginger, orange, soysauce was yummy. I really liked the wine. So, it was a very good meal.

Here is the downside. After looking at the menu, we decided that there was only a few other items we would be interested in eating. I wonder if they will change the menus regularly. And we thought it was a bit pricey. It's not a place to go unless you are celebrating or you are willing to share with a friend. The ladies on both sides of us were having appetizers, sushi, and then a bowl of soup. Maybe that would be the way to dine at Red Ginger without breaking the bank.

Anyway, we enjoyed going and will have another food experience to chat about. It was better than winnowing beans which was the way I once celebrated our wedding anniversary.

2007-12-26T21:47:00.000-05:00

Happy Christmas to me. I got my ice cream maker. Yeeessss. Just what I had been wanting. And, it can make frozen daiquiris. No, I am not replacing Moomers ice cream for the upcoming wedding. What I really want to make is lavender ice cream like I had at Bayfield on one of our vacations. It was wonderful. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Don't worry, we won't have frozen desserts every night of the week!

2007-12-26T21:34:00.000-05:00

Aunt B Reads-Yes, I do. I have to report the latest book I have read. I am not going to give a long review. Just saying that I enjoyed the book Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Barcia Marques.

I can't wait to see the movie since this is such a complicated love story with lots of sexual exploitation and seduction. I just can't imagine how it will can be done tastefully.

2007-12-22T18:57:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving marched right on by and I was very thankful. The tree was put up the first week in December and time still marched on. Now we are almost to Christmas Day, and I have everything mostly done- shopping, food, housework, but I'm not in my jolliest mood. It's raining out. Mom is in the hospital and not able to come home for Christmas. This will be the first time we haven't enjoyed Christmas together. I'm especially thankful that the infection in her legs is much better and that there was no amputation. Whew!!! Anxiety, anxiety.

So, how to get out of the humbug syndrome before it is too late? Well, the other morning on the way to work I saw some big, big trucks with blue, green, and red light on their cab. I saw a little car with a big red nose, and I even noticed a car with reindeer on top. And what to my surprise, Santa was driving it. It made me chuckle.

The most uplifting was watching the eyes of my kindergarten students as we made Magic Reindeer Food out of oatmeal and glitter. I forgot how Christmas comes alive through the eyes of a child.

So, Merry Christmas and a tiny Bah Humbug too.