Ponder: Two Summer Books

In my previous post (12/19//19), I wrote a glowing review about an excellent book I had just finished, The Giver of Stars. It felt rewarding to write that blog post and refreshing to do it so soon after completing the book. That is not the situation in this post. I read these two books months ago in the spring/summer, but then life has a way of getting away from you and I never completed the draft reviews I had started. Since I want to take credit on the count in my Books Read in 2019 list I will give a token opinion on each. Both were rated 4.5 stars on Amazon but I think they fall short of that rating, although I do not regret having spent time reading them.

The Summer List ©2018 by Amy Mason Doan is a tale about two very close friends who have a falling out. "Why" is the glaring question. Curiosity draws the reader willingly along a path to learn "what happened". Laura is being raised by very religious parents and Casey lives with her single parent mom. They live on a California lake near each other, reachable by a brief row boat ride. They are inseparable during their summers together. Casey's mom is the "cool" mom and often creates scavenger hunts to interest and engage the local high school students. The scavenger hunt premise is what initially drew me to explore this book. I loved the majority of the novel, although I do remember struggling with some flashbacks in which the same character could be referenced by a name or a nickname depending on where on the timeline the action is occurring. That confusion could be a brain retention lapse of mine, though. The character development was great and I loved the interaction and mutual caring of the girls for each other before their divisive event.

The final lines of Amazon's description reads – accurately in my opinion –

Mesmerizing and unforgettable, Amy Mason Doan’s The Summer List is about losing and recapturing the person who understands you best—and the unbreakable bonds of girlhood.

The ending was a shocker, not necessarily because the pieces of the puzzle did not fit together, but rather because the situation seemed was so improbable. I would rate this book 3.5 stars but, since my system does not accommodate partial stars, I will round to 3 stars. Amy Mason Doan does have another book out, Summer Hours ©2019, that was published straight to paperback, no hard bound version, which may be a clue to its "literary value". But I like this author's style and characters sufficiently that I may pursue her second novel for some light reading.

***********************

Lost and Found Sisters ©2017 by Jill Shavis, is another novel purported as a beach read and seemingly verified by the cover image. I view a beach read as a novel light enough in scope and plot that is does not require deep mental concentration to absorb while basking on a beach. I am not a beach person. Although I enjoy strolling along the water's edge maybe in the cool of the morning or late evening, no way do I want to lie on a lumpy towel or a tipsy lawn chair on a sandy shore, sweating in the sun, getting a burn on my skin, a friction rash in my bottom, and grit in my mouth from the white granular stuff blowing all around. Give me my comfy soft blue leather chair-and-a -half in my nice air-conditioned home and I will curl up and read contently any book that is light fare. That is exactly where I perched myself to read this book one evening and a bit the following morning.

I will describe the plot by deferring to Amazon's synopsis and by picking some choice phrases.

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.'s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend. Then when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim, the shocking revelation washes over her like a tidal wave. Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend and heads up the coast. As Quinn settles in, she discovers the inheritance isn’t a house or money, but rather something earth-shattering.

Reading this book is like watching a Hallmark movie, which believe me, I have done lot of this holiday season. I find it relaxing and satisfying and can be assured there will be a happily ever after ending. I had fun reading this book. There was an unexpected twist at the end that made it worthwhile. Consider it a Hallmark Christmas with a beach setting. I rate it 3 stars.

Ponder: The Giver of Stars

I give The Giver of Stars © 2019  FIVE stars.

This novel by Jojo Moyes is based on the real-life project known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky. Per Wikipedia

The Pack Horse Library Project was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) program that delivered books to remote regions in the Appalachian Mountains between 1935 and 1943. Women were very involved in the project which eventually had 30 different libraries serving 100,000 people. Pack horse librarians were known by many different names including "book women," "book ladies," and "packsaddle librarians." The project helped employ around 200 people and reached around 100,000 residents in rural Kentucky.

