Books #2 - Stella Bain

This was not at all what I expected - enjoyed it thoroughly. The main character is a woman on the battlefront of World War I. She is injured and has lost her memory. The story of how her memory returns and how she deals with the realities of her life were fascinating. There were so many topics the author drew together: spousal abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, women on the battlefield. It was a very modern story, not at all a period piece.

Christmas Gifts

The best gift I got this Christmas wasn't under the tree. It didn't even arrive on Christmas Day. I don't usually share much about how our day-to-day lives go, but most of you know it can be a little hairy sometimes. A lot of people, a few problems, some necessary boundaries - it's sometimes hard to keep it all under control. I try to capture the high points and to share the fun times we have. It helps me deal with the rest of it.

I imagine all of us have that wish for an Ozzie and Harriet kind of family life, even though we know it's an unrealistic expectation. Honestly, it would probably be kind of boring, and as we know, the Nelsons didn't even have it. One of my little secret sorrows has been that building our family the way we did, we weren't able to create that cohesive feeling that I share with Mom, Ed, Mike and Scott. No matter what, we always pull for each other. I haven't seen that in my kids. There may be very good reasons for it, but for my kids, it really isn't there. In some ways, it's like separate families living under the same roof.

But something's changed. It may be because of Christmas, but I think the effects will last. Christian and Mackenzie were so excited about James coming to visit, and with everyone trying at least a little, it turned into a grand visit. When James arrived, Christian hugged him so hard he lifted him off the ground. And James didn't mind. Gil put himself out to include Christian in some of his treats for James, which made Christian feel wonderful. Gil relaxed enough to spend a little bit of time just talking. He looked better and acted happier than I've seen him in a long time. He and Rosanne actually had conversations at the dinner table - and that is not at all the usual.

So the best gift I got this Christmas was family, and fun, and a feeling that maybe we haven't done a bad job at all. Wherever it came from, thank you!

Have A Little Faith - Review (Sort of)

Mitch Albom is one of those authors that I've tried to avoid, just on principle. From the comments made by friends, his book seemed like they were going to be overly sentimental, not an area I go into very willingly. But I decided it was unfair to not even give him a try, so I downloaded one of his books from the library and dove in.

It was wonderful. He writes about two men of faith - a rabbi and a pastor in Detroit who works with the homeless - and about his relationship with them. The book was an examination of faith as experienced from two different directions, and I emerged from the reading wanting to know both of these men.

I'll definitely be reading more of Albom's books. Guess I should listen to people more often!

2014 Reading Challenge

In 2014 I am not challenging myself to read 100 books. I am challenging myself to read every book I select with more care. I am challenging myself to review every book I read, at least to make one or two comments about it. I am challenging myself to ready as many non-mysteries as I do mysteries. I am challenging myself to read one chapter of Dickens (I really like his books) a day. And I'm challenging myself to pay attention to the book recommendations of friends and family.

So what reading challenges are you making for 2014?

A Happy New Year to You All

This poor little blog has been so neglected. In the last months family news has pretty much been shared on Facebook, and I haven't had the energy to put my thoughts in order to post here. I think the original motivation for the blog is no longer there, or at least something has changed. Not sure yet. There's a good possibility that I'm going to let it go, but haven't decided yet.

But for tonight, I want to wish you all a wonderful, bright 2014. This year hasn't been the easiest for any of us, I think, but there's been a lot of joy in it. When all is said and done, we all came through pretty healthy and probably about as happy as we let ourselves be. I am so grateful for having a loving, supportive family - I've seen friends that aren't so blessed. So I treasure every memory and every word and every opportunity we've had to be together, be it in person, on the phone or via the Internet.

So celebrate the rest of the season and know that I love you all.

The Case of the Velvet Claws

Did the rest of you read Perry Mason books? I think I read my first one after I'd read all the Agatha Christie books I could get my hands on at the liquor store - my one source for buying books as I remember. They had one of those paperback spinners - I have no idea what other kinds of books they had in there - but I remember getting my mysteries there.

I have a special project going at the library right now - repairing and putting new covers on the Erle Stanley Gardner collection. It's been great fun going through them all. We don't have a complete collection, but what we have came from the author's personal library. His wife donated them after his death. They're pretty fragile, but they circulate regularly and we do our best to keep them glued together. Prices are astonishing - the cover price on one of them was $1. The covers can be pretty lurid, like old Police Gazette covers.

I'm always looking for new series to read, so I think I'll start this one to see if I still enjoy them. The Case of the Velvet Claws is the first, published in 1933. I'll let you know how it goes.

Jim Jones, Brother to Grandad Jones

I might be behind everyone else on this, but I think I've found Grandad Jones' brother Jim. The last story I heard was that he disappeared when their mother took off. If I have my links correct (and I'm pretty sure I do), he showed up in Oklahoma and married his stepfather's niece, Lena Mayfield. They were married for about 14 years and had five children. Unfortunately, he left Lena and disappeared, so after the divorce decree, I haven't been able to get any further. I'm going to do some more poking around in other family trees to see if I can find pictures, etc. If there's anything I'm missing, be sure to let me know.