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Oh, to laugh out loud

It just feels so good
Not a chuckle.
Or a snicker.
Not a umph.
Or a giggle.

To full on laugh.
LAUGH!

That is my book review for this book.
 

I am not even sure how I stumbled upon it.
I think I was browsing the Newbery award winners.

Mr Peck wrote this for teens and so the book is found in the "Teen" section of the library.
Don't let that deter you.

Well written with a line here and there that sneaks up and catches you from behind.

Delightful characters.
About Grandma Dowdel: "Grandma saved herself a lot of bother by not being the kind of person you question."

About Effie Wilcox: "You think she's ugly not, you should have seen her as a girl. And she'd talk you to death. Her tongues' attached in the middle and flaps both ways."

I have laughed out loud reading - and then even more delightful - the next day when just thinking about it.

I checked out the book and the audio book.
I read.
RR listens
on this way home from work.
He sits in the garage when he gets home.....not wanting to stop ..and then walks in the door chuckling. NO...he walks in - laughing out load.

We then giggle - chuckle - laugh out loud - our way through supper...as we talk about Grandma Dowdel.
She is a most unusual Grandma.

Oh, and there is a sequel. 
"A Year Down Yonder"
I am so happy.

Red Helmet

I love to read.
Sometimes I will go to the library and check out a dozen books and read them in a week.
I don't watch  much TV... on those weeks I don't get to The Magic Room, either.

I often find an author I like and read all they have written.
My current favorite author.
Homer Hickam.

Did you see the movie October Sky?
It is THAT Homer Hickam.
Will we ever forget the look on his face as he was going down the mantrip and looked up and saw that satellite?
Oh.
My.

I don't really love space - nor do I love coal mining, but I was hooked on his story and the dreams and eventual success of those "least likely to win" Rocket Boys.

First I read Sky of Stone.
Another memoir of his coal mining days.
Enjoyed it.
I think because I was raised on a Homestead.
I understand hard work.
I understand love of hard work.
I understand the community of those who work hard.
Well written.
Really enjoyed it.

Then I checked out a couple novels.
I wasn't sure....but really like the easy reading style of Homer Hickam.
Also like that it is a book my Grandchildren could read over my shoulder and not be embarrassed.
It is back luck for a coal miner to swear, did you know that?
They say I 'swan'. Like they won't even say, I swear. Instead they say, "It's the truth, I swan."
And coal miners believe in God, well, of course they do.

I just finished "Red Helmet".
It is a novel based on being a coal miner.
At first I thought, oh, I don't know - a novel about coal mining.

But one chapter into it and I was hooked.
Great story.
Well told.
A love story.
An adventure.
A mystery.
All in one.

Okay girlies

And I am not talking to my bags...I'm a talkin' to you.
This is what you do.
Get the laundry caught up. Get the house somewhat tidy, buy the kids a new coloring book and go by the library and get a couple DVD's.
Make a big ole' pot of spaghetti so your family will have something to eat for a couple days.
THEN....
Go get this book.

(Kids you can borrow mine, first come first serve)

Sit down.
Wrap up in a blanket if need be.
And read it.
Then come back here and let's talk.
Do not pass go do not collect $200..now go, do it.
SUGGESTIONS: Don't read reviews, don't look at the pictures in the book until you get to the middle of the book where they are, just go in blindly...and read.
Our book club leader gave it to us.
I will not forget this book.