The book features the grit of four women who braved harsh conditions, rugged terrains, gender biases, race biases, and societal prejudices to deliver books to the under-privileged in the remote hill areas of Kentucky. Margery, the team leader and a strong feminist in today's terms, is also a role model for Alice, Isabelle, and Beth. Alice comes from a wealthy family in England and strives gallantly to adapt to a rustic Kentucky lifestyle. Isabelle struggles with a physical disability and Beth – well, pipe-puffing, chain smoker, Beth is just ornery, outspoken Beth. The physical and emotional endurance of these women is awe-inspiring. Their compassion for the hill people and less fortunate is heart-warming as time after time they demonstrate acts of kindness and bravery on the behalf of the less fortunate. Although the book features many common stereotypes – the  cruel and greedy coal mine boss, the hillbilly with his still, the gun toting macho man who is mean when drunk, the illiterate men and women trying to scratch out a living and raise their many children, the strong but gentle and kind supporting males contrasted with the weak milk-toast husband – the characters all become real, believable, and interact together superbly. Personally I think character portrayal is one of Jojo Moyes greater strengths. I have read and enjoyed other books by her, rating most four or five stars:

• After You ©2016 (9/20/16) ★★★★☆
• One Plus One ©2014 (7/17/15) ★★★★★
• Me Before You ©2014 (6/28/15) ★★★★☆
• The Last Letter from Your Lover ©2012 (10/14/15) ★★★★☆
• Windfallen (7/25/15) ©2004 ★★★☆☆ (or even less)

The action and suspenseful scenes are plentiful and keep the novel fast-moving. I read it in one continuous read, stopping reluctantly one night to sleep. The action and suspense are mainly vehicles to showcase an inspiring tale of friendship, camaraderie, mutual support, understanding, and loyalty among a group of women. A broad spectrum of the relationships between a man and a woman are explored and provide much food for thought. I also found Jojo Moyes' wording and similes captivating. Here are a few examples.

"You know the worst thing about a man hitting you?" Margery said finally. "Ain't the hurt. It's that in that instant you realize the truth of what it is to be a woman. That it don't matter how smart you are, how much better at arguing, how much better than them, period. It's when you realize they can always just shut you up with a fist. Just like that." [Chapter 12]

This town could polish a piece of gossip and preserve it like an insect in amber. It would still be rolling around whole centuries later. ...[Chapter 15]

... a route most considered impassable, given the steepness of the terrain and the dense undergrowth. But both she and Charley, having been raised on rough ground, could see a way through as instinctively as a boss could see a dollar sign... [Chapter 18]

I enjoyed the action, the suspense, the plot surprises, the language, and the characters immensely. I recommend it highly for discussion within book clubs, between husband-wife pairs, or perhaps just with a close friend or family member.

Ponder: Christmas 2019 Decorating

Decorating Philosophy
In reading one of the quilt blogs I follow, the author mentioned that her husband suggested they use all new Christmas decorations this year instead of deploying the same old stuff in the same places. She stated she felt creative again instead of doing a chore.

I liked the creativity aspect, but I do not want to spend the money on new stuff and then store it, especially because I know myself well enough that I would not be able to part with the old. I decided to deploy the old decorations in a new way hence calling upon some pleasure of creativity. Utilitarian-wise also, I wanted to eliminate entirely any ladder climbing for Frank – or me. I promised I would try to keep it simple reminding myself that anything taken out had to be put away and it would be only the three of us, Frank, Alex, and me. For my Christmas Eve blog post here are pictures of the results, interspersed with a few comments. Hope it inspires yuletide peace and joy.

In the Living Room

The two strings of huge C-9 bulb are tacked up as high on the wall as Frank can reach without a ladder. The strand's length is the perfect window height. Metal signs bought at Michael's Craft store last year were a different addition to our tree.

Our standard garland above the hutch was replaced by a row of glittery glam jeweled ornaments that I could stand on tippy-toe and set in place.

I found a new place for my flat wooden nativity figures - on the Grandfather's clock. Joseph had to hangout with the other shepherd because he did not fit up at the higher level with Mary and the Babe. I will think of it as guy's night out.

Our dining room table houses the jumbo glitter houses Frank made recalling his childhood ones.

