My Reading Blog

This is the first time I have read anything by Elizabeth Berg.  After reading this book, I will definitely read more books by her. This book was about 5 main characters who were preparing to go to their 40th class reunion and the last one that would be held.  It told of their expectations and fears of attending.  She described their years in high school and what their lives were like at the present time.  It was a good read, funny in parts, sad in others and thought provoking in others.  It was easy to relate to some of the characters, and I could picture some of my classmates in some of the characters.  In the end, even though they didn't associate in high school, they became good friends after 40 years. It brought back memories of my high school years, the reunions that I've attended.  This year would be our 45th and I decided not to attend.  I wasn't popular or unpopular in school.  I have some good memories and some things that I'd ra...

An anonymous gift of Amish Friendship Bread and starter sends a woman on a journey she never could have anticipated.  Julia's 10 year old son died from a wasp sting and was in such a deep depression that she had no hope, was estranged from her family and had shut out her husband and only functioned enough to care for her daughter.  One day she discovered a plate of Friendship Bread along with the starter on their front porch and her daughter convinced her to follow the instructions.  This was only the beginning of something wonderful happening in Julia's life and in the lives of many other people in this small town. After a while, the "starter" seemed to be a nuisance, but became the drawing together, sharing and caring of many people. A delightful story, a reminder of how delicate life is and what can happen with one kind act.  I remember when I received some of the starter - the bread was tasty and it was fun - for a while, but then you ran out of people to giv...

This morning as I was walking Max, we passed the dilapidated, abandoned, stripped down trailer.  I thought what a terrible sight that is.  I wish the owner would tear it down (it's only been that way for 3 or 4 years).  But then I noticed this beautiful red rose bush behind the trailer and towering over it.  Despite the fact that no "human" cares for that rose bush, it is flourishing and shows it beauty between two ugly trailers.  I think that is how we are.  We don't always take care of ourselves or we have troubles in our lives, but God is always there for us - to nurture and feed us and make us bloom and flourish.  Just as God takes care of that rose bush, he takes care of us, even when we think we don't need any help. Thank you, Father, for the reminder that you love and take care of all that you have created.

Hell's Corner is a spy mystery taking place in Washington, DC.  Baldacci once again brings back Oliver Stone (formerly know as John Carr, an assassin for the US) and members of "The Camel Club" to solve a bombing in Lafayette Park which is directly across the street from the White House.  After many twists and turns, the Russians seemed to be the obvious culprits, but the plot thickened and a "good" US spy turned into a mole for Mexico for lots of money. Baldacci kept me turning the pages, even though at times the things that took place were not believable.  But, who know when you get 3 or 4 different government agencies involved in solving a crime.  The right hand doesn't know what the left is doing and there is no sharing information between agencies.  If it's even remotely true, it is understandable why our country is in the state it is. Good book - I always enjoy reading Baldacci. Read:  April/May, 2011

Today is a day to remember my Mom.  It's been 22 years since Mom passed away, and yet it seems like I just called her on the phone yesterday.  Mom was kind, sweet, loved people, always made everyone feel like they were special.  She had a rough life when she was young.  Her Mother died at the age 39, leaving Mom (age 14), Uncle Bud (age 11) and Aunt Myrtle (age 4).  Since Mom was the oldest, she quit school in the 8th grade to take care of Grandpa Schimpler, Uncle Bud and Aunt Myrtle.  She raised her siblings and took care of the house - that's what you did in the 1920's and 1930's.  She met and married Dad in 1943 and moved to California (where he was stationed during the war).  Allan was born in 1944.  After the war, they moved back to Clifton and lived on the farm east of town.  I was born in 1948.  We lived on the farm until 1960 when we moved into town.  After Allan & I went to school, she was a cook at the grade sch...

When I think of my birthday, I think "Oh, just another day".  But on May 1st we celebrated M & P's 1st birthday.  Did they know it was a "special" day? Or, was it "just another day" to them.  They did their usual routine, got up, bathed, ate, took a nap, ate some more, took another nap.  And then....  to wake up to a house full of people - yes, they've met them all before, but soooo many at one time.  They just looked and watched, clung on to someone familiar.  Never a cry, just wonder.  M & P each had a cupcake with a candle - again wondering "what do I do"?  Each of them tentatively touched the frosting and looked around at the crowd.  With Momma & Daddy's help, they figured out it should go in their mouths.  But.... it was much more fun to just crumble it into pieces. Then, came the present opening.  Momma & Daddy did a fine job, but M & P thoroughly enjoyed the paper and bags.  So many gifts and...