The Last Lecture - a good book

Book club was fun.
We discussed The Last Lecture.
by Randy Pausch

Typing either the title or the author in Google will bring you much information about this book, but most amazing is the man behind the book.
(You can even listen to the last lecture here - time well spent.)
We all enjoyed the book.
Sometimes - some like the book we choose, others not so much, but we all enjoyed this one.
An easy afternoon read.
My favorite discussion questions?
1. What would you do...if you were given a terminal diagnosis? Causes one to pause, doesn't it?
We eventually agreed.
Spend it with family. And that we would each go about the last season of life  'our' way. There is not right or wrong way..it is right if you do it YOUR way. We don't all have to do it Randys way. His was so incredible, but then so was he.
Melissa, shared that because her mother-in-law had died the previous year from a cancer battle, her father-in-law had given to each grandchild this year for Christmas - A Memory.
How it works is - he has scheduled an event with each of his grandchildren. Something they have agreed to do together..a way to create a memory.
Isn't that a great idea? I am thinking about how to implement that in  my life. I do hope our day to day interactions are creating memories...but a 'special' one..hummmm.
2. In the book - Randy shares how he achieved many of his dreams - goals. From working at Disney to going with a group of student to NASA.  The discussion then turned to, he had to have the dream - goal to know how and when to make it happen.
What do we want?  Kind of like the 100 things to do before I die, thought.  Or for me it is more, what are my righteous desires?
If we don't have a list, we may just let the opportunity slip by. I am making a list.
I have some specific big time things;  "Have a Forever Family." but some of the lesser things I need to identify  - thinking about this is fun. I have desires, but I need to be more specific and write them down.
An aside..we do have a New Years Resolution meeting with our family every year. I know, I know, folks turn up noses at New Years Resolutions.
We happen to like them.
We meet. First we report on last year - sometimes we have done great, sometimes not so much...doesn't matter we don't judge - just share.
Then we make new resolutions. Meeting together is inspiring and we find great support and encouragement doing it together.
Some from past years:
One son decided he was going to be 'festive'. He had the previous year paid off a $25,000 business debt and decided he needed more cheer and happy in his life.
Happy to report - he IS festive - still, many years later.
Our sweet Granddaughter this year said simply, "I am going to be more like Jesus." That warms a grandma heart.
Another Granddaughter is going to share her toys with her new baby brother.
A kindergartner is going to read more books.
A grandson, finish Piano Book 2.
A son is going to begin his Masters Degree.
Another  is "going to become a morning person".
Our daughter who adopted our China Baby - is going to learn 50 phrases in Chinese.
I chose the word ORDER as my New Years resolve. More order as I choose best over good and better more in my life. A systematic study of the scriptures, time in God's holy house.
You can see the resolutions are not detail - at least with one another, we work that out on our own and then go about living our full lives.
We have found this method to be very rewarding.
Fun. Encouraging.
I think most people progress, and are resolving to be better - but avoid the NYRESOLUTION word.
I believe people are inherently trying to be better...do better.
That is what gets us up in the morning.
What are you working on...what are you doing good, better, best?
If you don't feel  inspired...get the book - or at least listen to the lecture
Inspiring.

My Christmas book this year

I like reading a Christmas book at Christmas time.
Some I've read in past years are:

About 100 times better than the movie. Funny. Easy read. Very good. I laughed OUT LOUD reading this book. Also caught myself wiping a tear away - the best kind of book.

Even though this wasn't my favorite of the Mitford series, I read it at Christmas time and so enjoyed it. If you haven't met Jan Karon and her Mitford series yet - lucky you, because you can begin this wonderful tender journey to Mitford.
Delightful books.
Read them in order.
Enjoy. Find out about the prayer that is always answered.
Love this series!

This year I read:

Oh my.
First of all. I have mixed emotions about Glenn Beck. Sort of a love/hate relationship.
Sometimes he is spot on and I really love what he has to say - other times I feel like all he is doing is YELLING at me, and I can hardly get to the "off"  button fast enough.
I loved this book.
Well written, but more importantly, a message. THE message of Christmas.
This autobiographical novel  held me 'hostage' over two days of reading.
I read every word..(I tend to speed read, and found that came in handy for a bit in the middle)...but then - oh, but then, I read and didn't want it to end.
I just wanted to read and think and read and think.
I even read the credits at the end and the post script about Jon Huntsman.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
A good book is one that can be read - finished but not easily forgotten.
It is lingering in my mind.
A delicious linger.