The snow people are from Dan's college days when he spied them in the window display of an architectural supply store in San Luis Obispo. He and Robin conspired to buy them from the store's owner. They were a huge surprise when he drove home from college, rang the front door bell, and held out Mr. Snowman smack dab in my face. Displaying them now is an annual tradition. Note the tiny rubber Avon nativity off to the left. The three-legged donkey recalls the time Alex dropped him in the bunny cage and the bunny used him for teething. Aah, another Christmas memory. Frank installed the peg-leg.

I'd bought a galvanized tray with different size bottles a few months ago on a decorating impulse. It was on clearance. I did not buy more floral sprays, just plunked in pinecones and balls on sticks from previous gifted delivered floral arrangements to create a hearth filler that was inexpensively festive.

These knit Christmas stocking were made by Frank's Aunt Ruth for our family of five. Since then I have knitted seven others for a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren. Ironically the only ones remaining in our house are not my handiwork but Aunt Ruth's.

A blue Christmas Tree rug on the floor and a Grinch quilt over the back of the couch are the final largish items. There are several smaller quilts scattered about on the chairs.

In the Family Room

Bought last year and never removed from its original box, this white tree and its clearance price called to me. Designed as a yard decoration, we repurposed this white, glittery tree next to our family room hearth to add glow. We chose to leave it in its undecorated simplicity.

Inspired by this black and white sign, I set up this montage with zebra on the piano. The sheet music is from a song Dan sang with his class in kindergarten.

Santa's using zebras now to pull his Christmas sleigh

'cause a boy in Africa wrote to him one day.

"Santa please stop by," he said, "and bring some toys with you."

Santa's using zebras now south of Timbuktu.

--

Donner, Blitzen, all the reindeer put him on the spot -

they were used to ice and snow but Africa was hot!

Then some zebras came along and they pulled Santa through.

Santa's using zebras now south of Timbuktu.

--

See the pyramids to by and there's the Nile below.

Watch out for that tall giraffe; mustn't fly too low.

Hello hippopotamus the season's joy to you!

Hello Mr. Crocodile merry Christmas too!

--

As they gallop over jungles lions stop and stare,

wonderin' what those zebras could be doing way up there.

While the reindeer wait for him back home in their igloo,

Santa's using zebras now south of Timbuktu.

Having bought this galvanized metal house with 25 compartments from Michael's at a post-Christmas bargain, I have been tripping over that "bargain" in my downstairs closet for over a year. This Christmas, it was time to display and use it in some way. A few shiny balls and glittery ornaments turned folly into festive.

Roughly a decade ago, after placing Alex in St. Denis home and later with Robin and Dan both off, married, and out of the house, Frank and I bought this wreath at a garage boutique symbolizing that now it was just the two of us.

My dad put these lighted wreaths in the windows of our home in Linden, NJ every year. They followed him to North Carolina and have now made their way as an annual tradition in our California home. A long tube light as for a piano lamp directs the glow upward onto the wreath screen printed on plexiglass. They were fabricated in Elizabeth, NJ and we have never, ever seen anything like them and we have googled and searched eBay extensively. Even with compromised flexibility and limited range of motion from his emergency hip replacement shortly before Christmas of 2016, Frank still crawls around the floor and behind furniture to set these up for me every year.

Wishing all who read this – and those who just look at the pictures –
a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous Yuletide season.

Oklahoma Visit

Friday, November 29th, the day after Thanksgiving I flew out from Oakland to Oklahoma City, via Denver, to stay with my daughter Robin and her two kids for a week while her husband Jeremy was in training near Washington DC for fire sprinkler design and installation. My husband Frank gamely got up early enough to get me to the airport by 6:00 am, 90 minutes before the first leg of my flight. The flight status board at Oakland's Gate 24 predicted cold and snow in Denver. I had my fingers crossed that all would go smoothly with the travel.

As I waited at Denver's Gate 26 for my flight to Oakland I noted it Denver airport was foggy and the jet bridge had the remains of previous snowfalls on it roof, but certainly nothing to the extent that would hamper my travels. I could not remember what a walkway from the terminal to the plane was called and looked it up. Apparently it can have many titles. Per Wikipedias interesting entry for a jet bridge, it came also be called

jetway, airgate, gangway, aerobridge/airbridge, air jetty, portal, skybridge, finger, airtube (tube), or its official industry name passenger boarding bridge (PBB).

My flight was about fifteen minutes late in arriving, not at all bad for airport times.

While waiting I compared the weather between my origin and destination cities of Oakland and Oklahoma City and found them to be quite similar in the 40°F's. But the location around Denver was 25°F colder! On my second flight the cabin temperature was cold, so much so that the passengers were wearing their full winter coats and knit beanie hats!

Jeremy, Autumn, and Isaiah picked me up at the terminal since Robin was still at work that Friday afternoon. After I was onboard, we had to do an extra loop around the terminal since on the approach to fetch me, a plastic rain guard had flown off a rear window of the Subaru; we needed a keen set of eyes to spot it and retrieve it from in or alongside the roadway. Jeremy temporarily parked the vehicle in a off-the-way location and walked a fair portion of the muddy, under-construction loop leading to the terminal roadside pickup, but not see it. On our final circuit, before heading for home, Jeremy spotted it. Alas, it was broken. Whether a car road over it, whether it broke when it hit the pavement, or whether it was damaged in the first place and that is why it fell off, we will never know. We had already had a mini-adventure and my visit had only just begun.

This story is cute enough I need to repeat it from my book review post about Nanaville. It is also more appropriately told here. Isaiah was very excited to see me, greeted me with hugs and kisses and a loud "Grandma!" at the airport pickup; we exchanged more hugs and kisses once in his home. But then he asked, "Where's Grandpa?". I explained that Grandpa had stayed home and was taking care of the house and the dog. "Is he coming?" he asked. I said no, not on this trip. Isaiah was quiet for a moment. Then he said "Aww... and he's my favorite!" That's Ok. I do not mind. Being chopped liver still has its perks. Besides, Isaiah made my husband very happy.

Saturday, November 30th Robin got up early to take Jeremy to the airport for his flight out.  The kids and I stayed in our pajamas. Robin and I had a plan. We would take the kids to the Science Museum for a couple of hours to tire them out and give them undivided attention so that we might come home, plunk them without guilt in front of the TV and have time to visit with each other. Huh. That did not work out. As we pulled into the driveway, five hours later, we looked at each other, exhausted to the point that getting out of the car would required calling on our reserves of energy. Autumn and Isaiah were laughing and chasing each other around the car. Our plan had backfired. This next photo illustrates their unflagging energy level. I swear that the draft from their high-speed, exuberant laps around the lobby made those white and black balls suspended from the ceiling sway in response.

This sign confused me. I could understand "Thinkertown", Brainsylvania", and Learninville" but what did "Derpton" signify"? Frank and Robin did not know either so I had to google it. The Science Museum is all about learning, is it not? I found a YouTube describing Derp SSundee as a mischievous male character who makes money by illicit means – as a womanizing kleptomaniac – in the online fictional neighborhood-creating video game The SIMS 4. The first two minutes of the video explains the character. Online gaming is entirely out of my realm of knowledge and so I did not invest any more that 60 seconds of my time on the 20-minute explanatory YouTube video. 

I am ignorant of this genre but I am guessing the SSundee part comes from a well known gamester from the video gaming realm. Per the fandom link for SSundee

Ian Markus Stapleton (born: December 2, 1987 [age 32]), better known online as SSundee, is an American YouTube gamer

Ian Markus Stapleton's birth year falls between that of my daughter and my son. Video gaming is most likely a generational thing. Hmmm. If I squint my eyes just right, the YouTube icon looks quite similar to my son and my son-in-law with their beards and sunglasses.

In my biased, unsubstantiated view, I suspect that the Derp character may symbolize a street smart type of success (or foolishness) and may be of low moral character. But, hey, whatever entertains. I included the reference because, well, "Inquiring minds want to know", and perhaps it is a draw for a subset of Science Museum patrons of a younger set than I.

Live and let live. After all, I spent a good portion of my socializing time in my late twenties playing Dungeons & Dragons . In D&D, characters are assigned certain attributes just as Derp appears to be assigned in his "~warped" lifestyle.

On this trip to the museum we happened to unintentionally time it such that guided tours were being offered of a historic Pullman railway car that transported wealthy patron from routes such as Boston to Chicago. When ordinary fares were on the order of $12, these tickets cost $2000. The car was manned by one cook and one valet who served the rich passengers.  We saw sleeping rooms, ensuite facilities, dining areas, and kitchen food preparation and storage areas. Isaiah was on the tour, too, but he managed to escape all the photos.