A Grace Gisguised

For book club in October we are sharing favorite Christmas books.
I will share.
For November we are reading this.
I recommended it and the club decided to read it together.
I am so thrilled.
It is one of my favorite all time books.
Most books I read - then either donate back to the Thrift Store from whenst it came or return to the library.
I have purchased several of these books.
Just bought another one, in fact.
A good review here.
My original book has so many marks and sticky notes - it is not loanable anymore.
I have given several away.
I was first introduced to this book when I was going through some personal loss of my own.
Though the books addresses loss - it is not heartrending.
It is encouraging and insightful.
It is healing.
I recommend.
It is also available at my library..check there..but I believe you will want to own a copy.
It is a book worth having on your beloved book shelf.
When you have read it - let's talk. I'd love to share. Just come back and post on this link and we'll discuss it together. (You can find this link by clicking on 'book club' in the categories on the sidebar)

Some Labor on Labor Day...and Miss Julia and Me

Oh...I worked some on sorting and organizing for the shows this weekend.
I cleared a swath down stairs and ran the vacuum.
I took some food over to Daltons' new family.
But I  also read:

Delightful - my kind of book. Why haven't I known about this delightful series?(She does take the Lord's name in vain a few times - and one subject made me a bit uncomfortable- but is handled discretely)
Available "used" many places online - as it was published in 1999. Fortunately my local library carries the entire series. I have already reserved the next two.
One persons review said a 'jolly good read'. I agree. Jolly Good.
(I don't like to read reviews much before I read a book, sometimes it tells me too much and takes away the fun of discovery as I read.)
This won't give away the story just a glimpse into the writing of Ann B Ross:
"I was just a selfish old women with nothing but a few million dollars to her name. No husband, no children, nothing to look forward to but more of the same. Even the thought of writing checks and buying things couldn't lift my spirits.
I cried. Sitting there in Little Lloyd's room, not a light on in the house, an old, slightly blue-haired women who'd thought of nothing but herself all her life. Yes, I cried."
I look forward to our book club discussion.
Good read. Yip. Jolly. Good.

secrets

I don't like them much.

There are really two kinds of secrets, I believe.
Talking with kids last night we agree...so that makes it official.
Good secrets that bless the lives of others, Underground Railroad is a classic example , or planning a great party to honor someone - good secrets.
Bad secrets - conspiracy. Secrets that shut others out.  Bad. Bad.
I don't much like any kind of secret, even good ones, they are too stressful. I don't like the burden of 'keeping' a secret. Don't tell me. I also feel like it is arrogant. I know a secret you don't know, nay nay.
I can keep a secret, I just don't like to. I don't like excluding others. I don't like that feeling.
Nor do I like feeling like I am on the outside. Feeling left out. Not included.
Just finished reading Memory Keepers Daughter
I guess it is also a movie.
It a story about a secret.
Well, written.
But confirms in my mind how absolutely destructive a secret can be. A bad secret.
I am a big fan of putting all the cards on the table, let the chips fall where they may, let it all out, spill yous guts, free fall with the truth.
Without telling the story, I will just add that, the book confirms my other belief.
The TRUTH is always easier to accept and work with that the secret.
It (the secret) is never as bad as you think it is...take heart, gather up your courage and tell.
Talk about it, share with your family, those you love and trust.
If you don't trust your family, find someone you do. Bishop, preacher, grandma, doctor, merchant chief.
Confess. Don't wait.
Share it - today.
Trust others.
We don't have to carry burdens (secrets) all by ourself.