Outside, near a treehouse climbing area, I sat on a narrow bench to rest while watching the kids. It was not a bench. It was a teeter-totter and I fell unceremoniously on my a**.

My grandkids were not overly concerned about my well-being. Not far away the museum mascot was parading around and they rushed over to get their share of attention.

We spent some time in an architectural building area and then on to a lab to make slime. Autumn stirred hers very well and it did congeal into slime. Isaiah was not so dexterous and his shocking pink liquid oozed out of its container, creating a mess that had to be tossed before we got home.

We took a photos at the displays in the space area. Autumn took the one of Robin and me and did a very good job of it.

That evening Robin helped Isaiah build and play with his gift from the museum gift shop. He insisted his robot have a long neck like E.T. from the 1982 Steven Spielberg film. That meant the robot kept falling over and his head kept falling off. The robot's head – not Isaiah's.

I had given Autumn a doll that I'd brought from California. Oddly enough, I'd bought it online from a store in Oklahoma. (It had been fabricated in France and called Ella Aqua French Doll by Applesauce.) Autumn kept herself very busy creating accessories for that doll and storing those accessories in the sliding box that housed the doll.

Sunday December 1st we went to Jeremy and Robin's church New Life United Methodist Church  in the adjacent town of Moore about 3 miles away. The service was fascinating. An annual service called the Hanging of the Greens it focused on an explanation of the significance of various Christmas symbols: the Evergreens, the Christmas Tree, the Christmas Poinsettia, the Advent Colors, the Advent Wreath,  the Nativity, Gifts.

The children came forward from out of the pews in the congregation to decorate the tree in these two-dimensional white ornaments of all religious symbols. They were eager and cooperative and I was amazed how a plain green tree was brought to life so swiftly.

The banners along the front wall of the church were richly colored and strikingly attractive.

After church we had brought home a lunch from Taco Bell. Jeremy's mom joined and we played a game of Labyrinth. At the store of the Science Museum the previous day, I had bought this sliding maze game where players search to collect treasures. I remembered having played it wit Robin and her brother Dan when they were still living at home. It only accommodates four players but I teamed up with Isaiah and Jeremy's mom Anna teamed up with Autumn. It was fiercely competitive between the grandmas, but Robin won, thus saving the day from any hurt egos.

Later in the afternoon I revealed some of the other gifts from my suitcase. Autumn liked her owl and stripes pillowcase pair. Based on the colors, she declared she was going to save them for Easter. For now she would wear them as owl wings. Isaiah had a pair of Christmas pillowcases with sock monkeys. He was acting silly and wanted to hide putting his head in rather than arms as his sister had done.

Noticing the necklace I had worn to church Isaiah asked what it was. I jokingly told him, "Grandma has rocks in her head and the ones that fall out I wear around my neck so I do not lose them". He wanted to wear rocks around his neck, too, so I obliged. It is fun to be silly.

For Monday - Wednesday, Dec 2nd - Dec 4th Robin needed to work the first three days of the week. The kids were in school and daycare all five days so time and activities with them were limited to the evenings, except for the small snippets in the morning. Then I helped as best I could to get them out the door: breakfast serving, lunch packing, hair combing, homework finding.

Tuesday evening December 3rd Isaiah had his lesson at Golden Tiger Martial Arts. He turned 4 in July and as such is one of the youngest in the class. At this level the kids are being taught to listen, pay attention, and be aware of their body. All attempts are made to keep them from running wild. Somehow I think the guttural grunts and projected shouts the students are instructed to make as they count and move are more conducive to animalistic behavior. Truly it is ironic that on the wall is emblazoned "House Of Discipline". Stickers are doled out for good behavior. And they are quite strict in determining if a sticker is warranted. Isaiah deserved and got a sticker once out of the two times I was there. He takes three classes a week. But the dojo is kid-friendly. There are games and Christmas interactive decorations in the lobby waiting area.

After Autumn's homework on Tuesday, December 3rd I started a Scrabble game with her.  I kept it to words I knew she could read, helped her think of short words to play for herself. Her math was great at adding up the scores. For the sake of simplicity, I though it best to ignore double and triple letter and word scores. Maybe next time. I tried to play words short enough for her to read but long enough to stretch out across the board and give her more opportunities and locations for play. It was harder to do this than I thought.

Wednesday night, December 4th we finished the Scrabble game. Having been left out on the breakfast table overnight, it did get some jolting around and rearranged a wee bit. For example, that word "AZE" near the middle bottom is missing the lead "R" for "RAZE". After adding up the final score Autumn was quite pleased and proud that she had won. It had been a close game throughout. The two final scores differed by one point: Autumn 162, Grandma 161. Autumn insisted on printing "WIN!" above her name on the scoring sheet.

We also did a lot of reading. We kept track of some on Autumn's December reading log. I also read a ton to Isaiah but he does not have a list on which to keep track. Don't worry. I will not be writing reviews of those books in my blog – although that Shark Frenzy one was certainly long enough... groan. My mouth is still dry. I am far enough behind writing up reviews of books I read on my own. Last I checked I have noted five draft posts about my own books, some addressing more than one title. Clearly I am going to combine some of these and be briefer to fit it all in 2019.

Robin was able to take time off from work on Thursday December 5th and Friday December 6th. We enjoyed each other's company at home and did sewing talk while she worked on a cloth advent wall calendar similar to one I had made for Dan and Carrie but smaller in size. (See December 3, 2019 post in my DianeLoves2Quilt blog.) In the daytime on Friday we took a break and went to Robin's favorite fabric store, Savage Quilter, and browsed. Per its web site The Savage Quilter is a full service quilt shop with over 9,000 bolts and the largest selection of fine quality quilting fabrics in Oklahoma. Of course I bought stuff – some specialty pencils, tea towels, a Cadillac of seam rippers – but I will disclose those details in my other blog. I did fall in love with this fabric and although Robin offered me the option of thinking about it – after all Savage Quilter is only about 15 miles north of Robin and she could pick some up for me, or I could use their new an online service  – I caved and bought some on the spot.

Friday night, December 6th Autumn and I made a winter-themed pillowcase for her bed for Christmas. I completed the other partner to the pair later that night before I packed for my departure the next day. Sewing with her always brings me joy – accompanied by a large expenditure of patience having to proceed at the sewing knowledge level of a seven year old. She gets better and better each time, though. Her enthusiasm and aptitude impress me immensely.

The week had gone by so quickly. On those hours when Robin and the kids had been at work or school and I was left to my own devices, I read books, did some blogging, or scooted out to the grocery store and prepped a few meals. I also napped. Frank had urged me to enjoy the week and try to rest up. The previous weeks had been hectic with Alex's illnesses (post for 11/5/2019), our Nashville trip posts starting with 11/15/19, and our Veteran's day visit of Dan's family (post for 12/16/19). Once everybody had left in the morning, I sheepishly confess I would go back to bed. Hey, I was on California time still! The visit flew by and I loved seeing everybody in their home environment and getting to know my grandkids even better.

December 7th my flight from Oklahoma City was scheduled out early afternoon and I was routed through Phoenix. Robin got me to the airport about noon and then had to go back at 4:00 pm to pick up a returning Jeremy. A bummer about this trip was that I had so little overlap time with Jeremy; but then I did schedule it to be of help and company to Robin while he was off class.

Each flight took place in rainy weather and passengers were cautioned it would be turbulent. Drink service on both flights was suspended for the safety of the flight attendants who were to remain in their seats. I was reminded of the Y2K hoax – much ado about nothin'. The flights were fine and smooth. I am in no way complaining. I would gladly give up that cup of ice water or hot tea to have a calm gentle flight.

Our friends Larry and Renée drove Frank to the airport to pick me up. We were going to a Christmas music concert directly afterward. They let Frank off to greet me and help with my luggage. I smiled when I saw him and his sign. It was good to be in OKC but also good to be home. And yes, we made it in time for the 8:00 pm concert, although I might have dozed off a teeny tiny-bit during one of the songs. Instructions were to let me sleep and only wake me if I snored. Shh.