Doggie Love

Whilst I have been feeling a bit under the weather, I enjoyed a delightful book,

Marley and Me: life and love with the world's worst dog. I loved it. John Grogan is a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the book is so well written. Genius, actually. Just one paragraph to share. Enjoy this brilliant writing as he describes taking Marley to the vet. Marley is enjoying a little fresh outside air as they drive happily along on the Dixie Highway,
"Before I could do anything Marley was off my lap and scrambling out the window of our moving car. His butt was up in the air, his hind legs clawing for a foothold. He was making his break. As his body slithered past me. I lunged for him and managed to grab the end of his tail with  my left hand. Jenny was braking hard in heavy traffic. Marley dangled fully outside the moving car, suspended upside down by his tail, which I had by the most tenuous of grips. My body was twisted around in a position that didn't allow me to get my other hand on him. Marley was frantically trotting along with his front paws on the pavement."
A picture painted with words.  (Speaking of pictures here are some of Marley)
Brilliantly written.
And if you have ever owned a dog, a must read. (Oh, I don't like to command and say a 'must' read, it isn't a must read, but if you want a delightfully written  book for summer reading, I invite you to consider this one.) Oh my goodness I just see -  they are making a movie - although I don't think movies are ever as good as the book.
We love dogs. BUT we had one dog that painfully reminded me of Marley. The day we returned home and she has eaten all the bike seats off our bicycles and strewn the foam and plastic bits about I issued the ultimatum. The dog or me. We can't have both. We listed her in the paper and someone came to look at her but felt her tail had been docked a joint to short. Thank goodness for us, he didn't want her because the very next day she changed (gave up her foolish adolescent ways) and became one of our most beloved dogs. Her name is still held with reverence in our home.

"Chico" (picture taken pre-digital) Chico is in doggy heaven chasing rabbits and 'on point' for all those game birds.
We currently have a Mini Schnauzer. Unlike Marley, she is the worlds best dog. She has not done one thing that would cause the thought to cross our minds, "Do we really want to keep her?"

(Mom, doesn't she look a lot like your Crickie Dog?)
We love our Pepper, PepPep, Peparunnie, PepperDog.

I have a mind like a steel trap

Like this one. This big strong mighty steel will-not-let-go-no-sir-ree-bubba trap. Yes, that is exactly like my mind. Causes one to stand in amazement and wonder, doesn't it? On closer inspection, however, this trap is only great for holding on to big things, like an elephants leg or the scary 'boogler' (boo!)  that might be lurking outside in the dark of night. BUT, this trap is not so good at holding on to smaller things - like a butterfly. Why a butterfly could just slip right on through with hardly even a worry. In fact, it may go through so quick and slick that the trap won't even notice it had come to visit. Now that is the trouble with my mind being like a steel trap. It is trying to hold onto a ma-nillion little facts and tidbits of information all at once. And I can tell you that that big ole' steel trap don't do diddley for that kind of holding on.
This long convoluted introduction is an intro to our book club. We read "The Words We Live By" by Linda R Monk. (And here is a nice search-able link based on the book.) We read and read. Oh, I found it fascinating and informative, though it was also like reading a text book, it was good. I had to think. I tried to remember. Oh, I'm pretty sure I'd get a D- on a test on the constitution, my mind being like a steel trap and all. But it was so good. Good for me.

I"ll share just a couple little tidbits:

"We the people,"  at the time of the writing of the constitution meant  only - males, who owned land. Did you know that?

I relearned about the three branches of government.  More about Senators and the House of Representatives, the why and how they are composed like they are. Brilliant.

Impeachment is NOT a criminal proceeding. Did you know that?

The Chief Justice of the United States. He is not just the chief justice of the Supreme Court but of the United States, because he is head of the entire judicial branch. I don't remember learning about that? Oh, and John Marshall - The Great Chief Justice. He served for thirty-four years. The Liberty Bell cracked  while tolling his death. He was amazing.

And George Washington. And John Adams.

I guess one of the great things about being in this season of my life, everything is new again, because that steel trap has let so many little butterfly things go right on through, I have the joy of learning it all again.

Yip. Steel trap. That is what my mind is like, all-righty. A steel trap.